The Catholic Telegraph October 2021

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190th year | issue 10

bringing faith into the home

october 2021 | respect life | 1

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Who Do You See in the mirror?

“Mom, I love you. You know what I love about you? I love that your arm is so squishy and soft to lay on.”

So spoke my six-year-old daughter as she snuggled up next to me in bed. The pattern of my thoughts at her words went something like this: “Ugh. Squishy. I really need to lose weight. I can’t stand how I look. Even my kids notice I’ve gained weight.” But here is what went through her mind: “My mom is the most wonderful person in the world. My favorite place to be is in her arms, which are so comfortable and soft. They’re perfect.”

October is Respect Life Month and in Catholic Social Teaching “respect life” includes the dignity of every single person, including me... including you. For how can we truly respect the lives of others if we don’t first have an understanding of what it is to respect ourselves? After all, God created man and woman in His image. (Gen. 1:26).

While I think about being made in the image and likeness of God often (and give myself a pep talk on the topic regularly), it really comes into play when my children hear me speak about myself. How they hear their parents speak not only informs how they will speak about themselves and form their own self-esteem and personal values, but it will translate into how they think of others.

When they look in the mirror, their estimation of themselves will form based on what they have heard others say is valuable. Will they say “I’m too big. I’m not pretty. I don’t like my nose?” Or will they say, with humility, “Wow, God is amazing. He made me!” When they look at the child sitting alone at recess because they look or think a bit differently, will they say, “That person is made by God, and is worth my love, too,” or will they shy away? When faced with an unplanned pregnancy or making end of life decisions for their loved ones, will they determine that person has no value based on

their size, their stature, their perceived value – or will they rely on what they learned from mom and dad (and hopefully others) over the years: That person is made in the image and likeness of God and they, too, have value and dignity.

The next time you gaze in the mirror and you fixate on the dark circles, the wrinkles, the extra weight, I urge you to think of the wonder you are. And if, like me, you have little sets of (sometimes overly honest) eyes watching your every move, I encourage you to say something positive out loud, or respond to their discerning comments with joy.

“Mom, your tummy squishes.”

“Isn’t that amazing that my body carried all four of you in there – and two of you at the same time!”

We teach our children respect for life early with how we speak about ourselves and others in their presence. They listen. They internalize. They use what they hear to decipher the world around them from the unborn baby to the isolated classmate to themselves. We can start early and teach them the truth of human dignity.

cteditorial@catholicaoc.org THE CATHOLIC TELEGRAPH 190th Year No. 10 • October 2021 513-263-6635 • thecatholictelegraph.com

PUBLISHER Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr

EDITOR Jessica Rinaudo

MEDIA SALES Deacon Graham Galloway

GRAPHIC DESIGN Emma Cassani

PHOTOGRAPHY Margaret Swensen

DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT Dominick Albano

NEW MEDIA EDITOR Greg Hartman

SOCIAL MEDIA Katherine Geiger

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contents news

respect life & schools

columns

8 BEACONS OF LIGHT LETTER

24 WALKING WITH MOMS IN NEED

7 QUESTION OF FAITH

ARCHBISHOP DENNIS M. SCHNURR

KARY ELLEN BERGER

FATHER DAVID ENDRES

Who’s in Hell?

10 FAMILIES OF PARISHES: GIVE US YOUR FEEDBACK!

26 A SENSE OF BELONGING PATRICIA MCGEEVER

19 SHINE ON

DOMINICK ALBANO

Addressing the concerns of those with special needs at church

DOMINICK ALBANO

FATHER EARL FERNANDES

32 FAITH FOR LIFE

35 CATHOLIC AT HOME

Families of Parishes: Journeying together

JOHN STEGEMAN

KATIE SCIBA

Vivian Koob’s Christ-centered focus drives her pro-life work

Moving forward after miscarriage

34 HOPE & HEALING FOR INFERTILE COUPLES

DR. KENNETH CRAYCRAFT

12 A PRIEST’S PERSPECTIVE

14 VITAL & VIBRANT JESSICA RINAUDO

Two Reading parishes merge to form Our Lady of the Valley Parish for brighter future 16 ANNUAL MEN’S EUCHARISTIC PROCESSION 18 ARCHBISHOP SCHNURR’S MESSAGE FOR WORLD MISSION MONTH 20 TO RUSSIA, WITH LOVE

ON THE COVER PHOTO BY: MARGARET SWENSEN

Despite having Down Syndrome, Alan Millhouse, 17, serves as an usher and is active at his parish, St. Charles Borromeo in Kettering.

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36 A CLOSER LOOK Why capital punishment is “inadmissible”

KATIE SCIBA

40 OVERCOMING OBSTACLES KARY ELLEN BERGER

St. Rita’s & archdiocese assist nonverbal students in participating in confirmation

51 SEIZE THE MOMENT NICHOLAS HARDESTY

The disciple and the con man 52 THEOLOGY OF THE BODY DR. ANDREW SODERGREN

42 HIGH SCHOOL UNITY MASS

The Sacrament of the Body

JANET PATTERSON

St. Mary’s and Sidney Deaneries revive northern tradition

MATT HESS

Sydney Parish Twins with Russia

Are you a lampstand or a bushel basket?

44 ART & SOUL

54 MAKING CATHOLIC MEMORIES WAYNE & MARIANNE TOPP

Writing icons with St. Luke

EILEEN CONNELLY, OSU

56 DID YOU KNOW?

Theological Imagination at SUA

GAIL FINKE & EMMA CASSANI

46 FORMING YOUNG MISSIONARY DISCIPLES BONNY VAN

Holy Cross Church, Dayton 58 THE FINAL WORD TONY STIERITZ

A call to everyone for every life Pope Francis’ Prayer Intention for October – Missionary Disciples: We pray that every baptized person may be engaged in evangelization, available to the mission, by being witnesses of a life that has the flavor of the Gospel.

SEEK THE LORD ARCHBI S HO P D E NNIS M. SCH NUR R

Every month should be, in a sense, Respect Life Month.

There is no time or circumstance in which respect for life is not demanded of Christians. During October, however, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) asks us to give special attention to the sanctity, dignity and rights of every human person made in the image and likeness of God. As the USCCB website notes, “The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred, and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. This belief is the foundation of all the principles of our social teaching.” Thus, “life and dignity of the human person” is listed first among social justice principles because it is the basis of all the others.

In our country today we must have special concern for the unborn, who are without legal protection. A person denied the right to life can have no other rights. Under the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision of 1973, no state may prohibit abortion until “the stage subsequent to viability.” Although abortion has existed since ancient times, the Church has always recognized it for what it is: the intentional taking of the life of an innocent child.

Science has confirmed that an unborn baby is indeed a child: everything that makes a human being human is present in the earliest stages of pregnancy. It is not morally licit, therefore, to say, “I am personally opposed to abortion, but I will not impose my morality on others.” Abortion imposes death on the “other” inside the womb and is an intrinsic evil.

In Roman times, Christians rescued unwanted children left to die. Today Christians work in pregnancy centers to care for mothers and their children. A slogan often seen on billboards, signs and shirts condenses their operating

principle into three words: “Love Them Both.” This love extends also to mothers who aborted their babies, have come to deeply regret it, and are in need of mercy and healing.

That is being pro-life.

Respecting life does not stop at the womb. Any implication that the desire to protect life in its most fragile stages conflicts with caring for life at other stages is false. As Pope Francis wrote in his apostolic exhortation, Gaudete et Exsultate (Rejoice and Be Glad): “Our defense of the innocent unborn, for example, needs to be clear, firm and passionate, for at stake is the dignity of human life, which is always sacred and demands love for each person, regardless of his or her stage of development. Equally sacred, however, are the lives of the poor, those already born, the destitute, the abandoned and the underprivileged, the vulnerable infirm and elderly exposed to covert euthanasia, the victims of human trafficking, new forms of slavery, and every form of rejection” (GE 101).

In the almost half a century since Roe v. Wade, thousands of the faithful in our archdiocese have marched for life, lobbied legislators, assisted pregnant mothers, demonstrated outside of abortion clinics, and voted their informed conscience. I am grateful for the way they have lived their faith and made a difference.

Despite our efforts, we still live in a world that does not grant all people the respect and dignity to which they are entitled as daughters and sons of God. However, in the words of St. Teresa of Kolkata, “God does not require that we be successful, only that we be faithful.” Respect Life Month is an opportunity to think about how we can be ever more faithful to God’s call to respect the inviolable sacred nature of human life in all its stages and conditions.

S E E K T H E L O R D / O CT OBE R 2021 | 5

BUSCA AL SEÑOR ARZOBISPO DENNIS M. SCHNURR

Cada mes debe ser, en cierto sentido, el Mes del Respeto a la Vida. No hay momento ni circunstancia en la que no se exija a los Cristianos respeto por la vida. Durante octubre, sin embargo, la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de Estados Unidos (USCCB) nos pide que prestemos especial atención a la santidad, dignidad y derechos de cada persona humana hechos a imagen y semejanza de Dios.

Como señala el sitio web de la USCCB, “La Iglesia Católica proclama que la vida humana es sagrada, y que la dignidad de la persona humana es la fundación de una visión moral para la sociedad. Esta creencia es la base de todos los principios de nuestra enseñanza social”. Por lo tanto, “la vida y la dignidad de la persona humana” se enumera en primer lugar entre los principios de justicia social porque es la base de todos los demás.

En nuestro país hoy debemos preocuparnos especialmente por los no nacidos, que no tienen protección legal.

Una persona a la que se le niega el derecho a la vida no puede tener otros derechos. Bajo la decisión del Tribunal Supremo de Roe v. Wade de 1973, ningún estado puede prohibir el aborto hasta “la etapa posterior a la viabilidad”.

Aunque el aborto ha existido desde la antigüedad, la Iglesia siempre lo ha reconocido por lo que es: quitar la vida intencional de un niño inocente.

La ciencia ha confirmado que un bebé por nacer es, en efecto, un niño: todo lo que hace que un ser humano sea humano está presente en las primeras etapas del embarazo. Por lo tanto, no es moralmente lícito decir: “Personalmente me opongo al aborto, pero no impondré mi moralidad a los demás”. El aborto impone la muerte al “otro” dentro del vientre y es un mal intrínseco.

En la época Romana, los Cristianos rescataban a niños no deseados que dejaban por morir. Hoy en día los Cristianos trabajan en centros de embarazo para cuidar a las madres y sus hijos. Un eslogan que se ve a menudo en letreros publicitarios, rotulos y camisas condensa su principio de

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funcionamiento en pocas palabras: “Ámalos a los dos”.

Este amor se extiende también a las madres que abortaron a sus bebés, han llegado a arrepentirse profundamente y necesitan misericordia y curación. Eso es ser pro-vida.

Respetar la vida no se detiene en el vientre materno.

Cualquier implicación de que el deseo de proteger la vida en sus etapas más frágiles entra en conflicto con el cuidado de la vida en otras etapas es falsa. Como escribió el Papa Francisco en su exhortación apostólica, Gaudete et Exsultate (Alégrense y Regocíjense): “La defensa del inocente que no ha nacido, por ejemplo, debe ser clara, firme y apasionada, porque allí está en juego la dignidad de la vida humana, siempre sagrada, y lo exige el amor a cada persona más allá de su desarrollo.

Pero igualmente sagrada es la vida de los pobres que ya han nacido, que se debaten en la miseria, el abandono, la postergación, la trata de personas, la eutanasia encubierta en los enfermos y ancianos privados de atención, las nuevas formas de esclavitud, y en toda forma de descarte” (GE 101).

En el casi medio siglo transcurrido desde Roe v. Wade, miles de fieles en nuestra arquidiócesis han marchado por la vida, presionado a legisladores, ayudado a madres embarazadas, manifestado fuera de las clínicas de aborto, y votado su conciencia informada. Estoy agradecido por la forma en que han vivido su fe y han hecho una diferencia.

A pesar de nuestros esfuerzos, todavía vivimos en un mundo que no concede a todas las personas el respeto y la dignidad a los que tienen derecho como hijas e hijos de Dios. Sin embargo, en palabras de Santa Teresa de Calcuta, “Dios no requiere que tengamos éxito, sólo que seamos fieles”. El Mes del Respeto a la Vida es una oportunidad para pensar en cómo podemos ser cada vez más fieles al llamado de Dios a respetar la naturaleza sagrada inviolable de la vida humana en todas sus etapas y condiciones.

QUES TI ON OF F A IT H

WHO’S IN HELL? If saints are known to be in heaven, are there particular souls known to be in hell?

The Church does not judge whether certain souls are in hell. Such judgment is for God alone. Even those individuals who appear to have lived contrary to Christ’s teachings may still be saved through repentance.

The Church emphasizes the possibility of conversion for each person and trusts in the mercy and love of God. SOULS IN HEAVEN

In certain cases the Church attempts to determine which souls are among the communion of saints. With as much certainty as possible, the canonization process determines that a given soul is in heaven (a saint) and may intercede for us.

The process, often lengthy, relies on an examination of the person’s life and the investigation of miracles effected through the probable saint’s intercession – since only souls in heaven can intercede for those on earth.

Salvation is not limited, of course, to the canonized, though for those not declared saints, there is uncertainty about their place in eternity. We commend each soul to God, asking for mercy, that they may experience eternal rest in the Lord.

SOULS IN HELL

The Church believes in the reality of hell, but there is no process to ascertain the damned. A soul’s relationship with God is largely hidden from others, and it is difficult to know publicly whether one has repented of sin.

In considering whether any particular souls are known to be in hell, the example of Judas is often mentioned. Jesus said of him: “Woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born” (Mk. 14:21; Mt. 26:24). At the end of Jesus’ life, many

betrayed him, even Peter, but all except Judas were reconciled to Jesus. However, even the judgment of Judas is not known with certainty. As the Catechism concludes, the personal sin of the participants in Jesus’ death, including Judas, is known to God alone (CCC 597).

HOPE IN CHRIST

The Church points out the path of salvation but does not judge on behalf of God. Instead, the Church offers helps to eternal life, especially the sacraments. Among the sacraments are those that aid in the restoration of our relationship with Christ.

Confession, anointing of the sick and the Eucharist nourish the soul and help ready the person for judgment.

For each soul, the Church holds out the hope of eternal life, believing that Christ desires the salvation of all. According to an ancient tradition, Jesus descended to the realm of the dead following His crucifixion and before resurrecting. There He preached to those who had gone before Him, including Adam and Eve, to whom he offered life eternal.

Proclaiming, “I am the life of the dead,” He implored them, “Arise, let us go hence … to the kingdom of heaven prepared before the ages” (from “An Ancient Homily for Holy Saturday”).

Jesus’ descent was not to destroy hell or render damnation impossible, but to offer salvation to those who had gone before Him. His descent to the realm of the dead may give us solace: Jesus provides every opportunity for us to enter into eternity with Him. And for this reason, the identity and number of the souls in heaven and hell will remain unknown.

FATHER DAVID ENDRES

is associate professor of Church history and historical theology at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary & School of Theology.

Q U E S T IO N O F F A IT H / O CT OBE R 2021 | 7

A Letter from Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, The mission of the Catholic Church, our mission, entrusted to the apostles by Jesus, is to proclaim the Good News of salvation and “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Mt. 28:19-20). In short, to radiate Christ.

We have a responsibility to make the best use of all the means which God has provided us to pursue this sacred mission. It is therefore appropriate to ask, are all our resources – human, physical and financial – properly ordered to missionary discipleship? Are they working in concert to continuously draw parishioners and attract new members into a more intimate relationship with Jesus? Or are they consumed by efforts to maintain the status quo and spread too thin to be truly effective?

These are the concerns that Beacons of Light, the multiyear process of comprehensive pastoral planning for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, has been addressing. After months of study and analysis, we cannot escape the conclusion that in many cases our church buildings are grossly underutilized, our priests and parish staff members are stretched to the limit, and our parishes are simply not the vibrant, evangelizing communities Catholics want and need them to be.

To help remedy this situation and be better stewards of the resources God has made available to us, parishes in the archdiocese will be grouped into “Families of Parishes” under the leadership of one pastor. After that, each Family will collaborate internally to determine the best and highest use of their shared resources to radiate the love of Christ and form a strong, vital community of evangelization and service centered on the Eucharist.

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Your thoughtful feedback at this stage of the planning process would be most valuable. A draft of the Families of Parishes will be shared for public comment Oct. 1-20 at www.BeaconsAOC.org, the website of the Beacons of Light initiative. Please be sure to familiarize yourself with the information on the website, then prayerfully provide your input on this important step which will shape the future of our archdiocese.

As we continue this challenging but necessary endeavor, it is critically important that we earnestly seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit so that we might together discern the best path forward with humility and courage. Please join me in asking for the intercession of our Blessed Mother, to whose care we have entrusted our archdiocese, that God continue to bless us with His presence and His love, as we pray: Mary, Mother of the Church and our Mother, present our prayer of thanksgiving to your Son. Beg from Him the graces we need to be faithful disciples who follow Him with enthusiasm and joy.

May our witness to the love of God bear fruit in our archdiocese, parishes, homes and hearts.

Teach us to be God’s joyful witnesses, to radiate Christ in all we do, so that all people might know, love and follow your Son through this life and into the next.

Amen.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Dennis M. Schnurr Archbishop of Cincinnati

BEA CO NS OF LIGHT

Glossary

Infrastructure: The collective physical structures and property in our archdiocese – church buildings, school buildings, office buildings, rectories and real estate, including parking lots, grounds, etc.

Bishop / Archbishop: A successor of the Apostles who has received the fullness of Christ’s priesthood. The bishop is the proper shepherd of the diocese entrusted to him under the authority of the Holy Father. An archbishop is the bishop of an archdiocese.

“The diocesan bishop governs the particular Church entrusted to him with legislative, executive and judicial power, in accordance with the law.”

(Code of Canon Law, c. 391) Pastor: The pastor is the proper shepherd of the parish or parishes entrusted to him under the authority of his (arch)bishop. He is an ordained priest responsible for the ministry of teaching, sanctifying and governing, with the cooperation of other priests or deacons in the parish and the assistance of lay members of the faithful.

Parochial Vicar: A parochial vicar is a priest assigned by his (arch)bishop to a parish or Family of Parishes to assist a pastor in the care of the faithful. The Code of Canon Law defines the office as follows: “Parochial vicars are priests who render their services in pastoral ministry as co-workers with the pastor in common counsel and endeavor with him and also under his authority.”

(Code of Canon Law, c. 545 §1) Deacon: A deacon is a man ordained for service in the Church’s ministry of charity. Deacons receive the sacrament of Holy Orders, as do priests and bishops. Deacons assist priests with various parish ministries. They are able to administer the sacrament of baptism, witness marriages and assist with both the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

Deacons also often assist with parish administration, catechesis and other duties. A permanent deacon may be married or single and is not a candidate for the priesthood. A transitional deacon is a man in formation for the priesthood, for whom the diaconate is a final stage before priestly ordination.

Triune God: A central doctrine of the Church, stating that there are three Persons – the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit – in one God. Sharing the same divine substance, the three divine Persons are co-equal, co-eternal and consubstanstial. They are due co-equal glory and adoration. This doctrine is commonly expressed as that of the Most Holy Trinity.

Synodality: A way of living the faith in a permanent manner at every level – in the parish, in the family and at the peripheries. All members of the Church, laity in addition to clergy, are to be engaged in this way of living.

Synodality describes the journeying together of the People of God toward the New and Eternal Jerusalem.

Lumen Gentium (“The Light of the Nations”): One of the principle documents of the Second Vatican Council, known as the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church. Lumen Gentium has two purposes: to explain the Church’s nature as “a sign and instrument of communion with God and of unity among all men” and to clarify the Church’s universal mission as the sacramental means of human salvation.

WHAT G RO U P WIL L YOU R PARIS H J O IN ?

Visit BeaconsAOC.orgBe to view the draft Stay Heard.

Families of Parishes map and give your feedback.

Informed.

Subscribe to the free monthly Beacons U

From October 1-20, learn how the Families of Parishes are coming together for the future of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati on the Beacons of Light website. This is your chance to give feedback and make sure your voice is heard.

CatholicAOC.org/Be

DON ’ T MI SS YO U R C HAN C E .

V IS IT B E ACO N SAO C .O R G N O W !

B E A CO N S O F L IG H T / O CT OBE R 2021 | 9

BY DOMINICK ALBANO

FA MI LI ES OF PARISHES : GIV E US YOUR F EEDB A C K !

As the pastoral planning initiative Beacons of Light moves forward, Catholic Telegraph writers are meeting with its leaders to bring you the most up-to-date and accurate information on what is happening, describe how decisions will be made and providing clear descriptions of what to expect. This article series on Beacons of Light will appear in every issue of The Catholic Telegraph. Please visit beaconsaoc.org to sign up for the free Beacons Update newsletter.

As the Beacons of Light pastoral planning process continues, now is the time to offer your comments on the Family of Parishes draft. From Oct. 1-20 you can visit beaconsaoc. org and view the proposed grouping of parishes and provide feedback. This is the first opportunity for the lay faithful of the archdiocese to view the Families of Parishes draft.

While this is an important and needed next step in the Beacons of Light process, it is understandable that for many it will bring anxiety and trepidation as they wonder about the future of our beloved parishes. Knowing that, this may be a good time to review the reasons why the archdiocese is embarking on Beacons of Light.

• Religious practice has been declining in both the U.S. and in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. From 2010 to 2019, sacramental practice (including baptisms, first communions, confirmations and weddings) in the archdiocese declined by about 20-percent.

1 0 | THE CATHOLIC TELE G RAPH

• Our current infrastructure and schedules were built for a different era. In many cases, our church buildings are grossly underutilized. In the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, the average Sunday Mass is about one-third full.

• Our resources are largely consumed by efforts to maintain the status quo and are spread too thin to be truly effective.

In particular, our priests are stretched to the limit and we will have fewer priests who can serve as pastors over the coming years. The number of archdiocesan priests available for assignment is projected to decline by approximately 20-percent over the next five years.

Moving from maintenance to mission is at the very core of Beacons of Light. Our parishes exist to serve the great commission of Christ: to go out and make disciples of all nations. Our parishes should thrive, not just survive.

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI said: “The parish is a beacon that radiates the light of faith and thus responds to the deepest and truest desires of the human heart, giving meaning and hope to the lives of individuals and families.”

Forming these Families of Parishes is the first step to ensure our parishes are the Beacons of Light they are meant to be, and your feedback is a critical component to finalizing the plan.

As you visit beaconsaoc.org and view the plan for the Families

of Parishes, here are five ways to ensure your feedback helps our parishes thrive, not just survive:

click submit. There is no space limit on the feedback form.

This is your time to let your voice be heard.

1. Pray for Mary’s intercession for the entire Beacons of Light process and for a personal spirit of docility as you view the proposed plan of Families of Parishes.

Docility isn’t a virtue that gets much airtime these days.

The idea of being open, meek of heart, willing to learn or compliant flies in the face of a modern culture that tells us to challenge, object, stand up and cry out. But docility – being willing and ready to be taught or guided – is a hallmark of Catholic spirituality, as perfectly exemplified in the Blessed Virgin Mary.

4. Subscribe to the Beacons Update newsletter.

While the Beacons of Light team will not be able to respond to every piece of feedback individually, they will read and consider every submitted feedback form. Make sure you check the box to subscribe to Beacons Update when you submit your form. Beacons Update is the best way to stay up-to-date on the Beacons of Light process.

2. View the map.

When you visit beaconsaoc.org, a popup will give you immediate access to a map of the proposed Families of Parishes. You can type the name of your parish into the search box to find which proposed Family your parish may ultimately belong to, or you can zoom in on the map to your parish’s location.

3. Complete the feedback form.

On the right side of your screen, you will see the feedback form. Input your information and your feedback, then

5. Trust in the Holy Spirit.

This is a great time to pray that God equips each of our hearts and minds with the gifts of the Holy Spirit as we set out on this new path together as an archdiocese.

“May it be done to me according to your word.” These words from Mary’s fiat in Luke 1:38 remind us that Beacons of Light is not the plan of any one person. It is God’s plan.

The future of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati is in God’s control. Let us move forward in a spirit of docility and work to advance God’s mission in whatever way He asks of us.

Ensure you are part of the Beacons of Light process by subscribing to Beacons Update at beaconsaoc.org. View the timeline, be informed and get involved in the process by giving feedback.

B E A CO N S O F L IG H T / O CT OBE R 2021 | 11

A PRIE ST ’ S PE R SPE CT IV E

FAMILIES OF PARISHES: JOURNEYING TOGETHER In the first two articles of this series, we explored the foundations for Beacons of Light. The first described the Church as the Family of God, and the second shared characteristics of an evangelizing community. Each Family of Parishes formed through the Beacons of Light process is called to make known the joy of the Gospel. The experience of being a Family of Parishes will bring both challenges and blessings. In this article, I will describe Beacons of Light as a journey rooted in our belief in the Triune God. Growing up, most of us took a family vacation, a journey, with hope for renewal. Those adventures were filled with many joys and likely a few mishaps. The Greek word synodos means “to be on the journey together” as in a caravan or religious pilgrimage (Lk. 2:41-44). As the Archdiocese of Cincinnati journeys into the future, we do so together.

A PILGRIM CHURCH

We are a “pilgrim Church,” journeying toward the heavenly Jerusalem. Significantly, in Lumen Gentium (LG, 9-17), the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, the Second Vatican Council addresses the “People of God” before addressing the hierarchy. Prior to this document, a pyramidal view of the Church, with the bishops and priests on top and the laity on the bottom, dominated. With the document’s promulgation all the baptized, with their distinctive roles, could understand their vocations as a service to the Church.

SYNODALITY

Synodality is a way of living the faith in a permanent way at every level: in the parish, in the family and at the peripheries.

All Church members, not just the clergy or experts, are to 1 2 | THE CATHOLIC TELE GRAPH

be engaged in this way of living. Synodality describes the journeying together of the People of God toward the New and Eternal Jerusalem.

Pope Francis calls us to be a synodal Church, a Church that walks together. He spoke of this at the 50th Anniversary of the Institution of the Synod of Bishops in 2015, stating that it is “precisely this path of synodality which God expects of the Church of the third millennium.” He echoed Pope Benedict XVI in saying that synodality is a “constitutive element of the Church” and described it as “nothing other than the ‘journeying together’ of God’s flock along the paths of history towards the encounter with Christ the Lord.”

A synodal Church is one that listens and “which realizes that listening is more than simply hearing.” This involves listening not only to one another, but also to the Holy Spirit to know what “he says to the churches” (Rev. 2:7). Listening affirms each person’s dignity and expresses respect for the voices, legitimate desires, problems and sufferings of the People of God. The process of listening begins with the People of God, who, by virtue of their baptism, share in the prophetic office of Christ. Priests and bishops, attentive to the voice of the flock, listen to God to act rightly and give credible witness to the apostolic faith. The process converges to a point of unity in faith, facilitating an encounter with the Lord in truth.

THEOLOGICAL BASIS

What are the theological foundations for understanding the Church as a Family of God that journeys together?

That is, if parishes will be grouped together into “Families

of Parishes” in order to discern a future together that best serves evangelization, on what theological basis might this be done?

We begin almost every prayer with the sign of the cross, invoking the Trinity. While we will delve deeper into the theological foundations of Beacons of Light in upcoming months, our belief in the Trinity is a good starting point.

There is a clear Trinitarian imprint on the understanding of the Church in the documents of Vatican II, which describe the Church as “a people made one with the unity of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit” (LG, 2-4). One speaks of a “Trinitarian synodality” ad intra, referring to the dynamic relationship of the Persons of the Trinity as a communion of love, and a “Trinitarian synodality” ad extra, in which the persons of the Godhead “journey together” toward all of creation, the Church and humanity in history. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are the model for all forms of synodal living and, therefore, of a model of living as the Church.

The Scriptures allude to this in the Divine “We” in the story of creation (Gen. 1:26), in the visit of the three guests to Abraham (Gen. 18:1-5) and in the journey of God toward His people through the covenants of the Old Testament, culminating in the Messiah, who offers salvation to Jews and Gentiles alike. The New Testament, especially the

Annunciation (Lk. 1:26-38), recounts the Incarnation as a Trinitarian action – a journeying together: the Father sends the Holy Spirit to overshadow the Virgin so the Eternal Word of the Father might become incarnate. In the Trinity, there is communion and reciprocity among the Persons and an outpouring of love toward humanity.

A SYNODAL CHURCH IS ONE THAT LISTENS AND WHICH REALIZES THAT LISTENING IS MORE THAN SIMPLY HEARING. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit journey together in harmony. The Triune God journeys together toward all of humanity. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit journey with us as we discern the way forward for our archdiocese. In turn, we, as Families of Parishes, must journey together, open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and guided by the living Word (cf. Ps. 119:105).

FATHER EARL K. FERNANDES

is the pastor of St. Ignatius of Loyola Church in Cincinnati and holds a doctorate in moral theology from the Alphonsian Academy in Rome.

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B E A CO N S O F L IG H T / O CT O BE R 2021 | 13

&

Vital Vibrant Two Reading Parishes Merge to Form Our Lady of the Valley Parish for a Brighter Future

BY JESSICA RINAUDO

As the Beacons of Light process ramps up and parishes take a look at who is part of their new Family of Parishes, the faithful may wonder how it will work and what the end result will look like. But members of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati already have one beacon they can turn to as an example.

Father Robben met with pastoral and finance councils about the data and they agreed to bring it to the attention of parishioners at both parishes. In order to do that, a meeting was held for all families to attend at the end of October 2019.

Additionally, they created information folders and made them available to all parishioners.

The newly formed Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Reading, “At the initial meeting when I gave out all the statistics, I created from Our Lady of the Sacred Heart and Sts. Peter asked [parishioners] to take it home, pray about it, and then and Paul parishes, undertook their own research and eventual I gave them multiple ways of forming questions,” said Father merger through a pastoral planning process that began two Robben. “From that came nominations from the parish for years ago under the leadership of pastor Father Matt Robben. members for my Futures Committee.”

It began when Father Robben saw a presentation from Catholic Leadership He added, “Through most of the Institute in 2019 that inspired him to [committee’s] discussions, the thought think more deeply about the vitality of his Prayer is a big part of it was that if we want to keep a parish in parishes. because it opens your heart Reading, we need to do something now to make this stable for the future.”

“The presentation was called ‘The Five to hear what God’s will is Truths of the Church Today,’” said Father After much discernment, discussion and Robben. “[The presenter] laid out a huge and that’s not always easy. prayer, the committee ultimately decided seismic shift that was happening – the the best way to secure a future for a sacramental freefall and what the Church Catholic church in Reading was to merge Sts. Peter and Paul is about to face. And part of that was a good percentage of and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart into one parish that could the time, talent and treasure is all from Baby Boomers. And build on the strengths of both. Despite the need for such a so, I wondered where ours came from and we started doing solution, it didn’t come without heartache. that research.”

The research included the two parishes’ numbers of households, donations and sacraments. “Looking at our families, once we get past the 55-74 [age range], we have less than 100 families between both parishes. And so that was kind of shocking for us,” said Father Robben. “I had a two week period where I had nine funerals and both parishes lost over $35,000 in giving that week. You don’t think of it that way, but when you look at the numbers, that’s not being replaced by anything. So we had to start thinking long term.”

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“There are still people out there who are upset, and there’s going to be. And I don’t blame them. We’re talking about completely shutting down Our Lady of the Sacred Heart and moving down to the [Sts. Peter and Paul] campus,” said Father Robben. “That’s a parish they’ve been in all their lives.

There’s a lot of pain and frustration in that. I’ve met and talked with many people. Just walked them through it. Once they took the time, they understand, but it doesn’t make the pain go away.”

Combining parishes meant selecting one church building. The committee rated both campuses through the lenses of SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats). “Ultimately both campuses have great strengths and great weaknesses. The driving factor for coming to Sts. Peter and Paul was the location in terms of ministry,” said Father Robben.

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The Sts. Peter and Paul Church campus has a large and active St. Vincent de Paul Society that ministers to walkins seeking basic needs. Our Lady of the Sacred Heart ministers to outside organizations, such as pregnancy centers. Only one campus offered the opportunity to continue the ministries of both parishes. Ultimately the majority decided to locate the combined parish at the Sts. Peter and Paul campus. Father Robben said they plan to rent Our Lady of the Sacred Heart campus to a new charter school.

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As of July 2, 2021, the new combined parish is officially up and running, and Father Robben has high hopes. “I’ve created a bunch of different committees – evangelization committees, communication committees. They’re all actively working. I’m excited to see what comes out,” he said.

As Families of Parishes in the archdiocese prepare to undergo a similar discernment process with Beacons of Light, Father Robben has this advice to offer: “Pray. Prayer is a big part of it because it opens your heart to hear what God’s will is and that’s not always easy. Also, you have to be patient with those who are still struggling. Because there’s going to be a sense of pain and there’s going to be loss. But also always keep your focus on the end goal. The end goal is vital, vibrant parishes that flourish and attract people.

So if we keep our eyes on what the goal is, I think Jesus will lead us in the right direction.”

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Father Matt Robben outside of Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Reading.

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N E W S / O CT OBE R 2021 | 15

ANNUAL MEN’S

Eucharistic Procession A Q&A W I TH PA ST PA R T ICIPA NT S

Last year’s Annual Eucharistic Procession had its largest attendance with more than 700 men, and this year we hope to exceed 1,000 men. It is a great honor as Catholic men, and a great witness and blessing to our city, to process in the spirit of reverence and prayer with the Most Holy Eucharist, the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ. – Your Brothers in Christ, The St. Antoninus Holy Name of Jesus Society

PAUL AUTENRIEB Old St. Mary’s How long have you participated in the Men’s Eucharistic Procession?

I have been blessed to have participated in all six of the Men’s Eucharistic Processions.

Why is the Procession important?

I believe the Men’s Eucharistic Procession is extremely important because it physically brings Jesus’ body and blood, soul and divinity into the heart of the city. We are all broken and in need of healing by the Lord, but our human brokenness is so much more visible in the heart of our city.

Why is it important to have a Eucharistic Procession for men, specifically? I believe this present culture minimizes and in many ways attacks the importance of the roles of men, especially in the area of fatherhood. It has also been my 1 6 | THE CATHOLIC TELE GRAPH

experience that many men and fathers prioritize sports and their own comfort zones over living out courageously the Catholic faith. This is a great opportunity to break free from those “idols” and intentionally bring Jesus to others in a way that can be uncomfortable and sacrificial, but at the same time be a moment of life-changing grace that can really empower a man to stand courageously with other like-minded men. It has been an impetus for some men to mature in their faith and lead their families in a stronger relationship with Jesus and His mother.

What’s your favorite moment in the Procession?

One experience that has happened at all six Eucharistic Processions is when we are processing down Vine Street with the Holy Eucharist raised high. While many people are just walking the street focused on their morning tasks, some of the people will stop, express a form of awe, and drop to their knees until Father Bevak passes by them. It is an incredible sight.

Do you have any special memories of the Procession?

One of my fondest memories is entering Old St. Mary’s Church at the end of the Procession. I climb the front steps and enter into this beautiful Church with the incense billowing to the ceiling. As I enter I hear hundreds of men singing in unison their praises to God. I have the blessing of experiencing this with all six of my sons and several of my grandsons. For me it is just a little taste of Heaven.

For those who have never taken part in a Eucharistic Procession, what would you say to encourage them to attend this one? We as men tend to want to solve problems and be “doers.” This is a great opportunity to bring Jesus to the inner city and let Him “fix” and “do” what is necessary.

All we have to do is show up and He provides the truth, beauty and goodness necessary for the moment. It is also a great time to spend with other faith-filled men and to develop a wider community of believers to gather to strengthen each other and to come against this culture of death. We need each other. Iron sharpens iron. It is also a great way to start living a more committed life as a disciple of Christ and it only takes a couple hours of your time. Now is the appointed time.

Why do you think it’s important to have a Eucharistic Procession for men, specifically? I’ve found through my men’s Bible study that iron sharpens iron. Being around other good men makes me hold myself to a higher standard.

What’s your favorite moment in the Procession? Kneeling in complete silence in an intersection is a powerful feeling that I can’t really describe.

For those who have never taken part in a Eucharistic Procession, what you say to encourage them to attend this one? It is early, and it isn’t fun waking up early on a Saturday, but is definitely worth the experience. You’ll be surprised how many familiar faces you see.

JACOB MURPHY Holy Family Parish How long have you participated in the Men’s Eucharistic Procession?

I have attended two years.

Why is the Procession important?

It is a sign to the community that the Church is still strong and we want our faith to be a part of the culture in Cincinnati.

Saturday, October 16 Beginning with 8 a.m. Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains Followed by the 9 a.m. Eucharistic Procession through Downtown Cincinnati Concluding at 11 a.m. with Final Benediction at Old St. Mary’s Church

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N E W S / O CT OBE R 2021 | 17

Shall We Carry on the Same Missionary Spirit?

Office of the Archbishop

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

archbishop@catholicaoc.org 513.263.6612

We must also praise God for the past

Archbishop Schnurr’s Message for World Mission Month/Sunday, Oct.fundraising 24, 2021 efforts of lay Catholics mission

in Europe who supported the growth of our “Once we experience the power of God’s U.S. Church. love and recognize His presence in Missionary Shall Wefatherly Carry on the Same Spirit? In 1822, Pauline Jericot and her factory co-workers in Lyon, France, our personal and community life, we cannot Dear Brothers in Christ, received letters from overseas missioners and help and butSisters proclaim and share what we have began to donate parts of their salaries to the seen and heard. Jesus’ relationship with His “Once we experience the power of God’s love and recognize His fatherly presence in our personal Church the establishment of disciples andweHis humanity, as revealed us share what and community life, cannot help but proclaim to and wehere. have This seenled andtoheard.

Jesus’ relationship His disciples andIncarnation, His humanity,Gospel, as revealed to in the mystery of His Incarnation, theusPontifical Mission Societies, which gave in with the mystery of His Gospel, and Mystery, shows us the extent to which loves than our humanity and to makes own in its $7 million U.S. His missions andPaschal Paschal Mystery, shows us the extent to God more our joys and sufferings, our hopes and our concerns.” first 100 years. Today, Catholic donations which God loves our humanity and makes the statement United States make up 25% His own ouropening joys and sufferings, our World hopesMissionfrom These are the words of the 2021 Sunday

by Pope Francis, in of the at the records Pontifical which he and points outconcerns.” the sacrifices and joys of the early Christians.collection The Actsreceived of the Apostles howMission our St. Paul and fellow missioners carried out our Lord’s command Societies to: “Go, therefore, to the highways in the Vatican.

These and gifts from byways and invite everyone you find” (Matthew 22:9). No one is excluded and no one needs to feel distant Catholics in the United States are then These are the opening words of the 2021 or removed from this compassionate love. shared with the 1,200 mission dioceses that World Mission Sunday statement by Pope cover more than halfmissionaries the globe. today Francis, in which heuspoints out thefor sacrifices The Holy Father urges to be grateful these early missioners, and all of our throughout the world, and to follow their example.

This year the Archdiocese of Cincinnati celebrates our and joys of the early Christians. The Acts 200th anniversary, a reminder to us to be thankful for the many sacrifices’ missionaries have made to build As COVID-19 continues to be a major of the Apostles records how St. Paul and our local Catholic community: secular priests; religious brothers, sister, priests; lay men and women. problem in many mission dioceses, I fellow missioners carried out our Lord’s youof to especially generous command “Go,God therefore, themission highways We must alsoto: praise for the to past fundraisingurge efforts laybe Catholics in Europe who to the supportedand the growth of our U.S. Church.

In 1822, Pauline Jericot and her factory co-workers in Lyon, upcoming collection at your local parish byways and invite everyone you find” France, received letters from overseas missioners and began to donate parts of their salaries to the Church on World Mission Sunday, October 24, to (Matthew 22:9).

No one is excluded and no here. This led to the establishment of the Pontifical Mission Societies, which gave more than $7 million to benefit the Pontifical Mission You one in needs to 100 feelyears. distant or removed from U.S. missions its first Today, Catholic donations from the United States make up 25%Societies. of the collectionthis received at the Pontifical These gifts from in theMission are welcome to join meCatholics for a special compassionate love. Mission Societies in the Vatican.

United States are then shared with the 1,200 mission dioceses thatMass coverat more halfatthe globe.

3:00than p.m. the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains that the The Holy Father urges us to be grateful As COVID-19 continues to be a major problem in many mission dioceses, I urge day you to to thank be for allMission those who have and continue to these toearly missioners, and all of our especiallyfor generous the upcoming collection at your local parishLord on World Sunday, October 24, to benefit missionaries the Pontifical Mission Societies. Youthe are world, welcome to join me forfor a special Mission at 3:00 locally sacrifice the growth of Mass our Church today throughout p.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains that day to thank the Lord for all those who have and and globally. and to follow their example. This year the continue to sacrifice for the growth of our Church locally and globally.

Archdiocese of Cincinnati celebrates our Sincerely in inthe themission mission Christ, 200th anniversary, a reminder to us to be Sincerely of of Christ, thankful for the many sacrifices’ missionaries have made to build our local Catholic Most Reverend ReverendDennis Dennis Schnurr community: secular priests; religious Most M.M. Schnurr Archbishop of Cincinnati Archbishop of Cincinnati brothers, sister, priests; lay men and women.



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GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY TO THE MISSION CHURCH!

WORLD MISSION SUNDAY: OCTOBER 24

Thank You! I praise and thank God for all the support that you members of archdiocese have given to our mission church the past 20 years that I have served here as the Mission Office Director. What a blessing it has been for me to witness the many prayers and sacrifices you have made through our office to enable our fellow Catholics to build up their own communities of faith around the world.

to the Holy Spirit’s call to holiness and service. Likewise, in his World Mission Sunday Message, Pope Francis reflects on the efforts of the early Church and its missioners, like St. Paul, to thank them for spreading the Good News of Jesus. The Holy Father then invites us to continue this joyful and hopeful endeavor by supporting the Pontifical Mission Societies on World Mission Sunday, October 24, at your parish or by mailing your contribution directly to the Mission Office.

As we have celebrated the 200th anniversary of our archdiocese, we recognized the efforts of past missionaries and previous Church members and leaders who responded

Sincerely in the mission of Christ, Dr. Mike Gable Mission Office Director

HELP US SHARE THE LOVE OF CHRIST ACROSS THE GLOBE! MAKE CHECK OUT TO “MISSION OFFICE” FOR “WORLD MISSION SUNDAY.”

NAME: _______________________________________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS: ___________________________________________________________________________________________ CITY: _____________________________________________ PHONE: ________________________________

STATE:_______________

ZIP:__________________

EMAIL: _________________________________________________

DONATION AMOUNT: ___________________________

OR GIVE ONLINE:

WWW.GIVECENTRAL.ORG/PONTIFICALMISSIONSOCIETIES

MAIL CHECK TO: MISSION OFFICE • ARCHDIOCESE OF CINCINNATI • 100 E. 8TH STREET • CINCINNATI, OH 45202

To learn more about mission opportunities, parish/school twinning partnerships, examples of mission dioceses, and various ways to support the Pontifical Mission Societies, visit our webpage at: catholicaoc.org/offices/mission-and-pontificial-mission-societies | 19

BY MATT HESS

Bill Fuller, Missions Committee President at Holy Angels in Sidney, knows that while things have been less active the past year and half due to the pandemic, the committee who coordinates the parish’s mission twinning efforts is ready to get their parish excited again to help their brothers and sisters through Mary, Mother of God Mission Society in Vladivostok, Russia.

Holy Angels parishioners have a strong mission foundation, laid by past committee members, Sister Rita Maureen Schmidt, SC and Fran Holthaus, to build on in the coming year. Before the pandemic slowed their work, the parish held two fundraisers with proceeds going to Russia through the Mary, Mother of God Mission Society. This Californiabased non-profit works stateside for the mission, making sure all donations go to their designated destinations.

The first of these fundraisers was a sale of Russian icons, art and books at Holy Angels Church. After Mass, parishioners were able to purchase items that would not only grace their homes, but also assist the parish community that produced them. The second was a raffle, coordinated by Pam Leong. These efforts brought in more than $3,000 for the mission society.

Funds from Holy Angels are helping with many ministries sponsored by Mary, Mother of God Mission Society. “In particular, our efforts are inspired because there are many ministries to support: basic needs of food, clothing, medical treatment, women support centers (initially trained by Dayton volunteers), evangelization, elderly care, seminarians and capital and equipment projects, to name a few,” said Fuller.

However, the work that is most needed is that of Christ’s great commission: spreading the Good News.

Throughout the decades of Communist rule, the faith of the Russian people was stamped out, with less than 1-percent of the population practicing any faith today. But, before the 1917 revolution, many ethnic groups settled in Vladivostok and brought the Catholic faith with them. Since 1992, Mary, Mary

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Mother of God Mission Society and her 10 satellite parishes have worked to restore the Catholic faith in the area. They cover 500,000 square miles located near Russia’s border with China and North Korea on the Sea of Japan.

Father Myron Effing, CJD and Father David Maurer, CJD founded Mary, Mother of God Mission Society nearly 30 years ago. The reestablished parishes surrounding the Mission in Russia and their ministries show the growth and success of their missionary efforts. Their mission remains the same today: to bring material and spiritual support to the people of this area, while making their American benefactors aware of the many needs they encounter in Eastern Russia.

Holy Angels Church hosted Father Effing in the fall of 2019. He preached at Sunday Masses and challenged and inspired the faithful with the stories he shared.

His visit was a way of thanking the community for their aid, as well as an invitation to continue their missionary work. Father Effing invited parishioners to

visit Mary, Mother of God and engage with those they are praying for and assisting with their donations.

Fuller hopes to organize a mission trip with other Holy Angel parishioners in the coming years when travel returns to normal.

“For me, this is a personal undertaking, having traveled and experienced Russia numerous times during the Soviet and then post-Communist era,” said Fuller.

But a mission trip is not the only thing on the agenda in the coming years. Fuller hopes they can send children’s clothing made by parishioners, along with school supplies and devotional items. To build up the twinning parish program, the committee also plans to reach out to other American parishes who are also twinned with Russia to coordinate efforts and brainstorm how best to utilize their resources.

For Holy Angels Parish, the mission of Father Effing is theirs as well. The faithful seek to give those in Vladivostok more meaningful lives through Christ and His Church.

To view a list of all twinned parishes in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, please visit: catholicaoc.org/offices/mission-and-pontificial-mission-societies

We have been called to heal wounds, to unite what has fallen apart, and to bring home those who have lost their way.

— St. Francis of Assisi

Following in the footsteps of St. Francis, we are serving the poor and underprivileged both at home and abroad in Cincinnati, New Orleans, Jamaica, and more. Covid-19 wreaked havoc on our missions, and your support during these challenging times is lifesaving. To help, visit Franciscan.org.

The Franciscan Friars, Province of St. John the Baptist • 1615 Vine St., Ste 1 • Cincinnati, OH 45202-6492 • Franciscan.org • 513-721-4700, ext. 3219 /SJBfriars /Franciscanfriars /SJBFranciscans

W O R L D M IS S IO N M O N T H / O CT OBE R 2021 | 21

Mission Yesterday and Today

BY LINDSAY BRAUD

The first Comboni novices to arrive in the U.S. in the 1940s.

What we know and experience as “mission” today is different from the mission of 500 years ago, or even 80 years ago.

Under the auspices of Vatican II, the Church’s definition of mission changed, stripping away the colonial mindset and replacing it with the local Church.

Incorporating local traditions into the Catholic faith happens in many ways. For more than 150 years, the Comboni Missionaries have enculturated themselves into the communities they serve. It starts simply, by first learning the local language.

When missionaries first arrived in the Americas and central Africa they not only converted others to the faith, they also imposed European social and cultural practices on the new Christians, in effect erasing their culture.

Father Joseph Bragotti, MCCJ will tell you that learning a new language is about more than just translating words.

When you learn a new language, you learn a new way of thinking and of understanding the world around you. Once you understand a language, then you are ready to share the Gospel in a way people can appreciate.

Today, “missionaries work in partnership with the people, enabling them to take charge of their own faith and community life,” wrote Comboni Missionary Father John Converset, MCCJ. “Most missionaries are now aware that every culture needs to be evangelized. In each culture, they value the positive elements which prepare it to receive the Good News.”

Mission work today isn’t just about “winning souls” or “saving the lost.” Prior to Ad Gentes, the Second Vatican Council’s decree on missionary activity, most missionaries simply condemned other faiths as idolatrous and in error.

Right: Father Louie Gasparini, MCCJ recently baptized a baby at St. Susanna Parish in Mason. Father Gasparini is pictured with the baptized child’s father and brother.

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Fortunately, the Church’s attitude towards other faiths has evolved. “Today, missionaries are more willing to enter into dialogue with believers of other faiths. They recognize that the [Holy] Spirit has been at work among all peoples and there is much for Christians to learn from others,” wrote Father John Converset, MCCJ. In Chad, where only 20-percent of the population is Catholic, disagreement between religious communities is common.

That’s why, in 2006, Comboni Missionaries opened Abraham’s Tent, an interfaith center working to support Islamic-Christian dialogue. There, young people from diverse backgrounds can learn to overcome religious prejudice through lectures, debates and team-building exercises. This type of work would have seemed unfathomable prior to the 20th Century, and yet it is fundamental for healing broken communities.

A missionary must be flexible and willing to listen. This is especially true for Comboni Missionaries. When they first arrived in the U.S. in 1939, their mission was to support the African American Catholic communities in Cincinnati’s West End. Over the decades, their mission has changed.

With the construction of Interstate-75 and urban renewal plans from the city, came the destruction and displacement of the African American neighborhoods, including Holy Trinity parish. The Comboni Missionaries continued serving in parishes like St. Michael’s in Lower Price Hill, but in time, that parish also closed. It was time for a shift in ministry.

In 1998, the Comboni Missionaries accepted overseeing Hispanic Ministry for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. This ministry is thriving, just as it is in the Comboni Missionaries’ other communities across North America. Today, Comboni Missionaries in the U.S. support largely Hispanic communities.

Who knows what the mission will look like in 20-years?

Whatever changes arise, the Comboni Missionaries will be ready to serve.

W O R L D M IS S IO N M O N T H / O CT OBE R 2021 | 23

Walking with Moms in Need leaders Emily Helferich, Father Earl Fernandes and Michelle Wanstrath

Walking with Moms in Need

BY KARY ELLEN BERGER

Ask most moms and they will tell you that any extra set of hands or help with their children is appreciated. For mothers who are doing everything on their own though, that extra help goes much further. That’s where the Walking with Moms in Need program can be a welcomed blessing.

“The idea of Walking with Moms in Need emerged from the 25th anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s encyclical letter, The Gospel of Life,” said Father Earl Fernandes, pastor of St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish. “The USCCB Pro-Life Scretariat proposed the initiative to begin in March 2020.”

This program, which was designed for Catholic parishes across the nation, was put on pause at many churches because of COVID-19. At the beginning of this year, Father Fernandes began working with his parishioners and the church’s already established Mom’s Ministry group to make the program a reality at St. Ignatius of Loyola Church.

“During this initial year of service, our main goal is to develop a website that can encompass all of this amazing information so it can be beneficial to the people who need it most,” said the parish’s program co-leader, Emily Helferich. “All of this information is so incredibly important, but it is useless if 2 4 | THE CATHOLIC TELE G RAPH

the people who need it most do not know about it. We are currently partnering with the Archdiocese of Cincinnati to develop a website that can house this information so it can benefit more than just our [parish’s] community.”

Co-leader, Michelle Wanstrath, agreed, “We do already have parish ministries that help provide emotional support to those in need or organize meal trains for new moms in the parish. So our team continued brainstorming ways our St. Ignatius community could help moms in need that may not have been thought about before.”

The program’s purpose is not only to help mothers who are pregnant but those who may need assistance after the baby is born. St. Ignatius of Loyola leaders say this speaks directly to the Church’s belief of respect for life.

“When a woman chooses life, she needs to then feel supported by her community,” Wanstrath said. “It is one thing to pray, which is very important and we need to continue to pray, but we want to act as well. Walking with Moms in Need strives to provide help and support after that mom has said yes to life.

What’s next? Where can she turn? Those are the questions we want to help answer.”

“Too often the Catholic Church is falsely accused of being concerned with the unborn and being unconcerned with women and children,” Father Fernandes said. “Nothing could be further from the truth. The dedication of people like Emily and Michelle and their core team is a living reminder to me of lay people being a leaven in the world.

The initiative encourages prayer, compassion and action. It puts flesh on the Gospel of Life.”

Walking with Moms in Need strives to provide help and support after that mom has said yes to life.

What’s next? Where can she turn?

While the program’s leaders believe the initiative will officially be activated in the coming months, they also hope the mission will continue for many years to come.

“We are in the process of applying to be the first chapter in Cincinnati and hope to host a baby shower for a mom in the next year,” Helferich said. “In thinking five years out, our goal would be that this is intertwined within all that we do at our parish and that more parishes in the archdiocese have started [Walking with Moms in Need] as well.”

While St. Ignatius of Loyola would be the first in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati to create a Walking with Moms in Need chapter, they hope they’re not the only ones to embrace this program. Parishioners interested in learning more about the Walking with Moms initiative can visit walkingwithmoms.com.

She’s not a choice She’s a human being CincinnatiRighttoLife.org

St. Joseph Home donors provide a nurturing and loving home for children and adults with complex disabilities to live a full life.

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A Cenacle of Life HOLY HOUR Every Sunday 3pm Resurrection Church 1750 First Ave | Price Hill

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exposition of blessed sacrament • two rosaries • pro-life prayers concluding with benediction

R E S PE CT L IF E / O CT OBE R 2021 | 25

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Alan Millhouse, 17, with the garden he helped build at St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Kettering.

2 6 | THE CATHOLIC TE LEGRAPH

BY PATRICIA MCGEEVER

Alan Millhouse has all the interests of a typical teenager.

He plays second base on his baseball team. He plays basketball, soccer and the drums. Math is his favorite subject. He has a girlfriend, loves XBOX, and is starting his sophomore in high school. Alan, 17, also has Down Syndrome.

“When they gave us the prenatal diagnosis, we were told he would probably not walk or talk and that he would be very limited,” said his mother, Dawn. “The next question was ‘How would you like to proceed today?’ That was hard to hear.”

There was never any question about how she and husband, Rob, would proceed, but Dawn admits there was a lot of praying. The couple knew they wanted as many opportunities for their son as their two older daughters had. One of those opportunities came a few years ago at their parish, St. Charles Borromeo in Kettering.

“The former usher captain came up to me and asked if Alan and I would to do the ushering,” said Alan’s dad, Rob. They took a section of the church at 11 a.m. Mass each week. Sometimes Dawn and her daughter, Jacki, would also help. The rest of the team looked forward to seeing their new, young usher.

deaf ministry to eventually have its own accommodations.

The goal is to not only include people with special needs, but to really make them feel welcome and comfortable.

“Inclusion has been the big buzz word for a really long time and it’s important,” said Noelle Collis-DeVito, Associate Director for the Office for Persons with Disabilities. “I like to go one step further and say that we’re trying to foster a sense of belonging. Because, inclusion means you have a place at the table but belonging means that your voice is heard.”

The office can guide parishes on how to prepare those with special needs for receiving the sacraments. It can provide resources for families on where to find adaptive missals, fidgets and manipulatives with religious themes.

“

The former usher captain came up to me and asked if Alan and I would to do the ushering.

“Alan is big on hugging,” said Rob. “Each guy looked forward to a hug from Alan.”

The pandemic put restrictions on hugs and ushering duties like passing the collection baskets and handing out bulletins. Alan hopes that will change soon. In the meantime, he continues to be part of his parish youth group and a member of the Columbian Squires, the youth organization of the Knights of Columbus.

HELPING PARISHES FOSTER BELONGING

The Archdiocese of Cincinnati created The Office for Persons with Disabilities in May of 2020 to help parishes address concerns of those with special needs. Autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, blindness or vision impairment are some its main focuses. Plans are for

A few parishes now offer sensoryfriendly Masses. The lights are lower, music not as loud, the readings come from the children’s lectionary and homilies are shorter.

There is no clapping and lowgluten hosts may be offered. St. Francis of Assisi in Centerville, St. Henry in Dayton, St. Christopher in Vandalia and St. Albert the Great in Kettering all offered sensoryfriendly Masses pre-Covid and plan to resume them.

St. Maximilian Kolbe parish in Liberty Township has a separate room in the church where families can sit to watch a live-stream of the Mass. Parents who feel their children aren’t ready for the big sanctuary are welcome to use it. The room hasn’t been used since the pandemic as many of those families haven’t returned to worship in person.

“It’s a room where they can feel safe, comfortable and enable them to generate this kind of community within these families so these children are able to have friends,” said Mary Ella Wielgos, Pastoral Associate for Worship and Sacraments at St. Maximilian Kolbe. It was a beautiful thing.”

St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish plans to hold a sensory friendly Mass at 2 p.m. on Nov. 14. continued on page 28 R E S PE CT L IF E / O CT O B E R 2021 | 27

continued from page 27

A RESOURCE FOR OTHERS

The Millhouse family is grateful to the people who came before them and made it possible for Alan to be part of the community. They’ve become a good resource for other families with Down Syndrome children. The family is constantly reminded of the value of their son’s life, sometimes in the least likely of places.

A favorite memory is when 4-yearold Alan approached an elderly man in a donut shop, who clearly wanted to be left alone.

“Alan locked eyes on him and is dead set on sitting next to him,” recalled Jacki, Alan’s sister. “By the end of the day Alan was sitting on his lap, having a good conversation. The old

Lucas Zwiers, 4, has special needs and is a member of St. Henry Parish in Dayton.

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man comes up to my mom and says, ‘Thank you for your son. This was the one-year anniversary of my son’s death.’”

Those working to create a stigmafree environment in church say it’s important to focus on the gifts people with disabilities have to offer and make it possible for them to share them. Alan’s mom says she sees the value in many small things and appreciates that now Alan can help inspire others, just by being Alan.

“It’s neat to see the impact he has on the world,” said Dawn.

For more information on creating a sense of belonging in your parish, contact Noelle Collis-Devito at ndevito@catholicaoc.org.

8/26/21 2:38 PM

SHINE O N

ARE YOU A LAMPSTAND OR A BUSHEL BASKET? There is this guy at my office who everybody loves. He is always singing, speaking with an accent or cooking weird food in the kitchen. He greets every person on his way in, usually with more than a passing hello. He sometimes asks how they are doing and actually seems interested in their reply. He’s the kind of guy who knows everyone and always has something kind or encouraging to say. He’s positive and funny and it always seems to be in a good mood.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” (Mt. 5:14-16) We have all read these verses before and most of us have considered its most straightforward implication: “Do you let your light shine?”

But there is another, less obvious, reflection these famous verses invite us to: Are you a lampstand or a bushel basket? Do you raise people up or put them down? Do people routinely feel better after interacting with you? Do you support others or discourage them? Do people leave an encounter with you shining a little brighter?

Most of us believe we’re the lampstand. We generally like ourselves and confirmation bias is real. But I want to invite you to a little honest self-reflection. I’ll start.

I don’t think I’m always a great lampstand, even though I want to be. At work, I often tell others about some stressful thing that’s going on or how busy I am. I can get absorbed in my work and not even acknowledge people when they walk past my desk. At home, I am often short-tempered with my kids, or I’m flying from activity to activity because life is

hectic. My wife and I can get lost in the schedules or budgets or chores and forget to stop and really acknowledge the other.

Schedules, activities, work, chores, busy-ness, are the things real life is made of. None of those are bad things – they just are. Those are the conditions; the circumstances.

People who are lampstands tend to rise above those conditions, those circumstances. My coworker, for example, has kids similar in age to mine, is also married and works in a demanding of a role. He probably experiences a similar set of circumstances and conditions. And yet, you can’t leave an interaction with him without feeling better about life.

Now, stop for a moment and really consider yourself: Do people tend to leave an encounter with you happier, holier, more positive, encouraged, grateful or more joyful? Of course, not every interaction can be like that, but generally.

We’re celebrating a lot of important causes this month: World Missions, Respect Life and our Catholic Schools. We shine a light on them because they make the world much better for many. It’s a great invitation to reflect on your own life.

Shine a light on yourself this month. Everyone wants to be a lampstand, and most of us intuitively know how to spread joy, encouragement and hopefulness. It doesn’t cost you anything and it returns a tremendous reward.

Raising other people up isn’t hard, but you have to be intentional about it. Look for opportunities in your daily interactions to encourage and spread God’s peace, joy and hope and help others walk away shining a bit more brightly.

DOMINICK ALBANO

is the director of digital engagement for The Catholic Telegraph, as well as an author and national speaker. He and his wife have been married for 14 years and have four sons.

S H IN E O N / O CT OBE R 2021 | 29

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Faith for Life Vivian Koob’s Christ-Centered Focus Drives Her Pro-Life Work

BY JOHN STEGEMAN

far away from the Judeo-Christian values we were founded on and certainly the abortion issue is front and center.”

Why do you support Church teaching on life issues? Perhaps becoming a parent opened your eyes to the reality of life in the womb. Maybe a loved one’s end-of-life struggle showed you the dignity of life at all stages. There are many good reasons to choose.

For Vivian Koob, founder and Executive Director of Elizabeth’s New Life Center, the reason is Jesus.“I think everything that I do is because of my belief in Christ,” she said. “I have always tried to be a good example and Christian witness, reaching out to the poor and vulnerable and those who have less. Being Christ-centered is just part of who I am, and who most people are who work for Elizabeth’s New Life Center (ENLC). Certainly, we’re a We believe Christ-centered ministry.”

The battle over cultural values and protection for the unborn swings back and forth. Progress can be made under one administration, and then reversed in the next. Koob isn’t disheartened though, choosing to look at the “little miracles” that happen in her work on a daily basis.

“I often wonder why can’t God just come and do something?

But then He uses our hands and our feet and our voices and our passions and finances, or whatever we have, to accomplish the good we can,” she said. “There is a lot of positive that happens in the work that we do.

Jesus calls We see lives changed every day. We see us to this mission women who were blind to the reality of what they were carrying inside of them field where it is a never-ending battle to and then have their eyes opened up and then fall madly in love with their baby. support the sanctity That’s just the most precious thing.”

“

ENLC operates eight pregnancy resource centers in southwest Ohio.

Koob’s work with ENLC was part of what earned her the Archdiocese of of human life.

Koob also encourages others who Cincinnati’s 2020 Respect Life Award, support the Church’s teaching on life to but she is involved in the wider pro-life get involved. “So often people just throw up their hands and movement as well. Koob serves Queen of Martyrs Parish in give up,” she said. “We’re trying to show them you can do a Dayton as Respect Life Coordinator, has adopted special lot of things in a lot of different ways to promote life.” needs children, worked with the Ohio Disability Support Council and sponsored talks on end-of-life care. She sees The other motivator that keeps her going is the same thing herself as one worker among many for the pro-life mission. that got her started in the movement – Jesus. “I think [daily Mass] really helps me,” Koob said. “I probably couldn’t do “We all have the same heart,” she said. “We believe Jesus calls this work without the sacrament of the Eucharist holding me us to this mission field where it is a never-ending battle to up and keeping me grounded.” support the sanctity of human life. Our culture has turned so 3 2 | THE CATHOLIC TELE GRAPH

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WRONGFULLY CONVICTED Kwame was just 17 when he, along with his older brother and another childhood friend, were sentenced to death for the robbery and murder of a man outside a convenience store in Cleveland. The three had no criminal records, no physical evidence against them was found and credible eye-witnesses testified it could not have been them. The sole evidence in their convictions was the testimony of a 12-year old boy, Edward Vernon. Thirty-nine years later, Edward came forward to admit that police detectives coerced him to testify falsely under threat of putting his mother in jail. The case was finally overturned and the three men exonerated in 2014. Listen to Kwame’s story, and that of others, as to why the death penalty should be abolished and how you can get involved in that right here in Ohio.

Listen to this month’s podcasts on each of these topics at being-pro-life.buzzsprout.com.

• Oct. 5: Rev. Dr. Crystal Walker, whose son was murdered but is against the death penalty • Oct. 12: Kwame Ajamu, a death row exoneree • Oct. 19: Ohio Sen. Stephen Huffman, on the Ohio bill to end the death penalty • Oct. 26: Chanton, a current death row inmate BOB WURZELBACHER is the director of the Office for Respect Life Ministries. He and his wife, Cindy, live in Sharonville with their two young daughters.

R E S PE CT L IF E M O N T H / O CT O BE R 2021 | 33

AN INVITATION TO

Hope & Healing FOR INFERTILE COUPLES

BY KATIE SCIBA

pointed to Elisabeth Lesseur, a wife whose diary revealed fervent prayer in the absence of children. After her passing, Elisabeth’s husband discovered her diary. He experienced a tremendous conversion from his beloved’s words, then became a Dominican priest.

“Despite what we may feel or think,” Vasquez offered, “Christ is there and He wants to be invited into those wounds.”

If you’re waiting for such an invitation, this is it.

Eager to foster this ministry, Father Earl Fernandes, pastor at St. Ignatius Loyola Parish, offered to host the Mass, and through his involvement, it grew into an entire event.

This month brings a new event designed to minister to couples suffering from infertility. On Oct. 16, the archdiocese will host its first St. Gerard Morning of Reflection for Infertile Couples at St. Ignatius Loyola Parish on the West Side of Cincinnati. The morning is made to lovingly receive couples having difficulty conceiving children, and extend hope and healing.

Adriana Vasquez is the Director of Marriage and Family for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Having witnessed a similar event in the Diocese of Phoenix, she was eager to bring this ministry to Ohio.

“The emphasis is turning to Christ in our darkest moments,” Vasquez said. “Who, aside from Christ, can accept and understand such burdens within us?”

One in six couples suffers with infertility, and its burden is often one of solemn silence. While the perceived mark of a Catholic family is its great size with many children in the pew, countless faithful couples present with none. Faithfully, these couples are open to life, even when that openness leads to miscarriage. Amid an understandably strong emphasis on family and fruitfulness, married couples enduring infertility experience a unique suffering that is not only physical, but cultural and deeply spiritual.

Those who struggle are in holy company. There is a growing number of lesser-known saints who suffered from inability to bear children, then experienced a uniquely great love as a result. For inspiration, Vasquez 3 4 | THE CATHOLIC TE LEG RAPH

Father Fernandes’ connection with the Catholic Medical Association yielded a speaker for after Mass. Dr. Jason Mattingly will compassionately discuss medical causes of infertility. He is not only board-certified in family medicine, but also has special training in Natural Procreative (NaPro) Technology, an approach that monitors reproductive and gynecologic health in order to determine abnormalities in need of healing.

Additionally, Kimberly Henkel, co-founder of Springs in the Desert Catholic fertility outreach, will speak to the more heartfelt aspects of infertility, along with two couples on the fertility journey.

The height of the morning, after the Holy Mass itself, will be time with a first class relic of St. Gerard, patron saint of preborn children, expectant mothers and childbirth.

The hope is to bring light and community to a place of dark isolation. The morning is free and welcomes anyone in the archdiocese.

One in six couples suffers with infertility, and its burden is often one of solemn silence.

CATH O LIC A T HO ME

MOVING FORWARD AFTER MISCARRIAGE I remember seeing the small plus sign on my pregnancy test, and a smile spread across my face. Stepping out into the buzzing activity of our home, I held up the test for Andrew to see. He was late on his way out the door to an evening meeting and I was handling bedtime with our five kids. We both let out tired laughs. I gave him a quick kiss and a big grin to convey that, come what may, joy would rule the day.

We sat the kids down the next morning. “We have some news,” Andrew said. “Mama has a baby in her tummy!” The mixed responses from our kids were hysterical. Our practical son urged me to go to the doctor to find out how the baby got in there. Our child with big feelings jumped and danced all over the living room. Another sat totally still laughing while another shed happy tears, repeating, “Another baby!”

For a week, all our family could talk about was Baby Sciba number six: boy or girl? When will the baby come? What name should we pick? We knew we’d have a long wait, but we were excitedly anticipating another tiny family member.

“What do you want to name the baby?” my husband asked me. “Margaret,” I said, “and we’ll call her Meg.” A happy coincidence was that I was due on the feast of St. Margaret, July 20. Andrew, who traditionally doesn’t entertain name suggestions until after we find out what we’re having, agreed immediately. “I like Margaret Rosemary,” he said. And we shook on it.

Three days later Andrew and I found ourselves in the doctor’s office. It was my first visit with this OB – because I called the office in a panic to get an appointment with any available doctor, I didn’t even know her name. Dressed in scrubs, she came in and confirmed what I already knew: our baby had passed away and I would miscarry within the next couple of days. She hugged me and, sharing that she was Catholic, she offered me hope and consolation found in Jesus and our common faith. I was so grateful.

Grief and loss touch us all differently. For me, the following weeks were a blur. I recall telling our children and seeing their hearts break. We had a quiet funeral Mass, followed by a burial with only Andrew, our priest and me present. Friends visited with meals and shared their similar experiences.

Sometime later I looked up the doctor who received us so well when we visited her office. Her name was Margaret.

Through prayer and time, each of us moved forward. Andrew and I seemed to take turns upholding each other as our pain either sank in or abated; but what began and remains is that we openly talk about Margaret. The kids know her intercessory prayers are a powerful grace in their lives, and Andrew and I both turn to her when navigating challenges.

I’m comforted knowing Margaret’s brief earthly life was without sin. Aside from the safety of my womb, she has known nothing but the loving gaze of her Creator.

More than ever, I ache for Heaven so I can be reunited with my daughter and my frequent prayer is for our family’s salvation so we can be with Jesus, Mary and her.

In a month when many of us rightly recall the pre-born and the injustice of abortion, my thoughts turn even more to my miscarried child. I write this so I don’t forget that Meg is not a blessing that was, but one who actively graces our family.

The Author of All Things deemed her necessary for the life of the world, especially our family, and it is right to remember her as she is: A member of our family who wears a victorious crown before the Lord.

KATIE SCIBA

is a national speaker and Catholic Press Awardwinning columnist. Katie and her husband, Andrew, have been married for 13 years and are blessed with six children.

R E S PE CT L IF E M O N T H / O CT OBE R 2021 | 35

A CLO SE R LO O K

WHY CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IS “INADMISSIBLE” A pending bill in the Ohio General Assembly, S.B. 103 (the “Bill”), if passed and signed by Governor DeWine, will abolish the death penalty in Ohio. Cincinnati Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr, on behalf of himself and all the Catholic bishops of Ohio, has submitted written testimony endorsing the Bill and urging its passage. For Catholics, any doubt about the morality of capital punishment has been resolved. As Archbishop Schnurr testified, the death penalty is “is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person, and we should work with determination for its abolition worldwide.”

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the moral life is inherently practical, requiring specific, concrete reasons for doing X or refraining from Y. Similarly, I am suspicious of broad, sweeping generalizations to attempt an account of the Church’s teaching about human life. Slogans like “a consistent ethic of life” do not capture the variety of reasons we give for protecting life across a broad spectrum of circumstances. In fact, they cause more confusion than clarity.

These words echo the recently-revised language of Section 2267 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which teaches that the death penalty is inadmissible for at least three reasons: (1) the inviolable dignity of the human person; (2) the problem with endowing the state with the authority to kill; and (3) the development of legal and technological means to protect society without having to put the offender to death.

In addition to these reasons, other theological commitments also compel opposition to capital punishment. And these commitments do not force us to subscribe to abstract theories or metaphors about respecting life that simply don’t fit all situations.

The notion of a “consistent ethic of life” implies that every question of whether to preserve, take or relinquish a human life is addressed by the same set of reasons. Put another way, it implicitly assumes that every life situation is commensurate with every other. But this is not how it works in the practice of our moral lives. To try to use the same justification for opposing abortion that we use to oppose capital punishment does not work, and we should not force ourselves to attempt it.

This is because abortion and capital punishment are different moral objects, having very little to do with one another, and require different reasons for our opposition to them. If we try to impose a broad generalization, we might (and often do) oppose abortion, but justify capital punishment.

SWEEPING GENERALIZATIONS

JUSTIFICATIONS

As I have written in this space before, I am skeptical of abstract moral principles such as “respect for life” or “the dignity of the human person.” Of course, I do believe we should respect life, and that every person is intrinsically endowed with inviolable dignity. But embracing these notions is often not very helpful in the crisis of moral decision-making. In fact, they can sometimes cause us to confuse issues, and force us to attempt to impose “one-size-fits-all” moral theories on issues that require different moral explanations. While foundational moral principles are a necessary part of our moral deliberation,

But to say that life issues are not commensurate does not necessarily imply that some are more or less important than others, nor does it deny the reality of intrinsically evil moral objects. Our commitment to life issues must be consistent with the moral gravity of the object, even if our reasons differ from issue to issue. But the incommensurability of life issues means that different stages of and questions about life require different justifications, and those justifications don’t “translate” from one issue to the other. For example, we oppose abortion because it is an assault on fundamental justice: depriving an

innocent human being of her life for nothing that human being has done. But that rationale doesn’t work to oppose capital punishment for a murderer.

objections that demand careful and respectful attention.

They are not easily dismissed.

Regardless of these objections, the current teaching is justified even in historical context. Protecting society does By definition, the murderer has committed an egregious not require us to take the life of persons offense against another person who have committed the most heinous particularly and against society crimes. Arguably, that has not always generally. He is not an “innocent” been the case. But, as section 2267 of person, and so we cannot use his To impose sanctions that the Catechism says, it is now. Thus, if it is innocence to oppose taking his life. not necessary to take that life to protect Rather, our opposition to taking the exceed the protection of society, it is necessary not to take that life. life of the murderer must be based on the common good is to This is not based on the moral status of the limits of retributive justice and the the wrongdoer. Rather it is based on the prohibition of vengeance. The primary move beyond justice to moral status of those who would kill (or rationale for depriving the offender vengeance. endorse the killing of ) that person. Even of his liberty is to punish him within if we think that person deserves death, the limits of the protection of human constrained by the limits of justice, we do not have moral society – the common good. To impose sanctions that exceed authority to impose or endorse it. Thus, in the words of the protection of the common good is to move beyond Archbishop Schnurr, “we look forward to the day when the justice to vengeance. The state must never take vengeance, death penalty is only remembered as part of Ohio’s history.” and the Church must never endorse the state when it does.

I am aware of theological objections to the Church’s opposition to capital punishment, especially in terms of the development of doctrine. How do we reconcile the Church’s current teaching with historical examples of the Church’s lack of opposition to capital punishment? These are serious

DR. KENNETH CRAYCRAFT

is an attorney and the James J. Gardner Family Chair of Moral Theology at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary & School of Theology. He holds a Ph.D. in moral theology from Boston College, and a J.D. from Duke University School of Law.

R E S PE CT L IF E / O CT OBE R 2021 | 37

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H IG H S CH O O L O PE N H O U S E S / O CT OBE R 2021 | 39

Overcoming Obstacles St. Rita’s and Archdiocese Assist Nonverbal Students in Participating in Confirmation Mass

BY KARY ELLEN BERGER

A child celebrating their Confirmation Mass is a memory they’ll treasure forever. It’s not only confirming their relationship with God and the Church, but it’s a monumental occasion that is usually celebrated with family and friends.

To ensure students at St. Rita School for the Deaf were not missing out on this sacrament, school leaders worked with the Archdiocese of Cincinnati so nonverbal students could also take part in their Confirmation Mass.

“It starts with our school’s vision statement – specifically, ‘Maximize our students’ full potential by developing the whole child to be confident, contributing members of society,’” said Adam Frazier, the Coordinator of Campus Ministry at St. Rita School for the Deaf. “To tell one of our students, ‘No, you can’t do [something],’ is a blow to their confidence. We have a banner in the hallway quoting Matthew where it says, ‘Let the little children come to me’ and we take that to heart. How can we make sure every student can participate at Mass in a way that is meaningful?”

Frazier reached out to the archdiocese to see what options were available to have all confirmands participate in Mass.

“Through email, we came up with the idea to let the students who are nonverbal write the intentions during the prayers of the faithful,” said Noelle Collis-DeVito, archdiocesan Associate Director for the Office for Persons with Disabilities. “They then lead the prayers of the faithful that they had written with their communication devices.”

4 0 | THE CATHOLIC TELE G RAPH

Since that initial Mass, Frazier and Beth O’Leary, a religion teacher at St. Rita, have continued to utilize the communication devices to inspire more students to participate in Mass.

“This is encouraging more responsibilities for [nonverbal students] and leadership skills can be developed too, just like the verbal students,” O’Leary said. “At St. Rita, we strive to involve all of our students in the Mass, no matter the disability. We want all of them to develop a deeper relationship with our Lord Jesus. I think our program helps work toward this goal.”

“We know all of our students face so many obstacles to accessibility to religion in general, that we will do whatever we can at St. Rita to provide access to Christ and His Gospel message,” Frazier said. “[Having nonverbal students] only means that the adults have to come up with a way to make that opportunity a reality.”

Collis-DeVito agreed, “Our call as missionary disciples is to provide people with the opportunity to encounter Jesus and to accompany them on their faith journey. When we take the time to see the face of Christ in each individual person and respond to their needs and gifts, we are living this mission. By providing creative ways for persons with disabilities to share their gifts at Mass, we are strengthening the Body of Christ.”

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High School Unity Mass

St. Mary’s and Sidney Deaneries Revive Northern Tradition

BY JANET PATTERSON

A late afternoon thunderstorm did not dampen the spirits of 150 high school students who attended the Youth Spirit Mass on Aug. 11. They simply switched the Mass location from the open front lawn of the Maria Stein Spiritual Center to St. John Church a short distance away.

the same fervor with which you compete.”

Wearing their school colors, students from high schools in the St. Mary’s and Sidney Deaneries gathered for the revival of a previous tradition. Father Rick Nieberding, C.PP.S., who died in 2019, celebrated the MAC (Midwest Athletic Conference) Unity Mass every August, drawing athletes from all the schools of conference.

Tom Kueterman, St. Mary’s Deanery Director, proposed the idea of reviving the Mass tradition. In collaboration with area youth ministers and Christen Aquino, Director of Parish Evangelization for the archdiocese, the team discerned the event met the needs of the youth at the north end of the archdiocese.

“It’s been four years since the last MAC Unity Mass,” said Father Steve Dos Santos, C.PP.S., who preached the homily.

“At that Mass, Father Rick would always say, ‘Tonight, we are not competing. Tonight, we are celebrating what holds us together: one faith, one Lord, one baptism.’”

Joe Lundin, a worship leader in the Cincinnati area, and Miley Azbill, an Alter High School graduate and sophomore at the University of Dayton, provided music for the Mass.

He reminded students, “Before you were Tigers, Wildcats, Flyers or Cavaliers, you were members of the Body of Christ.

Before you put on the school colors you wear tonight, you put on the white cloth of baptism.”

Presiding at the Mass was Father Dan Schmitmeyer, Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Additionally, Father Dos Santos, Father Matthew Keller, C.PP.S., and Father Aaron Hess concelebrated.

“Society teaches us to be egocentric; to focus on ‘me,’” Father Dos Santos said. “The team mentality is one we must extend to the rest of the Body of Christ and to the whole world...

You are called to be an example to others…to do that with 4 2 | THE CATHOLIC TE LEGRAPH

While the results on the athletic field are important to the students today, Father Dos Santos said that the “life results” take priority in the ways “you show the love of Christ.”

“It was really a cool experience,” said Olivia Mescher, a sophomore at St. Michael in Fort Loramie, and a basketball player at Fort Loramie Junior-Senior High School. She and her sister, Victoria, a freshman, went to the Mass together. “It was good to see a whole bunch of students together praying,” Mescher added. She also found the message of Catholic author and speaker, Dr. John R. Wood, after Mass inspiring.

“I hadn’t thought about becoming a saint. You think there’s no way, but he said it’s about doing the little things that makes a saint.”

Freshman Luke Kunkler agreed. “[Dr. Wood] had an inspiring testimony that you can’t do it all by yourself. It’s important to ask God to give you strength to do good work.”

Kunkler is a parishioner at St. Sebastian in the Marian Catholic Community.

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H IG H S CH O O L O PE N H O U S E S / O CT OBE R 2021 | 43

Art & Soul New Class at Saint Ursula Academy Introduces Theological Imagination

BY EILEEN CONNELLY, OSU

A new course at Saint Ursula Academy provides students with the opportunity not only to find meaning in the sacred, but to uncover the sacred amidst the secular.

“Art and Soul: Theological Imagination” originated with Saint Ursula religion teacher Lisa Woodall after she took what she describes as an “impactful course” while pursuing a master’s degree in theology at Xavier University (XU). “It blew me away,” she said of the Theological Imagination class, taught by Christ Pramuk, then a theology professor at XU. “It was so rich in terms of revealing meaning in my faith.”

Woodall was so inspired that she prepared a plan to teach the class at the high school level for her dissertation. Art and Soul was offered for the first time during the 2020-21 academic year as a senior religion elective.

“I just feel this is something that is so important to teach before the students leave their formal religious education, to engage their imaginations to give meaning to their faith throughout their lives, being able find God in all things and seeing divine images and messages aligned with Catholic Social Teaching in popular culture,” Woodall explained. “God is all around us. We just need to be aware of and awake to that presence.”

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The class is designed to introduce students to a broad sampling of theological imagination as expressed in architecture, music, painting/sculpture, literature and theatre/film. Students are exposed to Catholic theologians and thinkers who have studied imagination and faith as a “bridge of expression” over which faith may pass from formation to lived experience, along with learning to recognize where works of art and beauty “shed light upon [the] path and destiny ...” of our faith. (Pope St. John Paul II) ART IN PRACTICE

During a week focused on social justice, for example, the class sampled art in its many forms – poetry, sculpture, music, theatre and graphic art – that honors God’s creation and human dignity. The students were particularly moved by the life and art of Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Corita Kent, a mid-century artist, teacher and social justice activist.

Art and Soul also includes variety of guest speakers on sacred art and visits to local examples of sacred architecture, including the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains, St. Joseph Cemetery in Price Hill and Our Lady of Peace Chapel at Xavier University.

SPIRITUAL REFLECTION

Another significant aspect of the course is the chance for students to review their own spiritual journeys

Students are exposed to Catholic theologians and thinkers who have studied imagination and faith as a “bridge of expression” over which faith may pass from formation to lived experience.

as soon as she heard about it. “I’m not an artist,” she said, “but I’ve always been interested in art and thought combining it with a religion class would be a good opportunity.”

What surprised her the most were the varying ways that Jesus, biblical figures and significant events in Church history were portrayed in different cultures. “We all have a different image of God, yet have in common what God provides for us, what He does in our lives,” she said. “We’re all created in His image and likeness and made to love one another as He loves us.”

and identify experiences of God grace. They are also able to compare their personal spiritual experiences to those of artists, architects, composers, writers, filmmakers and actors.

A final project engages their imagination in some way, be it writing, music, visual art or software design for what their ideal sacred space would be. The goal, Woodall said, is to “use everything we’ve talked about in the course and their artistic inclination to make meaning of what they’ve learned throughout their religious education.”

Feedback from the students who have taken the class, just over 100 to date, has been positive. Julia Brockman, who graduated from Saint Ursula in May, said she was intrigued by the course

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Forming Young Missionary Disciples Aubrey Major

Missionary Discipleship Institute at Marian University Helps High School Students Take on a More Prominent Role in the Life of the Church

BY BONNY VAN

Jonathan Kalis

The Missionary Discipleship Institute (MDI) at Marian University in Indianapolis, IN, began in 2017. The one week summer program “equips high school leaders, from rising sophomores to rising seniors, to become missionary disciples in their communities through the Church,” said Patrick Verhiley, Director of MDI.

Jonathan Kalis, a sophomore at Carroll High School in Dayton and parishioner at Ascension Church in Kettering, was an MDI participant this past summer thanks to the encouragement of his youth minister. “MDI has been one of the greatest assets to my faith,” said Kalis. “One reason was seeing so many young Christians who were so willing to share their faith and proclaim it. Another is that it taught me so much about how I should not be afraid to preach anywhere to anyone because I am not alone and will always have people there to support me.”

“[MDI] works to expand the Catholic faith by making room at the table for high school youth to take on a more prominent role in the life of the Church, especially in the work of evangelization,” said Verhiley. “The Mission Plans are the tangible results of the MDI week. They are active and intentional plans discerned with the students’ parish leaders and the help of the MDI mentors, faculty and staff to The community address a need in the community. We work with them to take an idea and turn between students was it into a plan.” really special, but the

communion between

“Mentoring is absolutely essential for walking through life no matter what, and even more so as a Christian,” said Major.

“We are not meant to walk alone, and the best community does not stop at our close circle of friends our age. Relying on mentors and being open to guidance is something that most people struggle with, myself included.”

Some of those plans have included young students and the women’s retreats, revamping Children’s Lord was even more Liturgy of the Word, instituting youth incredible. councils and a blog for Catholic teens.

Discovering new ways to evangelize and The week-long event includes daily Mass, confession, involve youth is much needed, according to Aubrey Major, leadership and community development, as well as vocational a junior at Marian University and an MDI mentor. Major, discernment through mentorship and keynote speakers. “One a Dayton graduate of Bishop Fenwick High School in of my favorite parts of the Institute was hearing the students Middleton, was very active in campus ministry in high school, share the ways they encountered the Lord,” said Major. “It where she lead retreats and service opportunities. She was also brought tears and laughter all at once in students, all signs active at St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Springboro. of genuine encounters in prayer. The community between students was really special, but the communion between “I was always eager to find a good Catholic community in all students and the Lord was even more incredible.” of these places, and while I did find it many times, I also saw a disconnect in the ways the Church reaches young students truly According to Verhiley, most student participants are where they’re at,” said Major. “Coming to Marian University nominated by an adult minister from their church. gave me a community of college students who felt the same Nominations are accepted from October to February. In way. I have learned so much there about what needs to change 2021, 15-percent of MDI students and 40-percent of MDI in the way the Church guides personal relationships with God, mentors were from the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Learn more especially for teenagers, and what we can start doing about it at missionarydisciplesinstitute.com. as college mentors.”

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On June 7, 1606, St. Joseph of Cupertino was born in a stable, just like Jesus! Growing up, he struggled with feeling like he didn’t belong. Townspeople would make fun of Joseph because he was slow at learning, scatterbrained and forgetful - so forgetful that he would sometimes forget to eat meals! Unfortunately, Joseph had a bad temper which only made matters worse.

However, Joseph’s love for God made him persevere.

Joseph frequently had dreams of St. Francis of Assisi, which greatly inspired him to enter the Franciscan brotherhood.

But Joseph had a difficult time finding a monastery that would accept him. Whether he was washing the dishes or sweeping, Joseph would randomly stop what he was doing, kneel wherever he was and go into a prayerful trance. Joseph eventually found a monastery that would allow him to take care of the stables. Slowly, the friars grew to like him and Joseph felt at peace knowing he belonged there.

People would often find Joseph praying in random places and he would wake up from his trance not knowing how he got there. He even performed miracles like healing the sick, and when he was deep in prayer, he often levitated!

Joseph desired to further commit himself to God and become a priest. However, this was very difficult for him with his learning disability. He couldn’t keep up with everyone else in his class. Joseph kept failing his tests until his teacher allowed him to take a test verbally. Joseph passed his test and was able to continue his journey of becoming a priest.

Pray through the intercession of St. Joseph of Cupertino for courage and strength when you are feeling alone or before taking a test.

“Preach the gospel at all times and when necessary, use words.” - St. Francis of Assisi FEAST D AY MAY 26 4 8 | THE CATHOLIC TELE G RAPH

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OUT & ABOUT IN SCHOOLS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE

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OPEN HOUSE Thursday, November 4 4:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. *pre-registration required For more information, contact Director of Institutional Advancement Sarah Cranley Lykins ’02 513.471.2600 Ext.2422 lykinss@setoncincinnati.org

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1) SETON STUDENT BBB SCHOLAR

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Seton High School graduate Anna Hammann was named one of Better Business Bureau’s (BBB) 2021 Students of Integrity (SOI) Scholars.

The SOI scholarship is an ethicsbased essay competition. Recipients are chosen by an independent panel of judges for written submissions demonstrating an exceptional interaction with an ethical dilemma.

“Unlocking Greatness” was the theme for the Lehman Lobos Marching Band July 29 as they took their first steps toward the 2021 season with the start of Summer Band rehearsals.

After taking first place at the McNicholas High School Science Fair and earning a scholarship at the Regional Science Fair, junior Gia Guessford presented her project at the State Science Fair this past summer where she scored a superior rating and won first prize for the Milt Austin Aquatic Science Award.

In July, the Roger Bacon High School Varsity Team competed in the 2021 Orlando Underwater Hockey Invitational Tournament.

Games were in a round robin format against the other teams competing in the Orlando Invitational.

SE I Z E T H E MO ME NT

THE DISCIPLE AND THE CON MAN I’ve written extensively in this space about my journey as a disciple: I’ve written about using a compliment on my beard as an opening to invite someone to church (July 2018).

I’ve mentioned the faith conversations I get into on Ash Wednesday because of my dirty forehead (Mar. 2019), and the prophetic word I shared with a friend (Sept. 2019). I’ve told stories of praying over my son for healing (Jan. 2020) and praying with my family every night at bedtime (July 2020).

You might assume, based on all this, that I habitually seize the moment. When I was a parish DRE, people assumed this all the time. They saw the Bible studies, RCIA sessions, retreats and theological writings and they thought, “Nick must pray 10 times a day. Surely he is the holiest one in our midst.”

outlines the path one follows after becoming a disciple, which culminates in missionary discipleship.

While, in both cases, their explanations of the discipleship path were deeply informative, what helped me the most was their appreciation for how messy it all is. You can progress quickly or slowly. You can get stuck on the path or revert backwards along it. You can pass through every stage in the process of discerning the call to discipleship, and then pass through them all again in the process of discerning a different call (for example, the call to be on mission, or the call to a certain vocation).

It wasn’t true. It’s still not.

What this means is that an “authentic Catholic” is not one who gets it right all the time. Everyone is at a different stage in the process. Everyone is working out what it means to be a disciple. It takes work to continue on this journey. It’s imperfect and it’s not always easy.

CATHOLIC IMPOSTOR SYNDROME

SO WHO ARE YOU?

Of course, other people didn’t know that, but I did. I walked around with the knowledge of my spiritual situation every day. The fact is, I didn’t pray as often as I should. I wasn’t that holy. I didn’t always seize the moment, not even most of the time.

Yes, I don’t always get it right – but sometimes I do. So, what do I think of myself then? Am I a disciple, or am I not? Are you a disciple, or are you not?

As a result, I was convinced for many years that I was an impostor like the “false apostle” about whom St. Paul wrote so forcefully (2 Cor. 11:12-15). How could I not be? After all, I had fooled everyone into believing I was an authentic Catholic when in reality I was not... Or, so I thought.

THE UPS AND DOWNS OF DISCIPLESHIP

Eventually I realized that the “Nicholas as Con Man” narrative is a lie – one Satan tells to keep me from progressing as a disciple. The truth came when I finally learned more about the path of discipleship.

In her book, Forming Intentional Disciples, Sherry Weddell presents the path that leads to a commitment to follow Jesus as a disciple. An apostolate called The Evangelical Catholic

I’m convinced now that if you’ve made the decision to know and follow Jesus, then that’s that – you’re a disciple. That doesn’t mean you don’t have work to do. There’s always room to grow in fidelity to the call of Jesus. But, if you see a homeless person and you keep on walking, that doesn’t mean you suddenly cease to be a disciple. It means you’re a disciple who didn’t get it right that time. The task then is to make sure you get it right the next time. That’s what a disciple does.

Of course, if you’re still unsure, ask Jesus. He will tell you who you are and where He wants you to be. Satan is the con man, not the Christian who keeps trying.

NICHOLAS HARDESTY

is the associate director of Adult Evangelization and RCIA for the Center for the New Evangelization, an archdiocesan initiative that empowers parishes and schools to equip the laity for missionary discipleship. nhardesty@catholicaoc.org.

S E IZE T H E M O M E N T / O CT OBE R 2021 | 51

ON ORIGINAL SOLITUDE: THE SACRAMENT OF THE BODY POPE ST. JOHN PAUL II’S THEOLOGY OF THE BODY This article is tis part of an ongoing series on Pope St. John Paul II’s “Theology of the Body” (TOB).

Last month, I wrote about how the concept of original solitude in Pope St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body applies to both the man and the woman in Genesis 2. Indeed, original solitude – like each of the “original experiences” – applies to us all as it reflects fundamental aspects of what it means to be human. Let’s dive deeper into this aspect of our humanity.

Original solitude refers to the experience of discovering that we are different from the rest of creation, and therefore alone in this world. Unlike all the other bodies we encounter, the human body reveals a person – a free, rational subject endowed with self-awareness and self-determination. Nonetheless, our bodies connect us with the earth and all the rest of physical creation. Yet, as persons we are also connected to the spiritual realm (i.e., angels and God). Man is thus a paradox in whom heaven and earth are wedded together.

Indeed, this uniting of the physical, spiritual, and even the divine, defines our unique place and purpose in the cosmos.

It also makes plain the dignity of the human body. As a person, man bears an immeasurable dignity, and since he is an embodied being, the human body shares in this dignity. Pope St. John Paul II often affirmed this. In his 1993 encyclical Veritatis splendor he wrote, “Only in reference to the human person in his ‘unified totality,’ that is, as ‘a soul which expresses itself in a body and a body informed by an immortal spirit,’ can the specifically human meaning of the body be grasped” (VS 50). The human body is not a mere object, tool or prison.

It is not separate from or beneath the human person but is integral to who we are. In short, my body is me.

In Theology of the Body, Pope St. John Paul II went even farther by speaking of the sacramentality of the human body. He did not mean the human body is some kind of eighth sacrament alongside the traditional seven. Rather, he taught that because of man’s unique place in the cosmos, the human body bears some of the qualities of a sacrament. All sacraments use 5 2 | THE CATHOLIC TE LEGRAPH

material things (e.g., water, oil, bread, wine) to convey spiritual realities. While composed of matter drawn from the earth, the human body at the same time effectively makes present the mysterious, spiritual reality we call “person.” In this way, the body reveals the person and can be said to be the “sacrament of the person.” Even more, because the human person is made in God’s image and is called to communion with Him, the human body also bears the capacity to make God present in a visible way: “The body, in fact, and only the body, is capable of making visible what is invisible: the spiritual and the divine. It has been created to transfer into the visible reality of the world the mystery hidden from eternity in God, and thus to be a sign of it” (TOB 19:5).

We will delve deeper into this sacramental vision of the human body in future reflections on original unity and original nakedness. For now, it is enough to reflect on what this sacramental vision means for how we regard our bodies and how we treat one another. It follows from its sacramental character that the proper attitude toward the human body is one of reverence. Indeed, the reverence due the human body is similar to what we owe toward the sacred vessels such as the chalice and other holy objects used at Mass. This does not mean we worship the body, but we treat our bodies and especially those of others with holy respect and honor. What we do to the body, we do to the person.

This sacramental understanding of the human body also provides a foundation for a more general sacramental worldview in which we see all of creation as revealing the glory and mystery of God. Indeed, the human body and all of visible creation are gifts given to us by God as signs of His infinite wisdom and love. Let us receive these great gifts with gratitude, caring for and cultivating them according to God’s designs so that they may radiate His beauty ever more brightly.

DR. ANDREW SODERGREN, MTS, PSY.D.

is a Catholic psychologist and director of psychological services for Ruah Woods. He speaks on topics related to the integration of psychology and the Catholic faith. He and his wife, Ellie, have been married 21 years and have five children.

Integrating the best of psychological science & the truths of the Catholic faith

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Throughout his Gospel and throughout the book of Acts, Luke portrays a number of very important ideas including: 1. Salvation is meant for everyone.

2. Jesus is the key to understanding the complete story of salvation that began in Genesis.

The final point that is clear in Luke’s writings is that he loved Mary and believed she was truly the first and primary disciple of Jesus. So strong was Luke’s devotion to Mary, that legend has it he even painted the first icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary holding the child Jesus. That is why he is known as the patron of artists, as well as of doctors and surgeons.

Luke was an incredibly smart man who used his knowledge and attention to detail to convey the life of Jesus in a way that is true and beautiful. But his desire for sharing the Good News that was brought through the Blessed Virgin Mary could not be contained in mere words, it had to be written into an image. This helped the stories come alive in a whole new way.

W R I TI N G I CO N S W I TH S T. LU K E

Sitting on the couch with Agnes, or any of our children, we get to witness what it was like to be those who heard the story of Jesus for the first time.

BY WAY NE & MARIANNE TOP P

Our youngest daughter, Agnes, loves books!

Whenever she can, she will pick up a stack of picture books and take them to the couch. Then she’ll grab her blanket, climb on the couch, scooch in close to us and listen to story after story.

St. Luke, whose feast day is Oct. 18, also loved stories. In fact, of the four gospel writers, he alone is known as “the storyteller.”

St. Luke lived in the 1st Century AD. He was likely a member of a wealthy family and because of that, he was well educated. In addition to being a writer, we know St. Luke was a physician. St. Luke was not a companion of Jesus, but was a Christian and knew Jesus’ apostles and travelled with St. Paul. He spent his time not only preaching the Good News of salvation brought by Jesus Christ, but also listening to the stories of those who knew Jesus.

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We can easily imagine, through the eyes of our children, the way those first Christians must have been in awe of the Man who brought salvation to all the world. They would never want to leave the side of those first storytellers. St. Luke couldn’t keep these stories to himself. They changed him forever and he shared them by mouth, wrote them down and wrote them in paint. These stories continue to change us.

May we, as parents, always share this news with our children and may our children all grow to do the same.

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Written by Gail Finke Illustrated by Emma Cassani

Holy Cross Church in Dayton the only Lithuanian parish in southern Ohio. It was redesigned in the 1960s by Lithuanian Chicago architect John Mulokas to honor churches throughout Lithuania that were closed by the Communist government. It features stylized versions of folk art, most of them – including the stained glass – made by Lithuanian craftsmen.

1stained glass screen (with flanking panels) behind the altar represents the famous Hill of Crosses in northern Lithuania, made by Adolf Valeska Studios of Chicago.

2 carved wooden side altars for St. Casimir, patron saint of Lithuania; and Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn, shaped like roadside shrines and topped with traditional Lithuanian “sunburst crosses.”

2 readings still proclaimed in Lithuanian at every Mass.

14 side windows made of French slab glass by Adolf Valeska Studios of Chicago feature stylized depictions of Lithuanian roadside shrines.

1886 First two Lithuanian immigrants settle in Dayton.

29 ft 7 inches: The height of the Lithuanian-style belltower and steeple.

1902 St. Peter’s Society founded to establish a Lithuanian church.

1914 Holy Cross parish established.

1915 Church dedicated.

1963-64 Church renovated and redesigned.

1965 Shrine of the Three Crosses erected.

Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn Land of Crosses Lithuania’s traditional nickname – decorative crosses “kryžiai” – are so popular that “cross-crafting” is recognized by UNESCO and is the inspiration for the parish’s name.

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Displayed for centuries in a chapel above the Gate of Dawn in the Vilnius city wall, this painting depicts the Virgin Mary with a halo of golden rays. Painted circa 1630 and covered in gilded silver like many Eastern Orthodox paintings, her image was canonically crowned in 1927 by Pope Pius XI and is surrounded by panels made of silver votive offerings. The chapel was the first place the Divine Mercy image was exposed, and is a major pilgrimage site for Catholic and Orthodox pilgrims.

Shrine of the Three Crosses Designed by Lithuanian Toronto architect Alfred Kulpavirchus to honor “all the martyrs for the faith in the countries occupied by the Soviet Communists” and all “living and deceased parishioners and friends” of the parish, the crosses commemorate one in Vilnius destroyed by the Soviet Union. Each cross is representative of one of the country’s major regions and features sunburst metalwork, as well as statues of Mary, Jesus and St. Casimir.

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49 Covers 50 Daft 54 By the end of the 20th century there had been 265 of these 57 Title for Jesus 58 Nominative “her” 59 Belgrade resident 60 Vigor 62 Less hospitable 64 Withered 65 “I’m hysterical!” in netspeak 66 Well-known 67 Ripped 68 Top cards 69 Smiles DOWN 1 “Come to me, all who ___ and are heavy laden” (Mt 11:28) 2 Love, Italian style 3 Turnpike no-no 4 Obtained 5 Not friendly 6 Like some verbs, briefly 7 Nehemiah prayed, “Remember me, O my God, for ___” (Neh 13:31) 8 Benedictine letters 9 Matter of law 10 Francis’ hometown 11 It could be coral 12 Retained 13 Former JFK arrivals 22 Moved by God 23 Female child

A Catholic family-owned funeral home since 1877 513.891.8373

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Four generations of family service to Eastern Cincinnati

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ACROSS 1 Sarah’s response when she heard that she would have a child 6 Composer Stravinsky 10 Holy holders 14 “Are not!” rejoinder 15 Patron saint of South America 16 Bishoprics 17 Periods 18 Steals from 19 Michaelmas mon.

20 Three-time NHL MVP 21 Bound 23 Preparation of the ___ 24 Leasing 26 Parisian friends 28 They loop the Loop 29 Pertaining to those who have received Orders 33 Maintenance 36 Small mountain 37 Santa ___ 38 Stuff 39 Husband of Rebekah 41 Mtn. stats 42 Cut off 43 Metallic element 44 The people in Lystra dubbed Paul this (Acts 14:12) 46 One who belongs to a religion 48 George Gershwin’s brother

FUNERAL SERVICES

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25 Abound 26 Inter ___ 27 One of the 3 Magi 29 Monks’ song 30 Still 31 Poker stake 32 23D, in Aberdeen 33 Calif. college 34 Goad 35 11th letter of the Hebrew alphabet 40 Esau and Jacob, to Rebekah 41 Asian inland sea 43 Greek goddess of the rainbow 45 Wearing 47 Number of apostles after Judas died 50 “…the companion of ___ fares badly.” (Prov 13:20) 51 Query found in Matthew 52 Catholic actor Martin ___, of “The West Wing” fame 53 Groups of animals 54 “Hey, buddy” 55 Topping in a tub 56 Young salmon 57 “I am the way and the truth and the ___.”

(Jn 14:6) 60 Bathing suit top 61 Bird that attacked Sinbad’s ship 63 Abbr. for two NT epistles

Directors: Steve Rohde, Denise Mercier, Darrell Schneider

GERRY KELLY F RITSCH

3183 Linwood Ave | Mt. Lookout Square

rohdefuneral.com 513.321.0404

Traditional Irish Bagpiper gfritsch48@zoomtown.com cincinnatipiper.com 513.404.0049

NAEGELE KLEB & IHLENDORF FU N ERA L HOM E 3900 Montgomery Rd | 513.631.2240 Serving Norwood, St. Bernard & surrounding communities

T.P. White & Sons

White Oak/Monfort Heights 5527 Cheviot Rd | 513.385.0511 Blue Ash/Evendale/Sharonville 10211 Plainfield Rd

FU N ERA L HOM E

2050 Beechmont Ave | 513.231.7150 Mt Washington & Anderson Twp Family-owned & operated since 1870 C

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THE FINAL WORD with Tony Stieritz

A CALL TO EVERYONE FOR EVERY LIFE

In The Gospel of Life, Pope St. John Paul II writes, “[T]he deepest element of God’s commandment to protect human life is the requirement to show reverence and love for every person and the life of every person” (EG, 41).

By “every person,” the Holy Father especially named those who may be hardest to revere and love. He reminded us of the most vulnerable at the heart of Jesus’ ministry on earth, those whom the culture abandoned: the leper, the sinner, the stranger. Today, these include the unborn, undocumented immigrants or refugees fleeing persecution, the homeless asleep on the street.

But what does it mean to show reverence and love for another person? It’s more than just an intellectual exercise or political posture. It’s deeply relational. “A stranger is no longer a stranger,” Pope St. John Paul II explains, “for the person who must become a neighbor to someone in need, to the point of accepting responsibility for his life.”

To truly comprehend what we’re being called to do, we should consider those times when our reverence and love were at their purest and freest from constraint. I think back on the time my daughter was in the NICU. Born premature and with complications, my wife and I spent weeks by her bedside. We kept vigil and prayed she would get well. In those harrowing first weeks of life outside the womb, our baby was unceasingly surrounded by as much reverence and love as we could muster.

Indeed, those were intense feelings for a life very close to us.

I cannot imagine having the same magnitude of concern for a great many people. But God can deliver such affection and infinitely more for the life of every person, regardless of age, condition or amount of sin on the soul. Our temptation, therefore, is to believe only God can accomplish so much, 5 8 | THE F INAL WORD

so that we excuse our natural tendencies to care only for our own. To follow in His footsteps, however, Jesus commands just the opposite: to love even our enemies, to the degree that he directs us to “be perfect, just as the heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt.5:43-48). How do we respond?

Individually, we may not be capable of internalizing so much need in the world so fervently and without prejudice, but we can do a pretty good job when we band together as the Church. God gifted each one of us with His own love to project back into the world. When we offer it together before Christ as an organized community of faith, Jesus can multiply it so reverence and love can satisfy more needs than we ever imagined. Together, with the Holy Spirit, we can be a loving presence and advocate for those who aren’t adequately cared for by others.

In the archdiocesan Department of Life, Human Dignity and Charity, we have many opportunities to connect our love to others in need. Through Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio and Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley, supporters serve and empower tens of thousands of people each year through family programs, food assistance, senior care, immigrant and refugee support and more. Through the Respect Life Office, we advance our protection of the unborn, advocate for policies that show reverence for all life and increase participation of those with disabilities in the life of the Church. Through the Catholic Social Action Office, we tackle the root causes of poverty, promote global solidarity, address racism, protect God’s creation and engage in faithful citizenship. Join the effort by going to ccswoh.org, cssmv.org and catholicaoc.org. May God bless our communal offerings to proclaim this Gospel of Life.

TONY STIERITZ

serves as CEO of Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio and Director of the Archdiocesan Department of Life, Human Dignity and Charity.

SERVING LOCAL SENIORS. EMPOWERING LOCAL LIVES. Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio’s Caregiver Assistance Network (CAN) is a key support for family and volunteer caregivers to turn to for valuable resources. Through CAN’s services, caregivers learn to care for themselves, while caring for their loved one. They do so through monthly support groups and workshops. Our Powerful Tools for Caregivers program is a six-week class, teaching caregivers how to access resources, communicate effectively, manage emotions and reduce stress.

TO LEARN MORE about our Caregiver Assistance Network services, visit ccswoh.org DONATE TODAY at ccswoh.org or mail in your donation Enclosed is my gift of: £$25 £$50 £$100 £$250 £$500 £$__________ Please make checks payable to: Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio Mid Pointe Tower, 7162 Reading Rd., Ste. 600 Cincinnati, OH 45237

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