The Catholic Spirit - January 29, 2015

Innovative learning 6 • Christian leadership 8 • Pope on families 9 January 29, 2015 Newspaper of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis

thecatholicspirit.com

Religious

presence

In the midst of the Year of Consecrated Life and Catholic Schools Week, religious brothers and sisters reflect on their contributions to Catholic education — Pages 10-11

Catholic Schools Week is Jan. 25-31

Franciscan Clarist Sister Sancta Ezhanikattu leads preschoolers in song at St. Therese School in Deephaven. She is one of four sisters in her order teaching at the school. Dave Hrbacek/The Catholic Spirit

ALSO inside

Your questions answered

Homeward bound

Musical remedy

Archbishop John Nienstedt responds to concerns about the archdiocese’s Reorganization — Page 4

Former Catholic Charities USA head to focus on Catholic identity in new role at St. Thomas — Page 5

After struggling with arthritis, Visitation student invents device to minimize pain — Page 7

Page Two

2 in PICTURES “When we ask how God was present in the hell of Auschwitz, we must remember God’s last word is one of peace.”

Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz of Krakow, Poland, commemorating the 70th anniversary Jan. 27 of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp, where 1.2 million mostly Jewish prisoners were killed by Nazis during World War II.

NEWS notes • The Catholic Spirit

Young adult leadership conference is Feb. 7

CELEBRATION BEGINS Students at Most Holy Redeemer School in Montgomery talk with Archbishop John Nienstedt after presenting the gifts during Mass Jan. 25 at Most Holy Redeemer Church. The archbishop celebrated Mass and helped kick off Catholic Schools Week. Dave Hrbacek/The Catholic Spirit

The Archdiocesan Young Adult Leadership Conference Feb. 7 will feature Mass and a question-and-answer session with Archbishop John Nienstedt, and break-out sessions about witness, discipleship and best practices in young adult ministry.

The second annual conference runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Stitzmann Hall at the University of St. Thomas, 2115 Summit Ave., St. Paul. Lunch is included in the $10 cost.

For more information and to register, visit the events page at www.archspm.org.

Savage pastor to receive national education award Father Michael Tix, pastor of St. John the Baptist in Savage, has been selected to receive the National Catholic Educational Association’s Distinguished Pastor Award at the organization’s national convention April 7 in Orlando, Fla. He is one of 12 pastors to be honored nationally.

Father Tix has been pastor of the parish and its 500-student St. John the Baptist School for 11 years. “He strongly believes healthy parish, healthy school; healthy school, healthy parish. He does not separate that at all,” said Cheri Gardner, the school’s director of education. “He’s visible, he attends activities, he leads the community in all the faith aspects.”

“He’s a big supporter of Catholic education,” added Principal Mike Smalley.

DeLaSalle teacher named distinguished educator LESSONS IN HAITI From left, Jamie Lanigan, Megan Furrow, Jennifer Lanigan, Joe Jelinek, Eileen Bock and Chris Thompson, all former students of Epiphany School in Coon Rapids, sit in Reiser Heights School during their January mission trip to Haiti.

Ten other volunteers joined the group through Reiser Relief, a nonprofit “dedicated to serving the most vulnerable and disadvantaged Haitians.” Father Bernard Reiser, a priest of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis and founding pastor of Epiphany church and school, founded Reiser Relief after visiting Haiti in 1996. Father Reiser died in 2011. For more information about Reiser Relief, visit reiserrelief.org.

Photo courtesy Michael Stoebner

WHAT’S NEW on social media This week, a post on The Catholic Spirit’s Facebook page asks, what’s the greatest lesson you learned from your Catholic education?

St. Oscar Romero? At www.catholichotdish.com, read a review of Kevin Clarke’s “Oscar Romero: Love Must Win Out.” The book details how the life of the slain Salvadorian archbishop warrants calls for his sainthood.

Father Paul Shovelain, associate pastor of St. Peter in Forest Lake, tests a portion of the Red Bull Crashed Ice track. Watch the video at www.thecatholicspirit.com/tcsvideo.

The Catholic Spirit is published bi-weekly for The Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis Vol. 20 — No. 2 MOST REVEREND JOHN C. NIENSTEDT, Publisher ANNE STEFFENS, Associate Publisher United in Faith, Hope and Love

January 29, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit

MARIA WIERING, Editor

DeLaSalle High School teacher Emily Beckman, 33, received the 2014 Distinguished Lasallian Educator Award Nov. 22 in Chicago at the Huether Lasallian Conference, an annual gathering of Lasallian educators. A parishioner of St. Joseph in Rosemount, Beckman said being a Lasallian educator means sharing one’s heart with others and “to really reach out and try to make an impact on everyone’s life.”

Beckman, an IT specialist who teaches classes on yearbook design and broadcast journalism at the Minneapolis school, was one of two awardees from the organization’s Midwest district. The conference is sponsored by the Christian Brothers Conference.

Former archdiocese auxiliary bishop marks 25 years of ordination Bishop Emeritus Joseph Charron of Des Moines celebrated the silver anniversary of his ordination as bishop Jan. 25 at St. Ambrose Cathedral. A priest of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood, Bishop Charron was ordained an auxiliary bishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis in 1990 and named the eighth bishop of Des Moines in 1994. He retired in 2007. He was succeeded by Bishop Richard E. Pates, also a former auxiliary bishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

CORRECTION On page 9 in the Jan. 16 edition, Paris Morriseau, a Philomena House resident, was incorrectly described as having been addicted to methamphetomine while pregnant. She had been meth-free for several years. We apologize for the error.

Materials credited to CNS copyrighted by Catholic News Service.

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eb. 2 is the feast of the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple and the celebration of the “World Day for Consecrated Life.” The faithful from around the Archdiocese are invited to attend the celebration of Mass at 5:15 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Paul, honoring all religious men and women in the consecrated life.

THAT THEY MAY ALL BE ONE Archbishop John Nienstedt

As you are aware, Pope Francis has called for a universal Year of Consecrated Life from Nov. 30, 2014, until Feb. 2, 2016, so this year’s feast day is special in that context.

Included in the number of consecrated men and women will be:

1. Religious sisters, brothers and priests who live in religious communities formally recognized by the Church who have publicly professed to the evangelical counsels and are engaged in some form of the apostolate.

2. Men and women of secular institutes who take vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, but remain living in the world, working for its sanctification.

3. Consecrated virgins are women consecrated to God by their diocesan bishop.

As mystical brides of Christ, they are signs of the Church’s love for Christ and a promise of the life to come. They work in the world and are dedicated to serving the Church.

4. Hermits are men or women who publicly take vows of the evangelical counsels and live lives of solitude, prayer and penance. They pray for the salvation of the world, while maintaining a strict separation from the world.

5. Societies of Apostolic Life are made up of men and women who, while not taking

Jornada de puertas abiertas, para iluminar a la vida consagrada El 2 de febrero es la fiesta de la Presentación del Señor en el Templo y la celebración del “Día Mundial de la Vida Consagrada.” Todos los fieles alrededor de la Arquidiócesis están invitados a asistir a la celebración de la Santa Misa a las 5:15 p.m. en la Catedral de St. Paul, en honor a todos los religiosos y religiosas en la vida consagrada.

Como ustedes saben, el Papa Francisco ha pedido un año universal para la Vida Consagrada del 30 de noviembre del 2014, hasta el 2 de febrero del 2016, por lo que esta festividad es especial en este año debido a ese contexto.

En el número de hombres y mujeres consagradas, están incluidas: 1. Las hermanas religiosas, hermanos y sacerdotes que viven en las comunidades religiosas, oficialmente reconocidas por la Iglesia, que han profesado públicamente a los consejos evangélicos y se dedican a alguna forma de apostolado.

2. Los hombres y las mujeres de los institutos seculares que han tomado votos de pobreza, castidad y obediencia, pero que permanecen viviendo en el mundo, trabajando para su santificación.

3. Las vírgenes consagradas, son mujeres consagradas a Dios por su obispo diocesano. Como novias místicas de Cristo, son signos del amor de la Iglesia por Cristo y la promesa de la vida por venir. Trabajan en el mundo y están dedicadas a servir a la Iglesia.

4. Los ermitaños, son hombres o mujeres que públicamente hacen votos de los consejos evangélicos y viven vidas de soledad, oración y penitencia. Ellos oran por la salvación del mundo, mientras mantienen una separación estricta del mundo.

5. Las Sociedades de Vida Apostólica, se componen de hombres y mujeres que, si bien no toman votos públicos, viven una vida común y aspiran a la perfección de la caridad en un apostolado particular.

El domingo, 8 de febrero ,la oficina de Vocación Religiosa de la Arquidiócesis, ha organizado jornadas de puertas abiertas de 1 - 4 p.m. para: • Hermanas Dominicas de Santa Cecilia • Her manos Franciscanos de la Paz • Congregación de Franciscanas Clarisas • Hermanas Franciscanas de Little Falls

• Misioneras de la Caridad • Misioneros Oblatos de María Inmaculada • Hermanas Misioneras de San Pedro Claver • Orden de Santa Clara / Monasterio Santa Clara • Pro Ecclesia Sancta • Hermanas de Visitación de Minneapolis Estoy muy agradecido a la hermana Carolyn Puccio, CSJ, mi delegada para los religiosos y su comité de planificación, quienes han preparado estos eventos, y que también estarán planeando más por venir.

Animo especialmente a las familias con niños para aprovechar estas oportunidades y ayudar a sus hijos e hijas a comprender mejor la vocación a la vida consagrada.

Como el Papa Francisco ha remarcado, “Donde quiera que haya personas consagradas, seminaristas, religiosos y religiosas, jóvenes, hay alegría, ¡siempre hay alegría! Es la alegría de la frescura, la alegría de seguir a Jesús; la alegría que el Espíritu Santo nos da, no la alegría del mundo.” ¡Así que seamos alegres en el Señor! ¡Que Dios los Bendiga!

public vows, live a common life and strive for the perfection of charity in a particular apostolate.

On Sunday, Feb. 8, the archdiocesan Office of Vocations has organized religious open houses from 1-4 p.m. (See box below.)

I am grateful to Sister Carolyn Puccio, CSJ, my delegate for religious, and her planning committee who have arranged for these events, even as they will be planning more to come. I especially encourage families with children to take advantage of these opportunities to help their sons and daughters understand better a vocation to the consecrated life.

From the Archbishop

Open houses to shed light on consecrated life

As Pope Francis has remarked, “Wherever there are consecrated people, seminarians, men and women religious, young people, there is joy, there is always joy! It is the joy of freshness, the joy of following Jesus; the joy that the Holy Spirit gives us, not the joy of the world.” So let us be joyful in the Lord!

God bless you!

Religious open houses in the archdiocese 1-4 p.m. Feb. 8 Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia 10711 Penfield Ave. Circle N., Stillwater

Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (Retreat House) 621 First Ave. S., Buffalo

Contact: Sister Mary Juliana (651) 707-2152 or srmaryjuliana@ stccs.com

Contact: Father Harold Fisher (763) 682-1394 or hfisher@snows. org

Franciscan Brothers of Peace Queen of Peace Friary 1289 LaFond Ave., St. Paul

Missionary Sisters of St. Peter Claver 265 Century Ave. S., Woodbury

Contact: Brother Conrad Richardson (651) 646-8586 ext. 305 or Conrad@brothersofpeace.org

Contact: Sister Genevieve (651) 738-9704 or sspcgk@gmail. com

Franciscan Clarist Congregation 115 W. Main St., Vermillion

Order of St. Clare/St. Clare’s Monastery 8650 Russell Ave. S., Bloomington

Contact: Sister Tresa Margret (651) 438-8689 or srtresamargret@ yahoo.com

Contact: Sister Elizabeth Lynn (952) 881-4766 or bethlynn.osc@ gmail.com

Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls 3228 Portland Ave. S., Minneapolis Contact: Sister Gertrude Brixius (612) 822-2623 or gbrixius@fslf.org

Pro Ecclesia Sancta 1998 Laurel Ave., St. Paul

Missionaries of Charity 1500 E. 24th St., Minneapolis

Visitation Sisters of Minneapolis 1527 Fremont Ave. N., Minneapolis

Contact: Sister Davis (612) 721-8614

Contact: Sister Emy Ychikawa (651) 324-3306 or pes.stteresa@ gmail.com

Contact: Sister Karen Mohan (612) 529-8215 or kpvnm@aol.com

OFFICIAL His Excellency, the Most Rev. John C. Nienstedt, has announced the following appointments in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.

Effective January 19, 2015 Accepted the resignation of the Reverend Paul Moudry as Pastor of the Church of Saint Margaret Mary in Golden Valley. Father Moudry has served as Pastor since 2001. The Reverend Michael Sullivan will continue to serve as Parochial Administrator until a new Pastor is appointed.

January 29, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit

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Judge-ordered mediation a continuation of collaboration, attorneys say

By Maria Wiering The Catholic Spirit The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis will enter into mediation toward a settlement with insurance companies and victims/ survivors of clergy sexual abuse with claims against the archdiocese, a U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge determined Jan. 20.

Judge Robert J. Kressel was clear he wanted the parties not to waste time or resources by prolonging the settlement process. “I want to start this now,” he told lawyers gathered in a Minneapolis federal courtroom.

The first-day motions hearing was the archdiocese’s first court appearance after filing for Reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code Jan. 16.

Kressel approved all five of the archdiocese’s motions to allow it to continue business as usual after the filing.

The archdiocese and victims/ survivors attorney Jeff Anderson committed to retaining Arthur Boylan, a retired chief magistrate judge for the State of Minnesota, to supervise the mediation.

Charles Rogers, an attorney with Twin Cities-firm Briggs and Morgan who represents the archdiocese, called the hearing “an extremely positive day for the faithful.”

“We’re very pleased,” Rogers said. The anticipated mediation “is just a continuation of what we’ve been doing with Mr. Anderson. . . .

We look at this as a very positive development, and it’s time to get all parities to the table.”

He agrees with Kressel’s urging to reach a settlement as quickly as

possible, he said.

“The one thing that defeats the purposes of all is a prolonged bankruptcy that would eat up the resources of the archdiocese on professional fees, and make less available to victims, or less available to the continuation of the mission of the Church,” he said.

Anderson, a St. Paul attorney who represents most of victims/survivors with sexual abuse claims against the archdiocese, called Kressel’s order that the parties pursue a mediated settlement “really smart.”

“It avoids contention,” he said.

With mediation, a settlement could be reached in weeks or months, not years, Anderson said.

“The judge realizes the importance of getting a resolution for the benefit of the archdiocese, the community of faith [and] the survivors, and doing it efficiently and effectively,” he said. “I’m delighted and grateful that Judge Kressel sees the magnitude of this and the importance of collaboration, cooperation and mediation that can lead to a resolution sooner rather than later.

The longer this goes on, the longer the suffering goes on, the longer the uncertainty goes on to nobody’s benefit.”

Choosing Reorganization Anderson and attorneys for the archdiocese reached an agreement to work together for the best interest of victims/survivors in October 2014 with the settlement of the “Doe 1” litigation, a claim made by a man abused in the 1970s by Thomas Adamson, a priest of the Diocese of Winona who was assigned to

parishes in the archdiocese.

Since the initial settlement, the archdiocese has instigated new protocols for protecting young people and helping victims/ survivors, hired a new assistant director for ministerial standards and safe environment, and partnered with Canvas Health to provide around-the-clock professional assistance for victims/ survivors.

Joseph Kueppers, the archdiocese’s chancellor for civil affairs, said it was the archdiocese’s goal to move the case along quickly “so we can take care of the victims and move on with the mission of the Church, and take care of our ministries, which is why we exist.”

“It was a just ruling by the court,” he added.

Archbishop John Nienstedt and other archdiocesan leaders met with pastors, parish leaders and school principals Jan. 25-27 to answer questions about the Reorganization.

The archdiocese is the 12th U.S. diocese to file for bankruptcy protection in the face of mounting claims of clergy sexual abuse. In 2013, the Minnesota Legislature lifted the civil statute of limitations on claims of child sexual abuse for a three-year period.

The archdiocese is facing 21 pending clergy sexual abuse cases, representing more than 125 victims/ survivors. It anticipates additional claims to be made before the window for historical claims closes in May 2016.

Archdiocesan leaders said they deliberated their course of action for months and determined that Reorganization would allow the

archdiocese to distribute resources to victims/survivors while continuing to offer essential services to fulfill the mission of the Church.

“It is our express intention, when it comes to the victims/survivors, we want to do the most, for the most,” Father Charles Lachowitzer, vicar general and moderator of the curia, said in a Jan. 15 interview on the Reorganization.

Fairest recourse In a Jan. 16 press conference held after the filing, Archbishop Nienstedt said Reorganization “is the fairest and most helpful recourse for those victims/survivors who have made claims against us.”

“This action will not in any way avoid our responsibilities to those who have been affected by clergy sexual abuse,” he said. “This is not an attempt to silence victims or deny them justice in court. On the contrary, we want to respond positively in compensating them as best we can for their suffering.”

The filing did not include Catholic parishes, schools or other organizations, which are legally distinct from the archdiocesan corporation.

The archdiocese’s liability insurance coverage may cover part of the clergy sexual abuse claims, but it indicated at the time of the filing that its carriers may not be able to pay every claim or the full amount of each claim for various reasons.

In November, the archdiocese filed a federal lawsuit against 20 of its insurers as it worked with Anderson to arrive at a settlement for abuse victims/survivors.

Catholics asked, archbishop answers: How Reorganization affects pensions, schools, parishes

By Archbishop John Nienstedt For The Catholic Spirit Since I directed that a petition for a Chapter 11 Reorganization of the archdiocese corporation be filed in the United States Bankruptcy Court, many of you have contacted me with your questions. Please allow me to attempt to answer a few, in hopes the answer can help others.

Q.

I am a teacher/former employee of the Archdiocese.

How does the filing affect my pension?

A.

More than 6,500 have shared their gifts with the Church and are participants in either the lay person or priest pension plan, which are both managed by an independent board of trustees.

Judge Robert Kressel, who is the federal bankruptcy judge overseeing our Reorganization filing, approved our request to continue normal business with

January 29, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit

respect to the pension plans. This means during the course of the Reorganization, those receiving pension benefits will continue to receive benefits.

Q.

How is the filing going to affect the funding for my child’s school? Is the archdiocese going to cut back on its support?

A.

Catholic schools are not included in this filing. Most schools get their funding from a combination of sources, including parish support, tuition, Catholic Services Appeal Foundation, AIM Higher, donations, and grants from outside organizations. I expect that those sources of funding will continue.

Q.

Can the court order an increase in parish assessments?

A.

No. This is a decision that would be made by the archdiocese on its own accord or as part of a negotiated settlement.

Q.

What happens to the lawsuits the Archdiocese is currently facing?

A.

Under federal bankruptcy law, all lawsuits stop during this process. Our hope is that they can be resolved as part of this Reorganization process.

Q.

Why doesn’t the Vatican help out financially?

A.

While the Catholic Church is hierarchical in its structure regarding morals and values, its parishes and dioceses are separate legal entities. The Vatican is not legally responsible for the financial obligations of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.

Q.

How will our Church keep this from happening again?

A.

We have implemented changes recommended by an independent Task Force, including

creating the position of Director of Ministerial Standards and Safe Environment under the leadership of a former superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. We continue to work with victims and survivors to help them in their healing, while adhering to strong safety protocols for our priests and lay employees.

Q.

Our priest has asked us to pray, but I want to do more.

What else can I do?

A.

Praying is always a good idea!

Pray for each other, and especially for those who have been abused by a member of the clergy. You could also educate yourself about this process so you can accurately answer questions you may be getting from family, friends and co-workers. Please continue to be generous with your time, talent and treasure to your local parish and school. Our work of bringing people closer to God continues.

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Local

In state and nation’s capitals, pro-life youth make stance known

Alyssa Fogarty, a sophomore at St. Catherine University in St. Paul and a member of Most Holy Redeemer in Montgomery, walks from the Cathedral of St. Paul to the State Capitol following the annual Prayer Service for Life at the cathedral Jan. 22, the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion in the U.S. Dave Hrbacek/ The Catholic Spirit

Read more online at TheCatholicSpirit.com

Forming Catholic identity core to former Catholic Charities USA head’s new UST role Interview by Jessica Trygstad The Catholic Spirit

Q. How do you intend to ensure the university maintains its Catholic identity?

On Feb. 2, Father Larry Snyder will return to the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis to take the helm as vice president of the Office for Mission at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul.

Ordained a priest of the archdiocese in 1988, Father Snyder has led Catholic Charities USA for the last 10 years. The national office oversees 163 Catholic Charities agencies across the country that serve more than 10 million people a year.

While traveling with a Catholic Charities leadership group, Father Snyder took time to answer questions about what his new role will mean for the university and beyond.

A. It is the responsibility of everyone on campus to build a culture steeped in Catholic tradition. This will require orientation and formation opportunities for faculty and staff, as well as students. It is also accomplished by opening up to the larger community the resources the university has to offer.

Q. Could you talk about the role of the Office for

Mission at the University of St. Thomas and the key things you hope to accomplish as vice president?

A. The office of mission at a Catholic university typically focuses on Catholic identity. This requires being involved in the formation of faculty and staff since they all participate in assuring Catholic values and culture. My goal is to enhance the programs that are already operating and work to engage faculty, staff and students in building a culture that reflects the values and heritage of the university.

Q. You’ve said that St. Thomas’ mission is about educating students to become morally responsible leaders who will advance the common good. What does that look like? How do you do that?

A. Students today are bombarded by messages from

any number of sources. A Catholic university strives to provide a filter for students to judge and evaluate which messages are true and of value. That filter is the values of Catholic social teaching. Besides teaching us the respect and dignity all people deserve, we are counseled

Father Larry Snyder. CNS photo/Paul Haring to work for the common good. Even though we have different gifts and talents, we have to ask ourselves how we are contributing to the well-being of all. Hopefully, all graduates will be convinced that what they will do is critically important — education and formation.

Q. What do you think it means for St. Thomas to be a Catholic university in this day and age? Has that changed since its founding? Will it change going forward?

A. The reality is that the mission of the university is to educate more than simply Catholics. But for all students, Catholic values must animate the university and form people of morals and conscience. This has been a constant throughout the history of the university.

However, at its inception the university had a special mission to educate immigrants and open the doors of opportunity in this country for them. The university was there to educate soldiers returning from war who took advantage of the GI Bill. The university will continue to meet the changing needs of today and the future. In doing so, it continues the mission of the Church to educate and form people.

Q. Given your background at Catholic Charities, what responsibility do you think the university has to people in need in our community? Do you have specific programs in mind? How do you want to address the need?

A. All of the ministries of the Church in this country were established to serve immigrants who were struggling. We were truly a poor Church. Today, Catholics are economically successful. For those who are lacking resources, St. Thomas offers scholarships. The number of students from immigrant families today is noteworthy.

I think opportunities for service and social action should be a strong part of campus life. Such experiences also help form the outlook and values of students.

Q. What did you miss about the Twin Cities while you were away? Do you have favorite restaurants that you’re excited to eat at again? New things here that you’re looking forward to exploring?

A. As much as I have enjoyed living in Washington, D.C., these last 10 years, I think my heart was always in the Twin Cities. I look forward to opportunities to reunite with friends. I am looking forward to doing [that] at Lucia’s and Moscow on the Hill [both in St. Paul]. I also love to garden, so look forward to that opportunity as soon as spring arrives.

January 29, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit

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Newest Catholic school takes innovative learning approach

By Bob Zyskowski The Catholic Spirit Third-graders dumped sandwich bags filled with small items on desks and carpeting in Rheanna Raymond’s classroom, and quickly got to work in teams to identify which of the items were magnetic, and which were not.

After making their observations, they wrote down their findings, then — being third-graders — played a bit, making chains of paperclips, nails and washers linked together via magnetism.

It’s typical of the STREAM educational approach — science, technology, religion, engineering, arts and math — that is basic at Frassati Catholic Academy in White Bear Lake, the newest Catholic school in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

Pupils aren’t just learning a science concept, they’re also learning how to conduct research and express themselves on paper.

Though they don’t know it yet, they’ll also soon learn engineering while building shoebox houses with magnets and lights.

Raymond appreciates the STREAM approach.

“I spend a lot less time feeding them information and more time helping them find the information for themselves,” she said.

“We do a lot more hands-on activities and a lot more critical thinking,” she added. “The learning is more realistic, and it sticks with them better.”

Adopting the STREAM curriculum was a crucial component in the creation of Frassati, a regional Catholic school serving the White Bear Lake area and its two parishes, St. Mary of the Lake and St. Pius X.

Read more online about Frassati Catholic Academy’s namesake online at TheCatholicSpirit.com.

At Frassati Catholic Academy in White Bear Lake, the archdiocese’s newest Catholic school, a STREAM curriculum engages students, including third-grader Christopher Wicks in hands-on learning that touches on multiple subject areas.

Photo courtesy Frassati Catholic Academy An earlier collaborative effort between St. Pius and St. Mary — Holy Family Middle School — began in the mid-1990s, but by 2003 each of the parishes was back operating its own K-8 school.

The schools closed in June 2014; Frassati opened last fall on St. Mary’s former campus. Frassati principal Patrick Gallivan is confident this effort will be successful.

“It’s going to work because we didn’t merge two schools and parishes,” he said. “We created a new identity and academic program that has the support of both parishes and schools.”

At 265 pupils, enrollment exceeded his expectations.

Gallivan is an advocate of STREAM’s interconnective learning approach, pointing to “Three Billy Goat’s Gruff” — the fairy tale involving crossing a bridge — as a simple example of how it works.

“When students are doing a unit on fables and fairy tales they are

working on literacy, and they move right into science and engineering by learning about building bridges,” he explained. “They don’t learn the literature lesson in the fall and then the engineering lesson in the spring.”

The school applies the same approach to teaching religion, STREAM’s “R.” Through a partnership with the White Bear Center for the Arts, the school brought an iconographer to campus.

“Faith in a Catholic school should be taught throughout the day, not just in religion class,” Gallivan said.

Frassati’s other partners are the GHR Foundation and St. Catherine University.

Frassati’s staff works with faculty from St. Kate’s and has taken demanding graduate courses in chemistry and engineering.

STREAM requires a new way of thinking and approaching material, a new way of working with one another, and making sure one

another stays the course, said Patty Born-Selly, the executive director of the National Center for STEM Elementary Education at St. Kate’s.

She said she was impressed by the way Frassati teachers and staff have worked to develop and implement a shared vision for the curriculum.

“The work the whole school community is doing together to develop their STREAM school is amazing and so meaningful,” she said.

GHR Foundation enabled Frassati’s entire faculty and its principal to take graduate level courses at St. Catherine. The funds will also pay for consultations, equipment and important evaluations.

Students’ classroom engagement indicates the new approach is going well. Raymond said she loves the enthusiasm the STREAM curriculum evokes from her students, even though she had to take graduate classes last summer to preare to teach it.

“It was tough going to class in the summer,” Raymond said, as smiling children dangled magnetic items in chains for her approval, “but absolutely worth it.”

The National Center for STEM Elementary Education is also working with St. Joseph School in Waconia and will be working with Sacred Heart in Robbinsdale beginning this spring.

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See bears, elks and eagles at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center before boarding Holland America’s ms Oosterdam for your 7-night cruise through the Gulf of Alaska and picturesque inside passage. Travel impressive Glacier Bay passing glaciers galore and sail to Haines, Juneau and Ketchikan. Disembark in Vancouver and enjoy a city tour before traveling to Seattle for your flight home. Mass will be celebrated some days on tour and offered daily on board ship.

Your Chaplain is Father Rock, from Tampa, FL. He is the Coordinator of Pastoral Services of Rocky Creek Village. This will be his 4th trip with YMT. PPDO. Based on inside stateroom, upgrades available. Plus $299 tax/service/government fees. Alternate May-September departure dates available. Seasonal charges may apply. Add-on airfare available.

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888-817-9538 January 29, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit

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FOOD FOR THE POOR in all copies of this issue.

7

Local

Teen inventor deems violin a healing instrument

By Bridget Ryder For The Catholic Spirit In between ski racing, violin practice, school and being an altar server, Sarah Betts invented a device that has already improved the lives of people who suffer from arthritis. The 14-yearold freshman at Convent of the Visitation School in Mendota Heights now has a patent pending for the ViEx, a therapeutic hand exercise device.

“It has a wooden base and sits flat on a table with four real violin strings elevated off the base. It exercises specific joints affected by arthritis,” Betts explained of her invention, named for the violin and exercise. Betts is a parishioner at Our Lady of Grace in Edina.

Doctors at Twin Cities Orthopedics and the University of Minnesota are already using ViEx with their patients.

Betts’ own experience inspired her invention.

When she was 9 years old, her fingers, toes and ankles became so swollen that she could hardly walk down the stairs, fasten buttons or write. But the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis did not stop her from playing the violin, which she had done since she was 3. At age 12, she noticed that her left hand — the hand that works the violin strings — was much less swollen and painful than the right hand she used for bowing. Betts started theorizing that the motion her left hand made playing the violin strings minimized arthritic symptoms.

Betts also saw her 90-year-old grandparents struggling with everyday activities because of the pain in their joints.

“I just wanted to find a way to help people struggling with arthritis,” she said. “I understand people who are going through the same types of problems, and I know that some people are going through it much worse than I

Sarah Betts, a freshman at Convent of the Visitation School in Mendota Heights, used her experience as a violin player to invent a device that helps ease the symptoms of arthritis, which she has herself.

Dave Hrbacek/The Catholic Spirit was.”

Betts also has a scientific mind.

“When I was really little I loved to mix things together and make ‘little potions,’ ” she said.

Later, she built a maze in her basement to test the effects of fish oil on the myelin of rats. This experiment and the ViEx won several first-place awards at the Minnesota State Science Fair. She has also placed in the top 5 percent at a national science fair.

From her curiosity and desire to help others, Betts invented the ViEx. She started doing research and found that science backed her exercise theory. Then, she

Catholics asked to take survey on family ahead of fall synod The Catholic Spirit Archbishop John Nienstedt is asking Catholics from all walks of life in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis to share their concerns and ideas about family life today.

A survey, emailed and written responses and listening sessions all are part of gathering input that the U.S. bishops will offer as part of the “lineamenta,” the preparation document for the Synod on the Family in October, “The Vocation and Mission of the Family in the Church and Contemporary World.”

Background information is at http://bit.ly/15mpPRj. Catholics can learn more about their role at http://tinyurl.com/SynodMarriageSurvey.

Catholics can offer input by the March 10 deadline four ways: • Take the electronic survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/X2NCTP3.

• Offer concerns and ideas via email to stolpestadj@archspm.org.

• Mail concerns and ideas to: Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis c/o Jean Stolpestad 226 Summit Ave. St. Paul, MN 55102 • Participate in a listening session. All are from 7-8:30 p.m.

— Feb. 9, St. Patrick, Inver Grove Heights — Feb. 9, St. Patrick, Oak Grove — Feb. 12, Holy Name of Jesus, Medina — Feb. 23, St. John the Baptist, New Brighton — March 3, Hayden Center, 328 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul.

launched into creating a prototype others could use to obtain the same benefits. From her drawings, she put together wood, metal and donated violin strings in a process of trial and error.

“Our entire kitchen was kind of transformed into this work place,” she said.

Betts also worked out a precise exercise routine for the device to see if it would work.

“I could have given it to a few people, but I wouldn’t have any proof that it worked.

Please turn to STUDENT’s on page 19

Golden Valley priest resigns The Catholic Spirit Father Paul Moudry resigned as pastor of St. Margaret Mary in Golden Valley, according to a Jan. 20 statement from Auxiliary Bishop Andrew Cozzens.

“Over the past year, Rev. Moudry has cooperated with the Archdiocese and the Ministerial Standards Board in a comprehensive review of prior misconduct (with adults in non-illegal

activities) from many years ago,” he said.

Archbishop John Nienstedt accepted Father Moudry’s offer to resign as St. Mary Margaret’s pastor, Bishop Cozzens said.

Father Moudry began a voluntary leave of absence from St. Margaret Mary in November 2013. He was appointed its pastor in 2001. Father Moudry was ordained a priest of the archdiocese in 1987.

Archdiocese revisiting allegation of 1970s abuse The Catholic Spirit The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis has reopened an investigation of abuse charges against Father William Stolzman, Bishop Andrew Cozzens said in a Jan. 23 statement.

According to the statement, the archdiocese received an allegation in 2008 that Father Stolzman sexually abused a minor in the 1970s.

“Law enforcement investigated and

did not refer the case for criminal charges,” Bishop Cozzens said. “After an investigation by the archdiocese, the Clergy Review Board reviewed the case and recommended that Rev. Stolzman remain in ministry.”

Father Stolzman was ordained in 1971 and retired in 2008. He has been placed on a leave of absence and will not exercise priestly ministry during the current investigation of the alleged 1970s abuse, Bishop Cozzens said.

January 29, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit

Local

8

‘A sense of Christian leadership’ spans ages in Anoka

By Dave Hrbacek The Catholic Spirit A handful of young students at St. Stephen School in Anoka worked feverishly on their religion drawings.

As they struggled to navigate the paper with their colored pencils, help arrived — not from their teachers, but from their older “buddies.”

The smiles on the youngsters’ faces indicated they’re accustomed to such gestures of kindness from older students.

That’s the way things work at this Catholic elementary school. A program called Disciples and Friends, started about 25 years ago, pairs students in kindergarten, first and second grade with students in sixth, seventh and eighth grade.

Each younger student has an older buddy and spends time with him or her throughout the school year.

“It’s not just teaching the curriculum in our school, but building the relationship and modeling what a big kid should do for and with these little kids,” said principal Becky Gustafson, now in her 11th year at the school. “The relationship between the students is fun to see, fun to watch grow. They will say hello to each other in the hallway. . . . They go to Mass on Wednesday mornings [together], so they’re Mass buddies as well. Our middle schooler will sit next to and sing the songs and teach the kindergartners what they should be doing during Mass.”

School can be an intimidating place for younger students, and having an older friend makes a big difference.

Elijah Short, right, a sixth-grader at St. Stephen School in Anoka, helps his kindergarten buddy Ajim Tubuo work on an art project for religion class as part of the school’s Disciples and Friends program.

Dave Hrbacek/ The Catholic Spirit “When I was little, I was super shy, and so I was super afraid of the big kids,” said eighth-grader Alysa Thieschafer, who has attended the school since kindergarten and has both had an older buddy and been one herself. “But, when we had our buddies, I feel like I got to know them, and so it was really cool.”

One of the fun parts is gift exchanges that take place right before Christmas. Students aren’t required to give presents to their buddies, but it happens routinely.

Gustafson witnessed one such occasion last month.

“I saw a sixth-grader bring a gift,” Gustafson said. “She made a card and a present for her kindergarten friend. She just walked right into the classroom and presented the gift.

And, the smile on that little kindergartner was amazing. She was just so proud to receive a gift. . . .

The love in her eyes and the excitement to have a gift from a big

kid was pretty precious to see.”

Not only do youngsters remember such kind acts for years afterward, but it motivates them to do the same thing when they get older.

“It made me feel important,” said eighth-grader Thomas DeLapp of the treatment he received from his older buddies when he was younger.

“Now, I like to maintain that same relationship with my buddies.”

He added that he still waves to buddies from past years.

“It’s awesome,” he said. “I always try to make them feel super welcome — with all the big kids, instead of just me. I try to introduce them to others and make them feel good.”

Hopefully, the impact of the program will stretch beyond their years at St. Stephen, said religion teacher Hannah Berchem, who oversees much of the formal activities between the younger and older students.

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January 29, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit

“One of the things we hope to have our eighth-graders leave with is a sense of Christian leadership,” Berchem said. “This gives them a huge opportunity to practice their leadership skills, working with and helping their younger buddies learn and grow.”

The final event in the program comes when the eighth-graders are preparing to graduate in the spring.

It’s a proud moment for them, their teachers and their principal.

There are a few tears that come along with it.

“When our eighth-graders graduate from here, we have a candle-passing ceremony,” Gustafson said. “It’s the eighthgraders’ last hurrah. They pass on the candle of leadership to the seventh grade. After the candlepassing ceremony, we say goodbye to our eighth-graders, and my little friends are sobbing because they’ll miss their disciple friend.”

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9

Poverty stems from unjust economic system, not big families, pope says

U.S. House aims to restrict taxpayer funding of abortion

Catholic News Service Families who have lots of children do not cause poverty, Pope Francis said.

The main culprit is “an economic system that has removed the human person from its focus and has placed the god of money” as its priority instead, he said Jan. 21.

The pope dedicated his general audience talk to a review of some of the highlights from his visit to Pope Francis gestures to newlywed couples during his weekly audience in Paul Sri Lanka and the Philippines VI hall at the Vatican Jan. 21. CNS/Tony Gentile, Reuters Jan. 13-19. steals from the poor and demands in God’s plan” and defending it Speaking to some 7,000 people a culture of honesty,” he said to from the many threats and new gathered in the Paul VI audience applause. forms of “ideological colonization hall, the pope recalled his second that attack its identity and apostolic journey to Asia after The main motivation for his mission.” visiting South Korea last August. trip to the Philippines was to meet On the flight back from Manila He said he wanted to encourage with survivors of Typhoon Haiyan to Rome, the pope told journalists Catholics in their faith and in Tacloban and “pay homage to Jan. 19 that “for the people missionary zeal as well as promote the local people’s faith and ability who are the poorest, a child is a interreligious dialogue, peace, to recover,” he said. treasure” and “God knows how to unity and social development by He again prayed for an help them.” highlighting the important role “innocent victim” of local storms families and young people should But he also underlined that — the 27-year-old Catholic Relief play. being a good Catholic did not Services worker, Kristel Padasas mean married couples “had to be Meetings with families and of Manila. She had worked with like rabbits,” that is, have children young people in Manila were a a recovery project for victims of “one after the other” without any major high point on his trip, he Typhoon Haiyan and died Jan. 17 sense of responsibility. said, because they showed how after the papal Mass in Tacloban “healthy families are essential to Through dialogue with each when high winds blew over the life of society.” other, their pastors and church scaffolding.

“It gives consolation and hope groups, each couple can seek Meanwhile, he said the to see so many large families that to discern its own “parental importance of reconciliation was welcome children as a true gift of responsibility” and recognize there the focus of his trip to Sri Lanka, God. They know that every child are “licit” means, through natural which is seeking to rebuild unity is a blessing,” he said. family planning, to be “prudent” after its 26-year-long civil war and generous in welcoming life, He criticized as “simplistic” ended in 2009. he said on the papal plane. claims that high birth rates caused The high point of that trip, he poverty.

In his audience talk Jan. 21, said, was canonizing “the great Pope Francis said another Rather, an economic system missionary,” St. Joseph Vaz. that creates “a culture of disposal,” important message he highlighted on his trip to Asia was that “taking where men, women and children The pope said he hoped the care of the poor is an essential are excluded “is the main reason new saint’s “holiness and love element of our Christian life and for poverty, not large families,” he for the other would continue to witness.” said to applause. inspire the Church in Sri Lanka, He reiterated the importance of This entails “refusing every form in its apostolate of charity and showing “the beauty of the family of corruption because corruption education.”

CathSpDolly-Jan15-Feb12-2015_Layout 1 1/9/15 5:10

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Closing February 21!

After members of the U.S. House scuttled plans Jan. 22 to vote on a measure to prohibit abortion after 20 weeks, they passed a bill to restrict taxpayer funding of abortion.

Called the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, it applies the principles of the Hyde Amendment to federal health programs, including the Affordable Care Act. Since 1976, the amendment has prohibited the use of taxpayer dollars to fund federal subsidies of any part of a benefits package that includes elective abortions.

U.S. & World

WASHINGTON, D.C.

VATICAN CITY

Pope signs sainthood cause decree for U.S.-born priest Msgr. Aloysius Schwartz, a Washington, D.C.-born priest who ministered in South Korea and died in 1992, heroically lived the Christian virtues, according to a Jan. 22 decree signed by Pope Francis. The decree is an initial Vatican step in the sainthood process for the priest, who founded the Sisters of Mary of Banneux and the Brothers of Christ.

MANILA, PHILLIPINES

Blessed Junipero Serra to be canonized in Washington Pope Francis said Jan. 19 his September trip to the U.S. for the World Meeting of Families will take him to Philadelphia, New York and Washington — where he intends to canonize Blessed Junipero Serra — but probably no other stops.

— Catholic News Service

Annulment Questions?

Staff members of the Archdiocesan Metropolitan Tribunal will be available for confidential consultation and to answer questions regarding the investigation into the possibility of nullity of the marriage bond (annulment process) at the:

Cathedral of St. Paul 239 Selby Ave., St. Paul

February 18, Ash Wednesday 7:30 a.m.; Noon; 5:15 p.m.; 7 p.m.

For more information, contact the Tribunal at: 651-291-4466 or go online: www.archspm.org/tribunal No appointment necessary

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January 29, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit

Year of Consecrated Life

10

Closer to God

By Jessica Trygstad The Catholic Spirit

S

ister Tresa Jose Athickal uses an incorrect answer from a former student to teach eighth-graders at St. Therese School in Deephaven the three vows consecrated men and women take: poverty, chastity and obedience.

“Not obesity,” said Sister Tresa Jose, a Franciscan Clarist Sister “Some of the from India who has greatest joys [of taught at the for 42 teaching] are those school years. “One moments when they year, a student mistakenly connect to God, wrote ‘obesity’ instead of because children ‘obedience.’

I asked her have that ability; about her answer in the their souls are so hall the next much more capable day, and she knew the of connecting to God correct one.

We had a good in a certain way.” laugh about it.

Sister Magdalena Dudenhoeffer, And students fifth-grade teacher at St. Croix today Catholic School in Stillwater remember what the three vows are.”

Christian Brother Michael Rivers at CretinDerham Hall High School in St. Paul

— a high school with an enrollment pushing 1,300 — knows about 75 percent of the students by name.

What helps, he says, is when students are the children of former students.

“I think the kids enjoy being noticed and appreciated. And many of these kids I don’t have in class, so I have nothing to harass them about,” said Brother Michael, who has been at Cretin-Derham Hall since the early 1980s. “But it’s just the idea that they’re important.”

At St. Croix Catholic in Stillwater, three Dominican Sisters and their principal, Sister Mary Juliana Cox, field questions — verbal and nonverbal — from young students.

Answers range from “No, I’m not Jesus” to “I’m not weird even though I don’t have a cell phone.”

Sister Grace Dominic Hargadon delights in middle schoolers’ animation.

“One day, they came in and said, ‘Sister, can we show you our tango dance?!’ And I’m in religion class, but I said, ‘Yes, yes you can.’ I’m going to delight in you and teach you what that’s like, because that’s how the Lord loves us, he delights in us,” she said.

While the gifts these consecrated religious bring to their schools might differ — a colleague of Brother Michael shared that one of his hidden talents is making balloon animals — what they share is the desire to bring students closer to God.

Franciscan Clarist Sister Tresa Jose Athickal works with eighth-graders in religion class at St. Therese School in Deephaven. Dave Hrbacek/The Catholic Spirit

January 29, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit

Consec

Often, that’s accomplished through silence and prayer. Sister Magdalena Dudenhoeffer, who teaches fifth grade at St. Croix Catholic, gives her students quiet time to think of Jesus in the tabernacle or reflect on Scripture.

“Some of the greatest joys [of teaching] are those moments when they connect to God, because children have that ability; their souls are so much more capable of connecting to God in a certain way,” Sister Magdalena said. “So just making that effort to give them the chance and watching their relationship with God flourish is so beautiful.”

Brother Michael often sees students expressing their faith through service.

“I believe more of the practical spirituality,” he said. “How do you live the beatitudes, the social justice teachings of the Church? Many of the students may not go to church on Sunday, but when you see them involved with many of the outreach programs, that’s where they experience God and their faith.”

Present, not perfect Each of the consecrated teachers realize that students need someone’s presence, not perfection.

“We have to know where the kids are, where they come from,” said Sister Tresa Jose, one of four Franciscan Clarists teaching at St. Therese School. “Even family structures affect a person and who they are. As a teacher in the classroom, we have to be a constant, we have to be a friend sometimes.

They need to know I care about them.”

Eighth-grader Astrid Liden, also a parishioner at St. Therese, said the sisters make her grateful for everything she has.

“The sisters are very humble, so being around them gives me a sense of peace and tranquility.”

Working with a variety of students in the academic development program he created, Brother Michael can individualize based on students’ needs and situations.

“We have many dedicated staff here, and I admire them having to juggle teacher careers with being a parent,” he said. “But I can just be more present to the students and can spend more time wondering and

Christian Brother Michael Rivers, left, works w

thinking and praying for them.”

“I think it’s vital there’s that presence of what it means to belong,” said Sister Mary Juliana, who has served as St. Croix Catholic’s principal for four years.

“Even with people being so connected through Twitter or Facebook, there’s such a disconnection between people. They don’t know what it means to be part

11

Year of Consecrated Life

crated religious bring gifts to the classroom

Did you know?

Throughout history, it has been religious communities of women and men that were at the forefront of the Church’s response to societal ills, especially in the areas of education, health care and social services.

From Sr. Cathy Bertrand, School Sister of Notre Dame

with Cretin-Derham Hall junior Connor Stewart in the school’s Learning Lab. Dave Hrbacek/The Catholic Spirit

of something, to be part of the Church, to be part of Christ . . . to belong to him. I would hope [the students] would see that in a consecrated soul, the joy that comes from belonging.

“We’re not just [teaching] so the kids can be successful and get a good job,” she continued. “We’re doing this so they get to heaven.”

View of religious life

just saw me, they wouldn’t see the fullness of my life.”

For the teachers, being immersed in the life of the school means consistently bringing faith, liturgy and lessons about vocations.

Sister Magdalena described her role as “spiritual motherhood” — for everyone in the school.

“It’s important for the students to see how we interact. That’s part of religious life,” said Sister Mary Margaret Taranto, a second-grade teacher at St. Croix Catholic. “If they

“I have to be a sister teacher,” she said. “They need my consecration.

They need me to love them. They need me to have time to talk to them. And . . . it’s not just the kids; sometimes it goes out to the

teachers, because they need to be listened to.”

Colleagues say they also bring joy to the school.

Colleen Kane-Rood, a secondgrade teacher at St. Therese, considers herself fortunate to have attended a Catholic school and now teach in one with sisters.

“I believe that at a Catholic school, the presence of the sisters brings a faith-filled balance in the school,” she said. “It just feels like more of the Catholic faith is visible.”

For years, Pat Norusis has worked side-by-side with Brother Michael in the Learning Lab at Cretin-Derham Hall. She said his deep faith always emanates to others.

“He gives cards for every occasion,” she said. “The whole community really feels his presence and really cared for by him. Even if he’s a little stern and expects a lot, the students know he wants the best for them.”

Senior Casey Malone-Povolny is one such student.

“I look at Brother Michael as wanting to help people. He doesn’t do it for himself. He does it for others,” he said.

Malone-Povolny continued: “If he can’t do it, he’ll find someone who can. I respect that.”

For more information about religious orders in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, visit www.10000vocations. org.

January 29, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit

Focus on Faith • Scripture Readings

12

Sunday, Feb. 1 Fourth Sunday in ordinary time Readings

• Deuteronomy 18:15-20 • 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 • Mark 1:21-28 Reflection

Have you struggled with the teaching authority of the Church? How have you resolved those struggles?

CNS photo

SUNDAY SCRIPTURES Jeff Hensley

Embracing the Church that speaks to humanity Coming back home to my Christian faith was a gradual process. I had walked away from the strong faith I’d had through my late teen years as my church attendance dropped to nothing.

I’m not so sure I ever rejected faith so much as I simply let it die from lack of attention.

But it didn’t stay dead for long.

It started to come back as a result

of late-night conversations with a friend whose own faith was being rekindled.

Reading Scripture nurtured the spark in my own life. Plus, I got a nudge from a neighbor down the road in rural Arkansas where we were working in the local schools as VISTA volunteers. She was a nun who had taken time away from the convent to care for her aging

mother.

Sister Mary Herlinda loaned to me a book, “The Cross and the Switchblade,” by David Wilkerson, and invited my wife and me to take part in a little prayer meeting she had organized among three or so of our neighbors. It was a beginning.

When Susan and I returned to Fort Worth, Texas, we continued our sporadic church attendance at the closest Catholic church, and in time I began to take inquiry classes.

This was before the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults existed, and these classes outlining the basics of the Catholic faith took place over a period of six weeks in the parish library.

As I came to know more about Catholicism, I discovered that the Church spoke to all aspects of humanity — holiness, personal

relationships, family life, social justice, the economy and issues of war and peace, among them.

This new understanding likely played the largest role in my conversion to the Catholic faith.

The Scriptures for Feb. 1 remind me of that spiritual reawakening.

Speaking about Jesus, the Gospel reading from Mark explains: “The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.”

And so I found the Church.

She, the successor of Jesus, the embodiment of his teaching authority on earth, taught with authority. She still does, and I’m still glad I became a Catholic.

This CNS column is offered in cooperation with the North Texas Catholic of Fort Worth, Texas.

DAILY Scriptures Sunday, Feb. 1 Fourth Sunday in ordinary time Deuteronomy 18:15-20 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 Mark 1:21-28 Monday, Feb. 2 Presentation of the Lord Malachi 3:1-4 Hebrews 2:14-18 Luke 2:22-40 Tuesday, Feb. 3 St. Blaise, St. Ansgar Hebrews 12:1-4 Mark 5:21-43

January 29, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit

Wednesday, Feb. 4 Hebrews 12:4-7, 11-15 Mark 6:1-6

Saturday, Feb. 7 Hebrews 13:15-17, 20-21 Mark 6:30-34

Thursday, Feb. 5 St. Agatha, virgin, martyr Hebrews 12:18-19, 21-24 Mark 6:7-13

Sunday, Feb. 8 Fifth Sunday in ordinary time Job 7:1-4, 6-7 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23 Mark 1:29-39

Friday, Feb. 6 St. Paul Miki, martyr, and Companions, martyrs Hebrews 13:1-8 Mark 6:14-29

Monday, Feb. 9 Genesis 1:1-19 Mark 6:53-56

Tuesday, Feb. 10 St. Scholastica, virgin Genesis 1:20 – 2:4a Mark 7:1-13 Wednesday, Feb. 11 Our Lady of Lourdes Genesis 2:4b-9, 15-17 Mark 7:14-23 Thursday, Feb. 12 Genesis 2:18-25 Mark 7:24-30

Friday, Feb. 13 Genesis 3:1-8 Mark 7:31-37 Saturday, Feb. 14 Sts. Cyril and Methodius Genesis 3:9-24 Mark 8:1-10 Sunday, Feb. 15 Sixth Sunday in ordinary time Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46 1 Corinthians 10:31 – 11:1 Mark 1:40-45

13

Father Kenneth Doyle

Non-Catholic annulments; ‘reborn’ and the ‘rapture’ Q. Why does the Catholic

Church ask non-Catholics to receive a Catholic annulment to a previous marriage in order to get married in a Catholic church? (I understand the requirement for Catholics, but it doesn’t seem to make sense for non-Catholics.)

A. Many, many Catholics believe — erroneously — that any marriage not performed by a Catholic priest or deacon (or with the approval of the Catholic Church) does not “count” in the Church’s eyes. But, of course, this is not so. Can you imagine the uproar that would ensue if the Church were to declare as invalid every marriage between two Protestants, simply because no Catholic priest was there to officiate?

So the Catholic Church begins with the presupposition that a marriage between two nonCatholics is valid. But the Church has the right to determine who can get married by the Catholic Church — and to do so, one has to be free of any previous marriages, and that might require an annulment process. (Some of the more common grounds for annulment are: lack of consent, intention to preclude children permanently, deep-seated psychological immaturity or instability, etc.)

For someone from another faith who wants to become Catholic, that person needs to be in “good standing” in the eyes of the Catholic Church; for a married person, this means living currently in a marriage recognized by the Church as valid. So any previous marriages on the part of either

Q. My husband of 40 years has been “born again.” He says that this is the only way to get to heaven when “the rapture” happens and that the rest of us will be left behind for seven years of terror. He thinks Jesus is going to come any day now. . . .

Last night, he brought this up to our parish priest who said that he does not believe in the rapture and that, as long as we are ready to meet God by living a good life, we will be saved. What is your own take on this?

A. The Catholic view links being “reborn” to the sacrament of baptism. The Catechism of the Catholic Church in No. 1265 says that “baptism not only purifies from all sins, but also makes the neophyte ‘a new creature,’ an adopted son of God.” Evangelical Christianity links being “born again” to an adult “conversion experience” in which a person consciously accepts Jesus as his or her personal savior.

As for “rapture,” many evangelical Christians, particularly fundamentalists, link it to the end times (the return of Jesus) when those who are right with God will be silently and secretly taken up

into heaven and those who are living in sin will remain on earth for a period of tribulation and chaos.

Catholic theology does not support this type of event and views the theory as a misinterpretation of Paul’s words in 1 Thessalonians 4:17. The Catholic Church does not believe that being “born again” is the only route to salvation.

The Second Vatican Council asserted in “Lumen Gentium” (No. 16) that “those also can attain to salvation who through no fault of their own do not know the Gospel of Christ or his church, yet sincerely seek God and moved by grace strive by their deeds to do his will as it is known to them through the dictates of conscience.”

I agree with your pastor. Since no one knows when Christ is going to return (and the odds are that your life on earth will end long before that), why not play it safe? Try to live by the Gospel and you won’t have to worry when you meet the Lord, whenever that occurs.

Focus on Faith • Seeking Answers

SEEKING ANSWERS

spouse would first have to be annulled.

Father Doyle writes for Catholic News Service. A priest of the Diocese of Albany, N.Y., he previously served as director of media relations for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

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January 29, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit

This Catholic Life • Commentary

14 GUEST COMMENTARY Robert Brennan

Don’t let Super Bowl Sunday hijack Sabbath celebration America’s new high holy day is fast approaching. The National Football League’s playoffs will culminate with the Super Bowl on Feb. 1 in Phoenix.

To add grandeur and importance to this already super-hyped event, the NFL affixes Roman numerals to each of these contests. So as we near Super Bowl XLIX, it might be a good time to look back to see how we got here.

The short answer is . . . television.

It’s hard to imagine now, but just a few decades ago, professional football was not the goliath it has grown to be, but trailed in the race for America’s athletic affections behind baseball, heavyweight boxing, horse racing and even college football.

In a documentary, NFL Hall of Famer Sam Huff (who played in the 1950s and ’60s), recounted how in the very year he appeared on the

cover of Time magazine as a superstar linebacker for the New York Giants, the team’s practices had to end by a certain time every afternoon so that he and other players could go to their “day jobs” in a nearby factory so they could support their families.

It was a far cry from the multimillion dollar signing bonuses of today, and it was television that changed it all. Many historians claim it was one game in particular that catapulted the NFL into its current status as a modern-day juggernaut.

The 1958 NFL championship game between the Baltimore Colts and New York Giants was then the only championship game in NFL history to be decided in overtime.

And it was broadcast nationwide, except in the greater New York area because the NFL, worried about filling Yankee Stadium where the

FAITH IN THE PUBLIC ARENA Jessica Zittlow

Education: a fundamental right Education reform is shaping up as a signature topic of the 2015-16 session, as both Gov. Mark Dayton and legislative leaders have begun to suggest ways to improve educational quality and close the achievement gap.

Like other political debates, the issue of education reform gets tangled in politics and mired in what often appear to be false dichotomies. Yet, the social teaching of the Catholic Church offers principles that could help Minnesota lawmakers untangle the rhetoric and pass meaningful education reform this year. “[T]here must be made available to all men everything necessary for leading a life truly human, such as food, clothing, and shelter; the right to choose a state of life freely and to found a family, the right to education, to employment, to a good reputation, to respect, to appropriate information . . .” (Gaudium et Spes, 26).

Historically, education has been a ladder out of poverty. Unfortunately, today’s children are increasingly less prepared to lead productive, financially stable and virtuous lives, even though our schools are spending more money to educate them.

Overall, fewer children have access to the education they need to flourish in a complex economy. This trend should be

January 29, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit

a cause of concern for everyone; high school drop-out rates, disparities in mathematics and poor grammar and reading proficiency numbers ultimately affect every aspect of social well-being and the common good.

“The demands of the common good are dependent on the social conditions of each historical period and are strictly connected to respect for and the integral promotion of the person and his fundamental rights” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1907).

The educational achievement gap in Minnesota violates the common good because it systematically impedes racial minorities from reaching their full potential and flourishing as part of the greater society.

Minnesota’s achievement gap for reading — the measurement of achievement between white students and students of color — is one of the highest in the nation. In mathematics, Minnesota is not doing much better compared to many other states.

The social consequences of leaving kids behind are predictable: increased poverty, crime and incarcerations; and decreased standard of living and quality of life.

The problems plaguing today’s educational system are not limited to

game was played, blacked out local television for the home team.

More than 45 million people watched, a remarkable number considering the population of 1958 America and the fact that the population-dense New York area was not included. It was the perfect game, with many television-friendly stars like Johnny Unitas and Frank Gifford, and a back-and-forth excitement that concluded with a touchdown drive in sudden death.

It was like a made-for-TV movie.

Like a lot of things in our culture, things that get big are considered better. Not so sure if this applies to the NFL. I do know, even as a cardcarrying football fan, that the television excess of the Super Bowl can cause one to ponder. The cost for a 30-second ad in the first Super Bowl set the advertiser back $42,000. In 2015, that same allotment of time will cost an advertiser $4.5 million.

And just as the revenue stream into the coffers of NFL owners and their broadcasting partners have swelled, so in Newtonian precision has there been an equal and opposite descent in the taste and appropriateness of the television commercials that make it all possible. You could almost make a game at a Super Bowl party of counting how many of the Seven Deadly Sins are represented in any

disparities between white students and students of color. Some children with special needs or disabilities find it difficult to learn in their local school setting, and recommended alternatives or therapies remain out of reach due to staffing shortages or high out-of-pocket costs for families. Other parents are finding their values undermined or outright contradicted by their child’s school.

“Parents have the right to choose the formative tools that respond to their convictions and to seek those means that will help them best to fulfill their duty as educators. . . . Public authorities have the duty to guarantee this right and to ensure the concrete conditions necessary for it to be exercised” (Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church, 240).

Parents give their children life and, therefore, have a serious moral obligation for their care and upbringing, of which education is a vital part. Yet, parents cannot do what is in the best interests of their child if they are not given the appropriate options.

Though parents are the first educators of their children, government, faith communities, businesses and schools all play a role and have an interest in the education, success and social contributions of every child. Blessed Pope Paul VI stated in Gravissimum Educationis that “[A] true education aims at the formation of the human person in the pursuit of his ultimate end and of the good of the societies of which, as man, he is a member, and in whose obligations, as an adult, he will share.”

The education debate often sees public and private education pitted against one another, as if they are competing entities.

Yet, both traditional public and private

one car, soft drink or beer commercial during the big game’s broadcast.

And speaking of the deadly sins, the NFL and its pact with television have caused a seismic ground swell in the euphemistically called “gaming industry.” According to ESPN.com, Vegas sportsbooks took in $119 million in Super Bowl bets last year.

In 1963, the NFL took a step further when it decided not to cancel its slate of Sunday games that took place between the assassination of John F. Kennedy on the previous Friday and his burial the following Monday.

The NFL survived that public relations disaster and now, thanks in no small part to television, it owns Sunday. Despite scandalous behavior of players past, present and future, and wardrobe malfunctions to come, it seems the NFL will be with us for quite some time as “America’s Game” on the Lord’s Day. And that alone is cause for an instant replay review to see if that’s the correct call.

Brennan has been a professional writer for more than 30 years, many of those in the television industry. He has been a contributing writer for the National Catholic Register and has also been published in Our Sunday Visitor and This Rock.

Restore the vote Urge your state representative to support HF 342.

“Approximately 75 percent of those who can’t vote in Minnesota are in the community trying to support their families and pay taxes. And the percentage of those disenfranchised in Minnesota has grown more than 400 percent in the last 30 years. Voting restoration will make the law more equitable, save government resources, and encourage positive community participation.”

The Catholic Advocacy Network is an initiative of the Minnesota Catholic Conference, the public policy voice of the Catholic Church in Minnesota. For more information, visit www.mncc.org.

schools share the same fundamental goal: fulfilling the fundamental right of every person to be educated.

Although the Church does not call on government to provide all things for all people, it does assert that, as a matter of justice, government should establish the appropriate conditions that provide equity and access to education opportunity.

Zittlow is associate director for communications at the Minnesota Catholic Conference.

15

By Dave Hrbacek The Catholic Spirit

“Good Vibrations” by Ron Duffy, a Catholic and Roseville artist. Photo courtesy the Benedictine Center

Local sacred art exhibit explores ‘a sense of the divine’ The Catholic Spirit “Seeing God,” a juried exhibit of sacred art, opened Jan. 28 at the Benedictine Center at St. Paul’s Monastery in Maplewood.

According to the center, the exhibit “features the works of local artists whose creative process captures a sense of the divine when seeing the world.”

The 37 artworks featured meet three criteria: They’re rooted in themes drawn from religious traditions, Scripture, nature, the human journey and an interpretation of the mystery of life; they show how art reveals a deeper sense of wonder; and they are appropriate for an environment that daily meets the Benedictine sisters who live at the monastery and their guests.

The exhibit is free and on view daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through March 6. Visit www. stpaulsmonastery.org for more information.

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inspired

TheCatholicSpirit.com

With the 50th anniversary of the release of the movie musical “The Sound of Music” coming in March, it seemed like the perfect time for St. Joseph School in West St. Paul to put on the play.

The school even had a student from Austria, where the movie was set, to play the role of Capt. Georg von Trapp. Samson Seitlinger, whose mother, Andrea, is from West St. Paul and graduated from St. Joe’s in 1981, was discovered to have a beautiful singing voice.

If only Samson, known as Sam, would be at the school long enough to be in the play. Instead, he bids farewell Feb. 6 to return to Zell am See, his hometown about 60 miles south of Salzburg.

Seitlinger started the school year at St. Joseph and will stay until the last day of Spirit Week, when the school will hold its annual carnival.

“He has begged and begged and begged to stay,” said principal Jane Nordin, who met with Sam and Andrea in June to discuss the possibility of Sam spending part of the school year at St. Joseph. He has been staying with Andrea’s parents, Keith and Yvonne Sando.

“I think he’s really torn,” Nordin said. “He’d really love to stay here for the rest of the year, but he misses his parents and family. He’s gotten one extension already. Originally, I think we had talked about maybe up until Christmas. He convinced mom to stay a little bit longer.”

After Spirit Week, he will fly back to Austria to rejoin his mother; his father, Gabriel, a native Austrian; and his younger sister, Antonia.

Faith & Culture

St. Joseph, West St. Paul, says ‘so long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye’ to alumna’s Austrian son

Sam Seitlinger, center, laughs during class with seventh-grade classmates Nicholas Bettenburg, left, Ethan Safi, Grace Creamer and Lucy Kulhanek.

Dave Hrbacek/The Catholic Spirit For Seitlinger, the departure will be bittersweet. After singing in the choir at school, he would have liked the chance to put his talent to work in the play, possibly even by singing a song in German.

“It’s sad I can’t be in it,” he said.

“I wish I could stay and at least see it.”

He will leave behind about 50 classmates plus a homeroom teacher, Dave Schultz, who enjoyed his first opportunity to teach a foreign student.

“He’s just been a terrific kid. We’re going to miss him,” Schultz said.

“From day one, he’s gotten along well with the guys. He played football, so he’s an active guy. Too bad we don’t have a skiing team because I got a feeling he’s probably just a terrific skier, living by the Alps.”

Indeed, he describes the view from his house like a postcard, with the Alps towering in the distance.

When he returns, his mother will relish the opportunity he had not only to experience American culture, but also to study in an American school and make new friends.

“I think our biggest surprise is how much he loves choir,” said Andrea, who met Gabriel in Salzburg and married him in 2001.

“We have always encouraged him to play an instrument or do something musical, but it was always a no-go until now.

“We are thankful for the positive learning experience that Sam has had at St. Joseph’s,” she added.

“Jane Nordin, the office staff and all of Sam’s teachers have been wonderful, both in their teaching and making him feel welcome.”

The obvious question is whether Sam’s sister will also walk St. Joseph’s hallways one day.

“She can if she would like to,” Andrea said. “It’s [too] early to say.”

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January 29, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit

16

From Age to Age

At 83, nun’s ‘great spirituality’ keeps her going

By Nancy Wiechec Catholic News Service Sister Mary Rosita Shiosee beats a small drum as she leads an elderly congregation in song.

“Sing a new song unto the Lord.

Alleluia.”

Her voice is strong and warm and encourages her frail Massgoers to join in.

There’s always drumming in Pueblo life, Sister Shiosee said later.

“The drum is the heartbeat of our Mother Earth.”

Laguna Rainbow Nursing Center is one of the many weekly stops she makes on her rounds visiting and praying with people in Laguna Pueblo, N.M. The pueblo’s pastor, Franciscan Father Wayne Gibbeaut, said people call her “the flying nun” because she’s always on the go.

“Some people just never stop,” he said.

Sister Shiosee is a striking example of Catholic faith prospering in the indigenous communities of this land, where Church history has been marked by ups and downs.

She was born, baptized and confirmed in Jemez Pueblo, 60 miles away as the crow files, and spent time as a girl in the village of

Pueblo Indian Sister Mary Rosita Shiosee prays with a homebound man in Mesita, N.M. CNS/Nancy Wiechec Mesita in Laguna Pueblo. She still speaks her native Keres language, which has fewer than 8,000 fluent speakers.

While visiting homebound people in Mesita, Sister Shiosee looks out over the village’s surrounding landscape. It is wild and barren now, but she remembers it as fertile ground, where the pueblo once tended

GREEN LINE

fields of wheat, alfalfa, corn, chilies and other vegetables.

“As children, early in the morning after the dew had settled on the dirt, we would go out and turn the dirt over. That’s how we would water the plants,” she said.

Her mother died early, and the young Shiosee was sent to attend St. Catherine’s Indian School in Santa Fe.

GREEN LINE

“That’s where I was taught English,” she recalled. “I learned English through singing from a sister at the school.”

She said that in the fifth grade she discerned a call from God and entered her novitiate in 1954 on the feast of the Presentation of the Lord.

Continued on the next page

OPENING JANUARY 2015: Minnesota’s first nursing home designed around the gamechanging GREEN HOUSE Model of Care.

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Imagine living with the Fairview Avenue Green Line Station (and the rest of the world) right at your door! The Terrace at Iris Park is the first senior residence in town to offer Catered Living, a concierge approach to meeting your needs as they change. All apartments have already been spoken for, but you are welcome to join the wait list. There’s no obligation, and you’ll start building seniority so there’s a better chance that an apartment will be ready when you are. Midway Pointe has raised the bar on affordable Independent Living. As with The Terrace, all of its apartments have already been spoken for, but you are welcome to join the wait list. Someday, we hope to greet you with, “Welcome Home!”

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Episcopal Church Home - The Gardens will provide the closest thing yet to the experience of living in a private home with family caregivers.

It will consist of six 10-person homes. Every Elder will have a private room with private bath and enjoy four times more personal attention than in conventional nursing homes.

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Call Deb Veit to learn more: 651-632-8800.

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thegreenhouseproject.org

17 Continued from the previous page

Now, at age 83, she is back on the land of her ancestors, living near her only sibling and ministering to those most in need. Each week she takes Communion to 28 homebound members of the pueblo and also visits its senior center and inmates at the penitentiary.

“My great spirituality keeps me going,” she said. “The Lord gives me all the energy to go on. . . .

Taking Jesus to the people gives me a lot of energy.”

She has put thousands of miles on her car, driving paved and dusty unpaved roads of the pueblo.

Although there are street signs — Coyote Drummer Road, Salt Cedar Loop — she ignores them.

She knows where she is.

In Mesita, she peered down a street and said, “See the one house where the pickup is? That’s where Joe lives. He is a healer, a very spiritual man. He believes in the Indian ways and the Christian ways intertwined, supporting one another.”

That’s what she believes, too.

“We believe in one God,” she said. “And we thank the Creator for all that he’s given us.”

TheCatholicSpirit.com

From Age to Age

“That day is special to me because it’s the day my dad offered me back to the Creator to serve him,” she said.

She joined the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, the order of St. Katharine Drexel. As a young postulant, she was at the motherhouse in Pennsylvania when the foundress died there in 1955.)

Sister Shiosee studied in Louisiana and went on to teach in several mission schools in the West.

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18

Calendar

Dining out 21st annual Soup Supper — Feb. 7: 4:30-7 p.m., St. Wenceslaus Church basement, 215 Main St. E, New Prague. All you can eat. $7.25 per person or $25 per family. Kindergarten and younger free. Tickets at the door. Take-outs available.

GA Men’s Club Beef & Sausage Dinner — Feb. 8: 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Guardian Angels school gym, 217 Second St. W, Chaska. $12 adults and takeouts, $5 children under 12.

Homemade sausage $5 per pound. Tickets at the door.

Pancake and sausage breakfast — Feb. 8: 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., St. Catherine Church, Spring Lake, on Scott Co. Rd. 8, one mile east of Co. Rd. 23. $7 adults, $4 age 5-12; age 4 and under free.

Please note new submissions deadline below.

KC Lumberjack Breakfast — Feb. 15: 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Mary, Queen of Peace Church Hall, St. Martin campus, Rogers. Free-will offering; proceeds benefit church, school and community.

Sponsored, cooked and served

by Northwest-Hennepin Knights of Columbus.

Mardi Gras Pancake Breakfast — Feb. 15: 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m., St. Richard social hall, 7540 Penn Ave. S, Richfield. Tickets available in advance or at the door. www.strichards.com.

Music and entertainment Dan Schutte in Concert and Lenten Retreat — Feb. 6-7: Concert Feb. 6, 7 p.m. Morning Lenten Reflection Retreat Feb. 7, 9 a.m.-noon. St. John the Baptist Church, 4625 W. 125th St., Savage. Preparation for Lent and Easter, with music, gospel stories and reflections. (952) 890-9465 or www.stjohns-savage.org. Free-will offering at both events. No registration required.

Cretin-Derham Hall Theater Department Presents “Here I Am: A Journey Through Song” — Five dates: Feb. 6, 7, and 14 at 7 p.m., Feb. 12 at 3 p.m., and Feb. 15 at 2 p.m., at Cretin-Derham Hall, 550 S. Albert St., St. Paul.

Ten performers relive the joyful and sometimes difficult adventure of growing up. Tickets are $5 for students, $10 for adults/seniors. Ticket prices for Feb. 12 performance are $5 for all. Tickets are available in the main office of the school, by

CALENDAR submissions DEADLINE: Noon Thursday, 14 days before the anticipated Thursday date of publication. 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.

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. EMAIL: spiritcalendar@archspm.org.

(No attachments, please.)

MAIL: “Calendar,” The Catholic Spirit • 244 Dayton Ave., • St. Paul, MN 55102.

January 29, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit

calling (651) 690-2443, or at the box office prior to performance. For more information, contact Frances Gerstner at (651) 696-3333.

Parish events Family fun night fundraiser for St. Joseph School — Jan. 30: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Pizza dinner served until 7 p.m. St. Joseph Church, 13900 Biscayne Ave. W., Rosemount. Bingo, carnival games, concessions, prizes, silent auction, raffle, music and more. Dinner: $6 adult; children $4.

Unlimited carnival games wristband: $5 children.

Family package of dinner and wristband: $40.

Information: www.school.stjosephcommunity. org/parish_family_fun_night.

Card and bunco party — Feb. 7: noon to 4 p.m., St. Mark’s School, Carolyn Hall, 2001 Dayton Ave., St. Paul. Play bridge, 500, cribbage or bunco (easy dice game). No partner necessary.

Admission $6 and includes lunch, games, prizes.

Call (651) 487-1585 for more information.

Winterfest — Feb. 7-8: St. Pius X Church, 3878 Highland Ave., White Bear Lake. Saturday, 6-9 p.m.: live, silent and buy-it-now auctions, raffles and Lil Venetian Italian dinner. Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., chicken dinner and snacks, children’s games, bingo, auctions, antique appraisals by James Marrinan, sweepstakes, raffles and spa.

Questions? Call (651) 429-5337 or www. churchofstpiusx.org.

KC bingo — Feb. 8: 1-3 p.m., Mary, Queen of Peace Church Hall, St. Martin campus, Rogers.

Sponsored by Northwest-Hennepin Knights of Columbus.

“Cabaret Dinner Theatre” — Feb. 13-14: 6 p.m., Immaculate Conception Church, 4030 Jackson St. NE, Columbia Heights. Buffet dinner followed by a music and variety show, “At The Movies”, featuring songs from the silver screen.

Reserved seat tickets required, $30; proceeds benefit the IC liturgy ministry. For tickets or information, call (763) 788-9062 or visit www.

ICCSonline.org.

Blood drive — Feb. 16: Epiphany Cafeteria, 1900 111th Ave. NW, Coon Rapids. Call (763) 755-1020 or visit www.redcrossblood.org (sponsor code:2064) to reserve a time. Walk-ins welcome. Sponsored by Epiphany Knights of Columbus and the American Red Cross.

Cana Dinner: “Key to a Joy Filled Marriage” — Feb. 21: 6-9 p.m. Sacred Heart Church, 4087 W. Broadway, Robbinsdale. Guest speakers Bill and Adella Wacker of Marriage In Christ seminars. (763) 537-4561 or register online at shrmn.org.

“Spring Bling” jewelry sale — Feb. 27-28: 4-7 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, hosted by CCW at St. Henry Church, 1001 Seventh St. E, Monticello. Jewelry donated by women in the parish. Questions? Call Char Thelen at (763) 314-0366.

Prayer and liturgy Taizé Prayer — Feb. 6: 7:30 p.m., St. Richard Church, 7540 Penn Ave. S, Richfield.

All are welcome to monthly First Friday Day of Prayer activities, including morning Mass, adoration, and closing with a Taizé prayer service. For more information visit www.strichards.com, Facebook or call (612) 869-2426.

World Apostolate of Fatima Vigil of Reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary — Feb. 6-7: 6:30 p.m.-1 a.m., St. Jerome Church, 380 E.

More events online TheCatholicSpirit.com/ calendar Roselawn Ave., Maplewood. Vigil includes confession, rosary, Mass of the Sacred Heart at 7:30, exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, silent and public prayers, procession of statue of Our Lady of Fatima, benediction and Mass of the Immaculate Heart at midnight, ending with rosary. Families are encouraged to come for all or part of the evening. Contact Cynthia at (651) 772-2221 for more information, or visit www. fatimaonline.org.

Retreats Men’s Silent Retreat, “Every Man is a Beloved Son” — Feb. 6-8: Friday 7:30 p.m.-through bunch Sunday 12:30 p.m., at Franciscan Retreats and Spirituality Center, 16385 St. Francis Lane, Prior Lake. Focus on key passages in men’s lives through a combination of prayer experiences, liturgies and talks presented by Father Jim VanDorn, OFM Conv., Brother Bob Roddy, OFM Conv. and spiritual director Terry Shaughnessy. Includes opportunity for one-on-one spiritual direction and the sacraments of reconciliation and anointing of the sick. To register, call(952) 447-2182 or register online at franciscanretreats.net.

Women’s Morning Day Retreat, “Come away by yourselves and rest awhile” — Feb. 7: 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Transfiguration Church, 6133 15th St. N, Oakdale. Hosted by Transfiguration Council of Catholic Women.

Guest speakers Bishop Lee Piché and Alyssa Bormes. Breakfast and lunch, with opportunities for adoration, anointing of the sick and confession, as well as vendors. Visit www. transfigurationmn.org for more information.

Singles Singles 50+ 2nd Sunday Supper — Feb. 8: Hospitality Hall, St. Joan of Arc, 4537 Third Ave., S, Minneapolis. 5 p.m. social hour, 6 p.m. French country stew, 7 p.m. Sonic Love Child Band (Genre: Americana, classic country, folk, blues, and vintage pop.) Cost $10. Come alone or bring a friend. For more information call Karen at (952) 884-5165.

Other events Blessed Trinity’s Sno*Ball Dance, Dinner & Auction — Jan. 31: 6-10 p.m., at Blessed Trinity’s Penn Campus, 7540 Penn Ave., S, Richfield. Dinner, dancing, bidding and fun.

Tickets at the door are $25 per family or $15 per person. A homemade pasta dinner will be available for purchase at the event for $5. Senior tickets $8, dinner included. Call (612) 866-6906 or visit www.btcsmn.org for more information or to purchase event tickets in advance.

Saturday workshop, “Words for the Journey: Religious Poems as Spiritual Companions” — Feb 7: 9 a.m.-3 p.m., at the Benedictine Center at St. Paul’s Monastery, 2675 Benet Road E, Maplewood. $40 cost includes a lunch. Optional overnight $75 includes lodging

and breakfast. Participants will spend time with poems that articulate the poets’ experiences of seeking God and in doing so, offer insight. Led

by Vic Klimoski, published poet, teacher, editor and emeritus director of Life-Long Learning at St. John’s School of Theology. Register online at www.stpaulsmonastery.org and follow the link to the Benedictine Center. For information, call (651) 777-7251 or email: benedictinecenter@ stpaulsmonastery.org.

Ladies of Peter Claver annual Mardi Gras Party and Dance — Feb. 7: 8 p.m.-midnight, St. Peter Claver Church Hall, 375 N. Oxford St., St. Paul. Tickets are $20 per person and may be purchased at the door. This is an adults only event. Proceeds to the Ladies of Peter Claver Mary Hamilton Scholarship for local graduating high school seniors. For information, call Kathy at (651) 704-9985.

Dementia Support Group — Feb. 10: 7-9 p.m., the Benedictine Center at St. Paul’s Monastery, 2675 Benet Road E, Maplewood. Led

by Steve Arnold, a chaplain and spiritual director, each session will be a form of group spiritual direction. Free-will offering. Group meets second Tuesday each month. For more information, call (651) 777-7251 or email: benedictinecenter@ stpaulsmonastery.org.

MCCW Catholic Culture/Ecumenism Day — Feb. 11: 10 a.m., guided tour at Temple Israel, 2324 Emerson Ave. S, Minneapolis.

Sponsored by the Minneapolis Deaneries Council of Catholic Women. Women and men invited. Optional: Following the tour, lunch at Green Mill Restaurant, 2626 Hennepin Ave. S. Reservations for lunch by Friday, Feb. 6: Call Jo Petron at (763) 424-2203 or email jopetron@ yahoo.com.

13th annual Empty Bowls Benefit — Feb. 11: Students at Cretin-Derham Hall host lunch 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and dinner from 4-7 p.m. in the James and Julie Woulfe Activity Center, 550 S. Albert St., St. Paul. Guests will be invited to purchase a ceramic bowl — handmade by art students at CDH and Nativity of Our Lord Grade School — and then enjoy a simple meal of soup and bread, which has been donated by local restaurants. Proceeds benefit the Heifer Project.

Free-will donations of $5 to $10 per handmade ceramic bowl and meal are welcomed. For more information, please contact campus minister Peter Gleich, at (651) 696-3329 or pgleich@c-dh. org.

St. Paul’s Outreach Benefit Banquet — Feb. 18: 6 p.m., Crowne Plaza St. Paul-Riverfront, 11 Kellogg Blvd. E, St. Paul. St. Paul’s Outreach serves students at the U of MN, St. Thomas, and St. Olaf colleges by building engaging, faith-filled communities. Banquet attendees will have the opportunity to speak with current SPO Missionaries and students, as well as learn more about this ministry. Register at www. spoweb.org. Questions? Contact Joe at (651) 451-6114 x113.

Annulment/Dissolution Workshop — Feb. 24: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Hayden Center, 328 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul. Training for new parish liaison personnel, those who need a refresher course, and any priests, deacons or advocates who wish to attend. It will be geared toward explaining how to assist individuals to submit causes of marriage-nullity or dissolution. Contact either Cheryl Rutz or Linda Botkin of the tribunal staff (651) 291-4466 or e-mail tribunal@archspm.org) to register by Friday, Feb. 13. Register in advance. No charge.

19

Student’s invention shows ‘ability beyond her age’ Continued from page 7

keep her eyes on the goal.

I wanted to see if it was scientifically valid,” Betts said of why she enlisted participants for a formal study.

At the end of her study, she found that 95 percent of patients had improved hand function and grip strength, and 70 percent of patients had reduced joint pain.

Dr. Thomas Raih of Twin Cities Orthopedics and fellow parishioner at Our Lady of Grace was one doctor who reviewed Betts’ study and device. He called the ViEx “original and practical.”

“Her understanding of the entire process has reflected an ability well beyond her age,” he wrote. “Her research is scientifically sound and will be a valuable addition to the medical literature for the treatment of osteoarthritic and rheumatoid hand problems.”

To persevere through making multiple devices for the study, finding participants and completing the 100-page patent application, Betts relied on her

“My Catholic faith has taught me what it means to help other people.”

Sarah Betts

faith.

“When I was trying to find participants for the study, a couple of people had to bow out because they developed dementia or similar things, so it was out of my control, and I just prayed and relied on the faith that I had been taught in school and my family,” Betts said.

Then a couple of people called back and said they had changed their minds.

“God worked through them,” she said.

Most of all, her faith and Catholic education has helped her

“When I picture the end result with this device, it’s giving joy to other people, and my Catholic faith has taught me what it means to help other people,” said Betts, who volunteers at local food shelves and nursing homes.

She knows that God has an intention for her life, she said, and persevering with the ViEx is working his plans for her future.

Getting her patent approved will take another three to five years, but once patented, Betts wants it to be as affordable as possible. It costs about $3 to make and she is looking into ways to make it for as little as $1. Betts especially has people like her grandparents in mind.

“I feel like the elderly in our society are forgotten about, and I really wanted to help them because they still have a lot of life,” Betts said.

After high school, Betts wants to attend a Catholic college and become a neurosurgeon. But until then, she remains focused on how she can help others now.

Presentation principal named director of urban education The Catholic Spirit Michael Rogers, principal of Presentation of Mary School in Maplewood, will serve the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis as its director of urban education beginning in February.

As director, Michael ROGERS Rogers will support the archdiocese’s 15 urban schools and manage their Legacy grant funds, which are provided through the GHR Foundation.

“I want to make urban Catholic schools in this archdiocese successful and sustainable for the benefit of the children who live in these communities,” said Rogers, a graduate of Totino-Grace High School in Fridley.

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January 29, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit

The Last Word

20

Across archdiocese, service at heart of Catholic Schools Week

By Beth Blair For The Catholic Spirit Every year since 1974, parochial schools across the United States have been celebrating National Catholic Schools Week — this year, Jan. 25-31.

According to the National Catholic Educational Association, the purpose of the week is to “focus on the value Catholic education provides to young people and its contributions to our church, our communities and our nation.”

During the weeklong celebration especially, Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis take to heart their presence in local communities through service projects.

The student council at St. John the Evangelist School in Little Canada has partnered with Scholastic Books to purchase books for University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital. Holy Family High School students in Victoria are making sandwiches for homeless people, tying blankets for parents at Methodist Hospital who lose a child during birth, and making Valentine’s Day cards for U.S. military troops serving overseas.

Fourth-graders at Good Shepherd School in Golden Valley are participating in a sandwich service project as part of Allan Law’s 363 Days Food Program in which volunteers prepare sandwiches that are then distributed to people in need.

Fourth-grade teachers Krysta Klein and Stacey Poppler lead Good Shepherd’s project, after a student in last year’s class suggested the school join the effort. Law, a Minneapolis

“Students from the primary grades all the way through middle school age can readily understand the real need to ‘feed the hungry’ and typically respond to our food drives with great enthusiasm.”

“We want our students to internalize the call to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the world.”

Anne Fredrickson, Holy Cross Catholic School, Webster teacher, began the program in 1967.

“He calls his program the 363 Days Food Program because he wants to make sure homeless people have food to eat every day of the year, not just on Christmas and Thanksgiving,” Klein said.

St. Michael School in St. Michael started the week with Sunday Mass followed by an open house at the school for students to participate in a variety of activities.

“On Wednesday, students will take part in our own ‘Soup-er Bowl,” said Nancy Kopff, a middle-level teacher. “Students have been invited to wear the team jersey of their choice and to donate a can of soup for our local food shelf.

“This collection reminds our youth that while we celebrate the blessings of Catholic education, we are also called to share our resources and our spirit with the bigger community at large,” she added.

The Catholic Spirit

MILESTONES

Immaculate Conception School, Columbia Heights: 75 The preK-8 school opened in 1939 and graduated its first eighth-grade class in 1940.

To commemorate its milestone, it hosted an October alumni gathering and is planning an all-class reunion March 21.

Former Immaculate Conception teacher, Franciscan Sister Ruth Margaret Peterson, 84, was in its fourth grade the year it opened. She recalled that the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio, the founding congregation, had to make due at first with an unfinished school building and no convent, living in classrooms.

She joined the community at age 24 and returned to teach from 1986 to 1996. She now works in the parish’s faith formation department, and describes her homecoming as God bringing her “full circle.”

Rochester Franciscan Sisters also taught at the school.

Bethlehem Academy, Faribault: 150 At the request of St. Paul Archbishop Thomas

January 29, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit

This year, students in third through eighth grade from Holy Cross Catholic School in Webster are decorating cookies and singing for residents of The Villages in Lonsdale, an assisted living and memory care facility.

“Service is integrated into our curriculum, and we strongly believe that is an essential part of education — for students to learn not only facts and thought processes, but to learn empathy and compassion,” said Anne Fredrickson, director of development and marketing at Holy Cross. “Students should embrace the fact that we all have a responsibility to one another to essentially ‘be our brother’s keeper’ by seeing a need and responding to it according to Jesus’ call to do unto others as we would have done to us. We want our students to internalize the call to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the world.”

John Dols, assistant principal and campus minister at Holy Family High School, cites Pope Francis’ call to serve.

“Following the words of Pope Francis, we should always serve the poor and vulnerable in all we do and say as Catholics,” he said.

“Catholic Schools Week simply gives us that opportunity to do it and connect it to who we are. Most young people in Catholic schools do service; this week gives us the opportunity to help our students understand why we do service.”

Grace, himself a Dominican, five Sinsinawa Dominican sisters founded Bethlehem Academy in Faribault in 1865. The school (grades 7-12) is celebrating through July 2016, with an all-school reunion Aug. 7-9.

According to school lore, the sisters and their students were beneficiaries of an undocumented miracle attributed to St. Joseph, the school’s patron.

They had run out of firewood during a harsh winter and were praying for help when a stranger arrived with wood. After stacking it, he was never heard from again, and no benefactor ever mentioned the gift.

Schools in the Archdiocese

BY THE

NUMBERS 29,943

Students in pre-K through grade 12

90 Total schools*

77

Elementary schools

13 Secondary/K-12 schools

19

Average class size

50 Percent of teachers with advanced degrees

97

Percent graduation rate

97 Percent

of graduates who pursue higher education

98

Percent of statelicensed teachers

17 Percent of students not Catholic

63

Holy Cross Catholic School, Webster: 10 Holy Cross Catholic School in Webster is planning an all-school reunion in October to commemorate 10 years in its school building.

Parish schools at Immaculate Conception in Lonsdale, St. Nicholas in New Market and Most Holy Trinity in Veseli consolidated in 1969 as LNMV Area Catholic Schools but continued to use all three buildings. In 2005, the preK-8 school changed its name to Holy Cross Catholic School and opened a new building.

74

Preschool programs

Extended day programs

*Some schools include elementary, middle and/or high schools.

Source: Office of Catholic Schools