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n 1620, the Pilgrims, who were Calvinist Christian senlers, came to Massachusetts from England. They were seeking a new life in a New World, hoping for religious freedom that had been denied them in their homeland. After a brutal New England winter, fraught with unimaginable dangers and illness, the Pilgrims, with the help of a small group of Native Americans, slowly learned to tame their surroundings and carve out a new life for themselves. In gratitude to God, they celebrated the first Thanksgiving in 1621. Thanksgiving Day would eventually be celebrated as a national day of thank· fulness in 1789. Having grown The quest for religious freedom brought the Pilgrims to these up immersed in shores nearly 400 years ago. That quest meant hardshtp - both on the freedoms the journey and in the establishment of a uny settlement. In time, the hardship for those settlers slowly grew less intense. In time, reli- that we enjoy in the United gious freedom would come to be a given. Thanksgiving Day would be celebrated as a time of profound thankfulness for new and States, it is diffi· unimagined freedoms. The Thanksgiving Day marriage of turkey cult - almost and football would not take place until many years later. impossible - for me to imagine Having grown up immersed in the freedoms that we enJOY in the United States, it is difficult- almost impossible- for me to imagine that the freedoms we enjoy, that the freedoms we enjoy, and sometimes take too easily for grantand sometimes ed, are not enjoyed by all peoples. As people of faith, we can walk into churches anywhere in our nation and have the freedom to wortake too easily ship God as we choose. We need not fearfully look over our shoulfor granted, arc ders, in concern that someone is watching us, silently recording our not enjoyed by names on a list. We need not lay awake at night, wondering if this all peoples. will be the night when our family \viii be caught in crossfire between two peoples at war. The fear of genocide does not assatl us each waking moment. This month, we reach the eighth and final beatitude: Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, the kingdom of heaven is theirs. This month, we have the opportunity to look through the eyes of ststers and brothers who have fled for their lives in the search for religious freedom and safety. Their flight would eventually lead them here to these shores, a nation formed primarily from refugee masses, many of whom came seeking the same freedom. They have come from Vietnam, Rwanda, and perhaps most ironically, from Bethlehem Fr. joseph Sy Kim, and the Shomali and Kanakuze families all share a common bond that is deeper than their shared faith. Their stories are moving, frightening, and enlightening. Their faith in God and their love for newfound freedom can teach us much about the freedom we all enjoy in our nation. With their stories in the back of my mmd, I don't think I will look at future Thanksgivings in quite the same way. And so our journey in FAITH continues. - Fr. Dwight E:op Is Edllor in Chid of FAITH M~ga:lnc and pastor of the Catholic Communlly o£ St. jude, DeWin

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In the middle of the night with 68 others, Sy Van Kim made a break from Vietnam in a wooden boat

only 33 feet long and 10 feet wide. After a tremendous journey that eventually led him to the U.S., find out what it was like to return- this time as a priest I u m n s

How her family escaped death in Rwanda

In the know with Fr. Joe: Dear Fr. Joe: How do I witness to my Catholic faith without being called a Jesus freak?

They were told to stop going to the grocery store, stop going to chun:h, or they would be killed. All £hose that stayed were killed. The Kanakuze family, now living in lansing, d&ribe the solace £hey find in God. "What we went through shaped us," says Michelle. "We saw GodS mercy. If you nust Him, He'll do everything."

- Fr.JOSCJlh l<nlpp

Theology 101: What do we believe about the Catholic Church and communion of saints? What is the Church for? What makes the Church one, holy, catholic and apostolic? - Sr. janet Sch.olclllcr, OP

From the Bishop: For Christians, persecution should come as no surprise. It starts early for most of us. I was picked on for being short but, it was a grace- preparing me for my vocation.

ping terror in the Holy Land

When Yvonne Shomah laid her children down to sleep in her parents' Bethlehem home, her thoughts were not on the angels' visit of long ago, but on the constant tension that gripped her familys home. Caught in the battle between the Israelis and Palestinians, the Shomalis were forced to leave, finding a peaceful life in Michigan.

- Blshop Carl F. Mcngcling

The Journey: Parent's guide: how to discipline fairty teaching isn't torture. ~~::::5;1 ~-"'ii~m - Dr. Cathlcm McGreal

Work Life: Unjust workplace? Find out why righting wrongs at work is your business. - TimRynn

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Spiritual F'rtness: The spirituality of pain and rejection: The saints show us how suffering can bring about greater good in our lives.

Nativity sets

- Fr. Dill Ashbaugh

Collecting creches can be a cultural, artistic and religious experience. Plus, find out how the founder of the Franciscans- Sl. Francis - played

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Last Word: As the saying goes, no good deed goes unpunished. We all have seen people persecuted for doing the right thing. That is no reason to stop. - Fr. Charles irvin

t+ jim Caviezel charts the course that led him to play the role ofJesus in the upcoming lllin 'The Passion of Christ'

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•• Dear Fr. Ezop, I •• Hi FAITHtecn! I just wanted to let you all know received a copy of the memorial edition (FAITH, how much l love your email mag! It is so great to Oct. 2003) honoring your rcCCJve something other than late ordinary, Bishop Povish. I want to congratulate junl1 mail and ads in my you on a masterf ul edition giv- inbox. Finally somet/1ing that is worthwhile to read and l1c/ps ing sucl1 suitable praise to a great churchman. As you know, me learn about God at the same time, while relating it to Bishop Povish was a pnest of our diocese before his episcopal everyday life. Keep it up! appointment. 1 had the distinct -Alii• honor of following him as pas..., Dear FAITHteen: As a tor of St. Stanislaus in Bay City. I recall tellmg tl1e people father of three girls, one of whom is a teenager, l have in my first homily llwt I was not there to ''fill his shoes." My to thank you for a job well nine years there were indeed done. Really, this is what the challenging and very enjoyCatholic Church needs more of, able. I recall the fact that Bishop Povish drd honor us reaching out to lzids in a way with several visits whenever he tlwt mal1cs them feel part of was in the area ... tl1c community God bless you in your minPlus, its cool. Keep the Faith and hct:p up istry. Again, as Bishop Povish would say, quoting some of Bay tl1c Good Worhl City's south-end expressions, - R•ndy Stauber "You done greatr with that

MANAGING EDROR/CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Alton Pelowski ASSISTANT EDRORIWEBMASll!R

jillanejob SUBSCRIPIIONSISECRETARY

Evelyn Weitzel SUBtCRIPIIONS

Patrick Dally GRAPHIC/WEB DES\GNER

Rev. William Ashbaugh Bob Hotning Elizabeth j ohnson Rev joseph Krupp Patricia MaJher Cathleen McGreal Cate Preston Tim Ryan Sr janet Schaeffier, OP Nancy Schertzing Anne Seebaldt CONTRIBIInNG WRIT£RS

Margaret Perrone PROOFREADING

Thomas Gennaro Christine jones james Luning (cover) Philip Shippen CONTRIBIInNG PHOTOGRAPHERS

Bob Patten

commemorative edition of FAITH. Fraternally in the Lord,

CONTRIBIInNG IU.USTRATOR

Wayne Case Vicki Bedard David Fenech Patricia Garcia Diane Nowak Margaret Perrone james Rhadigan Ricardo Rodriguez David Rosenberg Rev james Swiat Peter Wagner Sharon Wimple

- Ft. Rlcberd Jozwiak

Bishop Povish's First and Only Book is Now Available

ADVISORY BOARD

Rev. Cectlio Reyna WEB MINISTR'(

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FAITH Magazine and Tlte Catltofic Times are pleased to present The Peace I Leave With You - 40 reOections selected from the writings of Bishop Povish. Prior to h is death, Sept. 5, 2003, Bishop Povish worked on the manuscript of this book - his parting gift to the people of God , a final message of hope and consolation. The book is available in Catholic bookstores in the Diocese of Lansing. ISBN 1-594670.70.6

.._. I am impressed with the teens you highlighted in Faith Magazine (Sept. 2003). Tl1 e Cl111rch of the f uture is in good hands. They arc strong rn their faith and we could all learn from tl1em. - Betty E. Cummings

...... 1 want to commend you and the entire FAITH magazine staff on a wonderful issue about Bishop Povish! He really did deserve such great coverage! What a very special man! TI1ere arc times that 1 do not whole-heartedly agree with

things that you guys select for publication, but loved this issue! Thanl1 you for alltllat you and so many others do for the members of the Diocese of Lansing! - K•thleen Rhadlg•n Caruso

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hat makes us happy? A recent article on the world's happiest countries suggests that, in the U.S., personal success, self-expression, pride and self-esteem are important measures of happiness. Marketers certainly know this and play to these desires. Slogans like "be yourselF litter ads for clothing lines. We have seen thousands of young people "express themselves" and their "individuality" by dressing and altogether imitating their favorite pop star's image. We have elevated our professional athletes and celebrities to an almost mythic level as

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so important to us. And yet, we are not very happy. A recent survey ranked the United States 16th in hapUnited States piness - well behind Nigeria and Mexico, 16th in happiness one and two respectively. In fact, the level of - well behind happiness has remained constant in the Nigeria and "industrialized countries" since World War II, Mexico, one and . despite technological advances,longer litestwo respective1Y· pans and increased incomes.

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To our industrialized culture, the beatitudes must seem ridiculous. "Blessed are those who are persecuted?" This recipe Jesus offers humanity for happiness seems out of touch and fanciful at best - something to be dismissed and ignored. Jesus tells us that the poor, the sorrowful, the meek, the merciful, the pure, the peacemaker and, yes, the persecuted are the happy ones. What? Are you kidding me? What makes the beatitudes particularly hard to swallow is that after the beatitudes teach us how to be instruments of the will of God, this last beatitude anticipates the reception that those doing the will of God will receive in the world - persecution. How can all this lead to happiness? Read the rest of Doug Culp's essay only on FAITHmag.com

any of the saints associ· ated with North and South America - Junlpero Serra. Isaac Jogues. Katharine Drexel are known because they minis· tared to the native people of the New World. In St. Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin, whose feast day is Dec. 9, the Church celebrates the holiness and ministry of the first saint native to the Americas. Many people know Juan Diego as the Mexican Indian who received the vision of Our Lady of Guadalupe in December 1531. But the focus of that story is usually on Our Lady, and not on Juan Diego. In fact, he was not beatified until 1990, and his canonization happened less than two years ago - on July 31 , 2002. In St. juan Diego Juan Diego was born In 14741n the area Cuauhtlatoatzin, that Is now Mexico City. He was a craftsman whose feast day and artist, and belonged to the Chichimeca peois Dec. 9, the ple, an A:11ec tribe. He was baptized by a Church celeFranciscan missionary when he was 50 years brates the old, just a year before his encounter with the holiness and Blessed Mother on Tepeyac Hil. On Dec. 9, ministry of the 1531, he was on his way to Mass when he heard first saint native a voice calng to him in Nahuati, the A:zJec tongue. to the Americas. VVhen he went to explore, he saw a woman dressed like an AzJec princess. She told Juan Diego that she was the Vwgin Mary and asked him to tell the bishop to build a church on that site. The bishop, however, did not believe Juan Diego's story, and asked for proof. Returning to the hil, Juan Diego found Castilian roses growing in the frozen ground. He gathered them into his tilma, or cloak. and took them to the bishop. But the roses were not the only miracle

shown to the bishop. More amazing was the image of the Virgin Mary that was imprinted inside the cloak- the image now known as Our Lady of Guadalupe. The Spanish bishop saw, and believed the story told by the Mexican Indian who had been a Christian for only a year:

• What does it feel like to take an npopular stance on something? • Do you defend the persecuted, or watch quietly from the sidelines? Do you stand up for what you believe in?

But Juan Diego's story doesn't end there. Once the church was built as Mary had asked, Juan Diego moved to a small hut next to the chapel where the image was displayed. He lived there untH his death 1 7 years later, caring for the church and talking with the pilgrims who visited the shrine. Juan Diego spent his days in prayer and received Communion three times a week, which was very unusual for that time. When he died, he was buried in the chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe. About eight million indigenous people became Christians as a result of Juan Diego's witness and the miracle of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which put a familiar face on what had been the religion of outsiders.

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Dear Fr. Joe: How do I witness to my Catholic faith without being called a Jesus freak?

•• One December night, my friend Fr. Mark went out to sing Christmas carols. When he went to the first house and began singing, an elderly man came to the door and hat's easy. Don't mentears began to roll tion jesus. down his face. Fr. Sony, I had to do that. I Mark, seeing that love this question. I hope the man was we know not just that we moved to have to witness to jesus, but tears, asked witness well. So, how do we "Arc you do that without being called a remembering "jesus freak?" I don't know happy childhood memories?" "No," the man sniffed, that we can. I think persecu- wiping a tear. "I'm a musician." tion for loving God is ing at stupid or sinful things Once we understand this inevitable. In fact, I think that simple principle, there are cer- I've said have challenged me if we aren't being harassed tain things we can do in our more often than a long disabout our faith , we may be course on the decay of Western sharing of our Catholic faith doing something wrong. morals and civilization. that will help us be effective. Our lives must be about We don't do these things to Be honest in all your dealjesus. Our school, our work, our family - everything about avoid suffering. We do them to ings. Don't give any person a reason to be scandalized by us must proclaim the truth of make sure that our witness is cooperation with evil. If you one people want to follow. the Catholic faith to the proclaim yourself a faithful fol~ world. A warning, though: the How do we do this? Here are lower ofjcsus and the Catholic some of my ideas: world won't like it. faith, then people will be We must be authentic. A lot Look at the Gospel of John, of people equate acting phony watching you closely. We must chapter l. The world does not with being Christian, and that be men and women of characlike the light. The letters of ter and never give anyone reajohn makes this clear, as welL is not it. Be who you are and son to say or think, "Wcll,Joe who God created you to be. Heck, look at what happened God knew what He was is a Christian and he did it." to jesus. Do we think that We \viii make mistakes. We doing when He made you anything different will happen will, at times, go overboard, or with your personality. Don't to us for proclaiming Him? crush it because of false ideas in moral situations. There slip The first step, then, in effec· will be times where the \vimcss piety. about tively sharing our Catholic we present will be more harmDiscern when you should faith is to accept that some are ful to the kingdom of God than speak and when you shouldn't. not going to like it. Some peo~ A lot of times, our stlcnce will helpful. When we fail notice I pie will make fun of us, shun didn't say "if' we must ask speak better than a speech. If us or even work against us we sec a wrong action, or hear Gods forgiveness and seck to because of our decision. We something Inappropriate, a lec- make right whatever needs to must remember the words of ture may not be the appropri- be made right. Don't get disJesus that we are blessed when ate response. People not laugh- couraged! Gods love and we are persecuted for Him.

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power is bigger than our sinfulness and failings. People who proclaim thm Catholic faith and fail at times are not hypocrites. They are known as "Catholics." Catholics sin; sick people need a doctor - its the same thing. Be informed, knowledgeable people. Know why we teach and believe the things we teach and believe. God doesn't often ask for blind faith. We can be informed, intelligent, faithful followers of our Catholic faith. Besides FAITH Magazme and the Catechism, there are some solid resources out there, both on the Internet and in our libraries. Here are a few great resources I would recommend for getting information on our Catholic faith (this is, obviously, not exhaustive): 1. Envoy Magazine (www.envoymagazine.com) 2. the book ''Orthodoxy'' by G.K. Chesterton is fantastic 3. a Web site with everything Catholic on it is: www.newadvent.org. All that l have said is a tall order, isn't it? Clearly, we are going to need divine help. Don't forget to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen and guide you. Now, get out there and live your faith! Enjoy another day in Gods presence. ) Send your Questions to: "In the Know with Fr. Joe' FAITH Magazine 300 W. Ottawa, Lansing, Ml 48933

Or: JoelnBiack@priest.com

What should you do in the face of persecution? â&#x20AC;˘â&#x20AC;˘ St. Augustine remmds us that unul the time of Christs glorious return, "the Church progresses on her pilgrimage amidst this worlds persecutions and Gods consolations." (d. ccc 76Ql There has never been a time m Christian history when the Church has not suffered some form of persecution. So, if persecution is an mescapable reality for a follower of Christ, how should one respond? We asked young adults at the recent Theology on Tap speaker series in Flint, "What should you do in the face of persecution?"

"We should stand strong in our belief and not fall to the pressures of othe111~ John Boyer Holy Rosary, Flint

"We should pray for the conve111ion

of our persecuto111 and offer up this pain as penance for our sins~

Laurie Slsovsky St. Plus X. Flint

"Remember that our Lord suffered greatly, and if we follow Him, we too will be pe111ecuted: MardeWard St Mary Parish,

Swartz Crceh

falthmag.com

Mrs. Johnson's first Grade Class St. Gerard School2003-2004

Young adulls from the Diocese of Lansing travel to Pope John Paullfs 251h anniversary and the beatification of Mother Teresa of CaJcuUa. From the moment they made plans to go,little more than a month earlier, their pilgrimage was filled with unexpected blessin~ and surrounded by answered prayers. Rend about their experiences and sec a photo gallery of the pilgrimage, only on FAfTH com.

not only gifts given by God to the Church , but also tasks which we, the Church, must constantly strive to bring about as God's people. We believe in a Church that is holy. By this, we do not mean that the Church has atLained perfection. Rather, we mean that the Church is an effective means of human holiness and wholeness. The sacraments nourish holiness, for example, even if the human beings who celebrate the sacraments are not perfect. We believe in a Church that is both holy, yet still sinful. Because perfect holiness is something yet to be acquired, we are imperfect and always in need of repen1.ance. The Church is holy when it is with the poor, with the outcast, with the forgotten. The Church is holy when it makes holiness its reason for existence. lt calls us to more than the material world. It reveals the goodness of God and the sacredness of ordinary life by making all of life holy at every turn. That is revealed in the sacraments and the Catholic sacramental principle that all life, all creation, is holy. We beheve in a Church that is catholic. This word, first used in reference to Christians by St. Ignatius of Antioch around A.D. 100, means "universar or "allinclusive" and refers to Christ's Church throughout the world. To believe in such a Church is to believe that anything good , true and

I believe In the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints•..

Certain peoples of Zimbabwe in southem Africa greet each other by saying, "How are you?" The response is, "I am well if you are well." The first person then says, "I am well, so we are well. " What a commentary on that African tribe! That ritual says much about what we pray in the next two sections of the Creed. The Church and all its members (its saints) living and dead - are united, and our wellbeing is connected with each other. I believe In the holy catholic Church ••.

ln the Nicene Creed, we profess our belief in the four

marks of the Church: one, holy, catholic and apostolic. The Apostles' Creed mentions only the holy catholic Church. These marks (or signs) are

beautiful is welcome in the Church. As God's people, we go into the world on a mission to bring the message of Gods love to all people. I believe In the communion of saints ...

People who need people: we proclaim our interdependence when we pray this portion of the Creed. And, rightly so, for that is how God created us. We are not saved as individuals. We arc saved as members of Christ's Body. The doctrine of the communion of saints flows from our belief that we Christia are closely united as one family in Christ. The word usaints" here means not just those who have been canonized by the Church, but all God's holy people. <ecc 946) All who are in Christ have been made holy with the holiness of God. Thus Paul writes to the "saints" of Ephesus, Corinth, Philippi and Colossus. Today, he would write to the "holy ones" of U!nsing, U!s Vegas or Detroit. The phrase acommunion of saints" was put into the Apostles' Creed as an emphatic sLatementthat the Church as the People of God is a family - not a loose gathering of people seeking private salvation. Pope Leo Xlll said, "The communion of saints is Stmpl ... the mutual sharing of help atonement, prayers and benefits among all the faithful." ~

Sr. j anet Schaefficr, OP, an Adrian Dornlnfc11n sister, Is Assocl11tc Director of the OjJice for Catcclrctlcs/Rcligious Eduwlinn of tire A rchdioccsc of Detroit -

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(tlne, The Church is one because its roots arc in the Trinity. It is also one because it was founded by Christ and is animated by the Spirit. Charity is what binds all together in the Church, as well as· .,..,. our profession of faith which is traceable to the Apostles (the Apostles' and N1cene Creeds) .,..,. common celebration in

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• "Go ttMnfore and make disciples d all nalionL" IMIII28:18-20) • Paul to the Church in Rome: "one body with many members~ (Rom 12:4-1 2)

worship, especially the sacraments . . succession of the bish· ops from the Apostles Unity does not mean uniformity. God has gifted the Church with a diversity of gifts and a variety of people. (CCC 812-81 8,820, 866)

holy; jesus Christ 1s the model of all holiness in the Church. The Holy Spint, dwelling in the Church, fills it and umtes u. God Is the ultimate source of holiness in the Church. Because the Spirit lives in us and m the

Prayer for Christian Unity: . . Lord jesus Christ, at your Last Supperyou prayed to the Father that all should 11£ one:. Send your Holy Spirit upon all who btllryour name and .sWr to .serve:

you. Stmtgfhen ourfaith fn you and lead us to love one flltOtlter In

Church, the Church is holy. The Church is holy because in it can be found the means to holiness. the means to the wholeness of personal development. A major msight of Vatican II was that all of jesus' disciples, not only the clergy and religious sisters and brothers, are called to hohness. The true test of a Christians holiness is a life of service to others.

people at all places in all times. Poor and rich, learned and unlearned, all people everywhere are invited to be members of the Lords Body. The Church is catholic because it continues to teach all that Christ taught.

(CCC 823-829. 867)

catholic (universal), The Church is catholic because Christ is present in the body as its head, giving it the fullness of the means of salvation - a complete and correct confession of faith, an ordained ministry traceable to the Apostles and a full sacramental life, especially the gift of the Eucharist. The Church is catholic because u follows the Lords command to teach all

hurniffr)( May we who have been rdlom fn one~ be unikd fn onejQidt undtr one SlltpllmL. Amm.

(CCC 830- 83~. 868}

apostolic The present bishops of the Catholic Church can trace themselves back to the first leaders of the Church, the Apostles. Christ founded His Church on the Apostles who in turn appointed successors. The Church is also apostolic in that it professes the same doctrine and Christian way of life taught by the Apostles, preserving the Gospel of jesus. Apostle means ~one who is sent." In this sense, all Christians are apostles and, by their baptism, have a role in sharing Christs Good News with others. (CCC 857-865, 869)

We're at the last of the beatitudes, thus completing the portrait of jesus and His followers. The first and last promise of the beatitudes is the same reward: "The kingdom of heaven is theirs." At first glance, the reasons for 'blessedness' appear very different, but its in the final beatitude that 'poor in spirit' reaches its fullness.

The first seven beatitudes are appealing and inspiring, but the eighth is alarming and discouraging. Yet, the eighth is the proof of the pudding. Reflecting on the first seven reminds me of a plane flight to Athens, which took place about forty years ago. We relaxed and enjoyed the comfort of a smooth, calm flight. Suddenly, the peace and calm was shortened by the captain's words: "Fasten your seatbelts; turbulence ahead." 1 recall seeing ,n the lights of Athens and .\..._~lhose on an island airport. The jet was tossed about in a violent storm. lt was scary. After the first seven beatitudes, thats what the eighth must have been like to jesus' disciples. To them, to the Church throughout history and to us today, the Captain announces, "Fasten your seatbelts! Turbulence ahead!" jesus said, "Blessed are those persecuted for holiness' sake. The reign of God is theirs. Blessed are you when they insult you, persecute you and slander you because of me. Be glad and rejoice! Your reward is great in heaven." My first impressions and feelings about the word "persecution" come from my experiences early in life. Even before, but especially in school, I saw and experienced 't in lots of ways. Then, persecution was usually referred to

as "picking on," "ganging up on" or "making fun ol" others. Victims were often awkward or slow; wore poor clothing and shoes; had blemishes, handicaps and disabilities; were different than the majority; and much more. Worst of all were the big bullies who instilled fear in school and the neighborhoods. In elementary school, the sisters taught us about the inhumaness and sinfulness of persecution. They also widened our horizons to more "grown-up" kinds of persecution. We learned about martyrs who were persecuted and tortured and died for their faith. Of course, jesus was the Martyr of all martyrs. Several times a year we saw religious films. I recall vividly "King of Kings" and "The Sign of the Cross" from the 1930s. Seeing faith, persecution, torment and death in these films began to elevate my perspective. The many pictures and accounts in the Church history book further expanded it. Like some of you, I know first-hand about being "picked on." Of course, others had it far worse, but that didn't occur to me at the time. 1 was one of the shortest boys in my class all the way through ninth grade. Most of the girls were taller than I was. Instead of shar-

Top: Eighth in 11 series or gl11ss mos11ic panels on displ11y at the new

ing every detail, I'll leave it to your imagination. just one comment: it hurt so much to be left out of so much. I'm so grateful to my parents, teachers (sisters), our pastor and others for encouragement. We looked up to our Uncle Paul, who was a naval officer in World War I. He frequently told me, "When it takes longer, it turns out better." I believed him, but later knew it wasn't always true. Then, it finally happened. In the summer after ninth grade, l grew to six feet tall (I've already shrunk an inch). Later, I realized this was a grace, preparing me for my vocation. All the beatitudes, but mostly the eighth - which predicts "insult, persecution and slander" as the worlds reaction to the citizens of the kingdom who live the beatitudes - are not easy to swallow. Happily, our often selfcentered humanity, prone to laziness, cowardice and indifference, still sees them as noble and admirable. Sadly, we easily shrug them off as downright impossible, although we still long for such happiness. The last beatitude should not really be a surprise to believers. It should be expected. Its the inevitable answer to "How will the world react to these beali-

Michig;~n

Catholic Conrcrcncc

tude people?" and "How will the world react to jesus?" To reject the final beatitude is to short circuit the seven that are fulfilled in the eighth. Without the eighth, the beatitudes as a portrait of jesus and His followers would be "unfinished,"like Schubert's Eighth Symphony. The people of the seven beatitudes enrage and provoke a hostile world to react with hatred, slander and persecution. The beatitudes are fulfilled in their witness of the eighth before a world that rejects them. Can we imagine -let alone believe in- jesus apart from His life-long and final witness of the eighth beatitude before the world, unto death, even the death on the cross? No! With the beatitudes, its all or nothing. In short, what happens to jesus happens to His disciples. The philosopher and theologian Delubac writes: "The beatitudes prevent us from making a petty religion for ourselves and seeking a petty salvation of our own petty proportions. The beatitudes and the entire Gospel are a wine too strong for us, so we close our ears to the Lord's liberating call. We lack the courage before all the forms of death which are the necessary gates of life." - Most Rc1Âˇ. Carl t; lllcngding Is the fourth bishop

hc;~dqullrtcrs,

1 ~----------------------------------~-------------

or Lansing.

l.:lnslng I lllustrntion by Bob Patten D~ccmbcr 2003

FAITH M~gazine

It was in the middle of the night, March 19, 1979, when Kim's group of 69 made their break in a small wooden boat, 33 feet long and 10 feet wide. They faced the prospect of being thrown in jail if , they were caught.

Many people had been fleeing the country as the likelihood of defeat to the North became more certain. Kim, eight relatives, and others began planning tHeir own getaway in 1977. About two million eventually left the country before and after the conflict. The process was lengthy and secret, because, as Fr. Kim says, "It was not easy to share with others since tney may be1the governments ears. We had ·to study-very carefully whom we could share our idea with, or whom to invite to be pan of our group." ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• For example, when Kim heard that a classmate, Quan Long Nguyen, was building a boat, he stopped by to investigate. "After conversations and testing each other, we agreed to work together and plan the trip," Fr. Kim recalls. Nguyen would be

the captain of the boat and his cousin the assistant. A Uule trickery was also necessary. Nguyen and some of the others pretended to be fiShermen so the authorities wouldn't be suspicious of them or the boat. They also made friends with people who were close to

the coast guard and policemen. "'These friends could do some diny work for us.n Fr. Kim says. ~They would invite the coast guard and policemen to panics, weddings, even funeral dinners. Then, while they were at the panics, you could sneak out of the country.'" It was in the middle of the night, March 19, 1979, when Kims group of 69 made their break in a small wooden boat, 33 feet long and 10 feet wide. They faced the prospect of being thrown in jail if they were caught. They also faced danger from pirates, who were prevalent then, smce they knew that anyone escaping must have money or gold to pay their way out of the country For fear of the coast guard at Phu Quoc Island, they headed out to international

waters, southeast of Vung Tay Bay. Then they went southwest towards Malaysia. ~we were so excited when we saw a shtp which was on the way to the Phtlippines, or Hong Kong or Taiwan," Fr. Kim recalls. ~Even though the ship was a few miles dtstant, we shouted loudly and burned oil in order to send an 505 smoke signal. We hoped the ships crew would see and rescue us, but our elfons were in vain. You can imagine our disappointment.~ Their boat had only a two· cylinder engine, smaller than that of an automobtle, and they traveled for nearly a week. Eventually, they neared their destination, only to be intercepted by the Malaysian coast guard. They were detained for 18 hours on an island, then pulled back out into international waters. All this time they could barely move on the boat. "We were seated like sardines are arranged in a fJSh can," says Fr. Kim. ~Almost everyone got seasick, including me. I'm sure we prayed a lot." He adds jokingly, •If our journey to Malaysia had taken a month on the Pacific Ocean, with all of our praying, we would have become living saints." They deaded that there was only one thing to do. UBecause of the rough waves, we couldn't stay out in international waters," Fr. Kim says. ~And we weren\ going to give up on the new life of freedom we were looking for So we ran into Malaysia ag;:Un. In order to make sure the coast guard could not pull us out into international waters a second time, we ran our boat aground and destroyed the engine with salt water and sand, and also destroyed the hull of the boat."

â&#x20AC;˘

re~aced

with joy and happiness because we were still alive, we had our freedom and we were going to settle in a free country"

I "When we landed, we were relieved. Our anxiety was replaced with joy and happiness because we were still alive, we had our freedom and we were going to settle in a free country" In Malaysia, they joined a refugee camp of 40,000 people in a one square-mile area. Their shelter was a hut made of coconut leaves. There, Kim went to Mass during the day, studied, and chopped and sold wood to supplement the daily ratton of lice. After a month, they were transferred to Kuala Lumpur, the nations capitol. There were only volunteer jobs avmlable at the refugee camp in Kuala lumpur. Kim helped senior citizens who had no relatives there, by getting food and water rations for them from the United Nations organization running the camp. After nine months, they were able to leave Malaysia and fly to New Orleans, thanks to Kims uncle who lived there and sponsored their entry into the United States. They landed in America on Dec. 12, 1979. While adjusting to the Amertam culture and language, Kim worked on shrimp and oyster boats, and in restaurants opening oysters for customers. But he hadn't abandoned his hopes and plans of becoming a priest. Later he heard that Fr. joseph Tran was in Lansing. Fr. Tran had been the associate

priest in Kim5 parish in Vietnam after his ordination in 1974, and now serves as the pastor for the Vietnamese community at St. Andrew Dung-Lac Parish in Lansing. He encouraged Kim to come to Michigan to study for the priesthood. Even though everyone advised him against going north because of the cold weather, he did anyway. Now, he can say, "After living in Michigan over 20 years, I love it, even if I have to adjust my genes in the winter." He began seminary at St. johns in Plymouth, Mich., studying there three years before his final year at Sacred Hean in Detroit On june 9, 1990, 11 years after fleeing his country, joseph Sy Kimthe name he took upon becoming a U.5. citizen - was ordained a priest by Bishop Kenneth Povish at St. Mary Cathedral in Lansing. Fr. Kim describes his ordination as "the result of a deep, insistent longing that would not be stopped by the many roadblocks that I encountered. I also truly believe that being forced to wait this length of time for the fulfillment of my dream has helped me to be more grateful for my vocation." Fr. Kim has served several parishes in the Lansing Diocese, and he has been pastor of Blessed Sacrament Church in Bunon for more than three years. ~

Retum to Vietnam

last summer, Fr.

Kim returned to Vietnam for a three-week visit. Going along were two parishioners, Ray and Gail Fielder, another boat person named john St. joseph, Fr. Kims uncle, two of his uncles daughters, and a friend of one daughter. "I staned to think about returning to Vietnam about two years before I actually went," he explains. "I wanted to sec my mothers grave and my relatives on my mothers side in Nonh Vietnam, whom I had never seen." Fr. Kim was born in Nonh Vietnam, but his parents moved to the South when he was five months old. His mother died in 1969, and his Cather, who is 85, now lives in California with some o[ his family. "I also wanted to experience the liCe o[ the Nonh Vietnamese, sec how things have changed in the country since !left and see what I could do Cor those who haven't had the same opponunity I have had." There were a couple side benefits to going. It allowed Fr. Kim to carry money to his relatives from the Kim family in the States. He was also able to take a suitcase of medication for Dong Vmh Parish in Bien Hoa on behalf of the Blessed Sacrnmcnt Parish Nurse Ministry, as well as two suitcases of clothes for people in North Vietnam. The highlight o[ the trip was the celebration oC Fr. Kims 12th year o[ ordination. It was made extra special because the Mass and fcstiv~ ities took place at the church where he was baptized - St. Peter An~ Cuong Church in Nam-Dinh City, about 90 miles southwest oC

Hanoi. A band, along with six to seven hundred people, many in festive dress, went in procession to the mission church. After Mass, there was a pany in the dinner hall, in which a large banner with a photo of Fr. Kim celebrating his first Mass hung on one wall. He also was able to celebrate Mass at the church where he received first Communion and was confirmed. The Fielders say the trip seemed to be pany after pany, as everywhere they went the people wanted to honor Fr. Kim. "There was so much I wanted to see," Fr. Kim says. "I was happy to meet my uncles, aunts and other relatives, but wished I had had more time with them and with parishioners." The thing that Fr. Kim says has changed most since he left is the economic boom in the cities. "There is still a big gap between rich and poor, and a lot of corruption," he explains. "One regret was not being able to help my own people, who are so poor, especially in the countryside. I couldn't forget one couple who fished in the small creek. The man sat on the wooden skiff and controlled the fiShing net while the woman on the bank pulled the skiff by a rope, because they didn't have money for a motor. The unemployment rate in the countryside is about 20~30 per~ cent, and those who do have jobs earn only $40~50 a month." Fr. Kim says that even though the people live in povcny, they still preserve time for Mass and Church activities. "They don't trade their faith for material things. Everyone, young and old, goes to celebrate Mass and receive the sacraments, especially penance. The church is packed even though the temperature may be 90100 degrees (no air conditioning). And though the people don't have money to give to the church, they do have ume and energy. Whenever the pastor needs something done. they do it without questioning." He also says that there are abundant vocations in the country now, though the Church m Vietnam needs pennission to ordain priests and biShops. and to a551gn personnel. Would Fr. Kim return to his homeland permanently? ulf I were directed by the bishop Cor some reason, o[ course,• he says. ~But I like America and its freedom. It would be difficult to adjust to the Vietnamese culture after so long in America." )

ministry

focus

The Vietnamese Community Jll>Jil>

parish for the diocese's growing St. Andrew Dung·Lac. The 16Q-family parish is located on Lansing's south side. Fr. Joseph Tran is the parish's first pastor. Ordained in 1974 for the Ardldiocese of Saigon, Fr. Joseph came to Grandville, Mich., in 1981 after spend· ing a year in a refugee camp in Thailand. He is one of several men from Vtetnam who have overcome great advenlity to serve our diocese as a priest. In 198 6, Fr. Vincent H. Van Dean became the first r. VIetnamese man to be ordained for our diocese. For more information on the VIetnamese community in the Diocese of Lansing, contact St. Andrew Dung·l.ac Parish (51 7) 882-8205. V~etnamese community -

Mer the U.S. pulled out of V1etnam

and the communist North Vietnamese invaded the South, a refugee crisis began. By 1975, parishes in the Diocese of lansing stood up and began sponsoring the refugees. Catholic VIetnamese in lansing initially gathered for Mass in the crypt chapel of St. Mary Cathedral. They also used a house acroes the street from the Ca1hedral parking lot In 1984, Bishop Kenneth Povish began celebrating Mass wilh the community fNerJ Christmas Eve, a tradition Bishop Carl Mengeling contin-

ues. The Lunar New Year is the oCher unique holiday the community celebrates - usualy at the end of January or beginning of February. In 1998, Bishop Mengeling created a

â&#x20AC;˘ a e The Kanakuze family, Rwandans now living in ttlansing, describe the solace they found in God

~----~--------~

"( didn't realize the extent of the war, how it was gomg to be, ' shares Bcrt.hilde, wife of Michel and mother of se\'en: francine, Michelle, Noelle, Leontine, joseph, john Baptiste and Gabriel. "One day we were told to stop going to the grocery store, stop going to church, or we would be killed,'' Bcrthildc says.

Few can imagine being chased, day and night, by a faceless monster. Yet, this kind of anxiety was quite real to the Kanakuze family, natives of Rwanda who fled their country in 1994. Now living in Lansing, the family takes a moment to share the nightmare that has receded to the outskirts of their minds, as they have found refuge in Christ's love. Although civil war ravaged partS of their country, it was distant enough to disguise how critical mauers truly were. Then, seemingly overnight, tensions culminated and the war spread to the Kanakuzes' hometown in Rwanda, a country in central Africa. "I didn't realize the extent of the war, how it was going to be," shares Benhilde, wife of Michel and mother of seven: Francine, Michelle, Noelle, lcontine, joseph,john Baptiste and Gabriel. "One day. we were told to stop going to the gro~ery store, stop going to church, or we would be killed," Bcnhilde says. In a matter of days, the community fled, seeking refuge elsewhere, only to be killed along the way. Soon, only those who .vere sick or elderly- and the Kanakuze family- remained.

!ly Catc Presto~ I Pl1otograplty by Thomas Gcnnara

Having no transportation, the family was confined to their home. Living minute to minute, the family waited, never knowing what would be next. "We had no choice. We had to stay. We couldn't escape," explains Francine. "I would pray, 'Please, Mary. Tic my clothes to yours, so that I will be with you, so that I will not be afraid."' Everywhere, masked men were killing civilians, forbidding them to exercise their faith or leave their homes. The consequence for prayer was death. "We asked, 'How can we stop praying?' We decided to pray the Divine Mercy chaplet, because we knew how powerful it is," Michelle, now 24, relates. The family prayed to die quickly- with guns, not machetes. "We were waiting to die. We would pray for a peaceful death to pass the bridge peacefully, to be strong," remembers Bcnhilde. The family found solace in prayer, interceding for those around them. A sequence of miracles, including a number of encounters with "good S.1maritans," then began to occur as they ultimately fled to freedom, On one occasion, anackers circled the perimeter of the house, wearing masks and with weapons in hand, seemingly eager to kill. Inside, the family prayed, holding their rosaries, asking God for strength. "At the last second, a man came, a man we didn't know," Bcrthildc recalls. "He said, 'Stop, I know this family. Go somewhere else.' The men in masks listened to him, and left. Another time, Michel was being taken away. Again, a man appeared and said, 'Why are you taking him? Hes my friend.' Michel was then freed. We didn't know these men, but they knew us. Our angels, we say. It was Divine Mercy." ~ Du cm/>er 2003

FAITH Magazine

-.. Everywhere, masked men were killing dvilians, forbidding them to exercise their faith or leave their h.omes. The consequence for prayer was death. ------------------~

From there, their means to freedom was uneJ~:pected another miracle in the guise of luck. A neighbor woman, terminally ill, saw Michel and Berthilde. She beseeched them to take the children away. In desperation, the woman offered her car, which was broken down and had no key. They decided to try a key, which didn't even belong with the car. To every ones amazement, it worked. There was no time to think - the car was running and ready to go. A Bible, some rosaries and food were hurriedÂˇ ly collected, and within minutes, the family left their home. Francine, now 25, remembers the day her family left. "On the street, everyone was running. It was daylight, but in my memories, I picture the sky dark, like it was going to rain." Once out of town, the car broke down. The family turned again to the Divine Mercy chaplet, and to the Bible, for direction. Michel would often pray by opening the Bible and reading the first passage he saw. By the guidance he received in this way, Michel led his family safely out of Rwanda. Once, as the family stopped to rest, Michel turned to a passage in the book of Genesis, in which the lord tells Abraham to flee his country. Immediately, the Kanakuzes pressed onward. later, they found out that those who stayed to rest were murdered. "The Bible's not just stories," says Francine. "Its God's message. It spoke to us. It would help us to find water, food, safety." Always, there was an internal fear urging the family onward. Surrounded by turmoil, the family continued to pray the Divine Mercy chaplet at three o'clock- the hour of jesus' death - and would invite others to join. "People would question us about why we continued to pray." shares Benhilde. "They saw that we had no money, no food. But, then they would see these miracles, and they. too, would pray. Our angels were protecting us- somehow, when we needed food, we would find food." Often, this food was only grass, or raw grain straight from the stalk. "We mixed grain with hot water," Michelle

recounts. â&#x20AC;˘There was no taste. We just ate because it was in front of us and because we were hungry." En route to the Rwandan border, the famtly was separated from each other several times. One day, as they moved onward toward Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo), the younger children were part of an entourage escorted by nuns. Benhilde travelled wuh the older children by boat. Michel remained behmd, as the boat was too crowded. Each time they faced separation, the family chose lO trust God, knowing they might never see each other alive again. ~In this situation, you have no choice," Berthilde says. "You have to trust. We learned to trust, to listen, to suffer. God doesn't give you a cross you cannot carry." Reunited at last in Zaire, the family petitioned the Scouts, an international organization that proVIdes aid for refugees. Through a priest "What we went friend of theirs, the Kanakuzes were given through shaped money for plane tickets, and the necessary us," says Michelle. papers to go to Senegal. It was in Senegal, "We saw God's one month after arriving, that Gabriel was mercy. If you trust born. "It was a miracle he was healthy," Him, He'll do Berthilde explains. Dunng the pregnancy. everything." she ex-perienced many graces. "I wouldn't eat, and would give my portion to the children. I hid it from my husband, so he wouldn't know I was gtving my food away There simply wasn't enough food. I wasn't sick, either. (When I was pregnant with the other children) I was homebound, needing the docwrs care." After three years, unable to find jobs or food in Senegal, they applied to Refugee Services for admission to the United States. By divine providence, they were the first refugee family selected for emigration and, in 1997, made their journey to freedom. Benhilde laughs when she recounts the divine hand in her family's transport from country to country. "In our hurry to leave home, we forgot our passportS. Imagine - no passports

for nine people. But, at every border, we were allowed to pass :hrough. 'Oh, a family of nine? 01<, go ahead,' we were told." Rather than view themselves as victims of persecution. the family recounts their war experiences humbly, with Gods mercy foremost n their minds. "What we went through shaped us," says Michelle. We saw Gods mercy. If you trust Him, He'll do everything. We .vould nearly doubt it, and would have to remind ourselves to rust. If we didn't go through this, we wouldn't know God. If He oves you, He'll give you suiTering to bear, to see how you'll grow." In the six years that they've lived in the United States, they've Jurchased a home, found jobs and learned English. Currently nembers of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, East lansing, the children 1ttend Resurrection School in lansing, lansing Catholic Central md are pursuing degrees at Washtenaw Community College. While they encounter challenges in the United States, their faith ontinues to be central to the lives of the l<anakuze family. They ominue to pray the Divine Mercy chaplet each day and, on 1:1turday mornings, join a group outside a local abortion clinic to ' ray the rosary. "We keep praying as a family," says Berthllde. "I ask p children, 'How did you meet God today?' 'How did you see Him ..}our life today?' Every day, you see something with Him in it." When living in Rwanda- a largely Catholic country - the chillren would often stop in the church and pray the rosary before 1eading home from school. Also, their family would celebrate aints' days rather than birthdays, which was a common tradition n Rwanda. The first time Michelle heard someone say, "I don't 1elieve in God," she was surpnsed. "Hes inside of you,'' she says. Hes alive. Hes with us. The miracles continue. We see miracles very day- not just during the war." Reflecting on secular America, Berthilde says, "Its a rich country. 'eople have businesses, cars, video games. Its God who gives you hat. But, its for the earth. It doesn't stay." Saddened to see many >~ho are distracted by worldly concerns, she says, "God calls us and â&#x20AC;˘ften, no one answers. Even if I'm tired, I have to answer, because {e asks me to make time \vith Him. I won't forget what He did for tS. Every day, I make time for H1m. Eucharistic adoration is my 1vorite time to be with Him. He is my joy, my everything." The prayer of St. Francis, which was often sung for comfort along 1eir JOUrney. defines the familys faith objective. The Kanakuzes trive to be an instrument of Christl; peace -sowing hope, faith and onsolation in the lives of those they encounter. )

. f

thollc Refugee Services of Lansing: For the past 20 years

ugee Services has helped more than 13,000 people make the transiJn to their adoptive country - beginning with when they step off the plane. you are interested in volunteering to help refugees with learning English, ansportation, obtaining clothes and other necessities, contad the olunteer Coordinator at Refugee Services: (517) 484-1010.

Esca~ing the terror of the floly Land Meet this Ca~olic fanilly cau2ht between two

religions in Hethlehem - now they're in Michigan

"That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village guarding their.flocks of sheep. Suddenly an angel appeared among them and the landscape shone b1ight with the gl01y of the Lord. They wen~ badly fiightened, but the angel reassured them." 'Don't be afraid!' he said. 'I bring you the most joyful news ever announced ancl it is for everyone. The Savior- yes, the Messiah, the Lord- has been born tonight in Bethlehem!' ... Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others praising God: 'Glory to God in the highest heaven,' tltey sang, 'and peace on earth for all those pleasing him.'" (Luke 2 8Âˇ 1-11 This beautiful nativity story has resonated throughout the ages. The idea of heaven and earth joined through a babys birth and angels' song must have inspired wonder in those shepherds 2,000 years ago. Lying in that field alight with the glory of God, the shepherds must have believed anything was posstble and that peace would soon blanket their conflict-ridden homeland. Two thousand years later, on Aptil4, 2001 , Yvonne Shomali lay her children down to sleep in her parents' Bethlehem home. They

By Naucy Scltertzing I Plwtograplty by Thomas Gennara

lived in a district called &:rt Sahour- the Shepherds' Field. Though she lived on the same landscape where angels had once trod, Yvonnes thoughts were not on the angels' visit of long ago, but on the constant tension that gripped her familys home. As Palesunian Christians, Yvonne and her family were caught in the middle of an andent and tenible battle, more powerful even than angels' son~. Their neighbors, Palestinian Muslims, were fighting a guemlla war agaillSl the lsr.leh anny in the neighborhood where YvonneS children were growing up. Considered the enemy because they are Palcstintan, Yvonnc5 family was often subject to intcrrog;tuons and violence from lsr.leli soldiers patrolling the streets. Considered suspect by their neighbors because they chose to stay neutral in the fight over thejewish and Muslim homeland, Yvonnc5 Christian family was often harassed and ostracized by thetr Palestinian community. The night of April 4 brought their situauon into sharp focus when gunfire erupted outstde Yvonnes parents' home. Despite her fathers pleading \vith the shooters to move away from his house where his grandchildren slept, Palestinian gunmen used Yvonnes parents' home for their cover as they fired at the Israeli Anny post nearby. In an instant, the Shepherds' Field shone brightly again. This time, however, instead of the glory of God, it was the fury of pitched battle that lit up the Beit Sahour sky. As the lsr.leli soldiers fired back, bullets screamed through the walls of the house from all sides. Yvonncs father grabbed two of her chUdren and crawled along the floor With them into the bathroom. There he lay them flat on the bathtub floor and used his own body to cover them from the bullets still penetrating the walls. From the dining room where she had found cover, Yvonne could hear the cries of her other two children tipped from sleep by bullets and shouting. Trapped in their beds by the gunfire, they sobbed for her and prayed, "God, help us get out of this wartâ&#x20AC;˘ Each time she moved toward the hallway to rescue her sons, a fresh round of shoottng forced Yvonne back to her place of cover. F1nally, after half an hour of terror and prayer, she reached the bedroom and dragged her sons to the relative safety of the bathtub. There she and her father lay over her children - all unhanned until the gunfight ended at 3 a.m. They used what was left of the night to pack By 5 a.m. that morning, Yvonne kissed her mother goodbye. She and her father set out with her chtldren through the V.'llley of Hell, a steep and winding road that hnks Bethlehem with Jericho. They canied little more than the clothes on their backs and a behef that life would better if they left Bethlehem behind. From jericho they journeyed to jordan. Three days later they kissed Yvonnes father goodbye and boarded an airplane for the United States. Yvonnes husband, Bassam (Sam) had left Bethlehem in

~ YVOnne Shomallay her c:Hidlwl down liD sleep In her~ Elelhlehem hama.

'1'lqlgh she IMd on the same~

where . . -·hid once trodj Yvarrit"s thoughts were not on,the....., viii of long ago, but on the conllant tinllon thai gripped her farillly's hama.

December 2000, to prepare a place for his family in the U.S. He chose Lansing, Mich., as the best place to welcome his family home. On April 8, four days after their harrowing escape from the Shepherds' Field, Yvonne and her children stepped off the plane into the welcoming arms of Sam and a new life. As a tour guide in isrnel, Sam had made a good living until the Second Intifada led lsrnelto close its borders to Palestinians. He and Yvonne left behind a spacious home and many comforts when they depaned Bethlehem. Now, despite the fact that Sam is fluent in five Jan. guagcs, they found themselves jobless in a new country. Having come here on a visitorS visa, Sam and Yvonne immediately applied for religious and political asylum and set about making the U.S. their new home. Sam found work in his brother-in-laws convenience store in Aim, and stancd earning his cenification as a computer technician. Their first days here tested their endurance as they quickly went through what little money they had. Having come with few of their belongings, they had lit· tie for establishing a home. At one point Yvonne confided to her neigh· bor that her children had gone three days without food. The neighbor immediately gave her a number to call for government assistance, which • has allowed the Shomalis to live without the fear of hunger. ~ Yet, when asked how life here compares with their life in ' Bethlehem, Yvonne smiles widely "l had money in Palestine," she says, "but I was not happy. Here I don't have money for clothes or much, but there is more freedom for women and families. Muslim traditions are strict about social standing and interactions. Here, thinking is much more liberating and our neighbors are more honest." Her smile fades slightly. 'There, having more friends gets one into more trouble. I came here to get safe." On May 7, 2003, the Shomalis were granted religious and political asylum in the United States. They no longer have to fear being forced to return to the tenor they fled that April night. In time, they hope to cam U.S. citizenship. When they do, maybe then they will return to Bethlehem for a visit. "I want to go to Israel as an American," Sam cxplairts. "Because visitors can go anywhere they want, but Palestinians cannot." "I feel so sorry about my country." Yvonne adds. "Where jesus lived and grew up, there is no peace. War constantly starts and stops, but never ends." "Glory to God in the highest heaven," the angels sang, "and peace on canh for all those pleasing him." Though their homeland is wracked by violence, the Shomalis still hope in the angels' song. But until the promised peace blankets the Shepherds' Field, Yvonne and Sam will rest secure and mise their children in their adopted home. ~ ministry

fot:us

j:alhoiJc Relief Services: For 60 years, CalhoriC Relief Services has been the outreach of the u.s. Bishops to provide direct aid to the poor and cfiS&dwntaged throughout the wortd. For more infoonation on the CRS office in the Diocese of Lansing cal Barbara Poet at (517) 342-2470 or log onto: ~ctllenslng

Some in America react with surprise to hear that Christians suffer persecution in our world. They might think that persecution is something of the distant past. However, more Christians have been persecuted and killed for their faith in the past 100 years than in the rest of Christian history. In Sudan and Rwanda, whole villages of Christian believers have been rounded up and slaughtered because of their faith. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• In our country. we do not see the mass murder of Christians, but there is plenty of persecution. Maybe you have experienced it. Actually. if you arc a believer in jesus, you will experience it. No one is greater than the Master. jesus says, "If they persecute me, they will persecute you." (John 16·20) Examples of persecution abound: a doctor who did not prescnbe contraception pills or participate in an abonion and faced losing her job at a hospi-

tal; a law student who put up a cruciftx and holy picture in his work space and faced expulsion from the law school; a young teen who wore a pro-life shirt to school and received ridicule from a teacher and students for it; a lawyer who refused to soil his hands with dishonest business practices and left his job as a result of it; a worker in a factory who refused to participate in vulgar language and conversation and faced abuse from fellow workers because of it; a

Catholic who tried to live her faith, pray each day and go to daily Mass, and experienced harassment from family members for being too religious; a mother in a grocery Store with her four children who became the object of comments such as, "When is she going to learn to stop having kids?" Persecution. The liSt could go on. Can you think of a time when something like this has happened to you? For the sake of our spiritual fitness, 1hope we all can say yes. Experiencing persecution is a basic pan of the Christian life. lt is almost a relief to experience it- for one can be consoled by the fact that just maybe the criticism or persecution is not deserved and is because of ones relationship to jesus. jesus talked about persecution to His disciples and Apost1es many times. It is a pan of our life with Him. He warned them about it and said that often it will come at the hands of ones own family members - those closeSt to us. tw~ 21 16) He told them and us to ~take up the cross and follow Him: In shan, to persevere in the fruth. M By your perseverance, you will secure your lives." (w~ 21 1Ql There arc many examples of great people and saints who persevered through persecution. Many men and women gave up their lives for the sake of the Gospel. ~~ St. Peter- simple fisherman born in Galilee, martyred in Rome for his witness to jesus Christ. ~~ St. Paul - highly educated

Pharisee who tirelessly spread the Gospel. He was martyred in Rome for his witness to jesus Christ. ~~ Ss. Agatha, Lucy, Agnes, Cecelia, Anastasia and others - courageous women martyrs of the early centuries. ~~ St. Jgnatius or Antioch wrote a series of letters on his way to martyrdom in Rome around the year 107 A.D. for his witness to jesus Christ. ~~ St. john or the Crossimprisoned and persecuted by his own religious order as he tried to bring reform. He persevered in forgiving those who abused him and in reforming the order. He died of illness related to his maltrcatmenL His writings on the spiritual life continue to influence the Church. ~~ St. Francis of Assisi- disowned by his father but joyfully embraced the life of Gospel poverty because of his love for jesus Christ. ~ St. Clare or Assisi- had to escape from her family in secret to follow jesus. ~~ St. john the Baptist - prepared the way for jesus Christ by preaching repentance and the truth of Gods commandments. He was imprisoned and beheaded for it. ~~ St. Thomas Morebeheaded by King Henry Vlll for not signing a document that showed acceptance of the kingS divorce and remarriage. During times of persecution, it is always good to team how others faced the trial of persecution. 1would encourage readers to team more about any of the saints listed above or many others who died for the

faith. They show us incredible examples of perseverance during times of persecution. For example, Archbishop Oscar Romero was assassinated while celebrating the Mass in El Salvador in 1980. He was speaking out about the grave injustices and violence that was being directed against the innocent and poor people of the land.

On March 11, 1979, he said, "A church that suffers no perse~ cution but enjoys the privileges and support of the things of the earth- beware! -is not the true Church ofjesus Christ." Days before his murder he told a reporter, "You can tell the people that if they succeed in killing me, that l forgive and bless those who do it. Hopefully, they will realize

they are wasting their time. A bishop will die, but the Church of God, which is the people, will never perish. ~ Archbishop Romero gave his last homily on March 24, 1980. Moments before a sharpshooter felled him, he was reflecting on Scripture, saying, "One must not love oneself so much, as to avoid getting involved in the risks of

life that history demands of us, and those that fend off danger will lose their lives. He was echoing the words of jesus who said, "Whoever fmds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." CMau 10Âˇ39) Archbishop Oscar Romero found it. ~ can too, as we learn to grow in love and firmness of faith as we face M

0 things to do

••••••••••••••••••••• Eucharistic Days will be eel-

ebrated at St Mary Cathedral Nov. 30-Dec. 2. Following 12 p.m. Mass on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, there will be exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, concluding with Vespers and Benediction at 5 p.m. On Tuesday, Dec. 2, exposition will follow the noon Mass and conclude with Vespers and Benediction at 7 p.m. Bishop James A Murray of Kalamazoo will speak on the essential nature of the Holy Eucharist for the spiritual health of all Catholics. For more information, call (51 7) 484-5331.

Chelsea, on Sunday, Dec. 7, from 2:45-5 p.m. Join others in celebrating the advent of your baby and growing in awareness of Christ's presence in your lives. To register, please call (734} 475-7561.

As part of the Family Focus Concert Series at Sl John the Evangelist Church, Davison, Tltrce Men and a Tenor will perionn Sunday, Nov. 7, at 4 p.m. TICkets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Contact Julie Richards at (810) 658-1135. All are welcome to Advent Vespers at St. John Student Parish, East Lansing, on Wednesdays, Dec. 10 and 17, at 7 p.m.

Solemn Vespers will be

celebrated at St. Mary Cathedral at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 3. A reception will follow in Madonna Hall. In commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, artifacts from the Second Vatican Council will be on display. These will include the personal collection of Bishop Mengeling, who served as a page at the Council.

An Advent Presentation will be held at St Francis Retreat Center, DeWitt, on Dec. 4, at 7 p.m. Fr. Tom McDevitt will be speaking. All parents who have recently had a baby or adopted a child are invited to a special Advent program called "Experiencing God's Love In New Life!'

Sponsored by the parishes of Washtenaw County, it will be held at St. Mary Parish,

On Friday, Dec. 12, a Fiesta for the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe

will be held at SL Therese Parish, Lansing. The celebration will begin with a 6 p.m. Mass, which will be followed by a Mexican dinner. Call (517} 374-2467 for more information. A Joint Penance Service

for Rint-area parishes will be held at St. Pius X Church, Aint, on Sunday, Dec. 14, at 3 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend. ML Zion Catholic Pastoral Center; Rushing, will present the Salvation Story on Dec. 12 and 13, at 7:30p.m. There will also be a New Yeafs Eve celebration on Dec. 31, beginning with a 5:30 p.m. Liturgy. A dinner and fun-filled evening will follow for high school juniors and older. For dinner reserva·

tiona, please call (81 0) 63 97175 by Dec. 12. The young adult and singles ministries of the Diocese of Lansing are sponsoring a New Yeafs Eve Dinner and Dance at Sl Joseph

Parish, Howell, on Dec. 31, from 6:30 p.m.-1 :30 am. Young adults, ages 18-35, single or married, and singles, ages 35-55, are invited to attend. The theme will be world peace. Door prizes will be available. The cost is $25 before Dec. 15, $30 until Dec. 26 and $35 after Dec. 26. To register; call (51 7) 342-2494.

The Diocese of Lansing Ministry with Persons with disAbirllies will host their annual Christmas Celebration Sab.m:lay, Jan. 10, at the Diocesan Center, Lansing, from 2-5 p.m. All persons with disAbitities and their famir~ea are invited to attend. Call (517} 342-2500 to make a reservation.

College-aged men discerning the priesthood are invited to a John Paul II Study Group at Emmaus House, located at 320 MAC. Ave., East lansing. The group meets at 3 p.m. f!lleriJ Sunday for dinner; prayer; study and discussion. The CUI" rent topic is the book Love aml Responsibility. Contact Fr. Matt Fedewa at (51 7} 351-1543. Sight-impaired persons are invited to attend Scripture dasses at Riverfront Tower, Lansing. The classes, facilitated by Sr. Marlene Taylor; are held the second and fourth Monday of each month from 1-3 p.m. Call (517} 3422500 for more information.

Sunday, Dec. 7

Second Sunday ofAdvent Bar 5:1-9 P8126:1·6 Phi 1:4-6,8-11 Luke 3:1-6 Monday, Dec. 8 lrnmaculnrc Concqlllon of dae Blessed Vbgin Mary Gen 3:9-15, 20 P898:1-4 Eph 1:3-6, 1H 2 Wee 1 ~2&38

Sunday, Dec. 14 Thlnl Sunday of Advrnl Zeph 3:14-18a lsa 12:2-6 Phil4:4-7 Luke 3:1Q-18 Sunday, Dec. 21 Fourth Sunday ofAdvent

Mic 5: 1-4a P8 80:2-3, 15-16, HH 9 Heb 10:5-10 Wee 1;39-45 Thursday, Dec. 25

Nativity of du: l.onf (Ciuislmas) VIgil

lsa 62:1·5 P8 89:4-5, 1&17, 27, 29 Ad:J 13:1& 17, 22-25 Matt 1;1·25 or 1:18-25 Midnight lsa 9:1-6 P8 86:1·3, 11 ~13 Trtus 2:11 ·14 Wee 2;1-14 Dawn lsa62:1H2 P897 : 1-6, 11 ~ 12

Titus 3:4-7 Luke 2:15-20 Day

lsa 52:7·10 P898;1-6 Heb 1:1-6 John 1:1+18or 1:1·5, 9-14 SUnday, Dec. 28 The Ho!Y Family of]csus, Mary andjoscpll Sir 3;2·7. 12·14 or 1 Sam 1;2Q-22, 24-28 P8 128:1·5 or P884:2·3, 5-6,9-10 Col3112·21 or 3;12· 17 or 1 John 3:1·2, 21-24 Luke 2:41 ·52

At Malicks house, "the maid answers the door. Around her neck is a miraculous medal," he recalled. "I said, 'Oh, you're Catholic.' 'No, I'm Episcopalian."' Caviezel gave her his wife:S heirloom rosary, and the woman burst into tears. She told him she had lost a rosary a friend gave her that had originally come from Mother Teresa, and she was i praying to get it back somehow. Director Malick walked in, Caviezcl said, and asked, ~What:S wrong, honey?"' ~It comes to me: This isn't the maid," the actor said. "Its Mrs. Terence Malick." Caviezel got the role and he and Malick remain good friends. In 2000, when shooting in Ireland for "The Count of Monte Cristo," Caviczcl said, his wife had alened him to a speaking appearance by Ivan Dragicevic, one of the reponed Marian v1s1onaries of Medjugo~e in BosniaHerzegovina. Caviezel said he rejected the notion of attending, given the shooting schedule and his attitude about the appantions. Then he got an unexpected afternoon off the day of Drag~cevics appearance. Caviezel went to hear Dragiccvic and met with him after his talk. He said DragiCevic told him, "Man always makes ~ctor Jim Caviezel, who plays Mel Gibson's movie for what he loves. If he does not make time for God, jesus in the movie "The Passion of about jesus' passion time now has a distributor, it is because he docs not love God." Christ," chatted the course that Caviezel claimed DragiceVIc had an apparition during Newmarket Films, and their conversation. "I felt a peace that I never felt before. It led him to the jesus role in an will open in U.S. the hell out of mc,Dthe actor said. Oct. 13 address in Washington. theaters Feb. 25, Ash scared Last year, "Inexplicably, I get a call from Mel Gibson," Wednesday. Also, the That course .was an unlikely Caviezel continued ·r wasn't pohucking for the role (of title of Gibson's film jesus). Frankly, nobody knew it (the film) was happening." has been changed string of coincidences beginCaviezel added Gibson ~wanted a guy whose initials from "The Passion" to ning with how he landed a wercj.C. and 33 years old to play the pan of jesus." The "The Passion of role in Terence Malick's 1998 Christ" because anoth- conference booklet promoting CaVIezcls talk noted that 33 was "the same age of Jesus when he was crucified." movie "The Thin Red line." er movie had used it. The actor noted that filming of ·The Passion of Christ" •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• began last year on the feast of the Assumption, Aug. 15, and finSpeaking to the 11th International Week of Prayer and Fasting ished on the feast of Our Lady of Fatima, May 13. Caviezel did not speak about makmg The Passion of Christ" conference, Caviezel said he had told his wife that, if he d1d not a pan from telling some amusing stories about having met Pope get a pan in that film, he was quilling show business and they john Paul II during filming in Italy. He did not address the conwere moving back to his home town of Mount Vernon, Wash. troversy over jewish concerns that ~The Passion of Christ" is "I never stopped going to holy Mass, but I was just going anti-Semitic, nor d1d he take questions from the audience. through the motions,» he told the crowd of more than 2,000 at But he cxhoned the audience to "express your faith in pubthe Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate he." L1ke the Marines, Caviezcl said, "God is looking for a few Conception. Wracked with self-doubt, he said, he asked himself good men .~ "what was I doing here?" In his car outside Malicks house, he He said, '"St. Mru..im1lan Kolbe said indifference is the greatest prayed the rosary, using his \vifes heirloom rosary, which made sm of the 20th century. Well, it is the greatest sin of the 21st im late for his scheduled meeting with the director. century. We are looking for men and women ready to shed their As he ran to Malicks front door, he realized he still had the hves for the truth . ... This goes for our priests and bishops as rosary in his hand, and headed back to his car to deposit it well. We need our priests to challenge us," he said, his voice risthere, but, he said, "I got this feeling in my chest that I should ing, to applause. - Mark l'anison (CNS) take the rosary with me."

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Catholic Charities announces historical capital campaign

Six lay ministers commissioned for the Diocese of Lansing

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

»m their For the rirst time f~3~~[jfl1flij~~ 62-year his-

tory, Catholic Charities of Shiawassee and Genesee Counties is embarking on a capital campaign. The $1.7 million Building a Foundation of Hope campaign will fund critical renovations to the North End Soup Kitchen on Stewart Ave. and Catholic Charities main office on Chippewa Street. Catholic Charities of Shiawasscc and Genesee Counties is a comprehensive health and human services agency serving more than 27,000 individuals and families each year. They offer 19 different programs, ranging from individual counseling to support for grandparents raising grandchildren. Established in 1941 as an agency serving the Catholic community, Catholic Charities now serves people of all faiths. Services are on a sliding-fee scale and arc provided regardless of national origin, gender age or disabtlity. For more information or to contribute, please call Darlene Thomas, Director of Development, at (810) 232-9950.

~~ On Saturday, Nov. 15, at St. Mary Cathedral, Bishop Mengeling commissioned six lay ministers for service in the Dtocese of Lansmg. They are Brian S. Epkey, Susan Furda, Raphaelle A. Graziadei , D. David Mangan, Virginia A. Mikola and Marcia A. Strausbaugh.

New chair of the Department of Catholic Charities appointed

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ... Bishop Carl F. Mengeling is pleased to announce the appointment of Christopher M. Root, MSW. CSW. as chair of the Department of Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Lansing. The appointment is effective Dec. 1, 2003. He succeeds Roben Smith as department chair. Mr. Root will oversee the Catholic Social Service agencies of Lenawec, Washtenaw, Shiawassee, Genesee, Livingston and jackson Counties, as well as Catholic Social Services of Lansing. The Department of Catholic Charities also includes: Aging Ministry, BeFriender Ministry, Bishops Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs, Catholic Campaign for Human Development, Catholic Relief Services, Family Minigrant Program, Family Ministry, Natural Family Planning, Parish Social Ministry, Peace and justice Ministry, Project Rachel, Respect Ltfe Ministry and Separated and Divorced Ministry.

Three men ordained transitional deacons for the Diocese of Lansing

2003 Jamboree encourages ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• youth to live the Gospel

In their preparation for priesthood ordination, three seminarians studying for the Diocese of Lansing were recently ordained transitional deacons . . . Nathaniel Sokol, who is study-

ing at the North American College, Rome, was ordained Oct. 9 by Cardmal McCarrick in St. Peter's Basilica. Nathaniel's home parish is Sl. Robert Bcllarmme, Flushing. ~ ... Lewis Eberhart, who is studying at Sacred Heart School of Theology, WIS.• nnd ~~ Robert Roggenbuck, studying at Mundelein Seminary, lll.. were ordained deacons by Bishop Mengcling on Nov. 22 at Sl. Mary Cathedral, Lansing. Eberhan:S home parish is St. Andrew, Saline, and Roggenbuck's home parish is St. Mary, Wtlhamston. The three men will continue their studies until their ordination to the priesthood on June 1 2, 2004.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••

·: ; ~.

~. . . ~· . . . . .:·#4. •.:.··· • •• • ~

... More than 850 heeded the caD, "Cry • the Gospel with Your Life.~ while celebrating the similarities and differences of Catholic youth at the Nov. 1 Youth ' . Jamboree 2003, held at the Lansing Center. The keynote speaker was Tony Melendez. Despite being born without arms, Melendez makes a living as a musician in Branson, Mo. ~My message was overcoming obstacles," he said. "!try to encourage kids by telling them all the things I can do- playing the guitar, driving. etc." He touched on three primary areas in his speech -believing in yourself, the importance of family and the vital nature of God in our lives. He says his marriage to his wife, Lynn, and being the father of Andres, 6, and Marisa, 9, are his greatest accomplishments. Youth also had the opponunity to choose between several morning and afternoon workshops for smaller, group-oriented sharing. They participated in an All Saints' Day Mass celebrated by Bishop Mengeling, and the day concluded with a dance.

·•.

;~- .

~·

-Ann~

Sccbald1 (The Ulht>lic Times)

~- ..'

Mary, Mt. Morris, celebrates 00 years in •new' church

Ill+ St. Mary Church, Mt. Morris, was filled to capacity Oct S for a lOOth anniversary celebration of its newly restored church building. The current pastor Fr. Raymond Urbanek, Fr. Ronald Larkin, a former St. Mary student, and former pastor Fr. Robert McKeon concelebrated the Mass with Bishop Carl Mengeling. A Knights of Columbus honor guard was also present. In his homily, the bishop reflected that most of the original parishioners were poor immigrants from Europe, primarily Irish, who worked hard to build a new life for themselves. "We celebrate their faith today," he said. By 1868, the first church, a wood frame building, was constructed. It was later replaced by the large brick church that remains today. - The Catholic Times

St. Mary, Queen of Angels School celebrates golden jubilee •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• .,.... On Monday, Oct. 27, St. Mary Queen of Angels School, Swartz Creek, celebrated SO years of Catholic formation of students. Bishop Mengeling celebrated Mass, and the Knights of Columbus provided a 20-member honor guard for the day's fesuvtties, which included a luncheon and guest speakers. A number of visiting priests, alumni, par· ems, current and former teachers and staff took part in the celebration. Student activities included a poster contest, a writing contest and a balloon launch by students who attached notes describing their school.

St. Mark, Goodrich, celebrates silver jubilee

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

St. Martha School, Okemos, celebrates 1Oth anniversary

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Ill+ On Sunday, Oct 19, students, staff ond parents gathered at St. Manha Chun::h, Okemos, for a lOth anniversary celebra· tion of the parish school. The celebration began with a Mass, and was followed by a reception in e parish hall. The school principal presented a commemorative picture to the four founding Sisters of Charity. and Sr. Dorita Wotiska, Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Lansing, spoke about the schools many accomplishments.

...... On Saturday, Oct. 18, Bishop Mengeling celebrated Mass at St. Mark Church, Goodrich, in honor of not one, but two 25th anniversanes. At the time Pope john Paulll was elected in 1978, Bishop Kenneth Povish chose "St. Mark the Evangelist" to be the patron of the newlyformed mission church in Goodrich, Mich. just a couple months earlier, on Aug. 20, Fr. joseph Aubin celebrated the community:S first liturgy in the Goodrich Town Hall. By the time a new church was constructed, and the f1rst Mass was celebrated in it on jan. 31, 1983, 150 families had registered a number that has now grown to 400. St. Mark, Goodrich, officially rece1ved status as a parish when Sr. joan May, SSJ, arrived as pastoral coordinator in 1989.

Signing of partial·birth abortion ban called 'vital step' for nation In what a U.S. archbishop called "a vital step in the right direction for our nation,ft President Bush signed the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Ad into law Nov. 5 at a Washington ceremony attended by many Catholic leade~. "The fads about partial-birth abortion are troubling and tragic, and no lawyer's brief can make them seem otherwise,ft Bush said. "By acting to prevent this practice, the eleded branches of our government have affinned a basic standard of humanity, the duty of the strong to protect the weak!' The president said a partial-birth abortion "involves the partial delivery of a live boy or girt, and a sudden, violent end to that life~ - Nancy Fra:icr UBricn (CNS)

Pope's message to bishops: despite demands, we must be a living sign of Jesus ••••• "We need to become, for each and every pe~n, in an outstanding and visible way, a living sign of Jesus Christ, teacher, priest and pastor," the pope wrote in a new apos· tolic exhortation to his brother bishops. The documen~ "Pastores Gregis" ("Shepherds of the Rock"), was the pope's response to the 2001 world Synod of Bishops, which discussed the identity and role of the bishop in the Church and in the world. Pope John Paul signed the document Oct. 16. "I am well aware of the multiplicity of tasks with which the Lord has entrusted us," he said at the ceremony. "1he office to which we have been called is difficult and serious. "Where will we find the strength to carry it out according to the will of Christ? Undoubtedly, only in Him," the pope told the gathered bishops. The document emphasized the need for Catholic bishops to be preache~ of hope in a despairing world. "The bishop's governance," the pope said, will be pastomlly effective "only if it rests on a moral authority bestowed by his life of holiness~ The document can be found at

www.vatican.va. -

Cindy Wooden (CNS)

'old t>oro

Place Stamp

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the greatest gift - your faith this back page to invite someone Christmas event at your parish

u know someone who may be open to coming to Mass or !I" Christmas event at your parish? Have you noticed someone in your neighborhood or someone new to the area? friend at work asked you about your faith? What about a member who hasn't been to church in while? Consider

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inviting at least one person to your parish this year. Reach out during Advent. Talk to that person. Use this back page as an invitation, or better yet, extend a personal invitation. Simply tear out this back page, fold and mall or hand it to someone you think would be open to coming to Mass or another Christmas event. The back of this page has information from your parish. ll forms the inside of your personal invitation. Consider inviting someone today. After all, you would be sharing the greatest gift - the gift of jesus and your faith.

celebrate the greatest gift ever given Experience the joy of the Christmas Season at a Catholic parish

SIUintJ glass winJc>w •if d1t Nall ~u:r fwm the Catl1rdi<JI •if Sl Mury, !.ansmg

Plwlc>graphy l•y Chtisrinc ]cmcs

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