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ave you ever asked yourself why you give gifts at Christmas, for binhdays, and on other special occasions? You might want to spend time reflecting on your answer- it could tell you some things about yourself. My own reflections have led me to consider the word "present.MAfter all, this is the season of giving. The word has double meaning. It leads us to the notion that we make our very inner selves present to the persons who receive our gifts. But is that what's really happening when you give your gift to someone? How much of your se!f are you truly giving - your time and attention? Your commitment? Your energies? Or, are you giving your gift simply to discharge a duty, a social obligation? When we begin to really delve into the answers to those questions we gain insight as to how much God is giving us His inner life, His very self, to us - in His Christ child. It was a total self-giveaway, a total self-emptying into our very own humanity! And look at the conditions surrounding His selfemptying into us! Was it accompanied by trumpet blasts, fanfare, and a cosmic display of power and omnipotence? A son of eanhbound supernova? No, it was accomplished in silence, serenity and simplicity - in powerlessness. Why? Why did God choose to come to us that way?
While you are reflecting on these things, "pondering on them in your hean" as Mary His mother did, you might also consider the idea that sometimes it is more blessed to receive than to give. I know we are often told "it is more blessed to give than to receive." jesus taught that. I suggest that there's a paradox in His teaching ... because when you receive a gift you are giving honor and respect to the giver. You're saying to the giver that you need their gift of love. We ought not suggest that we don't need them. If we pay little attention to God's gifts, what are we saying to Him? This Is our faith's teaching to us - we cannot" achieve, buy, merit, win or grasp our own salvation.
We can only receive justification, sanctification and salvation from God who, out of unconditional love for us, wants to give it as a gift to us. The trick, however, is that we don't have these gifts from God unless and until we receive them. Receiving requires humility- the humble recognition that we are in need of the gifts and cannot have them unless we receive them from the hands of our Tremendous lover who loves us even though we may not love ourselves very much. We are in the time of Christmas and New Year's. It is a frightfully busy time of the year and all of us are in a frenzied pursuit of getting things done. Nevenheless, as you read these words at this very moment, you've taken a bit of time out to reflect. Why not give God, right here and now, a bit of quiet and silent time to reflect on these thoughts with Him ... and then, humbly, in the privacy of your own soul, receive His Christmas gift to you? fG
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contents
tures: Gift of Self
over: Mrs. Burgess' Assignment • A Teacher's Diary • Building with Books Program Kathy Funk
12
The]oumey • 3 Ways to Navigate Through ChristrruJS Dr. Cathleen McGreal
17
Spiritual Fitness Fr. Bill Ashbaugh
17
The Lynch That Stole Christmas Back • Meet Deacon Mike Lynch •Teen Ranch Sarah Childress
18
Jubilee Special
4 Reasons to be joyful in 2001 Fr. Larry Delaney
8
Culture
How Cookies and Candles Can Add Up to Christmas •An Advent How-to Evelyn . . . . .
Contributors
In The Know With Fr.]« f
Fr. Joseph Knipp
rom The Bishop •Children are Right About
C~
Bllbop Carl Mengellng
10
The Last Word ... Departments
community loCIIIMWS the world
faHh Volume 1 : lsaue 10
.,_....2000
Most Reverend Carl E Mengeling PUBUSHIII
Rev. Fr. Charles Irvin
Send your letters to: Editor, FAITH Magazilte 300 W. Ottawa Lansing, Ml 48933 or via e·mall frdrvtne rc.net
EDI10R IN CHII!Jf
Patrick M. O'Brien MANAGING IDfTOit
CREA11Y£ IMUC10R
Kathy Funk ASSISTANT IDnOfl SIVI' WitmER
T1us message is to tell you how In your September edito1ial wonderful the September issue (Our journey in FAITH), of FAITH Magazine is. I intend amidst Fr. Irvin s usual proto save this one like I do all the found and gentle philosophies, rest of my issues but this is one was an unmistakable note of to slwre and keep especially for cynicism. What, after all, my grandchildren. ... FAITH do we mean by the word 1ami· has the best writers. Keep up ly' these days?" You really left the good work. us hanging on that one. without Pltrlda Stolces qualifiers. ... Both Christian and secular researchers continue to I am not a fan of FAITH confirm that parents retain the Magazine. ... Sure Fr. joe primary influence in theformawrites some amusing articles, tion of their teenagers, despite but it seems this magazine is the seeming domination of the more about slick layouts than media culture. content. In our area, we receive Jane Terwilligar Credo. I really enjoy it. ... Credo is more enjoyable and I would like to compliment you more informative than FAITH. for such a fine magazine. I enjoy Steven D. Gensterblum the variety of articles, starting
Mollie Lauffer CREATIVE A EDITORIAL AUISTANT
jillanejob SUIISCRI~
Evelyn Weitzel
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SUUCRIPT10HS
Rev. Fr. William Ashbaugh Evelyn Barella Sarah Childress Rev. Fr. Larry Delaney Rev Fr. Dwight Ezop Elizabeth johnson Rev. Fr. j oseph Krupp Dr. Cathleen McGreal j ennifer Niester Most Rev. Kenneth]. Povish Rita Thiron CONTRIBUTING WRI1'US
Rev Rr. Dwight Ezop Margaret Perrone PROOPRIADING
Christine jones james Luning Peter Glendinning cotmtiBUTING PHOIOGIUPHI!RS
OH1HI!:COVER
Wayne Case Mary Delano David Fenech
Review by Fr. Dwighl Ezop
Stumped for stocking stuffers? Why not tuck In an Inspirational book? Give a little nourishment for the mind and soul (and If you sneak a peek, we won't tell).
Rev. Ft: j . Thomas Munley Diane Nowak Margaret Perrone james Rhadigan Michael'Rizik Ricardo Rodriguez Rev. Fr james Swiat Sharon Wimple AD'IISOR'I' IIOAIID
Rev. Fr. Karl Pung
In Amazing Grace, Kathleen Norris examines some of the vocabulary of our Christian faith - words like judgment, faith, prayer, and Christian, among others. Norris uses history, theology, and memoir to break them open for reflection.
WUMINISTRY
Tim Strandberg, Parish Systems WI!B SIMDUIGN, IIIANAGQI!HT
GPI Graphics, Lansing
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The short history of St. Therese, the Little Flower, touched me deeply (October 2000). My sister, Agnes, entered the Order of St. Benedict at the age of 20. ... She died on Good Friday, April 3, 1931, at the age of 28. Her favorite saint had been St. Therese, the Little Flower. Rosemary u -
A Christmas Sourcebook Edited by Mary Ann Simcoe
FAITHII......_GII......,_ .-.. ~ llr ,...... c.l (817) 3~-zliOO ........
Ciarlllcallon: Last month, we published a letter by Michelle Rivet that was not inlanded for publication. It was a personal letter to Fr. Charlie Irvin. Note: All letters senl lo the tor will be considered for publlcat1!4 unleu the author statee olh1arwllse~
will help children to learn and remember this impor· tant message of courage and faith. Ages birth to 5.
(Uturgy lhllnlng Press)
One volume in a collection of books from LTP that offer a variety of daily renections and meditations for the liturgical seasons of the year. For Teens and Adults This book helps to see that Amazing Grace: A r Christmas is not just a Vocabulary of Faith ~::---...·day, but a unique season By Kathleen Norris of days and nights. (Rlvemead Boolcs)
Patricia Garda
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Clwrfotte Stohl
4 Stocking Stuffers
james Luning, Photography
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with "In the Know with Fr. joe~ and the delicious recipes. ... And I've enjoyed reading how some of our traditions have evolved.
For Children
God is Love: Classic Bible Verses for Children Selected and Introduced by Mary Joslin (Loyola Pntu)
With simple introductions and beautiful illustrations, words of wisdom that are part of our heritage are broken open to enrich a child's understanding of faith. Ages 4 and up.
Come Aboard Noah's Art< By Julie Downing (Loyola Pntu)
The story of Noah and his boat&load of critters is an all-time favorite. The sturdy pages of this book are fllled with rhymes that
For More Books plus~ fram ... St. FrMds Cenler Book Store log on·
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Your Top 1 0 Movies The Results of Our Online Poll
The cookies are baked. The
presents are wrapped. The stockings have been hung by
the chimney with care. So now whafs left to do? How about sharing some family time together enjoying a holiday classic either on video or DVD? Of course, the all-time Christmas fHck Is It's a Wonderful Life. But what other movies would you want to snuggle up wRh family and enjoy? We that question to our rapid Internet friends.
Your lbp 10 Chrisbnas Movies: 1) Miracle on 34th Street (1947) 2) A Christmas Carol (eRher wRh George c. Scott, 1984; Alastair Slm, 1972; or the Muppets, 1997) 3) A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) 4) The Bishop's Wife (the Cary Grant, David Niven and Loretta Young version, 1947) 5) A Christmas Story (1983) 6) White Christmas (1954) 7) The Bells of SL Mary's (1945) 8) It Came Upon the Midnight Clear (1984) 9) The LIHie Drummer Boy (1968) 10) A tla: Prancer (1989) and The Santa aausa (1994)
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Wl I recently spent a week at a conference In Italy. Hey, I goHa tell you, those people can cook. We had noodles, pasta, meat and all sorts of things. Everyone asked me when I returned, "Did you eat Italian food over there?" to which
I responded, "Well, yes, but over there I think they just call It food!' Anyway, I did eat and I loved IL But I real· ly missed hamburgers. All I could think of was eating a big, nasty, grill·cooked, juicy, cholesterol·laden, greasy hamburger, oozing with all sorts of fat happiness. When I retumed, my sister was waiting for me at the al~ port After she greeted me, she said. "How does a burger sound?'' Oh, thank you God! So, she bought me one from a fast food jolnL Salivating, I took a big, big bite - and got nothing but bun. Yuck! There Is nothing worse than that!
I always feel so much pres· sure at Christmas time. There's so much that has to be done and I have to make sure I get the right gift for each person. How can I bal· ance my perspective so that Christmas Is the prayerful experience It Is meant to be?
bun. I mean, hey, it's that time of the year again. Christmas is here and we are running around like crazy. Now, just to be clear, this isn't going to be one of those ~You are missing the reason for the season!" lectures. I figure we have enough guilt over other things that we Many of us, in this don't need any more. Let's face Christmas season, may be experiencing the same kinds it: we've got shopping to do! How do we do the shopof pressures. We are ready to take a big bite out of the sea· ping, the running, and hanson and enjoy what God has dle the seasonal craziness and still stay focused? That i cooked up for us, but we find that in the end, all we've the big question. Before I got is cheap, dry hamburger answer it, though, let me give a disclaimer: We're going to talk about money, and the one thing we have to remember is the need to be financially responsible. Our money is a gift from God and we always need to be thoughtful in how we spend. Got it? Good. Now, let's get to the meat of our discussion on Christmas. It's a natural tendency on our parts to be worried about taking Christmas gift giving to an extreme. Some have even said that we need to dump the whole gift exchange practice, so we can go to the "real meaning" of Christmas. But I think we have to ask ourselves an important question: What if gift-giving IS a big pan of the real meaning of Christmas? ( Here's what I mean: ' 'j
Christmas recalls the day of jesus' birth. We celebrate the fact that God took flesh and walked among us. God became one of us in order to save us. THAT is Gods gift to us, and the greatest gift we will ever receive. We celebrate these two realities by giving gifts to each other.
ents for those we love, because it is a way of expressing our thanks to God when we do it responsi· r~W~MIIIPIMM bly. So, this year, in the ~,~~~~~ midst of your shopping, offer I it all as a prayer. You'll find Christmas more rewarding, gift giving more exciting, and that sweater you gave your the whole season will be a brother last Christmas (you time of celebrating God's know the one: that real ugly love for us and our love for green·and·red number with Him and His people. And the flashing lights). you just might not buy Jesus dug It and another ugly sweater, too. says 1hank you! Enjoy another day in God's Do you see presence! what I mean? We don't have Send your Questions to: to feel guilty "In the Know with Fr. Joe" for running FAITH Magazine around like 300 W. Ottawa, Lensing, Ml 48933 • • • First, we give gifts to jesus by using all He gave us to glorify God. Secondly, we give gifts to jesus by loving His people and celebrating the presence of God within them. Thirdly, we give gifts to jesus by giving gifts to His people. For Instance, there's
or E·Mall JoelnBiack@priest.com
jubilee joy and Spirituality By ff. LII"Y Deleney
1
IUuslraUon by Patrick M. O'Brien
emember Jan. 1, 2000? Where were you? Praying, panying or worrying about Y2K? The coming of the third millennium was, and is, a great event. There were two things that clouded the beautiful celebration of the millennium and the beginning of the Jubilee Year. The first distraction was the tremendous emphasis on Y2K. We needed to look at our computer systems but it should not have received all of that time, revenue and attention. The second distraction was the preaching and teaching of some ~dooms day" preachers. Their basic theme was that ~Jesus is coming now and He is ticked and angry!• Some owe an apology for the fear and negative influence they had on such a great event. TheJubliee Year had one clear and beautiful theme: 2,000 years of Jesus Christ as our Savior, Teacher, Healer and Friend. It was a time to celebrate and reflect on Gods pres-
FAITH Magazine
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!Xcembrr 2000
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ence in our lives and how this should affect our treatment of others. It was a time of joy. I would like to present four reasons why I feel we have to be joyful about this year and always. I funher suggest that we spend considerable time in prayer reflecting on these reasons for joy and gratitude. 1. God provides for us. The Book of Revelation, 22: l -2, tells us that God gives crystal clear water, the tree of life that provides fruit for food and leaves that serve as medicine. Have we always had enough water, food and medicine? Possibly some who lived during the Depression were in want. In general, though. we have been provided for by a caring God. Nations and people who are in want are that way because of the greed and seHishness of others and the terrible corrupt leaders of their countries. These two factors cause the people to suffer - not God. Instead of complaining about the ·------------·---· ·small stuff,~ do we look at the broader picture and see how God has always provided for us? Have you always had water, food and medicine? We can be joyful and grateful because of our parents and others that God has used to care and provide for us. Who are these people? 2. Jesus has always been present in us. In Matthew 28:20, Jesus says: ~ .. . And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Has Jesus always been present to us? Great losses and difficulties in life can make us wonder if Jesus has always been with us or present to us. Jesus never promised us a problem-less life - He promised to be with us. If we reflect on the losses like death, loss of friendship, loss of idealism, and loss of health or youth, we \viii find that jesus has been with us and helped us through the ucrosses" of this life. What a reason to have and show joy! The poem
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the millennium wat 6 Footprints tells us in a graphic way how jesus carried us during those times of suffering. jesus' presence in the Eucharist and His word and presence in others, in nature, and in the sacraments has been a great gift to us for over 2,000 years. Alleluia! 3. We know who we are. In john 6:68 we read: " ... lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life." We are jesus' people. There is nothing worse than being lost or having no purpose in life. This is often the reason for alcohol, drugs, suicide and overemphasis on the material goods of this earth. long ago, the Baltimore Catechism said the purpose of our life is "to know, love and serve God in this world, and be happy with Him in the next." We are not like a cruise ship that goes in a circle and comes back from where it started, for we have a clear direction back to God. We know where we are going. There are three basic questions all people ask in one way or another in this life: l) Where did I come from? 2) Where am I going? 3) What am I supposed to do with my life? Because of jesus Christ, we an answer these questions with conviction. We are not lost.
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We know who we are -jesus' people. 4. We have hope. In Matthew 11:28, jesus says: "Come to me, all who find life burdensome, and I will refresh you." There is always hope for change and hope that things can be better. Changes come through healing and the laws of nature, decisions we make to change and the grace and power God gives us to change. Remember a great pain you felt when you've been seriously ill, or the tremendously emotional pain when someone died or betrayed you. We did not stay at that level. We had hope and hope did not disappoint us because change brought us peace. If some situations cannot change, God can and does change our hearts so we can change our focus. Therefore, life is worth living. Is this not reason enough for great joy? What changes do we need to make as we close this millennium year? Are we joyful people? Now is a wonderful time to look at the spiritual foundation for Christian joy as listed in the above four reasons. Can we concentrate on them instead of the small, picky things in life? Praise God! Ea
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Its All About Getting a Really Great Present Pld&nd 1bove II I b1by BllhDp Mengellng wHh S1nll 01u1
reasured childhood memories of Christmas are often vividly and delightfully recalled by most of us each December. Since Christmas of 1999, these memories have been my regular companions all year, thanks to our elementary school children. In the summer of 1999, the Lord gave me the idea of making a visit to each of our Catholic schools in our diocese. The 20 visitations thus far have been a blessing for me and, I hope, a blessing for the faculty, students, parents and parishes. Each visit includes an all-school Mass, time with students in each classroom and lunch with the principal, faculty and priests.
When I visit each classroom, I like to ask the students several questions. The question that frequently excites students most is, "What is your favorite holiday?" I mention the main holy days and holidays: Thanksgiving, Easter, Christmas, Halloween, etc., and ask them to think it over. Of course, the overwhelming winner is Christmas. I always follow with, "Why do you like Christmas the most?" From kinderganen on, the children are nearly unanimous with beaming smiles as they tell me they love Christmas because they get presents. "Out of the mouths of babes and children," as the Bible says, comes the very bean and meaning of Christmas. Little ones may not know and understand
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from the bishop the full significance of "presents, n but they are right. Christmas is al1 about "a Present" and the river of gifts that flow from that fountain of goodness. The children's own love of Christmas presents prompted me to recal1 presents of Christmases long ago. In spite of the Depression of the 1930s and World War 11, in our home, each child still received one special present, and there was the big present that all could share. My peers recall presents like the Uncle Wiggly game; a card game called "Authors"; complete farm sets with bam and animals; and lincoln logs, the set of wood pieces that can be used to build a log cabin and more. My favorite gift was my first pair of ice skates. The love of presents expressed by our elementary students has helped me to see "presents" in a new way and to understand more clearly how they relate to our lives. Children naturally find joy in receiving presents. They are entirely dependent on others for an unceas· ing flow of gifts for their entire wellbeing and development because they are children. later, hopefully. as they become teens and throughout their --·-·-------·------- adult lives, it will no longer only be getting presents that gives them such pleasure, but also giving presents, their unleashing of a torrent of love and life for others, that brings them pleasure and satisfaction. learning to give the gift of self in a variety of ways is an urgent matter of life or death for each human person. The students' happy memories of Christmas are linked with presents. They are memories of love and goodness, memories of parents and family celebrating the great Present, the Christ-child. These memories sweeten our lives and give us hope for a future of pres· ents in their fu11 meaning of life and love. The students are on target about Christmas. They rememr the goodness of presents. All that constitutes our ristmas celebration springs from the gift beyond all meas-
Remember, vou belong to aomethlng - your loCIII p11ri1h
ure, that in jesus, God comes to us, becomes one of us, so we can be one with our Father forever. The heavenly Fathers gift inspires al1 the giving of presents and gives meaning in time and eternity to the gifts we give to and are for one another. just as the pleasing and glorious sounds and sights of Christmas echo this profound event that becomes our event, so the giving and receiving of presents express and reflect the infinite gift of the Father to humanity. The "goodness and kindness of God our Savior" that Saint Paul writes of to Titus has captured us and is expressed in presents that symbolize our goodness and kindness in our Savior. When the school children said Christmas was their favorite holiday because of presents, they said much more than they realized. So too, do the multitude who exchange gifts at Christmas for whatever reason. They are admitting a profound truth about themselves and every human person: our essential need for gifts. Gift is at the heart of our being and our becoming as individuals and as a community. Gift is a necessity because each human person is a completely needful being. We can be described as "one immense and vast need." We take for granted our never-ending needs and the gifts that fulfill them. We are always in need of air to breathe, nourishment to satisfy our hunger, water to quench our thirst, light, warmth, shelter and all that the good earth and our industry provide. As persons capable of knowing and loving, we are a hunger that is never satisfied. We are a thirst that is never quenched, for as St. Augustine wrote, uour hearts are restless until they rest in Thee." Our greatest need is the desire for ultimate meaning, purpose and destiny, and that is God. Christmas celebrates God coming to us, becoming one with us in jesus, so we can become one with God. God's Present to us is now and forever. The children are right. Christmas is about a Present and a river of gifts, and so, too, our lives. ~
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FAITH Magazine
But the three of them did something most of us wouldn't think that we have the time or talent to undertake. Tltcy left their families, homes and friends in order to bring hope to places where there was little hope before. As the teacher/moderator of a program at Lumen Christi entitled Building with Books (BWB), Paulette journeyed first witlt Megan to Mali, West Africa, last February to build a village school - literally from the ground up, including the cinder blocks which formed the stntcture. For 17 days, they lived and worhcd in a village witlt no electricity or nmning water: In july, Paulette and AJ. trellked to Bolivia to undertal1e the same task. See the Bolivia adventure In Part 2 of this story by logging on to FAITHmag.com
Day 1\Yo
A quick breakfast and back in the van. On the road with our kamikaze driver, we are cruising along at a high rate of speed when the African police pull us over. They demand to see the papers of the BWB people and our driver. Little did we know that would be the first of six such stops. The road to Bougoula was practically washed out The van rocked at such dangerous angles I was sure we would tip or lose all of our luggage. My rosary sure got a workout today! Before entering the village, our interpreter, Alhoussayni, gave each of us an African name, as is the custom in Mali. We will no longer be called by our American names while in Africa. Megan is given the name Oumou Sangerc and I am to be called route Cisse. I asked Alhoussayni if my name could be translated and he said it means ¡ preacher of the word." I was in awe. He had no way of know~ ing that 1teach ~ligion class. Finally, we arrive in
Bougoula to singing, dancing and a mob of people chasing the van. We pulled up under two huge mango trees and trie~ to get out of the van. The crowd was intense. As Megan and I stepped down, we reached out our hands to touch some of the small children. l was sLUnned when a small girl pulled away and wh1spered the word toubob- white lady. Megan and l had a circle of people around us just staring. For some of these people, we were the first white people they had ever encountered. There seemed to be some fear and a lot of curiosity. By the light of the moon, we collected our backpacks and were taken to our host families. These people gave up their huts for us to live in for l7 days. Megan and I would occupy the small, round hut of a l7 -yearold boy, Vieha, who would sleep outside our door- on the ground for the entire time we
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vere in the village. Amazing hospitality. Arter unpacking a bit, we headed back to the chiefS coun-ard for dinner - rice and peanut sauce. By the light of an ntensely bright moon, we attempted to make our way back o our hut. Megan and I were hopelessly lost. Every hut ooked the same. Then from the dark came a little girl who ook our hands and began to lead us through the courtyards .nd small openings between huts when, suddenly, we were .tanding at the door of our place! later, we learned that this vas our host sister, Fatimata.
net and open the door. There stood Vieha who backed away about 6 feet from the door as a sign of respect. He motioned like he was washing or pouring water over his head. Ahh, its shower time. I grabbed my soap and towel and headed out the door. The whole family turned a shoulder to me with eyes cast downward. No one speaks or looks at you until you've showered in the morning- its as though you are invisible. The shower stall was a woven bamboo enclosure with a burlap curtain. A bucket of warm water was placed in the center for me. It felt weird taking off my clothes under the open sky! As 1 squatted to splash water over my face, I heard the burlap curtain rusDay Three tle. Panic! Someone else is coming in. just then a little goat At 6:30 a.m. sharp, I am awoken by a light knock on the makes his way into the shower! loor and words, "Madame, Madame." I peel back the mosquito I finished my bath, dressed and went into the courtyard. The same place where everyone ignored me was now bustling with strings of blessings for Paulette and Megan's me. If Allah grants me everything they Journey to Mall, asked, I should be set for life! clockwise from left: • Villagers first meet After breakfast with the team, we had a Paulette and Megan town meeting. This is kind of like a big pep • The Village Chief with rally to get everyone hyped up to build the some children school. The villagers are the main builders • Paulette carrying of each school so it is imperative that they water to build bricks be willing to work. We all sign a contract • A typical meal of rice, beans and peanut sauce most with a thumb print - promising to do our pan in the building. • The old school Off to the work site! We were told it condemned by the government would take two days to dig the foundation • New school large - no backhoes, only a few shovels. There enough for all the are so many people that show up to work children that we finish the foundation in three • Megan selling bricks hours! The men of Bougoula are amazed In place that we American girls are willing to do "mens work" like digging and mixing cement. The temp is rising- its now almost 105 degrees. Time to call it a day. Day Six We have made over 1,500 bricks, mixed hundreds of pounds of cement, hauled two tons of sand, gravel and rocks, and bucket after bucket of water. It's been a great deal of fun to learn how to carry and balance huge .,.
pans on our heads as we haul the building materials. We can only work from 8 a.m. until noon because the temp is rising higher and higher each day. All of the Trekkies enjoy our "ofr' time since we use it to explore the village or play or interact with our families. Megan and I brought bubbles, stickers and ink stamps from home and have had so many laughs showing the villagers how to use them. The little children do not wear any clothing and are always covered from head to toe with dusl. When we blew bubbles, they would just let them float down and pop on their bodies. The soap would wash away the dust creating round, dean spots all over their little bellies. They reminded us of spotted leopards! Not all was fun and games, though. Since our arrival in the village, we noticed a dozen or so little girls wearing rope bands in their hair. We discovered this was an outward sign that they had been circumcised about a month before we got there. It was only through asking a lot of questions and much circle discussion with our interpreter that we finally came to understand - not accept - the reasons for this ancient practice. Day Seventeen This is the last day in Bougoula village.
Even though we could not speak the language of these people, a special bond has formed between all of the families and their Trekkies. We took one last trip to the work site where the walls are about 4 feet high (the villagers and the BWB project coordinator will finish it). Then we met under. the mangos one last time. l was not at all prepared for the emotions that l would feel as we loaded up the van. As we pulled out of the village, I looked back and saw Fatimata with a tear streaking her dusty cheeks and it hit me - I lived with these people, ate many meals with them, slept in their hut, held their hands. I will never see them again. I will never forget them.
Through their gifts of time and talent, Pauleuc, Megan and A.]. became heroes to the villagers who now have an opportunity that wasn't there before- the opportunity to learn to read and write. An education is something that is too often tahen for grant-
ed except in places such as Mali and Bolivia where the covenant for a village school is not signed by the village elders but must, instead, be sealed with a thumb print. Not only are Paulette, Megan and A.]. heroes to those they lent a helping hand, they are also an inspiration for the rest of usthat anyone can accomplish greatness through the gift of self. J)
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in the hospital when he overheard three young men reading from a book which they claimed was the Bible. The passages were very anti-Catholic. He challenged the three to a Scripture comparison the next day. "The room was packed," Deacon Mike recalls. "The word had spread and so many people came. n Although he found his seven years in the missions rewarding, Deacon Mike was glad to come home to the United States. It was then that he began what was to become his lifes work fueled by what he believes was a calling- to work with juvenile delinquents. He worked at several centers for delinquent boys and girls. Deacon Mike feels great compassion for the youths. "Whats important is to never lose sight of the fact that they're children who, because of circumstances, have made some â&#x20AC;˘ poor choices in their lives," he explains. "Often, people only think of punishing them and never trying to help them overcome the anger many of them have because of the circumstances of their lives!' Because Deacon Mike wanted to work with children prior to their placement in a detention ------------------------------------------------------------------------center, he became involved in Bv Senlh Chlldre.. I Photogl'llphy by Peter Glendinning foster care. So many of the chileacon Michael Lynch's life has always been one of giv- dren he had worked with had been abused and neglected by ing. He has given his time, his skills- his whole life their parents and this had been the fuel for their anger. Teen for what he believes is a call from God to serve others. Ranch was the agency that gave him this opportunity. He first answered the call at 19, when he became involved Teen Ranch is a private, non-profit child placement with the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, a Catholic organi- agency which provides foster care and adoption services to zation operating out of Illinois. "I always wanted to be abused and neglected children as well as residential care for someplace or do something that would make the most posi- delinquent boys and girls. Although Deacon Mike did not tive impact on peoples lives," he explains. For this reason, work directly with the kids as the director of the Southfield he took the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience to office of Teen Ranch, he still refers to them as "my kids." become a lay brother and, four years later, went to mission "They're everybodys kids, really,~ he says. in Kavieng in Papua, New Guinea. Deacon Mike says there are two things that give him a big Despite the many experiences he gained there, Deacon thrill. First, being able to provide a good, safe foster home Mikes most memorable moment in New Guinea relates to for children when they need protection and consistent care.o the faith that he went to propagate. He was visiting patients And secondly, if the biological parents don't choose to work
The Grinch of Neglect and . Abandonment Has Met His Match
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Remember, you belong to something - your local partsh
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their treatment plan and lose the children, to be able to place the kids in a loving adoptive home. The last is more difficult because finding good homes is a challenge - especially if the children are older. One of Deacon Mikes favorite stories is of a 12year-old girl who came into his office and looked up and said, "Mr. Lynch, you have got to find me a home pretty soon because I'm not little and cute anymore. And I really want a home!' She has since been adopted and now has three younger brothers and sisters in her family. This month Deacon Mike is retiring from Teen Ranch. However, his work with children and families will continue through his ministry as a deacon at St. Roben Bellarmine Parish in Flushing. Interestingly enough, he found a way to incorporate his calling, work with children, into his work as a deacon. One such way is through the Giving Trees at Christmas. There he found Christs giving spirit in the members of his parish. As many churches do during the holidays, St. Robert Parish sets up trees with gift-tag ornaments
printed with the desired gift of a child in need. These trees, however, are usuaUy decorated with more than 200 tags. Deacon Mike's goal: to collect enough gifts for the children at Teen Ranch to each have the toy they requested. Some want dolls - others asked for larger gifts, such as bicycles. The trees also have 'Angel Tags,' containing names which individuals had submitted from soup kitchens and shelters. But his service as a deacon is not just for his kids. Deacon Mike also runs a divorce suppon group for the community and offers private and marriage counseling as a service to the parish. "Being a deacon is my retirement work," he says, "working for people. All my lifes work is always peoplecentered. I'm not always really good, but at least 1 try," he says with a laugh. He gestured to the books on prayer, counseling and coping with divorce stacked on the table and noor by his chair. "You see, this is my reading. This is my life- I live it."
e
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commun ty Year of jubilee
Sacrament of the Eucharist SUNDAY READINGS Dec:embw3 First Sulllfay of Advent Jenlmiah 33:14-16 Paalm 25:4·5, 8·9, 10, 14 I Thesaaloniana 3:.12-4:2 Luke 21 :25·28, 34-36
December 10 Seanvl Sunday of Advent Baruch 5:1·9 PHim 126:1·6 Philippians 1:4·6, 8·11 luke 8:1·6
December 17 Tlttrd Sunday of Advent z.pMriiah 3:14-1 Sa (Reeponee} Isaiah 12:2·6 Philippians 4:4-7 Luke 3:1 D-18 December 24 fourth Sulllfay of Advent Mic.tl 5: t -4a PAlm 80:2·3, t 5-16, 18·19 Hebrewe 10:5-1 0 Luke \ :39-415 December 25 Soltr~~ldty of the Natfvlty
of the Lord VIgil: Isaiah 62:1-15 Psalm 89:4-5, 18·17, 27, 29
Acta 13:18·17, 22·215 Matthew 1:1-25 or 1: 18·25 Mkbdght: lulah 9:1·8 Paalm 96:1·3, 1 t-18 lltul2:1 H4 l..Uke 2: 1-14 Dawn: lialah 62: t H 2 Plalm 97:1·6, 11-12 TltUI 8:4-7 l.ulca 2: 15·20 Day: llalah 152:7-10 Plalm 98:1·6
Hebrewa 1: t ·6 John 1:1-18 or 1:1·15, 9·14
Deeember31 Feast of tlte Holy Family Sirac:h 3:2·6, 12· 14 Psalm 128: 1·5 Colouiana 3: 12·21 or 3: 12·1 7 Luke 2:4 t -52
or
I Samuel 1:2D-22, 24-88 PAlm 84:2"3, 5·6, 9·1 0 I John 3~1·2, 21·24 Luke 2:41·52
PARISH DAYS OF EUCHARISTIC ADORATION IN DECEMBER Dec. 4 St. Francis Xavier Olfsville
Dec. 5
Dec. 7
St Gerard lAnsing
Immaculate Conception Millin
Dec. 8
efit the Make·A·Wish Foundation. Visitors are also encouraged to bring a donation of canned food that will benefit the Ann Arbor Food Gatherers and Gleaner's Food Bank of Detroit.
St. Mary Cathedral
Lansing Dec. 12 Our lady of Guadalupe Flint
DECEMBER EVENTS Four local Youth/Young Adult grants will be available for up to $500 each for parish groups participating in projecta that work to change the conditions that cause poverty. To receive an application, call Lisa Strother or Suzie Wetheren at (517) 3422463. The deadline for submis· aions is Jan. 5, 2001. The Peace and Justice Office for the Diocese of lansing is once again offering Whose Birthday Is It Anyway?, an Advent· Christmas household booklet promoting a Chriat·centered sea· son. It is available to families for 75¢, plus shipping. To order, contact Suzie Wetherell at (51 7) 342-2463. The SL Nicholas Light Display will be held nightly through Dec. 31 at Domino's Farms, Ann Arbor. The display will be open Sunday through Thursday from 5:30-9:30 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 5:30· 10:30 p.m. The St. Nicholsa Light Display offers a beautiful drive-through scenic outdoor display featuring over one million lights. Following the drive, visitors are welcome to take part in a variety of indoor activities including a children's area and a Gingerbread Village. New this year will be a walk· through reproduction of the town of Bethlehem. Proceeds will ben-
The Diocese of Lansing is pleased to welcome the following ecclesial lay ministers who were publicly commissioned by Bishop Carl Mengeling in a cere· mony held Nov. 11 : Elaine Bernadette Polzin Davia; Mary Frances Fairweather; Margaret Anne Mullally·Henne; Margaret Ann Horak; Cheryl Lynn Hrcka; and Gordon M. McMann. The Knights of Columbus Council of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, Burton, will host a fish fry on Friday, Dec. 1, at the parish school. Dinners will be served from 4·7p.m. Cristo Ray Catholic Church will celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Tueeday, Dec. 12. Mananitas will be held at 6 a.m. followed by breakfast. Bishop Carl Mengeling will celebrate evening Mass at 7 p.m. Everyone is invited to take part in this won· derful, traditional celebration. Westphalia is the spot to pick up some last minute Christmas gifts for the music lover on your list Brian Aynn, Director of Music at St. Mary Parish, has just released a CD entitled Built on faith. Fr. William Ashbaugh, Pastor of St. Mary, has a CD titled Mother of Life, Son of Mercy. And Aynn and Fr. Ashbaugh have complet· ed a third CO, jubilee In Westphalia, in time for the holi· day season. It will be a gift that keeps on giving as the proceeds will go to support the youth group at the parish. Aynn's CD is avail· able by calling (888) 708SONG, or e-mail at heartaong· ministries@yahoo.com. Mother of Life, Son of Mercy and the Christmas CD are available for purchase from the parish at (517) 587-4201.
Parishioners from Our Lady of Fatima, Michigan Center, recent· ly took part in a Ufe Chain event in Jackson. Participants prayed for an end to abortion, a change of heart in abortionists and that men and women who have experienced abortion in their lives may find healing through Christ's forgiveness. Shown above (left to right} are Fr. Tom Smith, Associate Pastor of Our Lady of Fatima, and George and Lucy Glinsky. (Editor's Note: Thanhs are cctendcd to Kim Buchholz for her submission detailing a parish activity. If you would like to highlight a parish activity, send us a brief description and photo. We cannot guarantee publication but will try to highlight some of the various happenings around our diocese!)
Sharing the Faith: The Period of the Catechumenate By Rita Thlron The catechumenate period is an extended period of preparation. With the help of sponsors and the entire faith community, catechumens learn about the Gospel in the course of one liturgical year, practice a Christian way of life, celebrate liturgies with us, and join with us in works of charity. Following an ancient practice of the Church, the catechumens are usually dismissed after the liturgy of the Word. They leave with their teacher, or catechist, to dis· cusa more fully the readings they have just heard proclaimed. We look forward to the day when they will join us at the table of the lord.
Attention FAITH subscribers: We rec ently
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FAITH is available on audiotape by requesl Call (517) 342·2500.
Christmas and New Year's Lansing Area Mass Schedule Christmas Eve Bellevue, St. Ann arlotte, St. Mary
Christmas
New Year's Eve
New Year's Day
Places to Pray
call for times
4:30 pm 6:30pm
9:30am
Midnight DeWitt, St. jude
5 pm 10pm
lOam
8:30am 11 am
lOam
East Lansing
St.john Student Parish 5 :30pm IOpm St. Thomas Aquinas 4:30pm 7pm I 0:30pm Eaton Rapids, St. Peter 7 pm
Fowler
5pm I 1:00pm Grand Ledge, St. Michael 7 pm IOpm Laingsburg, St. Isidore call for times Lansing
6:30am 7 pm
9am II am 10:30am
Midnight
Most Holy Trinity
Cristo Rcy Holy Cross
lOam
Sam 10:30am
8:30am 10:30am 9:30am
Sam 10:30am 9am 9:30am
call for Iimas
Bam lOam Spm
lOam
5pm
posed of]oseph, Mary and jesus - the Holy Family.
Midnight Immaculate Heart ofMary 4:30 pn (Ou<h& Fnh Holl 9:30am 7:00pm I I :30 pm C.rola
lOam
9am
11 :30 am
Midnight Resurrection
5pm
Midnight St. Casimir
4:30pm
9:30am II am lOam
6 pm
7:30am 9am 11 am
7:30am 9am 11 am 12:45 pm
9am
Sam lOam 12 pm
Sam lOam 12 pm
9am
10:30am
7:30pm
10:30am
9am II am
9am 11 am
lOam
9am
Sam lOam Spm
9am
lOam
lOam
S:15 am
Sam lOam
Sam lOam 12 pm 7 pm
lOam
9am 10om
Midnight 51. Gerard
7:30am 9am I lam 4pm 6:30pm
St. Mary Caflu:dral
Sam lOam 12 pm I 1:30pm 4 :30pm 7:30pm
Midnight
St. Therese Mason, St. )ames Morrice, St. Mary Okemos, St. Marll1a
Ovid, Holy family SL Johns, Sr. Joseph
Westphalia, St. Mary
Midnight 9am I lam I0:30pm call for times S am lOam 5pm 7 pm lOpm 5pm 10 pm 6 pm Midnight
4 :30pm II pm Williamston, St. Mary 9am llam 4:30pm 9:30pm
9am 9am 11 am
A strong, caring father who worked hard to provide for his family. A loving, trusting mother with unwaveringfaith. An obedient, joyful son. A typical family? Not quite for this family portrait is com-
9am 11 am
Midnight
9am
That tradition of strength, care, love and faith is carried on 2,000 years later at Holy Family Parish, Ovid. One way the parishioners of Holy Family come together is through the posting of the Dyptics - the list of the sick and recently deceased loved ones - at a shrine to Our Lady between the church and hall. "These (names) remind us that we are needed and we can help each other," explains Fr. Cummings, pastor of Holy Family. just like any family. But this parish family is bonded with something just as strong, if not stronger, than blood - faith . A perfect reminder of the Holy Family this season.
Latin Quiz Jtla that time ofyear llg8in aa Chriatmu carOlS
fil•the airl lfanalale the fOllowing 4tin tillea of· ROfWiar 0hri8lrnaa cardia and aand in your anawens along wttfi yoc._~r- name,and adCfreea·to: F.AJTf.t Magazine, L.atifl Quiz, 300 w. Ottawa, L.Miing, Ml 48988. The h five correct ~ wRI receive a~ copy of A Charlie Brown aliristmasl Tmtinnabula Nativitaba Audivi
Tres de Oriente Reges Sumus Media Nocle Clara Advenit Angelos in Excefeie Audivimus 0 Oppidum Bethlehem Cannan de Nativitate Primum Nox Quieta Heual Angeli Nuntiantas Cantant Gaudium Mundo • Procut in P'raesaepio
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Where no business is good business
The last place Laure Krupp expected to find herself was on the end of a telephone line, talking with people from all over the country about whats not happening here. And feeling terrific about it. Krupp Is executive dlrec· tor of the Safe Place for Newborns program, which allows mothers to abandon their babies In hospitals, safely and without fear of prosecution. Mothers are
assured of anonymity and are not required to answer any questions. legislation gained the governor's signature in April, making Minnesota the second state to put the life of a newborn ahead of the desire to punish the mother. So, how many babies? Not one. ~It's great news," Krupp said. Huh? Safe Place measures its success a little differently than you'd expect- not quite as tangibly as a door frame's pencilings of a child's growth, but more like realizing one day that she's really getting tall. This safe harbor idea is becoming a national movement, a response to newborns being left in laundry
mercHul take on the sltua· tlon that Is aHractlng national aHentlon.
Krupp said that other states consider Minnesota's law "the cleanest," meaning that it's free of the lint of the abortion issue, although both sides support its intent. "Both the Planned Parenthood people as well as the prolife people supported the bill but agreed to stay off of it and not attach anything, and that was so sweet," she said. Our law also is clean in a more pragmatic way: We promise immunity from rooms and parking lots, prosecution, while other landfills and front porches, states offer only the help of garbage cans and roadside defending a mother against ditches. This year alone, criminal charges. So Krupp almost 70 infants have been spends her days on the abandoned, according to the phone, answering ~why?" Child Welfare league of and "howr and · what if?" America. And that record and "when can we start?" counts only babies left in There's just one request dangerous places, not those she won't fuliill, and that's placed outside hospitals or talking about it when that whose mothers ducked doc- first baby inevitably arrives. tors after giving birth. Some local media keep callThe list of abandonmentS ing, wanting to make sure -dates, places and circumthey're notified when a baby stances - is as sobering a appears. Nope. Not in her tally as you can imagine. safe haven, anyway, The impulse that led each In Alabama, the first state woman to leave her baby program, officials call a on the railroad tracks or in news conference whenever a the diaper aisle of the baby is dropped off. That department store resists just blows her away. A imagination. young mother may know So It's nothing short of intellectually that she's amazing that 13 more anonymous, "but what if states have followed you're a teenager, when Minnesota In establishing a you're already a little para· way for a mother to give noid about your life, and her a baby a chance. But
Diocesan native offers hope to abandoned babies -------------------------~----------------------By Kim Ode
It's Minnesota's partlculariy
there's your baby all over the evening news?" Krupp asked. "How can we honor our own standards of confidentiality if we call a press conference every time?" So far, there hasn't even been a first time. And that is good news, because no abandoned babies have been reported in the state, either. Hospitals tell her that their ob-gyn departments are getting more calls from women saying that they're pregnant, it's a secret, and they need some help. "All along, we thought the program itself was just the rock, and it would actually be the ripples in the community that would be mos beneficial," she said. One of the hopes of Safe Place for Newborns Is lbat women wm get help before they readl the point of con· slderlng abandonmenL The
crisis hot line (877-440BABY) offers help, and the groups Web site is safeplacefornewborns.org "There are a lot of people falling through the cracks," she said. "We just want them to trip over us on the way to the trash can." Its not only the newborn who needs to feel safe.
Editor's Note: Laure Krupp is the daughter of Martha and Gordon Krupp of Montrose. And her very proud brother just happens to be Fr. joe Krupp. This column originally appeared in the Minneapolis Star Tribune and is reprinted with permission.
local news 'Lost boys of Sudan' finally finding homes in United States WASHINGTON (CNS)-
A remnant of th e thousands of "lost boys of Sudan" finally are finding homes via resettle ment in the United States. Terry Walsh, Director of Refugee Services In the Diocese of Lansing, spent eight weeks this summer consulting for the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, or UNHCR, at Kakuma Refugee Camp In northwestern Kenya.
He interviewed 390 unaccompanied minors - among e youngest of the 5,000 rviving lost boys - and recommended that a majority be resettled in America. "They left their homeland due to (civil) war, usually in 1987 or 1988 when they were very small boys," he
said, "and they walked with a big group of boys, maybe as many as 20,000, to Ethiopia ... "During the exodus out of Sudan, many of the boys were killed by soldiers, bandit attacks, wild animal attacks, drowning, starvation," Walsh said. The food ration for each refugee consisted of small scoops of rice and corn, a capful of oil, and a thimbleful of salt, to be mixed together "like a porridge so it would expand," he said. "They couldn't eat more than once a day if they wanted it to last 15 days" to the next ration. Despite the hardships they faced and continue to face, the lost boys are deeply spiritual. "All the
boys 1 interviewed were Christian, many of them were Catholic,'' he said. When he asked them about future hopes, some said they wanted to be doctors or pilots. But, he noted, almost all began by "saying things like 'God willing,' or they would put it in Gods hands, or say, 'Hopefully, God will do what is best for me."'
Kakuma was a life-changing experience for Walsh, who will help resettle some of the lost boys in lansing. He believes everyone in a leadership role, working with refugees, should visit a camp. "Until you're actually there and expe rience it, thercs no way to understand," he said. By Nancy H<1nnagd (CNS)
We Remember
from the Offke of Cemeteries
One step closer to the priesthood Five ordained to the Order of Dlaconate Five men were ordained as deacons- bringing their journey to the priesthood one step closer - In a cere• mony held Nov. 18 at St. Mary Cathedral, Lansing.
The new deacons, as well as their home parishes, include: Patrick Agunwa, St. Agnes Parish, Flint; Gerald Gawronski, St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Ann Arbor; Roy Homing, St. john the angelist Parish. Fenton; vid Hudgins, St. Thomas e Apostle Parish, Ann
Arbor; and, john Rocus, St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Ann Arbor. Now completing their theological studies, the men will be ordained to the priesthood in june 2001. They will be joined at their ordination by Eric Weber who is completing his studies at the North American College, Rome. Weber, who was ordained to the transitional diaconate Oct. 5 in Rome, is from Most Holy Trinity Parish, Fowler.
Fr. Michael K1,wan, M.M., Is.a MarylcriGII priest c:urriNt11Y stalloned ln ·Nalrobl, KenVil< Fr. Klrweft Is from Queen Of the MJrac:ulous ~ Parish In Jlc:lcloft. In 1 ~ he foliid. eel the MaiYkriofllnstltule Of Afrlc.n >&tud--. lln ~ Keriva, to promote ui1d8ribliiillng of Afi'ICM culture. If you would like to have memorial MUSH offeritd by missionaries for yo~~r deceased loved ones, Hiid ~to: ~ Ofll.liftllrij. 300 west Otliwli StrMt, LanSiiici, Ml48933. PleeH make the ClieCfc·payitiie to "MiiiloiiiiY Of the MOnth." H you knoW a son or daughter Of the Unilni DIOCeH a.r.ntty HI'Ying In a mission, .,...... forWinl·tfMir names to the Will_. 'I of'the MOnth PiOji'MI, 300 West ottaw. street. tanslng, Ml 48933 The Tithing CommlttH of St. Joseph's Parish, Dexter Wll be gifting • portion Of their envelope proc:eeds •czh nionth to the "MMuuonaay of•the Month." www.FAITHmeg.com
Dtctmbtr 2000
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FAITH M~G'lzino
ewo ld Birth control pill linked to breast cancer Some users face an 11-fold risk, study says CHICAGO (ZENJT.orgl-
Birth control pills may aggravate the risk of breast cancer faced by women with a strong family history of the disease, a study recently published sug· gests, according to the Associated Press. Among sisters and daughters of women with breast cancer, users of the pill were three times more likely than nonusers to get the disease, the AP said, citing the medical study from the journal of the American Medical Association OAMA). And if at least five family members had breast or ovarian cancer, pill users faced an 11-fold risk, the researchers reponed. Because granddaughters of women with breast cancer did not appear to be signifi-
cantly more prone, the researchers suggested the risks were associated with older forms of the pill made before 1975, the AP said. Thomas Sellers, a Mayo Clinic Cancer Center epidemiologist, said his study, which included 3,396 blood relatives of 426 women diagnosed with breast cancer between 1944 and 1952, is the first multigenerational study to address the question, the AP said. Relatives were questioned and medical records reviewed between 1991 and 1996. The findings suggest the pill-linked risks are in women with the BRCA genetic mutations associated with breast and ovarian cancer, though genetic testing was not involved in the study.
Queen Elizabeth II is welcomed by Pope John Paul VATICAN Clll' {VIS) -
In October, Pope John Paul welcomed Queen Elizabeth II to the Vatican, exactly 20 years to the day of their first meeting here. They met again in England in May, 1982 and the Pope recalled that his apredecessors Pope Pius Xll and Pope john XXlll first bade you welcome here." "Your Majestys visit," the Holy Father remarked in his speech, "immediately brings to mind the rich heritage of British Christianity and all that Great Britain has contributed to the building of Christian Europe .... Through that long history, relations between the United Kingdom and the Holy See have not always been untroubled; long years of common inheritance were followed by the sad years of division." He pointed to the ~cordiality" which has now emerged in relations, and said "there can be no turning back from the
ecumenical goal we have set ourselves in obedience to the lord's command." The pope stated that both the past and future "deman of us a sense of shared purpose," especially in Europe "as it seeks a unity capable of excluding forever the kind of conflicts which have been so much a pan of the past." This unity, he added, must have both structure and content. "Only by preserving and reinvigorating the highest ideals and achievements of its heritage - in politics, in law, in an, in culture, in morality and in spirituality will the Europe of the future be a viable and wonhwhile endeavor." The Holy Father concluded with words of praise for Queen Elizabeth: "Your Majesty, for many years now and through times of great change you have reigned with a dignity and sense of duty which have edified millions people around the world."
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The Last Word ••• Our Reason for Celebration God~ Christmas
Gift of Eternal Qfe
-~-------------~------------~--- ------~--------~ Most Rev. Kenneth J. Povlsh
Britain's Queen Elizabeth greets Pope John Paul II at the Vatlr:an Oct. 17. In their meeting the pope and queen expressed hopes for Christian unity and the alleviation of poverty.
Nobel winner has credited Catholic faith with helping him At their landmark summit in Pyongyang, North Korea, in june, Kim embraced North Korean leader Kim jong~il.
SEOUL, South Korea (CNS) -
South Korean President Kim Dae-jung, who won the 2000 Nobel Peace Prize, has credHed his catholic faith for helping him through periods of torture and Imprisonment
Kim, whose baptismal name is Thomas More, con~ verted to Catholicism as an adult in the late I950s. Under previous government administrations, he faced kidnapping, exile, the death penalty and beatings. Kim won the Nobel Peace Prize for his persistent peace fforts with North Korea and commitment to human ghts and democracy.
During much of the coun~ try's past four decades of military dictatorships, Kim, 74, sometimes described as "Asia's Mandela," was under house arrest, imprisoned or in exile. In a 1999 interview with the British news agency Reuters, Kim said, uWhen I was kidnapped and when I was sentenced to death, of course 1 was afraid of death, but l thought to myself I was the victor. If 1 felt that I was the victor, then I had no reason to be discouraged." He added, "Often it was the ones who failed who turned out to be the victors in history.~
Christmas is a time for giving and receiving giftS, and I wonder whether any FAii!li readers remember Ghristmas gifts the way I do. I grew up during the Great Depression, and as much as I loved my parentS the giving was mostly from them to me. They always managed to have several gifts for each of us kids under the <!hrlstmas tree. Their gifts were usually practical ones like clothes during these tough years, but there were some special gifts more memorable than others. I can still remember them and the year 1 got them: lee skates in the 5th grade (that was in 1934); a Bulova wristwatch in the 8th grade (in 1937, the year I got an all-A report card for tne first time); an electric razor in my senior year (1941, when Dad was proud of the fuZz on my chin). But the main gift for everyoody at Christmas is not anything like the above or like others you may remember. We are reminded of THE Gift of Christmas every time we see the fellow behind home plate at the World Series, or behind the goal posts at the Super Bowl, or under the bas~ kets at the NCAA finals, when he raises up the yellow sign with "John 3:16" in black print. It's the text that tells it all about gift-giving- ~God so loved the world that He GAVE His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life." In this jubilee Year, the Christian world is celebrating the 2000th anniversary of the Incarnation in Bethlehem, God's great Gift to the human race and the reason for giftgiving at Christmas. In every nation and culture that includes Christians, gifts are exchanged at Christmas out of sheer joy and exuberance over God's Christmas Gift to the human race. St. Paul writes often in his epistles about gifts. But he states flatly, ~THE gift of God is eternal life in Christ jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). So we should join in Paul's "Thanks be to God for his indesoribable gift!" (II Corinthians 9 ~ 15). In the rush of preparations for Christmas and shopping for it, people of FAITH will keep in mind that the reason for it all is God's great Christmas Gift to us. 1.'~
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