The Catholic Spirit - May 9, 2013

May 9, 2013 TheCatholicSpirit.comNews with a Catholic heart

The Catholic SpiritNewspaper of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis

Rediscover Section

Bills to redefinemarriage raiseconcerns aboutreligious libertyprotectionsBy Susan KlemondFor The Catholic Spirit

Proposed religious liberty exemp-tions to Minnesota same-sex mar-riage legislation don’t provide ade-quate conscience protection, ac -cording to a panel of legal experts,faith and busi-ness leaders andothers speakingat a May 6 pressconference at theState Capitol.

If the legisla-tion becomeslaw many indi-viduals and businesses with con-science objections could face someof the legal and personal conse-quences experienced by residents ofNew York and other states that havelegalized same-sex marriage, theysaid.

Bills in the House and Senate,which would strike down the state’scurrent definition of marriage as be-tween one man and one woman, islikely to reach the floor of bothchambers before the session endslater this month.

The legislation offers exemptionsfor non-profit religious associations,religious corporations, or religious so-cieties but not businesses with morethan five employees, religious schoolsor other organizations, such as char-ities, which aren’t operated or super-vised by religious associations, cor-porations or societies.

“We were told that the marriage

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

‘Be the voice ofCatholic women’New ACCW presidenttalks about her vision forthe organization’sfuture.

— Page 3A

Finding betterways to addresshomelessnessDorothy Day CenterTask Force to examinehow to better servethose most in need in St.Paul.

— Page 5A Keynoter: Reachout to disabled Director of NationalCatholic Partnership onDisability sayshospitality, providingaccess is key.

— Page 6A

DeaconsordainedFive men from thearchdiocese wereordained transitionaldeacons May 4.

— Page 9A

‘MercyUnrelenting’Open Window Theatredrama highlightsthemes of forgiveness,redemption.

— Page 17A

Read moreabout thelegislation on page 12A

In the quiet stillness ofsuffering, Mary resides

MAY 9, 2013 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT2A

That TheyMay All Be One

ArchbishopJohn C.

Nienstedt

Helping youth to know Christ, know their faithWith the beginning of the second week of Easter,

the Liturgy of the Hours in the Office of Readings pres-ents us appropriately enough with the Book of Revela-tion, in which St. John the Evangelist receives a visionfrom God concerning the seven churches in theprovince of Asia.

The beloved disciple hears the voice of the Lord dic-tating both God’s praise and his concern for each ofthose faith communities. In almost every message,there is a clear call for repentance and conversion.

As I meditated on those passages this year, I foundmyself asking what message God would have for theChurch of St. Paul and Minneapolis in 2013. Whatwould be the strengths that he would affirm? Whatwould be the concerns that he would express? Whatwould constitute his call to repentance and conver-sion?

Well, since for Archbishop Flynn, Bishop Piché andmyself, the Easter season is a key time for celebratingthe sacrament of confirmation, I naturally thought ofit as one of the topics the Lord would surely address.

Special momentI have for the last 16 years loved presiding over con-

firmation, and I believe the Lord would positively af-firm its celebration as a special moment when familiesand extended families come together to mark theirspecial candidate’s reception of profound graces, andto rejoice in the consummation of that most specialgift, the new life of baptism.

The Second Vatican Council teaches that: “. . . bythe sacrament of Confirmation, [the baptized] are moreperfectly bound to the Church and are enriched witha special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence, they are,as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged tospread and defend the faith by word and deed” (“Lu-men Gentium,” #11).

On the other hand, I have to wonder what the over-all, long-term impact of the sacrament may be.

Australian-born author and Catholic evangelistMatthew Kelly claims that empirical evidence and datahe has gathered over the years from across the UnitedStates indicate that, within eight years after their con-firmation, 85 percent of our Catholic young peoplehave given up the practice of their faith. 85 percent!That is a staggering number! And, for me, it calls intoquestion how we are catechizing our youth for thissacramental encounter.

Knowing ChristFrom the earliest days of the Church, the Pentecost

experience given to the apostles and the Blessed Motherwas subsequently shared sacramentally with the people

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MatthewKelly statesthat withineight yearsafter theirconfirmation,85 percent ofour Catholicyoungpeople havegiven up thepractice oftheir faith

The Catholic SpiritThe Catholic Spirit’s mission is to pro claimthe Good News of Jesus Christ in theArchdiocese of St. Paul and Min ne apolis.It seeks to inform, educate, evan gelizeand foster a spirit of com munity within theCatholic Church by dissem inating news ina professional manner and serving as aforum for discussion of contem poraryissues.

Vol. 18 — No. 10

MOST REVEREND JOHN C. NIENSTEDTPublisher

SARAH MEALEYAssociate publisher

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Voice your support for traditionaldefinition of marriage

The bill to redefine marriage sits on the floor ofboth chambers of the Legislature. It could be votedon at any time. Its sponsors want this action to bebi-partisan, which is why pressure is being placedon the Republicans. Please contact your legislatorsand ask them to support the traditional definitionof marriage.

You may go online to the Minnesota CatholicConference website (WWW.MNCC.ORG) and click onthe MN Catholic Advocacy Network icon. Thereyou will find easy directions for emailing your ownspecific legislators.

Marriage needs to be supported, not used as a hu-man experiment. Children need to be raised in ahome with a mother and a father. Again, pleasecontact your legislator today!

— Archbishop John Nienstedt

Graduate Studies in TheologyMaster’s degree and certificates for women and men who want to engage in a dynamic exploration of Christian thought.

651-690-6933 stkate.edu/theology.

ASK.EXPLORE. The big questions.

His Excellency, the Most ReverendJohn C. Nienstedt, has announcedthe following appointments in theArchdiocese of Saint Paul and Min-neapolis.

Effective June 15, 2013Father Paul Basil Kubista was

named pastor of Church of the HolyTrinity, Goodhue, the Church of St.Mary of Belvidere, and the Churchof St. Columbkille of Belle Creek. Hehas most recently served at theChurch of St. Hubert of Chanhassen.Father Kubista was ordained in 2010and has also served at the Churchof St. Mathias of Hampton, theChurch of St. John of Vermillion, andthe Church of St. Mary of New Trier.

Effective July 1, 2013Father James Adams was named

associate priest of Parroquia Jesu-cristo Resucitado, Puerto Ordaz, Es-tado Bolivar, Venezuela. He has mostrecently served at St. NickolausChurch of New Market. FatherAdams was ordained in 2004 and hasalso served in Hmong ministry at theChurch of St. Vincent of St. Paul, His-panic ministry at the Church of St.Odilia, the Cathedral of St. Paul, St.Charles Borromeo of Minneapolis,and the Church of Saint Ambrose ofWoodbury.

Father Patrick Thomas Barnes wasnamed pastor of St. NickolausChurch of New Market. Father Barneswas ordained in 2010 and has beenserving at St. Charles Borromeo ofMinneapolis and DeLaSalle HighSchool in Minneapolis.

Father Alex Bernard Carlson wasnamed pastor of Church of St. Johnthe Baptist of Excelsior. Father Carlsonwas ordained in 2010 and has servedat the Church of Saint Ambrose ofWoodbury and the Church of theEpiphany of Coon Rapids.

Father John Michael Long wasnamed pastor of the Church of St.Stephen of Anoka. He has most re-cently served at the Church of St. Vin-cent de Paul of Osseo. Father Longwas ordained in 1978 and has servedat the Church of St. Joseph of Hop-kins, the John Ireland School, St.Thomas Academy, the Church of theGuardian Angels of Oakdale, andthe Church of St. Peter of North St.Paul.

Father Michael Allen Reding wasnamed pastor of St. Thomas theApostle in Minneapolis. He has mostrecently served at the Church of SaintBartholomew of Wayzata. FatherReding was ordained in 1997 and hasalso served at Transfiguration Churchof Oakdale.

Father Michael A. Van Sloun wasnamed pastor of the Church of SaintBartholomew of Wayzata. He was or-dained in 1995 and has also servedat the Church of St. Stephen ofAnoka.

Father Paul Culligan Treacy wasnamed pastor of the Church of St.Vincent de Paul of Osseo. He hasmost recently served at the Churchof Our Lady of Peace in Minneapolis.Since his ordination in 2006 he hasserved at the Chaplaincy of Gitchit-waa Kateri in Minneapolis and theChurch of St. Stephen of Anoka.

Official

New president wantswomen to rediscovervalue of ACCWBy Dianne TowalskiThe Catholic Spirit

As people across the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Min-neapolis participate in the Rediscover: initiative, LucyJohnson wants to help members of the ArchdiocesanCouncil of Catholic Women also to rediscover the valueof the ACCW.

Johnson was installed as president during the organi-zation’s 81st annual convention at Guardian Angels inOakdale May 1 and 2. She will serve until 2015.

The theme of the convention was, “Be the Voice ofCatholic Women.”

“We can and we need to be a voice of Catholic womenaddressing the issues of society today,” Johnson said.“We need to reach out across deaneries, across the arch-diocese and connect with one another to nurture, educateand support.”

Johnson would like to revitalize the organization atthe grassroots level, she said.

“Council of Catholic Women used to be a social outletfor people to come together,” she said. “What the councilwas before is not the need right now, but there is defi-nitely a need.”

EvangelizationJohnson cited the four steps to evangelization pro-

moted by Matthew Kelly, author of the book “RediscoverCatholicism” and founder of The Dynamic Catholic In-stitute. They are nurture friendships, pray for each other,tell your story, and invite others to join.

To incorporate the first two steps — friendship andprayer — the ACCW announced a new program duringthe convention called the Naomi-Ruth Prayer PartnershipProgram. Participants sign up for a prayer partner andthe only requirement is that they pray for each other.The program will begin on ACCW Sunday in October.

She also encouraged those in attendance to tell theirstories to others they know and invite those women to

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“More than ever, we need to use our voices together.”Lucy Johnson, ACCW president

LocalMAY 9, 2013 News from around the archdiocese THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT 3A

Above, Chrissy Klocker from St. Peter in North St.Paul participates in the Mass.Right, Sharon Balk, a member of St. Paul in HamLake prays during the Mass with ArchbishopNienstedt.

Above, past presidentof the ArchdiocesanCouncil of CatholicWomen, Rose AnneHallgren, hugs new

president Lucy Johnsonduring the installation of

new officers at theorganization’s

convention May 2 atGuardian Angels in

Oakdale.

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • MAY 9, 2013 Local4A

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The tests have been arranged for anyonewho suspects they are not hearing clearly.People who generally feel they can hear, butcannot understand words clearly areencouraged to come in for the test, whichuses the latest electronic equipment.

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What does the HHS mandate really mean for Catholics?By Susan KlemondFor The Catholic Spirit

Catholics who work at for-profit companies might notfeel morally challenged by the fact that abortifacients,elective sterilization and contraceptives are now 100 per-

cent covered under their health plansbecause they’re not obligated to usethem.

But most Catholic for-profit em-ployers, now forced by the HHS mandate to provide andpay for this coverage for their workforce, are strugglingto understand and follow Church teaching on the issuewhile continuing to operate their businesses.

And, unless the requirement is changed — which isn’tvery likely — starting this August non-profits also willface stiff fines for not complying. (The HHS mandate isnamed for the Department of Health and Human Serviceswhich is enforcing it as part of the Patient Protectionand Affordable Care Act)

Catholic teaching has led the U.S. bishops, theologiansand many employers to conclude that the mandate isnot acceptable because it obliges Catholic employers tocooperate — substantially, directly and indispensably —in very gravely wrong actions.

Currently more than 190 individuals representing hos-pitals, universities, businesses and schools have filed 59lawsuits against the mandate, according to the BecketFund for Religious Liberty — a Washington, D.C.-basednon-profit, public-interest legal and educational instituteprotecting religious freedom — which has represented anumber of organizations opposing the HHS mandate.

In the two Minnesota cases, federal courts have grantedbusiness owners temporary relief from the mandate asthey await final decisions.

How and why does complying with the mandate goagainst Church teaching? Have the government’s actionsviolated the constitutional right to free exercise of reli-gion?

Theologians writing in two court briefs offer answersto these questions. St. Louis abbot and theologian Bene-dictine Father Thomas Frerking along with the non-profitMissouri Roundtable for Life contributed to a friend-of-the-court brief filed with several lawsuits opposing the

mandate, including one in Minnesota. Also, a group oftheologians contributed to another brief filed as part ofan appeal in a Michigan court.

Here, in question-and-answer format, are some of theirarguments.

Why is the mandate so bad for Catholic employers?The HHS mandate fits the legal definition of a “sub-

stantial burden” on the practice of faith because it forcesparticipation in practices considered immoral by theCatholic faith.

Through the mandate, the government creates andimposes coercive pressure on employers to pay for andprovide products and services that require Catholics toeither change or violate their beliefs.

In establishing the mandate, the government is settingup a structure through which it could easily require em-ployers to pay for coverage of other immoral practicessuch as surgical abortion and euthanasia.

Employers don’t force their employees to use abor-tifacients, elective sterilization or contraceptives. Whyis it wrong just to offer the coverage?

By providing the mandated coverage, employers know-ingly facilitate another person’s objectionable action andthis makes them morally complicit with that action. Themore serious the forbidden action, the greater the re-sponsibility.

This link is also found in American tort law: a personhas increased responsibility for an effect they substantiallyand directly cause.

The mandate requires that employers have very sub-stantial and direct participation because the forbiddenaction wouldn’t happen without their contribution,which they know is earmarked for that purpose. Thefact that employers pay the whole cost also makes itlikely that usage will increase.

Providing and paying for the coverage also violatesChurch teaching because it sends a message that the em-ployer endorses the actions.

I oppose the death penalty and I’m forced to payfor it through my taxes. How is that different than com-

plying with the mandate?The difference has to do with how directly a person

participates in the action. If they share in the intentionby physically cooperating or knowingly giving moral as-sistance, they more seriously violate Church teachingthan if they facilitate but don’t share in the intention.It’s necessary to weigh how closely a person contributesto a bad action.

The Church teaches that the cooperator’s moral dis-tance from the bad action needs to be proportionate tothe gravity of the action.

Taxpayers don’t directly pay the cost of administeringthe death penalty — their tax money passes through dif-ferent channels first. The more causally removed theyare, the more acceptable is their cooperation. But an em-ployer who is paying directly for forbidden products andservices needs a more serious justification for doing so.

Is this current Catholic teaching?The Church’s theological tradition contains well de-

veloped concepts used to assess how believers cooperatelicitly or illicitly in actions considered objectionable. Sev-eral objective criteria are commonly used.

In addition, the Catholic bishops have frequently spo-ken out against the mandate and before it was issuedthey openly forbid close cooperation in abortion andsterilization procedures. Also the Church has consistentlytaught that use of contraceptives is immoral.

Haven’t some courts ruled that the mandate doesn’timpose a substantial burden on employers’ ability topractice their faith?

The government doesn’t have the authority to interpretthe dictates of someone’s religion. Several courts over-stepped their bounds when they substituted their ownjudgment on the Catholic faith in cases related to themandate.

Under a 1993 law, the Religious Freedom RestorationAct (RFRA), courts can’t judge the adequacy of someone’sbeliefs and they are instructed to defer to believers’

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Analysis

Local MAY 9, 2013 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT 5A

Task force to identify better ways to address homelessnessThe Catholic Spirit

Near the end of the annual DorothyDay Center Community Breakfast May 2,keynote speaker Matt Kramer asked theattendees to glance down at their shoes.

“Just about two hours ago, there were100 people sleeping on this floor,” Kramer,president of the St. Paul Area Chamber ofCommerce, reminded those sitting aroundtables at the center.

“Today, one of the central characteristicsof Catholic Charities — and I say this withsorrow as a board member — is not beingmet: dignity,” he said. “It’s the dignity ofindividuals who two hours ago were sleep-ing on these floors — on very thin mats,on a concrete floor, six inches from personto person. That isn’t dignity.”

The changing landscape of poverty andhomelessness in the city of St. Paul hasled to the creation of the Dorothy DayCenter Task Force, which was announcedduring the breakfast by Mayor Chris Cole-man.

The task force is a partnership betweenthe city, Catholic Charities, businesses,philanthropic organizations and othercommunity members. It will be led byColeman, Kramer and Carleen Rhodes,president and CEO of The Saint Paul Foun-dation.

Needs are increasingThe Dorothy Day Center, run by

Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Min-neapolis, has been located in downtownSt. Paul for 32 years. It is now strugglingto meet the growing needs of the com-munity.

“We know that we can do better as acommunity,” Coleman said. “The face of

homelessness has changed very dramati-cally in those 32 years. “The number ofhomeless in our population has changeddramatically.”

The task force will examine how the cir-cumstances and extent of homelessnesshave changed over the years, he said, aswell as what kind of facilities and ap-

proaches are needed today to properly carefor those most in need and provide path-ways out of poverty.

The Dorothy Day Center sleeps up to250 people every night, cares for 81 per-cent of the homeless men in RamseyCounty and is the only shelter in thecounty available to single women, accord-

ing to Catholic Charities. Of the 6,300people served at Dorothy Day in 2012,nearly 400 were young adults and aboutone-fourth were 55 or older.

In 2011, for the first time ever, the num-ber of people needing shelter at the centersurpassed its capacity.

As the number of people experiencinghomelessness increases, so does the com-plexity of their needs. People coming tothe Dorothy Day Center need more thanthe coffee and rolls that were served whenit opened in 1981, according to CatholicCharities. Some are fleeing domestic vio-lence; many are in need of mental healthservices and job training. Others come tothe center for assistance during the day asa way to avoid long- and short-termhomelessness.

“The needs in St. Paul have far surpassedwhat the current Dorothy Day Center iscapable of providing,” said Tim Marx,Catholic Charities’ CEO. “The St. Paulcommunity has not only recognized thischallenge, but made a concrete commit-ment to develop a new approach that willimprove the lives of every person whocalls St. Paul home.”

“We cannot continue to have hundredsof people sleeping on the floors in a spacethat was never designed to have that hap-pen,” Coleman said. “We, as a commu-nity, need to take on that challenge anddo better.”

Addressing the breakfast attendees, headded, “I want to thank all of you becausewe will be calling on you to not only sup-port this effort but to help pay for it, too.At the end of the day, this is going to takeresources.”

Dianne Towalski / The Catholic Spirit

Kathy Cook, a member of Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Maplewood,serves the evening meal to a client at the Dorothy Day Center in St. Paul May 1. Cook’suncle, Vic Baller, and his late wife Lee started the parish’s Loaves and Fishes ministry33 years ago serving meals to the homeless. Lee passed away six months ago, andVic and all of their children, as a tribute to Lee and her commitment to the ministry,paid for the cost of the meal and were on hand to serve it. The changing landscapeof poverty and homelessness in the city of St. Paul has led to the creation of theDorothy Day Center Task Force, announced May 2 by Mayor Chris Coleman.

Know a good Catholic boss?Officers installed, award winnershonored at ACCW convention Nominations open for 2013

Leading With Faith awardsThe Catholic Spirit

Nominations are now being acceptedfor The Catholic Spirit’s 2013 LeadingWith Faith awards, presented by the Arch-diocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

Each year, the awards recognizeCatholic business owners, managers andsupervisors who work in the 12-countyarchdiocese and bring their Catholic faithinto the marketplace.

Award honorees are men and womenwho influence their workplaces throughbusiness practices that reflect the teach-ings of Jesus Christ and his Church andwho share their time and talent withparishes and the wider community.

During the past 12 years, The CatholicSpirit has honored more than 100 peoplewith a Leading With Faith award.

Honorees represent a range of profes-sions. In past years, for example, theyhave included a gas station owner, socialwork supervisor, bus company president,restaurant owners and advertising agencyvice president.

Last year’s winners included people likeYvonne Houle-Gillard, I.T. manager for3M; Kenneth Schaefer, senior vice presi-dent and chief lending officer at Univer-sity National Bank; Angela Mannella-Hoffman, owner and artistic director ofthe Moore Than Dance studio; and Char-lotte (Cappy) Moore, social justice coor-dinator at St. Patrick in Edina.

Nominate someone todayAll it takes to nominate someone is fill-

ing out a one-page nomination form andtalking about your nominee with a staffperson in the archdiocese’s Office ofCommunications.

! Go to THECATHOLICSPIRIT.COM, clickon the Leading With Faith box, and thendownload a copy of the nomination formto print.

! Or call (651) 251-7709 or [email protected] to request a nomi-nation form, and one will be mailed toyou.

A panel of judges will choose winnersin three categories: large business (50 ormore employees), small business andnon-profit organizations.

Archbishop John Nienstedt will presentthe awards at a luncheon Aug. 14 at St.Catherine University in St. Paul.

The deadline for nominations is June21.

Interested in being a sponsor for the2013 Leading With Faith awards? Formore information, contact Dick Martensat [email protected] or (651) 251-7717.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3A

participate in the organization. “The Catholic Church is universal and

it is through CCW that we can be con-nected to the world,” she said. “Whenyou are a member ofyour parish chapter, youare a member of theWorld Union of CatholicWomens Organizations.Now that’s a voice.”

Convention eventsThe convention of-

fered women a chance toconnect with one an-other and take care ofACCW business, as wellas learn from a variety ofspeakers.

Caroline Brennan, a senior communi-cations officer with Catholic Relief Serv-ices, spoke at the Wednesday eveningbanquet about her experiences visitingwith Syrian refugees, mostly women andchildren, who are victims of an ongoingcivil war.

The National Council of CatholicWomen has had a partnership withCatholic Relief Services since 1946, andACCW members help support CRS pro-grams, like the Madonna Plan, whichfunds health projects for mothers andchildren.

Other speakers included Jason Adkins,

executive director of the MinnesotaCatholic Conference; Catholic Spiritwriter/photographer Dave Hrbacek; Fa-ther Tom McQuaid from Catholic ReliefServices’ regional office in Chicago; Fa-ther Greg Mastey, former vocations di-

rector and a priest of theDiocese of St. Cloud; andmusician Father JanMichael Joncas, artist inresidence and researchfellow in Catholic Stud-ies at the University ofSt.Thomas.

Election of new offi-cers was held May 1, andtwo officers were in-stalled May 2. Marcia Si-mon from St. Dominic inNorthfield will serve as

second vice president and Cathy Evans,a member of St. Peter in North St. Paulwill be the organization’s secretary.

Four women were honored for theiroutstanding contributions to family,church and the community. ArchbishopJohn Nienstedt presented them with theawards after a Mass May 2.

The winners of the Lay Women Awardwere Fran Barton, a member of St. Johnthe Evangelist in New Prague; LaVerneBeaudry of St. Albert in Albertville; Mar-garet Dillon of St. Alphonsus in BrooklynCenter and Marlys McNamara of St.Columbkill in Goodhue.

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • MAY 9, 2013 Local6A

By Kristi AndersonFor The Catholic Spirit

Gina Tupy, director of confirmation andsenior high youth ministry at St. Michaelin Prior Lake, is receiving the Franciscan

International AwardMay 9 at the WildsGolf Club for inspir-ing, motivating andevangelizing youngpeople.

The award, now inits 55th year, honorsindividuals or organi-zations that demon-strate the values andideals of St. Francis ofAssisi.

Thirty-two yearsago, Tupy was working at a hair salon shestill owns, but Father Rick Banker said Godhad other plans for her.

“Father Rick decided I should become ayouth minister,” she said. “He told me,‘Gina, God placed love in your heart foryoung people and you must use it.’ I toldhim that I was glad that God called him

to the priesthood but he also could havebeen a lawyer because he would neverhave lost a case!”

Tupy feels her spiritual life changed andshe became motivated to share her faithafter attending a Cursillo retreat.

“My life was really touched that week-end,” she shared. “God seemed far away,but that weekend I came to know him ina personal way.”

Her four sons attended TEC retreats andhad similar experiences. She wanted oth-ers to have the same opportunities toknow Christ.

“I saw something good happening andwanted to bring retreat experiences likethese to St. Michael’s,” she said. “Now wehave built a huge program here.”

Tupy and her partner in ministry, PatMillea, provide a variety of opportunitiesfor the young people in their parish, in-cluding participation in the NationalCatholic Youth Conference, CatholicHEART Work Camps, QUEST retreats and,at the request of the youth, parent retreatsthat mimic the QUEST experience.

“It is so hard for kids to set aside time

for faith in busy lives,” she said. “Everyonewants the best of them — their coaches,their teachers, parents, employers. That iswhy retreat settings work well. It is timeset aside with no other requests but to bein the presence of Christ.”

Holy GroundsAn important part of Tupy’s accomplish-

ments includes the creation of a coffeehouse where young people can “hangout.”

“I knew that we needed a youth room,”she explained. “We were allowed somespace in the parish office where we createda coffee house called Holy Grounds.”

It opened in 2000 and has continuedto run thanks to generous donors. Reno-vations are currently under way.

“It has been a fantastic place for theyouth to meet,” she said. “The kids wantto share what they learn with their friends,and Holy Grounds provides the time andspace to do that. They gather ideas hereand take them into their schools. I am soproud of them.”

Another unique experience Tupy andMillea designed is an annual event called,

“Respect your Elders.”“At this event, the confirmation stu-

dents are paired up for an afternoon andmeal with the ‘golden agers’ of the parish,”she said. “It is a special thank you to thosewho pass the faith down to the youngpeople — a nice way to share amazing sto-ries with each other.”

Following the GospelThe award ceremony will seat about

400 guests to honor past and present re-cipients and also bring awareness to theFranciscan Retreats and Spirituality Center,who developed this award.

Franciscan Father Camillus Scott, whoworked with Tupy over the years, willtravel from Mishawaka, Ind., to presentthe award.

“I have such great respect for what Ginahas done,” he said. “Her interaction withthe youth and the excitement for life thatshe communicates with them shows themhow to be a living example of what itmeans to follow the Gospel. She incorpo-rates all kinds of activities that help all ofsociety, not just the Catholic Church.”

Prior Lake woman receiving Franciscan International Award

TuPY

Church must ensure participation of disabled, keynoter saysBy Dianne TowalskiThe Catholic Spirit

A photo of Pope Francis embracing an8-year-old boy with cerebral palsy thatwent viral on the Internet has broughtnew attention to an issue that the U.S.bishops have been talking about for years.

“[The photo] talks about the value ofevery person and the dignity of every sin-gle person,” said Jan Benton, director ofthe National Catholic Partnership on Dis-ability, an office established to foster im-plementation of the “Pastoral Statementof U.S. Catholic Bishops on Persons withDisabilities.”

“We have loved those photos andshared them because he’s recognizing thebeauty of that person and that they haveworth and they have value,” she said.

Benton was the keynote speaker at anall-day workshop focusing on providingcatechesis for children and adults withspecial needs April 25 at Guardian Angelsin Oakdale. The event was sponsored bythe Association of Coordinators and Reli-gious Educators (A.C.R.E.) and includedbreakout sessions and other speakers.

Real-life trainingBenton first worked with people with

special needs as a catechist for childrenwith intellectual disabilities in her homeparish in Michigan. She also helped createa faith formation program for adults withdisabilities.

Benton was studying for a degree in hu-man development at the time and wasable to enroll in special education classes.

While in college, she also worked at anursing home. “I met a wonderful youngwoman in the nursing home with cerebralpalsy who was in her 20s and I wonderedwhy she was there,” she said. “I also hadseveral family members with disabilitiesand this was all very formational for me,so I decided to move to Washington, D.C.,to look at the policy end of the issue.”

Benton worked for a secular group forthree years that was fighting for civil rightsfor people with disabilities. “It was perfecttraining,” she said, because she ended upserving on the U.S. Bishops’ Advisory

Committee on People with Disabilities.The National Catholic Partnership on

Disability office opened in 1982 and Ben-ton was hired as assistant director, movingup to executive director in 2004.

“It was perfect because it was the blend-ing of my faith with the disability issues Iwas so interested in,” she said.

Rooted in Gospel values that affirm thedignity of every person, the NationalCatholic Partnership on Disability workscollaboratively to ensure the meaningfulparticipation of people with disabilities inall aspects of the life of the Church andsociety.

Even after 30 years, her office still getscalls from frantic parents who have been

told there is no program for their disabledchild to make their first Communion orconfirmation, or they are having a prob-lem with their Catholic school.

“That’s just heartbreaking,” she said.“We shouldn’t still be asking why; weshould just be asking how. We should besaying, ‘You belong here, what do we needto do to make sure that your child canparticipate meaningfully?’ ”

“There are still parishes that don’t havesufficient access, like access to the sanctu-ary,” Benton said. “That’s something westill really push for because people thinkabout getting in the door and maybe thebathroom, but they don’t take that nextstep to say, ‘How are you going to be able

to participate? How are you going to serveas [an extraordinary minister of holy Com-munion]? How are you going to be priestwith a disability and get up to the altar?’”

Providing access is very important tomake people with disabilities feel welcomeat their parish and events at otherparishes. Calling attention to the fact thatthere are accessible features in the buildinggoes a long way. Benton said it tells thosewith disabilities, “We’re thinking of youand we want to make sure you know thatwe want you here.”

Giving encouragement Terri Hunt, director of faith formation

at St. Richard in Richfield and A.C.R.E.chair, attended Benton’s breakout sessionon resources for serving children with dis-abilities.

“She gave us a great tour of the NationalCatholic Partnership on Disability web-site” (WWW.NCPD.ORG), Hunt said. “She re-ally encouraged DREs, educators and par-ents to share ideas and resources to findwhat works for their students and chil-dren.”

In their letter, the bishops said: “If peo-ple with disabilities are to become equalpartners in the Christian community, in-justices must be eliminated and ignoranceand apathy replaced by increased sensi-tivity and warm acceptance.”

“The leaders and the general member-ship of the Church must educate them-selves to appreciate fully the contributionpeople with disabilities can make to theChurch's spiritual life,” they said. “Theybring with them a special insight into themeaning of life; for they live, more thanthe rest of us perhaps, in the shadow ofthe cross. And out of their experience theyforge virtues like courage, patience, perse-verance, compassion and sensitivity thatshould serve as an inspiration to all Chris-tians.”

A.C.R.E. was the first lay ministry or-ganization in the archdiocese, establishedin 1973. With the support of the archdio-cese, it strives to provide opportunities forspiritual, professional and personal growthand development.

Gregorio Borgia, AP via CNS

This photo by AP photographer Gregorio Borgia of Pope Fran-cis embracing 8-year-old Dominic Gondreau, who has cere-bral palsy, captured the attention of people around the world.The moment took place after the new pontiff celebrated hisfirst Easter Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican March 31.

At right, Jan Benton


debate was about expanding freedom, butwe can see today by the conscience ex-emption in this proposal it’s about restrict-ing freedom,” said Teresa Collett, a Uni-versity of St. Thomas law professor.“Restricting freedom for all the Min-nesotans who continue to believe that chil-dren need a mom and a dad and that mar-riage should remain defined as the unionof one man and one woman.”

Gay rights activists “told Minnesotansof faith not to worry, that the gay ‘mar-riage’ bill had aggressive religious protec-tions,’ though the facts clearly don’t sup-port this claim, as our guests todaytestified,” said Autumn Leva, Minnesotafor Marriage director of governmental af-fairs and communications.

Consequences felt in New YorkAt the press conference, New York State

business owners and municipal employeestold how they felt forced to quit their jobs,were charged with human rights violationsand were harassed for refusing to be in-volved in same-sex weddings after theirstate’s legislature enacted same-sex mar-riage in 2011.

“In New York we were promised that thereligious freedom amendment to our same-sex ‘marriage’ legislation would do thejob,” said the Rev. Jason McGuire, presi-dent of New York’s Family Research Foun-dation.

“There is no protection in New York lawthat did not already exist prior to the bill’spassage,” he said. “But after gay ‘marriage’was enacted, clerks are out of work andbusiness owners are facing human rightscomplaints. That’s the reality we are livingtoday.”

Laura Fotusky of Barker, N.Y., said sheresigned as town clerk because the job re-quired that she sign marriage licenses forsame-sex couples, which went against herChristian faith.

“For all the talk of tolerance, there wasnone for my deeply held religious beliefs”she said. “I’m hopeful that Minnesota leg-

islators will consider my story as they con-sider their position regarding gay marriagein the remaining days of the legislative ses-sion.”

Paul Gavic, co-owner of the Minneapolisplumbing company Noah Acquisitions isconcerned that if the bill passes, he’ll berequired to go against his Christian faithand pay same-sex domestic partner benefitsfor his 48 employees. A proposed exemp-tion covers only employers with five orfewer employees, he said.

“My business and businesses like minecannot afford the lie that the state can re-define marriage and also protect religiousliberties.”

Impromptu rally

Along with the speakers, about 75 indi-viduals and families, many of them fromthree Twin Cities Hispanic evangelicalchurches, staged an impromptu rally out-side the meeting room.

Lilian Romero, a member of MaranathaAsamblea de Dios in Minneapolis camewith her daughter.

“It’s easy to pass a law and say, welleverybody do whatever they want,” shesaid. “We don’t [realize] that there mightbe a consequence.”


assessment of what their religion requires. If a believer’s claim is not bizarre or non-

religious it merits coverage under the freeexercise clause of the First Amendment andRFRA.

Do the government’s objectives withthe mandate justify forcing employers toviolate their consciences?

Attorneys defending employers haveconcluded that the mandate doesn’t fur-ther a compelling government interest be-cause contraceptives are easily and inex-pensively available through other sources.

The government is responsible for specif-ically identifying an actual problem thatneeds solving and for showing that sub-stantially burdening employers is necessaryfor the solution. According to the writersof the briefs, the mandate would only mar-ginally increase access to contraceptivesand abortifacients, and so the mandate vi-olates RFRA.

Is there really a place for religion in

business? No legal cases stipulate that religious ex-

ercise should be confined to a believer’schurch, home or mind. Religion isn’t anisolated category of activity, nor is businessexcluded, writers of the briefs noted. Thereis no precedent for saying religious exercisemust be excluded when corporate statusand profit motive are brought together.

They conclude: “Corporations are nomore purely ‘secular’ or purely religiousthan are the people that run them.”

Can’t employers avoid the mandateby not offering health insurance?

The Minnesota Catholic employers op-posing the mandate each have fewer than50 employees and could avoid it by drop-ping health coverage altogether. But theybelieve that Catholic social teaching in-structs them to provide this benefit fortheir employees.

If they don’t offer health insurance,business owners have said they place them-selves at a competitive disadvantage be-cause they may not be able to hire or keepskilled, experienced workers.

Opposition to HHS mandate explained

New York residents talk aboutconsequences of redefining marriage


Church / Ministry Jobs

Web, Social & New Media Manager Location: Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis; St. Paul, MNThe Social and New Media Manager manages the development and production/implementation of all new media: internet, audio, video (external and internal) for theArchdiocese, including all social media, such as but not limited to Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube,Twitter, Pinterest, etc. Oversees the development and execution of Web strategy for all websites of the Archdiocese. Required qualifications include a B.A. in Communications, PublicRelations, Journalism, Marketing or related field and at least 4 years of related experience.

Director of Faith FormationLocation: Holy Name Catholic Church; Minneapolis, MNThe Director of Faith Formation is responsible for the Preschool-Eighth Grade FaithFormation, First Reconciliation and First Eucharist, Confirmation, Growing In Faith Together,Lenten Faith Sharing Small Groups, Coordination of RCIA with Pastor, Training andempowering leaders for all of the above, and Protection of Children and Youth Initiative (PCYI)Liaison for parish. Required qualifications include a B.A. in theology or equivalent experience.

PrincipalLocation: St. Odilia School; Shoreview, MNThe Principal is the educational leader of the parish school (PreK-8), developing andimplementing policies, programs, curriculum, and budgets which promote a strong CatholicIdentity and academic excellence, fostering the spiritual, academic, emotional, social, andphysical development of our students. The Principal is responsible for the development andevaluation of the professional teaching staff, marketing and advancement initiatives and facilityplanning to support the school’s goals, employing good financial management and soundgovernance practices. Required qualifications include a Master’s degree and/or EducationalSpecialist degree (or work towards degree) and MN Principal licensure (or work towardslicensure).

For more information on these and other job openings, or to apply online, please visitwww.archspm.org/careers.

“My business andbusinesses like minecannot afford the liethat the state canredefine marriageand also protectreligious liberties.”

PAUL GAVICCo-owner of a Minnesota plumbing company

Church-related job, career a good wayto contribute talents, enrich own faithThe Catholic Spirit

Looking for a career in the Church?You might just find what you’re lookingfor here.

Each issue of The Catholic Spirit willfeature an advertisement highlightingjobs available throughout the Archdio-cese of St. Paul andMinneapolis. (Thefirst ad appears be-low.)

For many peo-ple, a part-time jobor career in a par -ish, school, arch-diocesan office orother church-affil-iated organizations is a good opportu-nity to assist the Church in its missionand enrich their own faith in theprocess.

Eileen Bock recently accepted a posi-tion as marketing and communicationsproject manager in the archdiocesan Of-fice of Communications.

“My main duty is to help other de-partments in the archdiocese with themarketing and communications portionof their projects and events,” Bock said.

Previously, she has worked in market-ing and sales, most recently as an inde-pendent consultant. She was looking forsomething more permanent when sheapplied.

“One of the biggest benefits of work-ing for the archdiocese is [that] I didn’thave to learn the ‘business.’ As a con-

sultant, I had to learn about each com-pany’s widgets they sell or services theyprovide,” she said. “As a lifelong, activeCatholic, I already know about theChurch. I really enjoy the people I workwith and my new responsibilities. I canhonestly say all of the projects I work

on are for a greatcause.”

Bringing faithto work

Marie Maki worksas an administrativeassistant at St. Am-brose in Woodbury.

After college sheworked for an ad-

vertising agency, and then worked as afull-time mom for 13 years.

She wanted to get back to work whenher youngest son finished fifth grade,but working full-time didn’t work withthe family’s busy schedule. “I have abachelor’s degree in business and won-dered what I could do after being out ofthe work force for so long,” Maki said.

After an ad appeared in the parishbulletin, she applied and was hired inApril 2010.

“I love working at St. Ambrose,” shesaid. “I grew up in a very strong Catholicfamily, going to a Catholic elementaryand high school. It is wonderful when Iam thinking of someone that I knowneeds a prayer, I can stop by our chapelfor a few minutes and light a candle,right here at my job.”


of God by the laying on of hands and theanointing with sacred chrism (Acts 2:38).

As the catechism teaches in paragraph1289: “[The] anointing highlights thename ‘Christian,’ which means ‘anointed’and derives from that of Christ himselfwhom God ‘anointed with the HolySpirit.’” (Acts 10:38).

So how, I ask myself, can the powerfulgrace of this sacrament not have a lastingeffect on 85 percent of those who receiveit?

There are several reasons, two of whichI wish to highlight here.

First, I believe that many candidatespreparing for confirmation have neverhad a personal experience with JesusChrist. They have known “about” him,but they have not known him! This indi-cates a collective failure to teach candi-dates how to pray, that is, to enter into adeep and intimate interpersonal relation-ship with Christ, who should be “our lifeand our all” (cc. 2697).

Again, the catechism teaches:“The wonder of prayer is revealed beside

the well where we come seeking water:there, Christ comes to meet every humanbeing. It is he who first seeks us and asksus for a drink. Jesus thirsts; his asking arisesfrom the depths of God’s desire for us.Whether we realize it or not, prayer is theencounter of God’s thirst with ours. Godthirsts that we may thirst for him” (cc:2560).

Knowing the faithSecondly, I believe that while the need

to know the content of our Catholic faithis even more pressing than it was in the‘60s and ‘70s, we simply do not challengeour candidates enough to know and, yes,to memorize the “facts” about the contentof their faith.

For six years now, I have asked only onequestion in every confirmation homily:“What are the seven gifts of the HolySpirit?” This is not a throw-away inquiry.For if confirmation is the dispensation ofthe fullness of the gifts of the Holy Spirit,then how will the newly confirmed knowhow to use these gifts if they don’t knowwhat they are?

In the past six years, after confirmingliterally thousands of young men and

women, only three were able to namethose seven-fold gifts: wisdom and under-standing, right judgment and courage,knowledge, reverence, wonder and awe.How does one live one’s faith if one doesnot know the content of that faith?

One of our pastors, Father Ken O’Hotto,shared with me a list of requirements heexpects his confirmation candidates toknow before he approves them for receiv-ing the sacrament.

Some of those requirements are: toknow by heart their prayers (Act of Con-trition, Apostles Creed, Grace before andafter meals, etc.), to be able to name theseven sacraments, the Twelve Apostles,the four Gospels, the marks of the Church,the mysteries of the rosary, as well as tobe able to recite the Ten Commandments,the Precepts of the Church, the Spiritualand Corporal Works of Mercy and theseven gifts of the Holy Spirit.

I applaud such an important pastoralinitiative. I am sure that Father’s candi-dates have the confidence of knowingwhat it means to be a believing Catholic.

Belonging to ChristWith the anointing of confirmation, the

confirmand is “sealed” with the Holy Spirit.As we would seal a document of great im-portance, this “seal” marks the newly con-firmed as belonging to Christ Jesus.

As St. Paul told the Corinthians, “It isGod who establishes us with you in Christand has commissioned us; he has put hisseal on us and given us his Spirit in ourhearts as a guarantee.” (2 Corinthians1:21-22).

“To be sealed with the gift of the HolySpirit” implies a deep adherence to theperson of Jesus and to his Body, theChurch. It is a public assertion that onewill follow the teachings of Christ and hisChurch, by practicing the faith, by de-fending the truths of that faith and by ex-ercising charity in service to that faith.

All of the above convinces me of theimportance of this sacrament in the lifeof every Catholic believer. I ask our pas-tors, our DREs and our catechists, both inour Catholic schools and in our programsof religious education, to evaluate how weare preparing our youth for confirmation,affirming what we are doing well and im-proving what may not be working so well.

God bless you!

MAY 9, 2013 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT8A

Let’s evaluate how we prepare our youth for confirmation

“...stir into flame the gift of God thatyou have through the imposition of

my hands.” (2 Tm 1:6)

Congratulations toDeacon Paul Shovelain

From the parishioners ofSt. Michael Catholic Church

Thank you for answering God’scall to the ordained ministry.

Congratulations Deacon Paul ShovelainMay God Bless you as you continue

your preparation for ordination to the priesthood.

From your teaching parish St. Patrick Catholic Church in Oak Grove

“CHRIST BESIDE ME, CHRIST BEFORE ME, CHRIST BEHIND ME.CHRIST WITHIN ME, CHRIST BENEATH ME, CHRIST ABOVE ME.” ST. PATRICK Kevin Manthey

Congratulationsfrom the good people of

St. John Neumann

POLAND PilgrimageINFORMATION

MEETINGwith Fr. Robert Fitzpatrick (Fr. Fitz)

Date of Pilgrimage:Sept 16-26, 2013

Informational Meeting:Tuesday, May 28, 6:30 p.m.

St. Rose of Lima Parish Center (Downstairs)2048 Hamline Ave. (Enter on Skillman Ave.)

For further information/brochures, call:Toll-free 1-877-453-7426

19091 Island View Drive, Mora, MN 55051-7304www.jericochristianjourneys.com

[email protected]

JERICO CHRISTIANJOURNEYS

Fr. Fitz

Look for The Catholic Spirit advertising insert from

Catholic Charitiesin all copies of this issue.

NOTICE

Archbishop’s schedule! Saturday, May 11: 10 a.m., St. Paul,

Cathedral of St. Paul: Confirmation.6 p.m., Bloomington, Radisson Blu, Mall of

America: Archbishop’s dinner with theEquestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre Knightsand Ladies.

! Sunday, May 12: 9 a.m., Minneapolis,Church of St. Clement: Sunday Liturgy.

8 p.m., St. Paul, University of St. Thomas:“Lectio divina.”

! Monday, May 13: 6 a.m., St. Paul, St. JohnVianney College Seminary: Holy hour and HolyEucharist, followed by breakfast.

10:30 a.m., St. Paul, The St. Paul Seminary:Meeting with administration.

11:35 a.m., St. Paul, The St. Paul Seminary:Holy Eucharist, followed by lunch withseminarians.

7 p.m., St. Paul, Cathedral of St. Paul:Confirmation.

! Tuesday, May 14: 8:30 a.m., St. Paul,Archbishop’s Residence: Scheduling meetingwith staff.

10:30 a.m., St. Paul, Chancery: Meeting withCatholic Charities.

1:30 p.m., St. Paul, Chancery: Archbishop’sCabinet meeting.

6 p.m., St. Paul, St. Mary’s Chapel at The St.Paul Seminary: Mass and graduation for theArchbishop Harry J. Flynn Catechetical Institute.

! Wednesday, May 15: 11 a.m., Minneapolis,DeLaSalle High School: Mass and lunch withDeLaSalle boys and girls state basketballchampions.

2 p.m., St. Paul, Chancery: Developmentplanning meeting.

! Thursday, May 16: 9:30 a.m., Minneapolis,Minneapolis Club: Archdiocesan CatholicSchools Advisory Council meeting.

3 p.m., St. Paul, Harriet Island Pavilion: 2013Catholic Charities Employee RecognitionCelebration.

! Saturday, May 18: 10 a.m., Joliet, Illinois,Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus: Priestlyordination.

! Monday, May 20: 3 p.m., St. Paul,Chancery: Catholic Community Foundationboard of directors meeting.

! Tuesday, May 21: 7 a.m., La Crosse, Wis.,Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe:Archdiocesan pilgrimage.

! Wednesday, May 22: Noon, St. Paul,Archbishop’s Residence: Luncheon forordinands.

4 p.m. St. Paul, Chancery: Meeting withFranciscan University of Steubenville.

! Thursday, May 23: 10 a.m., St. Paul,Archbishop’s Residence: Mass and blessing ofordinands’ chalices.

2 p.m., St. Paul, Chancery: Meeting withleaders of the Emmanuel Community.

3 p.m., St. Paul, Chancery: ArchdiocesanFinance Council meeting.

6 p.m., Minneapolis, Church of St. Olaf:Welcome dinner for ordinands.

! Friday, May 24: Noon, St. Paul, University ofSt. Thomas: St. John Vianney senior banquet.

5 p.m, St. Paul, The St. Paul Seminary: HolyHour for priesthood ordination.


October 12, 2013 • 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.Doors open at 7:00 a.m. • Saint Paul RiverCentre

For more information or to register go to

Featuring: Archbishop John C. Nienstedt • Matthew Kelly • Father Robert BarronGeorge Weigel • and more dynamic speakers! Emceed by Jeff Cavins

REGIST

RATION

NOW O

PEN!Archbishop John Nienstedt ordained seven men to thetransitional diaconate May 4 at the Basilica of St. Maryin Minneapolis. Michael Barsness, Kevin Manthey,Marcus Milless, Marc Paveglio and Paul Shovelain wereordained for the Archdiocese of St. Paul andMinneapolis. Joseph Mukasa Kavuma and JosephKirembwe were ordained for the Archdiocese ofKampala, Uganda. The transitional diaconate iscomprised of deacons who seek to advance to thepriesthood. In this archdiocese, they are usuallyordained priests a year later.

Far right, Michael Barsness congratulates Paul Shovelain after the Rite of Ordination.

Right, Archbishop Nienstedt ordains Kevin Manthey with the laying on of hands.

Below, the men being ordained prostrate themselves as the Litany of Saints is sung.

Photos by Dianne Towalski / The Catholic Spirit

One step closer

Nation/World10A THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT News from around the U.S. and the globe MAY 9, 2013

“Sacred music is an extremely powerful means to awakensouls to the truth of spiritual realities.”

Mother Cecilia, prioress of the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles inGower, Mo., who recently released their fifth album of sacred music, "Angels

and Saints at Ephesus"

Changing of the guardFDA ‘acted irresponsibly’ with decision to lower age for emergency contraceptives

The Food and Drug Administration “acted irrespon-sibly” with its decision to lower the age limit from 17to 15 for purchasing an over-the-counter emergencycontraceptive, said an official of the U.S. Conferenceof Catholic Bishops.

“No public health consideration justifies the unsu-pervised sale of such drugs to young teens,” saidDeirdre McQuade, spokeswoman for the USCCB’s Sec-retariat for Pro Life Activities.

Plan B One-Step now will be sold openly on phar-macy shelves while the generic brands will still besold under pharmacy counters and only for those 17-years of age. Those who purchase the drugs will haveto show identification to prove their age.

A ruling by a federal judge in early April said theFood and Drug Administration must make emergencycontraceptives available to all ages by May 6.

Pope Francis welcomes retiredPope Benedict back to Vatican

For the first time in history, the Vatican is home toa pope and a retired pope.

Pope Francis welcomed his predecessor, retired PopeBenedict XVI, to the Vatican May 2 outside the con-vent remodeled for the 86-year-old retired pontiff andfive aides.

Pope Francis and Pope Benedict entered the con-vent’s chapel together “for a brief moment of prayer,”said Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vaticanspokesman.

Pope Benedict had been staying at the papal summervilla in Castel Gandolfo since retiring Feb. 28. Whilethe Vatican is now home to a pope and his predecessor,neither lives in the papal apartments of the ApostolicPalace.

Pope Francis continues to live in the Domus SanctaeMarthae, the Vatican guesthouse located just south ofSt. Peter’s Basilica where the cardinals stayed duringthe conclave; the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery wherePope Benedict is living is located just to the north ofthe basilica.

Daniels hired as spokeswomanfor USCCB president

Kim Daniels has been hired by the U.S. Conferenceof Catholic Bishops to serve as the spokeswoman forNew York Cardinal Timothy Dolan, USCCB president.

Daniels most recently served as one of two directorsof Catholic Voices USA, started last year. The group’swebsite said its mission was “to put the church’s casein the public square” by offering “an authoritative —but not official — group of articulate speakers whomake the Catholic case in interviews and debates.”

Daniels, an attorney, worked as counsel for theThomas More Law Center in Ann Arbor, Mich. Shespecialized in conscience-rights issues, testifying inopposing legislation that would place regulations onpro-life pregnancy crisis centers and bills that wouldforce pharmacists to dispense morning-after pills.

— Catholic News Service

CNS photo / Paul Haring

A Swiss Guard recruit takes his oath during the swearing-in ceremony for 35 recruits in Paul VI hall at the VaticanMay 6. New recruits are sworn in every May 6 to commemorate the day 147 Swiss Guards died saving Pope ClementVII's life during the 1527 sack of Rome.

Bishops hail repeal of death penalty in Maryland Catholic News Service

One U.S. Catholic bishop hailed the repeal of the deathpenalty in Maryland as “a courageous step toward a cul-ture of life.”

The comment, by Bishop Stephen Blaire of Stockton,Calif., chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Do-mestic Justice and Human Development, was issued May2, the day Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, a Democrat,signed the bill that repeals capital punishment.

In Baltimore, Maryland’s largest city, the interior andexterior lights of the Basilica of the National Shrine ofthe Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary were lit atdusk that evening, and remained illuminated overnight,in honor of the repeal.

Archbishop’s support Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore had testified in

support of the legislation to repeal the death penalty athearings in the Maryland Senate and House of Delegates,the legislature’s lower chamber. In 2008, Auxiliary BishopDenis Madden of Baltimore had served on the MarylandCommission on Capital Punishment, which examinedthe use of capital punishment in the state.

“We must lift up the dignity of all human life — evenfor those convicted of the worst crimes — and work totransform our culture so that it respects the inherent dig-nity and value of all people,” said Bishop Blaire in hisstatement.

“Americans are beginning to realize that we can dobetter than the death penalty both to punish crime andkeep our society safe,” Bishop Blaire added. “We welcome

the decision by the Maryland legislature and Gov. O’Malley to abolish the use of the death penalty in Mary-land. This is a courageous step toward a culture of life.”

“This is a very exciting day. We have been waiting forit literally for decades,” Mary Ellen Russell, executive di-rector of the Maryland Catholic Conference, told theCatholic Standard, newspaper of the Archdiocese ofWashington. “This has been a priority for years. Thechurch has been a leading voice for life in all its stages.And this [repeal] is consistent with our pro-life message.”

Not retroactiveMaryland became the 18th state, and the first south of

the Mason-Dixon Line, to abolish the death penalty. Theothers are Alaska, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa,Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey,New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island,Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin. The District ofColumbia also bans capital punishment.

Six states have banished the use of the death penaltyin the 21st century. Maryland joins Connecticut, Illinois,New Jersey, New Mexico and New York with that dis-tinction.

The last state to legalize capital punishment was NewYork in 1995.

As with New Mexico and Connecticut, the Marylandabolition is not retroactive. Five prisoners with deathsentences are in Maryland jails. O’Malley has said he willreview them on a case-by-case basis. The state’s last exe-cution was in 2005. The bill replaces capital punishmentwith a sentence of life imprisonment without parole.

Briefly

“Virtue is bold, and goodness never fearful.”William Shakespeare

This Catholic LifeMAY 9, 2013 Opinion, feedback and points to ponder THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT 11A

“B reaking Bad” is a televi-sion series on AMCabout a high schoolchemistry teacher whobecomes a drug king-

pin. It has quickly become a favoriteof mine. Educator Walter White putshis chemistry skills to work in hisown meth lab after he learns he hasadvanced-stage lung cancer and justtwo years to live. His teaching job,he reasons, will not provide nearlyenough for his pregnant wife and hisson, who has cerebral palsy.

White enters the drug trade for rea-sons that are understandable, evensympathetic. But his first poor deci-sion leads to others that rapidly draghim into worse and worse behavior.Several hours into the first season, hemurders a pair of rival dealers. As heexpands his enterprise, he adopts thethuggish business methods that drugdealers typically employ.

Choosing a pathWhite’s story is a brilliant illustra-

tion of virtue ethics. Aristotle arguedthat we constantly choose what sortof people we become by our actions,virtuous or vicious.

We become just by doing just acts,temperate by doing temperate acts,brave by doing brave acts. And we

become unjust, intemperate andcowardly by repeatedly doing viciousacts of those kinds. Once we’ve worna path in either direction, it becomeseasier to travel the next time.

A person “breaks bad” by makingbad choices and developing badhabits. As he gives in to increasinglybad habits again and again, his vicesgradually disorient his moral com-pass until he has completely lost hisway.

White’s story is a bit out of the or-dinary because his criminal turnarises out of a real midlife crisis. Mostof us form our most deeply ingrainedhabits — good and bad — at ayounger age, and they become moredifficult (though never impossible)to change later on.

This is why college, often the firstopportunity for young adults to ex-ercise moral freedom, is such a critical

time in the formation of character.Those four years can leave studentswell formed in habits of patience,faith, industry and continence. Orthey can become the opposite kindof people — wrathful, impious, lazyand excessively fond of drink.

In 1988, the late James Q. Wilsongave the commencement address athis alma mater, the University of Redlands. He said that students who form good habits can mostlythank their parents; that it’s not the business of colleges to instillvirtue. At best, he asserted, moralvirtue and higher education are “un-easy allies.”

Wilson was right about the impor-tance of families. But as the presidentof The Catholic University of Amer-ica and a longtime academic, I dis-agree strongly with his latter point.Higher education took a wrong turn

when it embraced the teaching of in-tellectual virtues to the exclusion ofmoral ones.

The life of the mind is not a gameor a series of brainteasers. There areright and wrong answers; good andbad art; true and false ideas; bet-ter and worse ways of acting and liv-ing.

Good teachers inspire their stu-dents not just to think for them-selves, but to act on those judgmentsas well.

In past generations, students atCatholic colleges and universitieswere inspired by Jesuits, Dominicansand Sisters of Mercy.

These priests and nuns not onlytaught them but lived alongsidethem in residence halls and prayedalongside them in chapels. They hada lasting effect on the kind of peopletheir students became.

Today, fewer of our teachers havetaken religious vows. But lay teacherscan, and should, see their jobs as thefounders of our Catholic colleges anduniversities did — not just to tell theirstudents about virtue, but to showthem how to live it.

Garvey is president of The Cath -olic University of America in Wash-ington, D.C.

Higher education and ‘breaking good’“Higher education took a wrong turn when

it embraced the teaching of intellectualvirtues to the exclusion of moral ones.”

JOHN GARVEYIntellect and

VirtueJohn Garvey

Aristotleargued that weconstantlychoose whatsort of people webecome byour actions,virtuous orvicious

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • MAY 9, 2013 Commentary / This Catholic Life12A

No compromise between same-sex ‘marriage,’ religious libertyThe House of Representatives will vote

on same-sex marriage legislation on Thurs-day, May 9. If marriage is redefined inMinnesota, it will be in no small part be-

cause proponentswere able to convincelegislators and thepeople of Minnesotainto concluding thatthe legislation ade-quately respects andprotects the religiousliberty of those whofirmly believe mar-riage is between aman and a woman.

It does not. Schol-ars on both sides ofthe marriage debatehave written to legis-

lators informing them of the significantdeficiencies in the bill.

Protecting people in the pewThe legislation to redefine marriage, H.F.

1054/S.F. 925, does not require clergy tosolemnize same-sex marriages. The legis-lation also allows some churches and reli-giously affiliated organizations to carryout their ministries and allow use of theirfacilities without recognizing or affirmingsame-sex relationships as marriages.

These small concessions by proponentswere expected because the First Amend-ment and the Minnesota Constitutionwould prohibit such an imposition onclergy and churches anyway.

Yet these accommodations for religiousinstitutions are woefully deficient. Legis-lators learned last week, after receiving ananalysis of the legislation from five lawprofessors who are on both sides of thesame-sex marriage debate, that religiousorganizations could still be punished bymunicipalities, or be denied public grantsor funds for their beliefs.

Even more troubling is the bill authors’explicit refusal to provide any religiousliberty or conscience protections to organ-izations, groups or individuals who arenot clergy or churches. They have refusedto do so because they have falsely claimedthat Minnesota law already prohibits such“discrimination.”

How could it be the case that it is illegalto act consistently with Minnesota lawdefining marriage as the union of oneman and one woman? It is not, and thereare no instances where people have beenpunished in Minnesota for asserting sucha belief and acting accordingly.

If the law is changed, the state’s anti-discrimination law, known as the HumanRights Act, will be extended and newlyapplied to what the state’s policy now con-siders to be “discrimination.” This is whyaccommodations are needed.

Defending religious liberty means morethan protecting clergy and churches. It’salso about the people in the pew — you— having the right to step outside thefour walls of our Church to live out ourfaith in everyday life.

Religious liberty impact To offer Minnesotans a cautionary tale

about the potential conflicts betweensame-sex marriage and religious liberty,Minnesota for Marriage, the broad coali-tion defending the traditional definitionof marriage in Minnesota, invited someNew Yorkers who have suffered personallyand professionally for holding fast to theirvalues since marriage was redefined in

their state. Their message to Minnesotans was sim-

ple: In New York, legislators and the publicwere told that the bill had strong protec-tions for religious liberty. The reality, how-ever, was far different, and Minnesotansshould not take similar bait.

Among the group were two farmers,Robert and Cynthia Gifford, who told thestory of how after marriage was redefinedin New York, their Liberty Ridge Farm,which they also make available for wed-dings and agri-tourism to add income, wastargeted by lesbian activists because oftheir refusal to allow same-sex weddingceremonies and receptions to be held onthe property.

A complaint was filed against the Gif-fords in New York State’s Human RightsCommission, and is currently pending.The Giffords face significant fines andpenalties should they be found in viola-tion of the state’s anti-discrimination laws.

The Giffords spoke of how, for smallbusiness owners, there was no separationbetween their values at home and in theirbusiness. They have been married them-selves for 29 years and have put their heartand soul into running Liberty Ridge Farm,the farm itself being an expression of theirvalues.

What lesson would it teach their chil-dren, they asked, were they to buckle un-der the pressure to host such ceremonies,simply to avoid conflict and take themoney?

The very same types of scenarios willlikely occur in Minnesota if the bill ispassed.

No ‘grand bargain’Despite what some well-meaning folks

may claim, there is no “grand bargain” orcompromise between same-sex marriageand religious liberty.

If proponents of same-sex marriage wereserious about crafting legislation that triedto respect a genuine pluralism on a matterof which there is strong disagreement,they would craft generous religious libertyaccommodations. In no jurisdiction wheremarriage redefinition has passed have theydone so. Instead, they have offered thebarest of fig leaves necessary to pass thebill, as they have done in Minnesota.

When conflicts between same-sex mar-riage and religious liberty have emerged,such as those described above, or whenorganizations such as Catholic Charitiesmust choose to stop providing services soas to not violate their deeply held beliefs,there has been no attempt by same-sexmarriage proponents in the various leg-

islative chambers to fix the problem bycrafting more expansive accommodations.

The reason for such a refusal is simple.As the Colorado Catholic bishops said sowell: “The truth is the movement forrecognition of ‘same-sex marriage’ and‘civil unions’ is less about benefits andrights and more about societal acceptanceand approval of homosexual relation-ships.”

Proponents of same-sex marriage reallyseek to use government power to silencethose who refuse to embrace the sexualand gender anarchy embodied in marriageredefinition legislation.

As author and same-sex marriage ac-tivist Marsha Gessen frankly declared re-cently, “Fighting for gay marriage gener-ally involves lying about what we aregoing to do with marriage when we getthere — because we lie that the institutionof marriage is not going to change.”

Gessen’s quote is not unique. One couldfill a room with academic articles and me-dia stories that confirm her very point.

Time is running out. Please make yourvoice heard. Contact your legislators todayby calling the Capitol Switchboard at (800)657-3550.

Adkins is executive director of the Min-nesota Catholic Conference.

Faith in the

Public ArenaJason Adkins

“In New York, legislators and the public were told that the bill had strongprotections for religious liberty. The reality, however, was far different, andMinnesotans should not take similar bait.”

JASON ADKINS

This Catholic Life / Commentary MAY 9, 2013 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT 13A

Youth’s story shows need for immigration reform

A goodstudent with hopes of going tocollege,Helen hadher dreamssidetrackeddue to asituation thatwasn’t of hermaking

At 2 years old, Helen was broughtto the United States from Mexicoas her family struggled to provide

food for the table and hope for a bet-ter life. They were poor urban work-ers in Mexico, where there was a longline for day labor but no line for legalimmigration to the United States.Like many people, Helen’s parentsbegan a dangerous journey north,seeking a better life for their children.

Helen’s parents found work in thefields of California but soon migratedto the fields of Minnesota, wherethey searched for the means to sup-port their children away from the vi-olence of gangs and drug wars.

They pursued the American dreamknowing that their children woulddo better than they had and wouldhave a chance for a good education,resulting in greater economic andhousing stability.

Beyond her graspHelen was an eager learner and did

great in school — close to the top ofher class. At 16 she was ready to enterthe hallmark class: driver’s education.

Needing a Social Security card inorder to get a driver’s permit, Helensought this all important documen-tation from her parents. Only thenwas she told of her undocumentedstatus; soon the realization sank inthat driving was not the only thingbeyond her grasp — so, too, washigher education and her chance tobecome a school social worker.

Her dream became a dream muchdeferred, and Helen did a tailspininto major depression. What futurecould she have? Why should shecontinue making good grades? Why

had she tried so hard only to end upat this dead end? What would herfriends think if she was the odd-woman out, not pursuing the typicalhigh school and post high school ac-tivities?

Clearly this whole mess wasn’t ofher making, but it was becoming herundoing.

Enter the Deferred Action forChildhood Arrivals rule, the tempo-rary administrative relief offered byPresident Obama that would allowHelen to pursue work, a driver’s li-cense and education at a communitycollege.

This break, while only temporary,rekindled her spirit, and she beganto immediately gather all of the“proof” she needed in order to applyfor DACA status.

Helen, for all practical purposes, isa U.S. citizen — she knows nothingelse, remembers nothing about Mex-ico, English is her primary languageand her Spanish isn’t even that good.Without comprehensive immigra-tion reform, however, Helen will bestuck again because this administra-tive relief is only a two-year reprieve.

Hope on the horizonEnter the just introduced Senate

Border Security, Economic Opportu-nity and Immigration ModernizationAct that would create an immigrationprocess allowing Helen to obtain law-ful permanent status after five yearsin a new probationary status estab-lished by the legislation (comparedto 10 years for others). She also wouldbe immediately eligible to apply forfull citizenship at that time.

If this legislation passes, Helen has

a future in this country as a new as-piring American and can come outof the shadows.

If this legislation passes, her par-ents also will be eligible to pay fines,back taxes and proceed to follow aroad map to citizenship. It will take13 years for them to fulfill the re-quirements before they can becomecitizens. As people who have con-tributed to our culture and have a

commitment to our country, thisseems like a long time. On the otherhand, they have already waited 15years to have this chance.

Immigration reform is long over-due; think of the talent and gifts thatwill be wasted if we fail to act!

Tomlin is vice president for socialjustice advocacy at Catholic Char-ities of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

Peace of Christ is the promise of his enduring presence

Bishop ParideTaban ofSouth Sudandescribes thispeace as‘living theresurrection’

In April, we had the pleasure ofhosting Bishop Paride Taban, theretired bishop of Torit in South Su-

dan. Bishop Taban shared about hislifelong struggle for peace in hishomeland ravaged by civil war formost of his life.

His years of ministry included im-prisonment, churches destroyed, liv-ing in hiding and facing constantthreats to his life. And, yet, despitethis tragic existence, he continued tospeak of the peace of Christ and howhe lived grounded in that peace whilethe world around him was at war.

Ultimately, his efforts helped tobring about a political peace treaty,signed in 2004, and the eventual cre-ation of South Sudan, the newestcountry in the world.

In retirement, Bishop Taban con-tinues to live and work for a deeperpeace in Sudan as he joins in the on-going reconciliation efforts and thebuilding of the Kuron Peace Village,which tries to create a sanctuary forpeople of many tribal groups to learnhow to live in peace together.

From death to lifeIt strikes me now that this is an

Easter story. It is a resurrection storyof Christ’s life transforming death.

The peace of Christ that inspiredand sustained Bishop Taban is thesame peace that Jesus offered his dis-

ciples as a parting gift: “Peace I leavewith you; my peace I give to you.Not as the world gives do I give it toyou. Do not let your hearts be trou-bled or afraid” (John 14:27).

It was this peace that guided andsustained the young and persecutedChristian community of the earlyChurch. And, it is this same peace ofChrist that is available to each of us,especially during times of loss andturmoil.

We face turmoil and loss in ourown day. A sudden loss of health canmake us vulnerable. Recent eventslike the Boston Marathon bombingor the explosion in West, Texas canrob our sense of security. We hear ofthe terrible collapse of a garment fac-tory in Bangladesh, killing hundreds,and wonder about the inhumanworking conditions.

Civil war continues in Syria andthe threat of attack continues. After

the recent school shootings, manyworry about our school safety andwhat to do about gun violence.

While we must do what we can toaddress the causes of violence, poorworking conditions, disease and con-flict, we cannot avoid the reality thateverything passes away.

Jesus addressed this question verydirectly in his final days on earthwith the disciples. He told themahead of time that he was leavingthem and that the world as theyknew it was passing away. The peaceof Christ is not the absence of con-flict but rather the promise of his en-during presence, raised from the deadand always available to them in timesof light and darkness.

Living in the peace of Christ canbecome a stance in the world. It is apeace that can help us to live in thisworld and to face the troubling, fear-ful and disturbing events that come

our way. It is this peace of Christ thatwe wish each other at every Eu-charist.

Living the resurrectionIn one of his Christmas letters,

Bishop Taban described this peace asliving the resurrection: “My life is agrowing process. I can grow in everysituation. Nobody on earth can blockmy growth, only I can become anobstacle to my growth. Religion andculture can enrich me, but the onlyperfect self I can obtain is the experi-ence of the cross of Jesus Christ. . . .Therefore, I must realize that it iswhen things are desperate that I canexpect redemption. . . . May I bringthe good news of resurrection to mybrothers and sisters.”

The peace of Christ is available tous. The Holy Spirit, given at Pente-cost, is a spirit of Christ’s peace. Inthe midst of our own troubles andfears, we can live in that peace whichis beyond all understanding.

Yes, the world is passing away, butin the spirit of Christ, we can echohis words, “I have overcome theworld.”

May the peace of Christ be withyou always.

Deacon Friesen is director of thearchdiocesan Center for Mission.

Faith and JusticeKathy Tomlin

SharingFaith

DeaconMickey Friesen

“It is a peace that can help us to live in thisworld and to face the troubling, fearfuland disturbing events that come ourway.”

DEACON MICKEY FRIESEN

An immigrantfrom Hondurasreviews hisdocuments withCatholicCharitiesimmigrationcounselorMargaritaRodriguez at theNorth ForkSpanishApostolateoffices inRiverhead, N.Y.,last September.Rodriguez wason site tofacilitate theapplicationprocess for theDeferred Actionfor ChildhoodArrivalsprogram. CNS photo / Gregory A. Shemitz

On May 12, the Solemnity of the Ascen-sion of the Lord, the entire Church ac-claims Jesus Christ in his holy human-

ity, invited to sit at the Father’s right handand to share his glory.

This feast celebrates what the NiceneCreed, which summarizes the important

doctrines and teachingsof the Church, says inthese words: “And as-cended into heaven, andsits at the right hand ofthe Father.”

In the first reading, theActs of the Apostles de-scribes Christ’s visible re-turn to heaven andpromises us that the Onewho suffered and died forus sits at the right handof the Father. In fact, theholy sacrifice of the Massre-presents the sacrificeof Christ on Calvary.

Jesus’ death on the cross allows redemptionin all ages.

Then, St. Paul in the Letter to the Eph-esians, mentions that until now time retainsa serious dimension given light by salvationhistory.

The temporal life that we live right nowis the only life we have in which to workout our eternal destiny. We are tempted toharden our hearts, to darken our minds,and our wills can tend towards evil, debili-tating our movement to God. Nevertheless,returning to God is always possible. Time is

a precious gift of God. We know not its du-ration, and so our Lord invites us to use itfruitfully.

The Acts of the Apostles tells us that theAscension occurs 40 days after the Resur-rection. The number 40 reminds us of the40 years the Israelites wandered in thewilderness and the 40 days Jesus spent inthe desert. These events tell us that 40means a long preparation, waiting for God’swill and teaching us unconditional obedi-ence.

For 40 days after his resurrection, Jesusremained on earth. Filled with the gloryand honor of his divinity, he appeared tohis disciples at various times and places. Byeating and drinking with his disciples andtalking with them about God’s kingdom,Jesus guaranteed them that they were trulyalive in his risen and glorified body.

Then, in the Gospel, we learn that Jesusleft us his Church, the Holy Spirit and amission to proclaim his message to the endsof the earth. Our baptism requires us to sup-port his mission, be it through our prayers,

our financial support or even our very lives.

Finding the truthIn our daily life, we need to discern. For

instance, if we think the Spirit is telling usone thing, but the Church says another,then we must defer to the Church.

More than a few souls have strayed bypursuing what they think is an inspirationfrom God, when in fact it was their owncapriciousness. This is precisely what theFirst Letter of John describes: “Do not trustevery spirit but test the spirits to see whetherthey belong to God, because many falseprophets have gone out into the world.”Also John’s Gospel: It is “the Spirit of truth”who guides the Church “to all truth.”

In a similar way, the Solemnity of Ascen-sion shows us Jesus as our intercessor. OurLord is not simply a historical figure. TheChrist to whom we pray is the son of theliving God and is a living friend. Eventhough removed from our sight, he remainspresent to us, supporting us through thesacraments and teaching us through themagisterium.

Our belief in his real presence in the Eu-charist should manifest itself in our faith-fulness to the Church.

Deacon Fabián Moncada Benavides isin formation for the priesthood at the St.Paul Seminary for the Diocese of DesMoines, Iowa. His home parishes are OurLady of Americas and Basilica of St. Johnin Des Moines. His teaching parish is St. Ritain Cottage Grove.

The Lesson Plan14A THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT Reflections on faith and spirituality MAY 9, 2013

“I pray not only for them, but also for thosewho will believe in me through their word.”

John 17:20

Sunday, May 12 The Ascension of the LordActs 1:1-11Ephesians 1:17-23Luke 24:46-53

Monday, May 13Our Lady of FatimaActs 19:1-8John 16:29-33

Tuesday, May 14St.Matthias, apostle Acts 1:15-17, 20-26John 15:9-17

Wednesday, May 15St. IsadoreActs 20:28-38John 17:11b-19

Thursday, May 16Acts 22:30, 23:6-11John 17:20-26

Friday, May 17Acts 25:13b-21John 21:15-19

Saturday, May 18Acts 28:16-20John 21:20-25

Sunday, May 19Pentecost SundayActs 2:1-111 Corinthians 12:3b-7John 20:19-23

Monday, May 20St. Bernardine of Siena, priestSirach 1:1-10Mark 9:14-29

Tuesday, May 21St. Christopher Magallanes,priest, and companions, martyrsSirach 2:1-11Mark 9:30-37

Wednesday, May 22St. Rita of Cascia, religiousSirach 4:11-19Mark 9:38-40

Thursday, May 23Sirach 5:1-8Mark 9:41-50

Friday, May 24Sirach 6:5-17Mark 10:1-12

Saturday, May 25Sirach 17:1-15Mark 10:13-16

Sunday, May 26 The Most Holy TrinityProverbs 8:22-31Romans 5:1-5John 16:12-15

Daily Scriptures

SundayScriptures

DeaconFabian

Moncada

ReadingsSunday, May 12 The Ascension of the Lord! Acts 1:1-11! Ephesians 1:17-23! Luke 24:46-53

ReflectionWhat is one thing you can do today tosupport the mission of the Church?

Ascension shows Jesus as our intercessor

“The Christ to whom we prayis the son of the living Godand is a living friend. Eventhough removed from oursight, he remains present tous.”

DEACON FABIÁN MONCADA

The Lesson Plan MAY 9, 2013 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT 15A

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Pentecost: Catch the Spirit and be bold in your faith!By Father Michael Van SlounFor The Catholic Spirit

Pentecost, May 19, is a solemnity — thehighest ranking liturgical feast — and itcelebrates the descent of the Holy Spiritupon the apostles. It serves as the grandand glorious conclusion to the 50-dayEaster Season — seven continuous weeksthat celebrate the greatest mystery of theChristian faith, the resurrection. It bringsthe paschal mystery to completion.

The vestments are red, symbolizing theHoly Spirit that descended upon the apos-tles in the form of a strong, driving windand tongues of fire, which parted andcame to rest on each of them. Immediatelythey were filled with the Holy Spirit (seeActs 2:1-4).

It was an outpouring of the Spirit oneach apostle individually and the Churchcollectively. The Spirit imbued the apostleswith great love, led them to the truth, settheir faith ablaze and filled them withmuch zeal.

This immeasurable grace was the birthof the Church. Through the Spirit, theChurch is sanctified or made holy. By thepower of the Spirit each person is unitedto Christ, and the people of every nation,race and language are unified in the pro-fession of one faith. The annual celebra-tion of this feast makes the graces first be-stowed upon the apostles available toevery believer in every subsequent gener-ation.

The apostles were average performers atbest, and they needed to make major up-grades. Jesus spent countless hours with

them. He gave them his warm friendshipand personalized instruction, invited themto be his companions and performedamazing miracles before them.

In spite of this, the apostles were terri-fied during the storm at sea, failed to un-derstand the parables, were unable to ex-pel some demons, fought among them -

selves over who was most important, andabandoned and betrayed their master.They were unable to comprehend who Je-sus was or what he expected of them. Evenafter the resurrection they remained be-wildered, isolated, afraid and silent.

But, on Pentecost, the Holy Spirit gal-vanized the apostles’ faith. It was a meta-morphosis of epic proportions. The apos-tles emerged from the cocoon of theUpper Room completely remade. Theywere on fire with love for Jesus!

Once fearful, they became bold andcourageous. Once silent, they became as-sertive and outspoken. Once cautious,they took tremendous risks. Once follow-ers, they became leaders. Once weak, theyperformed great and mighty deeds in Je-sus’ name. Once concerned with safe-guarding their own lives, they becamewilling to sacrifice everything for the sakeof Jesus and the Gospel.

Making Jesus known The Holy Spirit that transformed the

apostles on the first Pentecost has thepower to transform each of us. The Spiritpoured out on the first apostles is alsopoured out on us in the celebration ofPentecost, the sacraments, prayer andmultiple other ways.

Pentecost is an invitation to be bold!Catch fire! Love! Forgive! Share! Serve!Speak the truth! Do great and mightydeeds! Make the name of Jesus knownand loved!

Father Van Sloun is pastor of St.Stephen in Anoka.

“The Holy Spirit thattransformed the apostles on the firstPentecost hasthe power totransform eachof us. The Spiritpoured out on the firstapostles is alsopoured out onus.”

FATHER MICHAEL VAN SLOUN

A scene from Pentecost is depicted in this stained-glass window.CNS photo / Gregory A. Shemitz, Long Island Catholic

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • MAY 9, 2013 Calendar16A

Diningout

Fish fry at Knights of Columbus Hall, Bloom-ington — Every Friday: 5 to 9 p.m. at 1114American Blvd. Cost is $10.95. Call (952)888-1492 for reservations.Chicken and rib dinner at Knights ofColumbus Hall, Bloomington — EveryWednesday: 5 to 9 p.m. at 1114 AmericanBlvd. Cost is $12. Call (952) 888-1492 forreservations. Waffle and sausage breakfast at Our Ladyof the Prairie, Belle Plaine — May 19: 8 a.m.to noon at 215 N. Chestnut St. Free will of-fering.Mother’s Day breakfast at ImmaculateConception, Columbia Heights — May 12:8:30 a.m. to noon at 4030 Jackson StreetN.E. Enjoy a delicious breakfast of sausage,eggs, French toast and more. Cost is $8 foradults and seniors, $4 for children ages 3-12 and free for children two and under.

Parishevents

Rummage sale at St. Cyril, Minneapolis —May 8 to 10: 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, 9 a.m.to 5 p.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. to noon Fri-day ($2 bag day) at 13th and SecondStreet N.E.Rummage sale at St. Victoria, Victoria —May 9 and 10: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursdayand 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday (bag and bar-gain day) at 8228 Victoria Drive.Rummage sale at St. John ByzantineChurch, Minneapolis — May 16 to 18: 9a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 9

a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday ($3 bag day). Lo-cated at 2215 Third St. N.e.

Men’s club rummage sale at St. Thomasthe Apostle, St. Paul — May 16 to 18: 8 a.m.to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 8 a.m.to noon Saturday at 2119 Stillwater Ave.

Treasure Hunt sale at Sacred Heart, Rob-binsdale — May 16 to 18: Pre-sale eventThursday from 5-8 p.m. with $5 admission.8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and 8:30 a.m. tonoon Saturday ($5 bag day). Located atthe corner of 41st Avenue and West Broad-way.

Bishop John LeVoir to speak at An EveningAffirming Human Life and Family at St. He-lena, Minneapolis — May 16: Social beginsat 6 p.m. at 3204 E. 43rd St. Dinner, musicand Bishop LeVoir’s talk will follow. Ticketsare $25 per person and must be pur-chased by noon May 13 by calling (612)729-0321.

Parish festival at St. Mark, St. Paul — May 17and 18: 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to10 p.m. Saturday at 2001 Dayton Ave. Fea-tures carnival rides, CCW pie booth, beergarden, street dance and more. For infor-mation, visit HTTP://SAINTMARK-MN.ORG.

2013 Great Get Together at St. Mary, St.Paul — May 18: 4:30 p.m. Mass followed bysocial hour, dinner and silent auction. En-tertainment and dancing from 7 to 9 p.m.Cost is $20 per person. For reservations, call(651) 222-2619.

Perennial plant sale at St. Jerome, Maple-wood — May 18: 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 380Roselawn Ave. Most plants priced $2 to $5.

Perennial plant sale at St. Rita, CottageGrove — May 18: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 869480th St. S.

Fashion show and luncheon at St. Peter,Mendota — May 18: 11:30 a.m. at 1405Hwy. 13. Cost is $15. For reservations, call(651) 451-6690.

Funfest at St. Michael, Stillwater — May 19:Noon to 6 p.m. at 611 S. Third St. Featuresfood, entertainment, special kids’ activitiesand more. For information, visitWWW.STMICHAELSTILLWATER.ORG.

Annual St. Timothy Golf Tournament at Al-bion ridges Golf Course, Annandale —May 19: 1 p.m. at 7771 20th St. N.W. 18holes of golf, cart and dinner, $300/4-some.Registration deadline May 14. VisitWWW.CHURCHOFSTTIMOTHY.ORG.

Celebrate Pentecost musical event atLumen Christi, St.Paul — May 19: 3 p.m. at2055 Bohland Ave. Features choral, instru-mental and ensemble music by parishgroups. Admission is free.

SinglesSunday Spirits walking group for 50-plusCatholic singles — ongoing Sundays: ForCatholic singles to meet and make friends.The group usually meets in St. Paul on Sun-day afternoons. For information, call Judyat (763) 221-3040 or Al at (651) 482-0406.

Singles group at St. Vincent de Paul, Brook-lyn Park — ongoing second Saturday eachmonth: 6:15 p.m. at 9100 93rd Ave. N.Gather for a potluck supper, conversationand games. For information, call (763) 425-0412.

50-plus singles dinner at St. Joseph, NewHope — May 19: 5 p.m. at 8701 36th Ave.N. Social hour, dinner and dance lessons,all for $10. Call (763) 439-5940.

Schoolevents

Advanced Competitive Science programopen house at Benilde-St. Margaret, St.Louis Park — May 14: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. in theschool’s ACS lab, 2501 Hwy 100 S. For infor-mation, visit www.BSM school.org/ACS

All day open house at St. John the Baptist,Savage — May 16: 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at12508 Lynn Ave. No R.S.V.P. required. For in-formation, visit WWW.STJOHNS-SAVAGE.ORG.

Otherevents

‘Mercy Unrelenting’ at Open Window The-atre, Minneapolis — Through May 19: Times— evening shows on May 9 to 11, May 16to 18 at 7:45 p.m. matinees on May 12, 18,19 at 2 p.m. at 1313 Chestnut Ave. For in-formation call (763) 732-8091 or visitWWW.OPENWINDOWTHEATRE.ORG.

Exhibit of residents’ artwork at Little Sistersof the Poor Holy Family Residence, St. Paul— May 14: Wine and cheese receptionfrom 2 to 3:30 p.m. at 330 Exchange St. S.Event is part of the celebration of NationalOlder Americans’ Month and NationalNursing Home Week (May 12 to 18).

Womens Silent Weekend Retreat at Christthe King Retreat Center, Buffalo — May 17to 19: Theme is “We Walk By Faith” pre-sented by the King’s House Retreat teamat 621 First Ave. S. Cost is $140 per person.For information and registration, visitWWW.KINGSHOUSE.COM.

Wakota Life Care Center Walk for Life atThompson Park, West St. Paul — May 18: 10a.m. at 360 Butler Ave. E. For information,call (651) 457-1195.

50th anniversary celebration for SisterBrenda Rose Szegedy at Christ the King Re-treat Center, Buffalo — May 19: 2 p.m. Massat 621 First Ave. S. A reception will follow inthe Garden Court.

Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady ofGuadalupe with Archbishop John Nienst-edt — May 21: Visit WWW.ARCHSPM.ORG for in-formation.

Minnesota Catholic Home Education Con-ference at the University of St. Thomas, St.Paul — May 31 to June 1: Event opens Fri-day at 4 p.m. with a curriculum fair, usedbook sale and many vendors. Saturdaysession begins with Mass at 7:15 a.m. andconcludes at 5 p.m. Father MichaelSchmitz, director of youth and young adultministry for the Diocese of Duluth will be thekeynote speaker. For information, visitWWW.MNCONFERENCE.ORG.

Missionary Sisters of St. Peter Claver plantsale in Woodbury — May 18: 9 a.m. to 4p.m. at 265 Century Ave. (south of I-94).Proceeds will go to the missionary needsof the Missionary Sisters of St. Peter Claver.Food will also be available for sale.

Extended Pentecost Vigil Mass at the Uni-versity of St. Thomas, St. Paul — May 18:7:30 p.m. at the Chapel of St. ThomasAquinas. For more information visitWWW.STTHOMAS.EDU/CAMPUSMINISTRY and clickon the Pentecost Vigil button.

The Inaugural Meeting of the ArgumentClub for Women at St. Michael, Stillwater— May 23: 6 to 9 p.m. at 611 S. Third St.Moderator: Dr. Deborah Savage, co-founder of the Siena Symposium. In theAffirmative: The Rev. Kelli Clement, MNReligious Coalition for ReproductiveChoice. In the Negative: Dr. Anne Mal-oney, St. Catherine University. Cost is $10

Youngadults

Roaring Twenties Spring swing dance at theCathedral of St. Paul, St. Paul — May 11:Lessons start at 8 p.m. at 239 Selby Ave.Cost is $8 per person, $22 per family. Comedressed in twenties outfits — flapperdresses, long beads, hats are encouraged.Sponsored by the Cathedral Young Adults.

Don’t miss

Archdiocesan Marriage Day celebrationThe Archdiocese of St.Paul and Minneapolis will honor all

married couples — especially those celebrating silver andgolden anniversaries this year — with a special Mass at 10a.m. June 8 at the Cathedral of St.Paul.

A reception will follow the Mass. For more information,visit WWW.ARCHSPM.ORG.

“The ode lives upon the ideal, the epic uponthe grandiose, the drama upon the real.”

Victor Hugo

Arts & CultureMAY 9, 2013 Exploring our church and our world THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT 17A

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Forgiveness, redemption at heart of ‘Mercy Unrelenting’Reviewed by Joe TowalskiThe Catholic Spirit

In his homily last month for DivineMercy Sunday, Pope Francis declared:“God always waits for us, even when wehave left him behind! He is never far fromus, and if we return to him, he is ready toembrace us.”

Perhaps this was never truer than in thecase of Alessandro Serenelli, a hired farm-hand sentenced to 30 years in an Italianprison at the turn of the 20th century forthe murder of a young girl, Maria Goretti,who refused to submit to his lustful ad-vances.

Stabbed 14 times, Goretti succumbed toher wounds in a hospital bed, but not be-fore forgiving her killer — an act that ledto her being declared a saint in 1950 byPope Pius XII during a canonization cere-mony attended by hundreds of thousandsof the faithful who filled St. Peter’s Square.

It was different story, however, forSerenelli, who showed little remorse afterthe killing. A troubled and lonely 19-year-old raised in a dysfunctional family, heremained bitter and unconvinced of a lov-ing and merciful God — until his lifechanged forever after a vision one nightin prison.

This is the story skillfully told in “MercyUnrelenting,” the latest production by TheOpen Window Theatre in Minneapolis.The drama opens 50 years after the murder,when Serenelli, released from prison andliving quietly in a Franciscan monastery,is forced to revisit the events of his pastwhen a reporter comes looking for a storyon the eve of Goretti’s canonization.

People of faith will be drawn to the

play’s underlying message — that redemp-tion is possible for everyone, even some-one like Serenelli. But there are other rea-sons not to miss this show.

The acting is top-notch — from the por-trayal of Goretti by Katie Law-Gotich tothe performances by Jeremy Stanbary (asthe volatile younger Serenelli) and CharlesNumrich (as the pensive, older version ofthe man). Bailey Murphy as reporter Vit-toria Cimarelli and Sherry Ward asGoretti’s mother, Assunta, also shine.

The venue, the theater’s black box space,puts the audience within mere feet of theactors. While some may find the closenessa bit disconcerting, the intimacy immersesone in the action and drama’s emotions

in ways not always possible in larger set-tings.

Story of hopeStanbary — who wrote, directed and

produced “Mercy Unrelenting” — hasstaged other religious-themed plays in thepast, including a one-man drama titled“Alessandro.” It’s a story he finds verycompelling.

“I love stories of hope that are born oftragedy, because tragedy and suffering areinescapable aspects of the human condi-tion,” said Stanbary, who also serves asthe theater’s artistic director. “The truestory of Maria Goretti and AlessandroSerenelli, while representing some of theworst dimensions of humanity, also rep-

resents some of the best. It’s a story thatshowcases the unexpected triumph ofgood over evil. Everyone, I hope, can takeconsolation in the fact that nobody is be-yond the possibility of redemption.”

As Pope Francis said, God’s mercy is avail-able to anyone willing to return and seekhis forgiveness, even those like Serenelliwho have committed terrible wrongs.

Part of the Open Window Theatre’s mis-sion is to make theater a window to theDivine and celebrate religious faith. Inboth regards, “Mercy Unrelenting” doesnot disappoint.

Because of the subject matter, includingsome intense scenes, the performance isrecommended for ages 13 and up. Kudosto the theater for including informationin the playbill about services available foranyone who might be suffering from sex-ual abuse or violence.

Performance information! Dates: Through May 19

! Times: 7:45 p.m. Thursdays throughSaturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays (2 p.m. show onSaturday, May 18)! Where:Open Window Theatre, 1313Chestnut Ave., #102, Minneapolis (inthe Metropolis Minneapolis Building)! Tickets: $12 to $26, with discounts foradvance tickets, students, seniorsand children; available atWWW.OPENWINDOWTHEATRE.ORG or bycalling (800) 838-3006.

Jen Frederickson, La Cattura Photography

The young Alessandro Serenelli, played by Jeremy Stanbary, talks with Maria Goretti,portrayed by Katie Law-Gotich, in a scene from “Mercy Unrelenting.”

By Susan KlemondFor The Catholic Spirit

Relocating a large theological bookstorefrom downtown Stillwater to a farm pop-ulated with free-range chickens mightseem like an unusual business decision.

Loome Theological Booksellers co-owner and proprietor Christopher Hagenand his wife Christelle, however, movedthe bookstore last year to a 14-acre hobbyfarm to give it space to grow. But, morethan that, they envisioned that the newlocation offered a way for their family tolive out and promote self-sufficiency aswell as Catholic philosophies related towork, agriculture and scholarship.

During the April grand opening of thebookstore located seven miles southwestof Stillwater, the couple — parishioners atSt. Michael in Stillwater — talked aboutthe role of Divine Providence in the moveand their hope of creating new synergybetween books, crops and life with theirfive children.

“Bookstores do not have an easy go ofkeeping the doors open because of fewerpeople reading physical books,” Christo-pher said. “Tying the bookstore in withsomething else with its own vitality — afarm — we’re hoping will keep the book-store’s legs going as well.”

Big moveLoome Theological Booksellers features

nearly 100,000 hard-to-find scholarly andclassic Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant andrelated books purchased throughoutNorth America and Europe. Hagen andbusiness partner Andrew Poole purchasedthe bookstore in 2008.

It took more than 100 trips in a minivanand trailer to move the book collectionlast fall from its previous location in a

1904 former Swedish Covenant church tothe farm in Lakeland Township.

Employees, volunteers and the Hagenfamily spent many hours setting up thenew bookstore in a building on the farmsite which has a climate controlled retail

area, Christopher said. Since only 10 per-cent of the store’s business is from the re-tail store — the rest is from online sales —he said he doesn’t think the new rural lo-cation will greatly affect sales.

In addition to the bookstore, the couple

and their children, ages 12 and under, areplanting vegetables and herbs for whichthey’re offering community-supported agri-culture (CSA) shares. They’re renting a por-tion of the property to other gardeners anda beekeeper, and they plan to acquire sheepand other animals, Christopher said.

Before they had a family, a farm or abookstore, the Hagens began thinkingabout combining all three as a way to ful-fill the call for the new evangelization. In-fluenced by the Stillwater Catholic Workercommunity, they studied the writings ofFrench Catholic social activist Peter Mau-rin, who together with Dorothy Dayfounded the Catholic Worker Movement.

Maurin’s writing on living closer to theland and creating an “agronomic univer-sity” inspired them, along with BlessedPope John Paul II’s teaching that workshould conform to the family and not theother way around. They have been furtherinspired by 19th-century archbishop St.Anthony Marie Claret’s writing on sus-tainable family farm life.

Feeling pulled in different directions bythe bookstore, homeschooling and Chris-telle’s doula and parenting business, thecouple decided in 2012 to move to a farmto create a new focus for work and familylife that would also directly involve theirchildren.

It’s a new challenge to find a balancebetween family and work, Christophersaid. “Most workplaces don’t let the workbend to the family needs,” he said. “We’restill learning how to do that. We don’twant to bend so much that the work fallsover.”

Their new life is setting an example,Christelle said. “I realize in this worldwhere people just seem to be more andmore divided that seeing a family that ismore and more working together givespeople hope.”

‘A perilous adventure’Leah and Derek Rieckens, also parish-

ioners at St. Michael, both work full timeat the bookstore and are pleased with thenew location. “I think it’s beautiful,” Leahsaid. “A lot of customers have commentedthat it’s a peaceful location.”

The single-story showroom should beeasier for older patrons, she added. “I’mreally excited about having a space that’sall one level with good lighting and that’sclimate controlled.”

Charles Puskas of Circle Pines, whoworks in publishing, said the bookstore isa nice destination with lots of products.“They have a good niche developed,” hesaid. “There’s always something here indifferent areas.”

Larry Myer, a Minneapolis Latin andGreek teacher, also commented on thenew location. “It’s great,” he said. “Verypeaceful. I will come back.”

The Hagens said they see God’s guid-ance in bringing them to the farm andfulfilling some of their long-held ideals.

“The way I see this farm has impactedmy faith is making me realize my utterdependence on God more than ever be-fore,” Christelle said.

Christopher agreed. “Doing this is a bitof a perilous adventure,” he said. “It’s un-charted territory. The farm and the family.It’s just relying more on Divine Provi-dence.”

For more information about the bookstoreand directions, visit HTTPS://WWW.LOOMEBOOKS.COM.

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THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • MAY 9, 2013 Arts & Culture18A

Theology bookstore moves to Stillwater-area farm

Above: ChristopherHagen and his wife

Christelle relax onClaret Farm outside ofStillwater April 27. The

farm also is home toLoome TheologicalBooksellers, which

Hagen relocated fromits previous location in

Stillwater.Right: The bookstore is divided into rooms

by subject.Dianne Towalski /

The Catholic Spirit

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19ATHE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • MAY 9, 2013

Aim Higher Foundation awards tuition assistance grantsThe Aim Higher Foundation

announced April 22 that it has awardeda total of $750,000 in tuition assistancegrants to 76 Catholic schools in the

Archdiocese of St.Paul andMinneapolis.

All schools thatapplied wereawarded tuition

assistance grants for students withfinancial need. The foundation said it iscontinuing support to all students whoreceived Aim Higher Foundation tuitionassistance in 2012-2013, remain inCatholic elementary school and havecontinued financial need.

The Aim Higher Foundation exists tohelp provide access to a Catholic schooleducation to more families. In additionto providing tuition assistance toCatholic school families, in the futurethe foundation will foster continuedexcellence in leadership and innovationin education through grants to educatorsand schools in the archdiocese,according to the foundation’s website,WWW.AIMHIGHERFOUNDATION.ORG.

Seminarian writes anddirects theater drama

Seminarian Kyle Kowalczyk wrote anddirected the St. Paul Seminary School ofDivinity’s recent production of “Saved bythe Guillotine,” a play based on letterswritten by Jacques Fesch while he was inprison in Paris. Fesch was the last personkilled by guillotine in France in 1957. Theplay was performed April 26 to 28 at theUniversity of St. Thomas and featuredTyler Dickinson, a seminarian for theDiocese of Madison, Wis., as Fesch.

A native of Ann Arbor, Mich.,Kowalczyk started acting in seventhgrade and began participating in theaterregularly in high school. It was then thathe also began writing.

“When I was in my high school dramaclass, I was assigned a project with someclassmates to come up with a shortscene,” he said. “The little play we cameup with was very funny and quite a hit.The following year I decided to write acollection of short comedies andproduced it at my school. This also wasreceived very well. I realized that I had a

knack for writing and a real passiondeveloped.”

Kowalczyk became interested in thestory of Jacques Fesch when he wasvisiting a monstery in Illinois and themonks were reading a book of his lettersduring lunch.

“I knew nothing about him before,but the letters were clearly written by avery holy person,” he said. “Later one ofthe priests mentioned that this sameman had committed murder and writtenthese letters while on death row. I wasinstantly taken in by his story.”

Cardinal Burke keynotes tribunal provincial meeting

Cardinal Raymond Burke, prefect ofthe Supreme Court of the ApostolicSignatura, presided at the opening Massand gave the keynote address at theTribunal Provincial meeting May 6 at theSt. Paul Seminary. The annual meeting isa gathering of tribunal personnel fromthroughout the province — the 10dioceses of Minnesota, North Dakotaand South Dakota — and was hosted this

year by the Archdiocese of St. Paul andMinneapolis. Cardinal Burke spoke on“The Nullity of Marriage Process as theSearch for Truth.” Aside from the RomanPontiff, who is the supreme judge for theCatholic Church, the Supreme Tribunalof the Apostolic Signatura is the highestcourt of the Catholic Church. One of theroles of the Signatura is to exercisevigilance over lower Church courts, suchas marriage nullity tribunals, and ensurethat these courts are correctly applyingthe law of the Church.

Feasibility study updateThe Steier Group, which is conducting

a comprehensive feasibility study to testthe level of support for a proposedarchdiocesan capital campaign, willcontinue gathering feedback from clergyand lay people through Friday, May 24.Individuals interested in participating inthe study are encouraged to visit thefeasibility study web site at HTTP://STUDY.ARCHSPM.ORG. The study may also beaccessed on the home page of theArchdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis’swebsite: WWW.ARCHSPM.ORG.

News NotesThe

Catholic Spirit

“Never be afraid of loving the Blessed Virgin too much.You can never love her more than Jesus did.”

St. Maximilian Kolbe

Overheard20A THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT Quotes from this week’s newsmakers MAY 9, 2013

By Eric SimonFor The Catholic Spirit

Students throughout the archdiocesewere asked to respond to this question inthe annual Center for Mission WritingContest. After receiving hundreds of sub-missions from schools and parishesthroughout the archdiocese, four studentsin each of four grade categories have beenselected and have received their awards

Essays and drawings were judged fortheir creativity, originality, organizationand effective communication. Individualreturned missioners and Center for Mis-sion staff judged the submissions. As inprevious years there were many excellententries; however these four stood out

among their peers. The winners are:! Greta Feist, Grade 3, St. Bernard

Catholic School, Cologne.! Logan Cloutier, Grade 6, Faith ful

Shepherd Catholic School, Eagan.! Rachel Restrepo, Grade 7, St. Therese

Catholic School, Deephaven.! Michelle Castaneda, Grade 12, Cris to

Rey Jesuit High School, Minneapolis.All the winning essays communicated

a unique view of Christ’s presence in theworld and many described experiencesfrom the heart. For example, LoganCloutier discovered the presence ofChrist’s love in the community that sup-ported his family during his mother’s

cancer treatments. His transformative ex-perience gave him an appreciation forwhat it meant to love your neighbor andlearned the importance of helping others,of being the presence of Christ for others.

Third-grader Greta Feist saw the pres-ence of Christ everywhere in nature. Herremarkably well-drawn submissionshowed a variety of animals living to-gether peacefully, as in the Kingdom ofGod. Greta is a 5th generation student atSt. Bernard.

Rachel Restrepo and Michelle Castanedaexperienced the presence of Christthrough the good works and love that oth-ers demonstrated. Rachel saw Christ inher school among students when theytreated each other with “dignity and re-

spect.” Rachel described one example, “Isee Christ when I see students welcomingnew students with openness.” She alsomentioned instances of kindness and jus-tice in the community and around theworld through acts of charity and hero-ism.

Michelle, encountered Christ in prayerstating, “Christ left this world physicallybut, through prayer, He is still present.”She also emphasized Christ’s presence ingood works and service to aid the mostvulnerable, as Christ would do.

For more information and winning en-tries, go to WWW.CENTERFORMISSION.ORG.

Eric Simon is mission promotions man-ager for the Center for Mission.

Students answer: ‘How is Christ Present in the World?’

“This is a courageous steptoward a culture of life.”

— Bishop Stephen Blaire ofStockton, Calif., chairman of theU.S. bishops’ Committee onDomestic Justice and HumanDevelopment, after MarylandGov. Martin O’Malley signed abill May 2 repealing the state’sdeath penalty

“No public healthconsideration justifies theunsupervised sale of suchdrugs to young teens.”

— Deirdre McQuade,spokeswoman for the U.S.Conference of Catholic Bishops’Secretariat for Pro Life Activities,after the federal Food and DrugAdministration lowered the agelimit from 17 to 15 for purchasingthe Plan B One-Step emergencycontraceptive over the counter

“Remain steadfast in thejourney of faith. Listencarefully, young people, swimagainst the tide; it’s good forthe heart, but it takescourage.”

— Pope Francis, during his homilyat Mass April 28 in St. Peter’sSquare, where he administeredthe sacrament of confirmationto 44 people, including twoteenagers from the United States

“The Mass went by too fast. Ijust wanted to savor everymoment I could.”

— Anthony Merejo, a 17-year-oldfrom Ridgewood, N.J., who wasone of 44 people Pope Francisconfirmed April 28

Honoring Our Lady

andMother

Participants in the 66thannual Archdiocesan FamilyRosary Procession marchfrom the State Capitol to theCathedral of St. Paul May 5.At the Cathedral, participantsprayed with Archbishop JohnNienstedt for marriage andthe family. The gatheringended with adoration andBenediction of the BlessedSacrament.

At left, first year seminarianMatthew Goldammer holdshis rosary standing by thestatue of the ImmaculateHeart of Mary during theprocession.

Photos by Jim Bovin

Catholic high school graduation ceremonies set

The Catholic SpiritMay 9, 2013

8-page pullout section

Read reflections written by high school seniors selected by their Catholic schools and parishes — Pages 2B to 8B

Academy of Holy Angels, Richfield! Commencement exercises: 4 p.m.Sunday, June 2, Academy of Holy Angels.John Miotti, graduating senior, speaker.181 graduates.! Baccalaureate Mass: 7 p.m.Wednesday, May 29, St. Peter, Richfield.Father Mike Tix, celebrant.

Benilde-St. Margaret’s School, St. Louis Park! Commencement exercises: 7 p.m.Friday, May 31, Haben Activity Center. 214 graduates.! Baccalaureate Mass: 11 a.m. Sunday,May 19, Marriott City Center, Minneapolis.Father Tim Wozniak, celebrant.

Bethlehem Academy, Faribault! Commencement exercises: 8 p.m.Friday, May 24, Van Orsow Auditorium,Bethlehem Academy, Faribault. 56 graduates.! Baccalaureate Mass: 7:30 p.m.Wednesday, May 22, Divine Mercy,Faribault. Fathers Kevin Finnegan and ErikLundgren, co-celebrants.

Convent of the Visitation School, Mendota Heights! Commencement exercises: 3 p.m.

Sunday, June 2, Visitation CommersGymnasium. Mary Brainerd, VisitationAlumna, President and CEO of HealthPartners and Mara Leighton, graduatingsenior, speakers.! Senior/parent Mass: 10:30 a.m. May 19,Visitation Monastery Chapel. VeryReverend Peter Laird, VicarGeneral/Moderator of Curia, celebrant.

Cretin-Derham Hall, St. Paul! Commencement exercises: 7:30 p.m.Wednesday, May 29, Cathedral of St.Paul, St. Paul. 331graduates.! Baccalaureate Mass: 9 a.m.Wednesday, May 29, Lumen ChristiCatholic Community, St. Paul. Father JohnForliti, celebrant.

Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, Minneapolis! Commencement exercises: 2 p.m.Saturday, June 8, Cristo Rey gymnasium.Jesuit Father Greg Boyle, founder ofHomeboy Industries, speaker. 47 graduates.! Baccalaureate Mass: 6 p.m. Friday,June 7, Holy Name, Minneapolis.

DeLaSalle High School, Minneapolis! Commencement exercises: 6:45 p.m.Thursday, May 23, Basilica of St. Mary,

Minneapolis. Brother Larry Schatz, FSC,Provincial of the Midwest District of theChristian Brothers, speaker. 155 graduates.! Baccalaureate Mass: 6:30 p.m.Wednesday, May 22, DeLaSalle,Minneapolis. Father Kevin Kenney ’78,pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe in St.Paul and member of the DeLaSalle Boardof Trustees, celebrant.

Hill-Murray School, Maplewood! Mass and graduation: 7 p.m. Friday,May 31, Cathedral of St. Paul, St. Paul.

Holy Family Catholic High School! Commencement exercises: 7 p.m.Friday, May 22, Holy Family Catholic HighSchool, Victoria. Mr. Jacob Dveck,speaker. 146 graduates.! Baccalaureate Mass: 2 p.m. Sunday,May 19, St. Victoria Catholic Church.Father Bob White, celebrant.

Providence Academy, Plymouth! Commencement exercises: 8 p.m.Friday, May 31, Providence Academy,Plymouth. Matt Birk, speaker. 61 graduates.

! Baccalaureate Mass: 4 p.m. Friday,May 31, Basilica of St. Mary, Minneapolis.Bishop Piché, celebrant.

St. Agnes School, St. Paul! Commencement exercises: 7 p.m.Friday, May 31, Bandas Hall, St. AgnesSchool, St. Paul. Very Reverend PeterLaird, Vicar General/Moderator of Curia,speaker. 66 graduates.! Baccalaureate Mass: 11 a.m. Thursday,May 30, St. Agnes. Father Mark Moriarty,celebrant.

St. Thomas Academy, Mendota Heights! Commencement exercises: 7:30 p.m.Thursday, May 30, Cathedral of St. Paul, St.Paul. 140 graduates.! Baccalaureate Mass: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday,May 28, St. Thomas Academy. FatherThomas O’Brien celebrant.

Totino-Grace High School, Fridley! Commencement exercises: 7 p.m.Friday, May 31, Totino-Grace High School,Fridley. 206 graduates.! Baccalaureate Mass: 7 p.m.Wednesday, May 29, Epiphany, CoonRapids.

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • MAY 9, 2013 Salute to Graduates2BMacy KellyRed Wing High School

Macy Kelly attends St. Joseph in RedWing. Her parents are Tim and Sue Kelly.She plans to attend the College of St.Benedict in St. Joseph.

What is the greatest lesson youlearned in high school?

High school isn’t just about theeducation; it is about finding out whoyou really want to be and what pathyou want to take when you leave.

Name one thing you are proud ofaccomplishing in high school.

I am proud of the way I learned howto balance my homework, sports, extracurricular activities, church activities,friends and family.

What is the most meaningful wayyou have helped another student orstudents in your school?

Being a basketball player, I have hadthe opportunity to be a role model for alot of young girls and have learned totreat the younger classmen as myequals. When you are in eighth andninth grade, being treated as ateammate instead of an underclassmanwill open your eyes for the future andteach you how to be more of a teaminstead of an individual.

Describe the most significant faithexperience you have had during highschool.

I went on a mission trip toBooneville, Ark., the summer before myjunior year of high school, and I believethat to be the turning point in my faith.It was such an eye-opening experienceand I have felt closer to God ever since.

What book did you read in highschool that most changed the wayyou think?

“Of Mice and Men,” because it wasone of the most powerful books I haveever read. Life is full of tough decisions

and the right path isn’t always easy.

Who is a spiritual role model for yourCatholic faith?

My second-grade teacher, SisterBernelle Tube, prepared me for my firstCommunion and has always kept intouch with me even when she movedaway. She always sends me notes ofencouragement and reminds me thatshe is praying for me.

What can the Catholic Church do tokeep you and other young adultsengaged in the life of the Church?

Keep opportunities available foryoung adults to participate in. The moreinvolved they get at a young age, themore they will want to continue withthe Church in the future.

What is your favorite prayer?Act of Contrition.

If you could go back in time fiveyears, what advice would you giveyourself?

Always find the positives in anysituation because they are much morebeneficial than the negatives.

What are the top three things thatyou hope to accomplish in your life?

Graduate from college, keep a strongrelationship with my family, and neverforget that God is always there for me.

Hannah LissonAnnandale High School

Hannah Lisson attends St. Luke inClearwater. Her parents are Greg and JoAnnLisson. She plans to attend the University ofMinnesota-Twin Cities.


That hard work does pay off.


I am proud of never losing myself andstaying who I want to be.


I would say by always being willing tobe there for anyone, whether they needa friend or help in a class.


My most significant faith experiencewould either have been attendingSteubenville North or a TEC retreat.


“The Kite Runner” by KhalidHosseini. It really opened my eyes tohow other cultures in our world are.


One of my sister’s friends, Sister LauraPopp, is a spiritual role model for me. InJanuary of this year, she entered theMissionaries of Charities. She is the typeof person who has an aura around herthat just draws you in.


I feel like if the Catholic Churchtaught earlier how beautiful the Mass isit would keep young adults engaged. Iwould say throughout the past year Ihave begun to really learn what ishappening, and how, during the Massand it makes me that much moreengaged.

If you could have a conversationwith a historical figure, who would itbe?

Paul McCartney because I love themusic he wrote for The Beatles.

What is your favorite prayer? I wouldn’t say it is a prayer but in

times of trouble I prefer to read Psalm91.


I would tell myself to never hide whoyou are for fear of someone else’sjudgment.


! To always be a light of Christ’s loveto everyone I know.

! To discover my calling: married lifeor holy life.

! To maintain happiness ineverything I do.

Salute to Graduates MAY 9, 2013 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT 3B

W! "espo#dFlexible summer schedules in

our Graduate Degree Programsin Theology.

Course options include:

Moral TheologyNature and Mission of Church

Community and Mission in a Diverse Church

For our entire summer schedule, admissions requirements and program descriptions,

please call Amy Burback, Admissions Counselor

651-962-5069www.saintpaulseminary.org

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sCongratulations!

Class of 2013

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Kyle SchwartzHill-Murray School, Maplewood

Kyle Schwartz attends St. Pius X in WhiteBear Lake. His parents are Jeffrey andJoanne Schwartz. He plans to attend LoyolaUniversity in Chicago, pursuing a bachelor’sdegree in theater.


The only way for me to be satisfiedwith my life is to trust and respect myself.


I flew to Chicago to audition for atheater scholarship at my college ofchoice, Loyola University, and I was oneof the few recipients.

What is the most meaningful way youhave helped another student orstudents in your school?

I am a part of a group at Hill-Murrayknown as “Peer Listening.” It is anexcellent program that trains students inthe art and science of listening andcounseling as a healing form ofcommunication.

What book did you read in highschool that most changed the way youthink?

“Eat to Live,” by Dr. Joel Fuhrman. Itcaused me to think critically aboutnutrition and by extension gave me aprofound respect for my body.


One of my religion teachers, Mr. KenSchaan. He is a superb mentor, and the

most honest, open-minded Catholicman that I know. He is bold and wise; Iadmire him immensely.


Preach Christ’s message and thepotency of his love, and avoid flashyattempts to attract the new generation.Jesus Christ is infinitely more attractivethan any Christian rock concert orTwitter feed.

What is your favorite prayer?I have been singing since I was young,

and I pray mostly through song.Gregorio Allegri’s “Miserere” is abeautiful piece that has deeply imbeddeditself into my spirit. I pray with it often.

What are the top three things that youhope to accomplish in your life?

I hope to reach a level of financialsecurity that allows me to live simply,live healthfully, and grow at least 75percent of what I eat.

TO THECLASS OF 2013!

Becoming Partof the LegacyCongratu

lations

CRETIN-DERHAM HALL

550 S. Albert St.Saint Paul, MN 55116

651-690-2443www.c-dh.org

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • MAY 9, 2013 Salute to Graduates4B

Dickinson Catholic SchoolsDickinson, North Dakota

Invites applications for the positions of:President, Primary and Secondary Principals

to assume duties July 1, 2013

Position: PresidentDickinson Catholic Schools

Position: PrincipalDickinson Catholic Schools Primary System K-6

Position: PrincipalDickinson Catholic Schools Secondary System

Grades 7-12President QualificationsCandidates must show evidence of a strong commit-ment to and practice of the Catholic faith and a de-sire to promote deep Catholic identity within theschool based on the teachings of the Magisterium. AMaster’s Degree in School Administration and Super-vision, Curriculum and Instruction, or a similar field ispreferred. A minimum of three years’ experience re-quired.Minimum Principal Qualifications• Practicing Catholic who believes, professes, and,

follows the teaching of the Magisterium• Master’s degree in education.• North Dakota Teaching Certificate. Three year

provisional in offered by ND.• Minimum of three years’ experience.

Salaries for all three positions are based on qualifi-cations and experience but will be very competitive.

Applicants are requested to submit a letter ofinterest, résumé, and three references to the

president of the board of directors of DickinsonCatholic schools at: [email protected]

Patrick GageProvidence Academy, Plymouth

Patrick Gage attends St. Bartholomew inWayzata. His parents are Geoff and KellyGage. He plans to attend GeorgetownUniversity in Washington, D.C.


Time management, far and away, isthe greatest lesson I learned in highschool. It’s a hard lesson to learn, butonce you’ve learned it, it’ll stick withyou forever.


I’m proud of the way I balanced workand fun. I kept my priorities straight andfocused on school first, but I also spent alot of time with friends and family.


As a member of student council, I’vespent several years representing mypeers and ensuring their voices areheard.


Reading C.S. Lewis’ “MereChristianity” and coming into contactwith “rational” belief for the first timedrastically strengthened my faith andshowed me that Christ and his wordwere not only beautiful but also factual.


Peter Kreeft and Ronald Tacelli’s“Handbook of Catholic Apologetics”proved to me that Catholicism wasrationally defensible and gave me theinformation I need to defend my faith.


Both my parents have been great rolemodels for my Catholic faith. Whileencouraging me to have a free mindand think for myself, they instilled inme fervor for Catholicism and a desireto follow Christ’s Church to the ends of

the world.


Introducing young people toapologists like Kreeft and Tacelli is thebest way to keep them engaged in thelife of the Church. In a modern worldthat puts great emphasis on proof, it’seasy for young people to assume thatChristianity is mere faith and thus fallaway. Introducing these young peopleto the rational side of Christ’s Churchwill keep them interested and, mostimportantly, believing.


I would have a conversation with St.Jerome, an early doctor of the Church.Having studied Latin for many yearsand translated parts of the Vulgate, Iwould enjoy discussing his translationof the Bible from Hebrew and Latin andlearning more about his life.

What is your favorite prayer?My favorite prayer is the Prayer to St.

Michael the Archangel.


First, I hope to serve my country inpublic service, as a representative,senator, or if God so chooses, apresident. Second, I hope to raise awonderful, faithful family. Third, I hopeto be an active philanthropist.

Gabby Wayland Bethlehem Academy, Faribault

Gabby Wayland attends Divine Mercy inFaribault. Her parents are Tim and TrenaWayland. She plans to attend theUniversity of St. Thomas in St. Paul.


The greatest lesson I learned in highschool is to never limit yourself as towhat you are capable of accomplishing,because with hard work and dedicationyou can achieve more than you everhoped.


I am proud of being named all-conference in soccer my junior andsenior years because it was awesome tosee my hard work pay off.


Through tutoring as a part ofNational Honor Society, it is reallyrewarding to see the studentsunderstand something or get a goodgrade on a test after working with them.Tutoring was one of the things thathelped me decide I want to be a teacher.


The most significant faith experiencefor me during high school occurred onthe Search Retreat we put on at ourchurch for high school students.Adoration was so powerful and movingon the retreat, and God really broughtpeace and joy to my heart.


I just recently finished the book “AThousand Splendid Suns” by KhaledHosseini, about the lives of two womenin Afghanistan. It changed the way Iviewed happiness and the meaning ofsacrifice and perseverance.

Who is a spiritual role model for your

Catholic faith?My sister Jillian is a role model for my

Catholic faith because she has alwaysshared the joy and love of Christ witheveryone she meets. She has completelygiven her life over to the Lord andtrusted him to be her guide.


I believe the Catholic Church shouldhave confidence in young adults thatthey can understand the truth and godeeper in their faith. Having deepdiscussions regarding the teachings ofthe Church makes the faith more richand tangible.

If you could have a conversation witha historical figure, who would it be?

I would like to have a conversationwith Blessed Mother Teresa so I couldask her how she was able to endurespiritual darkness internally while beinga magnificent spiritual light to thewhole world.

What is your favorite prayer? St. Michael the Archangel prayer.


I would tell myself to spend less timeworrying and more time trusting God.


If I am called, I hope to be a goodmother, wife, and teacher someday.

Paul WollersheimRosemount High School

Paul Wollersheim attends St. Joseph inRosemount. His parents are Mary Beth andJohn Wollersheim. He plans to attend theUniversity of Minnesota-Twin Cities.


You never know how someone willaffect your life. The people you don’tnotice one day will change your life thenext.


Being named a National Merit Scholar.


I helped organize a peer tutoringnetwork that will begin its work inearnest next year.

Describe the most significant faith experience you have had in

high school. Being a catechist for eighth-graders for

the last two years has been a joy. Notonly has it kept my mind on faith, butI’ve learned so much from the thoughtsand prayers of the kids I’ve worked with.


“The Catcher in the Rye” showed methat life continues through all ourhardships. Wasting time feeling sorry foryour circumstances will bring no benefitto your life.


My mother is dedicated to prayer. Herdependence on the Lord has been ashining example for me and my faith.


The more the Church emphasizes itsmission of social justice and its pursuit ofglobal solidarity, the more it will employthe hands of those called to serve.

What is your favorite prayer?The prayer of St. Francis. It is a

blueprint to the true identity ofCatholicism, calling upon the virtues ofstewardship, serenity and humility.


I hope to work in a foreign country,save a life and be a loving father.


John MiottiAcademy of Holy Angels, Richfield

John Miotti attends St. Peter in Mendota.His parents are Lisa and Tim Miotti. Heplans to attend Boston College in ChestnutHill, Mass.


One of the most valuable lessons Ilearned in high school is that the mostdifficult decision is usually the rightdecision.


I entered Holy Angels as a shy 14-year-old and, through the opportunitiesI was offered, I managed to grow into aleader with the companionship of manyclose friends.


As a student government leader, I’verepresented my class and worked inplanning various events, communityservice projects and fundraisingopportunities. This year I was a memberof a senior group that advocated againstcyber bullying. Through all of theseactivities I helped to create a positiveschool environment.


Serving on two different mission tripshas expanded my perspective on thesignificance of helping others. I havelearned the importance of putting myfaith into action.


“The Book Thief” by Markus Zusakchanged my way of thinking byportraying the extremes of the humancondition and showing that despite themost deplorable of situations, there arealways good people trying to do theright thing.


Catholic faith? My dad is a spiritual role model for my

Catholic faith because of his devoutnessand ability to give without any want ofreciprocation. He consistently embodiesChristian values and understands theimportance of humility.


One of the best ways the Church cankeep young people engaged is best statedthrough one of the values of my highschool: “Communicate you matter.”


I would want to have a conversationwith Oskar Schindler. Despite being amember of the Nazi party, Oskar usedhis wealth to protect his workers and iscredited with saving the lives of over1,200 Jews during the Holocaust.

What is your favorite prayer? “As you go on your way, may Christ

go with you. May he go before you toshow you the way; may he go behindyou to encourage you; beside you tobefriend you; above you to watch over;within you to give you peace.”


I hope to graduate from medicalschool and become a physician, writeand publish a book and do missionwork in a foreign country.

Alexis GannonHoly Family Catholic High School,Victoria

Alexis Gannon attends St. Hubert inChanhassen. Her parents are Shelley andRich Gannon. She plans to attend BucknellUniversity in Lewisburg, Pa.


The greatest lesson I learned in highschool is to trust God’s plan for my life.


I am proud to have been voted acaptain of my high school soccer team.


The Holy Family Campus MinistryProgram has provided me with anincredible opportunity to act as a servantleader to my fellow students. Throughthis program, I have helped lead our dailyconvocation, planned school Masses andcelebrations, and have deepened myunderstanding of what it means to act as

the face and hands of Jesus Christ.


My most significant faith experience inhigh school was on a mission trip withmy family. We traveled to Guatemala toserve the community and visit a child wesponsor. It was a life-changing trip, and Iwas touched by the strength of faith Iencountered in the families we visitedand the experience of service in acommunity unlike any I had previouslyknown.


I read “Left to Tell” by ImmaculéeIlibagiza. This opened my eyes to thehorrible events that have taken placeand continue to occur around the world.Immaculée impressed me with her faithas she endured a multitude of hardshipsand by her incredible compassion andforgiveness.


My parents are great role models for

my faith. They encourage me tointegrate faith into all aspects of my life,including friends, family, athletics andacademics. They have providedincredible examples of love and faithand have taught me through word andexample the importance of havingstrong Christian values.


The Church can continue to stayrelevant with young adults throughsocial media and also by emphasizingthe importance of living a life based inboth faith and service.


If I could have a conversation with ahistorical figure, I would like to speakwith Pope John Paul II. He was avisionary leader of the Church who hadthe ability to reach out to those in need.He was a true servant who wascourageous and took on the challenges ofthe Catholic Church around the world.

What is your favorite prayer?

I enjoy praying the serenity prayerbecause it reminds me to put my trustand confidence in God.


I hope to pursue a career that I enjoyand that allows me to serve others,possibly in the medical field. I hope tocontinue to grow in my faith and sharemy faith with others. Finally, I hope tobecome a leader in my community.

Jackie Scherer Benilde-St. Margaret’s School, St. Louis Park

Jackie Scherer attends Holy Name ofJesus in Medina and St. Vincent de Paul inBrooklyn Park. Her parents are Mark andHeather Scherer. She plans to attend BostonCollege.


Believe in yourself –– always. You canaccomplish so much more when youfocus on what you need to accomplish,not what others want you toaccomplish.


I’m proud of taking so many risks andsucceeding. Whether I tried newactivities or tackled a rigorous courseschedule, knowing I pushed myselfthese past four years is my proudestachievement.


I’ve been a tutor at my school for twoyears and continue to meet with some ofthe students in the summer. I like beingable to help others with their studies.


This spring break, I went on a trip toRome with other BSM students and twoof our religion teachers. Aside fromvisiting all the major churches in Romeand witnessing Holy Saturday Mass withPope Francis, we went up the HolyStairs. That experience –– beingsurrounded by friends while praying onthe stairs on which Christ wascondemned –– helped me to deepenand appreciate my faith.


“Bias” by Bernard Goldberg gave me astronger perspective that the world welive in isn’t what we perceive.


My mom is definitely a role model;she converted to Catholicism before sheand my dad got married. She isconstantly setting a good example ofwhat it means to be Catholic, both invalues and actions.


Personally, I appreciate it when I’mconsulted about how to cooperate withother generations. The best way toengage young adults is to talk to themand get their perspective.


I would have a conversation withHerb Brooks because of his involvementwith the 1980 Olympic Hockey team.Being a hockey fan, I would want to askhim about his feelings during the gameas well as the importance ofdetermination and taking risks.

What is your favorite prayer?God, grant me the serenity to accept

the things I cannot change, the courageto change the things I can, and thewisdom to know the difference.


Live overseas, raise a family, and learnas much as I can with the time I’ve beengiven.


Mitchell NewburgSt. Thomas Academy, Mendota Heights

Mitchell Newburg attends All Saints inLakeville. His parents are Kent andStephanie Newburg. He plans to attendGrove City College in Grove City, Pa.


The greatest lesson I have learned inhigh school is the importance of hardwork to achieve your goals.


I am most proud of how I havedeveloped as a person at St. Thomas. Ifeel that I have grown into a man thatpeople are willing to trust with manyresponsibilities.


When I first came to St. Thomas, Iwas nervous transferring into a newschool in which I knew no one.Therefore, I think the most meaningfulway I have helped other students hasbeen through my school’s FreshmenBuddy program. I know fromexperience how important it is havingsomeone to help you adjust to a newatmosphere, so I was glad I have beenable to help a young student adjust.


The most significant faith experienceof mine in high school occurred duringmy confirmation. My cousin was mysponsor, and she had written me a letterin which she shared a story with methat struck me as miraculous because itdescribed an experience of hers inwhich God may have saved her life.


I recently read “Season of Life” byJeffrey Marx. This book changed the wayI think about how I act and who I striveto be because it was written to showwhat being a man truly is. I discovered

manhood is about being built for othersand strengthening relationships.


My Aunt Sue is the person thatinfluences my Catholic faith the most.The fortitude of her faith after manytrials is astounding to me and drives meto strengthen my own faith.


I have found in my religion class thisyear that young adults enjoy discussingsocial issues. If the Church were to reachout to young adults and ask them whatthey think about various issues and why,I feel that could be a successful way toengage the Church’s younger members.


I would speak with Isaac Newtonbecause of how much he contributed tomath and science.

What is your favorite prayer?My favorite prayer is The Prayer of St.

Thomas Aquinas. Having been exposedto this prayer for the last six years, Ihave found it very effective in bringingme closer to God.


I hope to become a good husbandand father later in life, become anaccomplished biomedical engineer, andcontinue to grow in my faith.

Mary KimlingerSt. Agnes School, St. Paul

Mary Kimlinger attends St. Agnes in St.Paul. Her parents are Mark and DeniseKimlinger. She plans to attend theUniversity of Minnesota-Twin Cities.


The greatest lesson I learned in highschool is that a life of selfless giving willbring about the greatest joy.


I am proud that I was able to takehonors-level courses and consequentlybe named an AP scholar by CollegeBoard after my junior year.


I have been a member of the Pro-LifeClub at St. Agnes during all four years ofhigh school, and I love having theopportunity to help others becomeinvolved in the pro-life movement. Byorganizing events to raise awareness,educating my friends on human lifeissues or simply having conversationswith others, I hope to encourage othersto become active in the cause.


This past fall, I was able to participatein the Vocations Club pilgrimage toItaly. Apart from my busy schedule andtechnology distractions, the pilgrimageallowed me to take extra time to prayand reflect on how God is calling me tolive my life.


“He Leadeth Me” by Father WalterCiszek, S.J. Father Ciszek was capturedby the Russian army and spent 23 yearsin Soviet prisons and the labor camps inSiberia during World War II. Duringthese years of struggle, he learned tosurrender himself completely to God’swill and see suffering as a way to growcloser to God.


Catholic faith?St. Gianna Beretta Molla; she was a

pediatrician, a wife and a mother whogave up her life for her unborn child,refusing to have an abortion during herlast and risky pregnancy. Her everydayholiness enabled her to make thegreatest sacrifice of love.


Many young Catholics are not fullyeducated in their faith, or the faith,through poor catechesis, has beenmisrepresented to them. There needs tobe an emphasis on religious education,especially authentic Catholic socialjustice teaching and apologetics. Highschool students are particularlyinterested in social and political issues,such as the role of government, andthey need answers that are relevant.


Harriet Beecher Stowe. Her hauntinglybrilliant novel, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,”inspired abolitionists across the nation topersevere in the fight against slavery inthe years leading up to the Civil War.

What is your favorite prayer?The Prayer of St. Francis.


I hope to graduate from the Universityof Minnesota, pursue a career inmedicine and start a family of my own.

Leah KunkelCretin-Derham Hall, St. Paul

Leah Kunkel attends St. Joseph in West St.Paul. Her parents are Pam and Rick Kunkel.She plans to attend St. Louis University inSt. Louis, Mo.


I learned the lesson of unconditionalacceptance through People FindingPeople, CDH’s peer mentoring program.Although you may not agree witheveryone, you must accept them for whothey are.


In my junior year, I was one of twostudents to receive the ExCel Awardfrom CDH. It stands for Excellence inCommunity, Education, and Leadership.


I have been involved in PeopleFinding People for the past two years.

Each week, I meet one-on-one withseveral underclassmen to check up onthem and be there for them if they arestruggling with anything.


Last summer, I went on a three-weekpilgrimage to the Camino de Santiago innorthern Spain. Meeting people from alldifferent faith backgrounds on thisreligious journey made a huge impact onmy faith. Through our fellowship withthe other pilgrims, and the time for self-reflection, I learned a lot about myselfand other faiths as well.


The book “Tuesdays With Morrie” hasimpacted me the most of all of the booksthat I read this year. In the last yearalone, I have read it four different times,and I have learned different life lessonseach time. Morrie’s story teaches thereader how to truly live a good life, and

has influenced me to appreciate thosearound me.


Pope Francis is my most currentspiritual role model. I love what he isdoing for the Church through leading byexample and emphasizing theimportance of service to others.


I have found my faith experience to bethe deepest through my serviceactivities. For this reason, I think theChurch could keep young adultsengaged by offering a variety of serviceopportunities. Emphasizing thestewardship that each person shouldshow to others and to the earth wouldcertainly engage young people the most.


I would want to talk with TheodoreRoosevelt because of all of his wonderfulwork for the National Park Service. He

was such a visionary in respect toconserving our wildlife, and I would loveto hear more about his ideas.


I hope to have a job that makes mehappy every day, create a family full oflove and acceptance, surround myselfwith fun friends who respect and care foreach other, and travel the world.


Austin PetersTotino-Grace High School, Fridley

Austin Peters attends the Basilica of St.Mary in Minneapolis. His parents areMaureen and Phil Peters. He plans to attendthe College of Science and Engineering at theUniversity of Minnesota-Twin Cities


I am involved in many extra-curricular activities like math team,science team, and intramural basketball,to name a few, and have carried arigorous class schedule all four yearsthat challenges me daily. I had to learnto manage my time and prioritizeextremely well to be successful.


I am most proud of my grades. Ichallenged myself with an Honors/APschedule and worked very hard in andout of the classroom each day tomaintain a straight-A report card forfour years.


I have been tutoring for four years — itis my way of giving back. I have beenvery blessed and love to help share myknowledge with other students whomight not catch on as easily or strugglein the classroom. On a daily basis, I getasked to help and knowing I’ve made adifference can be the best part of my day.


The most significant faith experienceI have had in high school was duringmy senior all-day overnight retreat,where I really had a chance to look backon my life and reflect on what I havedone well and what I have struggledwith. These activities, prayers andmoments of meditation reallyconnected me to God and helped meimprove how I live my daily life.


“The Holy Longing” by Father RonaldRolheiser really changed the way I think.We read this book in my spiritualityreligion class, and it really shed somelight on religious questions that puzzledme — why God doesn’t answer prayerssometimes, why we should forgiveothers, and how God truly is active inour everyday lives.


My grandmother, who is also myconfirmation Sponsor, is a veryimportant spiritual role model in my life.Whenever I visit her, we attend SundayMass together and she and I usually havesome conversations about God and Jesusand their roles in our lives. She also isvery involved in her parish, helping outwith community service, being anextraordinary minister of holyCommunion and attending daily Mass.


I would want to talk to MarkZuckerberg, the founder of Facebook. Iwould ask him questions like whatcaused him to create it in the first place,why he believed in it, and how he plansto live out the rest of his life.


Land a job with a pharmaceuticalscompany using my chemicalengineering degree to make a differencein the lives of others, have a family, andlive a balanced life spiritually,professionally and socially.

Luke ScottDeLaSalle High School, Minneapolis

Luke Scott attends St. Charles Borromeoin St. Anthony. His parents are Kelly andMary Scott. He plans to attend theUniversity of Mary in Bismarck, N.D.


The greatest lesson I learned in highschool is that perseverance is the bestway to reach my goals.


My greatest achievement in highschool is winning two basketball statechampionships.


I try to help others through everydayinteraction. If one is feeling down, I tryto brighten their day with a smile andpositive attitude. We are called to serveothers to the best of our ability, andDeLaSalle has taught me to do that.


My faith transformed in the adorationchapel at St. Charles. I learned to reallyappreciate Jesus Christ’s presence in theEucharist. His presence has given mepeace over the years that has helped mepersevere through many challengesduring high school.


My mom is my spiritual role modelbecause she is always there for me nomatter what trials I am going through. Isee her praying every day. She has trulyhelped shape my faith to what it istoday through her beautiful example.


We could have groups that talk aboutthe enjoyment of being a Catholicwhile doing active things like sports.This is actually happening right now asmy dad has combined spirituality and

athletics with a non-profit organizationcalled Spirit and Sport.

If you could have a conversationwith a historical figure, who would it beand why?

I would like to have a conversationwith Blessed John Paul II because heseemed to be the holiest man that Ihave seen in person.


Trials are only there to make youstronger. Trust in God fully, and do notbelieve what people may say to bringyou down. Be courageous in thought,prayer, action. Do not be afraid to prayin public places (before meals, etc.),because even if others judge you, God isthe final judge. Love others no matterwhat challenges you must face. As mybrother said, “Let go, and let God.”


My ultimate goal is to help othersenter the gates of heaven, and to dothat involves multiple things. I hope tobe doing something with my faith inmy professional career. I hope to make ahuge impact on others, guiding them tobelieve through example that being aCatholic is not only the best thing to dofor one’s soul, it also brings joy that isnot obtained through worldly pleasures.Even though I am only 18, I can trulysay that my faith has brought me morepeace and happiness than all of theworldly experiences combined.

Sonja KnudsonConvent of the Visitation, Mendota Heights

Sonja Knudson attends St. Thomas Morein St. Paul. Her parents are Scott and LisaKnudson. She plans to attend TuftsUniversity in Medford, Mass.


To “be who you are and be that well!”In other words, the only way to growspiritually, intellectually and personally,is to follow your own passions and notconform to others.


Being a part of the hockey team andbeing able to lead the team as a captainthis year.


Over the last two years, I’ve helped in

coordinating our middle school’s STEMday for girls. This experience hasempowered my own interests in thescience and math fields, in addition tohopefully empowering young girls in thesame fields.


At our senior class retreat in the fall,we were given time to go off and reflecton our own. I found a spot by a beautifulmarsh and meditated over our school’smotto for this year, “Marvel at God’sGoodness.” Throughout the year, I havefound that to wonder and be in awe atthe work of the Lord is both difficult andrewarding.


We just recently read “TheAwakening” by Kate Chopin whichincited several conversations in classabout social boundaries and personalhappiness. I had never read such a bold

social critique before, so it reallyexpanded my view on the power ofliterature.


Both of my parents, because they havebeen great moral guides for me growingup.


Expanding volunteer programs wherekids and young adults can work withintheir community would keep them moreengaged in the life of the Church andwould offer an opportunity to meet kidswho share the same faith.


I would love to have a conversationwith Dorothy Day so I could thank herfor her work in launching the socialjustice movement of the Church.

What is your favorite prayer?The Direction of Intention.


Keep an open mind and forgiveothers.


Go to medical school, have a jobwhere I can travel and own a boat.


Tell us about a really goodCatholic business owner, manager,supervisor, boss,and we’ll telleverybody else.

Every year for the past 12 years,The Catholic Spirit has honored people in the Archdioceseof St. Paul and Minneapolis for bringing their faith to themarketplace. More than 100 people — from bankers to gasstation owners to social work supervisors — have received The Catholic Spirit’s Leading With Faith Award.

Nominating is easy. Contact Mary Gibbs – 651-251-7709 or [email protected]— and we’ll send you a nomination form. The form is available online, too. Click on the Leading With Faith logo on TheCatholicSpirit.com orwww.Archspm.org and print one for yourself. Fill out the nomination form as completely as you can, and we’ll take it from there.

DO IT NOW: DEADLINE is June 21st

Give a GOOD Catholic boss a pat on the back!The Catholic SpiritNews With a Cathol ic Heart

Victor MendozaCristo Rey Jesuit High School,Minneapolis

Victor Mendoza attends the Basilica ofSt. Mary in Minneapolis. His parents areJose and Radhika Mendoza. He plans toattend Xavier University in Cincinnati,Ohio.


The greatest lesson that I have learnedin high school is to always keep going.That no matter how hard a task is, theonly way to finish is through hard workand dedication.


I am very proud of graduating andgetting accepted to a great college. Itshows that my hard work is finallypaying off.


“Tattoos on the Heart” was a bookthat showed me that there is good ineverybody no matter what they looklike. Everybody deserves a chance at agood life because once they are giventhat chance they will keep making goodchoices.


Martin Luther King Jr. because he wasa faith-filled man who had a powerfulunderstanding of right and wrong. Hisway of showing that everybody shouldbe equal is what Jesus wanted to showall of us.


I want to open a business for kidswho have nowhere to go. Also, I wouldlike to be able to expand my businessthroughout the nation so that I canhelp everybody who needs it. Lastly, Iwould like to graduate college to makemy parents proud.

Eric WarnemundeNew Prague High School

Eric Warnemunde attends St.Wenceslaus in New Prague. His parents areTim and Patty Warnemunde. He plans toattend the University of Minnesota-TwinCities.


In high school, I learned everyone isdifferent. I found out that someindividuals struggle with certain aspectsof school, and that each situation isunique. I learned to try to help studentsin need to the best of my ability.


I am glad I joined an anti-bullyinggroup in my school. I then became vicepresident of the club and helped to tryto stop bullying in my school.


My spiritual role models are my youthfaith group leaders, Tom and RoseScaramuzza. They got me to think aboutfaith in different terms and to care forthe community.


I would like to have a conversationwith St. Thomas Aquinas because hehad incredible insight into faith.Throwing aside the language barrier, Iwould hope to better understand whatfaith is.

What is your favorite prayer?My favorite prayer is the Hail Mary

because it allows me to admit I am asinner and beg for forgiveness. It is alsothe prayer I pray the most frequently.


The number one goal I hope toaccomplish is salvation. For my secondgoal, I hope to become a better person.For my third goal, I would like to earn adoctorate-level degree.

The Catholic Spirit • May 9, 2013 Rediscover-faith.org

Learningmore aboutour faith

The CatholicSpirit’s 4-pageRediscover:pulloutsection ineach issue of 2013highlights a newRediscover:theme for youto reflect onand discuss with others.

Coming upMay 23: Whostarted theCatholicChurch andwhy?

HEART OF THE MATTER

FatherMICHAEL

VAN SLOUN

Mary

Much of the basis for our devotion to theBlessed Mother Mary is found in SacredScripture, and her example has much to

teach and inspire us in the way that we practiceour Christian faith.

The Annunciation: The archangel Gabrielappeared to Mary and said, “Hail, favored one!The Lord is with you” (Luke 1:28). Mary was fullof grace because she was immaculatelyconceived. She grew in holiness because of herstrong spiritual upbringing by her parents, hermany trips to the Temple, and the time she spentin prayer with Scripture. When Gabrielannounced her vocation to be the mother ofJesus, she was ready to make her fiat, “May it bedone to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).

All of us are “full of grace” to a greater or lesserdegree. God wants us to grow in holiness, topractice our faith at home, to go to church andpray, and to pray with Scripture. Then, when weare called to our special vocation in life, we willhave such a strong spiritual foundation that wewill be ready to say yes to God as Mary did.

Mary’s conception: Mary was found to be with

child before she lived with Joseph (Matthew1:18). The situation surrounding her pregnancywas confusing and troubling, yet Marywelcomed her child. Mary is the champion ofthe Gospel of life, and her example shows us thesupreme importance of the protection of new lifein the womb.

The Visitation: Once Mary conceived, shetraveled to a small town outside of Jerusalem tovisit Elizabeth who was pregnant with John theBaptist (Luke 1:39-45). Elizabeth needed helpbecause she was advanced in years. With Jesuswithin her, Mary’s first inclination was to serve.

Mary demonstrates how the presence of Jesuswithin can change a person’s disposition. Marywas able to recognize someone in need andrespond generously. Jesus dwells within each ofus, particularly through our reception of theEucharist. His indwelling presence should moveus from selfish preoccupation to a keenerawareness of others and their difficulties, andpredispose us to offer our assistance.

Please turn to WE on back page of section

“Jesus dwells withineach of us,

particularly throughour reception of the

Eucharist. Hisindwelling presence

should move us fromselfish preoccupation

to a keenerawareness of othersand their difficulties,and predispose us tooffer our assistance.”

Father Michael Van Sloun

Blessed Mother in Scripture: a model of faith

Do Catholicsworship Mary?

Do Catholics worship Mary and the saints? No. We pray to them,but not in the same way we pray to God.

Think of it in this way: If you got sick and asked me to pray foryou, I would. This does not make me uniquely Catholic, or even

uniquely Christian. There are many non-Christians who believe in the power of prayer. IfI ask my non-Catholic Christian friends whetherthey pray for their spouse or their children, theywill say yes. If I ask them to pray for me, theywill say yes.

This is the same principle. We believe thatMary and the saints are dead to this world, butwe also believe they live on in the next world.And we believe that their prayers are just aspowerful — even more powerful. We areessentially saying to them, “We have problemsdown here. You know what it is like because youhave been here; pray for us!”

Our non-Catholic Christian friends don’tbelieve people can still pray in the afterlife. We

do. Our spiritual universe is just bigger. In fact, one of the mostincredible things about our Catholic faith is the vastness of ourspiritual universe.

Mary is the most famous woman in history. She leads allprominent women who have earned their fame by living a life of

virtue. She has inspired more art andmusic than any other woman in historyand, even in the modern age, shefascinates the imaginations of men andwomen of all faiths. In our own age, Maryhas appeared on the cover of Timemagazine more often than any otherperson.

I suspect that if we are to reconcile thegreat disharmony that exists between therole of men and the role of women inmodern society we will need the insight ofthis great feminine role model. Is itpossible for us to understand the dignity,value, mystery and wonder of women,without first understanding this woman?

But beyond her fame and her historicalimportance is her centrality to Christian

life. The first Christians gathered around her for comfort andguidance, yet some modern Catholics treat her like she has somecontagious disease. One of the great challenges that we face asmodern Catholics is to find a genuine place for Mary in ourspirituality.

A unique perspectiveMy wife recently gave birth to our first child, a son. Being a father

has filled me with many new spiritual insights. I love this little boyso much, and if I can love him so much in all my brokenness andwith all my limitations, how much more God must love me.

Through my son I have experienced the love of God in a wholenew way. I also just yearn to be with him. When I am on the road,or even at the office for the day, I yearn to get home and hold him,play with him, be with him. It strikes me that perhaps aboveeverything else God just yearns to be with us.

The birth of our son has also renewed my relationship with Mary.It has occurred to me that no matter how much I love my son, mywife will always have a unique perspective on his life. It doesn’tmean that she loves him more or that I love him less. It just meansthat a mother sees her child’s life in a way that nobody else can. If Idon’t take time occasionally to ask her about this motherlyperspective I unnecessarily miss a part of my son’s life.

A mother has a unique perspective. Nobody sees the life of a childthe way the child’s mother does — not even the father. It seems tome that every genuine Christian, not just Catholics, should beinterested in that perspective — and not just interested, butfascinated. In the rosary we ponder the life of Jesus through the eyesof his mother. This is an incredibly powerful experience if we enterinto it fully.

Kelly is an international best-selling author, speaker and founder of TheDynamic Catholic Institute.

By Dave HrbacekThe Catholic Spirit

For Laura Sobiech, the image of Mary is clear: standing silently,helplessly at the foot of the cross, watching her son die.

It’s not a picture many want to dwell on for very long. But forCatholics it’s at the heart of understanding who Mary is and whyshe matters to our faith.

In Sobiech’s case, it doesn’t take much to conjure up the sight ofthe suffering Mother of God. She just needs to go to a certain bedroomin her home and sit at the foot of her son Zach’s bed.

Zach is dying. A rare form of bone cancer called osteosarcoma isweakening his body day by day. He is now in the final stages of thedisease, at home in hospice care and taking only medications tohelp ease the pain and make him feel comfortable in his last days.

“Identifying with Mary’s suffering has been huge,” said Laura ofSt. Michael in Stillwater. “To meditate from her point of view, watch-ing her son suffer, has just really brought me peace and shown mehow to do it. She had quiet strength. The Way of the Cross, Marywas there for the whole thing, and there was nothing she couldreally do but be there.”

Like Mary, Laura has resolved to be by her son’s side for whatevertime he has left. She is joined faithfully by her husband of 23 years,Rob. Together, both have shared the ups and downs, joys and deepsorrows of their son’s battle with cancer, which began in the fall of2009.

Punched in the gutZach, the third of the Sobiechs’ four children, was out on a run

trying to get in shape for the upcoming basketball season. He hadplayed the sport at St. Croix Catholic School, and wanted to continuedoing so at Stillwater High School.

But he felt pain in his hip during the jog, and his parents decidedto take him to the doctor. At first, the tumor went unnoticed. Finally,when the pain was getting worse, they took him in for a CT scan,thinking he had developed a hip flexor. At that point, they were ex-pecting possible surgery followed by physical therapy.

They were in the waiting room, getting ready to leave with theirson and enjoy the upcoming weekend.

“Before we left the waiting room, the doctor called the waitingroom phone and wanted to talk to us immediately,” Laura said.“[Rob] picked up the phone and I came over and leaned my earagainst it. I couldn’t hear everything, but I could hear ‘tumor’ and‘it’s bad.’

“I just remember looking across the room at Zach and thinking,‘What do I tell him?’ because I wasn’t prepared to hear ‘tumor.’ Itwas one of those experiences where your body responds before yourhead has a chance to catch up. Your legs go weak and your mind isbusy going, ‘What? A tumor?’ It was a bad weekend.”

Said Rob: “It was like someone punched you in the gut.”

Solace in the rosaryNot long after the diagnosis, which came on Friday, Nov. 13, 2009,

Laura got serious about a goal she had set several years earlier —praying the rosary.

“When things started with Zach in 2009, it was pretty immediatethat I needed that lifeline,” Laura said. “That’s when I decided thatthis was going to be part of my daily routine. So, I actually set up mywork schedule to start later so that I could make sure I would getprayer in before I started my day.”

Now, with Zach’s life looking like it will end soon, Laura cravesher daily time with the Blessed Mother as much as ever. Though alifelong Catholic, only recently has she developed a devotion toMary and the rosary.

“I really struggled with it years ago,” she said. “My mom is Catholic,my dad is not. I probably had more Protestant influence growing upthan I did Catholic. I went to Catholic school and went to Massevery Sunday, but we also went to a lot of prayer meetings at mydad’s church. I really appreciate that side of my upbringing.”

When she and Rob got married in 1989, she peppered him with alot of questions about the Catholic faith and Mary. It was a challengefor Rob, who also grew up Catholic, because he embraced the teach-ings of the Church and did not have the same doubts and questionshis wife had.

A Familia group — a Catholic program committed to strengtheningfamilies — at St. Michael helped answer her questions and deepenher belief in the power of praying the rosary.

“Any time we have a struggle in thebecause I know that’s where we’re gogoing to get the grace — to get throdon’t have to do it on my own. It’s m

Strengthened by faithThe safety net of faith has been a cru

her son’s illness. In fact, faith is whatget through the dozen-plus surgeries, ttal, and the grim reports from doctorto see Zach’s illness as something moheartbreak.

“We were given our situation as anhad purpose. It was part of God’s planI’m going, ‘I don’t like it.’ But, if you ceternal [component], then the whole ssense. If you’re just dealing with what and this world is all that there is to ylem.”

Though Rob and Laura have founson’s failing health, their suffering rem

Fortunately, they have been able toments, like the day Bishop Lee Piché for family friend Matt Brown’s confirand the parish asked that Matt’s confi22 and be held at St. Mary so that Zac

The Browns are longtime family fsponsor to be there with him. PermisPiché expressed admiration for Zach’s

“It was huge,” Laura said. “I think areally was there, not just for Matt, buWe had this unique opportunity for areally cool thing.”

Though Zach’s condition slid downconfirmation, he summoned up thethoughts.

“It seemed a lot more special for himZach, who turned 18 on May 3. “I feconfirmation and remember it more tcause he got that personal touch. Anhim more.”

Still looking to GodAs his illness progresses, Zach will

The Catholic Spirit • May 9, 2013

CELEBRATING CATHOLICISM

MatthewKELLY

In the quiet stillness of sufferi

“One of thegreat challengesthat we face as

modernCatholics is tofind a genuine

place for Mary inour spirituality.”

Matthew Kelly

The canticle of Mary still resounds

In the symphony of Scripture, Mary is a flute. Her solo comes early in theGospel of Luke and is aptly titled “the Canticle of Mary.” Throughout theremainder, she adds trills and grace notes.

Our first biblical insight about Mary is our most profound: how readilyshe offers her yes to God’s will, as delivered by theangel Gabriel. No sooner has she murmured the wordswe all have uttered in the face of calamity or confusion— “How can this be?” — she has oriented herself in herfaith. “Behold,” she tells Gabriel moments later, “I amthe handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to meaccording to your word.”

Much as we contemplate the Annunciation, we maynever fully grasp just how much courage and trustMary demonstrated in that instant.

I was fortunate to experience the site where it tookplace, touring the Church of the Annunciation inNazareth on a windy June day. Framed by palm trees,pigeons and trumpet-shaped magenta flowers, thechurch is located halfway up a hill. As I studied thecity’s sloped, sun-scorched streets, I imagined how thephysical setting might have intensified the emotionalimpact of Gabriel’s news, how weak-kneed and woozy-headed Mary musthave felt.

And still, her yes to God. “May it be done.” Our second lesson about Mary is how relational she is: One verse after

Gabriel departs, St. Luke shows Mary making the long trek to the countryto visit her cousin Elizabeth, who is alsopregnant and had long been consideredinfertile. Mary didn’t indulge in a privatepity party or a bout of pregnancy nesting.Rather, she traveled far, “in haste,” andstayed an entire trimester to reap the fruitsof friendship.

Mary didn’t see the differences betweenher and Elizabeth: age, presumed fertility, marital status. She saw thesimilarities: faith-filled women facing stunning, life-changing pregnancies.Their time together provided both women with a vital source ofencouragement.

Our third lesson about Mary is the breadth of emotion that parenthoodbrought her: her delight in raising Jesus, her pain in witnessing his death— the cruelest tragedy to befall a parent. She can fully relate to anyexperience we may have and waits with open arms to wrap us in motherlycomfort. It is a special gift for Catholics to have Mary as our consoler andintercessor.

When we model our lives after the mother of God, we put these threelessons into action: accepting God’s will, valuing relationships anddropping on bended knee in prayer. We become servants, vessels of God’sgrace.

Heeding the second lesson can be particularly difficult. Sometimes itseems as though modern life has presented more challenges torelationships. Social networks conducted online can distance and dry upthe real deal. Facebook friendships can counterfeit true ones. We becomelazy, less prone to make an effort or go the distance. And, slowly, we forgetthe importance of the face-to-face, how we learn from and lean on eachother, the sacred exchange that can happen “where two or three aregathered together in my name” (Matthew 18:20).

Mary upends our contemporary notion of status, the hamster-wheelpursuit of paychecks and promotions. She reminds us that God elevates thelowly and pure of heart, not the people in the highest tax bracket or withthe most Twitter followers.

There’s something about Mary that reveals the human condition. Herjourney to see Elizabeth is remembered as the Visitation, a joyful mysteryof the rosary. Some of life’s most profound experiences are, indeed, joyfulmysteries. You cannot measure or name them, you can only embracethem, letting them remake you into someone more loving and more alive.

In the cacophony of daily life, with its blaring deadlines and vibratingsmartphones, it’s easy to overlook the flute that still hums Mary’s canticle.Step back today and listen to its song.

Capecchi is a freelance writer from Inver Grove Heights.

e family, I go right to the rosaryoing to get the grace — or I’mough things,” she said. “I justy safety net.”

ucial part of her journey duringt has helped the whole familythe 100-plus days in the hospi-s. And, it has given them eyesore than just pure misery and

n opportunity,” Rob said. “It’sn. Now, every day I look at it,can understand that there’s ansuffering part makes a lot moreyour situation is in this world,

you, then you have a big prob-

nd peace in the midst of theirmains intense. o experience some joyful mo-came to St. Mary in Stillwater

rmation. Zach was his sponsorirmation be moved up to Aprilch could be there.friends, and Matt wanted hisssion was granted, and Bishops courage during the Mass.all of us felt that the Holy Spiritut was spilling over to all of us.all of us to be together for this

nward in the days after Matt’se strength to offer a few brief

m, which I enjoyed a lot,” saideel like he’ll look back on histhan a lot of other kids will be-d, I think that will help guide

be surrounded by his family,

which includes sisters Alli, 22, Grace, 14, and brother Sam, 20. Then,there’s his longtime friend Sammy Brown, Matt’s older sister andZach’s singing partner, plus Zach’s girlfriend Amy Adamle, who be-longs to St. Ambrose in Woodbury.

“He has this sense of joy, and he shares it with everyone, evenwhen he’s down,” Adamle said. “His faith has made my faith strongerbecause even in dark times, he still looks to God. It helps me knowthat I can do that.”

This journey of ups and downs is sure to feature more of both thismonth. Alli will be married May 31 at St. Michael.

“I’ve sat down with her and had a conversation because we mayhave a funeral in that same church not long before the wedding,”Laura said. “So, we’ve got some things to think about. The way we’vedone it this whole time, or at least how I’ve done it, is you live in thepresent and we deal with what we’ve got in front of us because that’swhere God’s grace is.

“Alli and I talked about [that] we will laugh and we will cry, andwe’ll be OK with that. . . . I have put a lot of effort into finding joythroughout the whole journey, and I plan to continue that, activelyseeking joy. And, I think in order to do that and to find it, you haveto actively be grateful for what’s right here.”

Rediscover-faith.org

REFERENCEPOINTS

ChristinaCAPECCHI

ng, Mary resides

For reflectionHow can the BlessedMother’s example help youtoday in your faith life?

Left: Rob, Zachand LauraSobiech, at homeApril 24. Below: MatthewBrown greetsBishop Lee Pichéafter beingconfirmed duringa special MassApril 22 at St.Mary in Stillwater.His scheduledconfirmation wasmoved up toaccommodatethe failing healthof his sponsor,Zach Sobiech,center, who wasdiagnosed with arare form of bonecancer in 2009. (Dave Hrbacek / The Catholic Spirit)

The Catholic Spirit • May 9, 2013 Rediscover-faith.org

Thousands of Catholics to gather for day of celebration, inspiration

Rediscover: talks to be offered again in fall at new locations

The Catholic Spirit

This fall, 5,000 Catholics will come together at the St.Paul RiverCentre for a daylong celebration of faith thatwill include a slate of internationally known speakers,Mass with Archbishop John Nienstedt, live music and anexhibit hall spotlighting faith formation, worship andservice opportunities around the Archdiocese of St. Pauland Minneapolis.

Online registration is now open for the 2013Rediscover: Catholic Celebration atHTTPS://EVENTS.ARCHSPM.ORG/REDISCOVER. A form to register bymail can also be downloaded from the site.

“We want to continue to fan the flames of faith thathave been reignited through theRediscover: initiative,” said KathyLaird, who is co-chairing the eventwith Therese Coons.

“We hope that people who havebeen touched by the Rediscover: talks— and we had 12,000 attendeesengaged earlier this year in the speakers series who wantedto deepen their faith — will reach out and bring a friend,”Laird said.

The overall theme for the day — which runs from 8:30a.m. to 4:30 p.m. — is “So the World May Believe” (John17:21).

The event features:! Archbishop Nienstedt, who will preach the homily at

the Mass.! Bishop Lee Piché, auxiliary bishop of St. Paul and

Minneapolis.! Matthew Kelly, author of “Rediscover Catholicism”

and founder of The Dynamic Catholic Institute.! Father Robert Barron, founder of the global ministry

Word on Fire and the rector-president of MundeleinSeminary in the Archdiocese of Chicago. He also is thecreator of the award-winning documentary series“Catholicism” and an upcoming documentary on “TheNew Evangelization.”

! George Weigel, Distinguished Senior Fellow at theEthics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C., andauthor of “Evangelical Catholicism: Deep Reform in the21st-Century Church,” which examines the currentchallenges and opportunities confronting the CatholicChurch in the era of the “new evangelization.”

! Bishop Daniel Flores of Brownsville, Texas. ! Martha Fernández-Sardina, a new evangelization

speaker and former director of the Office forEvangelization in the Archdiocese of San Antonio, Texas.

! Jason Evert, author and chastity speaker.! Jeff Cavins, who will serve as emcee for the day. He is

the founder of the Great Adventure Bible Study Series anddirector of the Archbishop Harry J. Flynn CatecheticalInstitute.

Breakout groups, exhibit areaThe event will include tracks for youth, including one for

grades 7 through 10 that will feature Evert, eucharisticadoration and the Catholic band Sonar. Other tracks forkindergarten through sixth grade will focus “on the idea oflearning your faith and sharing your faith” and be led by

local Catholic teachers, Laird said.High school juniors and seniors and

college students will be included in theprogram for adults.

The track for Spanish speakers willfeature presentations by Bishop Floresand Fernández-Sardina.

Time is set aside during the day for confession, lunch,live music and visiting the event’s exhibition area, whichwill feature groups such as pro-life agencies, theCatechetical Institute, the St. Paul Seminary, Catholicbookstores and other organizations that serve the localCatholic community.

“There will be an opportunity to browse and pick upsome good literature — something you might need foryour own spiritual development — but also anopportunity for you to consider where you could be inservice to others,” Laird said.

“One of the themes that we really hope to call outduring this celebration is what Archbishop Nienstedt saidin his pastoral letter [on the new evangelization]: thatwe’re all called by baptism to be an evangelist, that weneed to be part of this and really understand that thispresents both challenges and opportunities,” Laird said.

It is an opportunity for Catholics from all walks of life tocome together for a day of celebration and inspiration,Laird said.

“We want to celebrate the gift of faith that we’ve beengiven from the time of Christ and from his apostles,” shesaid. “As they were sent out to bear the message, we alsoneed to share Christ with others. That comes alive whenyou share the joy with others.”

The cost of the 2013 Rediscover: Catholic Celebration is$15 for adults, $7 for youth in grades 7 to 10, and $5 forchildren in kindergarten through sixth grade.

The Catholic Spirit

Due to popular demand, the speakers series talks fromearlier this year will be offered again at new locations inthe fall. All talks begin at 7 p.m. and run a total of 90minutes, including time for hospitality. All events are freeand no registration is required.

Rediscover: meaning“Finding God's Purpose for My Life”Presented by Father Peter LairdMonday, Sept. 16 — Holy Name of Jesus, WayzataTuesday, Sept. 17 — Epiphany, Coon RapidsThursday, Sept. 19 — Pax Christi, Eden Prairie

Rediscover: belonging“Living in Communion with God”Presented by Father Michael Keating

Monday, Sept. 30 — Holy Name of Jesus, WayzataTuesday, Oct. 1 — Epiphany, Coon RapidsThursday, Oct. 3 — Pax Christi, Eden Prairie

Rediscover: strength“Overcoming Life's Challenges Through God's Grace”Presented by Father Andrew CozzensMonday, Oct. 21 — Holy Name of Jesus, WayzataTuesday, Oct. 22 — Epiphany, Coon RapidsThursday, Oct. 24 — Pax Christi, Eden Prairie

Rediscover: The Way“Keeping God at the Center of my Life”Presented by Deacon Joseph MichalakMonday, Nov. 4 — Holy Name of Jesus, WayzataTuesday, Nov. 5 — Epiphany, Coon RapidsThursday, Nov. 7 — Pax Christi, Eden Prairie

We have much to learn fromMary’s exampleContinued from first page of this section

Mary’s canticle: Mary offered a beautifulprayer, the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55). Sheloved God with all her heart and joyfullyoffered God her praise and thanks. Mary’sprayerfulness shows us the value of prayer. It isright and just that we should give praise andthanks to the Lord our God, and we can do soby reciting Mary’s prayer, praying in our ownwords, praying the Psalms, attending Mass,and many other ways.

The Nativity: Mary gave birth to Jesus inBethlehem (Luke 2:1-7). Mary was the “Christbearer,” and she brought Jesus into a troubledworld. Each of us is called to be a Christ bearer,to bring Jesus to the people we meet.

The Presentation: Mary and Joseph broughttheir newborn son Jesus to the Temple toconsecrate him to God (Luke 2:22-38). Marypromised to bring up her son in the faith, helphim to know God and prepare him to acceptGod’s will when he became an adult.

As Mary had Jesus consecrated to God,Christian parents should consecrate theirchildren to God by presenting them forbaptism. Then, they should train their childrenin the faith through prayer and religiousinstruction at home, faith formation at church,weekly Mass and preparation for thesacraments of reconciliation, Eucharist andconfirmation.

Flight to Egypt: Mary and Joseph fled toEgypt to protect Jesus from King Herod whowanted to harm their child (Matthew 2:13-15).Christian parents must do all in their power toprotect their children from anything thatwould hurt or corrupt them: mean people, the“wrong crowd,” bad television programs andmovies, questionable websites and dangeroussituations.

Christ child in the Temple: When Mary andJoseph “lost Jesus,” they went searching forhim and, once they found him they took himhome where he obeyed them (Luke 2:41-52).Our children may wander off, and if they do,parents should do their best to pursue andrescue them. Christian parents should havehouse rules based upon the Gospel and have aright to expect that their children will observethem.

Cana wedding feast: Mary made a profoundstatement at the Cana wedding feast. Speakingin reference to her son Jesus, she told theservers, “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5).Her timeless advice applies to every Christian:We must always do whatever Jesus asks of us.

Foot of the cross: Mary stood by the crosswhen her son Jesus was crucified (John 19:25).When her adult child went through his mostdifficult moment, she was there. Parentingdoes not end when the children grow up andleave the house. When adult children fall onhard times, senior parents, like Mary, find waysto support their suffering children.

Father Van Sloun is pastor of St. Stephen inAnoka.

Tune in Fridays at 9 a.m. on Relevant Radio1330 AM Rebroadcast: 6 p.m. Saturdays • 9 a.m. Sundays

How to registerVisit HTTPS://EVENTS.ARCHSPM.ORG/

REDISCOVER to register or for moreinformation.

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The Catholic Spirit - May 9, 2013

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