Newspaper of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis Archdiocese sponsors Fortnight for Freedom events
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The Catholic Spirit News with a Catholic heart
Grads cherish gifts of quilts, prayer
Catholic hip-hop artists aim to reach youth
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Pope: False ideas of freedom spawn threats to life Catholic News Service Ideologies and practices that destroy human life arise from false ideas of freedom without God, Pope Francis told a crowd in St. Peter’s Square, including thousands of pro-life activists from around the world. “Whenever we want to assert ourselves, when we become wrapped up in our own selfishness and put ourselves in the place of God, we end up spawning death,” the pope said in his homily during the Mass June 16. The Mass was the culmination of a weekend dedicated to “Evangelium Vitae” (the “Gospel of Life”), a pilgrimage organized for the Year of Faith and named after the 1995 encyclical by Blessed John Paul II on the “value and inviolability of human life.”
Saying ‘yes’ to love
Dianne Towalski / The Catholic Spirit
As quilter Winnie White-Scherber watches, Cristo Rey graduate Jasmyn Taylor reacts to the custom-made quilt she received June 7 from the quilting group at Pax Christi in Eden Prairie. The group worked during the school year to make quilts for all 47 graduating seniors. See story on page 4.
Concerned about your child’s safety online? New website offers technical advice with voice of faith See story on page 9
“All too often,” Pope Francis said, “people do not choose life, they do not accept the ‘Gospel of Life’ but let themselves be led by ideologies and ways of thinking that block life, that do not respect life, because they are dictated by selfishness, self-interest, profit, power and pleasure, and not by love, by concern for the good of others.” “It is the idea that rejecting God, the message of Christ, the Gospel of Life, will somehow lead to freedom, to complete human fulfillment,” he said. “As a result, the living God is replaced by fleeting human idols which offer the intoxication of a flash PLEASE TURN TO PILGRIM ON PAGE 21
Zach’s friends speak out After inspirational Stillwater teen Zach Sobiech lost his fight with cancer on May 20, those who knew him continued to reflect on the impact he had on their lives, and the lives of thousands of others around the country and the world. Five of his closest friends, plus St. Croix Faith Formation youth minister Annie Grandell, agreed to sit down together for an interview. See story on page 5 to read what they had to say about Zach and how he inspired them. Dave Hrbacek / The Catholic Spirit
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JUNE 20, 2013 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT
‘Dewfall’ and the prayer of consecration
That They May All Be One Archbishop John C. Nienstedt
A priest friend of mine recently offered a very insightful answer about why we use this word during Mass
Many of you know that my second assignment as a pastor was to the National Shrine of the Little Flower in Royal Oak, Mich. As such, I was the seventh “unworthy” successor of Father Charles Coughlin, the famous radio priest of the 1940s and ’50s. My successor, Msgr. William Easton, is a good friend and a man with a very solid, pastoral heart. He has a great capacity of listening to the needs of his people. In a recent bulletin column, he addressed a question of vocabulary in the new Roman Missal. I was so impressed, I wanted to share his insights with you: “‘Make holy these gifts, we pray, by sending down your Spirit upon them like the dewfall.’ — Eucharistic Prayer II “I have been asked a number of times: ■ What is dewfall? ■ Why do we say dewfall? ■ Why is dewfall used in the prayer of consecration? “Dewfall is an ancient powerful image of the presence of God. For people in the desert, dew is an important source of water, sometimes the only source. It signifies life. The quiet early hours of the morning are a time when God shows us how the Holy Spirit works in our lives. In those hours, the dew covers the ground and soaks it. “Water comes to the ground in various ways, such as rainfall and snowfall which are easily seen, and also dewfall, which is when water covers the ground in the form of dew. Dewfall is a quiet
process: It forms silently and gradually. There is something mysterious about dew. “It was with the dewfall that God gave the people of Israel manna in the desert. The dew formed on the ground and as it dried the flakes of manna appeared. This was the bread of the people for the 40 years they wandered in the desert. “We know the Eucharist completes the meaning of the manna in the desert because Jesus said, ‘I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world’ (John 6:48-51). “It is through the power of the lifegiving Spirit that bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ. In the desert, God sent the dew first, and then the manna. At Mass, God sends the Holy Spirit, and then the bread and wine become Christ’s Body and Blood. A miracle happens, and Jesus is with us, hidden under the form of bread and wine. “The Holy Spirit comes into our lives as well. Sometimes the Spirit comes as a roaring wind as at Pentecost. More than likely the Spirit comes more often as a quiet mysterious dewfall.” There is something here to think about! God bless you!
Archbishop’s schedule ■ Friday, June 21: 4 p.m., Duluth, Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary: Priestly ordination Mass and reception of Deacon Nicholas Nelson. ■ Saturday, June 22: 11 a.m., St. Paul, Cathedral of St. Paul: Private wedding. ■ Sunday, June 23:10:30 a.m., Miesville, Church of St. Joseph: Sunday Liturgy. ■ Monday, June 24: 12 p.m., St. Paul, Archbishop’s Residence: Auction item luncheon for the Church of St. Vincent de Paul in Brooklyn Park. ■ Tuesday, June 25: 8:30 a.m., St. Paul, Archbishop’s Residence: Scheduling meeting with staff. 9:30 a.m, St. Paul, Chancery: Archbishop’s Cabinet meeting. 1:30 p.m., St. Paul, Chancery: Archbishop’s Council meeting. 3 p.m., St. Paul, Chancery: Meeting with Catholic Extension Society. 4 p.m., St. Paul, Chancery: Meeting with representative from Mission Network/Regnum Christi. ■ Wednesday, June 26: 2:30 p.m., St. Paul, Chancery: Meeting with Catholic Leadership Institute. 3:30 p.m., St. Paul, Chancery: Archdiocesan Corporate Board meeting. ■ Thursday, June 27: 10:30 a.m., St. Paul, Chancery: Interview with representative from St. Catherine University. 3 p.m., St. Paul, Chancery: Archdiocesan Finance Committee board meeting.
Official His Excellency, the Most Reverend John C. Nienstedt, has announced the following appointments in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Effective July 1, 2013 Reverend Lawrence Blake, appointed to serve “ad nutum episcopi” as chaplain to the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Reverend Abraham George Kochupurackal, CMI, appointed to serve “ad nutum episcopi” to the faculty of Saint John Vianney College Seminary. Reverend Kevin Magner, appointed to serve “ad nutum episcopi” as chaplain to the students and staff of Ave Maria Academy in Maple Grove, Minnesota.
Correction Jason Anderson was misidentified as Jason Alexander in the story, “Students create ads to bring peers back to Church,” on page 5 of the June 6 issue of The Catholic Spirit.
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JUNE 20, 2013
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Father of seven hopes pedal power will help women By Caroline Rode The Catholic Spirit
Summer is a time for traveling. This might include a trip up to the cabin, a flight to your sister’s on the Fourth of July, a cruise through the Caribbean, or a roadtrip across the Midwest. But what about biking 1,000 miles? A father of seven, Bill Currie of St. John the Baptist in Excelsior, is biking around the Twin Cities — the equivalent of the distance between St. Paul and Dallas, Texas — in 30 days. He started June 1. He’s not doing it for just the health benefits. Currie is asking friends, family, corporations and strangers to sponsor his 1,000 miles to benefit Total LifeCare Options for Women. With a goal of $10 for each mile he rides, he plans to donate half the funds to TLC and the other half to his local LifeCare Center in Minnetonka. “For me there’s not enough love in this world,” Currie said. “I want these women to know that they’re loved, that I care and that they’re not alone.” With 31 centers in Minnesota and western Wisconsin, TLC offers pregnancy tests, counseling, information, prenatal medical care, ultrasounds, clothing, cribs and other resources to women who need help when they have an unplanned pregnancy.
Why is he doing this? A friend of Currie challenged him to ride 1,000 miles in June. Just before the month began, he heard the Lord tell him to ride the thousand miles for this fundraising reason. Currie accepted the challenge. “I have to admit God’s done that quite a few times in my life. I haven’t always said yes,” Currie joked.
Caroline Rode/The Catholic Spirit
Bill Currie, inset, his wife Juli and friend Dan Blake peddle through the rain in St. Paul June 12.
“I was kind of sick of people equating children with money. If a woman wants to keep her child and raise it, it shouldn’t be finances that holds her back.
”
BILL CURRIE
Currie and his wife Juli are parents of seven children. With high tuition costs, Currie said many people ask how he plans to pay for their college educations. “I was kind of sick of people equating children with money. If a woman wants to keep her child and raise it, it shouldn’t be finances that holds her back,” Currie said. When asked who inspires him the most, Currie did not hesitate to say his wife. Juli homeschools their six sons and daughter, ages 4 to 18, and in 2006 and 2007 she raised money for ProLife Across
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America while training for and participating in the Twin Cities Marathon. “My wife is a tremendous athlete. I’m just a tremendous trainer, I’m not a racer,” Currie laughed. Currie said his endeavor is “about caring for people.” Will Cossairt, executive director of TLC, said Currie’s effort impresses him very much — that he gave up most of his free time for this cause and “is risking traffic and bad weather and a lot of injury.” “It blesses me that someone would use their creativity and make such a great
commitment,” Cossairt said. “Bill is putting himself on the line in giving us so much of his time and energy.” On Wednesday, June 12, Currie fell over his handlebars twice. The first time he wound up on a railroad track and the second time he fell into a tire-size-deep pot hole. Currie sustained a gash to his leg and large scraps to his hip and elbow. “This is not an easy challenge. Even for a guy that bikes and likes to bike,” Currie said. “I think in the Gospel, it was the widows who were the most vulnerable,” Currie said. “Today I believe it’s young, pregnant women; a lot of times poor . . . and I want to show that people still care, people want to help them through it,” Currie said. As of June 17, Currie is at $6.495 for each mile he rides. To sponsor Currie in his biking for women, visit MILESFORWOMEN.COM or search Miles For Women on Facebook.
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THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • JUNE 20, 2013
Quilts are ‘labor of love’ that graduates will take to college By Dianne Towalski
will be taking her quilt with her to the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph.
The Catholic Spirit
There is an old superstition among quilters that the first person who sleeps under a new quilt will have his or her dreams come true. Members of the quilting group at Pax Christi in Eden Prairie hope this proves true for the recipients of a project they have worked on since last September and recently completed. The group presented quilts to each of the 47 seniors graduating from Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Minneapolis during the annual “graduation shower” June 7. All 47 graduates are headed to colleges in the fall, and the quilters wanted to send them off with something created especially for them. The group of 18 women gathered twice each month to work on the project. “We prayed for the project, we prayed for the students as a whole and individually as we worked on their quilts,” said Becky Jensen, a member of the quilting group. At the start of the school year, the seniors were asked to fill out a questionnaire about their interests and hobbies as well as their favorite colors. But they were not told what it was for. As the “shower” began, the lights went down and a slideshow started on a big screen in the front of the school’s auditorium. As the students watched slides of the quilters doing their work, it began to sink in that they would be getting one of these special quilts. “Watching the realization as it hit them that what they were seeing on the slideshow was connected to their biography and then to them — it was a very tearful and joyful experience all the way around,” Jensen said. “All of you and your quilts have been
A history of giving
Photo courtesy of Pax Christi, Eden Prairie
Some of the women who worked with the quilt project for the Cristo Rey graduates pose with the quilts at Pax Christi when they were finished.
prayed over all year long,” she told the seniors as they were seeing their quilts for the first time.
A personal gift Antonio Delaluz, who will be attending Normandale Community College in Bloomington, was very surprised to receive his sports-themed quilt, and excited to take it home to show his family. “There are no words to describe it,” he said. “I thank God for them and I’ll cherish this forever.” The quilters were happy that they were
able to see the students open their quilts. “The appreciation that we did something for each of them individually was just heartwarming,” said Mary Jo Hollinger, a member of the quilting group. Senior Jessica Niola-Lazo likes pink — a lot. “I wrote that I love pink in big bold letters on my biography sheet,” she said. And as she looked at the beautiful pink quilt made just for her, she said, “I’m really thankful they did this.” “I’m really grateful because these people don’t even know us,” said Niola-Lazo, who
Through Thro ough June 30, 30 2013 your y donation will be be matched!
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HO The heat of summer can who are homeless. They to a special matching gif gift will help twice as size can make an incredib
Fr. Mike Van Sloun, for 18 years of faith-filled, dedicated and generous service to our parish and community!
We pray that God will richly bless you all your days! Receptions honoring Fr. Mike will be held after all Masses June 29 and 30.
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Use the enclosed envelope
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Mass schedule: Saturday - 5:00 p.m., Sunday - 8:00, 9:30, 11:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m. in Spanish and 6:00 p.m.
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Members of the quilting group have been meeting twice a month since 2006. They have made numerous works of art that are displayed at Pax Christi as well as hundreds of quilts that have been given to local charities. Cristo Rey is a grant recipient of Pax Christi’s stewardship committee, and some parish members that own businesses provide internships for students. “Their community has been interested and invested in the success of our students almost since the school opened [in 2007],” said Annemarie Hansen, the school’s director of admissions and communications. The students also received either a backpack filled with school supplies or a set of sheets — depending on whether they are staying at home for college or going away — and a laundry bag, all donated by some of the school’s Hire4Ed Work-Study partner companies. The school’s president, Jesuit Father Tim Manatt, blessed the quilts during a Mass at Pax Christi in May. “The prayer which the Pax Christi quilters brought to the enterprise was very moving, especially when the seniors learned the identity of their anonymous prayer partners,” Father Manatt said. “As for the quilts, our graduates will have a daily reminder — at least during the fall and winter — of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School and its myriad supporters.” For the quilters, the experience was a labor of love. “It’s just been such a joy,”said Sigrid Ruhland Mellby, the liason between the school and Pax Christi. “You definitely get more back than you give.”
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JUNE 20, 2013 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT
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Photo courtesy of Annie Grandell
Zach Sobiech, back row, center, shares a laugh with his friends during the High School Winter Retreat 2012 for members of the St. Croix Catholic Faith Formation youth group. Joining him are, front row, from left, Sammy Brown, Kelly Moeller, Elise Buchman and Alison Czarniak.
Remembering Zach Friends tell stories of how teen entertained and inspired them before his death By Dave Hrbacek The Catholic Spirit
Zach Sobiech is gone, and the grief is still fresh among his friends at St. Croix Faith Formation in Stillwater, which serves the parishes of St. Michael, St. Mary in Stillwater and St. Charles in Bayport. Had Zach lived long enough, he would have graduated from Stillwater Area High School on June 8. But, his battle with a rare form of cancer ended on May 20, just two and a half weeks after his 18th birthday. Five of his closest friends in the faith formation program, plus youth minister Annie Grandell gathered last week to tell stories about Zach and describe how he inspired them. The funny thing about the hour-long gathering was simply this: It was funny. There was much more laughter than mourning, much more joy than sorrow. In fact, nary a tear was shed. Could the undeniable mirth that lit up a small room at St. Michael have been just how Zach would have wanted it? Certainly, all the teens noted, his sense of humor was one of his strongest attributes, even in the face of a disease that ravaged his body and treatments that took away his curly blond hair. One after the other, five girls — Mariah Smith, Sammy Brown, Kelly Moeller, Elise Buchman and Alison Czarniak — took turns telling stories about the times they enjoyed with Zach. They were joined by Grandell, who met Zach when he was in the sixth grade, her first year as
“He made you feel so special.
You couldn’t be around him and not be happy. You couldn’t look at him and not smile because he always had the most beautiful smile on his face. He was so full of life. You saw him and you’re like, ‘I wish I could live life like that’ because he lived it so well. It was amazing to see.
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MARIAH SMITH
youth minister.
Full of life “He was a great, really spirited kid,” Grandell said. “He was one of those kids that always managed to be one of the first kids signed up for any event that we were doing. He just always brought a life and a lightness with him to whatever was going on. He was one of those kids who, if he was doing it, then 10 other people would sign up, too.” He never missed an event during those early years,
and he kept up his commitment as best he could after his diagnosis in 2009 during his ninth-grade year. One would expect a teen to become quiet and withdrawn while dealing with a life-threatening illness. But that wasn’t Zach’s style. Even when his condition showed visibly, his lightheartedness and humor shown even more noticeably. “He was a counselor for a summer program called Summer Stretch,” Grandell said. “We went to a park one day and we were playing these water balloon games. It was like 110 [degrees] out. It was horribly hot that day. And, we had this genius idea of filling a kids’ wading pool, partly with water and the rest of the way with cooked spaghetti. “And, a spaghetti fight inevitably broke out everywhere. At the time, he was in the middle of some pretty intense chemo treatments, so he was completely bald. At one point, I turned around and he had spaghetti all over his head. And, he looked at me and goes, ‘Annie, you’re ruining my hair.’”
Lessons in faith And yet, as humorous as he could be, the light of faith burned so brightly within him that Grandell felt he taught certain spiritual lessons to the other youth better than she did. He also seemed to see and understand things the others didn’t. That notion was written on his face on one of the most memorable encounters Grandell ever had with him. “Every year, our youth group, we all go to a camp over in Wisconsin for a weekend and just have prayer and playing,” she said. “We have several times of eucharistic adoration. . . . At one point [during a period of adoration], I looked back and Zach was kneeling about three people PLEASE TURM TO ZACH’S ON PAGE 21
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THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • JUNE 20, 2013
Clergy forum on religious freedom helps prepare priests for current, future threats By Barb Ernster
erty questions in the U.S. This is important “While our primary After attending a pirole as priests is one of lot program designed because the a spiritual nature, we to form and educate cannot and must not battle is going to priests on religiousbe indifferent to the liberty issues, Father be won by the serious challenges we Jonathan Kelly, assisface with respect to tant priest at All Saints laity. We were the free exercise of our in Lakeville, is better faith in the public given a clear prepared to articulate square,” he said. “By the challenges and understanding of being informed about threats facing the these realities, I think Church and all Caththe threats to I am in a better place olics, and give rereligious freedom to face these difficult sources and encourpastoral challenges agement to his and how it will without appearing to parishioners. be unpatriotic.” impact them “This is important Leading off the because the battle is because they’re academy, Father Raygoing to be won by mond de Souza from the laity,” he said. actually going to the Diocese of King“We were given a be the ones that ston, Ont., discussed clear understanding how the Church has of the threats to reliwill be affected addressed religious gious freedom and liberty questions the most. how it will impact throughout its history them because they’re and how to apply actually going to be FATHER JONATHAN KELLY those lessons to the the ones that will be current situation in affected the most.” the U.S. with the HHS The program, sponsored by the Minmandate and certain immigration laws nesota Catholic Conference, was held June that impose requirements that conflict 2 and 3 at the Nicollet Island Inn, a prelwith Catholic moral teaching. ude to the 2013 national “Fortnight for “You can have the state do things that Freedom,” June 21 to July 4. The program hosted national experts who presented the Church may say is not congruent with talks and held discussions on the issues the common good, but it’s the state doing from legal, philosophical, ecclesiastical it. It’s a different issue when the state says you must as a Catholic agency or a and social ministry standpoints. Catholic citizen do such and such and that’s contrary to Church teaching,” he New insights Father John Ubel, rector of the Cathe- said. dral of St. Paul, said the academy provided Philosophy professor James Stoner, Jr., him with new insights into the “state of from Louisiana State University addressed the question” with respect to religious lib- the philosophical theories of modern libFor The Catholic Spirit
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Local Fortnight for Freedom events Freedom Forum is June 22 in Mendota A Freedom Forum addressing contemporary threats to religious freedom and the rights and responsibilities of Catholics will be held from 8 a.m. to noon June 22 at St. Peter in Mendota. The day begins with Mass and features a slate of speakers: Seana Sugrue, associate professor of American Studies at Ave Maria University; J. Brian Benestad, professor of theology and director of the Catholic Studies program at the University of Scranton; and Jason Adkins, executive director of the Minnesota Catholic Conference. The free event is sponsored by the archdiocesan Office of Marriage, Family and Life. A free-will offering will be accepted. For more information, call (651) 291-4515.
Holy hour for religious freedom set A holy hour for religious liberty, life and marriage will be held immediately following a Mass celebrating the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul on June 29 at the Cathedral of St. Paul. The Mass with Archbishop John Nienstedt begins at 7 p.m. The event is part of the 2013 Fortnight for Freedom.
eralism. “We have to be willing to push the envelope and not to feel too constrained in public to bring the witness of our faith,” he said. “On the other side, we have to do the hard work of thinking how we can persuade people to join us in passing just laws in ways that they can understand, without having to convert them first to the Catholic faith in order to get them to listen.” Helen Alvaré of George Mason University School of Law explained the legal fight involved with regard to the First Amendment’s free exercise and establishment clauses. In particular for Catholics are questions about how the government defines a minister and whether the Church has freedom to establish what that person does; what strings are attached to government grants and what services may be required that are hostile to the faith; and finally, whether the Church can get a legislative
exemption or demand a free exercise exemption from the courts on the grounds that the Constitution or the Religious Freedom Restoration Act requires it. “We should never underestimate that we are going up against claims that we are enemies of human rights. You see abortionists at the United Nations wearing pins that say, ‘human rights defender’ and we are now human rights attackers in their view,” she said. “It’s a deeply disturbing dynamic in the way they structured the fight so that when we ask for an exemption, we appear to be asking for an exemption from dispensing human rights.” Deacon Kevin Sartorius, executive director of Catholic Charities in Tulsa, Okla., weighed in on the impact on the social mission of the Church. Tulsa CC forgoes government funding, except for migration and immigration services, and relies instead on local PLEASE TURN TO EVANGELIZATION ON PAGE 20
New HHS lawsuit cites violations of Constitution, religious liberty law By Susan Klemond For The Catholic Spirit
Claiming that the HHS contraception mandate violates their rights under three U.S. constitutional amendments and a 1993 federal law protecting religious liberty, a law firm representing Michael and Stanley Brey, brothers and co-owners of the Monticello-based company named SMA, LLC, filed the third Minnesota lawsuit against the statute earlier this month, bringing the number of cases to more than 60 nationally. The case, brought by a for-profit agricultural/industrial construction company, goes to U.S. District Court as local interest in the issue continues to increase and some non-profit organizations could soon be required to pay for abortifacients, elective sterilization and contraceptives as part of their employee group health plans. The HHS mandate, part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, is enforced by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Problems with exemption As the U.S. bishops convene the second
Fortnight for Freedom on June 21, calling for prayer and action to address challenges to religious liberty, some say the Obama administration’s exemption from the mandate for churches and church-related organizations but not for-profit businesses is not only unconstitutional but divides conscience objectors on religious and secular business lines. “The exemption was butchered,” said Erick Kaardal of Minneapolis-based Mohrman & Kaardal, P.A., which is representing the Breys. “So many of these claims fall out of the fact that they didn’t do the accommodation well.”
ligious objection is no different than the religious objection of a board member of a non-profit. It seems like the government is trying to separate the religious objectors and by giving the exemption to one type of religious objector and not to another, they separate the shepherd from the flock.” The religious liberty of the Breys, who are Catholic, is protected under the 1993 Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which stipulates that courts can’t judge the adequacy of someone’s beliefs and instructs them to defer to believers’ assessment of what their religion requires, he said.
The mandate violates the establishment clause of the First Amendment because it treats conscience objectors differently, he said. It also infringes on their rights in the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments because it interferes excessively with the operation of businesses, he said.
Because plaintiffs in both of the previous Minnesota cases have received temporary relief from the mandate in the form of preliminary injunctions, the Breys also have a good chance of receiving temporary and eventually permanent relief if they can show their objection is a sincere exercise of the Catholic faith, he said.
“We feel that as religious lay owners of for-profit businesses that the religious employer exemption is discriminatory in the sense that religious objectors are now treated differently,” Kaardal said. “Our re-
The brothers object to the mandate, but feel compelled to offer their 35 employees insurance even though they’re not required to offer it because of the business size. Under the mandate, they will have
to provide the coverage if they renew their health plan on Dec. 1. All group health plans are required to include the contraception coverage.
Looking ahead RFRA may provide relief from the mandate on a case-by-case basis, but it will take a greater investment of time and resources to bring down the entire statute, Kaardal said. Because only 60 cases are challenging the mandate, the government doesn’t appear to be very concerned about a substantial challenge to the statute, he said. One of the largest employers seeking relief from the mandate, Oklahoma-based Hobby Lobby Stores, was denied an injunction in court last year and, while it still seeks relief, the company faces potential fines of $1.3 million per day for noncompliance. The fact that cases like this one and the Breys’ would come from the business sector is surprising, Kaardal said. “They did an extraordinary thing,” he said. “We’re seeing religious values acted upon.”
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THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • JUNE 20, 2013
Tell us about a really good Catholic business owner, manager, supervisor, boss, and we’ll tell
Nominating is easy. Contact Mary Gibbs – 651-251-7709 or gibbsm@archspm.org – and we’ll send you a nomination form.
everybody else.
The form is available online, too. Click on the Leading With Faith logo on TheCatholicSpirit.com or www.Archspm.org and print one for yourself.
Every year for the past 12 years,
Fill out the nomination form as completely as you can, and we’ll take it from there.
The Catholic Spirit has honored people in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis for bringing their faith to the marketplace. More than 100 people —
DO IT NOW! DEADLINE is June 24th Give a GOOD Catholic boss a pat on the back!
from bankers to gas station owners to social work supervisors — have received The Catholic Spirit’s Leading With Faith Award.
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THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • JUNE 20, 2013
Rapping for God Catholic hip-hop artists aim to reach youth through popular music
“I remember sitting on a patio on the St. Thomas campus, and we were saying we just had this amazing experience where we really met the Lord in a personal way,” Gross said. “We asked each other, ‘What are we going to do with our music?’ At the time, it was focused on us.” A few months later, the two started collaborating and “making music that was more focused on the Lord and on life, beauty and truth,” said Gross, who added that learning the hip-hop beat and style “opened up a whole new world of music for me.”
The Catholic Spirit Like many young adults, Max Haben is a big fan of hip-hop. But his passion for this rhythmic style of music with its often-rhyming lyrics isn’t limited to just listening to his favorite artists. During his senior year at North High School in North St. Paul and the following year as a freshman at the University of St. Thomas, Haben began writing and recording his own “raps.” He wrote in his dorm room and started to perform at open mike events around Minneapolis. “I took a poetry class in college and my professor said, ‘You have a gift for metaphor, and lyrically you have a gift,’” the now-26-year-old Haben said. “I think there is a direct relation between poetry and hip-hop lyrics.” But he didn’t know how God wanted him to use his gift until he had two transformational experiences at St. Thomas — one with St. Paul’s Outreach and the other with a fellow musician and college student, Abe Gross. The experiences inspired both men to begin recording and performing Catholic hip-hop music to evangelize other young adults and bring them closer to Christ.
Coming together Haben, who was raised Catholic, said he fell away from the Church for about a year during college and stopped going to Mass. One important step in his return was connecting with a group of fellow students at a men’s night event sponsored by SPO, a Twin Cities-based Catholic ministry on college campuses. “I walked in and there were about 25 guys on fire for the Lord, and it was just like I had no chance,” he said. “I was hooked. I just kept coming around that year, and the next year I moved into [an SPO] household.” Gross, 24, who attended high school at Trinity School at River Ridge in Eagan, said he also grew up in a “strong Catholic family” but similarly fell away from his faith during his first year at the University of Minnesota. Like Haben, Gross also connected with SPO and lived in one of the ministry’s households. When the two met through SPO, they talked about their mutual interest in music, although Gross, who played guitar, knew little about hip-hop. “We tried to jam together, but it didn’t really work,” Gross recalled. Then, both men attended an SPO summer training program at St. Thomas called the School of the New Evangelization, which helps college students to live and share their Catholic faith on campus.
Striving for beauty, truth
Dave Hrbacek / The Catholic Spirit
Abe Gross, left, and Max Haben.
‘King of the Castle’ Here is an excerpt of the lyrics from the song “King of the Castle” on the EP “Change Me Now” by Max Haben and Company: Knockin’ on the door Christ finally coming in, Opened up my heart Turned away from the sin. Breath of a Spirit wasn’t blowin’ in the wind, It came from my soul, Wellin’ up from within. Rest in me and the peace that I bring, The groom on a knee holding out a wedding ring. And now that you see me, Will you give me everything? Set my tongue on fire when I began to sing, You’re the king of the castle, I come here to serve, You know what I need, Give me more than I deserve. I walk in the light, I live in the day, I choose to be free, I will not be a slave. You’re the king of the castle. . . You can learn more about Max Haben and download music on his Facebook page at WWW.FACE BOOK.COM/MAXHABEN or at HTTP://NOISETRADE.COM/MAX HABEN/CHANGE-ME-NOW-EP.
The Catholic hip-hop that Haben and Gross perform is the result of an eclectic combination of influences. One website describes Haben’s music as sounding like rapper Jay-z and C.S. Lewis “sharing a cup of coffee.” Haben’s influences range from rock-and-roll icon Tom Petty to Gerard Manley Hopkins, the Jesuit priest and poet. Their most recent album is an EP titled “Change Me Now.” One of the songs, “King of the Castle,” resulted from a conversation between Haben and Gross about commitment — “it can really be a prison, or it can be this castle where you are safe and able to operate freely and have this protection [because of] the commitment that you made,” Gross said (see sidebar box for an excerpt of lyrics from the song). Haben, who draws on his own personal experiences for his lyrics, and Gross said they strive to create music that is beautiful and attractive to young people so they can hear the Gospel message in a non-threatening way. “I think beauty can really draw people into goodness and to truth and give them a relationship with Jesus Christ,” Gross said. “I see that as a huge part of the new evangelization, of the evangelistic work we’re trying to do.” “When you’re speaking from a world view that is based on the truth of the Gospel and the Catholic faith, there’s really no better combination,” said Haben, who graduated from St. Thomas with a degree in Catholic studies. In the context of the new evangelization — the Church’s call to preach and teach the Gospel in new and more effective ways in today’s secular culture — hip-hop music can play an important role, he said. “Hip-hop has become kind of the new rock-and-roll, especially for young people,” said Haben. “It’s gone across cultural and social boundaries — it’s everywhere. . . . I think there is an opportunity for myself and for other young people who are more familiar with this genre of music to have some influence in the culture.” Haben and Gross continue to be involved in SPO and PLEASE TURN TO HIP-HOP ON PAGE 21
Teens sign up in droves for second annual Archdiocesan Youth Day By Caroline Rode The Catholic Spirit
Sophie Drayna of St. Henry in Monticello can’t wait to come to Archdiocesan Youth Day on Sept. 21. She attended last year and called it “an overwhelming experience.” “I was completely awestruck with how many people we actually have in the [arch]diocese that were willing to come and just be open to growing in their faith,” she said. Such enthusiasm for the second annual event, set for Holy Family High School in Victoria, has spread like wildfire in the archdiocese. Registrations have exceeded the event’s capacity of 2,000 youth, and a waiting list has been set up. For event organizer Bill Dill of the archdiocesan Office of Marriage, Family and Life, it’s a nice problem to have. Dill said last year 60 groups signed up for AYD; this year 100 groups are signed up. All parishes that reserved spots before June 1 will be able to send youth to the event.
From last year’s evaluations of AYD, held at DeLaSalle High School in Minneapolis, it was apparent the youth “really had an experience with God and an experience of the Church that obviously is contagious. Word has spread that it was a great event,” Dill said. Like last year, the event will feature a full day with Archbishop John Nienstedt, Mass, music with local Catholic band Sonar, food and opportunities for eucharistic adoration and the sacrament of reconciliation. The theme of the day is “Believe and Speak,” based on 2 Corinthians 4:13: “Since, then, we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, ‘I believed, therefore I spoke,’ we too believe and therefore speak.”
Hopes for this year Debbie Gladitsch, director of youth ministry at St. Francis Xavier in Buffalo, plans to bring her parish’s ninth- and 10th-grade faith formation class to AYD “to expose them to a whole different [experience] of their faith.”
Katie Peloquin, who attends St. Henry said the day brought her back in touch with her faith again. Eucharistic adoration, led by Father Michael Schmitz, director of youth and young adult ministry for the Diocese of Duluth, impacted her the most, she said. “Father Mike was bringing the monstrance around and he came to our section and he stopped right smack in front of me,” Peloquin said. “It always just kind of touches you.” Gladitsch said she enjoyed the time for questions and answers with Archbishop Nienstedt because the youth had a chance
to see a more personal side of the archbishop. “The kids walked away with a concrete concept of who the archbishop is, and I think that was amazing,” Gladitsch said. In addition to growing in her faith, Drayna said she also enjoyed being able to meet other youth from the archdiocese. “You get to expand that network,” Drayna said. “It’s exciting to see what God’s doing in our diocese with the youth and the quality of the youth that are coming through, and with the formation they’re being given in their parishes — it’s all contributing to what makes this day a success,” Dill said. “And they’re coming together to celebrate it.” Dill said changes to AYD this year will include less time sitting, with the possibility of small group time instead of male/female breakout groups. The event is now full, and registration is closed. For information about being added to the waiting list, email DILLB@ARCHSPM.ORG.
“Concern for the fundamental material and spiritual welfare of every human person is the starting-point for every political and economic solution and the ultimate measure of its effectiveness and its ethical validity.” Pope Francis, in a recent letter to British Prime Minister David Cameron, president of the Group of Eight industrialized nations
Nation/World JUNE 20, 2013
News from around the U.S. and the globe
THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT
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Retired CRS president nominated as U.S. ambassador to Vatican
CNS
The Communications Department of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America have launched WWW.FAITHANDSAFETY.ORG, a resource for adults to help children safely navigate online.
Catholics, Orthodox launch online-safety website By Mark Pattison Catholic News Service
Roman Catholics and Greek Orthodox in the United States have collaborated on a new website to instruct Web users, primarily parents, on how youths can navigate the online world, taking advantage of its promise while steering away from its pitfalls. The site, WWW.FAITHANDSAFETY.ORG, was activated in the middle of June, which is Internet Safety Month. The site’s subtitle is “Technology Safety Through the Eyes of Faith.” Even in its first days, it is loaded with news about sites that teens use, eyebrow-raising details about children’s first exposure to online pornography, suggestions on how to use technology safely at home, and tips on negotiating the mobileapp scene.
Taking action The site was two years in the making. Its genesis was during a brainstorming session as part of a summit meeting of the Religious Alliance Against Pornography attended by Catholic and Greek Orthodox leaders. “We were challenged to come up with actionable items as a result of the summit,” said Theo Nicolakis, chief information officer for the Greek Orthodox Church in the United States. “One of the items I came up with was that we were go-
ing to come up with an initiative that would give the voice of faith in regard to online and technological safety.” “It’s primary audience is intended to be parents and others who are concerned about children’s digital safety,” said Helen Osman, secretary of communications for the U.S.
Go online Visit the Faith and Safety website at WWW.FAITHANDSAFETY.ORG.
bishops, adding the Catholic Communication Campaign helped bring Faith and Safety to launch with grant funding. “It’s intended to honor the idea that parents are probably the best ones to understand new areas. It focuses a lot on helping them understand this world where their kids are more comfortable than they are but they really need to be there to help their children understand the potential and also the risk: how to you deal with bullying, how to you deal with pornography.” Osman said, “We try to provide some of the technical advice but also provide it through the understanding that Catholic teaching, the Greek Orthodox teaching is that all of creation is good.” Nicolakis said the process of launching Faith and Safety was “a
herculean effort that took almost two years from the point of conception until today: identifying what the hot-button topics are going to be, finding strategic partners with common areas of interest, being able to build out the technology on the web and allow the platform to move forward.” Faith and Safety is also on Facebook and Twitter.
Bloggers, commentators contribute To keep the site fresh, “we’re trying right now to expand our partnerships,” Nicolakis said. “We don’t pretend that we’re going to be experts in every area. We want to be a good clearinghouse of info for experts in particular areas.” The site has also engaged a slew of bloggers and commentators to weigh in on current events. Among them are Bishop John Wester of Salt Lake City, chairman of the bishops’ Communications Committee and Auxiliary Bishop Christopher Coyne of Indianapolis, another committee member. Nicolakis said he would be happy if other denominations wanted to join with the Catholic and Orthodox churches in building up the website. The current collaboration, though, has been “wonderful,” he added. “I don’t think I’ve ever been in a partnership that’s ever been so open and wonderful.”
President Barack Obama June 14 nominated Ken Hackett, retired president of Catholic Relief Services, to be U.S. ambassador to the Holy See. Hackett retired in December 2011 after 18 years as president of CRS, the U.S. bishops’ overseas relief and development agency. As U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, he succeeds Miguel Diaz, who left the post in late 2012. Diaz now is a professor of faith and culture at the University of Dayton, Ohio. Hackett was appointed president of CRS in 1993. During his tenure, he established a division focusing on outreach to dioceses, parishes, Catholic HACKETT organizations, and colleges and universities, and laypeople were first appointed to the CRS board of directors. Catholic Relief Services now operates in more than 100 countries, with a global staff of nearly 5,000. “Ken’s dedication to the poorest and most vulnerable on behalf of the church, and through programs often sponsored by the U.S. government, reflects his ability to engage both sectors in serving those in need in highly complicated environments,” said Carolyn Woo, CRS’ current president and CEO, said in a statement June 17.
Bishops warn against changes in immigration bill that could kill it Three bishops weighed in on the ongoing congressional debate on immigration reform legislation June 10, warning against amending a Senate bill in ways that would block the path to legalization for undocumented immigrants, but urged support for its passage. “Families are separated, migrant workers are exploited, and our fellow human beings die in the desert,” said Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration. At a news conference in San Diego, held as the USCCB opened its annual spring meeting, the chairmen of three committees reiterated the bishops’ support for comprehensive immigration reform that protects families and workers. “Each day in our parishes, social service programs, hospitals and schools, we witness the human consequences of a broken immigration system,” said Archbishop Gomez. He called the status quo morally unacceptable, adding, “This suffering must end.” Bishop John Wester of Salt Lake City, chairman of the Committee on Communications and former chair of the migration committee, specified a handful of concerns for changes to the bill that might be attempted on the Senate floor. “Some will argue that before we can begin welcoming new citizens, we will need more fencing and blockading of the border,” Bishop Wester said. “However, making the legalization program contingent upon border metrics that are practically impossible to achieve would effectively prevent the undocumented from ever becoming citizens, or even legal residents. Such a step would render the immigration reform program useless and the bill not worth supporting. “We urge Congress to maintain the current balance between enforcement goals and improvements in the legal immigration system, including a path to citizenship.” Bishop Jaime Soto of Sacramento, a member of the board of directors of the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, warned that attempts to reform the immigration system would fail if they don’t allow for immigrants to fully incorporate into American society.
“All saints give testimony to the truth that without real effort, no one ever wins the crown.” Thomas Becket
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This Catholic Life THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT
Opinion, feedback and points to ponder
JUNE 20, 2013
‘Man of Steel’ and preparing for sainthood The following first appeared on The Word on Fire Blog at WWW.WORDONFIRE.ORG. It was written by Jared Zimmerer, an author, husband and father of four from Denton, Texas, whose apostolate, “Strength for the Kingdom,” teaches about the inherent connection between spiritual and physical fitness. It is reprinted with permission.
T
here is little else in American culture as recognizable as the “S” that is emblazoned upon both the chest of Superman’s suit and the hearts of almost every boy born in the last 80 years. Comic books, cartoons, movies, video games, high-dollar action figures, vehicles and tattoos from around the world brazenly broadcast the message of the intriguing personality of a man named Clark Kent who has an intensely woven past, which takes him 33 years to truly understand. When one thinks of a superhero, Superman is at the top of the list. From sleeping in my cape to watching the same cartoons and movies over and over again, Superman virtually defined my childhood. How is it that a fictional character, a figment of one man’s imagination, can interlock its way into the minds and hearts of generations in such a unique way? Is it his seeming immortality, his super strength, or his ability to simply wear a pair of glasses and become a face in the crowd? The latest epic film “Man of Steel” is Clark Kent’s preparation for his destiny and it acts as a mirror of boyhood hopes and dreams to save the world. The moral messages and calls to greatness of “Man of Steel” are the movie’s lifeblood, all encircled with explosive action scenes. One highly enthralling message is that Krypton, Superman’s home planet, collapsed because of the immoral actions of the native people’s decision to play God and use life and its beginning in its own image and likeness. Jor-El and Lara Lor-Van, Superman’s biological mother and father, decide to break the laws of the land and have a child naturally, instead of the farming conceptions which had become conventional. Krypton had inaugurated the “artificial population control” program, building a society of use rather than love, at least 1,000 years before Kal-El (Superman) was born. Jor-El and Lara wanted more for their child, born from his mother’s womb instead of grown in a field, and a life where he decided what to become instead of a governing body strictly convening a vocation — a pro-life morality unmistakable in its breadth. Thus when Krypton began to literally self-implode due to the greed of its inhabitants, Kal-El was sent away, to a planet with “seemingly intelligent” humans who would in all probability consider him a god.
Commentary
CNS photo/Warner Bros.
Amy Adams and Henry Cavill star in a scene from the movie “Man of Steel.”
During Clark Kent’s (Superman’s human name) childhood, his earthly father prudently kept Clark from wholly exposing his ability, which inadvertently instilled in Clark a fear of his own powers. Not because Mr. Kent was scared of Clark’s capabilities but because he did not want him to be taken away. Time and again humanity struggles with the same type of fear. We worry about taking that extra leap of faith into a world unknown to us, which applies both spiritually and humanly. Clark was ridiculed many times during his childhood for being what the other children called a “freak.” Clark personified Matthew 5:10-12 as he was persecuted and insulted because of standing for what is right and good with all of his gifts. Within the film there is an instance when Jonathan Kent, Clark’s earthly father, sacrifices his own life for two reasons. One, because he wanted to save those he loved and two, to be a shining example of moving past the fear of greatness and taking the moment of heroism seriously for Clark’s sake. When Clark finally meets a shadowy image of his biological father, one quote stood out which I believe is the real message of Superman. Jor-El began explaining why it is that Kal-El contained these powers and then challenges his son by saying, “You’ll never know how strong you can be, unless you keep testing your limits.” At the very core of Superman’s meaning, this motto is what attracts most to his
story. It applies so well to each of us mentally, spiritually and physically. If we do not continually search for an immeasurable intelligence, the greatness of literature, philosophy and theology would lose its gumption. At one point you see a young Clark happily reading Plato. If we do not push our physical limits we lose what God had intended to grow. Clark tested his own powers by continually pushing harder, flying higher and lifting heavier. When we allow our prayer lives to falter and the ever-needed continuing conversation with Christ, through His Catholic Church, our souls become weak and eventually drag down our entire being. Before a major decision Clark strolled into what appeared to be a Catholic Church and spoke with the pastor. Striving for greatness and doing what he must to reach perfection is what made Clark Kent develop into a hero. Knowing that he was meant for more and that his mission was essential to humanity’s purpose, Clark found the driving dynamic in his search for meaning.
A Christ-like figure Many say that Superman is a Christ figure. He accepted his mission at 33 years old, he is not of this world, his powers are beyond mere humans, and he is willing to die for all of humanity. In this film, the first time the viewer sees Superman angry is when his enemy attacks his earthly mother, quite Christ-like as well. The con-
nections are quite clear and reasonably genuine. However, I would argue that the image and message of Superman is the image and message of sanctity. To be a saint, we must open our hearts to grace and invite the living Christ to dwell within us, where true valor lies. To be Superman we must want to be a saint first. For without the desire for greatness, the willingness to lay down your gifts, talents, and life for the mission God has given us, we cannot be saints, thus we cannot be super men and women. Saints are those who cooperate with grace to save the world from evil doers. Superman is an iconic display of sainthood and through his want of good for all he also reveals Christ, just as we can. “Man of Steel” portrayed Superman in a bit of a different light than previous movies. Clark Kent in the past had a small bit of cheesiness to his wit and humor, whereas in this epic Clark possessed what I recognized as a wild tranquility. You could feel the anger writhing in his soul when harm was aimed at those he loved but in every situation, whether with friend or enemy, he was humble and gentle of heart and body, true characteristics of a soul in search of sainthood. We find out in the movie that the “S” on Superman’s chest is a Kryptonian symbol for the virtue of hope. In examining our lives and striving for benevolence let us also wear this sign, which takes form by way of the crucifix, and become a symbol of hope for a fallen humanity.
This Catholic Life / Commentary
JUNE 20, 2013 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT
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Words every Catholic graduate should contemplate One of the dismissal options at Mass reads: “Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.”
Editorial Joe Towalski
Amid thoughts about college majors and future careers, faith has a role to play
It’s a wonderful way of acknowledging that our commitment to the faith doesn’t end when we finish singing the last hymn at Sunday Mass. After exiting the church doors, we are called to live out our faith in our daily lives, bringing the Good News to our families, workplaces, schools and communities. We would all do well to recall those words daily. But they serve as a particularly fitting reminder for this year’s class of graduating seniors, many of whom are about to leave the doors of their home and embark on the next stage of their lives at colleges and universities across the country. Over the course of the next few years, these young adults will be focused on choosing the right major so they can have successful careers and financial security. Many earnestly want to make the world a better place to live.
All of these are wonderful goals. But the words from the close of Mass also are a reminder that, no matter what we do, our lives should also serve God and his Church. We are all called to live in synch with the Gospel values that form the heart of our faith and not be afraid to share those values with the rest of the world.
Integrating faith and life How can we help this year’s graduates to do that? First, we can help them stay connected to, and learn more about, their faith while they’re away at college, where a host of other ideas and values — some of them not healthy — will be competing for their attention. Parents can assist by helping students to connect with a school’s campus ministry program, Newman Center, local parish or organizations like St. Paul’s Outreach. We can also help young adults think about integrating their Catholic faith with their majors and career choices. What does it mean to be a Catholic scientist? How should
it impact one’s research choices and goals? What values should a Catholic business professional bring to the job? Should being a Catholic make any difference in the work of a web developer? In other words, we need to assist young Catholics in thinking about how they will make their faith an in-
tegral part of what they do in the workplace and beyond — not in a proselytizing or in-your-face way, but in a way that promotes positive values and truly makes the world a better place by showing respect for human life and dignity and promoting the common good. Our faith, after all, should be part of who we are — 24/7, not just on Sundays. Perhaps some young adults may even consider using their talents and skills after college in ministry positions that help to form the next generation of Catholic leaders in society and the Church. Whether or not your parish uses these words of dismissal at the end of Mass, this summer is a good time to talk about them with any graduates you have in the family. In fact, it would be good for the entire family to talk about what the words mean for us as Catholics. Towalski is editor of The Catholic Spirit and publications manager for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.
Religious liberty: Protecting conduct rooted in conviction
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Faith in the Public Arena Jason Adkins
Living one’s faith is more than just the ability to believe certain things and worship within the four walls of a church building
ope Francis recently said that religious liberty is talked about more than it is proactively protected. And he is right. Religious liberty is increasingly given lip service, but in practice it keeps shrinking. In some countries, such as Sudan and North Korea, Christians are actively persecuted and unable to worship publicly. In others, Christians are excluded from public life, and may not openly evangelize. For many Americans, though, the issue seems distant and abstract, and one that manifests itself in other places without direct impact on our lives. We think that religious liberty is not threatened in the United States and other Western countries because we are free to worship as we please. But living one’s faith is more than just the ability to believe certain things and worship within the four walls of a church building. It is sharing that faith with others in public prayer, in charitable works, in social and political action, and in the cultural sphere. In other words, living the faith entails conduct rooted in conviction. Unfortunately, there are many who wish to change the conduct of religious people because they do not like their convictions. The conduct and beliefs of religious people, particularly orthodox Christians, are increasingly seen as an impediment to the happiness of individuals and harmful to society. Subtle and not-so-subtle steps are being taken by many to marginalize people of faith and build a wall between them and the rest of society. That is why promoting and defending religious liberty is the Catholic Church’s number one public policy priority both in the United States and around the world.
Threatened at home In the United States, Christians are
“Subtle and not-so-subtle steps are being
taken by many to marginalize people of faith and build a wall between them and the rest of society.
”
JASON ADKINS
being excluded from public grants and charitable services because they hold beliefs about marriage and human sexuality that are contrary to current cultural fads. For example, after years of excellent performance by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Migration and Refugee Services (MRS) in administering contract services for victims of human trafficking, the federal government changed its contract specifications to require MRS to provide or refer for contraceptive and abortion services that violate the universal moral law. The cities of Boston and San Francisco, the District of Columbia, and the State of Illinois have driven local Catholic Charities out of the business of providing adoption or foster care services — by revoking their licenses, by ending their government contracts, or both — because those charities refused to place children with same-sex couples or unmarried opposite-sex couples who co-habit. Several states have recently passed laws that forbid what they deem as the “harboring” of undocumented immigrants — what the Church deems as basic Christian charity and pastoral care to these immigrants. New York City adopted a policy that barred the Bronx Household of Faith and other churches from renting public schools on weekends for worship services, even though nonreligious groups could rent the same
schools for many other uses. These are just a few examples in the United States where our laws and institutions fail to protect, or even attack, conduct rooted in conviction. But the threat to religious freedom is larger than any single case or issue, and has its roots in secularism in our culture — a secularism that wishes to transform Jefferson’s “wall of separation” between church and state into one that separates people of faith and moral deliberation from social, cultural and political life.
Why it matters to you As this column has noted many times, religion — that is, conduct rooted in conviction — has always played a vital role in fostering the virtue and social capital necessary to preserve a free society and promote the common good. Protecting religion’s important role is why it is the “first freedom” enumerated in the Bill of Rights. But even if one fails to find these arguments compelling, and instead looks for the direct personal impact, he or she should think of the matter this way: When the Little Sisters of the Poor leave the United States because they will not comply with the HHS mandate, who is going to take their place? What will happen when Catholic schools close or must raise tuition because of their refusal to comply with expensive ideological mandates, such
as the so-called “Safe and Supportive Schools Act” introduced in the Minnesota Legislature this year? Who is going to pick up the bill for the surge of students into the public school system? Taxpayers? What happens when hospitals and other charities shutter their services, or when businesses close? What of the employees and those they serve? What about non-profits and other associations prevented from living their mission? The answer is simple: When religious liberty is attacked, we are all impacted and the common good suffers.
How to take action The bishops can and have sounded the alarm through the Fortnight for Freedom and other initiatives, but it is up to the laity to act. We Catholics must have courage in our convictions and stand for religious liberty for ourselves and all people of good will. To learn more about the threats to religious liberty at home and abroad, visit informative websites such as MNCC.ORG and FORTNIGHT4FREEDOM. ORG. Participate in prayer efforts for religious liberty such as the June 29 Mass and Holy Hour at the Cathedral. Send your congresspersons postcards asking them to protect conscience rights and religious liberty. Encourage your state elected officials to promote religious liberty in contexts as diverse as social services, health care, public and private schools, employment, occupational licensing and business. In this great collaborative effort, we will preserve the freedom of the Church, the dignity of every human person and America’s great heritage of religious liberty. Adkins is executive director of the Minnesota Catholic Conference.
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THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • JUNE 20, 2013
Commentary
/ This Catholic Life
Love, marriage and pizza delivery
Twenty Something Christina Capecchi
The Holy Spirit works in amazing ways, and one of my favorite examples is when we see it connect a man and a woman and carry them to the altar
It should come as no surprise that the story of how the Domino’s Pizza founder met his wife involves pizza. But indulge me in the details. It was a Monday night in early February, 1962, and the phones weren’t ringing at Tom Monaghan’s pizza store in Mount Pleasant, Mich., so the restless 24-year-old decided to change things up by taking a delivery himself, leaving a trainee to manage the store. The order had come from Sweeney Hall, an all-girls dorm at nearby Central Michigan University where men weren’t allowed, so Tom stopped at the switchboard operator. The curly-haired brunette wore a white sweater and a red skirt — “cute as a bug’s ear,” he would later say. Their conversation was brief, but Tom drove away on Cloud Nine. Normally he was shy around girls — he hadn’t been on a date in months — but Tom was convinced he shouldn’t let this one pass him by.
Finding the one Back at the store, he forced himself to dial the Sweeney switchboard. “I’m the guy who just delivered a pizza,” he said. “Would you go to a movie with me?” “Who are you?” the young woman shot back. Not the response he was hoping for. And then, relief: “Oh, I just came on duty.” The operator said she’d replaced Bonnie Hula and rang Bonnie’s room. Tom worked up his courage a second time. “I’m the guy who just
Focus on the positive
delivered a pizza. Would you go to a movie with me?” “Who are you?” the young woman stammered. “Oh, another girl took my place today, Margie Zybach.” Tom was transferred once more and finally his invitation was met with a yes. Margie was the one. A senior majoring in library science, Tom liked the woman who emerged on their first date: “very pretty, wholesome, good, old-fashioned,” he told James Leonard, author of the book Living the Faith: A Life of Tom Monaghan. Tom brought a $400 half-carat diamond ring to their third date — the
most expensive he could charge with no money down — and a week later, he convinced Margie to accept. Tom and Margie have now been married 50 years. I marvel over the two departures from the norm — Tom’s decision to deliver a pizza and Bonnie’s absence at the switchboard — that led the 20something Catholic to his wife. Day after day, the Holy Spirit works in amazing ways, and one of my favorite examples is when we see it connect a man and a woman and carry them to the altar, where they whisper life-long promises before God.
Wedding season is now upon us, and you’re likely to soon witness these sacred vows firsthand. The problem, as the kids-thesedays gripe goes, is that not enough couples view marriage the way young Tom and Margie did. Increasingly, it’s treated as a hope-for-the-best pact rather than a death-do-us-part pledge, as Brad Pitt infamously expressed in a Vanity Fair interview while he was married to Jennifer Aniston. “Jen and I always made a pact we’ll see where this is going,” he said. “I’m not sure it really is our nature to be with someone for the rest of our lives.” But rather than lament the state of marriage, I’m taking the long view and focusing on the positive, the way the Holy Spirit still operates and sacramental grace still seals a Catholic wedding, where the same words uttered by Tom and Margie half a century ago will be spoken this month at prairie churches and urban cathedrals. Something beyond the human realm happens at the altar, and the church describes it well in its nuptial blessing: husband and wife enter into “so holy a mystery.” From honeymoon to 50th anniversary, the butterflies may flee, but the holiness and the mystery only deepen. Capecchi is a freelance writer from Inver Grove Heights, Minn. She can be reached at WWW.READ CHRISTINA.COM.
Catholic, gay and living a ‘beautiful life’ I have heard a lot about how mean the Church is, and how bigoted, because she opposes gay marriage. How badly she misunderstands gay people, and how hostile she is towards us. My gut reaction to such things is: Are you freaking kidding me? Are we even talking about the same church? When I go to confession, I sometimes mention the fact that I’m gay, Steve to give the priest some context. I’ve Gershom always gotten one of two responses: either compassion, encouragement, and admiration because the celibate life is difficult and profoundly countercultural; or nothing at all, not even a ripple, as if I had confessed eating too much on Thanksgiving. Of the two responses, my ego prefers the first — who doesn’t like thinking of themselves as some kind of hero? — but the second might make more sense. Being gay doesn’t mean I’m special or extraordinary. It just means that my life is not always easy. (Surprise!) And as my friend J. said when I told him recently about my homosexuality, “I guess if it wasn’t that, it would have been something else.” Meaning that nobody lives without a burden of one kind or another. As Rabbi Abraham Heschel said: “The man who has not suffered, what can he possibly know, anyway?” Where are all these bigoted Catholics I keep hearing about? When I told my family a year ago, not one of them responded with anything but love and understanding. Nobody acted like I had a disease. Nobody started treating me differently or looking at me funny. The same is true of every one of the Catholic friends that I’ve told. They love me for who I am. Actually, the only time I get shock or disgust or disbelief, the only time I’ve noticed people treating me differently after I tell them, is when I tell someone who supports the gay lifestyle. Celibacy?? You must be some kind of freak.
Commentary
“Being gay doesn’t mean I’m
special or extraordinary. It just means that my life is not always easy. (Surprise!).
”
STEVE GERSHOM
Hooray for tolerance of different viewpoints. I’m grateful to gay activists for some things — making people people more aware of the prevalence of homosexuality, making homophobia less socially acceptable — but they also make it more difficult for me to be understood, to be accepted for who I am and what I believe. If I want open-mindedness, acceptance, and understanding, I look to Catholics. Is it hard to be gay and Catholic? Yes, because like everybody, I sometimes want things that are not good for me. The Church doesn’t let me have those things, not because she’s mean, but because she’s a good mother. If my son or daughter wanted to eat sand I’d tell them: that’s not what eating is for; it won’t nourish you; it will hurt you. Maybe my daughter has some kind of condition that makes her like sand better than food, but I still wouldn’t let her eat it. Actually, if she was young or stubborn enough, I might not be able to reason with her — I might just have to make a rule against eating sand. Even if she thought I was mean. So the Church doesn’t oppose gay marriage because it’s wrong; she opposes it because it’s impossible, just as impossible as living on sand. The Church believes, and I believe, in a universe that means something, and in a God who made the universe — made men and women,
designed sex and marriage from the ground up. In that universe, gay marriage doesn’t make sense. It doesn’t fit with the rest of the picture, and we’re not about to throw out the rest of the picture. If you don’t believe in these things, if you believe that men and women and sex and marriage are pretty much whatever we say they are, then okay: we don’t have much left to talk about. That’s not the world I live in. So, yes, it’s hard to be gay and Catholic — it’s hard to be anything and Catholic — because I don’t always get to do what I want. Show me a religion where you always get to do what you want and I’ll show you a pretty shabby, lazy religion. Something not worth living or dying for, or even getting up in the morning for. Would I trade in my Catholicism for a worldview where I get to marry a man? Would I trade in the Eucharist and the Mass and the rest of it? Being a Catholic means believing in a God who literally waits in the chapel for me, hoping I’ll stop by just for ten minutes so he can pour out love and healing on my heart. Which is worth more — all this, or getting to have sex with who I want? I wish everybody, straight or gay, had as beautiful a life as I have. I know this isn’t a satisfactory answer. I don’t think any words could be. I try to make my life a satisfactory answer, to this question and to others: What are people for? What is love, and what does it look like? How do we get past our own selfishness so we can love God and our neighbors and ourselves? It’s a work in progress. Gershom, a Catholic in his late twenties from New England who has same-sex attraction, blogs about chastity, the Church and his personal journey at WWW.STEVEGERSHOM.COM.
“The Sacred Heart of Christ is an inexhaustible fountain.” St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
The Lesson Plan JUNE 20, 2013
Reflections on faith and spirituality
THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT
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Daily Scriptures “The more we seek the face of God and allow our hearts to be united with his, the more our intellects, our wills and even our sentiments will be conformed to his.
”
DEACON KEVIN MANTHEY
Sunday, June 23 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time Zechariah 12:10-11; 13:1 Galatians 3:26-29 Luke 9:18-24 Monday, June 24 Nativity of St. John the Baptist Isaiah 49:1-6 Acts 13: 22-26 Matthew 1:57-66, 80 Tuesday, June 25 Genesis 13:2, 5-18 Matthew 7:6, 12-14 Wednesday, June 26 Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 Matthew 7:15-20 Thursday, June 27 St. Cyril of Alexandria, bishop and doctor of the Church Genesis 16:1-12, 15-16 Matthew 7:21-29 Friday, June 28 St. Irenaeus, bishop and martyr Genesis 17:1, 9-10, 15-22 Matthew 8:1-4
Bigstockphoto.com
Letting our hearts be pierced
“T
hey shall look on him whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him as one mourns for an only son, and they shall grieve over him as one grieves over a firstborn. On that day the mourning in Jerusalem shall be as great as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the plain of Megiddo” (Zechariah 12:10-11). The prophet Zechariah is prophesying about the end times by alluding to King Josiah, who was killed by being pierced through with an arrow in the plain of Megiddo (2 Chronicles 35:23). “All Judah and Jerusalem mourned” the death of this righteous king (2 Deacon Kevin Manthey Chronicles 35:24). My classmates and I traveled on pilgrimage to the Holy Land this past January and we will never forget our experience of Megiddo: a deluge with flash flooding. For me, this powerfully expresses the experience of all of Judah mourning the death of King Josiah. In his Gospel, St. John applies Zechariah’s words to Christ crucified in order to show that Jesus fulfills Zechariah’s prophecy (John 19:34-37). After Jesus had offered up his spirit to the Father and died on the cross, a soldier thrust his lance into Christ’s side. This is one of the scriptural foundations
Sunday Scriptures
Readings Sunday, June 23 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time ■ Zechariah 12:10-11; 13:1 ■ Galatians 3:26-29 ■ Luke 9:18-24
Reflection Pray in front of an image of the Sacred Heart? How are you letting your heart be pierced so you can become more Christ-like?
for devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which developed through the centuries and reached a pinnacle in the apparitions to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in Paray le Monial, France in the 17th century. Our Lord revealed his heart to her and lamented, “Behold the Heart which has so loved men that it has spared nothing, even to exhausting and consuming Itself, in order to testify its love; and in return, I receive from the greater part only ingratitude. . . .”
Two responses How are we to respond to this? I think there are two ways. First of all, inspired by the words of the prophet Zechariah, we can mourn over the Pierced One because his heart was pierced for love of us and to save us from our sins. We can ask our Savior for the gift of contrition and approach the sacrament of confession with confidence in his mercy.
Second, we must let our own hearts be pierced. The more we seek the face of God and allow our hearts to be united with his, the more our intellects, our wills and even our sentiments will be conformed to his. An ancient definition of love is “to want the same thing, and to reject the same thing” (“Deus Caritas Est,” no. 17). The thing that saddens God the most is when his beloved creatures turn away from his love. When we see areas in our own lives and in the lives of those we love in which we are indifferent to God’s love, this can cause us great pain. When we are faced with indifference and rejection for the sake of Christ, we must let our hearts be pierced — or else they will become hardened. When we suffer because someone we love (or someone we just met on the street) is not embracing the mercy of the Father, we participate in the suffering of Jesus’ Sacred Heart. In some cases, it would be easier to harden our hearts and to distance ourselves from a person rather than to continue to reach out to him or her and risk the pain of indifference or rejection. However, in imitation of Christ, we may let our hearts be pierced so that they may burn with compassion. Deacon Manthey is in formation for the priesthood at the St. Paul Seminary for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. His home parish is St. Michael in Farmington; his teaching parish is St. John Neumann in Eagan.
Saturday, June 29 Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles Acts 12:1-11 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18 Matthew 16:13-19 Sunday, June 30 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time 1 Kings 19: 16b, 19-21 Galatians 5:1, 13-18 Luke 9: 51-62 Monday, July 1 Blessed Junipero Serra, priest Genesis 18:16-33 Matthew 8:18-22 Tuesday, July 2 Genesis 19:15-29 Matthew 8:23-27 Wednesday, July 3 St. Thomas, Apostle Ephesians 2:19-22 John 20:24-29 Thursday, July 4 Genesis 22:1b-19 Matthew 9:1-8 Friday, July 5 St. Anthony Zaccaria, priest; St. Elizabeth of Portugal (USA) Genesis 23:1-4, 19; 24:1-8, 62-67 Matthew 9:9-13 Saturday, July 6 St. Maria Goretti, virgin and martyr Genesis 27:1-5, 15-29 Matthew 9:14-17 Sunday, July 7 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Isaiah 66:10-14c Galatians 6:14-18 Luke 10:1-12, 17-20
“Mother Dolores Hart is a remarkable woman with a remarkable story — one of love, devotion, and faith.” Maria Shriver
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Arts & Culture THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT
Exploring our church and our world
JUNE 20, 2013
For Mother Dolores Hart, it's time for her close-up — again By Mark Pattison Catholic News Service
Don’t look now, but Dolores Hart is about to become a star again, 50 years after her last movie. Hart — that’s Mother Dolores, the prioress of a Benedictine women’s monastery in Bethlehem, Conn. — has just had her memoir published a year after a documentary featuring her life as a cloistered nun picked up an Oscar nomination for best documentary short subject. She is crisscrossing the country this summer to promote the book, “The Ear of the Heart: An Actress’ Journey From Hollywood to Holy Vows.” The latest rush of celebrity is “amazing,” Mother Dolores told Catholic News Service June 6 in Washington, where she was scheduled for a raft of interviews and a personal appearance. “It makes me realize that time is MOTHER DOLORES the illusion. We do things in our life, and we constantly do them. It’s only separated by time,” said the 74-year-old nun.
A short career Mother Dolores, in her Hollywood days, made only 10 movies, but she made them count. She was cast twice opposite Elvis Presley, in 1957’s “Loving You” and 1958’s “King Creole.” She starred in the first film celebrating the annual ritual of spring break in 1960’s “Where the Boys Are.” She even did a star turn as St. Clare in the 1961 religious biopic “Francis of Assisi.” But she’s most proud of playing the title character in the 1962 drama “Lisa,” as a Jewish girl who survived the Nazis’ Auschwitz death camp only to be pursued by traitors after World War II intending to force her into prostitution. “(Actor) Stephen Boyd was the man who rescued Lisa and told her he would take her back to Palestine. And of course she had a very hard time hearing him and to believe in him and actually get there. And that relationship with Lisa was for me a relationship with the Jewish women who had undergone that experience,” Mother Dolores said. After hearing firsthand the death camp experience from one Auschwitz survivor, “I wanted to do that picture. I wanted somehow to be identified with the best possible rescue of these people,” she added. “And I loved
CNS photo/courtesy of Ignatius Press
Dolores Hart and Elvis Presley star in the 1957 movie “Loving You.” The young starlet left a promising acting career at age 25 to join the Benedictine Abbey of Regina Laudis in Bethlehem, Conn., where today she serves as prioress. Her autobiography, “The Ear of the Heart: An Actress’ Journey From Hollywood to Holy Vows,” co-written with Richard DeNeut, was released in May.
working with Stephen. I fell in love with Stephen in the middle of it. I was hoping he’d ask me to marry him.” “Maybe someday,” Mother Dolores mused, “we’ll work it out. We’ll meet and say, ‘What a good thing we did.’”
Bigger meaning Born in Chicago, she said her grandfather had a motion picture operator’s license and she’d go into the booth with him and spend days as a youngster watching movies. She told CNS she had always wanted to be an actress but after her successes on screen, she began to think life “had a bigger meaning,” that “every human being has a mission,” and maybe making movies was
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not the “end-all and be-all.” When she knew Elvis, she said, “he wanted to do something with his career. He wanted to get rich and interesting parts. They never gave him that. They just kept putting him in one girlie film after the other.” Mother Dolores was never nominated for her film roles, but she was the focus of the Oscar-nominated HBO documentary “God Is the Bigger Elvis.” She said Archbishop Pietro Sambi, the late papal nuncio to the United States, summoned her to his office one day and told her, “You are to make a movie about consecrated life.” Mother Dolores protested, saying all her Hollywood contacts were dead. “And he said, ‘No, no, no, no. God will help you do this, because this has to be done,’” she recalled. Four days later, representatives of HBO — none of whom had ever heard of Archbishop Sambi — called to ask permission to film at her convent, Regina Laudis Monastery, for a documentary. The film was originally set to be two hours long, but an HBO executive, smelling an Oscar, decided to chop the documentary in half. “And that’s when my heart began to sink and I began to think, ‘Oh, no, it’s going to be about me,’ because what (else) are they going to do to cut a two-hour film down to one hour?”, she told CNS. “God Is the Bigger Elvis” was nominated, although it did not win. “I thought to myself, I hope this film will be of value. That’s all I hope,” Mother Dolores said. One might think “The Ear of the Heart” was written to capitalize on the documentary’s high profile. Not so. “Dick DeNeut, who wrote the book with me, asked me 10 years ago if I should do a story of my life,” Mother Dolores said. She added she resisted the idea initially, but eventually consented. She said that originally, she wasn’t thrilled with the title, either: “I thought it would be a medical journal. But he (DeNeut) said, ‘That’s the first line in the Rule of St. Benedict: “Listen, my son with the ear of the heart to the voice of the master.” Mother Dolores is the only nun to be accredited as a voting member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences — colloquially, the folks who choose the Oscar winners. And it comes in handy for the occasional movie night at the monastery. Sisters “will put up (notes) on the board saying, ‘Can we see this?’ ‘Can we see that?’ ‘Could anybody bring this?’ We’re in the monastery, but they know,” Mother Dolores said, laughing. “We do have our special movie nights. I think the last was ‘Les Miserables.’ Everybody wanted to see that.”
ONGRATULATION Sister David Narog
S
Sister David is celebrating her 75th Platinum Jubilee as a Sister of St. Francis this year. She took her vows in 1938. Sister celebrated her jubilee at the Convent in Sylvania, Ohio, on April 25th, which was also her 95th birthday. Over the years, Sister David served as a teacher, principal and pastoral minister.
God’s blessings and best wishes to Sister David. TheCatholicSpirit.com • archspm.org
Calendar Dining out Fish fry at Knights of Columbus Hall, Bloomington — Every Friday: 5 to 9 p.m. at 1114 American Blvd. Cost is $10.95. Call (952) 888-1492 for reservations. Chicken and rib dinner at Knights of Columbus Hall, Bloomington — Every Wednesday: 5 to 9 p.m. at 1114 American Blvd. Cost is $12. Call (952) 888-1492 for reservations.
Parish events Summerfest at St. Stephen, Anoka — June 22: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at 525 Jackson St. Features crafts, food, a 5K Sun run/walk, inflatable games, bingo and raffles. For information, visit WWW.STSTEPHENCHURCH.ORG. Parish festival at Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Paul — June 22: Noon to 8 p.m. at 401 Concord St. Features live Latino music, Mexican and American foods, dancing, games and more.
‘How to Communicate Effectively with the Opposite Sex’ at St. Joseph, New Hope — June 23: 7:15 p.m., at 8701 36th Ave. N. Entertaining presentation for married and single adults by Karl Mulle. Free will offering. Child care available by calling the parish ofc, 763-544-3352. ‘Hats Off For Life’ concert at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Hastings — June 26: 7 p.m. at 2035 15th St. W. Concert in memory of Ruth Perkl (Father Jim Perkl’s mother) features Colton Peltier and Amanda King. More than 100 of Ruth’s hats will be on display for silent auction. Proceeds benefit Hastings Total LifeCare Pregnancy Center. Rummage sale at Holy Name of Jesus, Wayzata — June 27 to 29: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday (bag day) at 155 County Rd 24. Farewell receptions for Father Michael Van Sloun at St. Stephen, Anoka — June 29 and 30: Receptions to honor Father Van Sloun for 18 years at St. Stephen will follow all Masses at 525 Jackson St. Festival at St. Mary, LeCenter — June 30: Polka Mass at 10 a.m. with a roast beef dinner served from 11:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 165 N. Waterville.
JUNE 20, 2013 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT
Calendar Submissions
Don’t Miss
Recurring or ongoing events must be submitted each time they occur. LISTINGS: Accepted are brief notices of upcoming events hosted by Catholic parishes and institutions.
Confirmation classes for persons with disabilities ages 16 and older will be held from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Aug. 17 and 24 at St. Peter in Richfield. Both classes are mandatory for guardians and candidates. The sacrament of confirmation will be available at the Arcbishop’s Mass for Persons with Disabilities at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 8 at St. Mary’s Chapel at the St. Paul Seminary. Pre-registration for the classes is required. For more information or to register, contact Deacon Sean or Joan Curtan at (651) 291-4543 or CURTANS@ ARCHSPM.ORG. clude images of Mary, banners and native clothing from the represented countries. Healing Mass at St. Gabriel the Archangel, St. Joseph campus, Hopkins — June 25: Rosary at 7 p.m. followed by Mass at 1310 Mainstreet. Father Jim Livingston will be the celebrant.
Singles Sunday Spirits walking group for 50-plus Catholic singles — ongoing Sundays: For Catholic singles to meet and make friends. The group usually meets in St. Paul on Sunday afternoons. For information, call Judy at (763) 221-3040 or Al at (651) 482-0406. Singles group at St. Vincent de Paul, Brooklyn Park — ongoing second Saturday each month: 6:15 p.m. at 9100 93rd Ave. N. Gather for a potluck supper, conversation and games. For information, call (763) 425-0412. 50-plus singles picnic at St. Joseph, New Hope — June 23: 5 p.m. at 8701 36th Ave.
“A Blast!”
— SW News
Sant’Egidio Community Evening Prayer at St. Richard, Richfield — Every Thursday: 7 p.m. at 7540 Penn Ave. S.
Presented by
Memorial Mass for the unborn at St. Mary of Czestochowa, Delano — June 23: 1 p.m. at 1867 95th St. S.E. A procession to the memorial site in the cemetery follows Mass. ‘Many Faces of Mary’ prcession and celebration at Totino-Grace High School athletic field, Fridley — June 23: Multicultural procession at 2 p.m. with recitation of the rosary at 1350 Gardena Ave. N.E. Will in-
DEADLINE: Noon Thursday, seven days before the anticipated Thursday date of publication.
Confirmation classes offered for persons with disabilities
Prayer/ liturgies
Legion of Mary prayers in front of Planned Parenthood, St. Paul — Every Friday: 3 p.m. at the corner of Vandalia and Charles. For information, call (651) 439-9098.
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952-934-1525
C H A N H A S S E N D T. C O M
www.TheCatholicSpirit.com
If the Catholic connection is not clear, please emphasize it in your press release. ITEMS MUST INCLUDE the following to be considered for publication in the calendar: • Time and date of event. • Full street address of event. • Description of event. • Contact information in case of questions. N. Brats and hot dogs provided. Bring a dish to share. Entertainment will be Karl Mulle on communicating with the opposite sex. Call (763) 439-5940 for information.
Other events Fortnight for Freedom nightly prayer service at Knights of Columbus Hall, Bloomington — June 21 to July 4: 6 p.m. at 1114 W. American Blvd. For information visit WWW.KOFCBLOOMINGTON.COM/FORTNIGHT. Archdiocesan Rural Life Sunday Celebration at the Don and Bonnie Quigley farm, Lindstrom — June 23: 1:30 p.m. Mass celebrated by Bishop Lee Piché followed by lunch and entertainment.
E-MAIL: SPIRITCALENDAR@ARCHSPM.ORG. (No attachments, please.)
Send us your festival information! The August 1 issue of The Catholic Spirit will feature a special section listing information about parish festivals. To include your festival, send information by July 19 to spiritcalendar @archspm.org.
SSND Golf Outing and Card Party at Daytona Golf Club, Dayton — June 25: 14730 North Lawndale Lane. Proceeds benefit active ministries and retirement needs of the School Sisters of Notre Dame. For information, call (507) 389-4231.
life is good
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Senior Living
THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • JUNE 20, 2013
St. Paul Alzheimer’s initiative offers education, support Effort is part of statewide collaboration that seeks to involve faith communities
with tools supplied by ACT on Alzheimer’s, which was initiated by the Legislature in 2009. Increasing awareness and understanding of the diseases and their warning signs is critical, Lane said. “Oftentimes we hear people say, ‘Oh it’s just dementia,’” she said. “And we know Alzheimer’s is one form of dementia. But there are many other diseases that cause it. I think that kind of basic education and awareness is a piece that’s coming through.”
By Susan Klemond For The Catholic Spirit
Roger and Beth Maulik have watched Alzheimer’s disease take the lives of a number of Beth’s immediate family members. Now, the memory disease has also struck Beth. Today, she manages mild Alzheimer’s symptoms and helps care for her brother, Father Jim Fangman, who is at a more advanced stage of the illness. Beth is also working with Roger to raise awareness in their parish and six St. Paul neighborhoods about those living with Alzheimer’s and related dementias and their caregivers as part of a statewide collaboration called ACT on Alzheimer’s. Those with Alzheimer’s “cannot lose their self-respect, and no one else should lose respect for them,” Beth said. “As a person who is fighting Alzheimer’s I’m working like crazy to do things to keep my mind active and to be alert to what’s going on. This is not something that’s like chicken pox that’ll go away.” The Mauliks, who belong to Lumen Christi in St. Paul, also are thinking about the future. “We’re trying to do what we can because we have kids and grandkids that come from the same genetic pool,” Roger said. “Anything we can do probably isn’t going to help us much, but it’s going to help the next generation and generations beyond that.”
Broad impact As the number of Minnesotans with Alzheimer’s and related dementias is predicted to increase significantly, at least eight communities, including St. Paul, are starting to prepare for the budgetary, social and personal consequences by assessing needs. The communities are helping local faith groups, organizations and businesses respond, said Georgia Lane, coordinator for St. Paul Neighborhoods ACT on Alzhei-
Parish involvement
Dave Hrbacek / The Catholic Spirit
Beth, center, and Roger Maulik, right, talk with Beth’s brother, Father James Fangman, left, a retired priest from the Diocese of Sioux City, Iowa, in his room at Carondelet Village in St. Paul.
Did you know?
■ There are more than 15 million caregivers in the United States.
■ An estimated 5.2 million Americans and roughly 100,000 Minnesotans live with Alzheimer’s. ■ 1 in 9 Americans age 65 and over has Alzheimer’s. ■ 1 in 3 Americans age 85 and older has the disease. ■ Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and the only cause of death in the top 10 that can’t be prevented or slowed.
■ By 2050 the number of Americans with the disease could triple.
mer’s (SPN ACT) and Dementia Pathways program director at Carondelet Village Care Center in St. Paul. Carondelet Village, which offers senior and memory care as well as community outreach to seniors, convened St. Paul’s involvement in February, she said. The initiative is “talking about communities in the broad sense, not just health care [facilities], hospitals, clinics and senior housing companies, but how do we look at faith communities and how do we look at our first responders?” she said. “How do we look at the neighbor on
■ Alzheimer’s will cost the nation $203 billion in 2013. ■ It is expected to cost the United States $1.2 trillion by 2050. Source: Alzheimer’s Association, 2013 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures, Alzheimer’s & Dementia, Volume 9, Issue 2.
the street or the bank teller who’s interacting with people with dementia? . . . The impact is going to be just growing,” she said. One goal is to help organizations in the Highland Park, Mac-Groveland, West Seventh, Summit Hill, Summit University, and Union Park neighborhoods of St. Paul to become informed, safe, respectful — and to provide the best quality of life options — for individuals with dementia, their families and caregivers. Fifty volunteers representing a range of community sectors are conducting surveys
This year, Nativity of Our Lord in St. Paul hopes to have an education effort for all parishioners on communicating and caring for those living with Alzheimer’s/ dementia, said Nancy Shatek-Suek, pastoral care coordinator and an SPN ACT team member. The parish wants to ensure it reaches members not directly affected by Alzheimer’s or dementia because the disease can be confusing or even frightening for people not familiar with it, Shatek-Suek said. “I believe that with the aging population and with the numbers of people who potentially will have dementia it’s going to be important for us as a community to know how to be present with them.” Faith communities can play an important role in helping those living with Alzheimer’s/dementia to connect with senior services, said Nancy Utoft, executive director of Ramsey County Senior Services Consortium and an SPN ACT team member. “The more we can be aware of identifying dementia early and connecting people with services as they need them or anticipate their needs, we can avert crises in the home and have people remaining in their home … as long as possible, and also their economic resources will last longer,” she said. The senior service program Meals on Wheels of Ramsey County not only provides those with memory loss with PLEASE TURN TO ALZHEIMER’S ON PAGE 18
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Senior Living
JUNE 20, 2013 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT
There’s no place like home How do you choose the right home care agency? By Abby Dehmer For The Catholic Spirit
First it started with spoiled food in the refrigerator. Then, the general cleanliness of the house started to change. When her mom started to lose noticeable weight, Diane knew it was time to talk. Chatting over a cup of coffee, Diane learned that her widowed mother wasn’t eating regular meals because she didn’t feel like cooking for one person, and she wasn’t cleaning the floors because the vacuum was too heavy. Diane realized her mother needed additional assistance that could no longer be provided with her weekly check-ins. Diane knew her mother would not willingly move from the home she shared with her husband for the past 50 years; she made those wishes very clear years ago. As Diane began to research care options for her mother, a friend encouraged her to look into home care.
What is home care? Home care is simply any type of care provided in your home. There are two styles of home care available: nonmedical and health care. Non-medical home care encompasses areas of need such as medication reminders, respite, companionship, transportation or meal assistance and planning. Home health care includes more involved tasks, such as help getting in and out of bed or chairs, medication administration, skilled therapy services or end-of-life medical care. Many home care agencies provide a range of services, from two hours, one day a week; up to 24 hours a day every day. A home health aide could be hired to visit an individual’s home twice a week to clean the kitchen, run errands or do laundry. Some may choose to hire a home care agency to provide 24-hour care, with staff available at all times to help ensure health and safety. Home care allows individuals and their
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A home health care worker checks a man’s blood pressure. Home care allows individuals and their families to choose the services they need and tailor them to fit their lifestyle.
For more information Visit Catholic Senior Service at WWW.CATHOLICSENIORSERVICES.ORG or call its Help Line at (877) 420-6461. For more information about At Home Solutions by Saint Therese, go to WWW.STTHERESEMN .ORG/ATHOMESOLUTIONS, or email HEATHERR @STTHERESEMN.ORG.
families to choose the services they need and tailor them to fit their lifestyle. Although assisted living and long-term care communities have a role to play in aging, many older adults simply want to remain in their home as long as possible. Home health care enables the individual to feel safe and independent while still maintaining an active lifestyle. Oftentimes, allowing a home health care aide to visit the individual can greatly improve his or her overall quality of life. The individual regularly receives one-on-one attention, is able to maintain daily activities with few interruptions, and the constant monitoring of health may even prevent a hospital stay. Where do you begin? First and foremost, you should have an open
conversation with your loved one about his or her wishes for the future. While some individuals may have specific plans for their care, others may have never considered the opportunities available. Resources like WWW.STTHERESEMN.ORG/ RESOURCES/SENIVISION provide ideas to have a thoughtful dialogue with loved ones about the future. Next, take a moment to do the math. Often, care can be dictated by an individual’s financial capabilities. Here are a few average cost comparisons to consider from WWW.LONGTERMCARE.GOV: ■ $205 per day or $6,235 per month for a semi-private room in a nursing home. ■ $229 per day or $6,965 per month for a private room in a nursing home. ■ $3,293 per month for care in an assisted living facility (one-bedroom unit). ■ $21 per hour for a home health aide (40 hrs./week = $3,360/month). ■ $19 per hour for homemaker services (40 hrs./week = $3,040/month). ■ $67 per day for services in an adult day health care center. Finally, interview at least three home PLEASE TURN TO COST ON PAGE 19
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Senior Living
THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • JUNE 20, 2013
Thank You! The Saint Therese Foundation would like to thank the following sponsors for their support of the 11th Annual Golf Classic!
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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16 nutrition and wellness checks, it creates helpful routine in their lives, Utoft said. Businesses and other organizations need to know how to treat those living with Alzheimer’s/dementia, Roger Maulik said. “If somebody is behind the counter at a bakery or a deli and somebody is having difficulty getting the words out, stop and bite your tongue a little bit and say, ‘OK this person might have memory problems but let’s spend a couple minutes with them and just not blow them off.’� SPN ACT on Alzheimer’s also seeks to raise awareness and increase support for caregivers, since 70 percent of those living with Alzheimer’s/dementia are cared for at home, Lane said. Roger Maulik said he would like to see faith communities offer programs and prayer groups for people living with the disease and their caregivers as well as senior groups that accommodate people with memory issues. SPN ACT on Alzheimer’s volunteers will complete the assessments in July and plan to implement action goals over the next
12 to 18 months, Lane said. So far, feedback shows that “faith communities are really hungry for this work — to know that there’s a group out there that is really trying to say, ‘OK what kind of things can we do to improve the lives for people living with dementia?’ � she said.
Relying on faith The Mauliks say their Catholic faith helps them face the effects of Alzheimer’s each day. “I was raised a very strong Catholic and if I didn’t have my faith to hold me up I’d be a mess,� Beth said. According to Roger, “There are things you’ve got to put in God’s hands, and this is one of them. We pray every day for a cure. We pray for acceptance of the fact that [God’s] given us a challenge to deal with [and to] please give me the strength to handle it. And we pray that our kids and grandkids are safe.� Find out more about SPN ACT on Alzheimer’s and efforts in other parts of the state at ACTONALZ.ORG.
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Cost of long-term care varies by type CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17 health care organizations before making a decision. Consider the following questions when interviewing an agency: ■ Does the agency provide the specific care or service needed? ■ What continuing education opportunities are provided to staff? ■ What is the payment structure? ■ Does the company have a quality
improvement program? Each organization is going to provide similar services, but one agency will put you at ease, knowing it’s the “right” fit for you and your loved one. Dehmer is a communications director at Saint Therese, which provides senior care and housing at locations in New Hope, Brooklyn Park and Shoreview.
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JUNE 20, 2013 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT
Evangelization needed in light of religious freedom threats
Harley heaven
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6
CNS photo / Paul Haring
Pope Francis greets a Harley-Davidson biker as he meets with pilgrims who have disabilities following Mass in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican June 16. The Year of Faith Mass concluded a weekend of events calling attention to care for the aged, the sick, the unborn and those with disabilities.
Obama administration drops its appeal of Plan B ruling Catholic News Service U.S. Catholic officials expressed disappointment with the June 10 announcement that the federal government will comply with a judge’s ruling to allow girls of any age to buy the morning-after pill without a prescription. The decision reversed recent course of action by the federal government. On May 1, the Justice Department announced that it would appeal a ruling by a federal judge in early April that said the Food and Drug Administration must make emergency contraceptives available to all ages by May 6. In a June 10 letter to U.S. District Judge Edward Korman in Brooklyn, N.Y., department officials said they will submit a plan for compliance with his ruling and will drop their appeal. The letter also said the FDA has advised the drug’s manufacturer to submit an application to make Plan B One-Step available over the counter without restrictions. News reports June 11 said the Justice Department also told the judge it will not make available over the counter the twopill Plan B product, which it described as being significantly different from the onepill version. Two-pill generic versions of Plan B would remain behind store counters and require a prescription and ID for those under the age of 17. Plan B, known generically as levonorgestrel, uses large doses of birth-control pills to prevent conception up to 72 hours after unprotected sex. According to the FDA, it will “not stop a pregnancy when a woman is already pregnant, and there is no medical evidence that the product will harm a developing fetus.” Others dispute that claim. The manufacturer’s website states that the drug could prevent an embryo from implanting in the womb, resulting in what is correctly understood as an early abortion.
Follow-up
Deirdre McQuade, spokeswoman for the USCCB’s Secretariat for Pro Life Activities, said in a June 11 email to Catholic News Service: “Many studies have shown that wider access to ‘emergency contraception’ among young people does not reduce pregnancy or abortion rates, but can contribute to higher rates of sexually transmitted disease. No public health consideration justifies the unregulated distribution of such drugs to children.” Jeanne Monahan, president of the March for Life Education & Defense Fund, called the decision “hugely disappointing and not in the best interest of young women’s physical and emotional health.” John DiCamillo, an ethicist with the National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia called the government’s decision “a great disservice” that “brings profound moral harm to our society.” In a June 11 email to CNS, he said the wider availability of levonorgestrel in its pill form “continues to promote and entrench the contraception and abortion mentality that undermines the culture of life.” He noted that the National Catholic Bioethics Center is “not a scientific research body and does not itself determine whether Plan B or other levonorgestrelbased ‘emergency contraceptives’ are abortifacients.” But he said a close analysis of the scientific and pharmacological literature indicates that this drug “can and very likely does act as an abortifacient when taken after ovulation has already occurred.” In 2006, the FDA approved over-thecounter sales of Plan B to women 18 and older; three years later, a court ruling made it available to women 17 and older without a prescription. Until Korman’s ruling, anyone younger still needed a prescription.
parishes for donations and volunteers. It also does not belong to Catholic Charities USA or United Way. Deacon Sartorius said Tulsa CC is a religious organization that is serious about maintaining its Catholic identity and a mission centered on Christ. He gave numerous examples of how secularized policies that require compliance with a social agenda are impacting the Church’s social mission. One involved the loss of a grant to the U.S. Catholic bishops that allowed Catholic organizations, including Catholic Charities, to provide for the needs of human trafficking and sex trade victims. The USCCB found out that it lost the grant to another organization that scored lower on the grant scale because Catholic-affiliated agencies don’t refer those victims for abortions when they are pregnant. These policies have shifted away from dignity, the common good and preferential option for the poor, to utilitarianism, individualism, pragmatism and science, said Deacon Sartorius. With its current funding model, Tulsa CC faces an uphill battle if Catholics in the pew continue to go the other way on gay marriage and other secular ideals and become hostile
to some Catholic teachings. Still, he maintains hope. “It’s in these times of difficulty and trial that we really shine through that darkness, and that’s what the message of this conference should be,” he said. “If we do our job and we evangelize, then this will come around and the clouds will disperse and it will be a better day.”
New evangelization Father John Paul Erickson, director of the archdiocesan Office of Worship, said the Freedom Forum was a good example of the work of the new evangelization, which is not only about bringing individuals into contact with Jesus Christ but also about pointing out and combating widespread errors encountered in our culture regarding human dignity, human nature, and our capacity as human persons to know the truth. “The Freedom Forum helped me to better recognize many of the philosophical errors we labor under within the United States, as well as to see the practical results of these errors as manifested in some of our current federal laws and public policies,” he said. “Knowledge of these sobering realities is important for the work of evangelization, for we must know the context within which we preach.”
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THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • JUNE 20, 2013
Pilgrim: message of forgiveness is what world needs to hear CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 of freedom, but in the end bring new forms of slavery and death.” “Let us say ‘yes’ to love and not selfishness,” Pope Francis concluded. “Let us say ‘yes’ to life and not death. Let us say ‘yes’ to freedom and not enslavement to the many idols of our time.” The pope did not mention any specific threats to life, but in an address at the end of Mass, Archbishop Rino Fisichella, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization, alluded to abortion and euthanasia. “From the very beginning in the womb of a woman, until the very last moment when a person’s breath speaks of his or her presence in the world, this life is human, even if it develops into an immense array of conditions of weakness, suffering and demands for help,” said the archbishop, whose office organized the pilgrimage. Archbishop Fisichella drew attention to the presence in the square of “witnesses to Evangelium Vitae” from some two dozen countries, activists dedicated to the defense of “children left alone, abandoned women, the chronically ill, those with the most diverse disabilities and handicaps, people who are dying, the marginalized [and] the excluded.” After Mass, Pope Francis followed his usual practice of individually greeting a number of disabled persons among the congregation. On a lighter note, the pope also greeted hundreds of Harley-Davidson enthusiasts who attended the Mass in their biker vests during a Rome celebration of the motorcycle’s 110th anniversary.
Offering forgiveness One of the pilgrims in the crowd, Mary J. McClusky, a special projects director with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat of Pro-life Activities, praised Pope Francis for reminding listeners that forgiveness is available for even the worst sins. “It’s what the world needs to hear, the assurance that whatever we do, God will always love us,” she said. “That’s what’s going to break hearts open and allow that love to flow in.” McClusky was one of five USCCB staff members who traveled to Rome to help organize special activities for English-language pilgrims June 15, including an academic conference featuring an address by U.S. Cardinal Raymond Burke, head of a Vatican tribunal, and a holy hour of Eucharistic adoration led by U.S. Archbishop Joseph Di Noia, vice president of the Pontifical Commission “Ecclesia Dei.”
Hip-hop can play important role in New Evangelization, musician says CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8 work together at Arizona State University in Tempe — Haben as a mission director and Gross as a mission leader. They perform several times a year, often through invitations extended by other Catholics and Christians who are familiar with their work. Plans for a mini-tour in May and June were put on hold when Gross severed a tendon in one of his fingers, but they hope to play a few shows later this summer for Catholic youth groups if the injury heals before they head back to Arizona for the school year. “One of the things I’m most thankful for is when I encounter someone who’s genuinely moved, or the music . . . impacted them deeply,” Haben said. “It’s one of the most honoring things that I’ve experienced.” Both men hope to continue their music ministry and use their gifts in whatever ways God sees fit. “I love this, and I would love to do more of this,” Gross said. “For me, there is a desire maybe long-term to pursue possibly a career or make it more of a full-time thing,” Haben said. “It’s just about seeing what doors God opens up if that’s possible. “I hope to continue to use this [music] . . . either by incorporating it into a ministry or use it as a way to preach the Gospel and witness going forward.”
Zach’s hit song ‘Clouds’ brings lifelong friend to tears CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 behind me on his knees, as straight as can be with his arms stretched out, just cruciform. His eyes never left the host. And, I knew he was getting something that I don’t think any of us could really understand. That image is burned in my brain.” As intently as he looked at the Eucharist that day and gave his undivided attention to Jesus, he would do the same thing when talking with his friends. Two of the girls made almost the same comment word for word when describing what it was like to be around him. “When you talked to him, he made you feel like you were the only person in the room,” Czarniak said. Buchman agreed. “I just remember the last night he was able to be at Activate, which is a youth group for junior high that the older teenagers lead,” she said. “He came there and he was just so full of life and energy. He was letting everyone play around on his crutches. It was the first time I had talked to him in a while. One of the reasons I really wanted to do Activate again was I really wanted to be able to see Zach because he wasn’t at school a lot. I was talking with him, and he just makes you feel like you are the only one in the room.”
‘Tragically beautiful’ Among the five girls, the person with the most memories of Zach is Brown, who knew him since both were a year old. As they entered their teenage years, she became his singing partner, and eventually they performed together and recorded CDs. In fact, she was at his house one day when he handed her a sheet of paper with the lyrics to a song he had just written, called “Clouds.” Soon after he recorded the song, it went viral on YouTube and has had millions of hits from people around the world. After giving her the sheet, he went down the hallway to use the restroom. “He came back and I was crying,” she said. “He’s like, ‘Why are you crying?’. . . I was just reacting how so many people reacted. It’s a tragic story, but it’s tragically beautiful.” The girls all acknowledged how Zach inspired thousands, if not millions, of people. Yet, they also appreciated him in the ordinary, everyday things like classes and activities at school. Four of the five were his classmates at Stillwater Area High School. And, they treasured the time they had with him there. “Zach and I had math together for a semester this year,” Czarniak said. “We would always sit in the front corner and talk the whole hour. Every time I was having a bad day, he always knew that one thing that would make me smile and laugh. He would always hit me in the head with his crutches, and just do dumb things like that. He just knew exactly how to make everybody smile, even when you were having a really bad day.” Funny thing is, as many bad days as Zach had, nobody seemed to have bad days when they were around him. Quite the opposite. He had a way of pulling people out of darkness, no matter how shallow or deep. “A lot of my memories are really [lighthearted] and him making fun of me, which was really special for me because I never had siblings growing up, so he felt like that older brother picking on me,” Moeller said. “One memory that really sticks out to me is the last football game of the year this year. It was hitting everyone that high school was ending and people were crying, and I was crying. We went to Applebee’s after, and he put his arm around me and started showing me funny pictures on his phone. He just had such an easy way of making other people feel better, even though he had so much more of a reason to be sad.” Amazingly, sadness was about the smallest part of what Zach revealed to others, which is precisely why they found him so inspirational. “I was always happy to be around him,” Smith said. “He made you feel so special. You couldn’t be around
“Zach had a
hopeless situation — no hope for a cure — and yet lived with hope. And, I think our world found that fascinating.
”
ANNIE GRANDELL Youth minister, St. Croix Catholic Faith Formation
him and not be happy. You couldn’t look at him and not smile because he always had the most beautiful smile on his face. He was so full of life. You saw him and you’re like, ‘I wish I could live life like that’ because he lived it so well. It was amazing to see.”
Living with hope One of the most amazing things the girls saw took place on May 15, 2010 at the Cathedral of St. Paul. It was the day of their confirmation, but it looked like Zach wasn’t going to make it. He was at University of Minnesota Amplatz Children’s Hospital in the days leading up to confirmation, and he wasn’t doing well. “I went down to visit him and assure him that even if he couldn’t make it the next day, we’d figure out a way to get him confirmed,” Grandell said. “He pointed at his I.V. pole behind him, and his suit was hanging on it. He goes, ‘No, I’ll be there.’ And, I said, ‘I know. But, I don’t want you to worry about it. Don’t worry about it. We’ll get you confirmed somehow.’ He goes, ‘No, you didn’t hear me. I’ll be there.’ “And, the next day, everyone’s getting seated, the ceremony is about to start and then all of a sudden, I see half my kids run to the back of the church. And, sure enough, there’s Zach. He had just been released from the hospital, like 30 minutes before and was wearing a backpack with an I.V. of fluids. But, he made it to his confirmation. He wasn’t going to miss it.” For those who weren’t there to witness what some thought was close to a miracle, Zach continued to inspire those preparing for confirmation by helping out in the program. Just this spring, he gave a stirring message to those getting ready to receive the sacrament. Among those in the class was Sammy’s younger brother, Matt Brown, whom Zach sponsored. In fact, Zach once again showed his toughness and determination by making it to Matt’s confirmation, which was held earlier (April 22) than the scheduled time at the Cathedral, and took place at St. Mary so that Zach would have a much shorter drive. Perhaps, it is this spirit that caused Zach’s influence to go far beyond the city limits of Stillwater, and caused millions of people — celebrities included — to keep on listening to his music. Grandell thinks it is something more. “When I really thought about it, I was like, ‘What is it that is getting people’s attention?’” she said. “And, what I finally came to realize was it was hope. We talk about how the world doesn’t have faith anymore. I think the world has [even] less hope. And, Zach had a hopeless situation — no hope for a cure — and yet lived with hope. And, I think our world found that fascinating.”
22 Christian Brother Dominic Ehrmantraut celebrates jubilee De La Salle Christian Brother Dominic Ehrmantraut, a former principal of the now-closed Archbishop Brady High School in West St. Paul, will celebrate his 50th jubilee as part of the school’s all-school reunion June 29 at Cretin-Derham Hall in St. Paul. Brother Dominic was born in Kansas City, Mo. and raised in the Twin Cities. He is a graduate of Cretin High School and has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religious Education and English from St. Mary’s University. He earned two additional degrees, which included a Master of Arts degree in Theology from the University of Notre Dame and an E.D.S. degree from St. Thomas University. After leaving the Twin Cities, he served as the Provincial of the then, St. Paul and Minneapolis Province of the Christian Brothers, then moving to the Region, which included the United States and Canada and mission responsibilities in the Holy Land and Africa. For information on the celebration, visit www.Brady space.org.
BSM president steps down Benilde-St. Margaret’s School in St. Louis Park has announced that Bob Tift will step down from his position as president of the school. Tift, a 1971 BSM graduate, has held the post since 1971. “This is the right time for transition,” said Tift. “The BSM community is in an excellent position and has an outstanding reputation. We are recognized for our rigorous academics, rich faith development, exceptional commitment to service, and successful extracurricular activities. Our strategic plan has laid a firm foundation for our next leader.”
JUNE 20, 2013 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT
School Sister of St. Francis celebrates 80th jubilee Sister Mary Angela Saeman celebrated 80 years as a School Sister of St. Francis June 15. Sister Mary Angela was born in Cross Plains, Wis. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Alverno College in 1944 and a master’s degree from Fordham University in 1950. In the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, Sister Mary Angela volunteered in pastoral care from 1995 to 1997 and in coordinating Eucharist for the homebound at St. Mary of the Lake in White Bear Lake from 1997 to 2003. She currently serves as a volunteer in the School Sisters of St. Francis Archives in Milwaukee.
Obituary
Father Abbott dies at age 81 Father Eugene Abbott, a priest of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, died June 11 at the Little Sisters of the Poor Holy Family Residence in St. Paul. Father Abbott was born Jan. 20, 1932 and ordained a priest Feb. 17, 1957. He retired from active ministry on Jan. 20, 1997. He served at Nativity of Mary in Bloomington, St. John, St. Luke and Nativity of Our Lord in St. Paul, Sacred Heart in Belle Plaine, St. Joseph in Delano, St. Peter in Forest Lake FATHER ABBOTT and St. James, St. Mark and Assumption in St. Paul. In retirement, he cared for his mother and aunt until their passing. A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated June 19 at Assumption, St Paul. Interment was at Resurrection Cemetery in Mendota Heights.
Summer Catholic youth program offers week-long camps Totus Tuus — a summer Catholic youth program dedicated to sharing the Gospel and promoting the Catholic faith through evangelization, catechesis, Christian witness, and Eucharist worship — has openings at upcoming camps. Week-long Parish Summer Catechetical program and Summer Camps assist parents and parishes in the evangelizing and catechizing of their youth by supplementing the work they are already doing. Totus Tuus is concerned not only with teaching the faith, but also igniting the hearts of the team members and young people. The result has been the formation of young adults who continue to dedicate themselves to the Church’s mission of evangelization. Prayers such as The Liturgy of the Hours, the Rosary, the Angelus, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament provide the structure, but the celebration of the Mass is the “source and summit” of the daily schedule. Upcoming camps include: ■ June 8 to 14 at St. Timothy, Maple Lake ■ June 15 to 21 at St. John the Baptist, New Brighton ■ June 22 to 28 at St. Patrick, Oak Grove ■ July 6 to 7 at St. Bridget of Sweden, Lindstrom ■ July 13 to 19 at St. Hubert in Chanhassen ■ July 20 to 26 at St. Joseph in Waconia To register for a week of Camp Totus Tuus, please call each parish directly. For further information, please contact the Office of Marriage, Family and Life at (651) 291-4488 or TOTUSTUUS@ARCHSPM.ORG.
Church / Ministry Jobs Principal Location: St. Ambrose of Woodbury Catholic School; Woodbury, MN The principal fosters the Catholic faith development of students as the primary mission of the school; leads in developing, administering and evaluating all school programs; supervises all school staff fostering a high a high level of professionalism and cooperation; provides for a safe and welcoming atmosphere for students in a climate that promotes positive, constructive student attitudes; works closely with the pastor and advisory councils in day to day administration including proposing and administering the budget; supervises the extended day program director; and works cooperatively with parents and parish staff. Qualifications include a Masters degree in school administration, and Minnesota Principal licensure (preferred). Children's Formation Minister Location: Epiphany Catholic Church; Coon Rapids, MN The Children's Formation Minister is responsible for catechetical instruction and sacramental preparation for children ages 3 to grade 5. Responsible for coordinating and leading a Sunday program for students age 3-kindergarten, family based elementary program with parent component and sacramental preparation and celebration. Assists staff with Vacation Bible School. Gives direction to Children's Formation Assistant. Qualifications include a B.A. degree in theology/religious education or equivalency (M.A. is preferred), and three years full time parish experience at this level or equivalent. Principal Location: St. Thomas More Catholic School; St. Paul, MN The principal functions as the educational and spiritual leader for the school ministry while always promoting a strong Catholic identity. The primary administrative director responsible for developing and implementing school ministry academic and administrative policies, programs, curriculum, and budgets. Coordinate all school ministry activities with the larger parish community activities. Lead in developing and implementing a strategic vision for the school reflecting the pastoral, ministerial and educational objectives of the Canonical Administrator and parish community leadership. Qualifications include a Masters degree in Education, School Administration, or equivalent field, and prior experience as a school principal in a Catholic parish environment.
For more information on these and other job openings, or to apply online, please visit www.archspm.org/careers.
23
THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • JUNE 20, 2013
Holy Angels hires new hockey coach The Academy of Holy Angels in Richfield has hired a hockey coach with an NCAA Division I championship on his resumé. Trent Palm will come on board to replace Billy Hengen, who has accepted a position as director of hockey at Northern Educate Sports Academy in The Blaine. Palm was a Catholic Spirit member of the University of Minnesota Duluth hockey team that won the national championship in 2011. An Edina native, he played high school hockey at Shattuck-St. Mary’s in Faribault. Palm currently serves as an assistant coach for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, Mich.
News Notes
Former principal named to NCEA post Patrick Lofton, former principal at St. Thomas More School in St. Paul has been named executive vice president of the National Catholic Education Association. He will assume his new post on July 1. Lofton, who worked as principal of St. Thomas More for five years and also worked as a middle school coordinator
and teacher in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, currently is the associate superintendent of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. “I look forward to joining NCEA at this vital time in the history of Catholic education,” said Lofton. “I believe that NCEA can be the compass and the catalyst for providing the leadership and the changes that are needed to ensure a promising future for Catholic education.”
Local Serrans celebrate feast of Junipero Serra All members of the Serra Club and their guests are invited to celebrate the feast of Franciscan missionary Blessed Junípero Serra — from whom the organization gets its name — July 1 at the Cathedral of St. Paul. Father John Ubel will celebrate Mass at 5:15 p.m. and a reception will follow in the Cathedral’s Hayden Hall. For information, call (651) 690-4460.
Three local students join national choir Three students from the archdiocese are participating in this year’s National Catholic Youth Choir: Jacob Ahles of St. Charles in Bayport, Michael Loes of St.
Stephen in Anoka and Anna Stolte of St. Peter in North St. Paul. The choir is made up of 35 high school students from 17 states and is sponsored by St. John’s University School of Theology. They will meet on the grounds of St. John’s in Collegeville. During the two-week camp, the choir will tour three states, with the theme, “For All the Saints.” For more information, to make a donation or host a future concert, visit WWW.CATHOLICYOUTHCHOIR.ORG.
City of St. Paul allows statue of Jesus to stay The battle between Tuan Pham and the City of St. Paul over a statue in his yard is over. Pham lives just above the Mississippi River and has a large statue of Jesus on display in his yard. The City Council voted in April 2011 to remove the 7-foot marble statue from his property after receiving an anonymous complaint that it was too close to the bluff. The city also told him that the placement of his statue violated a city code that forbids development within 40 feet of the bluff that drops sharply off his back yard. Pham petitioned the city, then was set
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Father Peterson to retire July 1 Father Bruce Peterson will retire from active ministry on July 1. He has served St. Columbkill, Belle Creek and Holy Trinity, Goodhue since 1970 with St. Mary, Bellechester added as a third parish in 2002. Father Peterson was born Nov. 2, 1930 in Minneapolis. He graduated from Southwest High School in 1948, and attended Nazareth Hall Prep- FATHER PETERSON aratory Seminary in Roseville and St. Paul Seminary. He was ordained Feb. 17, 1957. He also served as assistant pastor at St. Charles Boromeo in St. Anthony; Christ the King and Ascension in Minneapolis, and St. Joseph in Circle Pines. All are invited to a retirement party for Father Peterson from 2 to 5 p.m. June 30 at the Goodhue Lions Building in Goodhue. to file a lawsuit, but the city has since agreed to let him keep the statue. A blessing ceremony for the statue is planned for July 6 from 4 to 6 p.m. at 231 Isabel Street W. in St. Paul.
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“It’s not enough to say, ‘But I believe in God, God is the only God.’ That's all fine, but how do you live this out on your life's journey?” Pope Francis, in his homily at Mass June 6
24
Overheard THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT
Quotes from this week’s newsmakers
JUNE 20, 2013 “Let’s try something today. We all have those we like and those we don’t like so much. Perhaps many of us are angry with someone. Let’s say to the Lord, ‘I am angry with this person and that one. I pray for him and for her.’” — Pope Francis, at his weekly general audience June 12
“Do we want a country with a permanent underclass, without the same rights as the majority? Do we want to continue to separate children from parents, creating a generation of young U.S. citizens who are suspicious and fearful of their government? Do we want a nation that accepts the toil and taxes of undocumented workers without offering them the protection of the law? The answer to these questions, of course, is a resounding no.” — Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration, at a news conference June 10 in San Diego that reiterated the bishops’ support for comprehensive immigration reform that protects families and workers
Celebrating faith-filled marriages Archbishop John Nienstedt honored married couples, especially those celebrating silver and golden anniversaries, during the annual Marriage Day Celebration June 8 at the Cathedral of St. Paul. “As you mark this happy anniversary, give thanks to God for the great joy you have known in good times and in bad, in facing challenges or in finding success,” Archbishop Nienstedt said. “I want to personally commend and thank you for your public witness that faithfilled, permanent marriages do and continue to happen. Our world, especially our young people, need the hope that comes from our gathering here today to honor and affirm each of you and the sacrament of married love.” Above, Archbishop Nienstedt and Jean Stolpestad, right, director of the Archdiocesan Office of Marriage, Family and Life, presented a plaque and flowers to Ambrose and Leona Yantes, members of St. Peter in Delano, who celebrated their 75th anniversary this year. At right, Denny and Judy O’Hagan, members of St. Mary of the Lake in Plymouth, shared a kiss after renewing their marriage vows during the Mass. The O’Hagans have been married 50 years. “He makes me laugh,” Judy said when asked the secret to a good marriage. “A lot of humor and wonderful children and grandchildren,” Denny added.
“This is going to be a marathon, not a sprint. We are never alone in our distress and suffering. Through the love and kindness of both neighbors and strangers Jesus is demonstrating his faithfulness.” — Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City, writing in his archdiocesan newspaper about the help tornado victims were receiving following deadly storms that struck the area last month
“We ask God to inspire all consciences . . . to work to bring about a just and comprehensive peace, and respect for the dignity and sanctity of human life.” Photos by Dianne Towalski The Catholic Spirit
— Cardinal Bechara Rai, who is Lebanon’s Maronite Catholic patriarch, and Syria’s Greek Orthodox Patriarch John X, in a joint statement calling for the release of two Orthodox bishops kidnapped April 22 in northern Syria while on a humanitarian mission
What is a priest? Sister? Brother? Deacon?
Religious Vocations Learning more about our faith The Catholic Spirit’s 4-page Rediscover: pullout section in each issue of 2013 highlights a new Rediscover: theme for you to reflect on and discuss with others. Coming up July 3: What is a sacrament and why does it matter?
Many ways to answer calling from God
A
HEART OF THE MATTER Father Michael VAN SLOUN
vocation is a calling. In ordinary terms, a vocation is a job or career, but in spiritual terms a vocation is a calling from God. Every person is called by God to be in an intimate and personal communion with God, to have a deep and enduring relationship. Moreover, each person is called to believe in Jesus, accept the Gospel and follow his example; and to be a child of God united to his family in the body of Christ, the Church. Furthermore, every person is called to prayer, to live a good and holy life, to obey the commandments, to love God and neighbor, and eventually to become a saint.
Different categories The ordinary state of the Christian life is the laity — believers who are single or married, whose first vocation is to follow Christ as a good son or daughter, brother or sister, husband or wife, or parent. Lay people are called to be God’s co-workers in the world, to serve their neighbors and strive for the betterment of society in the workplace. The other state of the Christian life is clergy and
The Catholic Spirit • June 20, 2013
religious — those who have received the sacrament of holy orders as a deacon, priest, or bishop; or those who have professed the evangelical counsels or vows of poverty, chastity and obedience and belong to a religious institute. There are three degrees of the sacrament of holy orders: the diaconate, deacon; the presbyterate, priest; and the episcopate, bishop. The diaconate is a degree of service, while the presbyterate and episcopate are degrees of priesthood. ■ Vocation of deacon Deacons are ordained clergy who are not priests and whose special role is to assist the bishop and, by delegation, the priests. A deacon assists at the Mass when he offers the invocations of the Penitential Act, proclaims the Gospel, preaches the homily, reads the petitions, receives the gifts, prepares the altar, assists with incensing, gives instructions regarding posture and movement, distributes Holy Communion and dismisses the congregation. Please turn to CLERGY on back page of section
Rediscover-faith.org
“Priests are ordained clergy who are coworkers with the bishop.The foremost ministries of the ministerial priesthood are to offer the holy sacrifice of the Mass and to preach the Gospel.” Father Michael Van Sloun
Our deepest desires What are your deepest desires? Do you know? Have you ever thought about it? Were you ever taught to explore them? God has given us the ability to desire. Now, because of our fallen nature, not all of our desires are good. But our deepest desires for good things are vocational. One of the many gifts of the spiritual life is that it helps us to get in touch with our deepest desires and live a life aligned with them. Some may say, “But isn’t spirituality all about doing what God desires?” True. But our deepest desires align perfectly with the will of God. God has placed our deepest desires within us to call us to the mission he had in mind for us from the beginning of time. Our deepest desires are vocational. The problem is that too often we live out of the shallow desires of our hearts. God invites us to cast our nets into the deep CELEBRATING waters, but the world wants us to live a shallow CATHOLICISM and superficial life. In fact, almost everything about modern culture is designed to prevent us Matthew from really exploring the deepest desires of our hearts. KELLY The noise that constantly surrounds us prevents us from hearing the voice of God in our lives and from discovering the deepest desires of our hearts. The constant distraction of today’s culture — which often leads us to do many things, but nothing really well — is also designed to prevent us from doing the spiritual work required to work out who we are and what we are really here for. Exploring our deepest desires is a beautiful part of our Catholic “God invites us to spirituality, and opens up a whole cast our nets into the new unseen world. For example, at lunchtime each deep waters, but the day, I have a desire for six double chocolate donuts. It’s not a world wants us to particularly deep desire. In fact, it might be one of the shallowest live a shallow and desires around. Nonetheless, the superficial life.” desire is there. When I am the-best-version-ofMatthew Kelly myself, I say no to the donuts and have a salad instead. To the world this is just a choice between donuts and a salad, but there are many more layers to this decision. The only way to say no to something is to have a deeper yes. Going to Mass, reading the Bible, daily prayer and regular confession all help us to get in touch with our deeper yeses. I have a deeper yes for health and well-being, so most days I say no to the donuts. But the choice has still many more layers. Some may just see it as a choice between donuts and staying healthy. But at another level it is a choice between the donuts and being alive and healthy enough to walk my daughter down the aisle — and she is only 2 years old! Still, there is another layer, and that makes it a choice between the donuts and being alive to meet my grandchildren and see them grow up.
Clues for life The deepest desire of everyone’s heart is for God, and next to that is the desire that leads us to vocation. Many priests and religious had a desire to get married and have families, but they had a deeper desire to live their lives in service to God and his people in priestly and religious vocations. God places desires for good things deep in our hearts as clues for the life he wants us to live. Deep in the classroom of silence he puts us in touch with those desires. And, if we respond and live our lives aligned with them, he fills us with an indescribable joy. That is the joy of finding the pearl of great worth that we hear about in the Scriptures. Do you know what your deepest desires are? Have you found your pearl of great worth? Are you honoring it? It takes real work and great courage to uncover a call to be a priest, a deacon or a religious. Let’s honor that by honoring them. Kelly is an international best-selling author, speaker and founder of The Dynamic Catholic Institute.
The Catholic Spirit • June 20, 2013
St. Paul native chooses marria By Dave Hrbacek The Catholic Spirit
A young girl in high school dreamed of the day she would get married. Little did she know that when that day came, her groom would be none other than Christ himself. Like many girls her age, Sister Lucia Marie Siemering fantasized during her prep years about someday walking down the aisle in a wedding gown. “By the time I was a senWant ior in high school, I to know wanted to get married and more? have a family and be a housewife,” said Sister LuFor more information cia Marie, 35, who was about the priesthood, born in St. Paul but raised consecrated life or in Philadelphia. “It seemed the permanent like that’s what I would diaconate, visit the end up doing and what I website of the Office would like to do.” of Vocations of the Then, she went to St. Archdiocese of St. John’s College in AnnapoPaul and Minneapolis lis, Md., and that simple at WWW.10000 dream slowly began to VOCATIONS.ORG. change. This Great Books school put texts by St. Thomas Aquinas and other great minds of the Church into her hands. She poured over them and developed a yearning for more than what her casual Methodist upbringing provided. The search eventually led her to the Catholic Church, which she joined in 2000, the same year she graduated from St. John’s with a double major in philosophy and history of mathematics.
Stillwater ‘homecoming’ Even before her conversion to Catholicism, she wondered if God might be calling her to a religious vocation. So, she went on a search to find out more about orders in the United States. In 2002, she visited the Nashville Dominicans to take part in a vocation retreat. She enjoyed the sisters there and ended up joining in 2003. In January of this year, she had a homecoming of sorts when the order assigned her to teach at St. Croix Catholic School in Stillwater. She just finished the school year, and has been assigned to come back in the fall. She lives in a convent in Stillwater with three other sisters, all of whom work at the school. One of them, Sister Mary Juliana Cox, is the principal. Trading an earthly husband for a heavenly one was sparked by a book she picked up at St. John’s. “I read this book when I was a junior in college about a sister,” she said. “She talked about being a bride of Christ, and as soon as I read that, I was captured. I thought, ‘Wow.’ Just the thought of being a bride of Christ really stuck with me. “Then, I also read some essays by Edith Stein on the vocation of women,” she said. Like the saint who is also known as St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, she heard a calling from Christ. “I wrote to all different orders and got information, even before I was Catholic,” she said. “I was pretty sure I had a vocation.” The only problem with the Nashville Dominicans is they are a teaching order, and Sister Lucia Marie already had spent time in a classroom and decided she didn’t like teaching. That is why she was hesitant to visit at first, when invited by a priest at the church she was attending in Virginia at the time. The priest, Father Jim Poumade, had gone to school in Rome with several of the sisters and thought it was an order worth
considering. “I said, ‘I don’t want to teach,’” Sister Lucia Marie said. “He said, ‘Just go visit them and see.’ I went and loved it. “They have a lot of traditions, which I loved, and the beauty of the liturgy, the habit, love for Our Lady, devotion to the Eucharist. Every night, we end the day by singing the ‘Salve Regina’ in procession. Two novices . . . lead the procession with candles. It’s beautiful, and I loved that. We do that here with the four of us. We all do it every night. I wanted to be part of that.” As for the sacrifice of not bearing any children of her own as a result of her vocation choice, Sister Lucia Marie is fine with it. First, she knows being a Nashville Dominican is God’s will for her. Second, she forms a mother-like bond with the students she teaches. “It’s really an honor to be able to teach, especially religion, because you’re bringing people to Christ,” she said. “I think in a very real way, our students become our children, not in a way that they belong to me, but that maternal instinct in me can be shown to the children in my care for them and love for them and desiring their good. I don’t feel like I’m missing out [by not having children of her own].”
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From Harvard to the convent
age . . . to Christ
Mary Anne Marks turned 22 the day before she delivered a commencement address at Harvard. The rousing 6-minute speech is available on YouTube and, to date, has received 27,576 views. The fact that it was entirely in Latin piqued the interest of online commentators unaware of the Harvard tradition. But it was Mary Anne’s post-college plans that sparked unusual media attention: She had decided to become a nun. The idea that one of Harvard’s top graduates — the crème de la crème — would head to the convent left many stunned and stumped. It seemed like a surrendering of limitless potential, replacing glory and wealth with vows of poverty, obedience and celibacy. I raised this idea to Mary Anne, who is now 25 and has made temporary vows with the Dominican REFERENCE Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist in Ann POINTS Arbor, Mich. Mary Anne didn’t miss a beat. “God made us and we’re made for him,” she told Christina me in our phone conversation. “Our ultimate happiness lies in discovering and following the path CAPECCHI that he’s laid out for us, so you’re not surrendering anything, you’re only gaining.” Within the halls of Harvard, Mary Anne was pleasantly surprised by the positive response to her vocation. “A lot of classmates and professors were happy for me because I had found something to which I could commit my whole self, not just a certain number of years of my life or not just a certain part of me, but everything that I am,” she said. “In our world, commitment is something For that’s really scary. . . . They wouldn’t be able to say reflection that, but that’s basically what they felt: ‘I wouldn’t What path is God be able to commit myself to anything like that. asking you to Wow! What kind of force is behind that?’” follow? What can That is, indeed, what it boils down to: A you do to help powerful, divine force drives every entry to discern his call? religious life, be it a priest or nun or monk. For most secular minds, it’s hard to understand. For some, it may look like an antiquated life steeped in sacrifice — all Ash Wednesday, no Fat Tuesday. But Mary Anne describes it as “an exciting availability to God and to the community.” “I am set apart to be his alone,” she said. Even though we fear commitment, it is the only path to lasting peace. “We’re all hardwired for God and to make that total commitment to him.”
Inspired by 10 new priests
Archdiocesan Prayer for Vocations O God, we earnestly ask You to bless this archdiocese with many priests, brothers, and sisters who will love You with their whole strength and gladly spend their entire lives to serve your Church and to make You known and loved. Bless our families, bless our children. Choose from our homes those needed for your work. Mary, Queen of the Clergy, pray for us, pray for our priests, religious, and deacons. Obtain for us many more. Source: WWW.10000VOCATIONS.ORG
Where God wants me to be’
When it comes to discerning a religious vocation, he key is prayer, Sister Lucia Marie said. If a person s grounded in prayer, he or she will hear God’s oice. In her case, she said she felt “just a great peace” bout joining the order. “Every step felt like, ‘This is ight, this is where God wants me to be.’”
One of the unique features of the order is the age structure. Sister Lucia Marie’s age, 35, is the median age of the approximately 285 sisters in the order, which means that roughly half of the sisters are older, and half are younger. That’s a remarkable statistic, given the aging population of sisters nationwide and the struggle many orders have in recruiting young women. The four sisters in Stillwater are close in age, and Sister Lucia Marie marvels at the influx of young women into the order. “It’s wonderful. We’re really blessed with both young and older sisters,” she said. “It’s amazing how many girls are entering, not just from Nashville, not just from America. They’re coming from all over the world. We have a postulant this year from Sweden; we have some Australians, an African.” “We’re brides of Christ; that’s everything,” she said. “When you think of a normal bride and groom, you think of how beloved the bride is, how much the groom loves her and treasures her. And, I think you could say the same thing with our Lord. We experience how much our Lord loves us. . . . We have that kind of exclusive [love]. Our heart belongs totally to him, just like the bride’s heart belongs totally to the groom.”
As lay Catholics, we may never fully understand what it is like to be a priest or nun, but we can maintain a healthy awe and admiration for their service to the Church. That’s the effect many cited after witnessing last month’s ordination Mass at the Cathedral of St. Paul, where 10 men became archdiocesan priests. “It inspires me,” said a St. Paul mom, “to see how joyful and unselfish a life can be. I kept thinking of the mothers there and what a privilege to be a mom of a priest, and I asked God, if he ever wanted, to take one of mine. We talk about vocations in our house and my 4-year-old already understands you don’t get married [if you’re a priest]. She understands the commitment.” A young Maplewood dad expressed a similar sentiment after attending the ordination. He and his wife just began potty training their 2-and-ahalf-year-old son, but one day, they plan to encourage him to consider priesthood. “It’s a profound thing because it’s such a commitment,” the dad told me. As for me, I’ve enjoyed interacting with several of our new priests, who were counting down to ordination as I counted down to my due date. I’ve emailed pictures of my newborn daughter and take solace in their prayers for her. I’ll never know the inside of religious life, but I feel our connection as various parts of the same body of Christ. How sweet it is to fall into stride on the journey. Capecchi is a freelance writer from Inver Grove Heights.
Rediscover-faith.org
Archbishop: Oct. 12 event is chance to celebrate, re-energize Catholic Spirit editor Joe Towalski recently interviewed Archbishop John Nienstedt about the 2013 Rediscover: Catholic Celebration set for Oct. 12 at the St. Paul RiverCentre. The following is an edited version of the interview. Q: You’ve been a great supporter and advocate for the whole Rediscover: evangelization and catechesis initiative. Why is it so important? It’s important because this is our response to the plea of the last four popes, including our present Pope Francis, to undertake a new evangelization. What’s new about the evangelization is the situation we find ourselves in, and the need for greater motivation to spread Archbishop the Gospel. Nienstedt The Church has always been a missionary Church. The Church has always been proclaiming the Gospel. But, in our times, we have a new situation that calls for us to stand back and take a look and say, “How are we going to respond to this using the word of God?” So, we need to reclaim the fervor and the passion that individuals need for this. I think we also need to realize that the object of the new evangelization is not just individuals. That’s where it starts. But it’s also our parishes. I was just reading yesterday a work by Cardinal Donald Wuerl [archbishop of Washington, D.C.], who was the redactor at the Synod of Bishops on the new evangelization last October. He was saying how important it is that the parish becomes re-energized, remotivated to preach the Gospel. Then, I think the third part is our culture. As we’ve learned recently,
particularly in the discussions that took place a year ago about the marriage amendment, we’ve lost a Christian culture. In the secularized age, we’ve lost the focus on where God fits into our planning, where God fits into our decision-making. I think those are what I would call the three foci for this new evangelization program, and the Rediscover: initiative is certainly our response to that. Q: How does Rediscover: tie back to your pastoral letter from last fall, “I believed, therefore I spoke”? I like to think that was the first salvo in the whole program. What I tried to do in that pastoral letter was not so much present a theological argument for the new evangelization, but to situate it within our own context — to talk about some great figures in the past like Father Hennepin, Bishop Cretin, the Sisters of St. Joseph. They all came into this area and brought the word of God to us. They were the original missionaries. So, in a sense, we have this missionary spirit in our DNA. I wanted to remind people about that. Secondly, I wanted to talk, especially in the last part of the letter, about the plan to get started. How do we take on this great adventure? It’s a challenge, but it’s also an adventure and a unique opportunity we have here in the archdiocese for a new catechesis and a new sense of evangelization. Q: The Rediscover: initiative has provided a lot of opportunities to dig more deeply into our Catholic faith and to invite other people to do that as well. I want to ask about the 2013 Rediscover: Catholic Celebration that’s going to be Oct. 12 at the RiverCentre in St. Paul. First, tell me a little bit about what your vision is for that event. I’m really excited about this event. We’ve rented the RiverCentre, and we can accommodate 5,000 people. We’ve
Register online More information about the 2013 Rediscover: Catholic Celebration and online registration is available at HTTPS://EVENTS.ARCHSPM.ORG/REDISCOVER. A form to register by mail can also be downloaded from the site. had 12,000 people to our speakers series this past February and March. So we know that people are energized. People are excited about this. I think the event will fill up very quickly. My overall vision is that we should be having something like this on an annual basis. Other archdioceses and dioceses are doing the same. It’s really to energize the energizers, and to bring people together who are already dynamically participating in our Catholic faith, and to get them motivated so they can go out with these three foci in mind: getting other people charged up about the faith, getting our parishes remotivated about the faith, and then doing something about the culture. Q: The event spans the whole day.Talk a little bit about what’s going to be happening there, and what kind of experience do you hope Catholics will get from being there. We’re going to begin with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, which is obviously the source and summit of our faith in Christ. That will be an important part of the day. Then, there will be multiple opportunities for the sacrament of reconciliation. The last four popes have told us that those are the two pillars, if you will, for the new evangelization: the Holy Eucharist and reconciliation. Then, we have an incredible lineup of speakers. We have Matthew Kelly, whose book, “Rediscover Catholicism,” was passed out last Christmas — 186,000 copies. He’s a wonderful, dynamic
speaker. We’ve got the famous Father Robert Barron with his “Catholicism” program, the Catholic commentator George Weigel, Bishop Daniel Flores of Brownsville, Texas, Martha FernandezSardina and Jason Evert. This is a real wonderful cast of speakers. I think it will be a very engaging event. Q: In addition to the speakers, there are also a couple of tracks for young people, as well as a track for Spanish speakers. How important is it to have those as well? We want to touch every segment of the archdiocese. So we wanted to be family ready, to have programs for the young people. And we also want our Latino brothers and sisters to feel comfortable as well. Q: It will be a very energetic day, a time to learn, and then go back out into the world. What would you like Catholics to do after this event? It’s really not the culmination of the Rediscover: initiative. In a lot of ways, it seems to be a kickoff for even better things to come. I hope it will accomplish a number of things. First of all, we’re living in this Year of Faith that our Pope Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI called for. In a way, this is our response to that particular call that he has made. But, yes, I think you’re right. We don’t want to see this as the end of anything, but really kind of the launching pad for an ongoing initiative. Matthew Kelly was telling us when he was here a year ago that we don’t want to refer to Rediscover: as a program. He said, “Let’s call it an initiative.” This is something that is going to be ongoing and something that we’ll be able to react to as time goes on. What particular form it’s going to take, I don’t know presently. But we are looking for this to be an ongoing celebration.
Clergy and religious answer God’s call in different ways Continued from first page of section A deacon assists outside of the Mass when he administers the sacrament of baptism, brings viaticum to the dying; presides at prayer services; officiates at wakes, funerals and burial services; blesses religious articles and witnesses marriages. ■ Vocation of priest Priests are ordained clergy who are co-workers with the bishop. The foremost ministries of the ministerial priesthood are to offer the holy sacrifice of the Mass and to preach the Gospel. The priest serves “in persona Christi Capitis,” in the person of Christ the Head, and he makes Christ present through his exemplary life of virtue and holiness. The priest is a sanctifier, a vehicle of God’s grace to the people, particularly through the administration of the sacraments and leadership at prayer; a shepherd who teaches, guides, organizes and unifies the flock;
and a conduit to a more intimate bond with God. ■ Vocation of bishop Bishops are the successors of the apostles and possess the fullness of holy orders. Their first task is to preach the Gospel of God to all. The bishop is the chief shepherd and exercises three important functions: teaching, sanctifying and governing. The bishop alone is the official teacher of the diocese. A bishop, in participation with other bishops, is able to consecrate a new bishop. A bishop ordains priests and deacons and is the ordinary minister of confirmation. ■ Vocation of the consecrated life The consecrated life is a special calling from God. The person who receives such a call is already consecrated to God in baptism but is invited to an intensified, more intimate consecration to God through the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience. There are different forms of the consecrated life —
Tune in Fridays at 9 a.m. on Relevant Radio1330 AM Rebroadcast: 6 p.m. Saturdays • 9 a.m. Sundays The Catholic Spirit • June 20, 2013
Rediscover-faith.org
some live in solitude, such as hermits, and others live in community, such as those who live in a monastery or convent with others. Hermits separate themselves from the world for solitude, assiduous prayer and penance. Consecrated virgins are betrothed mystically to Christ. Religious life follows a rule of life approved by the Church, has a common fraternal life, has the public profession of vows, observes liturgical prayer, gives witness and service to the Church and society, and possesses a special charism or gift such as preaching, teaching, missionary work, care for the poor, help for the sick, and a wide variety of other specialized ministries. Some of the largest and best known religious orders are the Benedictines, the Dominicans, the Franciscans and the Jesuits. Father Van Sloun is pastor of St. Stephen in Anoka.