The Catholic Spirit - November 23, 2011

Newspaper of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis

Do-ityourself Advent

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The Catholic Spirit News with a Catholic heart

November 23, 2011

Guide to Senior Services

B-Section TheCatholicSpirit.com

THE POVERTY PROBLEM

Catholic Charities bringing more men out of cold Dorothy Day Center overflow shelter in St. Paul accommodates greater need this winter By Kathryn Elliott The Catholic Spirit

From dusk to dawn in the winter months, homeless men can sleep on gray pallets inside the former offices of Catholic Charities on the corner of Old Sixth Street in St. Paul. Last year, the City of St. Paul authorized the overflow emergency shelter — known as the “annex” — for Catholic Charities’ Dorothy Day Center to open during the last two weeks of the month, from January to April. Twenty-five people could stay each night by the terms of a conditional use permit from the city. This year, the city recognized an even higher need for space and upped the allowable building occupants to 50, expanding the permit to let the homeless come every day of the month if necessary — almost 100 additional nights throughout the winter. The catch is that more men will be needed to staff the annex at night, said Gerry Lauer, a senior program manager for the Dorothy Day Center.

Winter’s challenge Catholic Charities staff members were surprised to see hundreds camping outside the center this summer and anticipate those numbers will be driven higher as PLEASE TURN TO SHELTER ON PAGE 4A

Let’s work to assist those in great need The Dorothy Day Center in St. Paul is sponsored by our local Catholic Charities and has always prided itself in offering shelter to anyone needing a place to sleep for the night. Unfortunately, that capacity ended this past August, when the number of homeless people seeking assistance outgrew the space Archbishop available. For John C. the first time Nienstedt ever, people were turned away at the doors. This is another clear sign of the impact that this slumping economy is having on the lives of hundreds of people. The U.S. Census Bureau Archbishop reports that the to chair number of Americans liv- U.S. bishops’ ing in poverty committee rose by more — Page 7A than 2.6 million in 2010 to an all-time high of 46.2 million people. We are told that 1 in 15 Americans now live below the poverty line.

That They May All Be One

Silas Martin places personal items on a shelf next to his bed at the Dorothy Day Center emergency overflow shelter in St. Paul Nov. 15. Jim Bovin / For The Catholic Spirit

A RECORD 46.2 MILLION PEOPLE . . .

. . . just more than 15 percent, were living in poverty last year.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey

PLEASE TURN TO THANKSGIVING ON PAGE 2A

Priests prepare for new Mass prayers By Julie Carroll The Catholic Spirit

Priests around the archdiocese have been poring over liturgical scripts and rehearsing speaking parts in anticipation of the Nov. 27 debut of the new Roman Missal, which will usher in the most significant changes to the Mass in more than 40 years. While people in the pews will need to relearn some familiar prayers, it’s priests who will be most affected by the new Mass translation, which more closely matches the language of the Latin missal. “Pretty much every single prayer [the priest says] is being modified in some way, whether it’s being lengthened a little bit or some adjectives are being added,” Father John Paul Erickson, director of the archdiocesan Office of Worship, told The Catholic Spirit.

Along with the wording changes come changes to the priest’s chants, he said. “We priests get used to singing the prayers in a particular way, and with different wordings, that will necessitate different tones to use. So that will also take some getting used to.” Then there are the changes to special Masses, such as weddings and during Holy Week, he added.

Preparations To help priests prepare for the changes, and to help them prepare their parishioners, the archdiocese has conducted conferences and workshops, mailed instructional DVDs to parishes, published a series of articles in The Catholic Spirit, suggested resources for parish bulletins, and posted PLEASE TURN TO REVISED ON PAGE 11A

Learn more about the missal Did you catch the special issue on the new Roman Missal The Catholic Spirit mailed to Catholic households last week? All of the articles in that issue are also on our website at WWW.THECATHOLICSPIRIT.COM/ NEWROMANMISSAL.

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NOVEMBER 23, 2011 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Thanksgiving: Let gratitude motivate us to help others CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A The poverty rate among children rose to 22 percent, while the poverty rate among households headed by females swelled to 40.7 percent. At the same time, poverty among Hispanics is growing at a faster rate than any other group, with statistics showing 13.2 million people, comprising 26.6 percent of all Hispanics living here in the United States, fall below the poverty line. In addition, the number of people without health insurance has risen to 16.3 percent, while the number of workers with employee-paid health insurance declined to 55.3 percent. The picture is indeed bleak, with little relief in sight. The political stalemate in Washington, D.C., is surely a big part of the problem, but government alone should not be expected to resolve such an enormous challenge. We are all responsible for the common good. Institutions as well as individuals need to find ways to respond to the current situation. I encourage our parishes to find ways to do so by bonding with another parish from an economically challenged area of the archdiocese. Particularly as we approach this holiday celebration of Thanksgiving, I urge all of us to reflect carefully on the abundance of blessings we have received and consider how we can translate our gratitude into concrete actions.

Generous people I know the great generosity of our Catholic people in this archdiocese.

The Catholic Spirit

Archbishop’s schedule ■ Monday, Nov. 28: 4: p.m., West St. Paul, NET Ministries: NET board of directors semi-annual meeting and dinner. ■ Tuesday, Nov. 29: 8:30 a.m., St. Paul, Archbishop’s Residence: Scheduling meeting with staff. ■ Wednesday, Nov. 30: 2 p.m., Bismarck, N.D., Cathedral of Holy Spirit: Episcopal ordination and installation of Bishop-elect David Kagan. ■ Thursday, Dec. 1: 5 p.m., Minneapolis, The Depot: Catholic Charities’ St. Nicholas Dinner and annual meeting. ■ Saturday, Dec. 3: 6 p.m., Bloomington, Knights of Columbus Marian Hall: Knights of Columbus state convention. ■ Sunday, Dec. 4: 9:30 a.m., Minneapolis, Church of the Ascension: Sunday Liturgy and brunch. ■ Monday, Dec. 5: 8:30 a.m., St. Paul, Archbishop’s Residence: Planning for “lectio divina” at the University of St. Thomas. ■ Tuesday, Dec. 6: 8:30 a.m., St. Paul, Archbishop’s Residence: Scheduling meeting with staff. 9:30 a.m., St. Paul, Chancery: Archdiocesan Comprehensive Assignment Board meeting. 11:30 a.m., St. Paul, Leo C. Byrne Residence: Annual Christmas luncheon with senior priests. 2:30 p.m., St. Paul, Chancery: Archbishop’s Cabinet meeting. ■ Wednesday, Dec. 7: 11 a.m., St. Paul, Chancery: Minnesota Catholic Conference board of directors meeting. ■ Thursday, Dec. 8: 9:30 a.m., Mendota Heights, St. Thomas Academy: Mass for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. 3:30 p.m., St. Paul, Archbishop’s Residence: High tea with the St. Paul Winter Carnival royalty.

When we and other areas of the country were hit by tornados, faithful Catholics gave $219,592.74 for the relief efforts. Fifty percent was sent to the USCCB to help other communities, and 50 percent was sent to our own archdiocesan Catholic Charities for local assistance. In response to the terrible drought and refugee situation in East Africa, again our Catholic people donated $305,869.24 for relief efforts — all of which was sent to Catholic Relief Services. Such generosity, I have come to learn, is characteristic of

Catholics in this archdiocese. No single factor has created the present financial crisis that has left so many Americans impoverished. But it can be said that this situation has resulted in part from a culture of “not living within our means.” Rather than curse the darkness, we need to work together to find the light. Together we are brothers and sisters in Christ. Together we should reach out to assist those who are in great need, right here at home. God bless you!

Big on service, not on waste

The Catholic Spirit’s mission is to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. It seeks to inform, educate, evangelize and foster a spirit of community within the Catholic Church by disseminating news in a professional manner and serving as a forum for discussion of contemporary issues.

Just as the Catholic Services Appeal sent out its end-of-the-year mailing, Archbishop John Nienstedt announced that the Appeal had surpassed its 2011 goal of $9.3 million. Michael Halloran, director of the CSA, said the archdiocesan Office of Development and Stewardship invites the Catholic faithful to support the Appeal throughout the calendar year. “We just sent an end-of-year mailing to folks who have supported the Appeal in the past but maybe haven’t had an opportunity to make a gift yet this year,” he said. “It’s a great time of the year to do that, for obvious reasons: end-of-the-year tax consequences, and it’s that giving time of year.”

“[The contributions in this challenging economy are] an indication of the generosity of the Catholic faithful in our archdiocese, that they see the need to support the shared ministries of the church,” Halloran said. “The way we describe shared ministries is those ministries that any individual parish or person can’t do alone, but together as a diocesan church we can share our resources to make those ministries possible.”

Materials credited to CNS copyrighted by Catholic News Service. All other materials copyrighted by Catholic Spirit Publishing Company.

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The Catholic Spirit

Halloran added that he expects the final number for 2011 to reach $9.7 million. Last year, the CSA raised $9.4 million.

JOE TOWALSKI Editor

Published bi-weekly by the Catholic Spirit Publishing Company, a non-profit Minnesota Corporation, 244 Dayton Ave., St. Paul, MN 55102 (651) 291-4444, FAX (651) 291-4460. Periodicals postage paid at St. Paul, MN, and additional post offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Catholic Spirit, 244 Dayton Ave., St. Paul, MN 55102.

Catholic Services Appeal surpasses its 2011 goal

During a Nov. 17 interview, Halloran said the CSA had raised $9.535 million, which is the most ever raised by the Appeal.

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Due to Thanksgiving falling on our regular publication date, this issue of The Catholic Spirit went to press on Friday, Nov. 18, so you could receive it on Wednesday, Nov. 23. For additional news and updates, please visit THECATHOLICSPIRIT.COM. Also note that The Catholic Spirit will publish weekly during Advent, with issues on Dec. 1, 8, 15 and 22.

Sign of generosity

Vol. 16 — No. 23

BOB ZYSKOWSKI Associate publisher

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Among the shared ministries are the seminary, priests retirement, Catholic education, tuition assistance, Catholic Charities and more. “The needs are certainly much greater than the goal,” he said. And, 25 percent of the donations go back to support local parish ministries. The theme for the 2012 Appeal will be “Many are the Promises of God,” which is based on the Scripture readings for the CSA kickoff weekend at the beginning of Lent.

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To make a gift to the 2011 Catholic Services Appeal or to offer your time and talent in 2012, visit WWW.ARCHSPM.ORG and click on the red “Make a Donation” button at the top of the website page.

“Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you.” Blessed Mother Teresa

Local NOVEMBER 23, 2011

News from around the archdiocese

The Catholic Spirit

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50 years later, DeLaSalle alum still inspires classmates decided to reciprocate Kelly’s correspondences. The reunion was started by three members: Paul Harmon, Frank Lang and Tim Burns. Kelly has attended every one. “It started out as a little get together for Mike,” Harmon said. “Then, it expanded.”

By Dave Hrbacek The Catholic Spirit

Mike Kelly’s memory is legendary. That’s what fellow members of the 1961 graduation class at DeLaSalle High School in Minneapolis have said for years about Kelly, who graduated from the school despite the challenge of a developmental disability. “He can remember guys who started at DeLaSalle but didn’t finish,” said classmate Steve Roth of St. Leonard of Port Maurice in Minneapolis. “He remembers every one. He can tell you the homeroom they were in. He can tell you the year they left and why. “His memory is unparalleled. He can remember your wife’s name, your children’s names.”

Coming together That is one quality that makes Kelly a huge asset at the annual class reunion parties, which began in 1975 and continue to this day. Actually, the parties are a combined reunion and birthday party for Kelly, whose birthday is Nov. 26. The class had two gatherings this year, the official 50th class reunion party in August, and the more informal annual gathering that took place Nov. 15 at Elsie’s Bar, Restaurant and Bowling Center in northeast Minneapolis. A total of 42 men from the class attended. “It’s a family-type thing,” said class member Pat Shannon, who lives in Edina and belongs to St. Stanislaus in St. Paul. “I try to make it every year. I have made lifelong friends at DeLaSalle.” Everybody, it seems, is friends with Kelly, who lives with autism, which wasn’t

TheCatholicSpirit.com

Raising funds

Dave Hrbacek / The Catholic Spirit

Hugh Fleetham, left, and Pat Shannon talk with Mike Kelly during a DeLaSalle High School Class of 1961 reunion and birthday party for Kelly at Elsie’s Bar, Restaurant and Bowling Center in northeast Minneapolis Nov. 15.

diagnosed until years after his graduation from DeLaSalle. Knowing he had a disability, his mother, Anna, nonetheless enrolled him at the school, believing the challenge would be good for him. He was able to handle the academics with a lot of work, but he also had to deal with teasing from classmates. “We made his life pretty difficult, quite frankly, in a lot of ways,” said classmate Paul Harmon, of Mary, Mother of the Church in Burnsville. Despite the teasing, Kelly enjoyed his time at DeLaSalle and liked his classmates. Unfortunately, after graduation, he stumbled and eventually landed in mental health institutions, where he spent several

years. He stabilized and landed a job at Opportunity Workshop (now called Opportunity Partners), which provides jobs and other services for disabled adults. He retired almost two years ago after 42 years with the organization, and still lives in Minneapolis. As he moved forward in life, his mother encouraged him to reach out to his classmates. He began calling them and writing lengthy Christmas letters that he mailed out to them. Sensing his vulnerability — and wanting to make amends for the way some treated him — the members of the class, which numbered 325 (58 have since died),

Within the last two years, the Class of ‘61 created the Mike Kelly Special Scholarship Fund for special needs youth wishing to attend the school. Class members hope the fund will grow to the point of being able to start a special needs department at DeLaSalle. “This year, we have generated about $60,000 so far,” Harmon said. “It’s phenomenal — due totally to the ‘61 class. We haven’t gone outside [the class] yet. We will next year.” Members of this class have learned what a blessing it is to have students like Kelly. At last week’s reunion, he made them laugh with his imitations of former Presidents Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon, plus actor John Wayne. Then, he continued to dazzle them with his amazing memory. But, rather than quirky, his classmates see that quality as endearing, which is why so many of them show up every year. And, they give generously to cover the costs, with the extra money used to buy things that Kelly needs. “I think we all enjoy doing it and all the guys enjoy coming,” said class member Jim Litecky of St. Jerome in Maplewood, who has taken over as reunion organizer and also serves as the emcee. “It [helping Kelly] is something that we were taught at DeLaSalle.”

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THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • NOVEMBER 23, 2011

Shelter volunteers gain new perspective on homelessness CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A temperatures drop. Inside the Dorothy Day Center, up to 200 men and women can stay overnight per day. Combined with the 50 additional spots at the annex, Lauer said he is confident that will meet the need this winter. Mike, a homeless man who’s received Social Security disability payments for several years, said that while he’s heard about shelters that are “over-controlling� or have problems with theft, the Dorothy Day Center has good food, medical care and resources to help people look for housing and jobs. For many homeless people, winter is a tiring game of hiding from shopkeepers and mall cops, he said. “Just to walk around is hard. There’s no money to get on the bus — that’s hard. There’s no way to stay warm. There’s no place to go and it’s minus 10 degrees,� Mike said. “If [homeless people] have no money the best they can do is go to the Skywalk but you have to buy something, so you hide or keep walking and walking and walking.� The overflow accommodations where Mike often stays are simple but safe. Two volunteers and a Catholic Charities staff person spend the night in the sleeping area, helping admit people and serving in whatever way is needed.

From CEO to volunteer Right now, the volunteers come almost exclusively from St. John Neumann in Eagan. If groups of men from a few other churches could pick up some night shifts,

“[Volunteering] only makes me realize how much God blesses us each and every day.

�

TIM KANTOR

Dave Hrbacek / The Catholic Spirit

From left, volunteer Steve Hawkins of St. John Neumann in Eagan and Gerry Lauer, senior program manager at Catholic Charities Dorothy Day Center in St. Paul, stand in an annex that will be used to offer overnight shelter for up to 50 men. The annex is located on the second floor of a Catholic Charities building next door to the Dorothy Day Center.

Want to help? To volunteer at the Dorothy Day Center's overflow shelter, contact Steve Hawkins at STEVE@HAWKINSASSOCIATES.COM. For additional information, visit the Catholic Charities website at CCTWINCITIES.ORG.

Lauer said it could bring in new possibilities for the program. Seven months into his job as CEO of Catholic Charities, Tim Marx has agreed to volunteer a night to help support the overflow space. Marx said it’s important to him to visit all of Catholic Charities’

programs during the times they’re offered. While helping to staff the overflow shelter, someone else will be in charge, so Marx said he’ll do as he’s told. “I’m not CEO that night, I’m a volunteer.� Apple Valley resident Paul Stoll, a regular volunteer, said men from his parish of St. John Neumann who sleep at the annex soon realize that poverty isn’t a partisan issue, but a human issue. Stoll said he’s watched real compassion set in when men realize, “the guy on the street corner is ‘Johnny,’ and he’s a person.� As a 51-year-old database marketer, Tim Kantor said he hardly knew what a homeless person might look like until two years

ago when he was inspired to help out at the annex. This winter, he’s signing up to volunteer several weekends a month and insists that the commitment takes precedence over his other outings and activities. In the shelter, the focus is not on economic success. Volunteers speak on equal footing with the clients that need a place to stay, said Kantor, also a parishioner at St. John Neumann. Last spring, Kantor became friends with some of the men. They would go out to McDonalds after nights in the annex. One time a “regular� at the shelter brought Kantor a family scrapbook and proudly shared details of his history. “He knew that I cared enough to hear about his life story,� Kantor said. “By sharing his family, he gave to me.� Keeping people inside and out of the cold needs to be a community effort, said Lauer. It’s a matter of human dignity. “[Volunteering] only makes me realize how much God blesses us each and every day,� Kantor said. “But he also looks to us to take care of each other.�

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NOVEMBER 23, 2011 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

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‘The Archbishop and the Architect’

The Cathedral Museum, located in the lower level of The Cathedral of St. Paul re-opened Nov. 20 with a new exhibit, titled “The Archbishop and the Architect.” The exhibit features personal artifacts belonging to Archbishop John Ireland and the architect for the Cathedral, Emmanuel Masqueray. The museum had been closed for the past two months for renovation and reorganization.

Also featured in the exhibit, above, is a Roman Missal given to Archbishop Ireland by Pope Leo XIII. It was used by the Archbishop for many years. At left are drawing tools used by Masqueray. Both are part of the museum’s permanent collection.

Artifacts from the exhibit include, pictured above, two concept drawings of the Cathedral done by Masqueray. The drawing on the right is on loan from R.J. Seagren, the great-grandson of Frank Abrahamson, one of Masqueray’s architects. The drawing on the left iis part of the museum’s permanent collection.

Regular hours for the Cathedral Museum are noon to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and the first Sunday of the month after the 8 and 10 a.m. Masses. Dianne Towalski / The Catholic Spirit

Civil War chaplaincy counted Father Ireland among its ranks By Nikki Rajala For The Catholic Spirit

In 1861, President Abraham Lincoln called for priests to serve as Civil War hospital chaplains. Twenty-two answered, among them a young Minnesotan. At the Battle of Corinth, Miss., Oct. 4, 1862, a badly wounded Catholic boy called out to the Minnesota priest. Though the soldier had hardly attended Mass, he had, as a 9-year-old, FATHER IRELAND promised his mother on her deathbed to recite a daily Hail Mary, the sum of his faith. After the priest ministered to him, the soldier “received the sacraments” and died. The priest — 24-year-old chaplain Father John Ireland, ordained less than a year — was ministering to soldiers hardly older than he was in the Fifth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. In 1862, the chaplaincy corps had only 472 chaplains, Catholics and Protestants.

In his own words This year marks the 150th anniversary of the start of the War Between the States. In 1892, Archbishop Ireland jotted memories of his wartime chaplaincy in a letter to Holy Cross Father Peter Cooney, who proposed compiling a history of the Civil War chaplains’ corps. The letter,

“Archbishop Ireland’s Experiences as a Civil War Chaplain,” reprinted in an article published by Catholic University of America Press in 1953, is found in papers housed at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. He referred to himself for most of the letter as “he.” Archbishop Ireland recalled that in 1862 Bishop Thomas Grace of St. Paul, noting that Irish Catholics were well represented in Minnesota’s regiments and comprised a third of the Fifth Minnesota, requested a state chaplain to be appointed for all Minnesota regiments. Fresh from seminary study in France, then-Father Ireland joined the Fifth Minnesota in Mississippi shortly after the Battle of Pittsburg Landing [Shiloh] and took over as chaplain on June 23, 1862. “Numberless thousands of Catholics scattered through the army never saw a priest during the war,” he wrote. “No one was near them at moment [sic] of death … The chaplains actually put into the field were a mere handful.” Regiments without priests, he wrote, became reckless and indifferent to religion. So his mission was to celebrate Mass on Sundays and offer brief homilies. Impassioned, he served his own regiment and others if needed, he wrote, “visiting hospitals — riding 10, 20 miles or more across country” to reach them. He ministered in stifling heat with men suffering from battle wounds as well as typhoid, malaria and other diseases. A Catholic soldier, he wrote in the letter, was sick in a Tennessee hospital, having eaten only crackers and water every Friday

for two years, unaware that servicemen had been exempted from such privations during wartime. Treated with respect from all, regardless of their religion, he recalled “Protestants vieing [sic] with Catholics to make him feel comfortable — to divide with him their last cracker.” On battlefields and in hospital tents he called out to Catholics. He regularly heard their confessions, especially when rumors of a battle were brewing, as on the eve of the Battle of Iuka, Miss., Sept. 18-19, 1862, when he sat all night under a tree hearing confessions. Catholics were unburdened of their sins, he jotted, and non-Catholics received into the church as well. “. . . On one occasion, an officer was dying — shot in the face — blood pouring out. He wrote on a slip of paper: ‘Chaplain,’ and the slip, red with blood, was carried around by a soldier, seeking for a chaplain. I hurried: the man was conscious — dying fast. ‘Speak to me,’ he said, ‘of Jesus.’ He had been baptized — there was no time to talk of Church. I talked of the Savior, and of sorrow for sin. The memory of that scene has never been effaced from my mind. I have not doubted the salvation of that soul.” He maintained his fervor through Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas and Louisiana, suffering drudgery, dirt, loneliness, bad food and sickness with the men. However, explaining to his bishop the reduced number of Catholics in his regiment, he resigned the appointment on April 3, 1863. At an 1891 reunion of the regiment,

Minnesota and the Civil War: 1861-1866 ■ What: A special Civil War exhibit featuring rare artifacts, photos, uniforms and clothing and interactive computer programs. ■ Where: Minnesota Military Museum, 15000 Hwy 115, Camp Ripley, Little Falls. ■ When: Thursdays and Fridays 9.a.m. to 4 p.m. November through April (1 to 5 p.m. Nov. 25-26). ■ Cost: Adult: $5 Children 6-16: $2 ■ For more information, call 320-6166050 or visit http://www.mnmilitary museum.org.

Archbishop Ireland wrote in the reminiscence, “Two soldiers he had not met since the days of war took affectionately his [my] hand. One of them had been in 1862 taken down with Small-pox, near Germantown, Miss. — and had been placed under cover of a small tent at safe distance from the camp. Another soldier had volunteered and had been allowed to stay with him to nurse him. For many weary days they were alone — their spirits drooping; the one cheering circumstance was the occasional visit of their young chaplain. . . . Both soldiers were Protestants.” Though short, his ministry in the war was important for the church. Father Ireland ended his letter to Father Cooney with: “My years of chaplaincy were the happiest and most fruitful years of my ministry.”

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THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • NOVEMBER 23, 2011

Bout with unemployment offers inspiration “A Spiritual Guide to the Unemployed” by Timothy Mullner. Liguori Publications (Liguori, Ill., 2011). 128 pp., $10.99. Reviewed by Bob Zyskowski The Catholic Spirit

What was Timothy Mullner going to do without his vice-president’s title, a staff to direct and an expense account? Terminated — by phone yet — the life-long Catholic turned to God to ask where God was calling him. One of the answers was to write “A Spiritual Guide for the Unemployed.” This is a book filled with realistic, down-to-earth, fromthe-gut emotional releases that will likely resonate with most of the 9plus percent of the U.S. population that is out of work. Yet it’s a prayerful, powerful work with touches of humor, anecdotes that will make you misty-eyed, and will probably have many of the unemployed among God’s children nodding their heads in agreement.

Easy to read and relate to Mullner, who once was a youth minister at St. Stephen in Anoka, writes about asking for God’s grace — “Help me be gracious” upon learning

that his position was being eliminated. Among the thoughts and questions for reflection at the end of each chapter he suggests: “Write a prayer or poem about ‘Hearing the news.’” “Don’t think, just write,” he says. There’s both prose and easy-to-read poetry — prayers in poem form, really — in this unique self-help book. Readers will find it full of understanding. Having been unemployed myself at one time, I could relate to thoughts like, “I kept wondering what I could do and whom I could talk with to correct this ‘obvious’ error.” There’s this great line in a prayer/poem to the Lord: “Your will be done, and quickly wouldn’t hurt.”

Advice and encouragement Mullner’s unemployment period wasn’t over quickly, however. His 15 months without a job meant selling a house, moving in with friends, and taking a call from an adult son who says, “You’ll be OK, Dad.” Now employed, Mullner advises, “Choose hope over fear and faith over despair.” The book’s closing section is a useful “Top Ten List for Finding Your Way Through Unemployment.” As beneficial as I think that will be,

Book signing dates Dates, times and sites where Timothy Mullner will speak and/or sign his book: ■ Nov. 29 — 7:30-9 a.m. Unemployment group at Easter Lutheran Church, Eagan. 7 p.m. Unemployment group at Epiphany, Coon Rapids. ■ Dec. 1 — 2 p.m. Unemployment group at Basilica of St. Mary, Minneapolis. 6:30 p.m. Potluck and talk to follow with unemployment group at St. Peter Claver, St. Paul. ■ Dec. 3 — 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Book signing only at St. Patrick’s Guild, St. Paul.

I can’t help but wonder if these words of Mullner’s may not be even more supportive — yet challenging — to those still looking for work: “God is waiting to see what you’ll do with the gifts you’ve been given.” It’s beautiful writing, not unexpected from Mullner, who contributed to The Catholic Bulletin during his time in Anoka. Thanks to Liguori for publishing something so helpful. Bob Zyskowski is associate publisher of The Catholic Spirit. Read more book reviews on his blog at THECATHOLICSPIRIT.COM.

Priest found guilty of sexual misconduct with adult woman The Catholic Spirit The Nov. 15 verdict by a Ramsey County jury finding Father Christopher Wenthe guilty of third degree sexual misconduct as a result of a sexual relationship with a young adult woman “represents the conclusion of a serious boundary violation that should never have been committed,” the archdiocese said in a statement issued the same day. Father Wenthe had been charged with two counts of criminal sexual conduct in the third degree. The charge relates to sexual conduct “which occurs during a period in which a member of the clergy is meeting with the person to provide religious or spiritual advice, aid or comfort in private.” Father Wenthe was found guilty of having sex with the woman in 2003 while he was serving as associate priest of Nativity of Our Lord in St. Paul and while he was providing her spiritual counsel and advice. The priest was acquitted of a second count that alleged that he continued having sex with the woman from November 2003 to February 2005, while she was still receiving religious or spiritual help. He is free on bond while waiting for sentencing Dec. 14. “The archdiocese regrets the pain and suffering that the woman has suffered and continues to offer her assistance and care,” the statement said. It also said that after the woman reported the sexual relationship to the archdiocese in 2005, Father Wenthe admitted the relationship but denied criminal wrongdoing. He was returned to active ministry with certain restrictions and conditions after he underwent psychological assessment and treatment and a review by the Clergy Review Board, according to the statement. He was removed from active ministry after the woman took the case to the police in 2010, according to the archdiocese.

UNIVERSITY of ST. THOMAS CHRISTMAS CONCERTS

Christmas poster contest

I will keep the Christmas spirit alive all year by . . . Join us as the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Music presents its 24th annual concert of choral and instrumental music for Advent and Christmas.

The Catholic Spirit is sponsoring a Christmas poster contest for youths in grades one through 12 who are enrolled in the archdiocese’s Catholic schools and religious education programs. Home-schoolers may also enter. Prizes will be awarded to individuals producing winning entries.

Sunday, Dec. 5 4 p.m. (sold out) & 7:30 p.m. ORCHESTRA HALL MINNEAPOLIS TICKETS ON SALE NOW

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$ 15

Order online: www.minnesotaorchestra.org (612) 371-5656 (800) 292-4141

■ Artists are asked to finish the phrase: “I will keep the Christmas spirit alive all year by __________.” The completed sentence must appear with a picture on each entry. ■ Artists may use markers, crayons, colored pencils and/or paints. ■ Entries must be submitted on 8.5-by-11-inch paper. ■ The artist’s name, address, telephone number, grade and parish should appear on the back of each entry. A first-place prize will be awarded in each of four categories: grades one through three, grades four through six, grades seven through nine, and grades 10 through 12. The winning entries, along with honorable mentions, will be published in The Catholic Spirit’s special Christmas edition, Dec. 22. A panel of Catholic Spirit judges will select the winners based on artistic skill, creativity and reproducibility. Each winner will receive a $50 Visa gift card. Entries must be postmarked by Friday, December 9. Posters should be sent to: Christmas Poster Contest • The Catholic Spirit • 244 Dayton Ave • St. Paul, MN 55102.

Questions: Call editor Joe Towalski at (651) 291-4455, or e-mail him at TOWALSKIJ@ARCHSPM.ORG.

“We are not on earth as museum keepers but to cultivate a flourishing garden of life and to prepare a glorious future.” Blessed Pope John XXIII

Nation/World News from around the U.S. and the globe

NOVEMBER 23, 2011

The Catholic Spirit

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Reclaim truth about church, archbishop says

Briefly

By Nancy Frazier O’Brien

Bishops vote to establish health care subcommittee

Catholic News Service

Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of New York called on his fellow bishops Nov. 14 to communicate to the world that the sinfulness of the church’s members is not “a reason to dismiss the church or her eternal truths, but to embrace her all the more.” In his first presidential address since election as president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops last November, Archbishop Dolan opened and closed with the words: “Love for Jesus and his church must be the passion of our lives.” Describing the church as a spiritual family that “to use the talk show vocabulary . . . has some ‘dysfunction,’” he said the bishops’ “most pressing pastoral challenge today is to reclaim that truth, to restore the luster, the credibility, the beauty of the church.” But he cited “chilling statistics we cannot ignore” that “fewer and fewer of our beloved people — to say nothing about those outside the household of the faith — are convinced that Jesus and his church are one.” “So they drift from her, get mad at the church, grow lax, join another or just give it all up,” Archbishop Dolan said. “If this does not cause us pastors to shudder, I do not know what will.”

New members a ‘gift’ He also acknowledged the enthusiasm of “young people, new converts and recent arrivals” as well as “the wonderfully deep and radiant faith of Catholic immigrants who are still a most welcome — while sadly harassed — gift to the church and the land we love.” In his talk, the archbishop said “the church invites the world to a fresh, original place, not a musty or outdated one,” he said. “She dares the world . . . to foster and protect the inviolable dignity of the human person and human life; . . . to protect marriage and family; to embrace those suffering and struggling; to prefer service to selfishness; and never, ever to stifle the liberty to quench the deep-down thirst for the divine.”

New York Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, celebrates Mass at the start of the bishops’ annual fall meeting in Baltimore Nov. 14. CNS photo / Nancy Phelan Wiechec

Penn State shows scope of abuse scourge Catholic News Service The scandal rocking Penn State University shows both the scope of the sex abuse problem and the value of safe environment training, the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops said at a Nov. 14 news conference. Responding to a question following the first session of the USCCB fall general assembly in Baltimore, Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of New York said the news that has led to the indictment of several Penn State officials and the firing of the university’s president and its longtime football coach, Joe Paterno, “has reopened a wound in the church as well.” “It shows that the scourge [of sex abuse] is not limited to any one faith and certainly not limited to priests,” he said. “It’s in organizations, in universities, all over the place, in families and, yes, in priests.”

Bishop Lori outlines religious liberty issues at assembly By Patricia Zapor Catholic News Service

After a lengthy report from the chairman of a new Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty, the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops said he came away from a recent meeting with President Barack Obama encouraged about some aspects of religious rights concerns. Speaking Nov. 14 at the bishops’ fall general assembly, Bishop William E. Lori of Bridgeport, Conn., committee chairman, outlined a range of actions by government agencies seen as threats to religious rights. He explained the constitutional and natural law concerns the ad hoc committee aims to address. At a news conference following the session, New York Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, president of the USCCB, said he came away from a Nov. 8 meeting with Obama “a bit more at peace than when I entered” the Oval Office when it

comes to religious liberty. He said he found the president to be “very open to the sensitivities” of the U.S. Catholic Church on issues related to religious freedom that the two discussed. He said the meeting touched on a wide range of topics and that by mutual agreement with the White House, details of the meeting would not be made public, Archbishop Dolan said. He said the current issues related to religious liberty might be an area where there is room for compromise “as long as we’re not compromising our principles.”

Current issues Among the situations Bishop Lori described in his presentation to the bishops are several related to policies of the Department of Health and Human Services. They include an HHS mandate requiring no-cost coverage of contraception and sterilization in most health plans. The mandate is what the federal gov-

ernment terms an “interim final rule” that has “the full force and effect of law.” Religious groups have objected to it, saying that providing the coverage violates their conscience rights and claim that a proposed religious exemption is too narrowly drawn. HHS also recently denied a one-year grant to the U.S. Catholic bishops’ Migration and Refugee Services to aid foreign-born human trafficking victims. The attention has focused on requirements in the guidelines for the new grants that called for agencies to offer the “full range of reproductive service,” including abortion and contraception, to trafficking victims. Bishop Lori also cited the Department of Justice’s shift from defending the Defense of Marriage Act to opposing it in court “as an act of ‘bias and prejudice’ akin to racism, thereby implying that churches which teach that marriage is between a man and a woman are guilty of bigotry.”

To read longer versions of the articles on this page, go to The Catholic Spirit’s website, THECATHOLICSPIRIT.COM.

The U.S. bishops voted Nov. 14 at their fall general assembly in Baltimore to establish a permanent Subcommittee on Health Care Issues under the jurisdiction of their Committee on Doctrine. Archbishop Henry J. Mansell of Hartford, Conn., said he was “strongly in favor” of the new subcommittee because health care is part of “the Gospel mission of the church” and involves “billions and billions of dollars in funding. We run the risk of losing a major ministry of the church if we don’t keep a close eye on health care issues.”

Archbishop Nienstedt to chair committee Archbishop John Nienstedt was voted chairman-elect of the Committee on Doctrine at the USCCB Fall General Assembly in Baltimore Nov. 14. The committee deals with theological and doctrinal matters affecting the U.S. church. Archbishop Nienstedt also is a member of the newly created Subcommittee on Health Care Issues under the jurisdiction of the Committee on Doctrine. As a committee chair, he will sit on the Administrative Committee, which directs the work of the USCCB between plenary sessions.

New ordinariate to be created Jan. 1 A new ordinariate — functionally similar to a diocese — will be created Jan. 1 to bring Anglicans into the U.S. Catholic Church, announced Washington Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl during the annual meeting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Nov. 15. Cardinal Wuerl also said 67 Anglican priests have submitted their dossiers seeking ordination in the Catholic Church, and 35 of those have received initial approval from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Cardinal Wuerl told reporters after the session with the bishops that Anglican parishes with a total of about 2,000 members have so far asked to become part of the Catholic Church through the process established in 2009 when Pope Benedict XVI issued an apostolic constitution, “Anglicanorum coetibus.” Cardinal Wuerl was named by the Vatican to head an ad hoc committee for the constitution’s implementation. The constitution authorizes the creation of an ordinariate to bring in Anglicans, or Episcopalians as they are known in the United States, who seek to leave their tradition and join the Catholic Church but retain certain elements of the Anglican liturgy and traditions. — Catholic News Service

“Caring for the least among us means supporting leaders and policies that promote the common good.” From the U.S.Catholic bishops’ Faithful Citizenship document

This Catholic Life 8A

The Catholic Spirit

Opinion, feedback and points to ponder

November 23, 2011

Campaign do’s and don’ts Rules remain the same, but new mood seen in U.S.

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he names on the ballot may change from one election to another, but the guidelines for what taxexempt religious organizations can and cannot do in a political campaign remain basically unchanged. “The law says that organizations exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, which includes charities and churches, may not participate or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office,” the InNancy Frazier O’Brien ternal Revenue Service says on its website. That means no endorsements, checklists, guides promoting one candidate over another or sample ballots by tax-exempt parishes and organizations or their publications. But it does not prevent religious leaders or members of other tax-exempt organizations from speaking out on the issues, organizing voter registration drives or nonpartisan educational forums or publishing candidates’ responses to a questionnaire as long as the questions cover a broad range of issues and do not reflect any bias. “The rules are still the same. There has been nothing that has changed substantially” since the 2008 presidential elections, said Deirdre Dessingue, associate general counsel at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. “But there has been a change in the mood.” She cited several factors affecting that change in mood — a 2010 U.S. Supreme Court ruling on corporate contributions to political campaigns that led some to question the limits on political intervention by charitable organizations; a district court ruling in Minnesota that IRS determinations about whether to investigate a church’s tax-exempt status were being made by officials at too low a level; and continuing efforts by the Alliance Defense Fund to draw the IRS into a battle with a church whose pastor has endorsed a political candidate from the pulpit.

Analysis

Pulpit protest More than 500 Protestant ministers from 46 states and Puerto Rico participated in the Alliance Defense Fund’s fourth annual Pulpit Freedom Sunday Oct. 2 by preaching sermons that presented biblical perspectives on candidates’ political positions. “ADF hopes to eventually go to court to have the IRS rule known as the Johnson Amendment struck down as unconstitutional for its regulation of sermons, which are protected by the First Amendment,” said a news release from the organization. “Churches should be allowed to decide for themselves what they want to talk about,” said Erik Stanley, ADF senior legal counsel. “The IRS should not be the one making the decision by threatening to revoke a church’s tax-exempt status.” That approach is far from the stand taken by the USCCB, however. “Our advice remains the same,” Dessingue said. “We advise our dioceses and parishes to always check with” church legal advisers in their area before any actions or utterances that could be construed as a political endorsement. She said parishes should be especially cautious about allowing the distribution of outside voter guides at the back of the church or in church parking lots. “They might have been prepared by organizations that are not

CNS photo / Jim West

An election official hands a ballot to a voter at a polling place in 2006 at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Detroit.

Political guides online For those who would like to get the IRS’ guidance on political campaigns directly from the source, the agency offers a minicourse on “Political Campaigns and Charities: The Ban on Political Campaign Intervention” at WWW.STAYEXEMPT.IRS.GOV/PORTALS/0/PDF/ POLITICAL_CAMPAIGNS_AND_CHARITIES.PDF. The U.S. bishops’ “Faithful Citizenship” website offers guidelines for parishes that focus as much on the do’s of political responsibility as on the don’ts. Visit: WWW.FAITHFULCITIZENSHIP.ORG. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops website lists various political guidelines. Go to WWW.USCCB.ORG and click on OFFICES at the top of the page, scroll down to and click on GENERAL COUNSEL and then click on POLITICAL ACTIVITY GUIDELINES in the shaded box at the left. 501(c)(3) organizations and that do not have to abide by the same rules,” Dessingue said.

Catholic Answers and IRS A 2004 voter guide put out by Catholic Answers, a California-based group that describes itself as “one of the nation’s largest lay-run apostolates of Catholic apologetics and evangelization,” prompted an IRS investigation even

though it did not include the names of any candidates for political office. The IRS began a separate investigation into two eletters sent by Karl Keating, Catholic Answers president, questioning whether Sen. John Kerry, a Catholic from Massachusetts who was the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee, should receive Communion at Mass because he supported keeping abortion legal. Catholic Answers was ordered to pay excise taxes for 2004 and 2005, but the IRS returned the taxes with interest in 2009, saying that the alleged political activity “was not willful and flagrant.” Catholic Answers contended throughout the process that the e-letters were not political activity. Although both investigations were eventually closed, James Bopp Jr., an attorney representing Catholic Answers, announced Oct. 21 that the organization would ask the U.S. Supreme Court “to let it sue the IRS for improperly taxing its constitutionally protected political speech.” Lower federal courts said Catholic Answers had no standing to sue because the money had been refunded. “This allows the IRS to harass and penalize nonprofits who discuss public officials who are also running for office while leaving those nonprofits without any recourse: simply return the money at the last minute and never be sued for taxing protected speech that shouldn’t be taxed in the first place,” Bopp said. Nancy Frazier O’Brien writes for Catholic News Service.

This Catholic Life / Commentary

NOVEMBER 23, 2011 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

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Gospel mandate shouldn’t be fettered by federal mandate he issue of religious freedom has received a great deal of attention in recent months on a variety of fronts, including in the health care arena, where the U.S. bishops and other Catholic groups have been voicing opposition to a federal Department of Health and Human Services mandate requiring no cost coverage of contraception and sterilization in most private health insurance plans. This “interim final rule” from the HHS includes only a very narrow religious exemption. Basically, to qualify, a Catholic institution must primarily serve and hire Catholics, which would be a serious blow to Catholic social service and health care providers. The rule violates the conscience rights of Catholic institutions as well as others who would be forced to cover services they find morally objectionable or curtail the services they provide. Catholic institutions and others with similar beliefs regarding the HHS mandate aren’t seeking to impose their moral views on others; what they are asking is for others to respect their deeply rooted religious beliefs — a protection that is afforded by no less than the U.S. Constitution. That’s what makes a recent StarTri-

T Editorial Joe Towalski

State senator has facts wrong on health coverage issue

They also include hundreds of Catholic institutions of higher learning that not only provide a good education to their students — Catholic and non-Catholic alike — but also instill in them important values, like respecting the life and dignity of every human being and serving the common good as they set out to start careers and families.

“Clearly, it’s the federal government that is ‘blatantly undermining religious freedom’ by coercing religious institutions to violate core beliefs.

”

JOE TOWALSKI

bune commentary authored by a Minnesota state senator puzzling. Sen. Scott Dibble of Minneapolis states that “the Catholic bishops’ efforts blatantly undermine religious freedom in our country.” Come again? Clearly, it’s the federal government that is “blatantly undermining religious freedom” by coercing religious institutions to violate core beliefs.

Serving those in need Particularly offensive is this statement from the senator: “This is just the latest in a broad campaign by the bishops to impose their narrow religious views onto the laws of our country (and to enrich themselves

with taxpayer dollars for the programs and institutions they run at the same time.)” The programs and institutions to which he refers and that make use of public funding to “enrich themselves” include Catholic Charities agencies around the country that last year helped more than 10 million people — regardless of their religious affiliations — to gain access to food, housing, counseling and other social support services. They include Catholic hospitals and other Catholic health care facilities that serve millions of people, including many of the poor who would have a difficult time getting care anywhere else.

If Catholic institutions are forced to curtail these services — in reality ministries that flow from the church’s social teachings and that benefit broader society — because of government rules, then government, and consequently taxpayers, will have to pick up much of the slack. Are Sen. Dibble and other legislators prepared to raise taxes in this economy to make up what is lost? Likely not. Sen. Dibble says “our lawmakers should be focused on keeping people healthy.” The way to accomplish this is to respect the religious freedom of Catholic institutions and let them do what they have been doing well for centuries: responding to the Gospel mandate to care for all those in need without being fettered by a government mandate that doesn’t include an adequate conscience exemption respecting the core American principle of religious freedom.

Love, marriage and the ‘tools’ of engagement The following column — part of a series about the marriage amendment — is provided by the Minnesota Catholic Conference, which advocates on behalf of the state’s bishops for public policies and programs that support the life and dignity of every human person. ecently, USA Today reported that a group of politicians who want to redefine marriage are calling on their advocates to shift the focus from an argument about equal rights to an argument about “love and commitment.”

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Faith in the Public Arena

It apparently tests better than the “equality” and “benefits” sound bites. Surprising? No. If someJessica one asks you, “Do you Zittlow really want to deny someone love and commitment?” the knee-jerk reaction, especially for a Christian of good will is, “Of course not!” But, is denying a person “love and commitment” the issue when we talk about preserving marriage as one man, one woman in the state constitution? Of course not. “Love is love” is a nice sentiment, but we know from human experience that love has never been just love. As Jesuit Father Pedro Arrupe stated: “What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the mornings, what you will do with your evenings, how you spend your weekends, what you read, who you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude.” Father Arrupe is referring to falling in love with God, or experiencing a love that orders oneself toward and, ultimately, with

“We must explain our Catholic beliefs and remember what Blessed Pope John Paul II would often tell us: ‘Be not afraid.’ Authentic compassion and conviction are rooted in the truth of God. They live in the same space.

”

JESSICA ZITTLOW

the Divine. Pop culture “love” slogans refer to a relationship between two people. We intuitively know love and commitment is not sufficient for marriage. It is needed for marriage, yes. But, the government ultimately has no interest in regulating the “love and commitment” between two people. The government does have an interest in promoting institutions that help ensure a child is raised by his or her biological mom and dad.

Tough conversations When asked the “love and commitment” question during a marriage amendment discussion, we usually don’t have the luxury of writing a three-paragraph response. We get it. It’s tough. We are all afraid to have the conversation because we don’t want to be called “bigots” or “haters.” More important, we don’t want to be seen as uncompassionate, unloving or unwelcoming to our fellow Catholics with same-sex attraction. But we must explain our Catholic beliefs and remember what Blessed Pope John Paul II would often tell us: “Be not afraid.” Authentic compassion and conviction are rooted in the truth of God. They live in the same space.

If we avoid engaging in the conversation about what marriage is and why the marriage amendment is important, we are also avoiding conversations about: the beauty and freedom found in Catholic teaching on sexuality, the dignity and natural rights of every person and the need to find real, meaningful ways to be in solidarity with our brothers and sisters with same-sex attraction, some of whom should be seen as models for the chaste, holy lives that we are all called to live.

Tools of engagement In the coming months, the Minnesota Catholic Conference will provide the tools to help you enter in to these tough discussions. Going into 2012 we encourage you to: ■ Educate yourself. Know what the church says and doesn’t say about marriage and sexuality, and the rights and roles of Catholics in the “public square.” MCC recently launched a blog: “Unique for a Reason, Why Marriage Matters” (HTTP://MARRIAGEMATTERS.MNCC.ORG) that offers a variety of perspectives from your fellow “Catholics in the pew” on why marriage matters to the church and to them personally. Links to our new

YouTube channel and the MCC marriage resource page can also be found on the blog. In the coming months, we will be continuing to add to and improve the usability of our marriage resource page (HTTP://MNCC.ORG/ISSUES/MARRIAGE). ■ Take heart in your bishops. Be assured that your Minnesota bishops, in communion with the bishops throughout the U.S., are fully engaged in the issue. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops recently re-launched the “Marriage: Unique for a Reason” (HTTP://WWW.MAR RIAGEUNIQUEFORAREASON.ORG/ABOUT-US) website that offers catechetical aids on marriage and sexuality, including Spanish resources (HTTP://WWW.MARRIAGEUNIQUEFORA REASON.ORG/LA-FAMILIA-VIDEO). ■ Engage in the issue. As human beings, we are social beings, and therefore are inherently political. We are called to be active citizens. Everyone has their own special gifts. Consider using them to promote the common good and help pass the 2012 Marriage Protection Amendment. Sign up on the Minnesota for Marriage (HTTP://WWW.MINNESOTAFOR MARRIAGE.COM) website to get involved. ■ Pray, pray, pray. “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). The promotion and protection of marriage begins with prayer. This is about a broader cultural issue. It is not only about passing the amendment, it is about renewing the understanding of and respect for life, marriage, sexuality and chastity within ourselves, our Catholic community and American culture. We invite you to pray with us (HTTP://WWW.MAR RIAGEUNIQUEFORAREASON.ORG/PRAYER). Jessica Zittlow is the communications associate of the Minnesota Catholic Conference.

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THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • NOVEMBER 23, 2011

Commentary

/ This Catholic Life

Civilization cuts violence, except in death penalty cases teven Pinker, a psychology professor at Harvard, recently published a book entitled “The Better Angels of Our Nature,” which argues that the age that we live in is less violent than any other period in history. Archeological studies of pre-state societies suggest that as many as 15 percent of the population met violent deaths. (They seem to confirm Hobbes’ claim that life in the state of nature was solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short.) Murder rates in Europe today are 10 to 50 times lower than they were in the Middle Ages. Pinker attributes this “civilizing process” to a number of causes — the increasing power of the state, the growth of commerce, improvements in the status of women and even progress in our moral reasoning. Whether we actually do get better at moral reasoning is a very complicated question. It may be that we reach different conclusions when we apply the same principles in different social situations. Take the issue of capital punishment. The church has long taught that the state can take a criminal’s life if that is the only way to defend human life. Some of the early church fathers tolerated and even approved of the practice. Augustine mentions capital punishment as an exception to the commandment against killing. Aquinas argues for the execution of men dangerous to the community “in order to preserve the common good.”

punishments were justified because Brewer and Davis were bad men who, as they say in the South, needed killing.

S Faith and Intellect John Garvey

Murder rates in Europe today are 10 to 50 times lower than they were in the Middle Ages

Death penalty irreversable In recent years, though, the Catholic Church has been increasingly insistent in its condemnation of executions. In his 1995 encyclical “Evangelium Vitae,” Blessed Pope John Paul II noted the growing demand, both in the church and in civil

Call to resist revenge

CNS photo / Tim Hunt, Northwest Indiana Catholic

Father Tom McNally prays with death-row inmate Eric Wrinkles at Indiana State Prison in Michigan City in this Dec. 18, 2008, file photo.

society, that we restrict or abolish the death penalty. The catechism, quoting Blessed John Paul, notes the traditional teaching about the state’s authority to defend human life. It then goes on to say that, in the modern world, “as a consequence of the possibilities which the state has for . . . (securely incarcerating the criminal) without definitively taking away from him the possibility of redeeming himself — the cases in which the execution of the offender is an absolute necessity ‘are very rare, if not practically nonexistent.’” I have been thinking about Pinker and the pope the last few weeks, when our attention has been fixed on two prominent death penalty cases. One involved Lawrence Brewer, a white supremacist convicted of the brutal 1998 Texas dragging murder of a black man named James Byrd.

Brewer was executed by lethal injection on Sept. 21. The day before his execution, Brewer reportedly said, “I have no regrets. No, I’d do it all over again.” The other was Troy Davis, convicted of shooting a police officer in Georgia. Unlike Brewer, Davis maintained his innocence and became a focal point for the anti-death penalty movement. His case drew pleas for clemency from Pope Benedict XVI, among others. He was executed the same day as Brewer. Was it right to execute Brewer and Davis? The church’s clear contemporary teaching is that Texas and Georgia should do so only if it was necessary to protect their people from further attacks. Given the quality of the state prison systems, it’s hard to make that claim. Many folks would say that the

Let us assume the truth of the evidence against Davis, as we might do after 20 years of legal review. He was, on that account, a bad man; or at least a man who did some very bad things. He was convicted of shooting another man and was executed. Davis was in the act of pistol-whipping a homeless man when he was approached by the doomed officer. As for Brewer, he was a cruel, sadistic racist who tortured and eventually beheaded his victim. Sometimes society simply demands revenge for crimes that are genuinely heinous, twisted and evil. This is, however, an urge that the church calls on us to resist, no matter how difficult that may be. The reason isn’t just that we might make a mistake, though we might. (We have executed almost 5,000 people since 1930; 46 just last year. Sooner or later the system is bound to slip up.) The reason is that human life is sacred because it results from the creative action of God. It is not our place to destroy it, though that might satisfy our desire for revenge. It is right to punish criminals to redress the harm that they have caused. But the better understanding of the Gospel is that we should stop short of killing. If Pinker is right, it’s nice to know that we are moving in that direction. Though as last month’s cases show, we are not there yet. John Garvey is president of The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. His column is distributed by Catholic News Service.

Survey offers some direction for church to provide better instruction ast month Pope Benedict XVI announced a special “Year of Faith” for 2011. He said the yearlong observance would kick off on the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, Oct. 11, 2012. According to Pope Benedict, the Year of Faith seeks to help Catholics appreciate their faith and deepen their relationship with God. “It will be a moment of grace and commitment to an ever fuller conversion to God, to reinforce our faith in him and to proclaim him with joy to the people of our time,” he said in Sam Lucero a homily announcing the Year of Faith. One week after the yearlong observance aimed at deepening the faith of Catholics was announced, a survey commissioned by the National Catholic Reporter, an independent Catholic newspaper based in Kansas City, Mo., offered a glimpse into what some Catholics think about the church today. The survey, “Catholics in America,” was the fifth such survey commissioned by NCR since 1987. Catholic identity was one of the survey’s themes and it showed that while many Americans identify themselves as Catholic, they are not equally committed to all of the church’s teachings. For example, 60 percent of respondents who view themselves as “highly committed” Catholics say that one can be a good Catholic without obeying the church’s teaching on artificial contraception. Forty-eight percent

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Guest Column

“With the Year of Faith on the horizon, it could be time to review some of the issues related to Catholic teachings.

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SAM LUCERO

also said they can be good Catholics without going to weekly Mass. In another area, the survey found a significant decline in the percentage of Catholics who support the obligation to donate time and money to help the poor and their parish. The survey found that many Catholics aren’t sure what the church teaches on foundational issues. For example, only half of adult Catholics surveyed knew the church’s teaching regarding the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.

Bridging the gap Since the survey’s release, secular news outlets have picked up on the results and noted the gap between church teachings and church practices. But the survey and its results, while helpful in providing a sketch of

Catholic identity, are not the definitive picture of how Catholics live out their faith. First, it is merely a sampling of fewer than 1,500 Catholics with a sampling error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. In addition, as NCR points out, “other factors such as question wording and the ordering of the questionnaire can introduce error or bias into public opinion polls.” At the same time, the survey offers church leaders useful information to study and consider. With the Year of Faith on the horizon, it could be time to review some of the issues related to Catholic teachings to find out how parishes can better address them in religious education and Catholic school programs. Even before the survey’s release, Pope Benedict noted that studying the Catechism of the Catholic Church, gaining a better understanding of the Nicene Creed and conducting acts of charity would be ways to faithfully observe the Year of Faith. With a population of some 68 million registered Catholics in the United States, the church always has room for more instruction and evangelization of its members. The Year of Faith puts a nice framework on making this happen. This editorial originally appeared in the Nov. 9 issue of The Compass, newspaper of the Diocese of Green Bay, Wis. It was written by Sam Lucero, news and information manager.

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THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • NOVEMBER 23, 2011

Revised missal provides chance to ‘begin again,’ priest says CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A information on the Office of Worship website. At least one pastor, Franciscan Father Eugene Michel of Sacred Heart in St. Paul, has invited parishioners to attend a rehearsal Mass — minus the consecration of bread and wine — allowing him to identify any trouble spots before “going live.” The practice also gives him an opportunity to pause and explain some of the wording changes to parishioners. “If a priest stumbles through the Eucharistic Prayer that first Sunday, . . . people will say, ‘He wants us to be prepared, but he wasn’t,’” Father Eugene said. “So it’s imperative that the priest is prepared. It’s not difficult; it’s a matter of finding the time [to practice] and not trying to rush through the words.”

Internalizing the changes While there have been revisions to just about all of the prayers, the rubrics, something like “stage directions” in theater terms, have not changed, Father Eugene said. “If you made a video of the Mass now and the Mass after Advent, and it had no sound, it would look the same,” he noted. Father Kevin Finnegan, pastor of Divine Mercy in Faribault, St. Patrick in Shieldsville and St. Michael in Kenyon, said he’s been practicing the new Mass prayers in his free time and incorporating them into his daily morning prayer. He said he wants to “internalize” the new words so that when he says them during Mass, rather than just reading from a book, he’s “expressing a prayer, a desire.” While most U.S. priests will use the new missal for the first time this Sunday, Father Finnegan concelebrated the revised Mass with an Australian priest at the 2011 World Youth Day in Spain. In Australia, the new translation has been in use since June. “Even though I said to everybody: ‘Now, when the priest says, “The Lord be with you,” we will all say, “And with your spirit,”’ even I messed up,” Father Finnegan said with a chuckle. It will understandably take some time for Catholics to retrain their tongues, the priest said. But with time, he added, the new words will become familiar once again. After the Mass in Spain, Father Finnegan reflected on the experience. Despite the minor slip-up, he said, “it worked, and it was beautiful.”

Time of grace Worship director Father Erickson said he sees this time of transition as a “grace-filled moment,” which he likened to moving into a new home. “When we move, it’s a wonderful chance to really take stock of what we own and what we want to dispose of . . . and what we want to showcase more clearly in our new home,” he said. “Times of transition are naturally times in which we can purify and elevate and begin again.” For example, Father Erickson encourages priests to incorporate more chanting in their celebrations of the Mass. “The ideal of the church, the absolute ideal, is that the Mass would be sung from start to finish, a beautiful song of praise,” he said. His best piece of advice to priests in the

How will priest’s prayers at Mass change? Here’s a sample: Second Eucharistic Prayer Before: “. . . Before he was given up to death, a death he freely accepted, he took bread and gave you thanks. He broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said: Take this, all of you, and eat it: this is my body which will be given up for you. . . .” After: “. . . At the time he was betrayed and entered willingly into his Passion, he took bread and, giving thanks, broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take this, all of you, and eat of it: for this is my Body which will be given up for you. . . .”

Preparation of the Gifts Before: “. . . Lord God, we ask you to receive us and be pleased with the sacrifice we offer you with humble and contrite hearts. . . .” After: “. . . With humble spirit and contrite heart may we be accepted by you, O Lord, and may our sacrifice in your sight this day be pleasing to you, Lord God. . . .”

Embolism (after the Our Father) Before: “Deliver us, Lord, from every evil, and grant us peace in our day. In your mercy keep us free from sin and protect us from all anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.” After: “Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.”

Cleansing of the Vessels Before: “Lord, may I receive these gifts in purity of heart. May they bring me healing and strength, now and for ever.” After: “What has passed our lips as food, O Lord, may we possess in purity of heart, that what has been given to us in time may be our healing for eternity.”

few days before the curtain rises: “Practice, practice, practice.” “With the many pastoral duties we have, the idea of sitting down with the text and reviewing it and practicing it can seem absurd [and] a lot of work.” And yet, he said, “it’s worth it — not only because the Mass is the source and summit of our Christian way of life, but also because if we don’t [practice], we’re going to stumble and we’re going to bumble through the prayers on Sunday, and that helps no one to pray the Mass.” Father Erickson asks Catholics to be patient with priests during the transition. “It will require some effort really to make sure that our lips don’t go back to the old way,” he said.

Supreme Court to hear challenges to federal health care reform law Catholic News Service The Supreme Court Nov. 14 agreed to take three separate cases challenging the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, granting an unusually lengthy time period for oral arguments. The court Nov. 14 agreed to hear three cases out of Florida, each raising questions about different aspects of the national health care program signed into law in March 2010. It set aside five and a half hours for oral arguments, likely to occur in March. Among the issues the court will review will be the constitutionality of the law’s mandate that every American buy health insurance by 2014; whether parts of the law or all of it “must fail” if the mandate is struck down; and the constitutionality of expanding the Medicaid program for the poor and disabled. Several federal courts have upheld key provisions of the law, while at least one has found parts of it unconstitutional. For the U.S. Catholic bishops, it has never been a question of whether to repeal or not repeal the law. “Basic health care for all is a moral imperative, not yet completely achieved,” said the chairmen of three committees of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in a January letter to members of Congress.

“Rather than joining efforts to support or oppose the repeal of the recently enacted health care law, we will continue to devote our efforts to correcting serious moral problems in the current law, so health care reform can truly be life-affirming for all,” said Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, Bishop Stephen Blaire of Stockton, Calif., and Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles in the letter. Just as they did during debate over the health reform legislation, the bishops identified three “moral criteria” they believe our health system must reflect: ■ “Access to quality, affordable, lifegiving health care for all.” ■ Protection of the conscience rights of health providers and a ban on any federal funding of “elective abortions or plans that include them.” ■ Continued access to health care for immigrants and the removal of existing barriers to access. In the past several months, the U.S. bishops and other Catholic entities have raised objections to a mandate issued Aug. 1 by the Department of Health and Human Services that requires coverage of contraception and sterilization in most health plans, saying that providing the coverage violates their conscience rights and that a proposed religious exemption is too narrow.

“God sometimes allows us to be in such profound darkness that not a single star shines in our skies.” Venerable Charles de Foucauld

The Lesson Plan 12A

The Catholic Spirit

Reflections on faith and spirituality

NOVEMBER 23, 2011

Have you been asking God the wrong question? few weekends ago, I was enjoying a quiet evening at the seminary, when suddenly I received a flood of text messages from family and friends sharing with me their excitement of “bagging” a deer on opening day of the deer hunting season. I found myself being both excited for my family and friends, yet also a bit frustrated with each message I received. I began saying to the Lord, “Why can’t I be out in the woods hunting?” “Why do I have to be stuck here at the seminary during opening weekend of deer hunting?” Have you ever found yourself asking those dangerous “why” questions? Why do those neighbors have to be so loud and keep their yard such a mess? Why do I have to live in Minnesota Deacon where it snows for nine months of Brandon the year? Moravitz Why does a loved one have to have cancer or some other life-threatening disease? Why do the horrific things that are going on at Penn State happen?

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Readings First Sunday in Advent ■ Isaiah 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2-7 ■ 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 ■ Mark 13:33-37

For reflection In the coming week, keep track of how often you ask God why, instead of looking for where Christ is and has been in your life.

Sunday Scriptures

Why? Why? Why? It is quite normal to ask those sorts of questions throughout our day. Yet, all the “why” questions can be a bit dangerous, because they can potentially lead us down a path that loses sight of the kingdom of God, which is always in our midst, and the kingdom of God that is to come. Instead, we may want to consider asking “where” whenever we find ourselves asking “why.” Where are you God in the midst of my not being able to be out hunting opening weekend? Where are you God in the midst of my neighbors driving me crazy? Where are you God in the midst of the cold, long,

winter days of February? Where are you God in the midst of losing a loved one to disease or tragedy? Where are you God in the midst of the disaster at Penn State? The “where” questions force us to look for the kingdom of God which is always in the midst of tragedy, joys and the ordinary events of our lives.

Advent calls for searching

So as we light the first candle of our Advent wreaths this weekend, let us take very seriously the words of Jesus in this weekend’s Gospel: to “be watchful” and to “be alert.” We are called to be watchful and alert for Christ, who is always in our midst and who is to come again at the end of time. It is possible that — if we begin to ask “where” this Advent season — we might bring to life the beautiful words of the psalmist who writes, “Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.”

It seems this is what we are called to each and every Advent season. To search for the Christ child who is in our midst, and to be vigilant about preparing ourselves for his coming again.

Deacon Brandon Moravitz is in formation for the priesthood at The St. Paul Seminary for the Diocese of Duluth. His home parish is St. Anthony in Ely and his teaching parish is Immaculate Conception in Pine City.

Daily Scriptures Sunday, Nov. 27 First Sunday in Advent Isaiah 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2-7 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 Mark 13:33-37 “We are the clay and you the potter: we are all the work of your hands.” — Isaiah 64:7 Years ago, a friend who is a skilled potter attempted to teach me the art of pottery making. I quickly learned that it is not nearly as simple as it looks. In fact, the vase I worked on so diligently turned out to be too thin to withstand the heat of the oven and had to be discarded. Trying to mold ourselves proves just as fruitless. In the end, we have to humbly place our flaws and imperfections as well as our goodness into the hands of a power far greater and more loving than ourselves. Monday, Nov. 28 Isaiah 2:1-5 Matthew 8:5-11

When we open our hearts and minds, we encounter faith in unexpected people and places.

2 Peter 3:8-14 Mark 1:1-8 “But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like one day.” — 2 Peter 3:8

Tuesday, Nov. 29 Isaiah 11:1-10 Luke 10:21-24 Wisdom is more about awakening than achieving and accomplishing. Wednesday, Nov. 30 Andrew, apostle Romans 10:9-18 Matthew 4:18-22 What life-giving risk might you take that would bring you closer to your deepest calling? Thursday, Dec. 1 Isaiah 26:1-6 Matthew 7:21, 24-27 What we do reveals what we really believe. Friday, Dec. 2 Isaiah 29:17-24

Matthew 9:27-31 As we follow our desire to love without condition, we are gradually healed of our spiritual blindness. Saturday, Dec. 3 Francis Xavier, priest Isaiah 30:19-21, 23-26 Matthew 9:35 — 10:1, 5a, 6-8 We spread the Gospel by compassion not criticism. Sunday, Dec. 4 Second Sunday of Advent Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11

The early Christians were learning something we each must accept. God’s timetable is mysterious and, like many things, beyond our control. This can be particularly difficult for us to embrace when we are in times of transition. Some spiritual writers call this place where our old world has fallen apart and we cannot imagine a new one “sacred space.” If we are willing to surrender what we thought we could not live without, we will emerge transformed. The daily reflections are written by Terri Mifek, a member of St. Edward in Bloomington and a certified spiritual director at the Franciscan Retreat House in Prior Lake.

The Lesson Plan

NOVEMBER 23, 2011 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

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Advent beckons us to wait expectantly, just like grandmother did By Father John Bauer For The Catholic Spirit

Being the second oldest of seven children, I spent a lot of time when I was growing up chauffeuring my younger brothers and sisters to various places for various activities. Because one of my grandmothers also did not drive, I often would end up driving her to various events and activities as well. Now, I wish I could tell you my motives for being the family chauffeur were entirely altruistic, however it was simply the price my mother exacted if I wanted to use the car on weekends. Now to be quite honest, chauffeuring my brothers and sisters around was no picnic. They were almost never ready to leave when they were supposed to be. There were often unplanned stops and/or detours, and they were seldom ready and waiting when I arrived to pick them up. Worse, though, was the fact that their gratitude was almost non-existent — a fact I remind them of every so often, especially when I need a favor from one of them. My grandmother, on the other hand, was different. She never failed to be ready when I stopped to pick her up and, in fact, was almost always waiting for me. This same thing was true when I returned to take her home from wherever she had been. Even in cold weather she would be standing either outside or close by the door waiting and watching for me so that I wouldn’t be delayed or kept waiting. And she never failed to express gratitude for the ride.

An Advent kind of person My grandmother was truly an Advent kind of person. She knew how to be prepared and how to wait expectantly. Even when her timetable had to be adjusted, she never complained, realizing better than most, that time spent waiting does not have to be wasted time. It can be used for quiet reflection and interior preparation. It can be a time when anticipation grows and expectations develop. Or as in my grandmother’s case, it also could be used for a decade or two of the rosary for

some of her errant grandchildren. During the season of Advent, while the world around us seems to speed up and become busier than ever, the liturgies of this season call us to slow down and wait — to wait in joyful hope and faith-filled expectation. And even though we know what it is we are waiting and preparing for, there is (or should be) a sense of newness and excitement about it. For the great miracle of the Incarnation did not happen once long ago only to exist now as a pleasant mem-

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ory. Rather, it is an ongoing event. God continues to touch the world with God’s grace and God’s love. At times, however, we can become so busy that this most basic fact can recede into the background of our lives, or worse, be forgotten altogether. As modern day believers, we need to be reminded on a regular basis that the Incarnation — the Eternal Word becoming flesh — was and continues to be a wondrous event. The season of Advent serves as one of those reminders. It is a time of

remembering, a time of quiet preparation, a time of waiting in joyful expectation, as we prepare to celebrate anew the birth of our Savior. My prayer during the season of Advent is that it will be for all of us that special kind of time, that the dawn of Christ’s coming may find us welcoming him with love and open to his redeeming grace. Father John Bauer is rector of the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis.

Sharing and Caring Hands is CELEBRATING ITS 27TH YEAR OF HELPING PEOPLE IN NEED, Thanks to your generosity! In today’s hard economic times many people are poor through no fault of their own and need your help.

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Prayer

Oh, God, when I have foo d, help me to remember the hungry. When I have work, help me to remember the jobles When I have a warm hom s. e, help me to remember the homele When I am without pai ss. n, help me to remember those who suffer. And remembering, help me to des my complacency and bes troy tir my compassion. Make me concerned enough to help, by word and deed, tho se wh out for what we take for o cry granted. Samuel F. Pugh

CS

Please help the poor and unfortunate. Assist the families and give help to the children.

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The Lesson Plan

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • NOVEMBER 23, 2011

Offer Communion graces for someone who hurt you This question-and-answer column is the last in a series about the new Roman Missal, which will be used in the United States beginning Nov. 27, the first Sunday of Advent. Q: I’ve got the new words of the retranslated prayers down pat. What else can I do to get more out of Mass? A: Learning the new words of the Mass and becoming comfortable with them will take time. But with some effort and patience on the part of all of us, I am convinced that these words will become just as familiar as our current translation. The real question remains, however, as to whether or not we will use this time of implementation to make the Mass the center of our whole lives as Christians. I hope and pray that the answer is yes, though this remains to be seen and is wholly dependent on concrete decisions made by us as individual believers. As we joyfully enter into this new period of our church’s liturgical life, I do have two practical suggestions Father that I would like to respectfully offer John Paul to readers of this column relative to making the Mass a greater part of Erickson one’s spiritual life. The first suggestion has to do with bringing an intention to Mass. The second suggestion has to do with the reception of holy Communion. Mass offered within a parish setting is generally offered up for a particular intention. While every single Mass is a prayer that truly affects and sanctifies the whole world, nevertheless, the priest celebrant is asked to remember in a particular way at holy Mass some need that is important to the gathered community. Often this is the repose of the soul of a deceased loved one or the prayerful remembrance of an anniversary. Frequently, the people of God will request a Mass to be offered for a beloved priest or pastoral leader as a sign of gratitude. One of the great joys of a priest’s life, and there are many, is to be able to offer this eternally significant service to the people of God. To know that I hold

“As you approach the minister of holy Communion, call to mind that individual whom you have trouble loving. Say to God, who is always listening: ‘I offer this grace for them.’

”

FATHER JOHN PAUL ERICKSON

A second suggestion is to offer up the graces of your holy Communion for someone you don’t like very much. We are called by Christ to love as God loves, and this means that we are called to love all, including our enemies. To offer up the infinite merits of a worthy reception of holy Communion for one who has slighted us, hurt us or betrayed us is a profoundly Christian act; that is, it is an act of love and mercy. How do we do this? As you approach the minister of holy Communion, call to mind that individual whom you have trouble loving. Say to God, who is always listening: “I offer this grace for them. Make them holy, Lord, as you are holy, and as you desire me to be holy. Help me to love.” Do not pray: “Make them realize, Lord, how wrong they are” or “May they know how deeply they have hurt me.” This will come, if it ever comes, in God’s own good time. For now, it is enough to simply ask God to bless them.

Responding to the call

Lift Up Your Hearts

in my heart the needs of my brothers and sisters in faith at the altar of God provides meaning to my life as a priest. But what if every single member of the gathered assembly were to bring with them to the Holy Sacrifice some particular intention? And what if, when the priest cries out: “Lift up your hearts,” we were to call to mind this single, focused need that we carry with us on that particular day? Perhaps it is a prayer for meaningful work. Perhaps it is for a child who has left the faith. Perhaps it is a desperate plea for peace in our war-torn world. Whatever it is, think about it, focus on it, and raise it up at the Mass. Allow the Mass to give voice to this need, to shape it, and to join it to the plethora of needs brought to the Mass by your brothers and sisters to your left and to your right.

Without a doubt, the offering up of the graces of a worthy reception of holy Communion for those who have hurt us can be a powerful moment in the process of forgiveness, which rarely means a complete elimination of disappointment or frustration. Rather, Christian forgiveness means that we are willing to sincerely pray for the other and to let go of the idea of inflicting or passively allowing vengeance for the wrong done to us or another. A desire for authentic justice is never a sin. But vengeance, that is, the infliction of pain on another in retaliation for the pain inflicted on oneself, is indeed sinful and must be abandoned at the sacrifice of love that is the Mass. “Lift up your hearts.” Dare we respond to this call? Dare we lift them up to the Lord? May the answer be a resounding yes, so that we might love and so that we might live. Changing words is the easy part on Nov. 27. Changing our lives? May we be given the many graces we need to do just that. Father John Paul Erickson is director of the archdiocesan Office of Worship.

Benetton removes image of pope kissing Muslim imam Catholic News Service Hours after the Vatican condemned an Italian ad campaign that depicted Pope Benedict XVI kissing a Muslim leader, the Italian fashion house Benetton withdrew the photo. The campaign is titled “Unhate” and features doctored images of supposedly antagonistic world leaders in kissing scenes. The Vatican called offensive the image of Pope Benedict embracing Sheik Ahmad el-Tayeb, president of al-Azhar University in Cairo, who announced the suspension of dialogue with the Vatican earlier this year. The ads were unveiled Nov. 16, and a few hours later the Vatican spokesman, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, registered a strong protest. He condemned what he called “a completely unacceptable use of the image of the Holy Father, manipulated and exploited in the context of a publicity campaign for commercial ends.” Shortly afterward, the image was gone from the website of the Unhate Foundation. The Italian news agency ANSA reported a company spokesman said it had withdrawn the image. On Nov. 17, the Vatican said it had instructed its lawyers to take action to block circulation of the photo-montage, “including in the mass media,” in Italy and in other countries.

The Lesson Plan

NOVEMBER 23, 2011 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

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Day of the Dead On the Day of the Dead, or All Souls Day, Mexican families traditionally place altars in their homes with photos of deceased relatives, food, flowers and symbolic items. Every year at Sacred Heart in St. Paul, which has a majority Latino membership, parishioners contribute items to a temporary Day of the Dead altar in the church. Religious education teachers also construct an altar, shown here, to teach children about this centuries-long tradition. Below are some of the items on the altar with an explanation of their significance.

Skeletons — Joyful skeleton figurines wearing fancy dresses and suits are placed on the altar to comfort the grieving.

Candles — A candle is lit for each deceased family member, plus one extra for forgotten souls. Sometimes the candles are arranged on the altar in the form of a cross to represent the light of Christ.

Photos of deceased loved ones — The ancient Aztecs believed that the spirits of the dead returned to earth one night a year to visit with the living. Today, Mexicans place pictures of their loved ones on the altar to keep their memory alive.

Incense — A fragrant tree resin called copal is burned during the night as an offering to God and to spiritually cleanse the area.

Sugar skulls — Decorated skulls made of sugar represent the destiny of every person. Often skulls with people’s names written on them are given as gifts.

Food and drink — Favorite foods and drinks of those being remembered are placed on families’ altars. Later, family members share a meal together.

Religious items — Crosses, crucifixes, rosaries and images of the saints are placed on the altar. Prayer is an important part of the Day of the Dead.

Salt — Salt is placed on the altar as a symbol of purification.

Cut paper — Colorful pieces of tissue paper cut into intricate designs are sometimes strung over the altar.

Flowers — Orange and yellow marigolds, representing the sun, are placed on the altar, often in the shape of a cross, or on the ground.

Mexican tradition brings families together, honors ancestors By Julie Carroll The Catholic Spirit

With its grinning skeletons dressed in feathered hats and gowns, jewel-eyed sugar skulls and colorful paper garlands, the Nov. 2 “Día de los Muertos,” or Day of the Dead, might appear to many Americans like a Mexican Halloween. But this centuries-old tradition interwoven with Catholicism is much more than a night of ghouls, ghosts and goodies. The day gets its name from an ancient Aztec belief that the dead could return home to visit their families one day a year. In today’s Catholic Mexico, the Day of the Dead is a time for families to gather, remember their ancestors and pray for the souls of the deceased. “It’s not a sad occasion,” said Prisciliano Maya, faith formation director at

Sacred Heart in St. Paul. “It’s a time to remember and celebrate their [ancestors’] lives. It’s also about family coming together.” Maya recalled how his family celebrated the Day of the Dead when he was growing up in central Mexico. Early Nov. 1, his father would lead him and his siblings in reciting the rosary. Later that day the family would gather for a meal. Then on Nov. 2 they would spend the day at the cemetery praying and sharing memories of their loved ones.

Memorial altars Like all immigrant groups, Mexicans brought some of their traditions with them to the U.S. Today, it is not uncommon to find Day of the Dead altars, or “ofrendas,” in Catholic churches around the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Min-

neapolis on All Saints and All Souls days. Every year at Sacred Heart and other majority Latino churches in the archdiocese, parishioners place pictures of their dead loved ones, flowers, candles and other symbolic items on multitiered Day of the Dead altars. (See graphic above.) At first, many of Sacred Heart’s nonLatino parishioners didn’t understand the tradition, said Franciscan Father Eugene Michel, pastor. But soon after he explained its significance, he was delighted to see them placing their own family photos on the parish’s Day of the Dead altar. On Nov. 1, families in Mexico clean and decorate their loved ones’ graves. Many spend the night in the cemetery praying, eating and listening to music.

The Day of the Dead “is all centered around their ancestors,” said Father Eugene, who first experienced the tradition years ago when he lived in Mexico for a brief time. “But what’s different as opposed to Aztec times is that prayer now enters into the picture. Usually there’s a Mass right in the center of the cemetery, where they have an altar.” “In the second eucharistic prayer, it says remember, remember, remember. We’re always remembering,” Father Eugene said. “And, we say at Eucharist that remembering isn’t going back, but it’s right now; Christ is present now. So on the Día de los Muertos, when they put all those pictures up, their loved ones are present there. . . . When they gather in the cemetery, their loved ones are present there, too.”

Notice: This article, which orginally appeared in the Nov. 10 issue, is being reprinted here due to an error that caused the image of the altar not to appear.

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NOVEMBER 23, 2011 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Study finds weekly churchgoers more optimistic By Nancy Frazier O’Brien Catholic News Service

Past studies have shown that those who attend religious services at least weekly tend to live longer and healthier lives. Now, new research indicates that frequent churchgoers also face those additional years with more optimism and greater social support than other people. A study involving more than 92,000 postmenopausal women showed that those who reported weekly attendance at religious services were 56 percent more likely to be above the median in terms of their optimism level. They also were significantly less likely to be depressed or to be characterized by cynical hostility. Titled “Psychological and Social Characteristics Associated with Religiosity in Women’s Health Initiative Participants,” the study was published in Journal of Religion and Health Nov. 11. The research was conducted by a team led by Eliezer Schnall, clinical associate professor of psychology at Yeshiva University in New York. In a telephone interview with Catholic News Service Nov. 10, Schnall said the study was a natural follow-up to his earlier research showing that those who attended weekly religious services had a lower mortality rate over the eight-year period studied than those who attended less frequently or not at all.

Strong support in church The new study was “one of the first to look at” whether there were negative factors or social strains associated with frequent church attendance, particularly among such a large sample group, Schnall said. He compared such factors to the negative side effects that can sometimes accompany the use of beneficial medications. The research team postulated that “maybe there could be some social strains having to do with religious identification or networks or associations,” he said. “For

example, it could be a support system but discourage associating with others not of the belief system, or be a source of strife in marriages or fodder for disagreement” with other relatives or friends, he added. But instead the researchers found that, regardless of frequency, women who attended religious services, “were significantly more likely to report higher than median level of overall social support,” the study said. Those who attended weekly or more frequently were 54 percent more likely to be high in social support. “We looked at the religious practices of nearly 100,000 women and — like it or not — found a strong connection between going to church or synagogue or any other

house of worship and a positive outlook on life,” he said in a news release about the study. Schnall told CNS that the researchers deliberately did not look at the specific religion of the women studied. “We realized that in a post-9/11 era, comparing and contrasting one religion to the next . . . in the hands of those who have axes to grind, those kinds of comparisons would create more heat than light,” he said. The study, which used data from the long-running Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study, was funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health. No margin of error was given for the figures.

In Benin, pope urges Africa to uphold values of family, human dignity Catholic News Service Arriving in Benin for a three-day visit, Pope Benedict XVI urged the African continent to protect its ancient values in the face of spiritual and ethical erosion. “The transition to modernity must be guided by sure criteria based on recognized virtues . . . firmly rooted in the dignity of the person, the importance of the family

and respect for life,” the pope said Nov. 18 at Cardinal Bernardin Gantin International Airport in Cotonou. The pope said he had come to Benin, a small nation in West Africa, to celebrate 150 years of Christianity in the country and to present a document on the church’s future on the continent. He encouraged Africans to embrace the positive aspects of modernity without neglecting

their past. He also warned of the “politicization of interreligious tensions” and “the erosion of human, cultural, ethical and religious values.” As Africa changes, he said, the church wants to contribute with its presence, prayers and works of mercy. For more on the pope’s Africa visit, visit THECATHOLICSPIRIT.COM.

Catholic Charities in Illinois ends foster care Catholic bishops in Illinois announced Nov. 14 that they were dropping their lawsuit against the state for requiring Catholic Charities agencies to provide their services to same-sex couples. The agencies also will end their adoption and foster care programs, which have been in place for 50 years. In a joint statement Nov. 14, the bishops of Joliet, Springfield and Belleville dioceses said the decision was reached “with great reluctance.” The bishops said the decision not to pursue further appeals was a necessary one since the state law made it “financially impossible for our agencies to continue to provide these services” and the courts also refused to grant a stay allowing the adoptions and foster care programs to continue while appeals were pending. At issue was the agencies’ long-standing practice of referring prospective adoptive and foster parents who are cohabiting — regardless of sexual orientation — to other agencies or the Department of Children and Family Services. The state interpreted the policy as discriminatory to same-sex couples under the new Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act, and a Sangamon County Circuit Court judge ruled Sept. 26 the state could begin canceling its foster care and adoption contracts with Catholic Charities.

Information sought on trafficking grants A group of Republican senators have asked Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius for detailed information to justify the denial of a one-year grant to the U.S. Catholic bishops’ Migration and Refugee Services to aid foreignborn human trafficking victims. In a Nov. 9 letter to Sebelius, 27 senators asked for various records such as copies of all grant applications, the scores assigned to each application, and documents and communication including telephone and email records dating back one year related to the development of grant guidelines. They also requested an explanation of the review process that led to the grant awards. The government’s Trafficking Victims Assistance Program has been in the spotlight since HHS officials bypassed MRS and awarded one-year grants to three other agencies in early October to deliver the same services the bishops’ agency provided between April 2006 and October — Catholic News Service 2011.

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“Drama is life with the dull bits cut out.” Alfred Hitchcock

Arts & Culture Exploring our church and our world

NOVEMBER 23, 2011

The Catholic Spirit

17A

‘Amahl’ to feature top-notch talent and artistry “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” a one-act Christmas season opera sung in English, centers on the story of Amahl, a poor, crippled shepherd boy living with his widowed mother. One night, the boy and his mother find the Three Kings knocking at their door. It is a story of how faith, charity, unselfish love and good deeds can work miracles. The West River Theater Group will perform the show six times in early and mid-December. By Kathryn Elliott • The Catholic Spirit

Catholic tradition, complex history Composer Gian Carlo Menotti wrote the one-act opera “Amahl and the Night Visitors” for NBC-TV in 1951. In addition to the shepherd chorus, the production has a cast of six characters: Amahl, his mother, the Three Kings and a page. As a child, Menotti became lame but was cured after receiving a blessing at the Holy Sanctuary of Sacro Monte in Italy. The opera took on special significance for Lucie Shores, director of music, after she met Menotti while she was teaching at the American International School in Vienna, Austria. Shores asked Menotti: “Do you believe in miracles? Is that why you wrote this opera?” The composer answered: “It doesn’t matter whether you believe in them or not. They still happen to you.” “Amahl” is Shores’ first stint with the West River Theater Group, which produced the opera three times previously in 2005, 2007 and 2009. Each of those years, St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Delano hosted the opera. More than 1,500 people attended the performance there two years ago, raising $10,000 for a local charity.

Bringing their finest Set-maker Tony Schaust, the director’s husband, has constructed sets for the opera “Amahl” on five separate occasions. Inside their timber-frame barn in Delano, Tony keeps salvaged hardwoods that he’s used to craft the rustic hearth bench that is Amahl’s bed and a threedimensional fireplace. Such artistry comes naturally to the Schausts. In the works for the set are 11-foot-tall panels that will be a house for Amahl and his mother. The backdrops are modular paddles painted as faux stone, applied with a mud finish. Linda Schaust, the director who designed most of the sets and costumes, said she used monotones to imply poverty. Contrasting the appearance of the dilapidated house, the Three Kings in the opera will be adorned with gold, Linda said. For months, Linda shopped clearance racks to look for rich and exotic accessories. Then, the couple set to work. Tony welded a frame for King Kasper’s crown, to which they added feather plumes. King Balthazar, who is supposed to be Nubian, was given robes made of tapestry silk and satin. The Schausts crafted a rawhide crown, with laced-in fur and deer horn buttons. A shuttered window Tony built takes the eye from what’s happening inside to the outside. In the opening scene, Linda said, the mother uses it to call for Amahl. Since childhood, Linda has loved to create and work with her hands, she said. She enjoys carving sculptures, sewing, silver- and gold-smithing and working with clay. Directing people can be harder than molding physical materials, Linda said, but the vision for “Amahl” is coming together.

Photo courtesy of Linda’s Photography

Peg Janisch (Amahl’s mother) and Alyssa Trautman (Amahl) are pictured in a scene from “Amahl and the Night Visitors.”

Performance dates and times This fall’s performances will collect a good will offering in lieu of ticket sales. All of the proceeds from the Buffalo performance will go to the local food shelf. The offering from the Watertown performance will be given to the charity Love, Inc., and the collection from the Basilica performance will support the needs of the Basilica. The West River Theater Group will perform the show six times in early and mid-December. ■ Dates: Dec. 2, 3 and 4 Location: Discovery Theater in Buffalo Times: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday ■ Date: Dec. 9 and 10 Location: Watertown Performance Art Theater in Watertown Time: 1 p.m. ■ Date: Dec. 17 Location: Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis Time: 1 p.m. For tickets for front-pew seating and other information about the Basilica performance, visit WWW.MARY.ORG or call (612) 317-3428.

Thinking outside the box: the talent Even though the cast of “Amahl” is made up of volunteers, their devotion and talent is enormous, said the show’s music director, Lucie Shores. A five-person mini-orchestra includes the Minnesota Opera Orchestra’s harpist and a violinist who is the music director at Mount Calvary Academy of Music. Title character Amahl is played by a sixth-grade actress Alyssa Trautman, who attends Delano Middle School. When she auditioned, she not only had the right appearance — the brown eyes and hair — but she had fun and learned quickly, said director Linda Schaust. Plus, she had played Amahl in a 2009 production at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Delano. The shepherd chorus for “Amahl” will consist of 20-25 students from Perpich Center Arts High School in Golden Valley. Since the beginning of the school year, students have been rehearsing the Gian Carlo Menotti score. The chorus’s director, Janice Hunton, said Menotti’s quirky chords and tonality have challenged her students. “Amahl” is in the repertoire of professional and college courses, so this music is “the real deal,” she said. The students will also have to get used to performing in different venues. Both their sound and staging will morph with the acoustics and set-up of the space, be it Buffalo Community Theater or the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis. In the Basilica, where sound has a ring time of seven seconds, the shepherd chorus will have to move in a clump instead of converging on the stage from around the church. Their words will have to become more percussive and staccato. Despite the challenges, Hunton said she “jumped at the chance” for her students to perform the high quality music in “Amahl.”

Transforming the Basilica Throughout its many years of concerts, the Basilica of St. Mary has never hosted a sacred opera, said liturgy director Johan van Parys. “Amahl” will be the “most staged” performance it has hosted to date. “The Basilica is and remains a sacred space, even when we do a concert,” van Parys said. On both sides, the arrangement will be a good fit, though. The Basilica welcomes the childfriendly message of “Amahl,” and the theater group gets to use a space fit for a king — several, in this case. “The message of giving that which is most precious to us to God is really the deepest message of the whole play,” van Parys said. “When we do that, in turn God will be with us in whichever way we need God to be with us.” As it does for Christmas in order to bring in evergreen trees, the Basilica will extend the sanctuary floor several feet forward to the Communion rail in order to make space for the opera’s set. Since it’s not practical to suspend lights from the Basilica’s high ceilings, darkness and candles will evoke the starry night. Director Linda Schaust said the theater group views their last performance under the expansive backdrop of the Basilica as its “grand finale.”

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Calendar

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • NOVEMBER 23, 2011

Dining out Fish fry at Knights of Columbus Hall, Bloomington — Every Friday: 5 to 9 p.m. at 1114 American Blvd. Cost is $10.95. Call (952) 888-1492 for reservations. Chicken and rib dinner at Knights of Columbus Hall, Bloomington — Every Wednesday: 5 to 9 p.m. at 1114 American Blvd. Cost is $10.95. Call (952) 888-1492 for reservations.

Parish events Art Zannoni presents, ‘The gospel of Mark at a Glance’ at Mary, Mother of the Church, Burnsville — December 1: 7 p.m. at 3333 Cliff Road. Zannoni, biblical scholar, theologian and author will explore the meaning of the Gospel of Mark. ‘A Simple Christmas Art Fair’ at CretinDerham Hall School, St. Paul — December 1: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 550 S. Albert St. Features gifts made by members of the CDH community, as well as people from around the world. CCW Christ Child Luncheon at St. Ignatius, Annandale — December 2: 10:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 35 Birch St. E. Features cookies and candy available at Santa’s Sweet Shoppe. ‘Christmas Bingo: It’s a Ho-Ho-Holy Night’ at Lumen Christi, St. Paul — December 2: 7 p.m. at 2055 Bohland Ave. A holiday comedy featuring interactive bingo. Tickets are $25 at the door for adults and $15 for children. ‘An Evening Affirming the Faith’ at St. Charles Borromeo, Minneapolis — December 3: Evening begins with the 5 p.m. Mass, followed by a wine and hors d’oeuvre social at 6 p.m.; dinner at 6:30 p.m. and the keynote address at 7:45 p.m. at 2739 Stinson Boulevard N.E. Bishop Paul Sirba of Duluth will speak on “Holiness, Pure and Simple.” Tickets are $30 per person and must be purchased before November 23. Call (612) 781-6529. InVocation Christmas Concert at Annunciation, Minneapolis — December 3: 7 p.m. at 509 W 54th St. Concert is free, but free will offering benefits The Emergency Foodshelf Network. For information, visit WWW.INVOCATION SINGERS.ORG. Unique boutique at St. John Vianney, South St. Paul — December 3 and 4: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to noon Sunday at 789 17th Ave. N. Features a variety antiques, collectibles and vintage jewelry. Lunch of homemade bread and soup available Saturday. Winterfest at Sts. Peter and Paul, Loretto — December 3 and 4: 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday and 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 145 Railway St. E. Features pulled pork sandwiches and live music Saturday and a build-yourown-omelet breakfast with St. Nicholas Sunday. Christmas fair at St. Hedwig, Minneapolis — December 3 and 4: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and after the 5 p.m. Mass Saturday and 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Sunday at 129 29th Ave. N.E. Features crafts, baked goods and a Christmas Store for children (everything is $1). Cookies and beverages

at St. Peter, Mendota — December 2 and 3: 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. at 1405 Highway 13. For information, call (651) 4541289 or WWW.FATIMAONLINE.ORG.

Don’t miss

Annual Nativity Christmas tree sale

Knights of Columbus traveling rosary at St. Columba, St. Paul — December 4: 2 p.m. at 1327 Lafond Ave.

The Men's Club of Nativity parish in St. Paul is sponsoring its annual Christmas tree sale Nov. 25 through Dec. 18. The sale features a selection of fraser fir, balsam, spruce and others, as well as a limited number of wreaths, garland, and spruce tips. Hours of operation are Monday through Thursday 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The lot will be open the Friday after Thanksgiving at 10 a.m. Free delivery and set up of any Christmas tree is provided for those in need. Nativity is located at 1900 Wellesley Ave.

will be served. Christmas boutique at St. Cyril, Minneapolis — December 3 and 4: 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to noon Sunday at the corner of 13th Avenue and Second Street N.E. Christmas bazaar at St. Vincent de Paul, Brooklyn Park — December 3 and 4: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at 9100 93rd Ave. N. Features a variety of baked goods, live music and a soup and sandwich lunch. Christmas boutique at St. Lawrence Catholic Church and Newman Center, Minneapolis — December 3 and 4: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at 1203 Fifth St. S.E. Features homemade food, fair trade coffee, live music and handcrafted gifts. Christmas bake and boutique sale at Incarnation, Minneapolis — December 3 and 4: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and 8:30 a.m. to noon Sunday at 3801 Pleasant Ave. S. Features baked goods, holiday boutique and a pancake breakfast Sunday. Christmas boutique and bake sale at Annunciation, Minneapolis — December 3 and 4: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 8:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Sunday at 509 W. 54th St. Features a variety of baked goods, silent auction, crafts, a toy shop and a coffee shop. Christmas craft boutique and bake sale at Guardian Angels, Oakdale — December 3 and 4: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at 8260 Fourth St. N. Features more than 50 crafters, a secret Santa for the kids and holiday baked goods. Santa will be on hand Saturday.

benefit Pope John Paul II School at Our Lady of Lourdes, Minneapolis — December 4: 1:30 p.m. at 1 Lourdes Place. Features traditional Christmas carols performed by the students and choirs from other Northeast Minneapolis parishes. Tickets range from $10 to $25. For information, call (612) 789-8851.

Prayer/ liturgies Legion of Mary prayers in front of Planned Parenthood, St. Paul — Every Friday: 3 p.m. at 1965 Ford Parkway. For information, call (651) 439-9098. Rosary of the unborn at Pregnancy Choices LifeCare Center, Apple Valley — Every Thursday: 7:15 p.m. at 15026 Glazier Ave. For information, visit WWW.ROSARYOFTHEUNBORN.COM. Compline prayer at Assumption, St. Paul — Sundays through Dec. 18: 7 p.m. at 51 W. Seventh St. The half-hour ecumenical prayer service will be sung by the Minnesota Compline choir. for information, visit WWW.MINNE SOTACOMPLINE.ORG. Ecumenical Thanksgiving service at St. Richard, Richfield — November 23: 7 p.m. at 7540 Penn Ave. S. Food will be collected for the local food shelf. Advent Vespers with the Sisters of St. Joseph at St. Catherine University chapel, St. Paul — Sundays November 27 through Dec. 18: 4:30 p.m. at 2004 Randolph Ave. For information, visit HTTP://CSJPRAYER.NET/ADVENT-VESPERS2011. Festive Advent Vespers at St. Mary, St. Paul — November 27: 5 p.m. at 261 Eighth St. E. Soup supper to follow. Free will offering.

Men’s Club dinner at Sacred Heart, Rush City — December 4: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 425 Field Ave. Includes beef or pork roast, potatoes and gravy, dessert and more. Tickets are $9 for adults and $5 for children 6 to 11.

Knights of Columbus traveling rosary at Nativity of Our Lord, St. Paul — November 27: 2 p.m. at Stanford Avenue and Prior Avenue S.

Celtic Christmas concert featuring Katie McMahon at St. Michael historic church, St. Michael — December 4: 4 p.m. at 22 N. Main St. Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door after 3 p.m.

Advent lessons and carols at St. Odilia, Shoreview — November 29: 7 p.m. at 3495 N. Victoria. For information, call (651) 415-3339.

Messiah sing-a-long with the Minnesota Chorale at St. Olaf, Minneapolis — December 4: 6:30 p.m. at 215 S. Eighth St. Bring a score or borrow one at the event. Free will offering. ‘A Northeast Christmas’ concert to

Advent Taizé prayer service at St. William, Fridley — November 29: 7 p.m. at 6120 Fifth St. N.E.

All night vigil with the Blessed Sacrament at Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Paul — December 2 and 3: 7 p.m. Friday to 8 a.m. Saturday at 401 Concord St. World Apostolate of Fatima Vigil of Reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary

Advent Evensong at St. Cecilia, St. Paul — December 4: 7 p.m. at 2357 Bayless Place. Refreshments to follow.

Singles Sunday Spirits walking group for 50plus Catholic singles — ongoing Sundays: For Catholic singles to meet and make friends. The group usually meets in St. Paul on Sunday afternoons. For information, call Judy at (763) 221-3040 or Al at (651) 482-0406. Singles group at St. Vincent de Paul, Brooklyn Park — ongoing second Saturday each month: 6 :15 p.m. at 9100 93rd Ave. N. Gather for a potluck supper, conversation and games. For information, call (763) 425-0412.

School events An Evening of Enrichment with Vicki Kueppers at Holy Spirit School, St. Paul — November 29: 6:30 p.m. social with program at 7 p.m. at 515 S. Ablert St. Kueppers will share her story of conversion and sing music from her new CD. Suggested donation is $5. Discover Risen Christ event at Risen Christ School, Minneapolis — November 30: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 1120 E. 37th St. Tour the school and enjoy lunch with the students. RSVP to (612)822-4926, ext. 108. Holiday shopping event at St. Peter School, North St. Paul — December 1: 5 to 8 p.m. at 2620 N. Margaret St. Participating vendors include: Tastefully Simple, Scentsy Wickless Candles, Mary Kay, Premier Jewelry, Thirty One Gifts, Silpada, Creative Memories, Pampered Chef, Avon, Celebrating Home, Usborne Books & Taste of St. Peter. Each vendor will be donating a portion of their proceeds to St. Peter. Some vendors will also set up online shopping. Blessed Trinity Catholic School’s Grand Gala at the Edina Country Club, Edina — December 3: 5 p.m. to midnight at 5100 Wooddale Ave. Features dinner, auctions, games and live music. To make a reservation, email BRAUNT@BTCSMN.ORG.

Other events Discernment Day for single women with the School Sisters of Notre Dame, St. Paul — December 3: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 561 Hamline Ave. S. For information or to register, visit WWW.SSND .ORG. Register by Nov. 28. Advent retreat with Jesuit Father Matt Linn at St. Richard, Richfield — December 3: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 7540 Penn Ave. S. Cost is $30 for pre-registration, $35 at the door, and includes lunch and snacks. Topic is, “Letting Christmas Change Your Life.” For information, email iGNATIANASSOCIATE@GMAIL .COM or call (651) 457-4339.

Calendar Submissions DEADLINE: The Catholic Spirit is biweekly. Items should be submitted by Noon Thursday, seven days before the anticipated Thursday date of publication. Recurring or ongoing events must be submitted each time they occur. LISTINGS: Accepted are brief notices of upcoming events hosted by Catholic parishes and institutions. Items are published on a space available basis. ITEMS MUST INCLUDE the following to be considered for publication in the calendar: • Time and date of event. • Full street address of event. • Description of event. • Contact information in case of questions. E-MAIL: SPIRITCALENDAR@ ARCHSPM.ORG. (No attachments, please.)

FAX: (651) 291-4460. MAIL: “Calendar,” The Catholic Spirit, 244 Dayton Ave., St. Paul, MN 55102.

19A

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • NOVEMBER 23, 2011

Dams of sand give African drought victims hope By Patricia Zapor Catholic News Service

Near the southwestern edge of the vast stretch of East Africa where drought has led to famine and more than 13 million people are considered to be living in crisis, Henry Lesokoyu is the picture of hope and optimism. A couple of feet beneath the dry surface of a seasonal river at the edge of Kipsing, Kenya, precious water that normally runs off has been trapped by a series of new or rebuilt sand dams, making water accessible for the members of Lesokoyu’s Samburu tribe. Just up a small hill at the edge of the village, Kipsing’s first gardeners tend a plot of kale and tomatoes, a move toward agriculture intended to stabilize the local economy and improve nutrition. At one end of the dam, several young herdsmen tended their flock of camels, which nibble on trees and drink from shallow wells dug into the sand. Just below the structure, a group of young men and boys bathe in the water from another shallow well. Downstream, tracks and mounds of elephant dung were evidence of the wide variety of people, animals and birds that regularly gathered at the water source. As the leader of this rural community and chief of his tribe, Lesokoyu has one foot in each of two very different worlds. He keeps appointments made by cellphone and rides a motorcycle among the far-flung settlements of pastoralists — nomadic herders of goats, cattle and camels who move where the grazing takes their animals.

Help from Catholic Relief Services On this day, Lesokoyu makes the rounds of several water projects meant to bring a level of economic stability to both the pastoralists and the people who live in the village of Kipsing. As storm clouds on the horizon signal the imminent start of Kenya’s “short rains” season, Lesokoyu proudly shows visitors the simple dams built or improved by Catholic Relief Services over the last few months. Each dam makes it possible for thousands of people to obtain water, even at the height of a drought, he says.

CNS photo / Jennifer Hardy, Catholic Relief Services

A Samburu woman fills a jug with water at a sand dam in central Kenya. The newly upgraded dam is part of a Catholic Relief Services drought emergency program.

As part of its emergency response to the severe drought in four countries, CRS, in partnership with the Apostolic Vicariate of Isiolo, has built or rehabilitated 10 dams, five wells and one windmill. Another eight dams and wells will be built in the coming months under a CRS extension of emergency funds to the area. The dams allow water to collect in the sand a few feet below the surface, making it easily reachable for irrigation, watering animals, drinking and cleaning. Though it is very old technology, only recently has interest in such dams revived, as an inexpensive but effective response to drought conditions. Tom Oywa, CRS project officer based in Isiolo, said each sand dam project cost the equivalent of about $8,400, while it cost about $3,600 to rehabilitate one well. A windmill in the community of Nakupurat, a couple hours’ drive east of Kipsing, was rebuilt for about $10,600,

reopening a source of year-round water for 1,500 people of the Turkana tribe who had moved away when the mill became inoperable due to a combination of wear and tear and damage caused by elephants. Their return meant a one-room school they’d abandoned also could reopen, so children would not have to walk miles to reach another school. In Lesokoyu’s community, a pipe from a sand dam runs to a new community garden plot. Though it had been months since the last rain of any kind and years since the last normal amount of rainfall, the acre or so of land was still producing sweet potatoes, kale and tomatoes because of the irrigation. Oywa explained that planting crops is a new enterprise in this village, where families are normally dependent upon livestock for both food and income. Goats are the preferred stock here, because they quickly grow to milk-producing maturity or to a large enough size to be butchered. Cattle earn a good price, but keeping them fed in drought conditions is difficult. Camels become a fallback because they handle drought well and also produce milk, Oywa explained. But camels are expensive to buy, have a long gestation period — 13-15 months — and are slow to mature.

Tenuous situation With 6,000 people scattered across his 25 mile-long district, Lesokoyu was happy to accept the CRS offer to build up the Kipsing sand dam, making it able to hold more water. He also was pleased to accept the offer of help starting an experimental farm plot. Megan McGlinchy, the Nairobi-based markets and urban food security adviser for CRS in East Africa, said any kind of weather stress such as reduced seasonal rains can start pastoralists or subsistence-level farmers on a spiral toward instability that is hard to reverse. “They start by selling off their assets: their herds and then their land,” McGlinchy said. When there’s not enough food, some people head into the cities in search of work, which is hard to find. That leads some to go into illegal enterprises such as the drug or sex trades. During crises like the current drought, agencies like CRS step in to provide emergency aid, she said.

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SNOWBIRDS WANTED Panama City Beach FL. 1, 2, 3 bedroom monthly rentals available. 800-621-0551, 850-233-9340. WWW. FAMILYFUNBEACH.COM 12738 Large 2 Bedrooms In Private NE Phoenix, AZ Home to rent to two couples or single females for long vacation. Fully furnished, indoor/outdoor kitchen, pool, includes breakfast daily. Close to shopping & golf. $840/WEEK (480) 636-7228. 12752

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NOTICE: Prayers must be submitted in advance. Payment of $8 per line must be received before publication. Thank you St. Jude for prayers answered. M.T. 6267 Thank you BVM for prayers answered. G.F. 6970

Ladies - visiting Central Wisc.? Private room in handicap access Catholic home. 12764 $30/day - brochure: (715) 342-1974.

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WANTED TO BUY

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$$$ for OLD SEWING Machines, Patterns, Fabric, Hankies, Postcards, Jewelry, Old Photos, Silver + Gold, Pipes, Lighters, Col3919 lectibles. (612) 823-8616.

“The transition to modernity must be guided by sure criteria based on recognized virtues . . . firmly rooted in the dignity of the person, the importance of the family and respect for life.” Pope Benedict XVI, Nov. 18 visit to Benin

Overheard 20A

The Catholic Spirit

Guild of Catholic Women closes after more than 100 years serving those in need After 106 years of caring for the marginalized in St. Paul, the Guild of Catholic Women is closing. The board’s leadership cited an aging membership as the reason. The guild had about 200 members. It leaves two The endowment funds to Catholic Spirit continue the work it has done for more than a century, according to a press release. One endowment will be designated for Guild Inc., a nonprofit agency that provides housing and counseling services to those suffering persistent mental illness in Dakota and Ramsey counties. A second endowment of nearly $200,000, which came from the sale of the guild’s property, will be distributed through the Catholic Community Foundation. The Guild of Catholic Women Endowment Fund will benefit organizations whose work promotes wellness in the community. The Guild of Catholic Women is leaving a rich legacy, said president Alison Enestvedt. “It is not just two endowment funds to continue the work we have done for over a century, but living, working places like Guild Incorporated, the free cancer home, St. Joseph’s Orphanage, Our Lady of Guadalupe, and our local Catholic Charities that continue to serve those who need it most,” she said. “Members past and present can be proud of this legacy.”

Quotes from this week’s newsmakers

Youth reach for God

If you’d enjoy a trip down memory lane through St. Paul 60, 70, 80 years ago, you might look for Vern Schultz’s “Memoirs of a Left Hander” (Amazon.com). The self-published book about growing up in the Frogtown neighborhood preserves some history worth saving about the 1940s and ‘50s. Schultz, who lives in Prior Lake now, taught at St. Agnes High School and for many years officiated sports, including in the Catholic Athletic Association. Catholic to the core, Schultz recalls both highlights and low lights of Catholic life in those pre-Vatican II days. His faith pours through when he writes about how he and his wife, Toodie, reacted when a doctor recommended she have an abortion, and their gratitude when Catholic Charities came to their rescue. Another recently published book that looks back on the history of the archdiocese is “Father Joseph Baglio and the Catholic Youth Center” by Thomas M. Daly.

“One of the good things that God might bring out of this is some kind of alliance between the church and the educational community. We might come with a little wisdom earned the hard way to that table.” — Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, responding to a question about the sexual abuse scandal rocking Penn State University during a Nov. 14 news conference following the first session of the USCCB fall general assembly

News Notes

Two books on local history

NOVEMBER 23, 2011

“What if we women of compassion reach out to the people on both ends of this cross?” — Sister Helen Prejean, a well-known death penalty opponent, speaking at the National Council of Catholic Women’s annual conference in Chicago, where she likened the issues surrounding the death penalty to a cross with the victim’s family on one side and the perpetrator on the other

“We have focused so much on disengaging form Iraq and getting our soldiers back to our families. Our president and our Congress have to realize there’s more to the question than bringing the soldiers home. We’re leaving a country that’s in very difficult straits and they need our help more than ever before.” CNS photo / Karen Callaway, Catholic New World

Augustus Settelmeyer of Crookston prays during the opening of the National Catholic Youth Conference Nov. 17 in Indianapolis. More than 25,000 Catholic youths and their adult chaperones were on hand for the biennial conference, a three-day experience of prayer, community and empowerment for Catholic teens. Read more about NCYC at THECATHOLICSPIRIT.COM.

The book, which includes many fascinating historical photos, tells the story of Father Baglio’s 22 years as director of the Minneapolis youth center from 1945 to 1967. It’s available at St. Patrick’s Guild in St. Paul and at St. Olaf in Minneapolis.

Baseball exhibit Rondo Community Outreach Library presents “They Played for the Love of the Game: Adding to the Legacy of Minnesota Black Baseball,” a touring exhibit that traces the history of the Negro Baseball Leagues and many outstanding African-American players who contributed to the game in Minnesota. The exhibit will be on display at Rondo Community Outreach Library, 461 N. Dale St., St. Paul, through December. Admission is free. On Wednesday, Nov. 30, at 7 p.m., exhibit curator Frank White, a member of St. Peter Claver in St. Paul, will give a

presentation about the exhibit.

Give to the Max Day Several Catholic schools and organizations were among the nonprofits receiving the highest donation amounts for Give to the Max Day Nov. 16. Give to the Max Day is a day for Minnesotans to come together to raise as much money as possible for nonprofits in 24 hours. Included on the GiveMN website’s leader boards are: Cretin-Derham Hall in St. Paul received $268,909. The Convent and Academy of the Visitation School in Mendota Heights received $219,522. Academy of Holy Angels in Richfield received $166,501. Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis received $93,390. St. Joseph in Red Wing received $35,926. The College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph received $76,880. St. Mary’s University of Minnesota received $48,275.

— Bishop George Murry of Youngstown, Ohio, at a Nov. 15 press briefing during the U.S. bishops’ fall general meeting in Baltimore following a fourday visit to Iraq with Bishop Gerald Kicanas of Tucson, Ariz.

“A monk at Belmont Abbey may preach on Sunday that pre-marital sex, contraception and abortions are immoral, but on Monday, the government would force the same monk to pay for students to BISHOP MURRY receive the very drugs and procedures he denounces.” — Hannah Smith, senior legal counsel at the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, which is representing Belmont Abbey College in its lawsuit against the federal government over a new regulation that requires employer health insurance plans to cover contraceptives and sterilization, even if it may be contrary to the employer’s religious beliefs

Guide to Senior Services

An 8 page special section

Advertisers

tell you all about their services — Pages 2B-7B

Find

what you need in our annual Senior Housing Guide — Page 8B

The Catholic Spirit November 23, 2011

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Senior Services Guide

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • NOVEMBER 23, 2011

To our readers The descriptions of senior housing and other services in this section were provided by the facilities and service agencies, which are responsible for the accuracy of the content. — The Catholic Spirit

Footworks

Lakewood Cemetery Founded in 1871, Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis is a nonprofit, perpetual care cemetery association governed by a board of trustees. Lakewood provides families with a variety of traditional and cremation property choices, including the new Garden Mausoleum and Reception Center, opening midDecember. The Garden Mausoleum offers cremation niche and crypt entombment in a warm, contemporary space crafted of granite, marble, onyx and wood. It features bronze artwork, mosaics, unique skylights and contemplative gardens. Open to all people, Lakewood’s purpose is to preserve the memory of life and share its beautiful landscape, rich history and artistic treasures with the community.

Footworks is a licensed home health care agency that specializes in basic foot care for seniors in the privacy of their homes. Foot-care sessions consist of soaking feet, trimming toenails, buffing down corns and calluses, and foot massage for circulation. Footworks is owned and operated by Shelly, who formerly worked in the health care field for 18 years. All employees are either nurses or nurse aides, with special training in foot care. Footworks offers complimentary foot care seminars to senior groups, community centers, etc. For more information, call (651) 501-0624.

To learn more, call (612) 822-2171 or visit WWW.LAKEWOODCEMETERY.COM.

Queen’s Court Kessler & Maguire Funeral Home

Crest View Senior Communities

Kessler and Maguire Funeral Home has been a prominent fixture in St. Paul since 1926. The Tudor-style building has undergone extensive remodeling and updating over the past two years. The staff will honor your wishes (whatever your situation or reasons) in a dignified, compassionate and caring way.

Crest View Senior Communities is a faith-based not-for-profit organization that has been providing services to older adults since 1952. Crest View Senior Community in Columbia Heights offers a continuum of care and service, including senior housing, assisted living, home care, memory care, rehab care and skilled nursing care. Crest View is developing a new campus of service for older adults in the city of Blaine.

Please call (651) 224-2341 for more information on services we offer in advance of need and personalized funeral and cremation services.

WWW.CRESTVIEWCARES.ORG.

To receive information, please call (763) 782-1601 or visit us at

Queen’s Court: a move to gracious living. Built in 1988, this beautiful home for people 55 and over offers one bedroom, bedroom plus den, and two bedroom apartments, starting at $695/month, including all utilities except phone and cable TV. A limited number of garages are available for additional cost. Located 55 minutes from the Twin Cities area, Queen’s Court in New Prague features a courtyard with a gazebo, garden plots, beautifully appointed commons areas, a free lunch once a month, evening bingo, lots of card playing and other fun activities. For more information, contact Noreen Seurer at (952) 758-8190.

Cerenity Care Center and Residence – Marian of Saint Paul is a continuum of care campus that provides every level of care for you or your loved one. > Independent Living > Short-stay Rehabilitation

> Assisted Living > Memory Care

> Adult Day Center > Skilled Nursing

Please call 651-793-2100 today to schedule a tour.

Senior Services Guide

NOVEMBER 23, 2011 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

St. Therese Southwest

Michael O’Brien

St. Therese Southwest is a retirement community located in Hopkins on 14 breathtaking acres of weeping willows and walking paths. The campus provides the feeling of living in the country with the benefit of being close to the city. We provide a spiritual environment in which people of all faiths are welcome. Catholic Mass is offered, as well as Protestant services weekly. Lifestyle options include: independent living, assisted living, memory care, and adult day program.

Michael O’Brien provides a range of services in the trust, planning, wills and trust, estate plans to avoid probate, simple wills, trust wills for minor children, asset transfers, buy-sell agreements, supplemental need trusts, family limited liability companies and limited partnerships, charitable trusts, estate tax returns and contested and uncontested probate administration.

For more information, please call (952) 933-3333 or visit WWW.STTHERESESW.COM. Also, opening fall 2011, taking reservations: A retirement community for adults 62-plus in Minnetonka’s Glen Lake neighborhood. For more information and brochures, call (952) 607-3706 or visit WWW.THEGLENNSENIORHOUSING.COM.

Franciscan Health Community You’ll enjoy quality, secure living in your apartment home when you move to Riverview Highlands or Highlands on Graham in St. Paul’s beautiful Highland Park neighborhood. Many apartments have river views, and shopping amenities are moments away. Mass is also available on site. Choose from one-, two- or three- bedroom apartments in a friendly, independent living environment. Additional services are available as needed to help residents maintain their greatest level of independence. Franciscan Health Community residents enjoy quality care and engaging programs that bring a special zest to daily living. For more information, please call (651) 695-4100 or visit WWW.FRANCISCANCARE.ORG.

John E. Trojack Law Office, P.A. TRUSTS • WILLS • PROBATE PROCEEDINGS Respect For The Human Person Estate Planning From A Catholic Perspective

YOU CAN PROTECT your child’s inheritance from: • Illness & Substance Abuse Situations • Child’s Divorcing Spouse • Estate & Gift Taxes • Reckless Spending

C ALL FOR A COMPLIMENTARY ESTATE PLANNING CONSULTATION ASK ABOUT OUR COMPREHENSIVE C ATHOLIC HEALTH C ARE DIRECTIVE (651) 451-9696 • E-mail: John.Trojack@TrojackLaw.com • www.TrojackLaw.com 1549 Livingston Ave., Suite 101, West St. Paul, MN 55118-3420

“Where neighbors are friends, and people really care.”

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For information, call (612) 332-1030.

Rosoto Villa Rosoto Villa is a 55-plus independent community, conveniently located at 1901 Desoto St., just east of 35E at Roselawn and Desoto in Maplewood, within walking distance of St. Jerome Church. We offer in-home washer/dryer, large eat-in kitchen, underground parking and storage lockers included, community room, guest suite, bus to shopping, activities and exercise room. Rosoto Villa is independent living at its finest. Visit our Web site at WWW.AZUREPROPERTIES.COM or call (651) 771-4464 for a tour.

Gianna Homes A highly-trained team of health care professionals ensure that residents at Gianna Homes receive the best care available. The RNs, CNAs and physical therapists, along with musical and massage therapists and staff members provide nurturing stimulation, prayer, laughter and friendship around the clock. Gianna Homes embraces a whole-life approach to care for seniors with memory loss. Come and see for yourself the spirit that permeates our home. For more information, call Anne Marie Hansen, president and founder of Gianna Homes, at (952) 988-0953 or e-mail her at ANNE@GIANNAHOMES.ORG or visit our website at WWW.GIANNAHOMES.ORG.

Hearing Tests Set for Senior Citizens Announcement — Free electronic hearing tests will be given all next week Monday thru Friday from 9 am to 4 pm. The tests have been arranged for anyone who suspects they are not hearing clearly. People who generally feel they can hear, but cannot understand words clearly are encouraged to come in for the test, which uses the latest electronic equipment. Everyone, especially those over age 55 should have an electronic hearing test once

a year. Demonstrations of the latest devices to improve clarity of speech will be programmed using a computer to your particular needs — on the spot — after the tests. See (and HEAR) for yourself if newlydeveloped methods of correction will help you understand words better. Tests will be performed at one of 20 convenient Greater Twin Cities Avada Hearing Care locations.

Call 1-877-328-9161

www.avada.com ©2011 HHM, Inc. 304

ESTATE TAX PLANNING, TRUSTS, WILLS, PROBATE . . . Protect your family or other beneficiaries with an estate plan that transfers your property or business the way you want with as little tax cost as possible.

Epiphany Pines Independent Senior Housing 1800 111th Ave NW. Coon Rapids

Epiphany Assisted Living & Memory Care 10955 Hanson Blvd., NW Coon Rapids

Indoor walkway to the Church of the Epiphany

Call for a tour! 763.772.1066 EpiphanySeniorHousing.org

Call me: Michael R. O’Brien, Attorney at Law (Over 25 years experience) (612) 332-1030 mobrien@losgs.com

Leonard, O’Brien, Spencer, Gale & Sayre, Ltd. Suite 2500, 100 South Fifth St., Mpls. 55402

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THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • NOVEMBER 23, 2011

PROVIDING MEMORY CARE WITH A LOVING KINDNESS

that respects the dignity of each resident. Mission Statement

Welcome Home! Mind. Body. Spirit.

At Gianna Homes we lovingly care for them all.

Senior Services Guide Benedictine Health Center at Innsbruck We are part of the Benedictine Health System and sponsored by the Sisters of St. Benedict of Duluth. Our campus includes a transitional care unit, the Villa at Innsbruck (secure memory care) and a therapy center serving outpatients and inpatients. We have more than 60 private rooms and baths, delicious food and outstanding rehabilitation. Weekly Mass is offered in the Holy Spirit Chapel. Spiritual support is woven throughout our programs. We take pride in incorporating our values — hospitality, respect, stewardship, justice — into the lives of those we serve. Stop by for a tour, or call (651) 633-1686 for more information.

At Gianna Homes we maintain an environment that nurtures and embraces life for our residents, changing the journey with Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementias from a “long - goodbye” to a more positive life experience.

Serving our Community for over 12 years.

952.988.0953 www.GiannaHomes.org • Minnetonka, Minnesota

Kessler & Maguire Funeral and Cremation Services Serving Families since 1916 At Need * Preneed * Cremation

“A Life Well Lived is Worth Remembering” Call for information and receive a free planning booklet to help you guide your family through difficult times.

(651) 224-2341 640 West 7th St. at St. Clair St. Paul, MN 55102 E-mail: info@kesslermaguire.com

TheCatholicSpirit.com

Senior Services Guide

NOVEMBER 23, 2011 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Ecumen Lakeview Commons Ecumen Lakeview Commons invites you to experience the warmth and rewards of living in a beautiful and natural setting nestled in the trees. Ecumen Lakeview Commons is located on the corner of McKnight and Maryland right across from Beaver Lake in Maplewood. You can be as independent as you wish or use our services to meet your needs. We offer traditional assisted living, enhanced care and memory care. Our great food, spiritual socialization and fitness programs, plus regular bus outings keep residents happy and as busy as they desire. Come and tour Lakeview Commons and decide if we can be your next home. Call Joyce Aakre at (651) 773-7150 to set up a tour.

Epiphany Senior Housing Epiphany Senior Housing is a nurturing and caring senior housing community located in Coon Rapids, just minutes north of the Minneapolis metro. Pines Senior Housing overlooks a pond and wildlife setting. It is in a convenient area to access. Our philosophy of care at Epiphany Assisted Living is founded on the belief that every resident deserves to be treated with respect, dignity and hospitality. Our residents have a choice of where they want to live and our goal is to exceed their expectations every day with unsurpassed service. The quality of life for each resident is enhanced by nurturing the spirit of one’s self-esteem, preserving one’s dignity, and by providing a secure environment for one’s protection and privacy.

Solutions for all levels of hearing loss Do you need a little help with your hearing? Harris Communications has solutions for all levels of hearing loss. Products include a full line of amplified phones, personal amplifiers, TV listening devices, loud alarm clocks, signaling devices and smoke detectors. We also sell products that can be used in churches to meet requirements of the American Disabilities Act for public places. Call (800) 825-6758 or (952) 906-1180 for a 2012 Harris Communications catalog. Or, go to WWW.HARRISCOMM.COM to shop online. Live in the Eden Prairie area? Stop by our showroom to try out products for yourself.

For more information, call (763) 755-0320.

Washburn-McReavy Funeral Chapels Washburn-McReavy Funeral Chapels is the oldest family-owned funeral business in Minnesota. Established in 1857, before Minnesota became a state, Washburn-McReavy is a fourth generation business. Quality, personal service, and funeral and cremation services are available at all of our chapels. Call (612) 377-2203 for a brochure or visit WWW.WASHBURN-MCREAVY.COM.

St. Benedict’s Senior Community — Monticello St. Benedict’s Senior Community’s mission is “Our actions are guided by the belief that ‘All Shall Be Treated as Christ.’” With foundational values and beliefs rooted in the tradition of the Catholic faith, St. Benedict’s Senior Community welcomes people of all faiths. Our campus features: ■ Retirement, assisted living and memory care apartments. ■ Amenities such as a chapel, theater, general store, fitness center, club room and enclosed outdoor courtyard.

Saint Therese Home Experience the Blessing of Saint Therese — with communities in New Hope, Brooklyn Park and Shoreview. Saint Therese, established in 1968, is a Catholic nonprofit serving seniors with a full continuum of care. In addition to pleasant, carefree apartment living, dependable assisted living services and expert nursing care, Saint Therese has also become a leader in rehabilitative therapy for those recuperating from a surgery. Saint Therese at St. Odilia is a unique campus where individuals with chronic or terminal illnesses are provided with palliative care services in a serene setting near the St. Odilia church. Visit WWW.STTHERESEMN.ORG or call (763) 531-5000 for detailed information.

Call (763) 295-4051 for a tour.

r Seniors Since 196 o f g n i r 5 Ca Assisted Living, Memory Care, Care Suites, Adult Day Program, Nursing Home & Transitional Care • 24-hr. nursing care services • Senior Therapy Center • Dental and Podiatry on-site • Chapel with daily Mass and weekly ecumenical services • Daily activities/social events • Beauty/Barber Shop • Media Center gs Openin le • Country Store b Availa • Paul’s Pub • Community Center • Beautiful gardens

1175 Nininger Road • Hastings, MN 55033 651-480-4333 • www.reginamedical.org

651-480-4333

Offering the convenience of an entire health care campus including hospital, clinics, pharmacy and therapy

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Senior Services Guide

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • NOVEMBER 23, 2011

Benedictine Health System

NOTICE Look for The Catholic Spirit advertising insert from

CATHOLIC CHARITIES in all copies of this issue.

A Continuum of Services in a Caring Family Environment www.CrestViewCares.org

Based in Duluth, the Benedictine Health System is a nationally recognized leader in Catholic longterm care in the upper Midwest, with 10 senior housing campuses in the Metro area, including: Benedictine Health Center at Innsbruck, New Brighton; Benedictine Health Center of Minneapolis; Benedictine Senior Living at Steeple Pointe, Osseo; Cerenity Senior Care, five campuses in St. Paul and White Bear Lake; and St. Gertrude’s Health and Rehabilitation Center, Shakopee. BHS also has more than a dozen campuses in greater Minnesota. BHS communities provide services in skilled nursing, assisted and independent living, in-patient and out-patient rehabilitation and therapy, short-term stay (transitional care), memory care, home health and adult day. For more information, visit WWW.BHSHEALTH.ORG.

Since 1952 Crest View has provided Senior Services: Senior Housing Assisted Living & Memory Care Skilled Care Services: • Short Term Rehab • Home Health Care

Columbia Heights

Episcopal Homes Episcopal Homes has a variety of senior housing in St. Paul. Here are descriptions of two residences.

Blaine (Under development)

763.782.1601

Episcopal Church Home Nursing and short-term rehab care in a faith-based, not-for-profit. Medicare/Medicaid certified. Our mission is to support each individual’s physical, social and spiritual needs. One of our chaplains is from the Roman Catholic tradition. Weekly Catholic Communion and rosary, plus monthly Catholic Mass. Call (651) 646-4061 for a tour. Iris Park Commons “A Community of Heart� with 59 one/two bedroom and studio apartments and a flexible menu of Assisted Living services for age 62-plus. Catholic Communion every Sunday, plus weekly Communion, rosary and monthly Mass next door at Episcopal Church Home. Scheduled transportation for shopping and social outings. Call (651) 646-1026 for a tour. For more information on these or other homes, visit WWW.EPISCOPALHOMES.ORG.

Our Spirit Shines! We compassionately provide In-Patient and Out-Patient Therapy

Long Term Care

Short Term Rehabilitation

The Villa at Innsbruck

Wellness Program

No matter what chapter of your life you are in, St. Benedict’s Senior Community is a vibrant place to help you live life to the fullest. Our spectrum of health care and housing options include retirement apartments, assisted living and memory care.

FOR A TOUR, CALL 651-633-1686 1101 BLACK OAK DRIVE, NEW BRIGHTON MN 55112

$250 OFF First Month’s Rent

Call (763) 295-4051 for a DVD, to schedule a tour and a complimentary lunch.

www.centracare.com

Senior Services Guide

NOVEMBER 23, 2011 • THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

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Cerenity Senior Care — Marian of Saint Paul

John E. Trojack Law Office, P.A. Using counseling-oriented estate planning, John E. Trojack and his associate attorney, Joseph E. Trojack, will work hard to help you give “what you own, to whom you want, when you want, and the way you want.” To ensure an “estate plan that works,” they help you establish and maintain a formal updating program. And, the office assures you of fullydisclosed and controlled costs. For more information, call (651) 4519696.

Cerenity Senior Care — Marian of Saint Paul is the only Catholic continuum of care community in the East Metro offering all levels of senior care and housing. Cerenity Marian offers independent and assisted living, transitional care, adult day services, skilled nursing, memory care assisted living, and enhanced assisted living. Mass is held six days a week in our beautiful adjacent Chapel of St. Mary. Rosary also is available. Our full-time chaplain assists residents and their families as spiritual needs arise. Cerenity Marian is across the street from Mounds Park. For tours or more information, please call (651) 793-2100 or visit WWW.CERENITYSENIORCARE.ORG.

Services include • Foot Bath • Trim toenails, • Remove corns, callouses • Foot massage

Call Shelly at

Regina Medical Center in historic Hastings Located in scenic Hastings, Regina Medical Center offers a truly unique care experience. Along with an on-site hospital and clinics, Regina offers a modern Assisted Living facility, Memory Care communities, Care Suites, Nursing Home, Transitional Care and an Adult Day program, all on one campus. Regina has been caring for seniors since 1965 and is proud to carry on its Christian tradition of caring for the whole person — mind, body and spirit. If you or your loved one are ready to receive the finest care in the Metro area, give us a call at (651) 480-4333.

One bedroom, bedroom + den, and two-bedroom apartments available Beautiful commons areas Spacious courtyard with gazebo Meals available upon request

FOOT CARE In the privacy of your home

651-501-0624 FOOTWORKS Licensed and Insured

Find us on Twitter at:

www.twitter.com/catholicspirit Become a fan of The Catholic Spirit Facebook page at

www.facebook.com/TheCatholicSpirit

Announcing Lakewood Cemetery’s new Garden Mausoleum & Reception Center

Gracious, affordable, independent living for adults age 55 and older . . . 311 Columbus Avenue North • New Prague • 952-758-8190

Ecumen Lakeview Commons offers you Assisted Living Enhanced Care Suites • Memory Care Call Joyce Aakre for a tour at (651) 773-7150 Located in Maplewood at 1200 Lakewood Drive N. (corner of McKnight and Maryland)

Call 612-822-2171 or visit lakewoodcemetery.com to learn more.

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THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • NOVEMBER 23, 2011

Senior Services Guide