T - Diocese of Grand Rapids

Transcripción

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The Magazine of the Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids
Saint Vigilius of Trent
June 2010
Volume 4: Issue 5
Bishop Walter A. Hurley
PUBLISHER
Mary Haarman
EDITOR IN CHIEF
saint of the month
Feast day: June 26
Patron saint: Trent, Italy; Tyrol, Italy
Canonized: Unknown
Claim to fame: Vigilius was born
in c. 353 to parents Theodosius and
Maxentia. He was a Roman patrician.
He is the brother of Saints Claudian
and Magorian. Vigilius studied in
Athens, where he was revered for his
sanctity and learning, and became
friends with St. John Chrysostom.
In about 380, he returned to Trent,
where he was acclaimed as the bishop.
He vowed to end paganism in his
diocese, as well as to convert idolators
and Arians to Christianity.
Michael Zalewski
MANAGING EDITOR
Bishop Walter A. Hurley
Msgr. Gaspar F. Ancona
Father Ron Hutchinson
Patricia Mish
Meredith Walsh-Beteta
How he died: On June 25, 405, Saint
Vigilius was stoned to death after overturning
a statue of Saturn in the Val di Rendena. He
is buried in Trent, Italy. Vigilius in considered
to be the first martyr canonized by a pope,
according to Benedict XIV.
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Kathy Denton
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
FAITH Catholic
Rev. Dwight Ezop
CHAIRMAN
Patrick M. O’Brien
PRESIDENT/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Elizabeth Martin Solsburg
Director of Custom Publishing/
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Joanne Eason
DIRECTOR OF Ministry Marketing
Patrick Dally
ART DIRECTOR
Lynne Ridenour
GRAPHIC DESIGNER/WEB MASTER
Janna Stellwag
Abby Wieber
Why he is a Saint: Vigilius of
Trent was said to be the first martyr
canonized by a pope. His mission was
to end paganism which led to his death
of defending Christianity. He is the
author of the work, De Martyrio SS.
Sisinnii, Martyrii et Alexandri.
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
Jillane Job
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
Deacon Tom Fogle and JoAnne Fogle
Paul Jarzembowski
Father Joseph Krupp
Douglas Culp
Dr. Gelasia Marquez
Dr. Cathleen McGreal
Michelle Sessions DiFranco
Sister Ann Shields
Rita Thiron
Vigilio de Trento
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Philip Shippert
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Derek Melot
Día de fiesta: 26 de junio
Santo Patrono: Trento, Italia; Tirol, Italia
Canonización: Se desconoce
PROOFREADING
InnerWorkings
PRINT MANAGEMENT
FAITHcatholic.com
Motivo de su fama: Vigilio nació en
el año 353 y sus padres fueron Teodosio
y Maxenti; fue un patricio romano y
es el hermano de las Santas Claudian
y Magorian. Vigilio estudio en Atenas
donde fue reverenciado por su santidadd
y aplicación en los estudios, allí conoció
y se amigo de san Juan Crisóstomo.
Vigilio llegó a ser el Obispo de Trento
y prometió acabar con el paganismo
en su diócesis, así como convertir a los
idólatras y arrianos al cristianismo.
Por qué es un santo: Se dice que
Vigilio de Trento fue el primer mártir
canonizado por un papa; su misión fue
acabar con el paganismo, lo cual lo llevó
a la muerte por defender el cristianismo.
Su muerte: El 25 de junio de 405,
San Vigilio fue apedreado hasta morir
después de derribar una estatua de
Saturno al Val di Rendena; fue sepultado
en Trento, Italia.
FAITHTM Grand Rapids (USPS 023-851), the Magazine
for the Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids, is a publication
of the Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids, 360 Division
Avenue S., Grand Rapids, MI 49503-4501. Published
monthly except for February and August. For address and
subscription changes, please contact [email protected]. Periodicals postage paid at Grand Rapids,
MI and additional offices. POSTMASTER: Send address
changes to FAITHTM Grand Rapids, 360 Division Avenue
S., Grand Rapids, MI 49503-4501. ©FAITH Publishing
Service and Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids.
Give the gift of
Order a subscription today:
[email protected]
Liturgical Calendar: St. Justin, martyr June 1 | Ss. Marcellinus and Peter, martyrs June 2 | St. Charles Lwanga and companions, martyrs June 3 | St. Boniface, bishop and martyr June 5 | Feast
FAITH Grand Rapids / June 2010 / www.dioceseofgrandrapids.org | www.FAITHgrandrapids.org
Cover photo courtesy of Kathy Denton
3
Brotherly love:
The McCahills’ fight
against cancer
A nationally recognized
surgical oncologist, Dr.
Larry McCahill spends his
days – and more than a few
nights -- helping patients fight
cancer. He admits he is more
than a little driven. He also
spearheaded a major clinical
study on colon cancer that he
thinks of as “Ray’s Clinical
Trial,” named after his brother
Ray McCahill, a Grand Rapids
Catholic Central coaching
legend who lost his battle to
cancer in 2006. Strengthened
by family and faith, Dr. McCahill
continues his work to help
others diagnosed with cancer.
– Patricia Mish
what you’ll get
out of this issue
4summer reflection – Most Rev. Walter Hurley
6parenting journey My grandchildren are annoying!
– Dr. Cathleen McGreal
Evangelized by the
poor: A mission to the
Dominican Republic
24
Joe Witte thought he had lots of
reasons why he couldn’t go on a
mission trip to the Dominican Republic –
“I don’t have a passport. I don’t know
Spanish. I’m too old to go…” When the
56-year-old physical therapist realized he
was allowing excuses to get in the way of
serving God, he decided to go for it.
– Meredith Walsh-Beteta
7marriage matters She says: “We got married too young
– I want to try the single life.” He says: “What about us?”
What do they do? – Tom and JoAnne Fogle
8 culture Sundae School – Ultimate ice cream sundae pie.
– Michelle Sessions DiFranco
10in the know with Fr. Joe Is there one ‘right’ way to receive
Communion? – Father Joseph Krupp
11 spiritual popcorn Behold, I make all things new!
– Paul Jarzembowski
12theology 101 Singing at liturgy – what is sung liturgy?
Part 3 of a 14-part series. – Rita Thiron
14spiritual fitness Celebrating the feasts of summer.
– Sister Ann Shields
30vocations Saint John Vianney, pray for us.
8
11
14
– Father Ron Hutchinson
31last word My spiritual home. – Msgr. Gaspar F. Ancona
t of Corpus Christi June 6 | St. Ephrem, deacon and doctor of the church June 9 | Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus June 11 | Immaculate Heart of Mary June 12 | St. Romuald June 19
inside this issue
16
4
summer
reflection
St. Aloysius Gonzaga, martyr June 21 | St. Paulinus of Nola, bishop June 22 | Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist June 24 | St. Ir
Queridos Lectores, la siguiente oración fue dicha por
John Cardinal Dearden durante una homilía que dio
en una misa para los sacerdotes difuntos en Noviembre
de 1979. Ésta nos recuerda la importancia de hacer
un alto en el camino para adquirir una visión más
amplia de la situación en la que nos encontramos. A
menudo, nos encontramos viviendo minuto a minuto,
de lunes a viernes; nuestros días son dominados por una
lista de quehaceres, horarios y al compás del tictac del
reloj. Si nosotros percibimos nuestras vidas como una
contribución pequeña e imperfecta pero muy valiosa
en el maravilloso plan de Dios, de forma que va más
allá de nuestro entendimiento ¿Cómo esto cambiará la
manera que oramos, priorizamos, vivimos, y cuidamos
de nosotros mismos, de los demás y el mundo entero en
el que residimos?
Deseándole a usted y su familia un verano seguro y bendecido.
El personal de la revista de FAITH en Grand Rapids
Dear Readers, the following prayer was spoken
by John Cardinal Dearden during a homily he
gave at a Mass for deceased priests in November
1979. It reminds us of the insight that can come
from stopping every once in a while to take the
long view. We often find ourselves living minute by
minute, Monday to Friday; our days are driven by
to-do lists, schedules, and the ticking of the clock.
If we picture our lives as a small and imperfect, yet
valuable contribution to God’s grand plan, the likes
of which our minds could never begin to encompass,
how might that change the way we pray, prioritize,
live and care for ourselves, others and the world in
which we reside?
I
t helps, now and then, to step back and take a
long view.
The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it
is even beyond our vision.
We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny
fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God’s work.
Nothing we do is complete, which is a way of saying that
the Kingdom always lies beyond us.
No statement says all that could be said.
No prayer fully expresses our faith.
No confession brings perfection.
No pastoral visit brings wholeness.
No program accomplishes the Church’s mission.
No set of goals and objectives includes everything.
This is what we are about.
We plant the seeds that one day will grow.
We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold
future promise.
We lay foundations that will need further development.
We provide yeast that produces far beyond our
capabilities.
We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation
in realizing that.
This enables us to do something, and to do it very well.
It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along
the way, an opportunity for the Lord’s grace to enter and do
the rest.
We may never see the end results, but that is the
difference between the master builder and the worker.
We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not
messiahs.
We are prophets of a future not our own. Amen.
Wishing you and your families a safe and blessed summer,
The FAITH Grand Rapids magazine staff
renaeus, bishop and doctor of the church June 28 | Solemnity of Peter and Paul, apostles June 29 | First Martyrs of the church in Rome June 30
summer reflection
D
e vez en cuando, dar un paso atrás nos
ayuda a tomar una perspectiva mejor.
El Reino no sólo está más allá de
nuestros esfuerzos, sino incluso más allá de
nuestra visión.
Durante nuestra vida, sólo realizamos una
minúscula parte de esa magnífica empresa que es la obra de Dios.
Nada de lo que hacemos está acabado, lo que significa que el
Reino está siempre ante nosotros.
Ninguna declaración dice todo lo que podría decirse.
Ninguna oración puede expresar plenamente nuestra fe.
Ninguna confesión trae la perfección, ninguna visita pastoral
trae la integridad.
Ningún programa realiza la misión de la Iglesia.
En ningún esquema de metas y objetivos se incluye todo.
Esto es lo que intentamos hacer: plantamos semillas que un
día crecerán; regamos semillas ya plantadas, sabiendo que son
promesa de futuro.
Sentamos bases que necesitarán un mayor desarrollo.
Los efectos de la levadura que proporcionamos van más allá
de nuestras posibilidades.
No podemos hacerlo todo y, al darnos cuenta de ello,
sentimos una cierta liberación.
Ella nos capacita a hacer algo, y a hacerlo muy bien.
Puede que sea incompleto, pero es un principio, un paso
en el camino, una ocasión para que entre la gracia del Señor y
haga el resto.
Es posible que no veamos nunca los resultados finales,
pero ésa es la diferencia entre el jefe de obras y el albañil.
Somos albañiles, no jefes de obra, ministros, no el Mesías.
Somos profetas de un futuro que no es nuestro. Amén.
5
6
My grandchildren
T. Gennara
are annoying!
Dr. Cathleen McGreal is a psychology professor and certified spiritual advisor.
Q
parenting journey
I hate to say it, but my two grandchildren are brats.
When they are over here, they talk back to my
husband and constantly interrupt me. They won’t
leave us alone for even a minute so that we can talk
with our daughter – and she does nothing to correct them. I
can’t stand it anymore – what can I say to her or to them?
A
Both of my grandmas were
actively engaged in busy lives.
Sometimes we were the focus
of their attention, but often
we were incorporated into their activities by completing “parallel tasks.” When
they were cooking, we made small-scale
versions called the “cook’s treat,” which we
could consume ourselves. When Grandma Esta was working on her stamp collection, out came our child-size books to fill
in with her leftover stamps. When adult
friends visited them, an old-fashioned toy
or game that had belonged to our parents
emerged out of nowhere. Adults set the
context and I never knew for sure what
grandparents would be up to next. Special
requests might be honored or they might
not. They didn’t always pull out what I
hoped for and there were disappointing
moments. But it was an interesting con-
trast to the predictable daily routine that
parents were more prone to!
Keep boredom at bay!
An R. I. Fitzhenry quote gives a clue
on how to change the household context:
“Uncertainty and mystery are energies of
life. Don’t let them scare you unduly, for
they keep boredom at bay and spark creativity.” It sounds as if your grandchildren
are interrupting your conservation with
your daughter because they are bored or
seeking attention.
• When they arrive, plan an interaction
that involves all three generations. For
example, have pizza dough spread
out on pans with tomato sauce and
toppings ready to put on. Let your
grandchildren each make a pizza, help-
Although professionals in the area
stated that some
of the reasons that
men have for not proposing
have something to do with the
trio of money, job security and
self-confidence, I would like
to follow a different path to
answer your concern.
A
In Malachi 2:14, we see
marriage as a holy covenant
before God. The dictionary defines covenant as a
promise usually under seal
between two parties. Since
you have already set your
mind about marrying your
boyfriend, I suggest these
questions as a help to clarify
Clarify the purpose of the visit
Your daughter and her two children
are visiting your home. But it sounds as
if you really want time to spend talking
with your daughter. It is likely that keeping track of her children distracts your
daughter. Would she feel comfortable
letting Grandpa care for the grandchildren while you go out to lunch with her?
And then reversing the arrangement next
time? This will give each of you a time
to get to know your grandchildren as
individuals, as well.
Hopefully, over time, your grandchildren will come to bring you joy:
“Children’s children are a crown to the
aged, and parents are the pride of their
children” (Proverbs 17:6).
My boyfriend
won’t propose
Dr. Gelasia Marquez is a psychologist
and family counselor.
your thoughts:
• Have you two discussed
getting married as the end of
the dating time?
• Does getting married mean
the same for both of you?
• Are you two sure that there
are more agreements than
discrepancies in the values
behind your decisions, your
expectations in life and your
daily routine issues?
After this brief discerning
process, if you still consider
that “he is the man,” you can
take the initiative and invite him
to dialogue about the same
questions to find out if you two
are ready to propose to each
other, “Will you marry me?”
S. Kendrick
what gets my goat
Q
I have been dating a guy for the last
three years. I love him and he says
he loves me. We are in an exclusive
relationship, and we aren’t getting
any younger. All of our friends are getting married; I want to, too. How can I get him to pop
the question?
ing them settle in.
• Copy photos of your daughter when she
was their age. Let each grandchild make
a photo book to “surprise” Mom with
before they leave. The grandchildren will
need to be in a corner so Mom doesn’t
see what they are up to!
• Plan different activities for each visit so
that they don’t know what to expect.
7
“We got married too
young – I want to try
the single life.”
Sarah says: Pat and I got
married when I was only
18. I was eager to get out
of the house and away from my parents. I
thought getting married was the best way
to be a “grown-up.” I love Pat, but now
I’ve realized I missed all the fun of my 20s.
Maybe we made a mistake – I feel as if I’d
like another chance at the single life.
“What about us?”
T. Gennara
Pat says: I don’t know
what’s gotten into Sarah –
we’ve been married for 12 years
and suddenly she wants to be a teenager again. For
heaven’s sake, we have two children – what are they
supposed to do while she
“finds herself?” And what
about us? I am stunned and
don’t know where to turn.
He said | She said
what do they do?
your marriage matters
We are
reminded
Deacon Tom Fogle and JoAnne Fogle help prepare couples for marriage.
of words
in a hymn
their nuptial vows and define what it means to say, “for better
that are applicable to married couples, “Turn to me and be
and for worse.” Describe to each other what the words mean.
glad…there is no other, none besides me…” Without stating
Recommit to each other to be life partners and then immedithe obvious, it appears the fire of their marriage has dwindled
to an ember. What is most needed now is to put some logs on ately add some spice into their marriage! Sarah obviously is
missing something in her relationship with Pat, and it is up
the fire and get the flames roaring hot again!
to both of them to discover and communicate what that is.
To get flames hot again, Pat and Sarah would do well to
The simplest way to begin is to make two lists – one list of
focus on each other, and not focus on others outside their
marriage or what may appear to be lost opportunities. It is our what Pat desires from Sarah and one list of what Sarah desires
from Pat. Take a day or two to compile the lists, then take
belief that, as married couples, we can either look at a glass
a quiet evening when both Sarah and Pat can be alone and
half empty and lament because it isn’t full enough, or we can
exchange the list and read them with love. Once read, each,
look at the same glass and be thankful for what we have and
in turn, should define each desire so there is no mistake of
optimistically look at what the future will bring!
the intent. While one spouse is defining his or her desire, the
Without getting too personal, this scenario strikes close to
other spouse should be listening intently and without interhome for Jo and me. Jo was 19 when we were married and
rupting. Each will have plenty of time to ask for clarification.
I was 18; and, yes, 47 years later, I can still remember those
The interaction shared about your hopes and dreams can be
days like they were yesterday. Did we miss a lot? I am sure
nurturing to both of you as you will learn new things about
some would say absolutely, but to us, we gained so much
each other and be help-mates in fulfilling those hopes and
more! I would not trade being married for anything and I
expectations.
most certainly do not wish to repeat my teenage years.
Verbalizing these innermost thoughts and feelings about your
There is nothing wrong with asking “what if” about the
desires, letting yourself be vulnerable, will let the other in on
past, but you can’t roll back the hands of time and try to recreate years and situations that have gone by. For starters, you who you are. Pat and Sarah: Remember that it was God who
brought you together and it was God who blessed you with
now have two children; you don’t just walk out the door and
say, “Excuse me, I’m going to be single now, go raise yourself!” children. Now it is your turn to be a good example to them by
being the best married couple you can possibly be.
So what should Sarah and Pat do? First, they should revisit
8
Sundae School
T. Gennara
Ultimate ice cream sundae pie
culture
I
By Michelle Sessions DiFranco | Photography by Philip Shippert
t’s funny what we remember from school. I’ll never forget the
poster that hung on the door of my third-grade classroom.
It was a photo of a multi-layered, two-foot-tall sandwich
and it read, “Life is like a sandwich - the more you add to it
the better it becomes.” At the time, the poster made sense,
but I don’t think I was greatly affected by it. Maybe it was
hard to respond to such a lesson in the third grade since so much
of my life was pretty much arranged for me. Or maybe the visual of
a ridiculously tall sandwich that I could never get my jaws around,
stuffed with ludicrous amounts of cheese, lettuce, and cold cuts, was
just too silly for me to take seriously.
And yet, here I am, decades older, and
not only do I remember the poster, but I
also must acknowledge how its message
resonates with me. In particular, I’ve found
that getting involved in my parish is the
greatest testament to the axiom on that
poster. The more one puts into their parish
life, the better it benefits them, their family, and others. Granted, becoming more
involved takes time, resources, energy and
faith, but the payback is enormous and in
ways we never expect.
For example, my parents were
involved in Marriage Encounter talks
and teaching catechism. Not only did it
deliver the intended benefit of helping to bring others closer to God, but
it enriched their own faith and their
marriage. It had the unintended and
long-lasting benefit of equipping them
to counsel their children with marriage
matters and elements of catechesis.
In reflecting on their example, I can’t
help but see how important it is to follow it in my own parish life. It involves
more than just showing up regularly for
Mass. Using the gifts that God has given
me to serve the church means going out
of my comfort zone to contribute talents
and time.
Getting involved in the parish, whether
it’s through Scripture studies, ushering,
singing in the choir, working the pancake
breakfasts, etc., puts you in touch with
a group of people who share faith and a
desire to support others. It kindles friendships and a sense of community.
Now, maybe a sandwich isn’t the best
analogy for this theme. Too much stuff
on a sandwich makes it unrealistically
tall and, frankly, if we are trying to reach
the attention of third-graders, there are
other things that will resonate better.
Like an ice cream sundae! Now there’s
something that a person of any age
would love. So I suggest the following
treat to help today’s lesson sink in: “Parish life is like a sundae; the more we add to
it, the better it becomes.”
Ultimate Ice Cream Sundae Pie
• Prepared chocolate cookie pie crust
• 1 pint vanilla ice cream (softened)
• 1.5 quart container vanilla, chocolate, strawberry ice
cream (Neapolitan)
• ¼ cup mini chocolate chips
• ½ cup caramel topping
• Jar of hot fudge topping (warmed before serving)
• Can of whipped cream
• 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
• ¼ cup chocolate candies (minis)
• ¼ cup chopped pecans
• Rainbow sprinkles
Spread entire container of softened vanilla ice cream
evenly in the bottom of the prepared pie crust. Pour the
caramel topping over the ice cream layer. Sprinkle the
mini chocolate chips over the caramel. Cover and place
in freezer for 15-20 minutes to harden. Remove from
freezer. Scoop vanilla, chocolate, strawberry ice cream
balls and arrange close together on top of frozen layers.
Return to freezer for an additional 30 minutes or until
ready to serve. Drizzle on warm hot fudge and top off
(each piece) with strawberries, whipped cream, chocolate
candies, pecans and sprinkles before serving. Enjoy!
Anothe
r idea:
Make it
split pie the Ultimate
b
cream to . Substitute stra anana
wberry ic
pping fo
r
e
center la
yer) and the caramel (fo
r the
s
strawbe
liced ba
rries a
nanas
sauce, c nd top off with c for the
rushed p
h
marasch
ineapple ocolate
ino cher
a
nd a
ry. Or
ize the fr
ozen tre just customat with y
favorite
toppings our
!
9
10
Dear Fr. Joe:
T. Gennara
Is there one ‘right’ way to
receive Communion?
@
Q
Send your questions to: [email protected]
Recently, at church, someone told me receiving Communion in the hand is
disrespectful. Is this accurate? How should I receive Communion?
I’ve gotten
this one and
variations on it
from a few readers – I hope
my information helps.
Before we dive into the
“how” and the “why”
though, I’d like to take a
moment and explain why
these are important issues and not
“nit-picking.”
We call the Eucharist the Blessed
Sacrament. All of our sacraments are
amazing, but when we talk about the
Eucharist, we are talking about the
one from which all the others flow. It
is the most potent spiritual medicine
available to us. Because of its amazing
power and beauty, we are always
to use one word above all others in
relation to it: reverence. Here’s a pretty
powerful passage from Paul’s first
letter to the Corinthians:
“Therefore, whoever eats the body or
drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily
will have to answer for the body and
blood of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 11:27).
So, with that in mind, how are we
to receive? According to the laws of
the church, there are two ways we
can receive Communion: on the hand
or on the tongue. To be clear, both
ways of receiving are approved by
the church. The folks who told you
receiving Communion in the hand is a
mortal sin were wrong.
So, if we receive on the hand, how
do we do it? Look at this quote from
St. Cyril of Jerusalem: “When you
approach holy Communion, make the
left hand into a throne for the right,
which will receive the king.” Pope
iStockphoto
in the know with Fr. Joe
A
Paul VI added, “Then, with your lower
hand, take the consecrated host and
place it in your mouth.” For those
who receive Communion on the hand,
please be sure and follow this practice.
Receiving one-handed or cupping the
hand is not the right way to receive.
For those who receive in the mouth,
the key is to tilt your head back and
extend your tongue so that there is
no danger of the host falling. Simply
opening your mouth is not safe or
sanitary. This practice also is affirmed
by our history – Pope Leo the Great
referred to receiving in the mouth
when he wrote about the sixth chapter
of the Gospel of John.
In both cases, focus on being
reverent. I’ve seen both Communionin-the-hand and Communion-in-themouth folks approach the Eucharist
with tremendous respect and honor;
and I’ve seen the opposite, as well.
Our posture in approaching the
Eucharist needs to be different, as well:
We should stand ready – alert and
prepared to receive Jesus attentiveness
and love in our hearts. Our “Amen”
should be loud and clear – a strong
affirmation of our communal belief.
I’ve received letters from folks about
priests not allowing them to receive
Communion on the hand and from
folks whose priests do not allow them
to receive on the tongue. The priest
has no authority to do such a thing
on either side. I would suggest you
politely share with your priest your
concerns and ask him to change his
personal rule. If not, then I would
follow up with a letter to the bishop.
For those of you who have a strong
opinion about how others should
receive, I invite you to focus on how
you and your family receive. Don’t
worry about others. Jesus promised
that he would guide us as a church
and we need to cling to those words.
It’s not our duty to save the church,
but to let Jesus save us through it.
Enjoy another day in God’s
presence!
11
Behold, I make all things new!
Read more of Paul Jarzembowski’s thoughts on www.spiritualpopcorn.blogspot.com.
O
ver the last decade, a number of movie and television franchises have been
“rebooting” themselves. From Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins a few years ago
to J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek last year to the A-Team and Karate Kid revivals coming to
a multiplex near you this summer, the reboot trend is as popular as ever.
EVERETT
When it comes to these
kinds of films, it seems that
we love the feeling of going
back to younger days, when
we first experienced these
cultural moments for the
first time.
Do you remember reading
your Batman comics as a
kid? Or watching William
Shatner and Leonard
Nimoy as Captain Kirk and
Mr. Spock in the original
Star Trek epsiodes? As a
child of the 1980s, I can
vividly recall the fun and
excitement of watching the
crew of the The A-Team
blast through the screen
in their signature black
and red-striped van. (This
summer, you can be sure I’ll
be the first one in line on
the day that reboot opens.)
There is a risk in seeing
these movies, though.
Sometimes a fresh take
on an old classic not only
honors the past, but points
the way to the future. Other
times, however, especially
when audiences come
with high expectations, the
revision can’t compete with
the original.
Some might reject change
– either at the movies or
in their lives – to avoid a
possible disappointment.
As the saying goes, “better
the devil you know than the
one you don’t.”
In the Book of Revelation,
the author envisioned the
reign of God as something
new and unexpected. To use
the language of the movies,
Jerusalem and the whole
God grant me the
serenity to accept the
things I cannot change;
courage to change
the things I can;
and wisdom to know
the difference.
Whether it’s as simple as
watching a rebooted movie
this summer, or as complex
as dealing with drastic new
changes in our life at work,
with family and friends,
or even within our faith
communities, let us pray for
the strength and wisdom we
need.
spiritual popcorn
world were about to get
a reboot: “I saw a new
heaven and a new earth.
The former heaven and the
former earth had passed
away” (Rev. 21:1). A new
future had arrived and
God proudly proclaims,
“Behold, I make all things
new!” (Rev. 21:5).
The past is sacred –
and, for many, quite
comfortable, like old
episodes of The A-Team
or the Karate Kid movies
of the 1980s. But the
future is just as sacred and
important.
These reboots remind
me of the first lines of the
famous “Serenity Prayer,”
12
theology 101
mystery we celebrate.
The bishops at Vatican II recognized
this when they noted that the “full,
conscious and active participation of the
people was the aim to be considered before all else” (SC 14ff). The new Order of
Mass had more than a dozen parts that
could be sung, as well as numerous options for the priest celebrant. No longer
were the people to be silent spectators.
Liturgical music’s primary role, then, is
ministerial – it serves the liturgy. It allows
the people to be more actively engaged,
harmonizes with the liturgical season
and day and supports the structure of
the given rite. It allows the rite to unfold
without overshadowing the ritual words
and actions (Sing to the Lord, 68). Sometimes
music accompanies a ritual action (Lamb
of God); sometimes it supports a ritual
action (an entrance hymn); and sometimes it is the ritual action (the Gloria).
What do we sing?
Singing at liturgy
T. Gennara
What is sung liturgy?
Part 3 of a 14-part series
Rita Thiron is director of the Office of Worship for the Catholic
Diocese of Lansing and a member of the board of the Federation of
Diocesan Liturgical Commissions.
W
hen they crossed through the Red Sea, the
Old Testament people praised God in song
(Exodus 15). The psalmist tells of people who
danced and sang with timbrels and harps
(Ps 149). Long before the role of the cantor
emerged in synagogue practices, the people publicly chanted
prayers and cantillated the Torah. Jesus and his disciples sang
on their way to the Mount of Olives. Paul told the Colossians to
“sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your
hearts to God” (3:16). Generations of Christians since have composed music to praise God – a simple melody or a polyphonic
masterpiece, accompanied by large orchestras or a crude drum,
voiced by a soloist or an assembly of thousands.
Why sing?
We value music. It engages the heart,
expresses emotions and stirs the soul in
ways that the spoken word cannot. But
music is not merely an optional decoration of our liturgy. It is integral to it. We
do not sing at liturgy, we sing the liturgy!
Since music expresses and fosters faith,
it allows us to more deeply enter into the
Not every part of the Mass is sung, but
among those that are, we can recognize
various categories. Knowing what they
are helps us to appreciate some ancient
traditions, to choose music wisely and to
give priorities to what should be sung.
Dialogues are exchanges between
the presider and assembly, e.g., The Lord
be with you. And also with you. They are
part of the presider’s communication with
us and they both signify and bring about
communal celebration (STL 115).
Acclamations are “shouts of joy”
from the assembly and, by their very
nature, should be strong and musically
appealing. Among these are the Gospel
Acclamation – an Alleluia and verse
before we listen to the words of Jesus.
(In Lent, another verse replaces it.) We
respond to the General Intercessions
with Lord, hear our prayer or some
other sung response. We “interrupt” the
Eucharistic Prayer several times with our
acclamations. We sing the Holy, holy,
holy at the conclusion of the Preface.
The memorial acclamation (e.g. Christ
has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come
again) expresses our faith in the paschal
mystery. In the Great Amen, we offer our
final assent to the full Eucharistic Prayer.
The psalms are “the voice of Christ
and the voice of the church at prayer”
(STL 116, quoting Laudis canticum, Paul VI, 1970).
Since they are songs of praise and peti-
13
tion, they are meant to be sung.
The original place for hymns in the
liturgy was actually the Liturgy of the
Hours. A four-hymn structure was first
added to the Latin Mass to allow participation. Now, vernacular hymns may be
used to accompany the entrance, the
presentation of the gifts, Communion
and, if desired, a recessional. These
processional songs create a sense
of community. The entrance song helps
us to enter into our celebration and
prepares us to hear the word of God
(GIRM 46). The Communion hymn fosters
a sense of unity as we partake of the
sacrament of unity.
Supplemental songs have no
specified texts. These include a prelude,
a preparation hymn, or the song after
Communion (GIRM 164).
Other parts of the Mass also may
be sung, including the Lord’s Prayer;
the Profession of Faith or Creed may
be sung, but a simple setting should be
used (GIRM 68). The Gospel also may be
chanted.
How do we choose music?
Many parishes are blessed by trained
pastoral musicians who, with the pastor,
coordinate liturgical music. Liturgies
always are prepared as a whole, not by
selecting distinct elements. So music is
chosen by looking at the readings and
prayers of the Mass, as well as any ritual
action it may demand.
Every year, Catholics from
around the globe travel to religiously significant locations in order to deepen their understanding
and appreciation for the Catholic
faith, to venerate Mary and the
saints, to ask for intercessory
prayers and to express gratitude.
Here is just one of the many
places you might want to make a
pilgrimage.
Ephesus, Turkey
“In this world, God
loves nothing more
than the liberty of his
church.”
A:
St. Anselm
(around 1033-1109)
St. Anselm is the doctor of scholasticism. He was a Benedictine monk
who held the office of archbishop of
Canterbury from 1093 to 1109. He is
called the founder of scholasticism, the
theological movement that brought
a rigorous application of logic to the
reflection on the deposit of faith. He
is famous for his origination of the
ontological argument for the existence
of God and his work Why God Became
Man, which outlined his “satisfaction”
theory of the atonement.
St. Anselm was also the first in the
church to oppose the slave trade in
England.
The anniversary of his death is
celebrated on April 21.
Those who prepare the music take the
following into account:
The liturgical judgment – Is this
music capable of serving the structural
and ritual aspects of the rite? Does it
match the ritual action, e.g., are we singing of holy Communion at Communion
time? Is this antiphon or verse called for
Ephesus, in modern-day
Turkey, remains the bestpreserved classical city and
contains the largest collection
of Roman ruins in the eastern
Mediterranean. About 15 percent has been excavated, but
the ruins that are visible give
some idea of the city’s original
splendor.
As a strategic coastal gateway to the East, Ephesus grew
to be the second-largest city in
the Roman Empire. However,
Ephesus also was an important center for Christianity.
St. Paul lived in Ephesus for
a time and one of his letters
to the Christian community
at Ephesus is included in the
in the liturgical books?
The pastoral judgment – Does
this music draw the people closer to the
mystery they celebrate? Does it help
form their faith? Does it respect the
age, culture, language, or education of a
particular assembly?
The musical judgment – Does
this piece of music have the aesthetic
qualities to bear the weight of the mystery
being celebrated? Is it worthy music?
Neither popular songs nor songs with
cheap or trite musical styles are suitable
for liturgy. While the church may applaud
Gregorian Chant, the church has never
adopted any one particular musical style,
but has admitted styles of music from
every period (SC 123).
To these three qualities, we might add
the “theological judgment” so that one
may carefully examine all lyrics in light of
sound doctrine.
Who sings?
The simple answer to this is that we
all do! Bishops, priests and deacons
have texts that are assigned to them.
Skilled cantors, choirs and instrumentalists lead our singing. But the assembly
is the primary musical minister. All of us
participate in sung liturgy – young or old,
gifted with a great voice or not, we all
must raise our hearts and voices to God
in song. After all, all liturgy anticipates the
heavenly liturgy and we are just warming
up for the heavenly choir!
Scriptures. Ignatius of Antioch
also addressed a letter to the
Ephesians in the early second
century and legend has it that
both St. John and the Virgin
Mary lived in Ephesus near
the end of their lives.
Notables:
The House of the Virgin
Mary is believed to
have been the last
home of Mary, the
mother of Jesus. In
1967, Pope Paul
VI visited the site
and confirmed the
authenticity of the
legend.
The Church of Mary,
which lies close to the harbor
of Ephesus, was the setting
for the Council of Ephesus
in 431.
The Basilica of St. John
was built by Emperor Justinian in the sixth century and
stands over what is believed to
be the burial site of St. John.
House of the Virgin Mary.
pilgrimage destination
Pilgrimage
destination of
the month
Who said that?
14
15
Celebrating the
feasts of summer
T
his month, we are going to do
a bit of a different reflection.
June is so rich with tremendous
feasts: the Feast of Corpus
Christi (the body and blood of
Christ) on June 6; the Feast of the Sacred
Heart (June 11); and the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (June 12).
I want to focus on these three feasts because I so often hear
people say that they do not know God’s personal love for
them; they do not believe their sins are forgiven; they experience being isolated or alone, on the outside in so many ways.
The feasts this month are gifts from God – antidotes to the
lies that cripple and destroy. What I would like you to do
this month is to reflect on these three feasts and the attached
Scriptures and see where you need to open your heart and
mind more fully
to the love God
has for you.
Pope Urban IV
told us in a very
succinct statement that “Eating wounded us
(the apple) and
eating healed us
Corpus Christi procession
(the Eucharist).”
God so loved
you that he chose to remain with you by giving you his own
body and blood to nourish you. Celebrate this love on the
Feast of Corpus Christi (the body and blood of Christ).
Moment for reflection: Read John 6:22-71. Read also
Luke 24:13-35. Ask God for the grace to understand
how loved you really are. May this feast mark the beginning of a deeper faith. May praise and thanksgiving rise
from your heart.
On Friday, June 11, the
church celebrates the great
Feast of the Sacred Heart.
Our Lord appeared many
years ago to St. Margaret
Mary Alacoque in France.
He revealed himself with his
heart like a burning furnace of love. He said to her,
“Behold this heart which has
so loved men and is so little
loved in return.”
God did not say he had
Sacred Heart of Jesus
done everything (though he
had) when he died upon the
cross for us, when he gave us as food his own body and blood,
but he continues to reveal his love through his saints, pleading
for us to believe.
Moment for reflection: Do you believe in the personal love
that God has for you? Read John 15:7-11; John 17:20-26,
especially verses 23, 26. Also, read Romans 8:35-39.
Remember, too, in God’s great love, God forgives and forgets! When we confess our sins in the sacrament of reconciliation and are truly repentant, God forgets. Don’t continue to
carry the load of guilt and fear and regret. God’s love enables
you to walk in “newness of life.” Receive it.
The third feast is the Feast
of the Immaculate Heart
of Mary. All of us need a
mother. God has given us
his own mother. Remember
the words at the foot of the
cross. He said to his mother,
“Woman, behold your son!”
Then he said to his disciple,
“Behold your mother.”
When Christ gave John his
mother, he was giving her to
us, to walk with us, to help
Immaculate Heart of Mary
us on the journey back to
him (See John 19:25-27).
May we entrust ourselves more and more to Mary, who will
inevitably lead us deeper and deeper into the heart of God.
May you open your heart this month more and more to the
personal love of God for you.
spiritual fitness
Moment for reflection: Do you think your sin is too great to
be forgiven? Do you have thoughts that isolate you or make
you think you’re the low man or woman on the proverbial totem pole? Do you harbor resentment or desire for revenge?
Thoughts like these are lies of the devil, seeking to rob you of
trust, of confidence in God’s love and forgiveness.
T. Gennara
Sister Ann Shields is a renowned author and a member of the Servants of God’s Love. Questions can be
addressed to Sister Ann Shields, Renewal Ministries, 230 Collingwood, Suite 240, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Sister Ann’s new book, To be like Jesus, Reflections on the Gospel of Luke, is available from www.renewalministries.net or by calling 734.662.1730
16
c o v e r
by Patricia Mish
|
Photos by Kathy Denton
s t o r y
Ray McCahill
during his tenure as
boys’ basketball
coach at Catholic
Central High School.
A
competitive runner in high school, Dr. Larry
McCahill remembers sitting in the confessional
one day having an internal debate.
“I didn’t know whether it was wrong to pray to win,
” he recalls asking the
priest. “I never forgot this. He said, ‘Pray like everythin
g depends on God,
but run like everything depends on you.’ That stuck
with me.”
In a way, that describes how Larry helped his olde
r brother Ray during
his four-year battle with cancer. Though it’s a battl
e they would eventually
lose, throughout Ray’s illness Larry helped plan his
medical treatment; lined
him up with specialists; flew in for major surgeries
and even bunked in
Ray’s hospital room. More recently Larry has offered
similar support to Ray’s
youngest son, Champ, as he battles brain cancer.
A former Aquinas College basketball player and coac
hing legend at Grand
Rapids Catholic Central High School, Ray faced his
illness and death in 2006
with courage and faith. While his brother’s death and
the loss of others in his
family have challenged his faith, Larry says he has
come to understand that
“you can only do so much – the rest is in God’s hand
s.”
17
18
A
cover story
nationally
recognized
surgical
oncologist,
Larry spends his days – and
more than a few nights –
helping patients fight cancer.
He admits he is more than a
little driven. “I’m a little more
motivated than the average
person I think,” he said. “I
consider that a gift from God.”
At the same time, his faith also has
“allowed me to accept defeat and that
I can’t control everything,” said Larry.
“But you can sure try.”
Oh, and he does more than try.
Larry, his wife Julie and their
children Aidan, Logan, Madelyn
and Colin, belong to St. Stephen
Parish, in Grand Rapids. Grand
Rapids became their home in 2009,
when Larry joined The Lacks Cancer
Center at Saint Mary’s as medical
director of surgical oncology. He is
the Director of the Gastrointestinal
Multidisciplinary Program at Lacks,
and previously at the University
of Vermont. He also initiated and
serves as the principal investigator
of a nationwide multicenter clinical
trial for patients with advanced
colon cancer, which was initiated in
2003 and just completed in 2009.
Dr. McCahill refers to this as “Ray’s
clinical trial”.
‘It all started with
basketball’
While medicine drew Larry to
Grand Rapids, his story really begins
on the basketball court.
Born in the Chicago area, Larry,
the eighth sibling in a Catholic
family of ten children, spent much
of his childhood watching Ray play
basketball. Ray, 11 years his senior,
played high school ball at Brother
Rice on Chicago’s South Side. He
went on to become a basketball
standout at Aquinas College in Grand
Rapids, captaining the 1974 squad.
“I’m a basketball freak,” says Larry,
47. When Larry was growing up, he’d
Dr. Larry McCahill in his office
at Saint Mary’s Health Care.
You really don’t
get it – especially
when you’re praying,
praying, praying, going
to church. Then
they die anyway.
It challenges your
faith.”
attend Aquinas games with his family
and remembers Ray as “bigger than
life.”
Their sister Norine and her
husband Dr. William Cunningham
would settle in Grand Rapids as well,
along with sister Pattijean and her
late husband Jay Alt. Alt, a Grand
Rapids native and All-American
swimmer at East Grand Rapids High
School, was diagnosed with Stage
4 metastic melanoma less than two
years after he married Pattijean.
Larry was Pattijean’s point person in
helping her manage Jay’s terminal
illness.
“He once called me from a field
training mission in Australia to
discuss outcomes and provided
recommendations on the next steps
for one of Jay’s surgeries,” Pattijean
recalled.
One of Larry’s best memories was
visiting Ray – then a bachelor – when
he was in 8th grade.
“I came to visit him in Grand
Rapids and play at St. Aquinas
basketball camp and he was one
of the coaches,” he recalled. “I
remember riding around with him on
the back of his motorcycle … so he
was bigger than life.”
Ray met and married his wife
Peaches in 1979 and the couple, who
were married for 27 years, had five
children, Ryan, Molly, Michael,
Katelin and Champlin. During the
1970s, Ray became a coach and
an assistant principal at Catholic
Central. Later, he and Peaches
jointly owned the McCahill Group,
a corporate wellness company.
Every summer, the McCahill
clan would gather in Glen Arbor,
Michigan. During one of these
vacations, Larry took Ray on in a
game of one-on-one basketball.
Larry had a healthy lead and
figured he’d finally bested his big
brother at his own game.
That’s when Ray asked Larry:
“Are you ready for Moses?” While
Ray was a religious man, he was
not talking about the Biblical
figure, but rather former NBA star
Moses Malone. Ray pulled “his
Moses imitation,” dominating the
low post and using his 6’3” frame
to block Larry down low, Mosesstyle; victory: Ray again.
Early years
Although the McCahill clan
initially lived on Chicago’s South
Side and attended Catholic schools;
the family eventually moved to the
western suburbs, where Larry and
his younger siblings attended public
school and Catholic catechism classes.
A family with a strong Catholic faith,
they would pray at night and attend
Sunday Mass.
Larry’s father was a World War
II Navy vet and an engineer, and
his mother was a nurse. His father
hoped Larry would follow in his
footsteps and join the Navy to
pursue a career in engineering.
Larry was accepted to the Naval
Academy, but turned it down to
pursue a biomedical engineering
degree at North Carolina’s Duke
University. By his sophomore year,
he had received early acceptance
into Duke’s prestigious medical
school.
That year, Larry’s father died of
advanced pancreatic cancer at age
59. At the same time Larry’s father
learned he had cancer, his mother
was diagnosed with primary
lymphoma of the lung.
“At one point they were in the
Ray (left) and Larry McCahill in their younger days.
hospital at the same time,” he recalled
of that difficult year. “Dad didn’t know
my mom was in the hospital,” because
his mom did not want to worry him.
After Larry’s father died, his mother,
a non-smoker, had two-thirds of
her lung removed and was treated
with radiation. Five years later she
underwent a risky operation to remove
the radiation-damaged lung, but died
during surgery.
The early deaths of his parents dealt
a heavy blow to Larry and caused him
to question his faith.
The McCahill brothers Ray, Larry, Tom, and Tim after a game of hoops.
19
20
Fighting cancer as a
surgeon
That year, he learned his brother Ray had
been diagnosed with Stage 2 colon cancer;
the cure rate was 60 percent to 70 percent.
pharmacist, were married in 1993.
“During those years it was definitely
hard to keep up with family,” he said,
recalling that he worked 70- to 100hour weeks and would sleep in the
hospital every other night for fourmonth stretches. Larry served as a
surgeon in the Navy from 1996 to 2000.
He spent two years in Okinawa, Japan,
where he started the first breast cancer
clinic while serving on staff there; and
two years at the Naval Hospital in
Bremerton, Washington. From 2000
to 2002, Larry did a surgical oncology
fellowship at City of Hope Hospital in
Los Angeles.
cover story
Larry was drawn initially to surgery,
with family practice as his second
choice.
“I liked the broad scope of diseases
that were seen in surgery,” he said,
noting that surgeons also treat patients
of a variety of ages.
The deaths of his parents, and later
his sister Pattijean’s husband Jay, of
cancer, influenced Larry’s decision to
specialize in surgical oncology. So did
the nature of the field.
“It seemed to be a more cerebral part
of surgery – where you had to account
for other treatment options for patients
besides just surgery,” he said.
As a surgical oncologist, Larry treats
solid tumors – most cancers other than
leukemia and lymphoma.
After graduating from medical
school, Larry did his surgical residency
from 1990 to 1996. He and Julie, a
In 2002, McCahill began his practice as a
surgical oncologist at the University of Vermont.
‘100 percent for Ray’
In 2002, Larry began his practice as a
surgical oncologist at the University of
Vermont. That year, he learned that his
brother Ray had been diagnosed with
Stage 2 colon cancer. Larry traveled to
Grand Rapids for his brother’s surgery,
and spent the night at the hospital.
From that time forward, the two
brothers joined forces in battling Ray’s
cancer.
“I was able to explain to him what
was going to happen and give him
some guidance to through recovery,”
recalled Larry. “After that he was very
comfortable with me as an advisor.”
Larry, Julie and their
children (from left) Aidan,
Logan, Madelyn and Colin.
Larry and Julie on their
wedding day in 1993.
Larry and Julie
Ray’s family on vacation a few years
ago; (from left) his eldest son Ryan, his wife
Peaches, Molly (in front of Ray), Michael,
Katelin and Champlin (in front right).
Ray McCahill was a basketball standout and captain of the 1974
Aquinas College basketball team. He also served as basketball coach and
assistant principal at Grand Rapids Catholic Central. He directly sponsored,
supported, and orchestrated other sporting events in the Grand Rapids area.
The Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame Committee has renamed its MVP
award to honor McCahill.
Ray’s Clinical Trial
The call came 10 minutes before
Dr. Larry McCahill was to give a
major presentation to convince
leading physicians and other heavyhitters in the medical field to back his
proposed multicenter clinical trial for
patients with advanced colon cancer.
McCahill, standing in the lobby at
a hotel in Huntington Beach, Calif.,
learned that his older brother Ray
had died of cancer, ending a six-year
battle they had fought together.
“It was unbelievable,” said
McCahill, a surgical oncologist. “I
just said, ‘This is one more message
this trial has got to be done. I thought
about canceling my talk. Then I
said, ‘You know, this is not what he’d
want.’”
McCahill came up with the
idea for the clinical trial during his
fellowship at City of Hope Hospital
in Los Angeles. The question:
should a surgical oncologist perform
surgery to remove the primary tumor
or focus on treating the other organs
involved instead?
McCahill and a team of young
surgeons developed the clinical
trial at a course at the University of
Vermont. It emerged as the best trial
and McCahill would go on to present
it across the nation to gain funding
and find study participants.
Early in the process, McCahill
learned his brother Ray had Stage
2 cancer. “(The clinical trial) wasn’t
really his clinical scenario, but it still
motivated me,” recalled McCahill.
“You had to sell it to these big
national groups with all these world
experts.”
Calling it “Ray’s Clinical Trial,”
McCahill would often put up pictures
of Ray’s five children as part of his
presentations.
“Basically I just said; you want to
be in a different position in the next
generation. You’d like to know more
than you did when this all started.”
Seven years in the making, the
clinical trial has been completed.
“We’ve clearly established that you
don’t need to take out the tumor,”
said McCahill. “Surgery is not going
to affect their overall survival time,
but it may put them through a bit of
hell before they eventually succumb
to their disease.”
Instead, doctors can focus on
providing less invasive treatments
to stem the spread of the disease
and improve quality of life. The study
will affect the way specialists treat
15,000 patients a year who have
the same clinical scenario.
Julie recalls that Larry “completely
went 100 percent for Ray. He came
here to stay with him and became so
much more connected with his brother
after his illness.”
Ray recovered from surgery,
afterward even beating Larry in
basketball yet again. However, the
cancer would later spread to Ray’s liver
and lungs.
Larry put Ray in touch with
specialists at New York’s Memorial
Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center for a
liver resection to remove the damaged
tissue. He also had a partial lung
resection. A year later, Ray would have
a second liver resection.
“That was a lot to go through,” recalls
Larry. “You’re sort of in an awkward
situation where you’re trying to be
aggressive. But you’re also causing
some misery for your brother and his
family. He understood the odds and
was willing to be aggressive to a point.”
At the same time, Larry respected
his brother’s wishes when he decided
it was time to stop treatment. About
two weeks before Ray died, the two
brothers talked for the last time.
“He expressed thanks for everything
I had done and really let me know he
loved me as a brother.”
Ray faced his death with faith and
dignity, recalls Deacon Dale Hollern of
St. Stephen Catholic Church. Hollern,
principal of Catholic Central in the
1970s, hired Ray as basketball coach
and later as assistant principal.
“He had very great faith from the first
time I met with him,” recalled Hollern.
After the second surgery in New York,
Ray called him. “He said, ‘Dale, I’m in
the home stretch.’”
The two began meeting, sharing
faith and scripture, and toward the end
planning Ray’s funeral.
“He understood and accepted God’s
will,” Peaches said of her husband. “He
wasn’t particularly angry. He enjoyed
the moments that God gave him….
At the end he had no unfinished
business.”
As death approached, Ray’s only wish
was that his wife’s face was the last that
he would see. He died in her arms.
The Cathedral of Saint Andrew,
where Ray’s funeral Mass was held, was
21
22
packed to overflowing with family,
friends, business associates and
former Catholic Central athletes.
While Larry always saw his brother
as “bigger than life,” he says now, “I
don’t think I fully understood him as
a person – how big he was. There was
much more to him than a basketball
player. I started to get a glimpse of
that through his illness that he really
understood a lot more about life than
I realized.”
`The rest is in God’s
hands’
By the time that Ray died, Larry’s
faith had matured. While he
questioned his faith after his parents
and brother-in-law died, he says that
Julie and Ray’s widow Peaches have
helped him see things differently.
“They have helped me to
understand that you can only do so
much – the rest is in God’s hands.”
During the interview for this story,
the McCahills learned that Ray’s
youngest son Champ, 14, (pictured
at right with his father, Ray) has
a brain tumor. Though illness has
again been a challenge to their faith,
family members say they are relying
on God’s grace and leaning on one
another. Julie McCahill now sees more
clearly how God had a hand in her
family’s move to Grand Rapids.
“I think now with our nephew’s
illness, this is definitely where we are
supposed to be.”
Peaches McCahill agrees. Just as he
did when her husband was ill, Larry is
helping coordinate Champ’s care and
connecting the family with leading
surgeons.
“He’s been extraordinarily helpful
to me,” Peaches said.
cover story
Turning to God
When Ray was being treated for
cancer, he would send Larry handwritten notes about Grand Rapids’
growing medical community and
enclose newspaper clippings about
the Van Andel Institute, where Larry
conducts a multi-center, National
Cancer Institute sponsored study
on the quality of cancer surgery.
Ray’s suggestions and letters were
like breadcrumbs on the path that
Ray McCahill and his son Champlin.
I think I listen well to patients and what their
wishes and desires are. I pray regularly,
and I’ve never lost, despite everything, the
desire to turn to God for help.”
ultimately led Larry here to help shape
Lacks Cancer Center into “a center
that offers state of the art, high quality
cancer care, everything people need
here on the western side of the state.”
Another enticement was Van Andel
Institute Director Dr. Jeff Trent’s
focus on cancer and international
recognition, which places Grand
Rapids in a position “to become a real
player in the cancer world.”
Thanks in large part to experiences
in his own family, in particular
walking alongside Ray through his
illness; Larry says he will never lose
sight of the unique needs of each
individual patient. He is excited to
present the results of “Ray’s Clinical
Trial” to a worldwide audience of
cancer specialists at the American
Society of Clinical Oncology annual
meeting this month. “This should
definitely change the standard of
care for patients who present with
advanced colon cancer. I think the
results of this trial will finally answer
a longstanding unanswered question
for patients with colon cancer, and
eliminate the need for surgery for
patients with advanced disease”.
Every day Larry turns to his faith
and strives to be a good person as well
as a good doctor.
“I think I listen well to patients and
what their wishes and desires are,” he
said. “I pray regularly, and I’ve never
lost, despite everything, the desire to
turn to God for help.”
23
Bishop Baraga sainthood cause takes major step forward
T
he cause for sainthood for Bishop
Frederic Baraga, first bishop of
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, took a
giant step forward this spring with an
announcement by Bishop Alexander K.
Sample of the Catholic Diocese of Marquette, Mich.
initiated in the 1930s, when the Bishop Baraga Association was
established to promote the cause for sainthood of the “Snowshoe
Priest,” the alleged miracle has spurred new interest in Rome.
The Congregation for the Causes of Saints will again review the
positio (a comprehensive summary of the candidate’s life, virtues
and writings by and about him) and make a recommendation to
Pope Benedict XVI regarding Bishop Baraga’s heroic virtue. The
Holy Father will then decide whether the title of “Venerable” can be
conferred on Bishop Baraga.
Born in Slovenia in 1797, Bishop Baraga came to the United
States as a missionary to the Odawa and Ojibwa people of the
upper Great Lakes region in 1830. He traveled throughout the
80,000 square-mile territory by canoe, horse, snowshoe and
even dog sled.
In 1833, then Father Baraga established the beginnings of
Saint Andrew Church in Grand Rapids, Mich., when he built the
first church, St. Mary’s Mission, amid Indian cornfields on the west
bank of the Grand River.
At about the same time, he chose a site which the Catholic
Odawa wished to have as their center for prayer “on an elevation,
offering a beautiful view of the lake and the Maschkigong river.”
The bluff is thought to be Pigeon Hill in present-day Muskegon,
overlooking Muskegon Lake.
He was consecrated a bishop and appointed vicar apostolic of
the Upper Peninsula in 1853. When the vicariate apostolic was
established as the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie (now called the
Diocese of Marquette) in 1857, Baraga served as its first bishop
until his death in 1868. His work includes an Ojibwa-English
dictionary, which is still in use today.
Story courtesy of John Fee, Catholic Diocese of Marquette, Mich.
Contributions from Where the Star Came to Rest: The stories of the Catholic people of West
Michigan, by Rev. Msgr. Gaspar F. Ancona.
local news
“We believe that we have a miracle – a medical miracle – that
we can attribute to the intercession of Bishop Baraga,” said Bishop
Sample.
The case involves what was “thought to be a tumor on a
patient’s liver that showed up on various tests, including a CT scan
and ultrasound,” explained Father Ronald Browne, moderator
of the curia for the Diocese of Marquette. “However, when
exploratory surgery was done, there was no tumor to be found.”
The patient, the patient’s family and their parish priest had
prayed for healing, invoking the intercession of Bishop Baraga.
Additionally, Bishop Baraga’s stole had been placed on the
patient’s abdomen, after which the patient reported that the pain
had gone away.
The patient’s doctor and radiologist said they can offer no
explanation for the apparent cure.
An official inquiry to investigate the alleged miracle began
on March 12 when members of a canonical tribunal signed
documents to open the process. Bishop Sample has appointed
Father Browne to lead the work of the tribunal. Other members of
the team include Father Ben Paris as promoter of justice, Elizabeth
Delene as notary, Judy Jason as copier (transcriptionist) and Dr.
John G. Kublin as the medical expert. Father Michael Steber,
pastor of St. Peter Cathedral in Marquette, will serve as chancellor
to open and close the inquiry process. The members of the
tribunal took an oath affirming they would perform their duties as
investigators “in the eyes of God.”
Father Browne said, “It is presumed (by the Catholic Church)
that there is not a miracle” until one is proven. The work of the
tribunal is to gather documentation and testimony of the purported
miracle to present to the postulator for the Baraga cause for
sainthood, Andrea Ambrosi, who will travel to the Diocese of
Marquette in July. He will take the reports back to Rome for the
Congregation for the Causes of Saints to weigh the evidence and
determine if a miracle did indeed occur.
To be officially declared a saint by the church, a candidate for
sainthood must clear three hurdles. Firstly, a rigorous investigation
into the candidate’s life, virtues and writings must determine
he or she demonstrates heroic virtues or suffered martyrdom.
When the candidate’s heroic virtue or martyrdom has been
officially recognized by the pope, the person may then be called
“venerable.”
In the second step of the process, a miracle attributable to the
intercession of the person whose sainthood is being sought must
be proven, after which he or she is officially bestowed the title of
“Blessed.” And finally, to be officially declared a saint by the church,
a second miracle must be proven, which can be attributed to the
blessed candidate’s intercession following his beatification.
While the cause for sainthood for Bishop Baraga was
Joe Witte, a physical therapist from the Cathedral of Saint Andrew Parish,
consults with a Dominican patient at a clinic in Veragua, Dominican Republic,
while serving on a recent mission trip there.
profile
24
Evangelized
J
oe Witte thought he had lots of
reasons why he couldn’t go on
a mission trip to the Dominican
Republic – “I don’t have a passport.
I don’t know Spanish. I’m too old
to go…” When the 56-year-old
physical therapist realized he was
allowing excuses to get in the way
of serving God, he removed them
by deciding to just go for it.
by the poor:
A mission to the
Dominican Republic
By Meredith Walsh-Beteta
Photos courtesy of Father Joaquim Lally, C.S.P.
In March, Witte and ten others
from the Diocese of Grand Rapids
accompanied Father Joachim Lally,
Paulist priest and associate pastor
of the Cathedral of Saint Andrew,
on a nine-day mission trip to the
city of Cabarete (pron. Ca-bah-rehtay), just east of Puerto Plata on
the Dominican Republic’s northern
coast. The mission trip team,
which included parishioners of the
cathedral and students from Aquinas
College and Grand Valley State
University (GVSU), was the guest of
Bishop Julio César Corniel Amaro of
the Diocese of Puerto Plata. St. Luke
University Parish in Allendale, was a
main sponsor of the trip.
“I heard about the mission
trip one Sunday while attending
the student Mass held here on
campus,” said Bridget Tiffany, a
GVSU student. She and fellow
GVSU student Jen Butts collected
financial contributions in support
of the mission as well as donations
in the form of hospital and school
supplies, shoes and t-shirts.
While this trip was a first for
most of the participants, Father
Lally has traveled extensively to the
Dominican Republic over the years,
contributing good works in almost
every part of the island nation.
This trip marked his thirty-seventh
mission and fiftieth visit there.
“I think that the main thing,” said
Father Lally, of why he feels people
should participate in mission trips,
“is to have a consciousness of how
people in the third world live and
that they have little in material
possessions.”
Comforting those
in need
Upon their arrival in the
Dominican Republic, Father Lally’s
group, along with 11 volunteers
from Santo Domingo, were divided
into three teams – construction,
schools and medical – to do mission
work for some of the area’s neediest
people.
The medical team worked with
local doctors and nurses, who were
also volunteers. Together, they were
able to see 1,700 patients at two
free clinics. Eighty people received
25
Helping to paint a house in the Dominican Republic are (far left)
Nolan Miklusicak, from the Cathedral of Saint Andrew Parish; (third
from left) Kristen Hayes, from St. Luke University Parish; and Bridget
Tiffany (far right), also from St. Luke University Parish.
Miklusicak (on ladder), Mike
Walton, from St. Luke University
Parish and a Dominican missionary
paint a house in the mountains of
Pallio in the Dominican Republic.
profile
26
physical therapy from Witte who saw
patients for soft tissue or joint massage,
providing comfort, relief and relaxation
for people in pain.
“I was honored to receive the gifts of
smiles, food and prayers so generously
bestowed on us by the people we went
to serve,” Witte said. “It was a prayerful
and enlightening experience that was
beneficial to my own spiritual growth
while we ministered to and with some
of the poorest of God’s people.”
During the first two days of the
mission Butts and Tiffany assisted the
medical group providing translation
and acting as a go-between for nurses
and doctors, as they assisted patients
and wrote prescriptions. Tiffany helped
distribute medication to patients. The
women then joined the construction
group, working in small villages in the
mountains outside Cabarete.
“Every morning we carried our
supplies up the dirt trails, and through
and across small rivers to get to the
neighborhoods,” Tiffany said.
The construction group went into
the mountains to paint and perform
other basic repairs and upgrades; in fact
according to Witte “twenty six houses,
a chapel, and a school,” received some
kind of TLC.
The school team distributed supplies
and even taught lessons to the children,
which “brought much joy and delight,”
said Witte, “(And) we visited a few
orphanages and made hundreds of balloon
creations during our week-long stay.”
Aquinas College student Lydia Good (far right) and Jennifer Butts (second from
right) from Grand Valley State University worked with this medical missionary team
serving in the Dominican Republic.
A transforming
experience
Although the Dominican people have
little in the way of money or material
possessions, it was evident to mission
team members that they are a people
rich in spirituality, Witte said.
Other members of the mission agreed.
“The people of the Dominican
Republic shared their simple and
wholesome lifestyle, positive attitude,
and strong faith,” Tiffany added.
“After this experience I have come
to understand that those lacking
faith, simplicity, love, happiness, and
community are truly those who are less
fortunate,” she said.
“I think it was just a really eyeopening experience,” said Butts, of
the mission trip, “and it was so great
to work with the Dominican people.
Dominican children wait for treatment inside the clinic in Veragua, Dominican Republic.
They were the kindest, happiest people
I have ever met, and I’ve done lots of
volunteer work.”
Participants in the mission returned
with a new sense of faith and spirituality,
said Father Lally.
“The poor will always evangelize you,”
he added. “They teach the real gospel
because they’re put in real situations
where they must trust in Jesus.”
For more information about
how you can be of service to the
people of the Dominican Republic,
please contact Father Joachim
Lally, 616.456.1454 or joachim@
cathedralofsaintandrew.org.
27
CORRECTION: Muskegon Catholic Central High School graduation
On May 30, 65 seniors graduated from Muskegon Catholic
Central High School, Muskegon. More than 92 percent
of those graduates will be pursuing advanced education or
training. Muskegon Catholic Central High School is a private
Catholic school within the diocese. To learn more about Catholic
CIC summer
programs for
spiritual growth
school education in the Diocese of Grand Rapids, go to
dioceseofgrandrapids.org/our_diocese/schools/Pages/
Schools.aspx.
Faith Grand Rapids regrets its typographical error in
May’s edition that included an incorrect percentage.
Catholic Information Cent
er
The Catholic Information
Center (CIC) is offering a variety
of programs for Catholics and
others seeking to learn more
about Catholic belief, practice
and other faith issues. All programs are open
to anyone wishing to attend. Free parking
is available. There is no registration fee, but
donations are welcomed. To register, or for
more information, call 616.459.7267, ext.
1801 or go to catholicinformationcenter.
org. Upcoming programs include:
The Grand Rapids
Dominican Sisters and their
Family Tree
Mondays, July 12, 19, 26
and Aug. 2, 7 p.m. – 8:30
p.m.
This four-session course will
outline the founding of the Order
of Preachers and their expansion
into the worldwide Dominican
family, focusing most specifically on the
branch of this family that eventually wound up
on East Fulton Street in Grand Rapids!
PROGRAMS FOR CATHOLICS
AND OTHERS
seeking to learn more about
CATHOLIC BELIEF, PRACTICE
, AND FAITH ISSUES
CURSOS PARA CATÓLICOS
Y NO CATÓLICOS
apprendamos más sobre
LA FE CATÓLICA Y OTROS
TEMAS
Cathedral Square Center
• 360 Division Avenue
S, Suite 2A • Grand Rapids,
MI 49503 • (616) 459-7267
www.catholicinformation
center.org
•From Afar: Father Lam T. Le, Pastor, St.
Paul Campus Parish, Big Rapids
•Made to Order: Father Dennis Ryan,
CSsR, Pastor, St. Alphonsus Parish,
Grand Rapids
•Newbie: Father Mark E. Peacock, Pastor,
St. Patrick Parish, Parnell
•In His Prime: Father Charles D. Brown,
Pastor, St. Francis de Sales Parish, Holland
•The Well Seasoned: Father Melvin E.
Fox, Retired
Bishop Hurley announces
pastoral appointments
Rev. Rock J. Badgerow has been
appointed administrator of St. James
Church in Grand Rapids, with residence at
St. Jude Parish, also in Grand Rapids.
Rev. Msgr. Terrence L. Stewart has
been appointed administrator of St. Joseph
Church in Wright; an appointment in
addition to his role as pastor of Holy Family
Church in Sparta.
Making Room: Not Only at the Inn
Tuesday, June 29, 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Because of a lack of affordable housing in
our community, many families are forced to
make unrealistic choices between paying the
rent, keeping the gas on or buying groceries.
As people of faith, we long to help, but often
feel overwhelmed and wonder what we can
do. This presentation will share how one
parish’s social justice advocacy group that got
involved to help the homeless as well as the
precariously housed.
U.S. Catholic Church History
Wednesdays June 30, July 7 and 14,
7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Catholics have been a fundamental part of
American history from the first explorers to
modern day. Although Catholics are currently
the single largest religious denomination in the
U.S., much of our history is not widely known.
History teachers’ bonus: Want to walk into
your classroom this fall toting Catholic History
on your hard drive? Bring a thumb drive
along to receive materials and methods.
So Faith May Flourish Continues
Parishioners respond to the 2010 Catholic Services Appeal
The Diocese of Grand Rapids’ family of 103 parishes and nearly
180,000 registered Catholics continues to respond generously to
the once-a-year Catholic Services Appeal (CSA). Your generous gift
to CSA supports vital programs, services and ministries that benefit
our parishes, schools, and communities; helps fund the administration
of our diocesan offices, financial and administrative services to
parishes, and education of our seminarians; advances evangelization
through technology; and feeds the hungry through local, national and
international charities. Each gift to CSA furthers the mission of the
church – locally and beyond our borders – So Faith May Flourish.
local news
Our Priests Share Their Stories
Thursday, June 17, 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
In this Year of the Priest, the CIC has hosted
several evenings during which a few of our
local clergy tell about their calling to and
experience of priestly life. This final session
will feature:
•July 12: Roots – The Dominican
family’s founding and expansion to
include priests, nuns, sisters, brothers
and laity; a bit about the life and legacy
of Sts. Dominic de Guzman, Catherine
of Siena and Thomas of Aquinas.
•July 19: Branches - Four sisters travel
from Regensberg to New York to teach
German immigrants, more sisters move
to Michigan, eventually coming to Grand
Rapids to administer St. John’s Home
for orphans.
•July 26: Nesting – Sisters establish the
Grand Rapids based Congregation of
the Sacred Heart, found Sacred Heart
Academy, (to be renamed Marywood) and
establish Aquinas College.
•Aug. 2: Bearing Fruit – The Grand
Rapids Dominican story continues -–
ministries in education, health care,
parish work and social justice, as well
as the lives and witness of several
individual sisters.
Divorce Support Group
Wednesdays, June 23-Aug. 25,
7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
This 10 week series is offered for all who
are divorced or in the process of becoming
divorced. Led by those who have gone
through the process themselves, it is a
great pathway to personal growth. The
book, Divorce and Beyond by Greteman,
Haverkamp and Radtke will be used as a
guide and is included in the series cost of $15.
special report
28
An update on
the sex abuse scandal
The Charter for the Protection of
Children and Young People
By Douglas Culp
T
he church in the U.S. is no stranger to the scandal of sexual
abuse. Intrinsically evil, sexual abuse, especially of minors,
is an act of violence that betrays the trust of the victim and
violates the dignity and respect owed to them as a human
being. Sadly, the scandal currently spreading through the
universal church expresses the reality that the horror of sexual abuse
knows no geographic boundaries. In response, dioceses in the U.S have
made a concerted effort over the last decade to have zero tolerance
policies for abusers – removing them from ministry and reporting them
to legal authorities. They have put into place programs to prevent sex
abuse, provided for victims and submitted to independent audits to ensure ongoing compliance with the Charter for the Protection of Children
and Young People.
Bishops worldwide are encouraged to meet
with victims of clerical sex abuse, just as Pope
Benedict XVI has done, said the prefect of the
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
“There is nothing that helps bishops or
priests learn about this problem better than
meeting with the victims and hearing their
stories,” U.S. Cardinal William J. Levada said
in a televised interview April 27.
Pope Benedict XVI has met with victims
several times, and “that’s an example to bishops,” he said.
... Concerning the recent resignation of bishops over their handling of sex abuse cases, Cardinal Levada said he would not be surprised if
there were more resignations to follow. He said
the standard by which bishops are expected to
address clerical sex abuse is “not new, but it’s
being applied more rigorously
than in the past.”
“I will look forward to
helping my brother bishops
around the world see what
can be done if you take good
concrete steps, put things out
on the table, make sure that
you’ve got a program to educate your priests and screen
for any problem areas as you
are admitting priests and have
a good program for (a) safe
environment,” he said.
The Charter for the
Protection of Children
and Young People
This document, originally
drafted in 2002 and revised
in 2005 by the United States
Conference of Catholic
Bishops (USCCB), sought
to begin the hard work of
reconciliation and restoring
trust through a commitment
to creating and maintaining a
safe environment for children
and young people.
The Charter addresses each
of the following: outreach to
victims or survivors of sexual
abuse in the hope of facilitating healing and reconcilia-
To inform the Diocese of
Grand Rapids of the sexual
abuse of a minor by a priest,
deacon or other church personnel,
please contact the victim assistance
coordinator at 616.243.0491.
Additional information and
resources from the USCCB’s
Office for Child and Youth
Protection may be found by visiting
usccb.org/ocyp/index.shtml.
tion; appropriate response to allegations
of sexual abuse of minors; accountability
to the Charter’s procedures; and protection of the faithful going forward.
The Charter established the Office for
Child and Youth Protection, which is
charged with providing the “focus for a
consistent, ongoing and comprehensive
approach to creating a secure environment for young people throughout the
church.” This includes reporting on the
implementation of the Charter based on
independent compliance audits.
A National Review Board was created
to “assist in the assessment of diocesan
compliance with the Charter and to
commission studies on the sexual abuse
of minors.” The Board issued a Report
on the Crisis in the Catholic Church in the
United States and commissioned the John
Jay Report, which examined the nature
and scope of sexual abuse of minors by
Catholic clergy between 1950 and 2002.
Essential Norms
In addition to the Charter, the USCCB
approved as “particular law” the Essential
Norms for Diocesan/Eparchial Policies Dealing with Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests or Deacons in 2005. These
norms provide each diocese/eparchy in
the United States with the foundation for
putting into place procedures to respond
promptly to all allegations of sexual
abuse of minors.
The norms require dioceses/eparchies to
have the following: a written policy, a designated person to coordinate assistance
for the immediate pastoral care of persons
claiming to have been sexually abused as
minors by priests or deacons; a diocesan
review board composed of at least five
persons; and a protocol for dealing with
the investigation of allegations and handling of the accused priest or deacon.
Safe Environment
For Parents
As part of the Charter, churches,
schools and youth organizations must
ensure that all children and youth
under their care are kept in the “safest
and most secure setting possible.”
Consequently, safe environment
programs have been developed and
mandated to assist parents, children
and those who work with children to
prevent harm to young people.
The USCCB is clear that parents have
the right to insist their parishes and schools
are in compliance with the Charter for the
Protection of Children and Young People. All
parishes and schools should be able to
show parents that the clergy, employees
and volunteers who work with children are
familiar with the warning signs of offenders,
what to do if they have a concern about
someone and how to report suspected
abuse. In addition, a zero tolerance policy
has been in place since 2002, which calls
for the removal of any cleric against whom
a creditable accusation has been made
regardless of when the offense occurred.
For additional information on this topic,
visit the USCCB Web site www.usccb.
org. A number of resources have been
posted there in order to assist parents and
parishes in creating safe environments for
children and young people.
The USCCB lists several
components of any effective
safe environment program:
•A
code of conduct for clergy and
for any other paid personnel and
volunteers in positions of trust
who have regular contact with
children and young people.
•C
riminal background checks and
training for all adults who work
with children, including clergy.
•A
training program for children
that includes age appropriate
materials pertaining to personal
safety.
What does the charter say?
To read the Charter for the
Protection of Children and
Young People in its entirety, go to
www.usccb.org/ocyp/charter.
shtml.
29
30
Saint John Vianney, pray for us!
Father Ron Hutchinson is director of priestly vocations for the Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids.
vocations – open to God’s call
T
he “Year for Priests” began with
the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart
of Jesus on June 19, 2009, and
concludes with an international
gathering of priests with the Holy Father from
June 9 – 11, 2010 in Rome. In addition to his
announcement about the “Year for Priests,”
the pope also declared Saint John Vianney the
Universal Patron of Priests. This announcement
coincided with the celebration of the 150th
anniversary of the death of the Curé d’Ars.
When he declared Saint John Vianney the patron of all
priests, the Holy Father asked all priests to model their
life and ministry on a venerable and holy man whose own
ministry resulted in the radical spiritual transformation of
the community he served. Priests could scarcely do better
when it comes to modeling their ministry on someone!
The pope set aside this entire year so that priests, as well
as all the people of God, could explore the great gift that
priesthood is for the church. It was also meant to provide
occasion for priests around the world to take advantage of
opportunities to grow in love for their own priestly ministry
as well as personal holiness.
Throughout the last year, the parish community gathered
for Sunday liturgy at Holy Redeemer Parish, Jenison has
been praying for priests during the prayers of the faithful. In
addition, we have been praying that we will have the grace
to look beyond the faults of priests to see holiness in these
men who serve us, and that priests will have the humility
to see holiness in the people they serve. This moment
within the Mass each week has been a powerful reminder
for me of my responsibility to continually grow in holiness
through daily prayer, regular reception of the sacrament of
confession, regular opportunities for spiritual direction and
unselfish service to God and God’s people. However, this
intention has also reminded me to look for holiness in the
people whom I serve.
It is so easy to see the faults in the people around us. In
fact, we usually don’t have to look too hard to see all the
imperfections in our family members, friends and our priest.
Why is it that we can’t see the holiness in others as easily?
Every priest I know has a story of someone who has let them
know, in no uncertain
terms, and usually with
a great deal of venom,
that they were the worst
priest ever. I have no
doubt that I am not
perfect, and that I have
made decisions that
were not wise. But I also
have no doubt that I
am not the worst priest
ever, if only because I
don’t believe that any
priest can really be
labeled with such a
moniker. Although none
of us is perfect, each
priest in the course of his ministry has done some good
and touched the lives of some of those he has served.
This same thing can be said of the people who make up
the body of Christ. Although I may not have the eyes to see
it easily, I believe that each and every person who comprises
the church has done some good and touched the lives of
others around them. If each of us, priests and people, could
live with this knowledge in the forefront of our hearts and
minds we may have eyes that see holiness rather than faults.
I somehow believe that this is the lesson we can learn
from the life of the holy priest of Ars. Transformation
is only possible if we live in the Light of Christ, and he
must have seen that light in others as readily as they saw
that light in him.
Saint John Vianney, pray for us.
NEW Catholic Diocese of
Grand Rapids Web site
The Diocese of Grand Rapids has launched
a new Web site, grpriests.org, that focuses
on priestly vocations. The site includes sections
labeled The Calling (discernment), Education, Current
Seminarians, The Priesthood and Taking the First Step
(in becoming a priest). The Calling, Education and
Priesthood sections also feature a Q&A and links to other
resources.
Save the date
31
My Spiritual
Home
Msgr. Gaspar F. Ancona is a senior priest of the
Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids.
June
24
Let’s go to Bat for Kids!
Join Catholic Charities West Michigan for
the 23rd annual Let’s Go to Bat for Kids!
June 24 at Fifth Third Ballpark. Watch local media
personalities and clergy from the diocese take the field
in a light-hearted softball game to benefit a serious
cause: CCWM’s child abuse prevention services and
family preservation programs. Free children’s games and
activities will be available on the concourse during the
game. Tickets: $5 for age 13 and up; children 12 and
under admitted free. Gates open at 5:45 p.m.; opening
ceremonies at 6:30 p.m. Call 616.551.5667 for more
information. For event updates and ticket purchase
information, visit ccwestmi.org.
Shine on faith
July
24
Rally for Hope and Hunger
St. Patrick Church
in Grand Haven
will host its annual Shine Youth
Conference July 9-11 for highschool-age teenagers seeking
to celebrate and deepen their
faith. The cost for the conference
is $50, which includes meals and lodging To register
or for additional information, e-mail Chris Kreslins at
[email protected] or go to
shineyouthconference.com.
The 11th annual Rally for Hope and
Hunger! will take place Saturday July 24 during the
Ionia Free Fair. For a $20 ticket, guests participate in
a 50-mile motorcycle ride that includes breakfast and
a souvenir patch. The event helps support programs
of Catholic Charities West Michigan (CCWM)
including God’s Kitchen and child welfare and
family service programs. For more information, visit
rallyforhopeandhunger.org.
These days, the parish you claim as your own is more
a matter of choice and less dependent on where you live.
People decide on membership according to their individual
needs and desires. If they are seeking a good religious
education for their children, they may inquire into a school
or program of the parish. Otherwise, people often are
looking for a parish with a good community spirit, with
liturgies that seem well prepared and even inspiring, and
with a priest who is welcoming and gives good homilies.
These basic qualities are not too much to expect.
After all, the world in which we live is a demanding and
challenging place. Our faith takes a pounding from a
barrage of natural or human-made woes on any given day,
and even more so from the sins and failures of ourselves
within the church.
The Catholic parish, therefore, needs to be, more
than ever, an energizing place where people’s hearts are
strengthened and their faith in Jesus deepened. Here is
where we can join in a community of Christ’s people to
encounter him in his word and especially in the Eucharist
and the other sacramental signs of his presence. The parish
is where we can learn from one another, celebrate with
each other the milestones of life, grieve with the support of
one another, and hope together in the Resurrection.
A follower of Christ can’t expect to remain faithful and
strong without being part of the greater family of the Lord.
The community of believers all need each other in prayer, in
friendship, and in mutual support, if we expect to make our
passing through this world to be fruitful. last word
July
9-11
I
n the “old days,” belonging to a
particular Catholic parish was more
a question of where you lived than
anything else. If you lived in a given
neighborhood, then it was expected
that you belonged to the parish of that area.
An exception was made for people of different
ethnic origins who may have belonged to
parishes that met their language and cultural
needs. Otherwise, you belonged to the parish of
your area.
32
360 Division Avenue S.
Grand Rapids, MI 49503-4539
online: www.dioceseofgrandrapids.org
www.FAITHgrandrapids.org
Happy Father’s Day!
Our Father,
who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Feliz Día del Padre!
Padre nuestro,
que estás en el cielo,
santificado sea tu Nombre;
venga a nosotros tu reino;
hágase tu voluntad en la tierra
como en el cielo.
Danos hoy nuestro pan de cada día;
perdona nuestras ofensas como también
nosotros perdonamos a los que nos ofenden;
no nos dejes caer en la tentación,
y líbranos del mal.
p l e a s e
r e c y c l e

T - Diocese of Grand Rapids

Transcripción

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