The Catholic Telegraph - November 2023

MAGAZINE

192nd year | issue 11

bringing faith into the home

november 2023 | stewardship | 1

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EDITOR’S NOTE

Why is it Hard to Talk About Stewardship?

I kept asking myself that question as I endeavored to write this column. Maybe it’s the thought of asking for something (even though we voluntarily and willingly give on a monthly basis). Maybe it’s because talking about money often makes people uncomfortable.

In my quest to think more about stewardship and giving, especially in terms of giving to the Church, I turned to Bishop Robert Barron. He has a homily, “Give as God Gives,” that was published on YouTube about a year ago.

I hit play, prepared to hear a message about why we should give our treasure to the Church and how it will return to us sevenfold. Instead, I was treated to a message about how the word “gift” in German means poison. That woke me up.

The point of Bishop Barron’s message is this: Gifts often come with implied obligation. If I give someone a Christmas gift, they feel compelled to give one back. If I receive a baby shower gift, I’m obligated to write a thank you card. Through cultural pressures and expectations, gifts can’t be freely given.

That’s important to acknowledge, Bishop Barron says, because: “Who can really, truly and fully give a gift? God. Why? Because God needs nothing. Our praise, our gratitude, anything we give to God adds nothing to God’s greatness.

God is perfect. Everything we have is, in fact, already been given by God. There is nothing He needs in return. God, in other words, can be utterly gratuitous in His giving.”

Immaculate Conception Church in Celina places stewardship at the heart of their parish.

and listeners with this message: “Give without expecting return. Give in such a way that there are no strings attached.”

I meditated on that message as I finalized this issue of the magazine. When I had thought of stewardship, I thought of giving money. And that is a great, wonderful, needed thing for the Church to thrive. But as our writers interviewed parishioners at “stewardship parishes” and students who give so much more than just money, one thing became abundantly clear: all of these individuals offer their time and talents without expecting anything in return. They cook and serve meals to people they don’t know. They repair mailboxes for strangers out-of-town who they almost certainly will never see again. It’s a shift in mentality and a shift in expectations.

The inspiring stories in this month’s issue of The Catholic Telegraph highlight ways that everyone, from young children to high school football players to entire parishes, has shifted how they think about and offer stewardship as an extension of God’s gifts to His people. I hope that it challenges you to do the same.

Bishop Barron proceeds to give many examples of how bountiful God is in His gifts to us, then challenges viewers

cteditorial@catholicaoc.org

THE CATHOLIC TELEGRAPH 192nd Year No. 11 • November 2023 513-263-6635 • thecatholictelegraph.com

PUBLISHER Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Jessica Rinaudo

MEDIA SALES Deacon Graham Galloway

GRAPHIC DESIGN Emma Cassani

PHOTOGRAPHY Margaret Swensen

NEW MEDIA EDITOR Greg Hartman

DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT Trenton Scroggins

SOCIAL MEDIA Taylor Motley

100 East Eighth St., Cincinnati, OH 45202 ctadvertising@catholicaoc.org The Catholic Telegraph (xUSPS 094-520) ISSN. 10736689 is published monthly by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati 100 E 8th St., Cincinnati, OH 45202. Periodicals postage paid at Cincinnati and at additional mailing office. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Catholic Telegraph, 100 E. 8th St., Cincinnati, OH 45202

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november contents

A Holistic Approach to Stewardship page 36

stewardship

columns

14 STUDENTS PRAY FOR SOULS

FATHER DAVID ENDRES

LISA FLETCHER

Saintly intercession

St. Gertrude School students partner with Gate of Heaven Cemetery to clean graves & pray for souls in purgatory 16 STEWARDSHIP

Students Pray for Souls page 14

news 10 ASPIRE TO BE MORE MATT HESS

Eleven new relics at Maria Stein Shrine 23 BEACONS OF LIGHT: PASTORAL VITALITY REPORT 31 DID YOU KNOW?

BY GAIL FINKE | ILLUSTRATED BY EMMA CASSANI

St. John the Baptist Church, Dry Ridge 48 OUT & ABOUT IN THE ARCHDIOCESE

7 QUESTION OF FAITH

8 CATHOLIC AT HOME KATIE SCIBA

The mission of money and marriage

KARY ELLEN BERGER

18 A CLOSER LOOK

A journey guided in faith

DR. KENNETH CRAYCRAFT

20 BEING CHRIST TO OTHERS

Stewardship and the universal destination of goods

KARY ELLEN BERGER

32 ST. JOSEPH’S TOOLBELT

Immaculate Conception Church in Celina places stewardship at the forefront of their parish culture

TRENTON SCROGGINS

Raised on love 40 SEIZE THE MOMENT NICHOLAS HARDESTY

34 A MULTI-TEAM EFFORT OF GOOD DEEDS

42 BOOK REVIEW

JOHN STEGEMAN

MATTHEW GENUNG

Elder High School partners with opposing team to help neighbors

Love Basics for Catholics

by John Bergsma

36 A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO STEWARDSHIP

The God-Man of mystery

44 THEOLOGY OF THE BODY DR. ANDREW SODERGREN

The law of the heart

JOHN STEGEMAN

St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish focuses on time and talent first, and treasure follows

46 KIDS’ CORNER

BY JESSICA RINAUDO ILLUSTRATED BY EMMA CASSANI

St. Veronica

ON THE COVER

50 THE FINAL WORD

PHOTO BY: DANNY SCHNEIBLE

The Parish Life Committee at Immaculate Conception Church in Celina prepares a post-Mass meal. School children help serve as an act of stewardship.

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CARL BROWN

Put to the test POPE FRANCIS’ PRAYER INTENTION FOR NOVEMBER For the Pope

We pray for the Holy Father; as he fulfills his mission, may he continue to accompany the flock entrusted to him, with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Seek the Lord ARCHBISHOP DENNIS M. SCHNURR

In his encyclical Evangelium Vitae on the value and inviolability of human life, Pope St. John Paul II speaks about God’s call for each person to share in the fullness of life for all eternity with Him. Even during our life in this temporal, physical world, we participate in the life of grace and have a foretaste of the blessedness of heaven. It is this call from God to share in His life that reveals the greatness and inestimable value of each human life (cf. EV 2).

As Catholics we believe in the dignity and value of every human life from conception to natural death. Because of this conviction, we have fought against the grave evils which threaten life, particularly abortion, which has claimed the lives of tens of millions of innocent children. The 2022 Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization returned the issue of the legality of abortion back to the state level—a critical victory, but certainly not the end of our efforts to defend life.

Now, a little over a year later, human life and dignity are under serious attack in the State of Ohio. The constitutional amendment proposed as Issue 1 on the November ballot is, by any measure, extreme. Not only would it expand access to abortion through all nine months of pregnancy, but it would enable the removal of regulations protecting the health and safety of women which abortion centers are currently required to observe. This amendment also would eliminate parents’ rights of notification and consent in the reproductive healthcare decisions of their minor children, something that would do irreparable damage to the family, the cornerstone of society. This proposed change to Ohio’s constitution is so extreme that even those who do not fully share in the Church’s teaching on the sanctity of life at every stage should

see how it far exceeds the moral bounds of any just society.

Pope St. John Paul II taught about this reality, stating, “The Church knows that this Gospel of life, which she has received from her Lord, has a profound and persuasive echo in the heart of every person—believer and nonbeliever alike—because it marvelously fulfills all the heart’s expectations while infinitely surpassing them. Even in the midst of difficulties and uncertainties, every person sincerely open to truth and goodness can, by the light of reason and the hidden action of grace, come to recognize in the natural law written in the heart the sacred value of human life from its very beginning until its end, and can affirm the right of every human being to have this primary good respected to the highest degree” (EV 2).

Every person—regardless of race, nationality, sex, creed, status or any other trait—is worthy of equal respect and dignity because we all share in the same human nature which is the pinnacle of God’s creation, made sacred by the Incarnation of His only begotten Son. We must together build up a culture in which every person not only enjoys the right to life but experiences the life in abundance which Jesus Christ came to give us (cf. Jn. 10:10).

With the imminent threat posed by Issue 1 to the values which we as Catholics and Ohioans hold dear, I urge you to pray earnestly for an increase in respect for human life and dignity; to educate yourself and others about the dangers of this amendment; and to Vote NO on Issue 1 on November 7.

May the Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of our Lord and Savior, and St. Joseph, protector of the Holy Family, intercede for Ohio and its families in the days ahead.

S E E K T H E L O R D / N O V E MBE R 2023 | 5

Busca al Senor ARZOBISPO DENNIS M. SCHNURR

En su encíclica Evangelium Vitae sobre el valor y la inviolabilidad de la vida humana, el Papa San Juan Pablo II habla del llamado de Dios a cada persona a compartir la plenitud de la vida por toda la eternidad con Él. Incluso durante nuestra vida en este mundo físico y temporal, participamos en la vida de la gracia y tenemos un anticipo de las bienaventuranzas del cielo. Es esta llamada de Dios a compartir su vida la que revela la grandeza y el valor inestimable de cada vida humana (cf. EV 2).

Como católicos creemos en la dignidad y el valor de cada vida humana desde la concepción hasta la muerte natural.

Por esta convicción hemos luchado contra los graves males que amenazan la vida, en particular el aborto, que ha cobrado la vida de decenas de millones de niños inocentes.

La decisión de la Corte Suprema de 2022 en el caso Dobbs v.

Jackson Women’s Health Organization devolvió la cuestión de la legalidad del aborto al nivel de los estados—una victoria fundamental, pero ciertamente no el final de nuestros esfuerzos por defender la vida.

Ahora, poco más de un año después, la vida y la dignidad humana están siendo seriamente atacadas en el estado de Ohio. La enmienda constitucional propuesta como el Issue 1 en la votación de noviembre es, desde cualquier punto de vista, extrema. No sólo ampliaría el acceso al aborto durante los nueve meses de embarazo, sino que también permitiría la eliminación de las regulaciones que protegen la salud y la seguridad de las mujeres que los centros de aborto actualmente están obligados a observar. Esta enmienda también eliminaría los derechos de los padres de ser notificados y dar consentimiento en las decisiones de salud reproductiva de sus hijos menores, algo que causaría un daño irreparable a la familia, piedra angular de la sociedad. Este cambio propuesto a la constitución de Ohio es tan extremo que incluso aquellos que no comparten plenamente las enseñanzas de la Iglesia 6 | THE C ATHOLIC TE LEG RAPH

sobre la santidad de la vida en cada etapa deberían reconocer cómo excede los límites morales de cualquier sociedad justa.

El Papa San Juan Pablo II enseñó sobre esta realidad, afirmando: “La Iglesia sabe que este Evangelio de la vida, recibido de su Señor, tiene un eco profundo y persuasivo en el corazón de cada persona, creyente e incluso no creyente, porque, superando infinitamente sus expectativas, se ajusta a ella de modo sorprendente. Todo hombre abierto sinceramente a la verdad y al bien, aun entre dificultades e incertidumbres, con la luz de la razón y no sin el influjo secreto de la gracia, puede llegar a descubrir en la ley natural escrita en su corazón el valor sagrado de la vida humana desde su inicio hasta su término, y afirmar el derecho de cada ser humano a ver respetado totalmente este bien primario suyo” (EV 2).

Cada persona—independientemente de su raza, nacionalidad, sexo, credo, estatus o cualquier otro rasgo—es digna de igual respeto y dignidad porque todos compartimos la misma naturaleza humana que es el pináculo de la creación de Dios, hecha sagrada por la Encarnación de Su Hijo unigénito.

Juntos debemos construir una cultura en la que cada persona no sólo disfrute del derecho a la vida, sino que experimente la vida en abundancia que Jesucristo vino a darnos (cf. Jn. 10:10).

Con la amenaza inminente que plantea el Issue 1 a los valores que nosotros, como católicos y habitantes de Ohio, valoramos, les pido que oren fervientemente por un aumento en el respeto por la vida y la dignidad humana; infórmese e informe a los demás sobre los peligros de esta enmienda; y Vote NO al Issue 1 el 7 de noviembre. Que la Santísima Virgen María, madre de nuestro Señor y Salvador, y San José, protector de la Sagrada Familia, intercedan por Ohio y sus familias en los próximos días.

QUE ST IO N O F F A IT H

Saintly Intercession Can we ask for the intercession of our deceased relatives and friends, or is such prayer proper only to canonized saints?

Public prayers can be made for the dead but not for their intercession.

When we think of prayers and the deceased, we likely think of praying for our deceased family members and friends. But is it possible to pray to the dead by invoking the intercession of those who have gone before us, who we hope are in heaven?

ALL THE SAINTS

HOLY MEN AND WOMEN

Catholics have a long tradition of invoking the heavenly aid of holy men and women. This tradition of intercession extends back to the Church’s earliest days when martyrs’ prayers were invoked, especially on the anniversaries of their deaths.

In these early years, there was no official process for being declared a saint, but a kind of unofficial canonization was based primarily on the deceased’s fame and the people’s consensus. Non-martyrs were eventually viewed as models of sanctity, and prayers for their intercession ensued.

The prayers offered included those attached to the liturgy (as seen in the prayers of the Mass) and other forms of public and private devotion, such as litanies and reliance on patron saints of places and causes.

PRIVATE PRAYERS

As the canonization process became established, the Church emphasized publicly invoking aid only from those officially recognized as saints. The law of the Church further developed to distinguish between public veneration of holy persons, which is proper only to saints and blesseds (those near to canonization), and private prayers for intercession (Code of Canon Law, 1187).

Consequently, invoking the aid of deceased family and friends is laudable, but not as part of the Church’s public prayer.

While the number of official saints and blesseds continues to grow every year, there are countless more souls in heaven. As we pray in the Apostles’ Creed, “I believe in … the communion of saints.” This statement—conceived far before the official canonization process began in the Church—posits a belief in an entire community of saints, known and unknown. It is consistent with our faith to trust that we have many deceased relatives and friends in heaven. Though their lives may not be well known, they who lived virtuous lives on earth can be seen as models of imitation and veneration.

These innumerable souls are among the “great cloud of witnesses” in heaven (Heb. 12:1), who we recognize on the Solemnity of All Saints (Nov. 1). On this day, the Church celebrates the total number of saints, including members of our communities, parishes and families. We can petition for the intercession of all in heaven, and we invoke on this day in particular, “the prayers of so many intercessors” (Collect for the Solemnity of All Saints).

PRAY FOR US

The traditional understanding of saintly mediation is not that the saints grant favors themselves, but that they make intercession on our behalf. Saints—whether officially recognized as such or not—are in the presence of Christ. In our private prayers, we may ask our deceased family and friends to pray for us using the words associated with saintly intercession: “Pray for us.”

FATHER DAVID ENDRES is 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 / N O V E MBE R 2023 | 7

CATHO LIC A T H O ME

The Mission of Money and Marriage “Who can find a good wife? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.” (Prov. 31:10-11) A few months ago, I started listening to The Catholic Money Show for some monetary motivation, after which my husband and I jumped back on the horse to ride furiously into the sunset of financial freedom.

Quite frankly, I’m tired of not having financial freedom.

We’re a dual-income family and, in our newlywed days, Andrew and I agreed that I would handle the finances.

Though of course he’s privy to the details of our cash flow, it’s my job to make sure the outgo doesn’t exceed the income. I’ve made a habit of combing our budget for error and excess to ensure our complete control over our finances, intentionally placing every nickel and dime prudently where it needs to go.

Buying according to sales, making coffee at home, hanging laundry to dry—every little bit helps, and we’re open to new approaches that help us save more and spend less.

Friday night I burst through our front door, beaming from a big grocery trip. I proudly reported to Andrew that, after coupons and discounts, I saved $16, not including the savings from buying only on-sale items. Others might save more on a regular basis, but I was pretty proud of myself because strategic food shopping used to intimidate me.

During my chatty glow, I realized that I waxed so merrily about my savings because I wanted Andrew to know that I was being a good steward of our income. At that moment, I had a revelation so simple, but new to me: As the primary money manager in our family, it is my duty to demonstrate good stewardship of our income, not only for our family’s financial welfare but also to express gratitude to God and my husband.

8 |

THE CATHOLIC TELE GRAPH

Expressed gratitude is a game-changer. Our culture is so wrapped up in what belongs to us, what we are due and just getting more in general, that we tend to overlook the generous Giver. It is the Lord Himself who blesses us with the ability to work and progress; the fruits of which are our homes and resources for carrying on. When we receive a gift from anyone else, we treat it well and with pride. We take care of it.

When family providers feel the strain of limited resources, it can cause anxiety and self-doubt about one’s worth.

Discouragement is all too common when we’re doing our best, working hard, yet coming up short. On the other hand, good stewardship, through living simply, making smart financial choices and communicating expenses and needs, empowers those working for our daily bread. The plus: I can encourage my husband with honest confidence because he will trust that I treasure him, as well as his work for our kids and me.

I desire to be a good steward of our family’s finances. With our combined parental duties of providing and caring for what God entrusted to us, we feel safe with each other. The whole thing is a team-building effort for husband, wife and the Lord; to let Him know you are grateful and appreciate what He has provided.

Leading into the holidays, this month often means additional spending. Sit together and honestly look at your accounts, create a budget and commit to it as a team—beginning and ending your time with a simple prayer of gratitude to God for entrusting you with His blessings.

KATIE SCIBA is a national speaker and Catholic Press Award-winning columnist. Katie has been married for 14 years and is blessed with six children.

Honoring Life on Sacred Ground Christ Yesterday, Today and Always Since January 1, 2023 through September 30, 2023, 588 souls have been interred at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

At baptism we are given the promise of eternal life.

All Catholic Christians live in HOPE of that baptismal promise to be fulfilled, and boldly pray for all of our beloved dead.

Eternal Rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May all of the faithful departed, interred at Gate of Heaven, yesterday, today and tomorrow, rest in the Risen Christ. Amen.

UPCOMING EVENTS AT GATE OF HEAVEN CEMETERY ARCHDIOCESE OF CINCINNATI: Saturday, October 28, 2 p.m.

Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the End of the Vietnam War, in the Veterans Garden, Section 28 (Please bring a chair)

Tuesday, November 21

Pre-Planning Seminars at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., and 6 p.m. in St. Peter’s Chapel (RSVP by November 20)

Fri., December 1, 7 p.m.

“Tidings of Comfort and Joy” Open House with choirs and refreshments in Gate of Heaven’s Main Building (RSVP by November 20)

Saturday, December 16, 12 p.m.

Annual Wreaths Across America, in the Veterans Garden, Section 28

For more information go to www.gateofheaven.org and click on News & Events, or call 513-489-0300, or email community@gateofheaven.org

11000 Montgomery Rd. • Cincinnati, OH 45249

513-489-0300 • gateofheaven.org Follow us on YouTube and Facebook!

| 9

Blessed James Miller

1944-1982 American Saints Zelie & Louis Martin

1823-1894 French

ASPIRE TO BE MORE 11 New Relics at Maria Stein Shrine

By Matt Hess

Blessed Oscar Romero Visit to see the rest of the collection from over 850 saints.

Venerable Adèle de Batz de Trenquelléon

1789-1828 French

1 0 | THE CATHOLIC TELE GRAPH

1917-1980 Salvadorian

Saint Edith Stein

1891-1942 Polish

Raphael. “Disputation of the Sacrament.” 1509-1510. Vatican Museums, Vatican City.

All Saints Day [at Maria Stein

Shrine] will be big this year.

While the Maria Stein Shrine of the Holy Relics may not have relics from every saint, its celebration of All Saints Day will be big this year. Already having one of the largest relic collections in the United States, from over 850 saints, they are expanding this historic collection with relics of 11 contemporary holy men and women for permanent public veneration.

The hope is that in venerating the admirable lives of these saints, Christians might be led to Christ and aspire to become saints themselves.

Pilgrims to the Shrine typically gravitate to the Relic Chapel where they can encounter the saints. The modern holy men and women added will inspire visitors to live out their faith despite the current age’s challenges. “The saints of the 21st century are important to pilgrims who

visit the Shrine because of our nature to want to connect to them,” explains Mark Travis, Executive Director of the Maria Stein Shrine.

New to the Shrine’s collection are first class relics (something from the body) of Sts. Louis and MarieAzélie Guérin Martin, St. Therese of Lisieux’s parents.

They were the first married couple to be canonized together, models of Christian marriage and family life.

St. Edith Stein, Teresa Benedicta of the Cross as she was known in religious life, was murdered and cremated at Auschwitz, so hers is a second class relic, a piece of her clothing. She was a philosopher inspired by St. Teresa of Avila to convert to Catholicism, and then she became a contemplative nun. continued on page 12 S T E W A R D S H IP / N O V E M BE R 2023 | 11

continued from page 11

Two Blesseds (those who were beatified and are potentially on their way to being declared saints) have connections to nearby universities. The Marianist Sisters, who minister at the University of Dayton, provided a relic of their foundress, Bl. Adèle de Batz de Trenquelléon, that will rest next to that of Bl. William Joseph Chaminade because they worked together in early 19th century France. Another new relic is from Bl. Basil Moreau, also a Frenchman, who founded the Congregation of the Holy Cross, which established the University of Notre Dame where the congregation still ministers today.

From a native of this side of the Atlantic, there is a relic of Bl. James Miller, an American member of the Brothers of Christians Schools, a congregation founded for education.

While ministering at a Guatemalan high school, he was martyred because of the brothers’ outspoken support of the poor being persecuted there.

A relic of St. Oscar Romero, a martyr who advocated for the oppressed, also joins the collection. This archbishop from El Salvador was killed while celebrating Mass. “I am most excited about St. Oscar Romero,” Travis said, “since

I have been recently reading more about the heroic life he lived.

The method for acquiring relics is not always easy. For the last year, the Maria Stein Shrine has sought relics from multiple religious communities, dioceses and the Vatican.

Hunting down holy relics is not a process for Indiana Jones, but more of a letter writing campaign to discover who has what relics and whether they will gift them to the shrine. Eventually, Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr sends a letter on the shrine’s behalf, often with a donation to cover postage and the metal reliquary that encases the relic. It is against Canon Law to sell the relics themselves.

On November 1, the Maria Stein Shrine will honor those holy men and women with four others, St. Paul VI, St. Josephine Bakhita, St. Elizabeth of the Trinity and St. Josemaria Escriva. Father Jacob Lindle will celebrate a noon Mass in the shrine’s adoration chapel, and the relics will be available for public veneration in the relic until 6 p.m. Once added to the shrine’s permanent collection, they can be viewed in the relic chapel during normal shrine hours.

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information, m,ministries Adoration Chapel, and Relicfollow Chapelus

Monday - Thursday: 9:30am - 6:00pm

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The beautiful setting is perfect for group tours, company luncheons, and peaceful meditation.

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.mariasteinshrine.org Heritage Museum, Chapel, and Relic Chapel 419-925-4532 | Adoration www.mariasteinshrine.org

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www.nazarethretreatcenterky.org 1 2 | THE CATHOLIC TE LEGRAPH

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students

PRAY FOR

souls

St. Gertrude School Students Partner with Gate of Heaven Cemetery to Clean Graves & Pray for Souls in Purgatory

BY LISA FLETCHER | PHOTOS COURTESY ST. GERTRUDE SCHOOL

St. Gertrude Catholic School seventh grader Grace Schare looked forward to cleaning graves for a second year at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Cincinnati. In fact, all 90 sixth, seventh and eighth graders were excited about their trip there last month for Make a Difference Day, the largest national day of volunteering in the United States.

1 4 | THE CATHOLIC TE LEGRAPH

“It was really nice to be at the cemetery. I have a lot of family buried there, and it makes me feel good to be able to help where it’s needed,” Schare said.

Students learned about the call to pray for the souls in purgatory before heading to morning

prayer at Gate of Heaven’s St. Joseph Chapel. There, they had an opportunity to name loved ones they wanted to remember, as well as call on St. Gertrude and other saints to join them in prayer “It’s a beautiful experience for the student to witness an act of love for the person they miss so much,” said St. Gertrude religion teacher Matt Schlotman. “This prayer time is an important beginning to the day.”

After prayer, students divided into groups that were each assigned a small area of the cemetery to care for.

While some used toothbrushes, soap and towels to gently clean the stone and pull out weeds around the gravesite, one student recited St. Gertrude’s prayer for the souls in purgatory. Students said this prayer over every grave they cleaned, while also speaking the deceased person’s name.

“This is first and foremost a trip about answering God’s call to pray for the souls in purgatory,” Schlotman said. “It’s also about the family members left behind, by giving them a clean gravesite to visit.

And third, it’s about teaching the students about the beauty of God letting us participate in his love.”

His students appreciated the lesson.

“At first I was worried it was just going to be work, but when I got out there and started praying it didn’t feel like work at all,” said seventh grader JP Conlon.

Another seventh grader, Henry Baute, agreed, “We aren’t doing this for ourselves. It’s self-sacrificial, and it feels good to help people who don’t have anyone to take care of their grave.”

Schlotman said the volunteering opportunity was a two-fold act of stewardship. “The purpose is to take part in the Spiritual Work of Mercy of praying for the souls in purgatory and the Corporal Work of Mercy of burying the dead.”

Over 47,000 people have been interred at Gate of Heaven since it opened in 1948, according to Kate Thesing, Community Outreach Coordinator. Every morning, the cemetery’s team prays together for the individuals interred that day. On Make a Difference Day, they were very excited to be joined by St. Gertrude’s students.

“It was beautiful to see the students sharing their faith and praying together as classmates on the sacred ground for the souls of the faithfully departed,” Thesing said.

“I witnessed students down on their knees reading the names, praying, and respectfully cleaning and trimming many, many markings. This really made a difference,” she continued.

Making a difference is a lesson Schlotman strives to instill in all his students. “It’s about being charitable and loving our neighbors. We are teaching the students to do practical service in the love of our neighbor.”

Thesing said, “It would be wonderful to see more schools here.

We have so many opportunities for students to get involved.”

She mentioned Make a Difference Day, during Lent (to pray the Stations of the Cross) and All Souls Day, but there are additional opportunities, such as helping with the flags for Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Baute agreed, “I hope other schools hear about our day at Gate of Heaven and do it too. There are thousands and thousands of graves that need care. We can’t do it alone.”

S T E W A R D S H IP / N O V E M BE R 2023 | 15

STEWARDSHIP:

A Journey Guided in Faith

BY KARY ELLEN BERGER

When traveling to an unknown destination, a map, GPS or similar guide is essential for your journey to help you arrive at your destination without getting lost or stuck in an unknown area. At Mary, Queen of Heaven Family of Parishes, Director of Stewardship & Parish Resources Tim Clifford knows all too well how being on the right path can lead to strengthening stewardship efforts within congregations.

Clifford’s wife, Kelly, attended school at St. Ann, one of the four parishes in the Mary, Queen of Heaven Family of Parishes, and rejoined the parish with Clifford after they returned from living in Chicago. As their family grew, their children attended St. Ann School, and Clifford’s roles in the parish grew, including being Booster President and on Parish Council.

1 6 | THE CATHOLIC TE LEG RAPH

“In the early 2000’s we launched a renovation project and capital campaign,” said Clifford. “This is where my stewardship journey started.”

He said that St. Ann decided to become a Stewardship Parish years after the successful campaign, and its stewardship has many focuses.

“We prefer to ask people, ‘What is it that gives you joy?’—not, ‘What ministry do you want to be on?’” said Clifford.

He shared that proactively inviting and involving others in the parish is purposeful and meaningful to the church’s current stewardship efforts. This included finding the right people to complete their parish staff.

“We have a large staff for the size parish we are,” said Clifford. “We have concentrated on our outreach and have developed several awesome interactive ministries.”

One of those ministries is GPS: Generosity Prayer Service, which symbolizes pathways, created at St. Ann and through the Beacons of Light process, to foster deeper connections with the Lord. GPS elements are explained as: “GPS ties into our Stewardship philosophy perfectly,”

G P S

enerosity: focusing on sharing time, talents and treasures;

parishioners are called to be generous and live with gratitude.

rayer: everyone has the ability to pray; all it requires is dedicated

daily time to communicate and, crucially, listen to the Lord.

ervice: everyone is obligated to serve the Lord and others; it has

been instructed and commanded.

said Clifford. “There [are] a lot of lost people out there, and our goal is to direct them to the one place where they can find peace and answers in Jesus. Our mission is to make disciples, and pointing people in the right direction is fundamental to being a Christian. After we get them started, making them realize that everything they have is not theirs but is a gift from God, we then move them into discipleship.”

Clifford added that education is the first step in leading Stewardship efforts within parishes.

“Stewardship is a way of Life,” said Clifford. “People need to understand that the church has changed and will continue to change; we as a Church have to get out of our own way and realize this. And taking on Stewardship is the best step you can start. [The process is] well worth it.”

S T E W A R D S H IP / N O V E M BE R 2023 | 17

A CLO SE R LO O K

Stewardship and the Universal Destination of Goods The first two chapters of Genesis are the foundation of Catholic moral theology, including its teaching on stewardship. Rather than communicate the mechanics of creation, the beginning of Genesis communicates something about the purpose, nature and order of created reality. More to the point, the emphasis in Genesis 1 and 2 is on God’s creative sovereignty and the place of the human person within creation. This includes the social and embodied nature of the human person as a co-creator with God and as a conservator of the earth.

CREATION IS GOOD IN ITS ESSENTIAL NATURE

Everything that exists (other than God) is created by God. Therefore, all creation is good in its essential nature.

Moreover, the structure of the first creation account in Genesis 1 through 2:3 tells us that aspects of creation are ordered toward purposes and ends; nature is not random— rather, it has a hierarchical structure. For example, on the second day, God creates water and air; on the corresponding fifth day, He creates swimming and flying creatures, which are served and sustained by air and water. Similarly, on the third day, land and plants are created. These correspond to the land animals (including the human ones) created on the sixth day. The land and plants of the third serve and sustain the animals of the sixth. On the seventh day, God did not create—He rested. This indicates that the prior six days of creation are ordered toward their proper end of rest in God’s love and providence.

Taken together, this is our mandate to care for and preserve those “lower” things for the continued use and good of the 1 8 | THE CATHOLIC TE LEGRAPH

higher. Because creation is ordered toward the good of the human person, which alone is ordered to maintain and cultivate the garden, we have the obligation to sustain and protect creation.

Of course, creation is fallen along with humankind. Thus, after the fall of humanity in Genesis 3, the goodness of paradise in chapter 2 is compromised in the same way that the goodness of the man and woman are compromised. This compromise can be characterized as alienation: Humans are alienated from God, from one another, and from nature. All relationships are now disoriented from the natural order of creation. Thus, rather than yielding its fruit harmoniously and cooperatively, the earth gives up its goods reluctantly and grudgingly.

But creation’s fallenness does not invalidate the fundamental goodness in its intended nature. Nor is the goodness of creation completely annihilated by the fall, any more than the nature of the human person is destroyed. Good remains, albeit in a degraded form. Because God is all good, all that comes from God is good. The “fallen part” of the human person is redeemed in Christ. Redeemed people, then, are called to restore what has been degraded. Built upon the foundation of creation and redemption, our mandate is to cooperate with God in propagating, restoring and maintaining the world in its goodness.

MULTIPLYING & CONSERVING

It is clear from this twin obligation that multiplying and conserving are understood to be consistent with one another,

WE BUY OLD CATHOLIC BOOKS! rather than contradictory or antagonistic. Considered together, in fact, they are the basis for a theology of the sustenance and care of creation. Multiplying and conserving are related to what the Church calls the “universal destination of goods.” The goods of creation are intended for the good of all humanity. Thus, we do not create and sustain solely for our own individual use, but rather for the good of all. This implicates even our decisions about procreation. Intentional openness to children is no less a part of the mandate to care for creation than are policies and practices to conserve resources. The mandate is to create and sustain, as two aspects of the same cooperative activity with God.

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This mandate also includes the use of our personal or private property, the ownership of which is qualified by the universal destination of all created goods. To be sure, the Church recognizes the propriety of private property, which is assumed and protected as early as the Ten Commandments. The command not to steal or covet necessarily implies the legitimacy of ownership. Jesus, in His parables and associations, acknowledges the good of private personal property. But private ownership is qualified by the reminder that we are stewards of the things that God has created rather than lords over any part of His creation that we might possess.

To the extent that human creativity contributes to the development of wealth, it is only because we have collaborated with what we have been given. But “the possession of material goods is not an absolute right,” explains Pope St. John Paul II in his 1989 encyclical, Centesimus Annus. Rather, private property “is under a ‘social mortgage,’ which means that it has an intrinsically social function.” Personal possession of wealth is “based upon and justified precisely by the principle of the universal destination of goods,” concludes Pope St. John Paul II. Stewardship encompasses much more than recycling reusable goods or moderating consumption. While those are indeed legitimate concerns, the universal destination of goods suggests that stewardship reaches more deeply into the richness of Catholic moral theology. Sustenance of creation necessarily includes increasing goods, as well as using them properly and prudently. This includes the good of human life.

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.

POST-ACUTE HEALTHCARE SERVICES ASSISTED LIVING | AND MORE 513-769 - 0511 | T H E G L E N S L .C O M | A CL O S E R L O O K / N O V E M BE R 2023 | 19

Father John Tonkin anoints a parishioner at Immaculate Conception Church in Celina.

being

C hri s t Immaculate Conception Church in Celina Places Stewardship at the Forefront of Their Parish Culture

to

O th e r s

BY KARY ELLEN BERGER | PHOTOS BY DANNY SCHNEIBLE 2 0 | THE CATHOLIC TELE G RAPH

hen you think of “stewardship,” what comes to mind? Is it money? Is it the act of caring for our sacred spaces? Or, is it perhaps a dedication towards spiritual growth?

For members at Immaculate Conception Church in Celina, the parish has placed stewardship at the forefront for some time. Its Stewardship Commission started 10 years ago, said Eric Clausen, a parish member.

“For us, stewardship wasn’t about money,” he said. “It was about discipleship, it was about how we continue to encourage people about their own growth of discipleship.

That’s why we want to try and change things. We’re messaging more about God’s gifts in action[, which] can be the use of your time, your talent or your treasure to reach out to the community to grow your discipleship. And that’s what we want to focus on—that stewardship encompasses more than money.”

Clausen defined stewardship as being Christ to someone else, and noted that, although financial contributions are welcomed, it’s about recognizing a need, stepping forward and resolving it.

The Parish Life Committee prepared a meal for parishioners to enjoy after Mass. Students served food to attendees.

“When you start growing your own discipleship, you realize you’re doing something every day or see opportunities every day to lend a hand, give a compliment to support a fundraising effort or assist, such as at Mass,” said Clausen.

“When you start seeing that regularly, stewardship is what you’re doing—you’re representing Christ to someone else.”

a life of stewardship. It is recognizing

“At its core, Christian discipleship is [that] everything we are and have is a gift from our gracious God Who shares divine life with us.”

CO NT INUE D O N P A G E 2 2

S T E W A R D S H IP / N O V E MBE R 2023 | 21

CON T INUE D FR OM PAG E 2 1

The parish’s former priest was responsible for building the Stewardship Commission at Immaculate Conception, Clausen said, and the parish’s current priest, Father John Tonkin, strengthened the group’s efforts. “[Father Tonkin] has said stewardship is a way of life in everything we do,” said Clausen. “Once you begin, it becomes second nature and a way of life.”

“At its core, Christian discipleship is a life of stewardship,” said Father Tonkin. “It is recognizing [that] everything we are and have is a gift from our gracious God Who shares divine life with us. Our God-given gifts and talents are not treasures to be tightly grasped to keep just for ourselves; they are to be gratefully unwrapped, dutifully tended and lovingly shared in building up the kingdom of God that encompasses all peoples. Once we realize this, we mature in Christian discipleship, and stewardship becomes second nature.”

This is true for Immaculate Conception members, as they now work with others in their Family of Parishes, St. Isidore the Farmer.

may be a need,” said Clausen. “We are here to support ministries and evangelization. We are promoting God’s gifts in action. Maybe people will say, ‘I have something to offer.’ Our hope is they realize … that gift … doesn’t necessarily have to be financial.”

“All growth in the Church comes from a conscious acknowledgment of who we are, God’s beloved sons and daughters, and what we are called to do: lead others into deeper relationship with God and each other,” said Father Tonkin. “That is being a disciple of Jesus Christ. That is stewardship in action.”

“Our team has a strong passion for what we want to do with stewardship,” noted Clausen.

For parishes looking to begin their stewardship efforts, Clausen said,“It’s a growing effort. It took us time to get to this point and we realize that.”

Immaculate Conception’s multiple stewardship opportunities for parishioners are outlined in a handbook, including areas of worship, music, prayer, youth and outreach ministries.

But with Immaculate Conception’s solid stewardship foundation, Clausen hopes they can be an example or inspiration to other parishes.

“We are letting people know what we’re doing and how we can help the different parishes in these areas where there

“Discipleship isn’t easy, and we want to help people grow within that challenge.”

2 2 | THE CATHOLIC TELE G RAPH

Parish Vitality Report FALL 2023

FROM ARCHBISHOP SCHNURR

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Much has transpired since we introduced Beacons of Light in June 2021.

Together, we have studied population and parish trends, organized parishes into Families, and launched a significant pastoral planning process that will strengthen our archdiocese to live out Christ’s great commission of evangelization into the future. This Parish Vitality Report provides a snapshot of progress since Families of Parishes were implemented in July 2022. Please read this report in its entirety.

You will find within it glimpses of the new life envisioned in Beacons of Light.

Most Reverend Dennis M. Schnurr Archbishop of Cincinnati

I am especially grateful to our priests, deacons, lay staff and parishioner leaders who are finding new ways to lead and serve in this time. This report highlights the significant progress made during Phase 1 of Beacons of Light in most of our Families of Parishes: Family Leadership Teams are being formed, competent and qualified staff are coming together and parish councils are becoming unified. Parish leaders, both clergy and laity, will be instrumental as Families take the next steps in this process to identify vision, build Family culture and create plans for a more vital community of evangelization centered on the Eucharist.

When we announced Beacons of Light in 2021, I noted that, if we are to be the Church as Christ intends, we must understand that “status quo” can have no place in our vocabulary. We must always ask ourselves, “What in God’s plan must we do next?” This is the challenge for all of us now and will continue to be. Beacons of Light is not simply a process of reorganization of our parishes in response to changing demographics, diminished religious practice and fewer priests. Beacons of Light is a process of pastoral planning to best arrange all the resources of the archdiocese to proclaim the Gospel and make disciples in this particular time and place. Its goal, therefore, is greater life in our parishes to live Christ’s evangelizing mission. This is a call, a responsibility, for each person. I urge you to pray for the continued success of Beacons of Light and to participate fully in the life of your Family of Parishes. It takes all of us working together to bring the Gospel to life in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.

As we celebrate together the good things God has done in our archdiocese these past several months, let us also ask for the intercession of Mary, Mother of the Church and our Mother, that our Lord continue to bless us with his presence and his love.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Dennis M. Schnurr Archbishop of Cincinnati | 23

Introduction This Parish Vitality Report marks the first full year of implementation of Beacons of Light. While it offers an assessment of our progress toward the phases, principles and parameters of Beacons, the intent of this report is to convey more than this. This Parish Vitality Report highlights many things we may celebrate as Families of Parishes progress through Phase 1 of Beacons. The report also acknowledges the challenges we face as we strive to build Families that are vital communities of living faith and missionary outreach.

I hope you will read this report with great interest, deepening your understanding of the goals of Beacons of Light and progress Families of Parishes are making toward them. Please take a few moments to respond to the survey at the end of this report so that we may grow together, radiating Christ in our time and place.

Very Reverend Jan Kevin Schmidt Director, Department of Pastoral Vitality

Sincerely, READ THE FULL REPORT AT catholicaoc.org/pvr

Very Reverend Jan Kevin Schmidt Director, Department of Pastoral Vitality

Building Blocks for Parish Vitality Beacons of Light is designed with building blocks to enhance pastoral life in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.

P HA S E S

PR INCIPLES

PARAM ET ERS

MI L EST ONES

Sequential areas of

Foundational elements that

Common expectations for all

Markers for each principle

focus; the phases are not

contribute to the vision and

Families of Parishes; what every

that determine when a Family

tied to calendar years.

mission of Beacons of Light.

Family must or must not do.

has completed a phase.

Learn More About beaconsaoc.org

2 4 | THE CATHOLIC TELE G RAPH

A First-Year Snapshot

will be analyzed and shared in early 2024. Based on financial

From the very start, Beacons of Light has been informed by data, providing objective insights into the demographics of the archdiocese, population trends in cities, towns and regions, and parish sacramental and giving trends over time. This Parish

reporting from the end of fiscal year 2021-2022 (as of June 30, 2022), most Families of Parishes are financially healthy.

Some specific parishes face financial concerns, including undetermined deferred maintenance and other liabilities.

Vitality Report draws on the data previously collected and relies

Thirty-four Families participated in the Disciple Maker Index

heavily on the Annual Planning Reports pastors submitted in

(DMI) survey in 2023 and are using the results of the DMI as

July 2023. This report includes insights from the archdiocesan

they create pastoral plans. In the future, the DMI and other

deans and Beacons liaisons, providing a progress report on the

data will be reliable indicators of the overall health and growth

Beacons process in the first year of implementation. Updated

of our Families of Parishes; leaders will be able to see the effect

Mass attendance and sacramental and parish financial giving

of new programs or processes and will make adjustments to

data will be collected in regular annual fall reporting. This data

further reach the vision established for their Families.

Families of Parishes IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CINCINNATI

8 Families have 1 parish

10 Families have 2 parishes

9 Families have 3 parishes

10 Families have 4 parishes

13 Families have 5 parishes

3 Families have 6 parishes

3 Families have 7 parishes

1 Family has 8 parishes

Registered households in Families range from a low of 150 to a high of 6,035.

150

Households

6035 Households

PA R IS H V IT A L IT Y R E P O R T / N O V E M BE R 2023 | 25

Priests Now and Into the Future Most Families of Parishes are now

Number of Active Diocesan Priests - Historical and Projected

served by more than one active priest, and many priests moved as the process was implemented in July 2022. The early weeks of implementation of the Families of Parishes included time for priests to settle into new residences and begin to minister together, something rare in the past three or more decades since priests have typically lived and served without the companionship or support of other priests in their parishes.

-22

50%

25%

10

With expected decline in

In the coming five

The positive news is that the

Ten Families have

diocesan (-8) and religious

years, up to half of the

decline in active diocesan priests

religious order

order priests (-14) over the

Families of Parishes will

has slowed. The age cohorts

priests; the remaining

next five years, the number

have one less parochial

of active priests have begun to

Families are led by

of priests serving Families of

vicar compared to their

equalize, yet more than one in four

diocesan priests.

Parishes will decrease by 22.

current staffing levels.

active priests will be eligible to retire in the next five years.

Catholic Schools Catholic education is an integral part of many Families of Parishes’ missions. The 110 schools within the Archdiocese of Cincinnati radiate Christ by forming students to be disciples. The Catholic Schools office has spent the past year taking a deeper dive into the current realities regarding the schools within the Families of Parishes and supporting pastors in various areas.

As Families of Parishes enter the visioning phase of Beacons of Light, the Catholic Schools office continues to assist in this endeavor. It is vital that Catholic education remains a part of Families’ missions, therefore, the office hired a pastoral planning support specialist to assist pastors and principals in the pastoral planning process — as it relates to Catholic schools. As each school is unique, with varying strengths, opportunities and challenges, the Catholic Schools office is

Collaboration has been key to the success of our Family of Parishes. We have regular combined staff meetings and had a joint staff retreat day; our parish councils have come together to meet as one, and we have formed a 60-member committee to develop our Family vision. We have come together in prayer celebrating the installation of our clergy and, most recently, our naming celebration with combined choirs and liturgical ministers.

partnering with the leadership of each Family of Parishes to

— Nick Wilker, Director of Worship

ensure that Catholic education remains an essential part of

Christ our Light Family of Parishes

the archdiocese’s evangelizing mission.

2 6 | THE CATHOLIC TE LEGRAPH

Progress on the Pastoral Planning Pathway In the Annual Planning Reports, pastors indicated progress

Many pastors noted that the

toward the milestones of Phase 1 and the parameters

expectation of an Annual Planning

associated with each guiding principle. While most Families

Report due by July 1, 2023, was helpful

have not completed Phase 1 of all six principles, 81 percent

and, in some cases, motivating; the

of Families are leading (ahead of what might be expected at

report makes clear the progress being

this stage of the process) or on track (progressing steadily

made, challenges and obstacles to

through Phase 1). For a process as complex as Beacons, it

be faced and steps Families have yet

is encouraging to know that most Families of Parishes are

to take. This annual reporting is a

taking significant steps on the Pastoral Planning Pathway.

Only a handful of Families are facing serious challenges

81%

new and decisive element for pastors and Family leaders, providing the

of Families are on track or leading

(many of which can be overcome), some of which are external, beyond the control of the pastor and his team.

foundation for enhanced parish health and measurable growth in the future.

Milestone Progress by Family Eucharist Eucharist

23

Church Church

26

28

Leadership Leadership

23

19

Stewardship Stewardship

30

9

19

26

Love Lovein inAction Action

15 Yes

6

8

29

Evangelization Evangelization

8

19

22

12

20

In progress

No

Our communications team produced a beautiful 8-page report to highlight the progress our 3 parishes have made in the first year of the Beacons’ process.

They were able to weave through the report the principles of Beacons of Light which provided another opportunity to educate our parishioners. The report was mailed to the families of each parish, as well as our 3 school families.

— Cathy Magness, Beacons’ Pathway Leader, Kettering Catholic Community

P A R IS H V IT A L IT Y R E P O R T / N O V E M BE R 2023 | 27

Phase 1: Leadership Beacons of Light Phase 1 is focused on leadership, recognizing

all or most of the staff of the parishes that comprise the Family.

that to enact change (particularly significant change such as that

Some change in staff has occurred, in part due to a change in

envisioned in Beacons), faithful, competent and qualified leaders

roles or responsibilities, in part due to attrition and movement

are essential. Pastors have taken time to get to know their staff

of staff to new ministerial positions. Some pastors report

and to become familiar with the existing leadership structures in

difficulty in identifying qualified and competent staff, even after

their parishes. Now, 15 months into the process, many Families

extensive searches in their regions, especially in rural areas.

have or are getting leaders in place in key areas of parish life.

Some Families have begun to form a unified Family Pastoral

Sixty-four percent of pastors have formed (in part or in

Council. The council is sometimes composed of all the parish

whole) their Family Leadership Teams, a small group

pastoral councils within the Family. At other times, the council

of key staff who share leadership with the pastor in a

is made up of representatives of the parish councils or a new

specific area of ministry, such as worship, administration or

council is being formed to discern the future for the Family while

evangelization, and supervise other staff. This has reduced the

parish pastoral councils continue to serve for the time being.

number of direct reports for most pastors, simplifying their administrative duties.

Forty-one pastors have a Beacons liaison, an experienced

Pastors are also beginning to unify their staffs, so that rather

Church and the ability to offer timely coaching and support. The

than serving one parish, many staff members now coordinate

Families that have a liaison are more likely to be progressing

ministry for their Family of Parishes. Whereas in the past, a

well at this stage, which is a testimony to the benefit of liaisons’

person might have been responsible for faith formation from

support for pastors and their teams.

individual with leadership background, desire to serve the

“womb to tomb,” now, staff members might oversee one segment of the population and collaborate with others to provide innovative and responsive ministry throughout the Family. It is important to note that many staffs have retained

Forty-four Families now have a Pathway Lead, a staff member who is designated by the pastor to receive Beacons of Light communication and ensure the Family is maintaining attention to the many details and tasks of the process.

Joining Together in Community The Annual Planning Reports submitted by Families of Parishes

A few Families include in their missions centralized ministry

pastors noted striking examples of people coming together, the

to and with African Americans in an intentional effort to assist

dedication of staff and the commitment of parishioner leaders in

the local church in ministering to the various peoples and

seeking opportunities to become united as a community of faith:

cultures that make up the Church of Cincinnati. They do so

•

Family holy day or holiday Masses

•

Family Holy Week and/or Easter Vigil celebrations

•

Combined RCIA, religious education, young adult ministry

•

Family dinners, picnics, social gatherings

•

Shared ministry to hospitalized, homebound, bereaved

•

Shared service, outreach, St. Vincent De Paul, pro-life

•

Unifying ministries, councils

•

Family retreats, Lenten missions, series

•

Increased attention and ministry to and with ethnic groups

Some pastors and their teams report enhanced Hispanic ministry, noting that the growth in their Families can be directly attributed to the increasing number of Hispanic Catholics in their Families. Families with Hispanic evangelization welcome, accompany and equip Hispanic Catholics to become fully invested and integrated into the life of the Church.

2 8 | THE CATHOLIC TE LEGRAPH

in recognition of the rich history, spirituality and gifts African Americans continue to share in the Church’s mission to encounter Christ in one another.

What’s in a Name?

While it was not a Phase 1 milestone to do so, many Families of Parishes have adopted a Family name. In some Families, the name will carry over when the parishes of the Family have formally unified. In others, a name has been adopted for the next few years, with a new parish name to be prayerfully discerned as the parishes are formally coming together. Some Families have made a conscious decision not to adopt a name yet, desiring more time to bring people together in other ways before doing so. It is important to remember that Families will progress through steps such as this in a time and manner appropriate for them.

Even Necessary Change Can Be Difficult The implementation of Families of Parishes and the change that is inherent in Beacons of Light is a necessary response to the current reality of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. While necessary, such change is not always easy. The Annual Planning Reports note common challenges for many or most of the Families of Parishes, along with some obstacles that are particular to one Family or their local regions. It is important to acknowledge these challenges, especially because each of us has the ability and responsibility to address and overcome the obstacles on our path to becoming vital communities of discipleship.

TIE S T O T HE PAR IS H AR E STR ON G E R THAN TO THE F AMI L Y

A PPRECI A T I N G T HE PA ST WH I L E POI NT I NG T OWA RD T HE FUTU R E

Church documents and statistical studies all point to the

Some people are challenged to move beyond

important role the faith community plays in our lives as

longstanding ambivalence or rivalry with a neighboring

followers of Jesus. When we are deeply rooted in our parish,

parish, now part of their Family of Parishes. Members of

we are more likely to live and grow as disciples, become

smaller parishes fear they will lose their sense of history

involved in parish ministries and give our time, talents, and

or identity as they are asked to come together with a

treasure as good stewards. It is understandable that those

neighboring, larger parish. It must be noted that it is not

who have been engaged in their parishes might be challenged

the intent of Beacons of Light that any parish loses the

to broaden their perspective to the Family of Parishes, and

qualities that make a community special. Especially in

yet it is necessary that we do so. Most pastors of multi-parish

more rural areas in the archdiocese, people explain that

Families noted that parochialism — the identification of people

the parish and church building are central to the life of

with their parishes to the exclusion of the other parishes in the

their local communities. As Families move through the

Family — is an obstacle for future vitality, unity and growth.

Beacons process, especially in Phase 2 (which is focused

IT I S D I F F I C ULT TO CO ME TO G E T HE R W HEN WE LIVE SO F A R A P AR T No two Families of Parishes are exactly alike. Even within a local region, Families are composed of parishes that may be geographically close or dispersed, culturally similar or with differing liturgical sensibilities or ethnic composition. Pastors of parishes that are geographically spread over many miles note the challenges of bringing staff or ministries together.

Some are finding natural patterns of movement that lead to the potential for some centralization of offices or programs while maintaining presence in all the parishes within the

on vision) and Phase 3 ( which is focused on culture), such concerns will be addressed and opportunities for unity will be explored.

A DOPT I N G WI DER PERSPECT I V ES Some pastors noted that people are tied not only to “their” parishes but also to a specific Mass time — either out of habit or because this is where they know people or feel comfortable. While such ties are understandable, all are challenged to widen their views and connections (in prayer, social gatherings and ministry) so that, over time, the Family will be unified as a community of faith.

Family at this time.

PA R IS H V IT A L IT Y R E P O R T / N O V E M BE R 2023 | 29

LOOK A HEAD:

Pastoral Councils, Phase 2 and More It has been gratifying to read the Annual Planning Reports

Thanks to everyone who

from each Family and to talk with deans, pastors and parish

continues to work tirelessly

leaders about the tremendous progress made in this first year

to support our parish

of Beacons of Light. The Center for Parish Vitality is committed

leaders in the Beacons of

to continuing to provide resources and support for pastors and

Light process. Together, we

parish leaders to make even more progress on the Pastoral

can bring about renewed

Planning Pathway during Year 2.

vitality in our Families

In addition to the many resources available on the Pathway platform (updated regularly), we have some specific tools and events which we hope will support parish leaders going forward: •

of Parishes, and — with God’s help — build faith communities which will truly radiate the love of

Jeremy Helmes

Christ as beacons of light!

Director, Center for Parish Vitality

Formation for parish pastoral council members on their role, especially in Beacons of Light.

•

Resources for Phases 2 & 3 of pastoral planning to help leaders create a vision for their Family of Parishes and begin

Jeremy Helmes

shaping the culture of their Family for more parish vitality.

Director, Center for Parish Vitality

•

More Families will take the Disciple Maker Index this winter.

•

Continued support for pastors and other Family leaders

by Beacons liaisons, Pathway Leads, Catholic Leadership institute, and the Center for Parish Vitality.

vitality@catholicaoc.org | 513.263.6692

Take the Survey The Parish Vitality Report highlights progress and challenges in the first year of Beacons of Light. Share your experience in your Family of Parishes by responding to the Parish Vitality Survey.

catholicaoc.org/vitality-survey

View the Full Parish Vitality Report at catholicaoc.org/pvr

30 |

St. John the Baptist Church, Dry Ridge, was named by parishioner Henry Kleine in return for his large pledge of $400.

1846 One-room log schoolhouse built by area Catholics.

1860 First St. John’s Church built.

New school constructed and staffed by Sisters of Divine Providence.

1866 Swiss priest Father Gebhard Egger appointed as St. John’s first resident priest.

1905 Third school building built.

St. John the Baptist St. John the Baptist was the last prophet before Christ.

Beheaded after denouncing the marriage of King Herod to his brother’s former wife, John preached the coming of the Messiah and baptized his followers. He and Jesus were relatives, and they’re often depicted playing together as toddlers at their mothers’ feet or as adults in the dramatic moment when John baptized Jesus and recognized Him as the Messiah. Also popular in art: Salome, daughter of Queen Herodias, holding John’s head on a platter.

1915 Second church building built, inspired by the English Mission style. It was 50 x 90 feet, held 250 people and featured a beamed ceiling, upper-story windows in distinctive green stained glass and woodwork from the 1860 church.

1923 Fourth school opened after third school and sisters’ residence destroyed in a fire.

1925 School added eighth grade and two years of high school. High

school program continued until 1955.

1983 Most Masses moved to new Parish Center.

March 4, 1995 Last Mass at old church.

Groundbreaking held for new church.

1997 Current church building dedicated.

“It’s a happy parish. People don’t just run in and out again, they stay and talk, and we never have trouble getting volunteers. We kept a lot of the old things when the building style was supposed to be more austere, and things are still changing—we had the statues of Mary and Joseph from the 1860 church in the back, where we always tell people not to sit, and the tabernacle in a chapel. Now the statues are back in the front and the tabernacle is back on the altar.” - Anonymous lifelong parishioner

Quick Facts 3 Bells: The 400-pound bell from 1862 and a 700-pound addition in 1884 were both refurbished in 1996 and still rung by hand. In 2004, a 900-pound Verdin bell with an electronic system for multi-note ringing was added.

1 Grotto: The historic grotto, initially removed for the current church’s construction, was rebuilt using new stone in the last century. | 31

S T. JOSE PH’ S T O O L B E LT

Raised on Love One of the most admirable qualities of the handymen, carpenters and manual laborers in my life is their deep love for their families and serving others. They might be messy or rough around the edges, but they come when we need them—even when the word “need” is used loosely. And though they may tease us, we know they love us and that we couldn’t make it without their help. We need more handymen!

Where do we suppose they learned to be so readily available to their families and neighbors? There are numerous factors that play into this, but anyone who knows a handyman personally knows they’ve been at this for a long time. Many tinkered as young as three-years-old, their parents giving them small, simple, practical tasks to help around the house, such as picking up sticks before their dads mow the lawn.

They helped their parents and were trusted with tasks and responsibilities from a very young age. In return, they were graced to see these completed tasks lighten the heavy loads their parents were carrying.

We can imagine that Jesus was likely raised that way. Did He grumble and complain? No. He knew it was good that He existed. He knew He was loved and had the capacity to change other people’s lives through that same love. Jesus also knew that those people God put in His life were the ones who needed Him most: his family and neighbors. He helped carry His parents’ crosses, and He truly fulfilled the law’s call to “Honor your father and mother.”

Now, this is not to say handymen are perfect human beings.

As St. Paul said 2,000 years ago, “all men have sinned.” I 3 2 | THE CATHOLIC TE LEGRAPH

am sure many, when being asked by their parents to help with a chore, grumbled at least once growing up. They also likely fell short and refused to help (and maybe suffered the consequences). Regardless of any shortcomings, their virtue shines through. There are many admirable qualities to be found in these handymen, qualities that are too often overlooked and taken for granted.

For many of them, their loving contributions to their childhood homes grew with time and blossomed into their adult lives under the beautiful (or too often ignored) title of “duty.”

So, what is the lesson we can learn from handymen and their families? A simple take away is this: “The Word became flesh and picked up a hammer.” This incredible quote by Jacob Imam beautifully captures the heart of a handyman’s life. Christ didn’t come to take away our suffering or the toils of work. Rather, He came to use them as tools for our purification, tools to help us more fully enter into the beauty and incredible wonders of our new lives in heaven.

What does this mean for our families? It means one of the greatest gifts we can give our children is the freedom to encounter the toils and difficulties of work early in their lives, so that when they encounter the harsh realities of adult life in our broken world, they are able to carry their many burdens like a handyman: with love.

TRENTON SCROGGINS is the Director of Digital Engagement for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. tscroggins@catholicaoc.org

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A Multi-Team Effort of Good Deeds Elder High School partners with opposing team to help neighbors

By John Stegeman | Photos Courtesy Elder High School

Catholic schools have long embraced a spirit of wholesome competition in athletics, but sometimes opponents join together for a good cause.

Elder High School’s football team hosted Philadelphiabased Saints Neumann Goretti High School for a weektwo contest at The Pit this season. While the Panthers came out on top 35-14, the next day, 60 or so players and coaches from Neumann Goretti joined Elder’s team captains for a day of service at Bayley, a Catholic retirement community on Cincinnati’s West Side.

3 4 | THE CATHOLIC TE LEGRAPH

Student and coach volunteers cleaned dirt and mold off mailboxes and picked up trash around Bayley grounds for two hours. The visiting team gave impetus for the project.

“Any time we travel out of state, we also do a community service project,” said Byron Barnes, assistant head coach and director of football operations for Neumann Goretti.

“Our student athletes and coaches were excited about the chance to give back. This is something we hold dear to our hearts. I know, personally, that all the volunteers

enjoyed the opportunity, and more importantly, the chance to speak with many of the residents who came out to greet us. It definitely was an amazing experience.”

Kevin Espelage, Elder’s athletic director, noted that while Elder students perform many service hours each year, teaming up with an opponent was unique. “[We’ll do] anything to let the kids see that they can be a part of something bigger than themselves,” he said. “We do a lot as a high school, and to do projects like this as a team is a good way to build a lot of things and serve the community.”

Elder Community Service Coordinator Tom Nugent said the project had three-fold benefits.

The residents and staff of Bayley benefited from the service, and the players were able to do a good deed while building fellowship with an opponent.

“It was about doing the good work and serving,” Nugent said. “As a community service coordinator, I always say the only day worth living is a day you help someone who can never repay you. The team from Philly and the Elder guys won’t see these residents.”

“All those little things [like cleaning mailboxes] become quite cumbersome for someone in the latter stage of life,” he added. “Having those things done, though they might seem trivial to the people that can move around easily, is a big deal.

For Bayley, they don’t have the staffing to be able to take on that project, particularly in the time we were able to do it. It was a great opportunity to not only help the members of the Bayley retirement center but also to spend some time with the team and coaches and players on a different level than you usually would.”

Pat Devenney, athletic director at Neumann Goretti, noted that the shared faith between the schools enabled them to make the trip to Ohio about “more than football.”

“Being a Catholic school, it adds that extra layer,” he said. “Elder was fantastic… . We’re coming from Philly and they’re in Cincinnati, but the Catholic values are the same.”

S T E W A R D S H IP / N O V E M BE R 2023 | |35 35

A Holistic Approach

to stewardship

St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish in Liberty Township focuses on time and talent first, and treasure follows B Y J O HN STE G E M A N | P H OT OS COU R T E S Y S T . M A XIM IL IAN P A R IS H

3St. 6 |Maximilian BlockTELE Party THE CATHOLIC GRAPH

Every parish in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati has stalwart supporters who are always willing to write a check to keep the lights on, but more and more parishes find themselves relying on the same faithful few. St. Maximilian Kolbe Church in Liberty Township isn’t immune to this, but through the years, the staff built a parish-wide culture of stewardship that goes deeper than seeking funds.

Lakmé Kodros, Director of Outreach, Parish Life & Stewardship for St. Max, said the process takes time, but the principles are simple.

Under the leadership of the late Father Terry Smith, pastor at St. Max from 2003-2009, and with Kodros and her experiences at the McGready Stewardship Conference, parish staff formed a stewardship commission. Their joint approach focused on asking for parishioners’ time and talent before asking for

If you’ve invested in the parish with your time and giving your gifts back, the money will follow your passions. financial support. Currently, Pastor Father Jim Riehle has continued that approach.

“If you’ve invested in the parish with your time and giving your gifts back, the money will follow your passions,” Kodros said. “Before I moved to Cincinnati, my pastor said, ‘In order to pray together, we have to know how to play together.’ I kind of took on that model.”

CO NT INUE D O N PA G E 1 4

Volunteers for Lunch for the Homeless S T E W A R D S H IP / N O V E M BE R 2023 | 37

C ONTINUED FR O M P AG E 1 3

As St. Max is a thriving parish with more than 3,000 families, opportunities to get involved abound.

Father Riehle hosts periodic trivia nights, and then there’s the annual chili cookoff, Fat Tuesday pancake dinner, summer festival, bingo, potlucks, fish fry, dances and more. On a more spiritual side, the parish has multiple book and Bible studies and a variety of small faith groups and outreach ministries.

All that lays the groundwork for when the parish does need to ask parishioners for money. Recently, St. Max parishioners raised funds for a new roof and building project on the church. But the giving doesn’t stop there.

“The love language of our parish is giving things,” Kodros said. “When we have collections for personal care items for St. Vincent de Paul, the bin is overflowing … . No matter what kind of collection … . Whether it’s back-to-school supplies or pet supplies for St. Francis’ feast day in October, our people are just so generous.”

The stewardship culture extends beyond the parish borders to its twinning relationship with St. Patrick Parish in Uganda. St. Max’s faithful came together to buy oxen and plows for catechists and to dig 50 water wells in the community.

Training staff and preparing the faithful is an unending task, so St. Max parish staff enjoyed a Day of Stewardship with Archdiocese of Cincinnati Stewardship Director David Kissell in October.

They then turned the focus outward.

To highlight “stewardship,” first, Father Riehle spoke on the topic during the final week of October, in particular on the theme of gratitude. Over the following weekends, Kodros and fellow parish commission directors shared many opportunities to get involved and parishioners could fill out commitment cards for giving their time, talent or treasure.

3 8 | THE CATHOLIC TE LEGRAPH

Your focus cannot be about money. It has to be about people.

In fundraising, one axiom is, “People give to people.” When parishioners participate in church life, they more easily see the people receiving church support.

“You have to believe in it,” Kodros said of the timeand-talent-first approach. “If you’re doing it so that your end result is money, it’s not going to work.

Your focus cannot be about money. It has to be about people. With the right people in leadership, it can be very contagious.”

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S T E W A R D S H IP / N O V E MBE R 2023 | 39

SE IZ E T H E MO ME NT

The God-Man of Mystery Ours is a mind boggling faith. God is one, yet He is three Persons who are each also God. He is invisible, yet the Second Person possesses a visible, human body. When this Second Person united a human nature to His divine nature, He became both fully human and fully divine. This God-man, Jesus, offers us Himself in the Eucharist, which, while having all the properties of bread, is still entirely Him. What do we do in the face of such mysteries?

TOO MUCH OR NOT ENOUGH?

In my 15 years in ministry, I’ve talked to a lot of people about these great wonders. “Three in one? God and man? The bread is Jesus?” This is definitely a lot to digest. These teachings are complex, confusing and even frustrating. My sense is that, in our intellectual paralysis, we tend to either unthinkingly believe the mysteries anyway or push them into the back of our minds and try to avoid them.

Neither solution is satisfactory. Our faith is more secure when we have good reasons for it, and how can we have a personal relationship with someone we avoid thinking about?

A great deal could be said to make these mysteries more intelligible; however, even a few explanatory remarks on each are beyond the scope and space I have here. Instead, let’s talk about mindset.

THE MYSTERY MINDSET

I think that the victory over intellectual confusion and paralysis begins by approaching our faith with the proper perspective.

First, let’s look at mystery. Even with Sherlock’s powers of deduction and observation, it’s not as if we could crack the code and solve the mysteries. In a theological context, a “mystery” is not a riddle to be solved, but is a truth revealed

by God that is beyond full human comprehension.

“A truth revealed by God” means that God wanted us to know it so badly, He taught it to us Himself. In our consternation, we forget that our God is a revealer God. He does not desire to confound or obscure, He desires to reveal. He longs to be 4 0 | THE CATHOLIC TELE GRAPH

known by us. That should give us hope when we approach the mysteries of our faith.

“Beyond full human comprehension”: My emphasis here is on the word “full.” We might not be able to entirely understand these mysteries, but we can know some things about them!

Why would God reveal them if there was nothing to be known in them? God made our minds for knowing Him, and so there’s hope here, too, that when we approach Him, we will come to know Him better.

FROM OBSTACLE TO INVITATION

What if, then, instead of thinking about theological mysteries as obstacles to knowing God, we see them as invitations?

The fact that these mysteries cannot be fully comprehended means that we can come to them and receive from them forever. Our God cannot be depleted or exhausted by us, like the things of this world. Instead, He is a bottomless well of refreshing water that we can draw from for all eternity. He is a banquet table with the finest food that stretches on without end.

Every mystery of our faith contains an invitation to come, sit, eat, drink and have your fill forever. Far from avoiding the well and the table, we should be running to meet these limitless sources of truth and nourishment. In Him we are not defeated, we are satisfied!

Therefore, let’s always be thinking, studying and asking questions about our awesome God. You might even pray right now: “God, reveal something new to me about yourself.” I assure you He will either teach you something new, or He will give you peace about what you don’t understand. Either way you win, and in this way, we can fully embrace the mysteries that make us fully Catholic and make God fully God.

NICHOLAS HARDESTY Ready to discuss creating a Discipleship Pathway at your parish? Contact Nicholas Hardesty at nhardesty@catholicaoc.org.

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| 41

BOOK REVIEW

Love Basics for Catholics Illustrating God’s Love for Us Throughout the Bible

BY JOHN BERGSMA REVIEWED BY MATTHEW GENUNG

Love Basics for Catholics: Illustrating God’s Love for Us Throughout the Bible is Professor John Bergsma’s fourth contribution in a series of books intended for lay readers on biblical topics. Over the course of 10 chapters, he paraphrases select Scripture passages to illustrate how love and marriage’s centrality in the Bible, from beginning to end, is a primary key for understanding the history of salvation.

and the Church. Humankind spurned God’s love early and often. Yet divine forgiveness and man/Israel’s repentance culminate in the divine-human wedding feast, which features the divine trait of hesed, or faithful, steadfast love. Bergsma also connects chapters by revealing typological relationships between the Old Testament figures and the events involving Jesus and the Church.

Discussing the passages in the biblical canon’s order, Bergsma begins with the Genesis creation accounts of the cosmos and of Adam and Eve (chapter 1). This is followed by the sinful rejection of the created order that culminates in the flood (2). God’s redemptive plan in Abraham and Sarah’s relationship (3) leads to the (marital) covenant between God and His bride, Israel, at Sinai (4). Bergsma uses the positive examples of Boaz and Ruth from the Book of Ruth (5) and of Solomon and his bride in the poetic Song of Songs (6) to contrast the prophetic books’ rebukes of Israel’s infidelity with the foreseen redemption (7), all of which comes to a head in the New Testament. From the Gospels, Bergsma chooses most passages from John where Jesus is presented as the Bridegroom (8), who, in Ephesians, gives His life for His bride, the Church (9), culminating in a vision of the wedding of the Lamb and New Jerusalem in the Book of Revelation (10). The eleventh chapter draws together the previous chapters’ major themes, concluding the book with a synthesis of divine biblical love and its lessons for life in the Church.

Biblical passages are frequently interpreted in light of the Church’s tradition. For example, Bergsma adverts to Catholic teaching on the Trinity, love and the Church’s nature.

Endnotes are few, but there are quotes from St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Teresa of Calcutta, Pope St. John Paul II and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Chapters conclude with a lesson on the moral life, including marriage as an indissoluble union of one man and one woman, chastity’s meaning and importance, polygamy and incest’s dangers, openness to life in marriage, the problem of artificial contraception, priestly celibacy’s purpose and fruitfulness, the theology of fidelity (hesed) and the necessity for forgiveness.

Bergsma proposes that creation’s goal is the marriage covenant between God and man, in which man is created to participate in divine love in the context of marriage, family

Love Basics for Catholics: Illustrating God’s Love for Us Throughout the Bible by John Bergsma, Ave Maria Press (2023), 160 pages; $16.95

4 2 | THE CATHOLIC TELE GRAPH

Written in simple prose and colloquial language, Love Basics for Catholics includes Bergsma’s characteristic stick-figure illustrations that make his writing easy to read and digestible.

Matthew Genung is the Ruth J. and Robert A. Conway Foundation Chair in Biblical Studies at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary & School of Theology.

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Email: rulloa@maryknoll.org Podcast: Among the People | 43

POPE ST. JOHN PAUL II’S THEOLOGY OF THE BODY

The Law of the Heart Note: This article is part of an ongoing series on Pope St. John Paul II’s “Theology of the Body” (TOB).

By taking on our human nature in the Incarnation, Jesus, the eternal Son of the Father, united himself intimately with us. He did this in order to save us from sin, to reveal the Father and His love to us, to give us an example of holiness to follow, and ultimately, to enable us to share in the divine life of the Blessed Trinity (CCC, 457-460). In Theology of the Body, Pope St. John Paul II was especially interested in the implications of our redemption in Christ, the New Law of the Gospel and our call to holiness for how we regard our bodies, our sexuality and how we relate with one another.

To help us enter into his reflections, we first pondered the universal call to holiness and the purpose of the moral law.

We saw that with the grace that Christ won for us—and continually supplies through His bride, the Church— sanctity is not only possible for each and every one of us, but is the standard of life for every Christian.

In the previous article, we reflected on the moral law’s purpose. At various times, we can experience suspicion, resentment or even embarrassment of Catholic moral teaching. However, if we have the eyes to see it, the moral law is actually an amazing gift of love given to us by our generous, loving Father. He desires us to enjoy our freedom and creativity in this life and has given us the moral law— expressed in its fullest form in Catholic moral teaching—so 4 4 | THE CATHOLIC TE LEGRAPH

that we do not fall into the slavery of sin. He desires to help safeguard and enhance our freedom so that we can shape our lives in ways that truly befit our dignity as God’s sons and daughters and that lead us to eternal communion with Him. In this way, the moral law is actually centered on our happiness—both in this life and in eternity.

During His earthly ministry, Jesus brought the Old Law to fulfillment through His example and teaching. In doing so, He gave us the New Law of the Gospel, which “is the perfection here on earth of the divine law, natural and revealed.” It is “expressed particularly in the Sermon on the Mount” (CCC, 1965). There, the Lord repeatedly uses the form “you have heard that it was said … but I say to you …”

(Mt. 5). To make His purpose absolutely clear, He prefaces these sayings with the statement, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them” (Mt. 5:17).

Within these sayings in the Sermon on the Mount, our Lord shows us that the moral law is about more than just external actions. External actions and overt obedience are very important, but they mean little if they do not reflect the true attitudes of our heart. Our inner attitudes, intentions and desires matter just as much, if not more.

For example, Jesus teaches us that it is not enough for us to refrain from killing others. Rather, we must root out

disordered anger, resentment and unforgiveness. Jesus calls us, His disciples, to a level of holiness that involves the whole person, even the depths of the heart. Thus, the New Law of the Gospel is truly a law of the heart.

Through it, Jesus shows us that the Father loves us so much that He desires not mere slaves who robotically follow “the rules.” Rather, He longs for our hearts to be intimately united with Him so that we can be liberated from sinful attitudes and experience the “glorious freedom of the children of God” (Rom. 8:21).

External actions and overt obedience are very important, but they mean little if they

do not reflect the true attitudes of our heart.

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Franciscan Poor Clare Nuns Jesus calls all of us to continual conversion of heart. He invites us to look within and to discern where we need healing and conversion. Pope St. John Paul II saw this task as central to the Christian life and especially crucial for us to arrive at a mature, integrated sexuality whereby we can relate with one another in a way befitting human persons made in God’s image. He recognized that looking within to pursue deeper holiness is daunting.

This is why he sought, in his first public remarks as pope, to encourage us: “Do not be afraid. Open wide the doors for Christ … Do not be afraid. Christ knows ‘what is in man.’ He alone knows it … He alone has words of life, yes, of eternal life.”

With Pope St. John Paul II as guide, let us delve deeply into the human heart, inviting the light of Christ to reveal all that needs to be purified.

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T H E O L O G Y O F T H E B O D Y / N O V E MBE R 2023 | 45

Color the Saints!

Saint Veronica is the Patroness of Kindness and Charity (as well as laundry workers and photographers).

Legend holds that Veronica traveled with the veil and used it to cure Emperor Tiberius. It stayed in Rome and was eventually housed in the Vatican.

Saint Veronica is commonly depicted as holding a cloth that depicts the face of Jesus.

The veil has inspired many devotions over the centuries. It was so popular that many, many copies of it were made.

In 1616, Pope Paul V banned further copies from being created, and ordered existing copies to be destroyed.

While Jesus carried His cross, Veronica offered to wipe His face with her veil.

His image imprinted on her cloth. This veil became known as the Veil of Veronica and is one of the Church’s most treasured relics.

4 6 | THE CATHOLIC TELE G RAPH

In Catholic tradition, St. Veronica is included in the Sixth Station of the Cross: “Veronica wipes the face of Jesus.”

Directions Find an empty jar and decorate it.

Cut paper into strips. Write down acts of kindness on the strips.

Fold and place them into the jar.

When you’re up for a kindness challenge, draw a piece of paper and make it happen!

Find more online: thecatholictelegraph.com/kids-corner Word Bank charity devotion face Jesus

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K ID S ’ CO R N E R / S E PT E M BE R 2023 | 47

out & about in the Archdiocese

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1) St. Mary Elementary Reunion On Aug. 12, the St. Mary Alumni Association held an all class reunion. The event started with Mass, followed by a tour of the church, a display of parish and school memorabilia in the school building and a catered meal in Beckmeyer Hall. Approximately 170 attended from seven states, representing graduation classes from 1942 through 1971 (the year the school closed).

2) Military Appreciation at SUA The St. Ursula Academy (SUA) Military Appreciation Club hosted an all-school assembly commemorating 9/11. Club members shared with students video and audio clips from that tragic day in U.S. history and profiled some of the many heroes who risked their lives to save others. In particular, they shared the story of “The Man in the Red Bandanna” who lost his life in the South Tower while rescuing at least 18 other people.

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3 4) Eucharistic Miracles Conference The Catholic Communities of Northwest Dayton hosted a Eucharistic Miracles exhibit at Precious Blood Church and St. Joseph Church at the end of September.

4 3) Moeller Student Helps Elementary School Paul Shaffer, a Moeller High School student in Cincinnati, received a grant from the Youth Philanthropy Committee for $1,000 to purchase headphones for Delshire Elementary on the West Side. These headphones are critical because they are used for all of their state testing, but most students don’t have them.

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in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati

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Subscriptions for the faithful of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati are FREE! To subscribe, visit our website, or call The Catholic Telegraph offices at 513-263-6635.

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M I L K S K A T E P U B S O V E N I N C A N A S A P S A F E N E E D S C C C I E I G H T E N T W I N E S B E L B E E N S A S H E R H A L L O W E D J O L L Y E W E I R R E G N U R S E C L E F B O O B J U D E A P A L S Y I A M A R R S M A C K D A B A L E S E L I P A R I M B E C I L E C H A S M P R O B E L E A P A O U T T O R E P A T E R O T R O O P A L S T A R T G Y M S

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N O V E M BE R 2023 | 49

THE FINAL WORD with Carl Brown

Put to the Test My wife and I attended Mass on a typical Sunday many years ago, but what happened that day was not typical—in fact, it changed our lives. Our pastor invited a parishioner, Joe, to share a personal witness about the importance of sacrificial giving. Until then, I thought people gave to the Church because the Church needed it—but I was wrong.

In his witness, Joe recounted how God tested Abraham and Job. This I knew. Then he shared something from the prophet Malachi that I didn’t know: “‘Put me to the test,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘And see if I do not open the floodgates of heaven for you, and pour down upon you blessings without measure’” (Mal. 3:10).

After sharing how he took God at His word and made a huge gift to charity, a sacrificial gift of $5,000, Joe spoke about how God outdid Him in generosity.

I was dumbfounded. As a recent college graduate still paying off loans, there was no way I could give $5,000.

But I was struck by Joe’s sincerity. He wasn’t selling me anything. He wasn’t paid to say this. He was telling me that if I made a gift from all the blessings God has given me, God would bless me even more.

A few months later my wife and I attended a Saturday evening banquet and learned about a great ministry.

We wanted to make a gift, but how could we? Though we barely made ends meet, we remembered Joe and made a big decision. We agreed to donate $500. To us, 5 0 | THE CATHOLIC TELE G RAPH

that was a lot of money.

In that Monday’s mail, we got a check for an escrow overage. I had never heard of an escrow overage. But it was a check for just over $500. God outdid our generosity. We could hardly believe it!

The reason I share this story with you is not to flaunt what we did—all we did was trust God. I’m not going to sugarcoat it: we don’t always get unexpected checks in the mail, and we don’t always trust God completely.

But what I learned from Joe that day was that sacrifice is important. Sharing God’s treasure with others is important. Trusting God is important. Joe changed our lives that day by inviting us to trust God with our finances.

God doesn’t need our money. But we need to trust God with our money.

Our marriage has been blessed by hearing Joe’s witness and letting it change our lives. Maybe today God is calling you to trust Him more CARL BROWN and his wife, Amy, have six kids and live in Cincinnati. He works for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati in the Stewardship Department. (And if he has your attention for more than a minute, he’ll probably tell you how amazing the Seven Sorrows Rosary is!)

Membership with Meaning “Banking at a credit union that shares our Christian values is our way of stewarding our money in a God-honoring way.”

“As a family immersed in our Catholic faith, Paige and I know that where we bank matters. At Christian Family Credit Union, we know that our money is being used for advancing God’s kingdom and serving His people. We enjoy the benefits of being part of a community of believers who share common faith goals and interests. As members of this credit union, we’re reminded to be generous towards causes that align with our values and faith and seek to effectively steward what God has given us every time we step through their doors.

Most of all, through banking at a faith-based credit union we can make a positive impact in the world with our money.”

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