FORT WAYNE — Of all the representativesof the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend toattend various events during Pope Benedict’svisit to the United States, Holy Cross FatherSteve Kempinger, superintendent of Catholicschools for the diocese, had an up-close seatat one event that generated a great deal ofattention and speculation, the pope’s April 17meeting with Catholic educators at CatholicUniversity of America in Washington.

Father Kempinger attended the meetingwith Father John Jenkins, president of theUniversity of Notre Dame, and Dr. CarolMooney, president of Saint Mary’s College.A superintendent among a crowd of mostlyuniversity presidents, Father Kempinger wastaken aback when he reached his assignedseat and found it was in the front row.

“I was so shocked to be so close,” FatherKempinger recalls. The educators were seat-ed at 4 p.m. and waited an hour for the pope’s

arrival. As he waited, what was happeningbegan to sink in.

“There was a little mystery in the sensethat you didn’t know what was going to hap-pen,” Father Kempinger says, adding, “I alsohad a sense of the privilege that he wanted tosee us.” This was because the pope’s visitfeatured huge events with tens of thousandsof people at stadiums and other outdoor ven-ues. “And yet he wanted to carve out a littletime to talk to educators.”

As the pope’s arrival grew nearer, FatherKempinger says, the excitement in the roommounted.

The meeting with educators had been oneof the most greatly anticipated events on thepope’s itinerary, with some speculating thathe would have harsh words for leaders ofCatholic universities on the topic of Catholicidentity and adhering to Catholic teaching.

Father Kempinger found the experienceto be just the opposite.

Superintendent reflects on papal meeting

Academic achievement

Diocesan high school

scholars celebrated

Pages 10-13

‘We pray for the vocations to the

priesthood’Time with Father Tirabassi’s

vocation club

Page 9

Movie potentialAngelus film festival

creates optimism

Page 17

Sign of the crossBluffton statue

greets travelers

Page 20

M E E T I N G , P A G E 3

PILGRIMS HOLD CANDLES

May 18, 2008

Serving the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend

TODAY’S CATHOLICTODAY’S CATHOLIC

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Volume 82, No. 20

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B Y D O N C L E M M E R

LEIEINTAN, Myanmar, FORT WAYNE (CNS) —Workers at Catholic Charities in Fort Wayne under-stand the extended effects of the cyclone in Myanmar.Not only are they connected to the resettled refugeepopulation of 3,500-4,000 living in Fort Wayne, sixemployees themselves are refugees from the countryformerly called Burma.

One of these employees is refugee resettlementdirector Nyeinn Chan, who, like so many, is still tryingto make contact with his family in Myanmar. Chan haslearned through contacts in Asia that almost all homeswere destroyed in the area where his family lived. Heremains hopeful, but has yet to speak to them.

On the ground in Myanmar, families are experienc-ing separation and loss on an enormous scale.

Pascal Than Hlaing is just one of many who aregrieving in Leieintan, a village where only one houseis left standing and the Baptist and Catholic churcheshad their roofs torn open.

Than Hlaing mourns the death of two of his threechildren.

“One of my sons was swept away when the waterlevel was up to his neck,” the 31-year-old Catholicfather told the Asian church news agency UCA NewsMay 9, referring to his 6-year-old boy. Cyclone Nargishammered the Irrawaddy delta region early May 3 asit blew in from the Bay of Bengal, sending a wall ofseawater inland for miles.

Several days later, Than Hlaing’s 3-year-old son“passed away after he caught a cold.” Now he and hiswife are left with their remaining son; they are beingsheltered in the Baptist church because their home wasdestroyed.

A small Catholic Church volunteer group from theYangon Archdiocese that arrived within days of the

Myanmar cyclone victims try to survive amid devastating losses

CNS PHOTO/INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS AND RED CRESCENT SOCIET IES , REUTERS

Myanmar Red Cross workers unload rice donated by the World Food Program in Yangon,Myanmar, May 11. The World Food Program is delivering emergency food to Myanmar’scyclone-ravaged Irrawaddy delta at just a fraction of the rate needed by the storm’s 1.5 mil-lion survivors, officials said May 12.

CNS PHOTO/JOSE MANUEL RIBEIRO, REUTERS

Pilgrims hold candles during Mass at the

Marian shrine of Fatima in central Portugal

May 12. Thousands of pilgrims joined in

celebrations marking the 91st anniversary

of the first apparition of Mary to three

shepherd children. Lucia dos Santos and

her cousins, Francisco and Jacinta Marto,

received the first of several visions of Mary

May 13, 1917.

C Y C L O N E , P A G E 3

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TODAY’S CATHOLIC ‘The Gospel must be preachedand taught as integral way of life’

Reflecting on Pope Benedict XVIThe successor of Peter has come and

gone, and the media has passed judgment,which has been positive. As the pope him-self said, he came to confirm and strengthenthe faith and apostolic life of the church inthis country; but he also found himself con-firmed and strengthened by those he metand those who listened to his teachings.

Those who are familiar with the writingof Joseph Ratzinger over the years as priest,theologian, university professor and cardi-nal know that this is an extraordinaryteacher and that his words are instructive.He is especially at home responding toquestions. One prepared question from abishop asked about the “challenge ofincreasing secularism in public life and rel-ativism in intellectual life.”

Pope Benedict indicated thatunlike some places in Europe,“the secular mentality in thiscountry has not been intrinsicallyopposed to religion.” But he saidthe subtle danger lies in the“growing separation of faithfrom life.” This brings about,said the Holy Father, Christianswho are “easily tempted to con-form themselves to the spirit ofthis age.” cf. Rom 12:3. Thepope says, “We have seen thisemerge in an acute way in thescandal given by Catholics whopromote an alleged right to abor-tion.” The pope says, “TheGospel must be preached andtaught as an integral way of life,offering an attractive and true answer, intel-lectually and practically, to real humanproblems.”

The pope uses a frequent expression:“the dictatorship of relativism.” He used italso on the White House lawn. The “dicta-torship of relativism,” he says is a realthreat to genuine human freedom, and thatthis freedom only matures in generosity andfidelity to the truth.

What is being asked for here is a fullEaster faith — a faith which effects ourdecisions and will make us a leaven in soci-ety. The pope says, “I think in particular ofour need to speak to the hearts of youngpeople, who, despite their constant expo-sure to messages contrary to the Gospel,continue to thirst for authenticity, goodness,and truth.” The pope then lays down thechallenge: “much remains to be done, par-ticularly on the level of preaching and cate-chesis in parishes and schools, if the newevangelization is to bear fruit for the renew-al of ecclesial life in America.”

I will be meeting with all our priests onMay 20 and with our Presbyteral Councilon May 27. I hope that I can address thisand other comments by the pope. This isthe whole meaning of the universal churchand of the papacy, and this is the grace ofhis visit: to allow ourselves to be confirmedin the faith and strengthened by the onewho holds the office of Peter.

There is much more, which the mediahas missed, but which we must not miss aswe reflect on the challenges placed beforeus during this visit.

Our metropolitan archbishopMany of our priests know Archbishop

Daniel Buechlein, OSB. This is an impor-tant figure for our diocese because the met-ropolitan archbishop exercises a kind ofpastoral concern and communion with theother bishops in the state or province.Archbishop Buechlein is a theologian, aBenedictine monk, and a native of the wellknown town of Jasper, probably the mostCatholic community in the state. He servedas rector of the famous St. MeinradSeminary, where many of our priests knewhim and also as bishop of Memphis inTennessee. He was stricken with a seriouscancer and has had chemotherapy once amonth for six months. Now he hasembraced a program of radiation five daysa week for six weeks.

This has meant an almost complete cur-tailment of what had been a very vibrantand effective ministry. However, he madehimself available for our spring meetingthis past week. I am pleased to report thatwe found him in good health despite havingbeen through the rigors of therapy. He sent

his greeting to the priests and people of thisdiocese. It will be August or Septemberbefore he is able to resume full ministry.However, the prognosis is good, and theoutlook is for a full return and, with God’shelp, many more years to continue thestrong vital leadership he has given to theArchdiocese of Indianapolis. The archbish-op has also served on one of our mostimportant episcopal committees, theCommittee on Catechesis. He gave a strongand enlightening talk some years ago aboutthe problems, which his committee foundwith many of the high school religion texts.In close collaboration with publishers,Archbishop Buechlein and my old friend,Archbishop Al Hughes, and other bishopshave corrected these problems, and we arenow receiving texts in full conformity withthe Catechism of the Catholic Church. It ispainful for him to have missed Holy Weekand Easter and the chrism Mass, and thosebeautiful things that are central to the spiri-tuality of the bishop and the flock.

I promised that we would all keep him inour prayers. He has been encouraged bythousands of letters and cards from his peo-ple. His address is: Most Reverend DanielBuechlein, OSB; Archdiocese ofIndianapolis; 1400 North Meridian St.;Indianapolis, IN 46206.

The situation in Burma (Myanmar)As you know, through the hard and dedi-

cated work of Catholic Charities, the FortWayne area of our diocese has welcomedmany refugees from Burma. There has beencriticism of this because they have come insuch strong numbers. We have no controlover it, but we have continued the greatheritage of Catholic Charities in this dio-cese of welcoming refugees, in this case,from Burma. Now their country is beingravaged by the effects of a terrible cycloneand the military government is slow toallow in humanitarian assistance. Let uskeep them in our prayers. Those who wishto make a donation can send it to CatholicRelief Services since they have people onthe ground in Asia. The address is: CatholicRelief Services; P.O. Box 17090;Baltimore, MD 21203-7090; Memo line:Southeast Asia Natural Disaster.

A beautiful seasonI have completed 26 confirmations, two

this past weekend were very moving. Thefirst was at St. Joseph’s, La Grange, 40young people from that parish and 10 fromSt. Gaspar Del Bufalo in Rome City. FatherMark Weaver, OFM, Conv., fluent inEnglish and Spanish, has been a marvelouspastor at La Grange. He lives at St.

Anthony’s, Angola, and staysone night a week in La Grange.It was a joy to be with him andalso Father Matthew Jozefiak,CPPS. Father Matt, who hasbeen an exemplary priest in ourdiocese, sadly, is leaving us asthe Precious Blood Missionariesdepart from this diocese after 50years in Rome City and over 100years in Precious Blood, FortWayne. We greet their departurewith sadness, but with gratitudefor over a century of service.

Another beautiful confirma-tion the next night at St. Paul’s,Columbia City. I was soimpressed with the youthful cate-chetical team that Father Larry

Kramer has put together. One lady, a grand-mother I believe, told me: “Bishop, theclass this year received ‘meat and potatoes’in their instruction.” She was declaring thatthe young people received instruction filledwith content. She said, what is well known,that the previous generation did not alwaysreceive such instruction. I stayed at lengthafterwards talking to the catechists, youngmarried people, eager to bring Christ tothose preparing for confirmation.

A week to rememberIn the current week, I will have three

meetings in Warsaw, three baccalaureateMasses, one television Mass, one gradua-tion, and a delightful brunch at the home ofProfessor Larry Cunningham and his wifeCecilia and the theology faculty of NotreDame, along with those students majoringin theology at Notre Dame. I think when Iam a retired bishop I will miss weeks likethis.

A strong teamDespite a couple of losses when our

closer was unable to close, the Red Soxseem to me to be one of the strongest teamsin baseball and one of the best to representRed Sox Nation in many years. Time willtell.

I will see you all next week.

BISHOP JOHN M. D’ARCY

NEWS& NOTES

What is being asked for here

is a full Easter faith —

a faith which effects our decisions

and will make us

a leaven in society.

T O D A Y ’ S C A T H O L I C 3MAY 18, 2008

“This was a warm, loving andcaring person, talking from theheart and out of his faith,” herecalls. “It was obvious that,through his affirmation of ourvocation, he stands with us in edu-cation, and I think that means alot.”

Father Kempinger took fromthe pope’s message the importance

of being role models to the youthand leading them to a deepeningfaith in God and love of God. Thiswas tied in with the theme of thepope’s visit, “Christ our hope.”

“Educators have a huge part inthat, bringing hope to the young,”Father Kempinger says.

He adds that the popeexpressed solidarity with educatorsas they face challenges in themodern world such as secularismand relativism.

In the wake of the meeting,Father Kempinger found himself,along with the other educators,scribbling down notes and enthusi-

astically sharing what they hadheard.

“People were riding high,” herecalls. He also found himselfthinking about how to apply vari-ous points of the pope’s message— such as every child has a rightto a Catholic education — into hiswork as superintendent.

Ultimately, Father Kempingersays he thinks the pope enjoyedhis time with educators, noting,“He wasn’t just someone who satup there and read a speech. Youcould tell he meant what he wassaying. And he was there with us.”

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

MEETING

Experts: Church must address role of Internet in identity, community

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — TheCatholic Church and particularlyits social teaching must begin tograpple with the potential and theproblems posed by the Internet,particularly when dealing withquestions about personal identity,community involvement and soli-darity, several social scientistssaid.

Members of the PontificalAcademy of Social Sciences,meeting at the Vatican May 1-7,explored how solidarity and sub-sidiarity can come together topromote the common good.

As part of their discussion,they looked at the role of themarket economy and the state inpromoting the exchange ofgoods, but also at the role playedby communities and groups thatsupport people, give them identi-ty and teach them how to con-tribute to society.

For an increasing number ofpeople, computers are the waythey connect to the communitieswhere they test and forge theirpersonal identities and wherethey express their creativity andcontribute to the production ofgoods, several academy memberssaid at a May 6 Vatican pressconference.

Margaret Archer, a professorat the University of Warwick inEngland and co-organizer of theMay meeting, said academymembers were discussing the“common good” as those thingswhich “are vital for the flourish-ing of the human person,” includ-ing respect for human rights andthe sharing of gifts and talents.

“Many of the old methodsthrough which people learned totake part in society — to obey, tocontribute, to receive — arethreatened or gone altogether,”she said.

The primary agent of social-ization in the past was the family,led by a person’s biologicalmother and biological father;“only 50 percent of the West’spopulation” now grows up withboth parents at home, she said.

The other significant agentwas a person’s specific culture,whether it was a nationality or areligion, she said. But increasing-ly people do not feel bound bythose identities.

“It’s more pick and mix now,”she said.

And particularly as people livelonger, she said, more and more

of them are living alone, increas-ing their distance from traditionalforms of communal life.

“Here virtual communitiescould help,” she said. “YouTubeand Facebook may not be appro-priate for people over 55, but wecan develop communities forthem.

“We cannot compare virtualreality to what we grew up withif we had two parents, but thatreality no longer exists for mostpeople,” Archer said. “Virtualcommunities cannot replace thetraditional family, but can it fillsome of the space?

“We may be nostalgic, but wecannot turn the clock back,” shesaid.

As the academy members —economists, sociologists, legalexperts and theologians, many ofwhom are not Catholic — engagein a dialogue with church leaderson social topics, Archer said theynotice “gaps in Catholic socialteaching because the world ischanging so rapidly.”

“If you go through the docu-ments, you will find very little oninformation technology,” shesaid.

Michel Bauwens, a Belgianphilosopher and theorist special-izing in “peer-to-peer” Internetcollaboration, said that “the

vision of civil society in the doc-uments is constituted by very for-mal organizations, which arebeing substituted by more flexi-ble communities,” includingthose formed by people whomeet, socialize, work and shareprimarily through the Internet.

The philosopher said thatcooperative, free projects such asthe Linux computer operatingsystem and the WikipediaInternet encyclopedia are theresult of a computer culture thatencourages people to participate,work together and make theirproducts available in a form any-one can use and access.

“It runs counter to the over-bearing influence of both themarket and the state,” he said.

“Peer-to-peer work is anexemplar of subsidiarity becauseeach person participates to thedegree he or she wants, but totranslate that into solidarity is anissue that still needs to be devel-oped,” he said.

Archer said, “Solidarity is thehuge problem left behind bymodernity. There is a huge deficitof solidarity,” but increasing con-nections between and amongpeople is probably the first steptoward addressing the problem.

CNS

Travis Boudreaux, the tech-savvy Louisiana Catholic who foundedCatholic-Tube.com, posts daily some of what he considers the bestCatholic videos and podcasts uploaded to major sites such asYouTube.com and GodTube.com, as well as those from smaller opera-tions such as LoveToBeCatholic.com. Pictured is a screen grab from theLoveToBeCatholic home page.

B Y C I N D Y W O O D E N

cyclone began assisting ThanHlaing and the rest of the 3,000residents of the village about 75miles southwest of Yangon.Leieintan was accessible only byboat, given the trees, downed elec-tricity pylons and other cyclonedebris blocking the roads.

The humanitarian disaster lit-tered the partially flooded fields inthis and other villages with thedecomposing bodies of people andcattle. Other bodies float past inthe river. U.N. officials have saidup to 100,000 people are eitherdead or missing.

Than Hlaing’s blank expressiontells what words cannot of the hor-rors that he and hundreds of thou-sands of others face in the deltaarea, the rice bowl of Myanmar.

The Catholic volunteer groupof three laypeople, their parishpriest and a priest from Yangonhad their work cut out in assessingthe enormity of the needs in thisvillage, one of the worst-hit inYangon archdiocesan territory.

They arrived May 9 and thenext day began bringing in foodand diesel fuel by boat fromPyapon. The fuel is for running arice-husking machine in the vil-lage and pumping out dirty waterfrom a tank of drinking water. Thechurch workers also began distrib-uting sacks of rice and clothes.

One of the volunteers, MaryKhin from the Karuna MyanmarSocial Services’ office in Yangon,said she was “shocked” and it“pained” her to see all the deadbodies of people and animals thatwashed in at night over the delta.Karuna Myanmar is the localCatholic Church’s relief anddevelopment organization.

Villagers were trying to cometo grips with the tragedy. About 70were living in the one house leftstanding, 150 in the Baptist

church, and 20 more in St.Joseph’s Catholic Church. The restwere staying in the wreckage oftheir homes.

Ko Naing, 30, a Buddhist, toldUCA News that his only child, justa year old, died in the nighttimeflood.

“My wife can’t swim, so wehad to hang on to a tree. I pickedher up to put her up the tree, andat the same time the water sweptaway my child,” he said. They didnot see the baby again.

One woman, who gave hername as Rosy, said her 4-year-oldson was washed away by the floodand she and her husband climbeda tree in the dark to stay above thewater, which rose to 13 feet.

Almost a week later, “our firstproblem now is food,” the 47-year-old woman told UCA News.

On May 8, Archbishop CharlesBo of Yangon hosted the visitingapostolic delegate to Myanmar,Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio,for a tour of the disaster area.

More than 15 villages simplydisappeared. About 70 percent ofthe trees in Yangon were uprooted.All churches, priests’ houses andconvents have been damaged,Archbishop Bo said.

The church in Myanmar hasappealed for international aid.Through the newly formedMyanmar Disaster ReliefCommittee, under the leadershipof the Yangon Archdiocese, thelocal church has begun offeringfood, clothing, shelter materialsand medicine to the affected peo-ple.

The greatest destructionoccurred in the area of Yangon,Myanmar’s capital and largest city,and the Irrawaddy delta region tothe southwest, covered by thePathein Diocese.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

CYCLONE

Contributing to this story was DonClemmer.

Aid agency accepting donations for victims ofMyanmar cycloneThe following U.S. aid agency, part of the Caritas

Internationalis network, is working with Caritas agen-

cies in southeastern Asia and are accepting donations

to assist cyclone victims in Myanmar:

•• CCaatthhoolliicc RReelliieeff SSeerrvviicceess

By phone: (888) 277-7575; online: www.crs.org; or by

mailing a check earmarked “Southeast Asia Natural

Disaster” to: Catholic Relief Services, P.O. Box 17090,

Baltimore, MD 21203-7090.

•• CCaarriittaass IInntteerrnnaattiioonnaalliiss

Accessed online at: www.caritas.org.

T O D A Y ’ S C A T H O L I C4 MAY 18, 2008

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Holy Cross sisters share their lived Americanhistory with college students

NOTRE DAME — Abby VanVlerah, who teaches American his-tory at Saint Mary’s College,developed an oral history projectfor the students in her U.S. historysince 1865 course. Twenty-threestudents were paired with 23Sisters of the Holy Cross as part ofthis innovative video project,which aims to bring American his-tory to life through the lived expe-rience of the sisters.

Each student interviewed a sis-ter about her lived experience dur-ing such events as the GreatDepression, Civil Rights Era,World War II, the assassination ofthe Kennedys and Vietnam.

Van Vlerah had previously beeninvolved in a couple of oral historyprojects when she did her graduatework at the University of Wyomingand experienced how effective theycan be. Instead of assigning herstudents a research paper, shedeveloped this project, whichinvolved interviewing, videotapingand making a video to expresswhat they learned as a class. Notonly did they learn history, theyalso learned collaboration.

“I wanted to make history comealive for the students in a way thatyou can’t get from reading a textbook. It gave the students theopportunity to be active historiansand understand the value of eachindividual’s own contribution to,and encounters with, Americanhistory,” she said.

When developing the project forher class, Van Vlerah, who graduat-ed from Saint Mary’s, thought rightaway of the sisters. As a student

she was involved with the sistersand knew they were a wealth ofwisdom, so she contacted SisterRose Edward Goodrow, the con-gregation’s area coordinator for thesenior sisters living at SaintMary’s, about her idea.

Sister Rose was very enthusias-tic and felt that the project reflectedthe charism of the recently beati-fied founder of the congregationsof Holy Cross. “Father Moreauadvocated education, a call toteaching which has enduredthroughout our Holy Cross history.Many of the sisters involved withthe Oral History Project are long-time educators and school adminis-trators. It’s marvelous to see thesesisters teaching again — this timethe classroom has come to them.”

The students learned muchmore than American history.Blaine Nolan, who interviewedHoly Cross Sister Clare AnneRumschlag, expressed it wellwhen she said, “I learned so muchfrom this experience. I had neverbeen to the convent before our firstmeeting in February and still haveonly been there a few times but Ifeel so welcome. ... When I wentinto this experience I hoped tolearn anything I could. I’m a histo-ry nerd and love anything to dowith personal histories. I was soimpressed with the Army NurseCorps that Sister Clare Anne toldme about (Editor’s note: Sisters ofthe Holy Cross served as nurses inthe Civil War).

“The thing that impressed methe most was how smart the sistersare. Their educational backgroundsare so cool, and they don’t thinkanything about it. The three col-leges that Sister Clare Anne went

to are all big name schools, but it’snothing to her. It was just what shewas expected to do. This was sucha great eye-opening experience forme. Learning about my sister anda few of the others really made mefeel connected to them. I never feltthat way before.”

Katie Pariso interviewed HolyCross Sister Rose Virginia Burt,who spoke of how much societyhas changed over the decades.“Sister Rose Virginia explainedhow much we have lost trust inpeople today. For instance, theynever had to lock their doors athome. The kids were encouragedto play in the streets and make theirown fun. It was a completely dif-ferent environment,” said Katie. “Itreally opened my eyes to thethought of what life is going to belike when I’m older. Is societygoing to continue to plummet?Also, it was interesting to me tobranch out of my ‘bubble’ andlearn about a different way of life.”

The students were not the onlyones enriched by this experience;it gave the sisters an opportunity toreflect upon important times intheir lives, and many good and sadmemories came to the surface.

Many spoke of the assassina-tion of John F. Kennedy and wereable to tell exactly where theywere and what they were doing atthe time the shooting and deathoccurred, as well as the details ofthe following three days.

The students and the sisters notonly shared their stories, manyhave begun relationships beyondthe interviews. One student dis-covered that her sister is legallyblind and has volunteered to readto her.

B Y S I S T E R M A R G I E L A V O N I S , C S C

Pope authorizes grantingof indulgences forPauline year events

VATICAN CITY (CNS) —Catholics who participate inevents connected with the 2008-2009 jubilee year of St. Paul canreceive a special indulgence, theVatican said.

Pope Benedict XVI authorizedthe granting of a plenary, or full,indulgence in order to highlightthe Pauline year and open theway to the “interior purification”of the faithful during its celebra-tion, a May 10 Vatican decreesaid.

The decree was signed by U.S.Cardinal J. Francis Stafford, headof the Vatican tribunal that dealswith indulgences and with mat-ters related to the sacrament ofpenance.

An indulgence is a remissionof the temporal punishment aperson is due for sins that havebeen forgiven.

Pope Benedict established thePauline year to run from June 28,2008, to June 29, 2009, to markthe approximately 2,000thanniversary of the saint’s birth.

The plenary indulgence isbeing offered to pilgrims whocome to Rome, to Catholics whoparticipate in local events con-nected to the jubilee year, and tothose who may be too ill or oth-erwise prevented from physicalparticipation.

It can be granted on behalf ofthe individual petitioner or onbehalf of departed souls.

Cardinal Stafford said condi-

tions for the special Pauline yearindulgence include the normalrequirements set by the churchfor all plenary indulgences: thatthe person goes to confession,receives the Eucharist and praysfor the intentions of the pope.

The decree explained in detailsome specific requirements forthe plenary indulgence:

• Those visiting the Basilica ofSt. Paul Outside the Walls inRome in the form of a pilgrimagemust offer personal prayersbefore the Altar of the MostBlessed Sacrament; they mustalso recite the Our Father and theCreed in front of the Altar of theConfession, adding invocations tohonor Mary and St. Paul.

• The Catholic faithful in anylocal church can obtain the indul-gence by participating with devo-tion in a liturgy or other publicevent dedicated to St. Paul — inany sacred place on the openingand closing days of the jubileeyear, and on other days in placesdesignated by the local bishop.

• Catholics impeded by sick-ness or other serious cause, aslong as they have the intention offulfilling the other conditions assoon as possible, can obtain aplenary indulgence by joiningspiritually in a jubilee celebrationin honor of St. Paul and offeringtheir prayers and suffering forChristian unity.

The decree said individualscan obtain more than one plenaryindulgence during the jubileeyear, but not more than one perday.

B Y J O H N T H A V I S

S ISTER MARGIE LAVONIS , CSC

Saint Mary’s College students interview Holy Cross Sisters as part of aninnovative video project, which aims to bring American history to lifethrough the lived experience of the sisters.

5T O D A Y ’ S C A T H O L I CMAY 18, 2008

FORT WAYNE — As a youngboy, Steve Reifenberg was contin-ually recording descriptions of thecomings and goings of life on anyavailable scrap paper he couldfind. He saved them all in a spe-cial box hidden under his bed.Now, as a well-traveled andlearned man, he eagerly offers hisfirst novel, “Santiago’s Children;What I Learned about Life at anOrphanage in Chile,” published byUniversity of Texas Press.

This 226-page tome is a mem-oir of sorts presented through theeyes of a younger Reifenberg, whoat 23, while searching for his lifepurpose and much to his parents’chagrin, chose to volunteer in asmall orphanage in Chile ratherthan attend law school. The pagesare filled with heartwarminglydescriptive stories of the antics andanguish of the 13 resilient childrenwho lived at the orphanageDomingo Savio.

The short stories were written,says Reifenberg, as journal entriesover 20 years ago during his two-year stay in Chile, as a means ofprocessing life events. Togetherthey became, for the author, a doc-umentation of his own rite of pas-sage into purposeful living.

The second of Jean and JimReifenberg’s five children, thisBishop Dwenger graduate earneda baccalaureate degree in philoso-phy from Notre Dame beforespending an unfulfilling yearteaching high school English andsocial issues in Colorado. Soon hewas applying to law school, hop-ing that would be the right path onwhich to find meaning in life.

But a chance meeting with anold friend, Nathan, who wasreturning to his work in Chile,sealed Reifenberg’s fate that fallthough he fully intended to studylaw at Indiana University. “Heknew of a woman who ran anorphanage who might need help,”says Reifenberg passionately.

Together they composed a letterto the woman, Olga Diaz, inSpanish, offering Reifenberg’s vol-unteer services, and after receivinga welcome response, with $900 inhis pocket, this adventurous youngman put law school on hold andheaded for Chile.

Knowing little Spanish,Reifenberg did his best to learnfrom the children, ages one and a

half to 13, and the other volunteersat the orphanage, but continued tofeel inadequate there. As he con-tinued to search for meaning andpurpose, the young philosophereven considered medical school soas to acquire skills that would beevidence of his purpose in Chile.

But it was his openness tolearning about life itself and therelationships that developed thatgave him purpose. “I learned whatit meant to be open to learningabout something that’s different. Itgives you a new lens to look atyour assumptions,” he says.

Now he says of the experience,“It was a remarkable experience,full of grace and humor andtragedy. I have a new appreciationfor so many things.” And thoseexperiences of grace and friend-ship shine through in his book.

Reifenberg adds anotherdimension to his story as well withhis infusion of the political andcultural tension the Chilean popu-lation experienced during the 17-year-long brutal military regime,that he witnessed during his stay.“The challenges I faced with thekids mirrored the challenges thecountry faced. There was a broad-er story to tell,” says Reifenberg.

Domingo Savio’s Matron Diaz,says Reifenberg, was intent onrunning the orphanage as a familyrather than an institution. The chil-dren there were all deeply affectedby the poverty and fear imposedby the military regime.

Reifenberg’s life was soimpacted by the resilient children,from the man-child Sebastian tolittle wide-eyed Karen, and staff ofDomingo Savio that the year of

service he had promised turnedinto two and he only returnedhome to the United States in 1985.

“I wanted to go to gradschool,” says Reifenberg, whowent on to earn a master’s degreein print journalism from BostonUniversity and another in publicpolicy from Harvard. It was therethat he realized his passion for“thinking of complicated problemsand solving them with people inthe real world.”

Following graduation in 1988,Reifenberg remained at Harvard asdirector of an international pro-gram for professionals seekingmasters’ degrees there. He latermet and married Chris Cervenakwho worked for the UnitedNations and together they spent ayear working in El Salvador.

After the couple moved back toBoston, Reifenberg spent the nextsix years as executive director ofthe David Rockefeller Center forLatin American Studies atHarvard, until he was asked toestablish an overseas office. Andin 2002 he, his wife and three chil-dren moved to Santiago, Chilebringing this writer full circle.

This remarkable family whole-heartedly continues to immersethemselves in the colorful lifestylepresent there, where Reifenberg, asan international career counselor,says, “In the educational setting,I’m building bridges for people tomake meaningful contributions.”

In its final pages, “Santiago’sChildren” offers an epilogue thatleads the reader to present dayChile, with its return to democracyand economic development. Diazand the orphanage remain intact,though transformed into a day pro-gram suited for larger numbers ofneedy children. Reifenberg hasmaintained contact with his “fami-ly” of orphaned children over theyears, who are now adults, and theirlives are updated for the reader.

“Santiago’s Children” is anenjoyably descriptive memoir ofhope and possibility that awakensa deeper understanding of thechallenges facing Latin Americancultures and the spiritual pursuitsof an aspiring young man. The restof the story remains to be writtenof the life and times of this pas-sionate author, who is committedto social justice and service.

Reifenberg’s ‘Santiago’s Children’offers hope and possibility

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Mother’s Day event draws pro-lifesupport in South Bend

SOUTH BEND — Just two daysbefore Mother’s Day, about 70pro-life advocates gathered at theWomen’s Pavilion abortion facilityFriday morning in South Bend,many carrying signs with aMother’s Day theme.

“It is unfortunate that two daysbefore the day that we all celebratemotherhood, this abortion facilityis killing unborn children anddepriving women of the privilegeand joy of being a mother” a pressrelease said. “We hope the womenwho come here today realize thatbeing pregnant means they alreadyhave a child, they are alreadymothers. We also want them toknow that we are here to helparrange for their prenatal care aswell as the care of their child.”The release also offered adoptionand post-abortion counseling.

Except for an announcement inToday’s Catholic, this specialMother’s Day event was commu-nicated mostly by word of mouthand e-mail.

“It’s a surprise tactic,”explained Saint Joseph CountyRight to Life (SJCRTL) officecoordinator John Kominkiewicz.

When the doctor who does theabortions arrived and was about toenter the building, a sidewalkcounselor cried out to him,“Please, give them at least onemother’s day.” The abortion doctoryelled back that the mere fact ofmotherhood was not necessarilyhonorable.

A contingent of students fromMarian High School’s Right toLife Club, led by theology teacherTom Dlugosz, stood across thestreet from the abortion facilityholding signs.

Marian student Beth Clarkshared, “A lot of us in MarianRight to Life and Antioch YouthGroup come out here everyWednesday to pray a rosary forunborn babies so that they may notbe aborted, or the mothers whomay have to go through this abor-tion because we also know that itis a very painful time for them.”

Participants talked quietly withone another or prayed alone or ingroups. Some walked back andforth on the street carrying signs.

At one point about 20 peopleprayed together a rosary and theChaplet of Divine Mercy standingon the little strip of Women’s CareCenter (a pro-life pregnancy coun-

seling and aid office) landscapingthat borders a short section of thedriveway into the abortion facility.

There was some excitementwhen South Bend police arrived inthree squad cars. Apparently thesecurity guard for the county wel-fare department called in a com-plaint about the pro-lifers takingup all the parking spaces, leavingnone for welfare clients. He wasvisibly upset but started out bysaying, “We’re not against whatyou’re doing,” but the pro-liferscould not take up all the parkingspots. Then five people movedtheir cars from the part of theparking lot near the welfare office.

Next the security guarddemanded the police have vehiclesin front of the Women’s CareCenter towed. In a heatedexchange, the police refused, say-ing they could not be sure whoowned those cars. The securityguard pointed to a couple of vehi-cles whose bumper stickers werecovered with pro-life messages.

The police repeated that theydid not know who owned thosecars. A counselor from theWomen’s Care Center came out ofthe office and said she wouldmove her car if need be so therewould be at least one open slot forone of their clients. Finally someof the demonstrators voluntarilymoved their cars from that area.

B Y T O M U E B B I N GB Y K A Y C O Z A D

TOM UEBBING

Young people, shown above,including the Marian HighSchool’s Right to Life Club, prayedoutside the South Bend abortionfacility on May 9, the Fridaybefore Mother’s Day.

Visit Reifenberg’s Web site at santi-agoschildren.com for information.

STEVE REIFENBERG

Pope defends church’steaching on artificialbirth controlVATICAN CITY (CNS) — PopeBenedict XVI defended thechurch’s teaching against artificialbirth control and said its wisdomhas become clearer in light of newscientific discoveries and socialtrends. In an age in which sexualactivity can become like a drug,people need to be reminded thatmarried love should always involvethe whole person and be open tonew life, he said May 10. The popemade his comments as the churchprepared to mark the 40th anniver-sary of the encyclical “HumanaeVitae.” Issued by Pope Paul VI July25, 1968, it affirmed the church’steaching on married love and saiduse of artificial contraception wasmorally wrong. Addressing partici-pants of a church-sponsored confer-ence on “Humanae Vitae,” PopeBenedict said the encyclical was a“gesture of courage.” He acknowl-edged that its teachings have beencontroversial and difficult forCatholics, but he said the textexpressed the true design of humanprocreation. “What was true yester-day remains true also today. Thetruth expressed in ‘Humanae Vitae’does not change; in fact, in light ofnew scientific discoveries, itsteaching is becoming more currentand is provoking reflection,” hesaid.

N.Y. bishop ends practice of Communionat celebration of thewordWASHINGTON (CNS) — BishopWilliam F. Murphy of RockvilleCentre, N.Y., has ordered an end toweekday Communion services out-side the context of Mass by July 1.Citing guidelines for the distribu-tion of Communion in the GeneralInstruction of the Roman Missal,Bishop Murphy said in a May 9pastoral letter that his decisionwould bring the diocese “into con-formity with the liturgical norms ofthe church.” The order applies toparishes, schools and social andcharitable organizations that hadadopted the practice of offering“celebrations of the word” with thedistribution of Communion whenno daily Mass was scheduled. Suchusually brief services often wereled by laypeople, nuns or brothers.The distribution of Communion tothe sick outside of Mass is permit-ted as long as the proper ritual isfollowed, he added. BishopMurphy said his decision was madeafter consulting with the diocese’sAdvisory Committee on CanonicalAffairs and the Presbyteral Council.

Vatican makes Latin-language documentsavailable onlineVATICAN CITY (CNS) — Latin isonline at the Vatican. Without fan-fare, the Vatican’s www.vatican.vasite has made hundreds of papaland other documents available in anew Latin-language section. TheLatin area went live May 9. Visitorsclicking on “Sancta Sedes” (Latinfor “Holy See”) are taken to a menuof documents arranged by pontifi-cate or Roman Curia office. Also

posted is the complete neo-VulgateLatin version of the Bible and Latineditions of the Catechism of theCatholic Church, the Code ofCanon Law and the documents ofthe Second Vatican Council. Thepapal pages — “Summi Pontifices”— cover the last five popes andinclude encyclicals and other majortexts, as well as a selection ofspeeches, sermons and messages.The last entry on the Latin pagesprovides information about“Latinitas,” the Vatican foundationthat promotes the use of Latin.

Pope to send daily textmessages during WorldYouth DaySYDNEY, Australia (CNS) —Pope Benedict XVI will send dailytext messages directly to pilgrimsduring World Youth Day July 15-20in Sydney, said youth day organiz-ers. The pope’s text messages ofhope and inspiration will be carriedby World Youth Day’s official com-munications partner, Telstra, said aWorld Youth Day statement May 7.The Vatican has not commented.“We wanted to make WYD08 aunique experience by using newways to connect with today’s tech-savvy youth,” said AuxiliaryBishop Anthony Fisher of Sydney,World Youth Day coordinator. ATelstra spokesperson said the GSMcell-phone networks running forWorld Youth Day “will mean manycell phones used by pilgrims fromthe United States will also workhere.” Pilgrims also can purchase aprepaid SIM card for their cellphones when they arrive inAustralia. In addition to its officialWeb site —www.wyd2008.org/index.php/en— World Youth Day also will offeran online social networking site —

www.xt3.com — to be launched incoming weeks.

Pope tells ArmenianOrthodox God can workmiracle of ChristianunityVATICAN CITY (CNS) — Godcan work miracles, including themiracle of Christian unity, PopeBenedict XVI told the ArmenianOrthodox patriarch and 18 bishops.“If our hearts and minds are open tothe Spirit of communion, God canwork miracles again in the church,restoring the bonds of unity,” thepope said May 9 during a prayerservice with Catholicos Karekin II,patriarch of the Armenian ApostolicChurch. Catholicos Karekin wasvisiting the Vatican along withArmenian Orthodox bishops fromArmenia, Russia, Georgia, Iraq,Israel, Turkey, Egypt, Syria, theUnited States, Canada, Brazil,France, Italy and Germany. Some100 Armenian pilgrims fromaround the world joined PopeBenedict and the Armenian bishopsfor the midday prayer service in theClementine Hall of the ApostolicPalace; afterward, the patriarchjoined the pope for lunch.

Retired Stockton BishopDonald Montrose diesSTOCKTON, Calif. (CNS) —Retired Bishop Donald W.Montrose of Stockton, Calif., diedMay 7, on the 59th anniversary ofhis priestly ordination and just sixdays shy of his 85th birthday. Hisfuneral was scheduled for May 12at the Cathedral of theAnnunciation in Stockton, followedby burial at San Joaquin Catholic

Cemetery. Bishop Montrose hadbeen retired since 1999, after serv-ing as head of the Stockton Diocesesince 1986. Prior to that he spentthree years as an auxiliary bishopfor the Archdiocese of Los Angelesand two years as rector-president ofSt. John’s Seminary College inCamarillo, Calif. He was ordainedto the priesthood for the LosAngeles Archdiocese May 7, 1949.An obituary in The Record,Stockton’s daily newspaper, notedBishop Montrose’s fondness forsinging along with the mariachiband in local processions for thefeast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Healso was recalled as a great story-teller with a good sense of humorand a fondness for sweets and golf.

Priest calls for newstrategies to keepyoung adults in churchSAN ANTONIO (CNS) — Everydiocese needs a comprehensivepastoral plan specifically aimed atyoung adults to reverse the hemor-rhage of Catholics in their 20s andearly 30s leaving the CatholicChurch, a national pioneer in youngadult ministry said. Father JohnCusick, director of young adultministry for the Archdiocese ofChicago and the father of theTheology on Tap program, said thechurch needs a savvy “new apolo-getics” and “satellite sites” awayfrom the parish grounds whereyoung adults can gather to formquality relationships without feel-ing pressure from the church.Addressing a youth ministry sym-posium in April at the OblateSchool of Theology in SanAntonio, Father Cusick cited arecent USA Today poll indicatingthat 10 percent of Americans areformer Catholics and said the per-

centage is much higher among peo-ple in their 20s and early 30s. “IfCatholic youth ministry is so good,where are all the young adults?They’re missing in action,” he said.“For the moment (in their teens),they have a good sense of church,but then they fall off the end of thetable.”

Archbishop Naumann:Kansas governor shouldstop receivingCommunionWASHINGTON (CNS) —Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann ofKansas City, Kan., said Gov.Kathleen Sebelius should stopreceiving Communion until shepublicly repudiates her support ofabortion and makes a “worthysacramental confession” related toher stance. Writing May 9 in TheLeaven, the archdiocesan newspa-per, Archbishop Naumann said theCatholic governor of Kansas hashad a long record of supporting andadvocating for legalized abortionand that her public stances have“grave spiritual and moral conse-quences.” The column comes afterthe archbishop said he learned thatSebelius recently receivedCommunion in a Kansas parish. Hesaid he had previously met withSebelius and discussed his concernsabout her position on abortion andher vetoes of legislation to limitabortion in the state. ArchbishopNaumann told Catholic NewsService May 12 that he sent a letterin August to the governor request-ing that she refrain from receivingCommunion because of her actionsin support of abortion. Sebelius isplanning to send a written responseto the archbishop, said spokes-woman Brittany Stiffler. “The gov-ernor is reviewing the archbishop’sletter,” she told CNS. “She’s notproviding any comments at thistime.”

God made pre-humansinto people, Vaticannewspaper saysVATICAN CITY (CNS) — Whileapes evolved naturally into pre-human creatures, it was the will anddesire of God that turned them intohumans, an article in the Vaticannewspaper said. “The formation ofhuman beings necessitated a partic-ular contribution by God, though itremains that their emergence wasbrought about by natural causes” ofevolution, it said. The article, pub-lished in the May 5-6 edition ofL’Osservatore Romano, was writ-ten by Italian evolutionary biologistFiorenzo Facchini. The article saidthat, “when the biological condi-tions necessary for supporting abeing capable of reflective thoughtwere attained, the will of God, thecreator, freely desired it, and mancame to be.” The article posed thequestion: Does this mean thathumans evolved from chim-panzees? “No, it might be better tosay that at some point God willed aspark of intelligence to light up inthe mind of a nonhuman hominidand thus came into existence thehuman as a being, as a subject capa-ble of thought and the ability todecide freely,” it said.

T O D A Y ’ S C A T H O L I C6 MAY 18, 2008

NEWS BRIEFS

CNS PHOTO/DARIO PIGNATELL I , REUTERS

Pope Benedict XVI greets soprano Lan Rao at the end of a concert by the Chinese

Philharmonic Orchestra in Paul VI hall at the Vatican May 7.

POPE GREETS SOPRANO AT END OF CONCERT

MAY 18, 2008 T O D A Y ’ S C A T H O L I C 7

Family offers scholarshipat Bishop LuersFORT WAYNE — Bishop LuersHigh School alumnus Rick Bail,class of 1973, gives honor to hisparents, Phillip and Katherine Bail,by donating $10,000 annually tothree scholarships in his parents’names.

One of six children, Rick is giv-ing back to the community what hisparents bestowed on him, an oppor-tunity for a young student to contin-ue his or her Catholic education atBishop Luers and to aspire towardcollege.

Together Rick, his wife, Jan andhis parents determined the criteriaof these scholarships. Their hope isthat these scholarships will bothrecognize and encourage studentsto do great things at Bishop Luers— and perhaps a younger studentmight even be inspired to work alittle harder at Luers in hopes ofreceiving one or more of theseawards at the end of his/her junioryear.

Bail Family Scholarships con-sist of the following:

• Philip G. Bail, Sr. andKatherine D. Bail Ambassadors —$2,500 academic and leadershipscholarships awarded annually totwo rising seniors (one male stu-dent and one female student) atBishop Luers High School whopossess exuberant, inclusive per-sonalities, outstanding moral char-acter, have demonstrated leadershipin extracurricular activities and whobest exemplify demonstrated excel-lence in academic performance,intellectual curiosity and academicinquisitiveness.

• Philip and Katherine BailPersonal Achievement Scholar —$5,000 financial need-based aca-demic scholarship awarded annual-ly to a rising senior at Bishop LuersHigh School who possesses out-standing moral character, whostrives to perform to the highestlevels of his/her God-given talents,and who does not allow adversity todefine or limit the constructive pur-suit of his/her dreams.

Holy Cross College offerssummer youth enrichment for children NOTRE DAME — The HolyCross College Youth EnrichmentProgram gives children, ages 8-15,a fun and exciting learning experi-ence. A full week of classesinclude the following: basketballclinic; cheerleading clinic; babysit-ting certificate (Red Cross); police,fire, emergency camp; digital pho-tography; beginning and advancedbeginning guitar; beginning andadvanced beginning yoga; Webdesign; fun with cooking; begin-ning sign language; working withclay; and much more. Classes aretaught by working professionals intheir respective fields.

While Holy Cross CollegeYouth Enrichment programs runonly in the afternoons, parents canarrange for a full day by alsoenrolling their children in the SaintJoseph’s High School art and com-puter graphic camp in the morningsof the same week. Students whoparticipate in both programs havelunch at the high school and areescorted across the field to the col-lege for the afternoon program.

“My children have attendedsummer enrichment over the past

five summers and have thoroughlyenjoyed themselves,” says motherof two, Jodie Sweet. “They havebeen able to learn more about cook-ing, babysitting, police work, lead-ership, art and have met some newfriends from other schools alongthe way. Holy Cross’s SummerEnrichment Program has helpedkeep my kids busy and active dur-ing the summer and they continueto want to go back for more,” shecontinued.

A full week of classes at theYouth Enrichment Program is only$100 per student plus a free T-shirt. Print an enrollment form atwww.hcc-nd.edu/downloads/con-tinuing_education/youth_enrich-ment_08.pdf and mail it to PatAdams, Holy Cross College, P.O.Box 308, Notre Dame, IN 46556 orcall Pat at (574) 239-8364 and signup today. For more information shecan be reached by e-mail,padams@hcc-nd.edu.

Notre Dame rector professes final vows withImmaculate Heart ofMary SistersMONROE, Mich. — KatherineCollard, IHM, professed final vowsas a member of the Sisters, Servantsof the Immaculate Heart of Maryon Sunday, May 4, during a Mass atthe Immaculate Heart of MaryMotherhouse Chapel in Monroe,

Mich. Family and friends fromMichigan, Indiana and Ontarioattended the celebration.

A native of Windsor, Ontario,Canada, Collard is a rector at theUniversity of Notre Dame as sheworks toward a masters of divinity.She holds a bachelor’s degree inreligious studies from MarygroveCollege in Detroit, and a master’sdegree in pastoral ministries fromAssumption University in Windsor.

Collard is a convert to RomanCatholicism. She began to explorethe possibility of religious life a fewyears after her conversion, visitingseveral communities in search ofthe right place. She professed herfirst vows with the ImmaculateHeart of Mary Sisters in 2005.

Bishop Luers spotlightssenior achievementsFORT WAYNE — Bishop LuersHigh School has announced the fol-lowing accolades to seniors.

• The Indianapolis Star hassponsored The Academic All Starsfor 22 years. Every accredited highschool in Indiana is invited to sub-mit one entry based on students’SAT/ACT scores, grade-point aver-ages, academic courses, academicachievements, extracurricularactivities, community service andleadership. This year JosephCrouch was selected as one of 40Academic All Stars in the state.

• On April 14, senior Mandi

Lazzaro played the timpani in theSpring Concert of the Fort WaynePhilharmonic Youth Symphony.The Symphony performed“Hummel’s Piano Concerto No. 2in A minor,” “Op. 85” andTchaikovsky’s “Symphony No. 5 inE Minor, Op. 64.”

• Elizabeth Clinger has earnedthe coveted Lilly Scholarship. Thisaward pays full tuition, requiredfees, and a stipend of $800 per yearfor required books and needs forfour consecutive years of under-graduate study leading to a bac-calaureate degree at any Indianapublic or private college or univer-sity accredited by the North Centralassociation of Colleges andSchools.

At Bishop Luers High School,Clinger is student body presidentand president of the National HonorSociety. She is the sergeant at armsof Key Club, a peer minister, a stu-dent ambassador and a freshmanmentor. Clinger has participated inevery play (12 of them) that theschool has presented during hertenure at Luers.

Clinger plans to attend PurdueUniversity and major in event plan-ning or marketing.

• Andrea Allphin and JosephCrouch were the recipients of theIndiana Council of Teachers ofMathematics (ICTM) mathematicsawards.

Retreats announced atJohn XXIII center inHartford CityHARTFORD CITY — The JohnXXIII Retreat Center in HartfordCity has announced the followingretreats in June:

• A Walk with Dorothy Day —Wednesday, June 4, 9:15 a.m. to 2p.m., will allow participants to dis-cover the spirituality of DorothyDay, cofounder of the CatholicWorker Movement. Topics includeThe Little Way and Enduring Faith.Facilitated by Poor Handmaid ofJesus Christ Sister JoettaHuelsmann. The fee is $18.

• Contemplative Journey —Saturday, June 7, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.,where participants will learn moreabout Thomas Merton and hisSpirituality. Topics to be explored:“Inner Work,” “The SpiritualDiscipline of Solitude,” “Livingwith Purity of Heart,” “Finding OurHeart’s Deepest Desires.” Cost is$20. The facilitator is Sister JoettaHuelsmann. Register by June 4.

• A Day of Solitude and QuietPrayer — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday,June 17. Come for the whole day orfor part of it. Listen to God withinyou and enjoy the peace and quietof John XXIII Retreat Center. Bringa bag lunch and enjoy the beautifulgrounds of the center. Beveragesand a continental breakfast will befurnished. Offering for the day is$15. Optional spiritual direction isavailable for an extra offering.

Minnesota seminary rector named to USCCBWASHINGTON — Father JamesP. Steffes, rector of ImmaculateHeart of Mary Seminary inWinona, Minn., has been namedexecutive director of the U.S. bish-ops’ Secretariat for Clergy,Consecrated Life and Vocations.

He succeeds Msgr. EdwardBurns, who returns to the Dioceseof Pittsburgh for pastoral work. Thenew appointment becomes effec-tive Aug. 1.

Father Steffes holds a licentiatein sacred theology from theInstitute of St. Thomas Aquinas(The Angelicum) in Rome. In 2002,he was named rector of the Winonaseminary, where he had been direc-tor of spiritual formation from1997. Seminarians from theDiocese of Fort Wayne-South Bendattend the seminary for their colle-giate studies.

“Father Steffes brings broadexperience in seminary and dioce-san work to this important office ofthe United States Conference ofCatholic Bishops (USCCB),” saidMsgr. David Malloy, USCCB gen-eral secretary. “His additional back-ground in spiritual direction andretreat work makes him well pre-pared to serve as the executivedirector of the Secretariat forClergy, Consecrated Life andVocations,” he said.

In accepting the position, FatherSteffes said, “I am deeply humbledand honored to have this opportuni-ty to support the bishops of ourcountry in this key area of min-istry as they shepherd the peopleof God toward salvation. I havebeen blessed to work in vocationand formation ministry for thepast 12 years and feel God deep-ening a call in me to continue thisnow in a new and special waythrough this office.”

AROUND THE DIOCESE

PROVIDED BY TRACIA GREGORY

St. Vincent de Paul School, Fort Wayne, participated in the Sixth Annual National Pro-

Life T-Shirt Day on April 29. The St. Vincent Respect Life Committee coordinated the

T-shirt program at the school. The front bears a picture of St. Vincent holding an infant,

and the back has the quote, “Respecting All Life As A Gift From God.” In the photo,

from left, are Derek Linder, Jillian Gregory and Thomas Hudson, all first-grade students

sporting their pro-life T-shirts.

ST. VINCENT SCHOOL CELEBRATES PRO-LIFE T-SHIRT DAY

T O D A Y ’ S C A T H O L I C MAY 18, 20088

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Team participates in Spitzer Space Telescope program

SOUTH BEND — Saint Joseph’sHigh School seniors Clare Mundyand Curt Collingwood had theopportunity to rub shoulders withsome of the greatest science mindsin the nation when they traveled toAustin, Texas, with teacher Dr.Thomas Loughran earlier this year.

The team presented twoposters, Establishing a School-Based Research Community(SRC) for Astronomy and StudentExploration of Star FormationRate in Three High-RedshiftGalaxy Cluster: an NOAO/SpitzerEducation and Public OutreachProject, they created at theAmerican Astronomical Society’s211th meeting.

The trip was sponsored by theSpitzer Space Telescope ObservingProgram for Students andTeachers, in collaboration with theResearch-Based Science Educationprogram of the National OpticalAstronomy Observatory (NOAO).

Loughran is one of the partici-pating teachers in the SpitzerSpace Telescope ResearchProgram for Teachers andStudents. The Spitzer ScienceCenter (SSC) and the NationalOptical Astronomy Observatory(NOAO) have designed a programfor teacher and student researchusing observing time on theSpitzer Space Telescope. This pro-gram has as its goals the funda-mental NASA goals of inspiringand motivating students to pursuecareers in science, technology,engineering and mathematics aswell as to engage the public inshaping and sharing the experienceof exploration and discovery. Thisprogram allows a team of teachers

and their students to utilize thedirector’s discretionary observingtime on the Spitzer SpaceTelescope for educational observa-tions.

Through the school-basedresearch poster, Mundy andCollingwood presented the resultsof the study thus far as publishedin the 2007 Research BasedScience Education Journal by2007 Saint Joseph’s graduatesMatthew Pellegrino and VinayPatel. Pellegrino and Patel hadbeen investigating star formationrates in clusters of galaxies severalbillion light years away from earth.With the public outreach poster,Mundy and Collingwood present-ed the curricular context withinwhich this research was conduct-ed.

“Clare and Curt had to catch upfrom scratch,” said Loughran whonoted that Pellegrino and Patelspent a year-and-a-half working ontheir paper. Mundy andCollingwood started working onlearning the research in September2007.

During the semester, they hadto get up to speed on the Spitzerdistant cluster star formation rateproject. “They basically had asemester to climb into that materi-al and present it. Clare and Curttried to climb the learning curve tolearn and be able to present thisstuff and they were able to suc-cessfully do that.”

According to Loughran,Collingwood and Mundy present-ed Pellegrino’s and Patel’s work,as well as their own plans toadvance it through error analysisand model reduction using addi-tional Spitzer data at the Austin,Texas event. They will advance theproject by conducting error analy-

sis, and using Spitzer IRAC data(not yet reduced) to minimizeuncertainty by narrowing down thenumber of SED models used tocalculate total infrared luminosity.

“The task was to present whatwas done and present how wewould move forward with it,” saidLoughran.

The students received classcredit for their research, taking thisas an advanced topic and scientificresearch class at the high school.

“They’re (the students) not justlearning science but in a certainway they’re teaching science,” saidLoughran. “The students are car-ing for the scientific communitylike the scientific community caresfor us.”

B Y L I S A K O C H A N O W S K I

PHOTO BY DR. THOMAS LOUGHRAN

Saint Joseph’s High School senior Clare Mundy discusses her work on theSpitzer Galaxy Cluster Star Formation Rate project with Dr. KatyGarmany of the National Optical Astronomy Observatory.

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Catholic school friends,reunited at Purdue, winRube Goldberg contest WEST LAFAYETTE — Bestbuddies since first grade at St.Charles Borromeo School, FortWayne, Bruce Mahlie andMichael Keefer were separatedfollowing eighth grade gradua-tion, when Mahlie’s familymoved to South Bend. Keeferearned his high school diplomafrom Bishop Dwenger HighSchool four years later, Mahliefrom Saint Joseph’s.

Keefer was born a PurdueBoilermaker and was accepted toPurdue University to pursue acareer in civil engineering. Muchto his surprise, his longtime,long-distance friend Mahlie, aproduct of two Ohio StateBuckeyes, was also bound for

Purdue with interest in the samedegree.

The college freshmen foundthemselves in three classestogether and they renewed theirfriendship.

This year, as sophomores,Keefer and Mahlie have workedtogether on Purdue’s RubeGoldberg team to compete in theRube Goldberg contest held onApril 5.

This year’s challenge was toassemble a hamburger sandwichwith meat patty, buns, condi-ments and vegetables. PurdueUniversity’s team, includingKeefer and Mahlie, won the con-test with its machine design thatused 156 steps to make the burg-ers.

PROVIDED BY THE MAHLIE AND KEEFER FAMILIES

Reunited longtime friends BruceMahlie, left, and Michael Keefer,sophomores at Purdue Universityshow off their first place trophyat the Rube Goldberg contestApril 5.

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Signatures of St. Charles’ students tobe launched into space

FORT WAYNE — Students at St.Charles Borromeo School madehistory May 2 while learningabout space.

In an all-school activityknown as Signatures in Space,the students and staff signed theirnames on a poster to be sent offinto the depths of outer space.

The Signatures in Space proj-ect was a part of Space Day, aday celebrated on the first Fridayof May and sponsored by NASAand Lockheed Martin Corp., “topromote math, science, technolo-gy and engineering education,”said Sandy Shirmeyer, the pro-ject’s coordinator and fifth-gradeteacher.

Shirmeyer said she first heardabout the program about twoyears ago and was enticed, so sheapplied.

Every year Lockheed Martinselects 500 elementary and mid-dle schools nationwide to partici-pate in the program and St.Charles was accepted as one ofthem this year.

“As part of the program, wereceived a poster on which we’llcollect the signatures of our stu-dents and staff,” she said. “Theposter will be returned toLockheed Martin to be pho-tographed and transferred to acomputer disk. NASA willinclude the disk in the payload ofSpace Shuttle Mission STS-126scheduled to launch in the fall of2008.”

There is no cost to schools toparticipate in Student Signaturesin Space, as all costs are paid byLockheed Martin.

Shirmeyer said the missionwill be delivering supplies to the

International Space Station andbring some of the ISS crew backto earth. After the mission, theposters are returned to theschools for display, along with anofficial NASA certification veri-fying that the signatures flew inspace, as well as a photo of thecrew that took the signatures up.

Shirmeyer said the project hasan educational component, as itpromotes interest in the fields ofmath and science.

“Science is important becauseit teaches problem solving ... ana-lyzing a problem and coming upwith a solution,” she said. “It’slearning how to think.”

The teacher said the projectwas well-received by the stu-dents.

“They were so excited and arelooking forward to having their

signatures in space,” she said. “Itwas a fun day.”

According to the Space DayWeb site, the first signatures proj-ect was held to celebrate SpaceDay 1997. Then, over 96,000 sig-natures from more than 220 U.S.elementary schools traveledaboard Shuttle-Mir docking mis-sion STS-86 in September 1997.To date, more than 5 million sig-natures have flown on variousmissions, including STS-95, thehistoric shuttle mission thatreturned Sen. John Glenn tospace.

Although Signatures in Spacelesson plans are geared moretoward elementary and middleschools, the program is open toall schools, including highschools, according to the SpaceDay Web site.

B Y L A U R E N C A G G I A N O

PROVIDED BY ST. CHARLES SCHOOL

In an all-school activity at St. Charles Borromeo School in Fort Wayneknown as Signatures in Space, the students and staff signed their nameson a poster to be sent off into the depths of outerspace in the fall of2008.

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With Saint Joseph’s HighSchool Vocations Club, it’sabout all vocations

The chapel at Saint Joseph’sHigh School is a busy placemost mornings, with stu-

dents and teachers alike droppingby to pray before the school daybegins.

As school chaplain FatherCamillo Tirabassi quietly praysthe morning office, a few youngmen begin to trickle in until theyfill a row of seats, joining him inprayer. They are part of thenewly revived Vocation Club atSaint Joseph’s, meeting once amonth for prayer and breakfastwith Father Cam.

The Vocation Club was initiat-ed about five or six years ago bythen-chaplain Father MichaelHeintz, who is now rector andpastor at St. Matthew’sCathedral, South Bend. WhenBishop John M. D’Arcy askedFather Cam to serve as a highschool chaplain, they agreed theVocation Club needed to berevived.

“The purpose is to get youngpeople to pray,” explained FatherCam. “And not necessarily thatthey will become priests, becausenobody knows. It’s to pray thatGod will direct them in whateverlife they choose and to help thembecome prayerful men.”

The young men who stoppedby this particular Thursday rangein ages from freshman to senior,and they see the value in gettingtogether to pray.

“Sure, they’d like you to lookat the priesthood,” said JimKasznia, a junior at SaintJoseph’s. “But it’s more than that.It’s about all vocations, whetherthat will be married life or thepriesthood. It’s a good focus onwhere you want to go in life.”

After morning prayer, whichbegins around 7:15 a.m., the

group moves to a nearby roomfor some breakfast. Father Camusually leads a reflection on asaint, but on this day he firstwants to hear all about a pilgrim-age to Medjugorje two of theyoung men made during springbreak. He is particularly interest-ed in hearing about the manyyoung people who were drawn ina special way to the sacraments.

Senior Joe Torma shares aboutthe overflow crowds he and hisfriends joined as they attendeddaily Mass, eucharistic adorationand confession. Father Camsmiles at that thought, then intro-duces St. Catherine of Siena,sharing some details about howshe did so much in her young lifeduring a difficult time in thechurch.

They also discuss PopeBenedict XVI, who is visiting theUnited States that week, and themedia coverage he is receiving.

In fact, the pope’s visit is whyFranciscan Sister Lois is absenttoday. She usually holds similarprayer meetings with the youngwomen at Saint Joseph’s. Today,she is driving cross-country witheight members of the novitiate ofthe Sisters of St. Francis ofPerpetual Adoration. Theyreceived a surprise invitation toattend Mass with the pope at St.Patrick’s Cathedral in New York.

“They have eight novices?”asks Father Cam with a grin.“Wow!”

As the meeting breaks up andthe seniors leave with their class-mates for a day at Wrigley Fieldand the others head off to class,Father Cam lingers over a cup ofcoffee.

“We pray for the vocations tothe priesthood. We don’t knowwho is called, but prayer sureisn’t going to hurt,” Father Camnoted.

B Y D I A N E F R E E B Y

G R A D U A T I O N10 MAY 18, 2008

Saint Joseph’s High School valedictorian: Thomas Everett

SOUTH BEND — He could be aposter boy for the benefits of homeschooling. He could also be aposter boy for getting the most outof four years of high school. TomEverett, son of Fred and LisaEverett of Corpus Christi Parish inSouth Bend, is the 2008 class vale-dictorian for Saint Joseph’s HighSchool.

Number one in a class of 214,Everett says he truly values theCatholic education he receivedboth at home and at Saint Joseph’sHigh School.

“A Catholic education not onlysuperbly forms you intellectuallyand academically,” says Everett,who was taught at home by hisparents during most of his gradeschool years, “but also teaches youand gives you the opportunity toform a lasting relationship withGod.”

Everett, who plans to studypolitical science in the fall at theUniversity of Notre Dame, wasinvolved in a variety of activities atSaint Joseph’s. But he says the pil-grimage he made to Medjugorjewith classmates during springbreak of his senior year stands outas the highlight.

“I was filled with a great senseof peace ... spending time in prayerand contemplation,” recallsEverett. “What struck me was howeasy it was to be Catholic there,and how much faith is openlyexpressed. It’s easy to pray inMedjugorje. I continue to be struckby the peace of being there. It wasa great experience of deepeningmy faith and reopening my faithwith God.”

Everett, who participated in

cross country this fall, ran track fortwo years and is currently wrap-ping up competition in intramuralquiz bowl. But folks at Saint Joeremember him for much more.

“Tom demonstrates his out-standing character on a dailybasis,” says guidance counselorKathy Utz. “He is an outstandingyoung man.”

Everett says he enjoyed a vari-ety of classes at Saint Joseph’sHigh School, including calculuswith Mr. John “The Mayor”Wojtowicz and morality with Mr.Andy Oross.

In addition to being the web-master for his Boy Scout troop andputting in some hard manual laborfor a couple summers working atthe Southern Plantation Christmasfarm, Everett also knows how torelax.

“I enjoy making short films,”he says, eying a career in eithergovernment or journalism. In fact,Everett has written and producedseveral short films that have made

their way to YouTube, much to thedelight of his fans. He says he alsoenjoys cars, computers and spend-ing time with pals.

“I would like to thank my fami-ly, friends and girlfriend Julia forall the love, fun and support,” saysEverett.

Family life is important toEverett, the second oldest of sevenchildren.

“In 10 years, I envision myselfto be happily married with 2.5 tothree kids,” he predicted. “In 20years, an even dozen!”

His advice for the studentscoming after him is simple and tothe point: “Work hard, make goodfriendships and have fun!”

Salutatorian: John AversaSOUTH BEND — In what manyat Corpus Christi are calling a ban-ner year, another parishionerreceived top honors. John Aversa,a graduate of Corpus Christi Grade

School, is the 2008 class salutatori-an for Saint Joseph’s High School.

Aversa, who is the son ofDomenico and Dawn Aversa, sayshe wants to major in chemistry atthe University of Notre Dame andeventually become a physician.

Part of a group of young menwho played football togetherthroughout their entire gradeschool and high school careers,Aversa is known as a leader bothon the football field and in theclassroom.

“John is a real gentleman and ascholar,” says guidance counselorKathy Utz. “His confidence is inbalance with his humility, and hisknowledge and integrity areunquestionable.”

Aversa says his Catholic educa-tion helped him grow spiritually aswell as mentally in the demandingacademic environment.

“Faith is something that allowsme to reflect on my life, and givesme perspective on things aboutwhich I am uncertain,” saysAversa. “I am able to concentratebetter on my studies after consider-ing my faith. God’s calming influ-ence has definitely helped me to bepatient with all aspects of life.”

Balance is something Aversahas managed to maintain through-out his high school years.

“My most treasured memoriesof high school are split betweenthe classroom and the playingfield,” says Aversa. “I think I cansafely say that I had some of thegreatest times of my life playingfootball for Saint Joe. I also partic-ipated in Spanish Club for twoyears and was a GREIA tutor fortwo years as well. This past year Itried track and field and I threwshot-put and discus.”

Among the many classes

Aversa has taken, his favoritesrange from calculus and chemistry,with Mr. Wojtowica and Mr.Dolezal, to world history and bibli-cal literature with Brother EdFoken and Father Walter Bly.

“I would like to thank my par-ents, teachers and coaches fordoing all that they have for me,”says Aversa. “I would like toextend a special thanks to allinvolved in the football program,especially Coach Kevin Downey,Father Cam and the assistantcoaches for helping me in theweight room and on the field tobecome a better athlete, studentand person.”

Aversa is a great example ofhow dedication and hard work payoff. The guy who started highschool as an undersized freshmanfootball player managed to pack on100 pounds of mostly muscle infour years by disciplining himselfin the weight room.

“I know they may hear this allthe time, but I would tell youngerstudents to always do their best,”maintains Aversa. “Sometimes youthink that it won’t be good enoughfor whatever your goal is, but oftentimes you surprise even yourself.It’s always a good idea to do yourbest and not worry about thingsyou cannot control.”

Aversa plans to continue tostrike a balance in his life.

“In 10 years, I hope to be at thebeginning of a medical career,” heshares. “In 20 years, I hope to bemarried with a family and a prac-ticing physician with a few yearsunder my belt.

B Y D I A N E F R E E B Y

THOMAS EVERETT

JOHN AVERSA

Congratulations!to all

the graduates

G R A D U A T I O N 11MAY 18, 2008

Marian valedictorian: Alyssa Barnard

MISHAWAKA — Alyssa Barnard,Marian High School valedictorian,has a broad vision for her future— the world to be exact. ThisMarian top student hopes to pursuea career in international diplomacyor international law. She first plansto obtain a double major in politi-cal science and French at FordhamUniversity in New York Citybefore attending law school even-tually.

“In 10 years, I hope to ... (be)working to preserve human rightsand to build international relations.In 20 years, I hope to be continu-ing that field of work, but at thatpoint, I also hope to have a familythat I can nurture and raise withthe same values with which I wasraised.”

Born in Phoenix, Ariz., Barnardhas lived in Granger for 13 years,and belongs to St. Pius X Parish.She says that her Catholic faithhelps focus her efforts, and pro-vides more than direction to herlife.

“It is a rock of sorts, a shoulderto cry on,” she says. “When timesget bad, I can count on my faith toget me through the day.”

Barnard believes that the valueof a Catholic education is that itfocuses on the formation of thewhole person — academically,spiritually and emotionally. “Thereis a clear concern in Catholic edu-cation for the total well-being ofthe student, which doesn’t exist inother learning environments,” shesays.

At Marian, Barnard boasted a4.6875 grade point average on a4.0 scale, and particularly enjoyedher history classes, philosophyclass and language classes. Shesays that she will always remem-ber the time spent in the companyof her best friends at Marian.

“There are so many little‘inside jokes’ and funny stories(from my time there) that I could-n’t possibly describe them all.Suffice it to say there are plenty ofmoments in high school that I willnever forget,” she says.

Barnard’s list of extracurricularactivities demonstrates she is tal-ented in and devoted to more thanjust academics. At Marian she par-ticipated in the French Club, litur-gical choir, theater, Mock Trial,National Honor Society, and sheeven played basketball for threeyears.

“I enjoyed theater and MockTrial the most though,” she admits.“Both of those activities gave mean opportunity to try somethingnew and a little scary, and bothhave helped me tremendously togrow as a person.”

Barnard’s awards include beingnamed a National Merit Finalist,an “Outstanding Senior” by theAmerican Association of Teachersof French, and “Best Attorney” inthe Mock Trial Competition ingrades 10, 11 and 12. In her sparetime she enjoys reading, singing,being outside, scrapbooking, lis-tening to music and being withfriends.

Gratitude is an important com-ponent of Barnard’s persona.

“I would like to thank my par-ents (Tim and Mary Barnard) who

took the time when I was little toread to me and who have support-ed me all these years.” She is alsoappreciative of her friends whohave stood by her, and her teacherswho have “gone above and beyondthe call of duty to educate me.”She is most grateful to God, who,she says, “made me who I amtoday.”

What words of wisdom wouldBarnard share with younger stu-dents? “Dare to dream and dedi-cate (yourself) fully to (your)dreams. No matter what, if you arepursuing what you love, you willbe happy. Be true to yourself andwork hard and you can achieveanything.”

Salutatorian: Molly FirthMISHAWAKA — Molly Firth, ofMishawaka, has been named the2008 Marian High School saluta-torian. The daughter of John andAnn Firth, she is a member of St.Pius X Parish in Granger. Mollyplans to attend the University ofNotre Dame in the fall, and is con-sidering a major of anthropology.

Having earned a 4.6854 gradepoint average on a 4.0 scale, Firthsays her two favorite classes atMarian were Father Dan Scheidt’sGreat Catholic Thinkers andadvanced research. “I enjoy being

able to think and work independ-ently,” she says.

While at Marian, Firth excelledin areas other than academics. Shewas a four-year member of theswim team, being named “mostimproved” her freshman year andhaving lettered during her senioryear. She was a four-year memberof the French Club, serving astreasurer during her junior andsenior years. She was also a three-year member of Mock Trial andthe Art Club, and was an activemember of the National HonorSociety as well.

According to Firth, her mosttreasured memories of Marian arethe little things. “(I most treasure)debating with my friends, sharinga good laugh and getting muffinsat Martin’s ...,” she says.

Firth is grateful for the Catholiceducation her parents provided.“The thing I think is most distinc-tive about a Catholic education,”she says, “is that students have theopportunity to integrate their faithwith their academic pursuits, togrow not only in knowledge butalso in wisdom.”

She tries to live out her faithand share the many blessings shefeels she has been given. Firthwould like to thank her parents,her teachers and her friends. “Theyhave all been very supportive ofme during high school,” she says.

While Firth obviously workshard, she also makes time to relax.“I enjoy books, music, good con-versation, long drives, thinkingand writing,” she says. She alsotakes pleasure in being outdoorsand even playing an occasionalvideo game.

Firth shares these words of wis-dom with younger students:“Follow your interests, and don’tforget to have fun along the way.”She also advises, “The key to aca-demic success is to cultivate a loveof learning and a passion forknowledge.”

In 10 or 20 years, Molly is notcertain what she might be doing.She finds the suspense excitingthough. “Whatever I’m doing,”she concludes, “I hope I can makea positive difference in the world.”

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Colleges, universitiesgraduation ceremoniesColleges and universities acrossthe diocese have announced commencement exercises.

• Saint Mary’s College will hold anoutdoor ceremony in the Court ofLe Mans Hall at noon on Saturday,May 17. A vigil Mass will be heldat 4:30 p.m. in Regina Chapel.

• The University of Notre Dame’scommencement cceremony, will beheld May 18 at 2 p.m. in the JoyceCenter on campus.

• Ancilla College graduated its41st class in school history on May3, at the Ancilla Domini Chapel.

• Holy Cross College held it’s grad-uation Saturday, May 10.

• The University of Saint Francis inFort Wayne celebrated commence-ment exercises Saturday, May 3.

Success will follow youevery step of the way.Recognized, relevant, respected. That’s the reputation of USF graduate programs.It will be yours, too. Stay humble.

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MAY 18, 2008G R A D U A T I O N12

Bishop Dwenger valedictorian: Mariel Lee

FORT WAYNE — BishopDwenger valedictorian Mariel Leehas high hopes for the future.

A Fort Wayne native, Lee willattend Notre Dame. Lee said shehas an interest in linguistics andhopes to pursue a graduate degreein the field, but she hasn’t decidedupon a major.

“I hope to become a linguistand anticipate working in educa-tion, research or translation,” Leetells Today’s Catholic. “I hope tofind a job for which I have anexcited enthusiasm.”

But God, family and service areLee’s priorities. “I anticipate com-ing home at the end of each day toa family I love above everythingelse,” she says. “I also hope tohave a deepened spirituality andfaith in God and myself. I want touse my talents to serve people notonly in my immediate communitybut also in other parts of the globethrough mission trips.”

Lee, a parishioner of St.Elizabeth Ann Seton, says she val-ues her education at BishopDwenger because religion is acommon, unifying factor.

“You can understand everyoneon a different level because reli-gion is a common bond,” she says.

Moreover, Lee said she valuesDwenger’s motto of “Citizens ofTwo Worlds” because you canunderstand both the religious andthe secular.

Faith is a value in her everydaylife, Lee says.

“My faith is something thatpicks up where everything leavesoff,” she said. “It’s a constant chal-lenge to figure it out.”

When she looks back at heracademic career, Lee says thatadvanced placement chemistry willstand out. “I’m fascinated with thesubject,” she said.

The valedictorian says she par-ticularly enjoyed this coursebecause of the teacher. “I want tospecifically thanks my chemistryteacher, Mrs. Fairchild, for teach-ing me about patience andresilience,” Lee says.

“I want to thank Mr. LaMarcafor teaching me about calculus andhaving a sense of humor and thatthe most important thing I do eachday is trying to do God’s work.”

Lee also adds that she enjoyscalculus, but has a “love/hate rela-tionship.”

Lee has several people to thankfor support during her high schoolcareer. Her parents are at the top ofthe list. Her sisters also played asupportive role, Lee said, helpingto provide “different outlooks” andencouraging her to loosen up. She

also said she appreciates teacherswho have provided “good perspec-tives.”

“And lastly, I need to thank mybest friend, Richard Schroeder, forteaching me about humility, truthand love,” she says.

When she’s not hitting thebooks, Lee enjoys swimming,writing for the school newspaperand serving as vice president forthe National Honor Society.

Outside of school, Lee says sheenjoys reading and talking tofriends online and on the phone.

A few high-school memorieswill stand the test of time, Leesays. Early morning swim prac-tices and a trip to Costa Rica withMr. Loney’s biology class areamong them.

Lee offers a few words ofadvice for underclassmen.

“Don’t procrastinate or over-think yourself… it causes morestress,” she says. “One test is notthat big of a deal.”

Salutatorian: Kelly Ignasiak

Kelly Ignasiak is bound forgreatness.

The Bishop Dwenger salutato-rian is slated to attend LoyolaCollege in Chicago and pursue anundergraduate degree in politicalscience.

It’s no coincidence thatIgnasiak chose a Catholic univer-sity, as she values the solidarity atBishop Dwenger.

“The value (of a Catholic edu-cation) is the closeness we have.... I can share my faith with thoseat school,” she says. “You get toknow everyone because we havesuch a small school.”

Moreover, Ignasiak, a parish-ioner at St. Charles BorromeoParish in Fort Wayne, says herfaith life helps her to excel in theacademic world.

“There is that other side ofwho we are,” she said. “You cango to (it) and leave all this behind... it’s an escape.”

Ignasiak enjoys chemistry andhistory. Chemistry is a favoritecourse because Mrs. Fairchild hasbeen an inspirational teacher.Also, the salutatorian says she hasalways had an interest in history.

Looking back, Ignasiak saysshe values her parent’s support.Ignasiak has a close relationshipwith her mother and looks up toher father.

“They’ve always been interest-ed in what’s going on in my life,”she says. “It’s good to be able totalk to them.”

Ignasiak has an activeextracurricular life. A member ofthe Spanish Club, GoldenTrumpet newspaper, NationalHonor Society and orchestra, shefinds a balance between work andplay.

A self-described “movie buff,”she enjoys watching favorites.

The high school senior saysshe will treasure the times spentafter school working on thenewspaper. Her trip to Mexicowith the Indiana UniversityHonors Program ranks highly, aswell.

Ignasiak offers the followingwords of advice for younger stu-dents.

“Try to follow your gutinstinct and not think so hard,”she says. “If you have a talent,work hard.”

Igansiak says her ultimate planis to become a lawyer at a suc-cessful law firm, happily marriedwith two or three children.

B Y L A U R E N C A G G I A N O

May 17, 2008

Confidence. Experience. Excellence.Saint Mary’s College congratulates you upon your graduation.

Sain

t Mar

y’s

Colle

ge •

Not

re D

ame

, Ind

iana

For four years you’ve taken on academic

challenges and succeeded. You’ve learned

from professors who have supported you,

and bonded with classmates who will

become friends for life.

As professionals, graduate students,

and volunteers, you will enter the ranks

of other distinguished alumnae making

a difference.

Challenge yourself. Challenge the world.

Saint Mary’s College is proud of its more than 300 women graduates. For more information about Saint Mary’s College, call (574) 284-4587 or visit saintmarys.edu.

CONGRATULATIONS!Everyone at Saint Joseph’s

High School extends heartfelt

congratulations to our graduating

Class of 2008. We’re so very proud

of how you’ve grown —

intellectually and spiritually.

May God go with you as your

next journey begins.

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MARIEL LEE

KELLY IGNASIAK

TODAY’S CATHOLIC

Congratulates all of our graduates

MAY 18, 2008 G R A D U A T I O N 13

Bishop Luers valedictorian: Amanda Marie Lazzaro

FORT WAYNE — Dream big.Amanda Marie Lazzaro does justthat, with her ultimate personaldream of someday becoming aDisney Imagineer.

Amanda was born in Ohio butcurrently resides in Bluffton,where her church, First UnitedMethodist Church, is located. Thisoutstanding young lady has earnedthe honor of being named the 2008Bishop Luers High School vale-dictorian. “God must have a planfor me, and good grades must be apart of it” says Lazzaro.

Amanda has always liked mathand chemistry classes, so it is fit-ting that she desires a degree ineither electrical or computer engi-neering from ValparaisoUniversity.

As she completes her highschool career, she is very gratefulto her teachers, her parents and herfriends. “My parents kept megoing when I was stubborn andnot in the mood to do my work,”she tells Today’s Catholic. “Myfriends are always there for mewhen I am having a bad day, andmy teachers, well, they taughtme.”

Her studies are a big part ofLazzaro’s life, so much so that shehas these words of advice toyounger students: “Study hard butbe sure to save time for fun. Thatwas my major problem, especiallyfreshman year.”

Lazzaro has tried to take herown advice and included manydifferent extracurricular activitiesto her routine. She is a part of theLuers band playing percussion,and the Fort Wayne PhilharmonicYouth Orchestra where she servesas section leader. She also joinedFuture Business Leaders ofAmerica (FBLA) and is a part ofthe group SADD. When free timeallows, Amanda’s hobbies includereading and riding her bike.

Looking back, treasuredmoments are many, like her trip toDisney World freshman year withFBLA, or her more recent experi-ence of senior prom where her dadrented a limo for Lazzaro and herfriends.

It is with great optimism, how-ever, that Amanda looks forward.She imagines herself in 10 or 20years, married, with a family, andworking for Disney as one of theirImagineers. Lazzaro knows shecan achieve her dreams, she hasbeen given the foundation atBishop Luers.

“Bishop Luers is a great schoolwhere the teachers really care andwant to see you achieve yourgoals,” says Lazzaro.

Salutatorian: Joe Crouch

Joe Randall Crouch of FortWayne has been named the 2008Bishop Luers High School saluta-

torian. Joe and his family belongto St. John the Baptist CatholicChurch in Fort Wayne, where hegrew up and attended school forhis primary education.

Crouch is the epitome of awell-rounded student with his highacademic marks as well asinvolvement in show choir, peerministry, drama, student council,baseball, soccer, Academic SuperBowl and National Honor Society.Crouch believes all the extracurric-ular activities have given himopportunities outside the class-room to learn life skills and prob-lem-solving skills that he will usefor the rest of his life.

He hopes to continue his suc-cess at Notre Dame, majoring inmathematics and eventuallybecoming a professor in the field.

Crouch’s faith is an integralpart of his everyday life and sayshis experience at Luers has helpedhim to grow in his faith and learnhow to apply it to situations in and

outside of school. He believes thevalue of a Catholic education lies“in the fact that the teachers arepermitted more room in every sub-ject, not just to teach students, butdevelop them into well-roundedpeople.”

He continues, “Bishop Luers isthe total package. It develops stu-dents in every way. You can comehere and have a completely fulfill-ing experience spiritually, academ-ically, in athletics, in drama andthe arts, just about every way youcan think of.”

Crouch would like to thank hisparents for instilling in him the“initiative to work hard and do mybest” and his teachers and peers“for helping me to develop as astudent and person for the pastfour years.”

And while his hard work leaveslittle time for relaxation, he enjoysany free time watching television,playing cards or just hanging outwith his friends.

His advice to underclassmen:“Every day is an opportunity toimprove or learn something new.”

Everyone has a favorite highschool memory, and Crouch is nodifferent, he will always treasurehis very last show choir perform-ance during this school year’s invi-tational. “It was just crazy to knowthis would be the last time per-forming with these people that Ihad spent countless hours withover the past four years and know-ing how much I’ll miss them,” hesays.

Where does Crouch picturehimself in 10 years? “Hopefully, ifI’m out of school, I’ll want to con-tinue learning. I want to alwayslearn new things and pass on myknowledge to other people,” hesays.

And in 20 years? “If all goes asplanned, I’ll have a family, com-fortable job as a professor, and willbe sailing into the golden years ofmy life.”

B Y J E N N I F E R S I M E R M A N

A Tradition ofExcellence since 1963

Congratulations Class of 2008

Our prayersand best wishesare with you.

mThe Administration, Faculty, and Staff of

BISHOP DWENGERHIGH SCHOOL

Bishop Dwenger High School1300 East Washington Center Road • Fort Wayne 46825

260-496-4700 Fax: 260-496-4702 www.bishopdwenger.com

�

�

AMANDA MARIE LAZZARO

JOE CROUCH

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T O D A Y ’ S C A T H O L I C MAY 18, 200814

EDITORIAL

Today’s Catholic editorial board consists of Bishop John M. D’Arcy, Ann Carey, Don Clemmer, Father Mark Gurtner, Father Michael Heintz,Tim Johnson and Vince LaBarbera.

COMMENTARYTODAY’S CATHOLIC welcomes letters from readers. All letters must be signed and include a phone number and address for verification.

Today’s Catholic reserves the right to edit for clarity and length. Address letters to: Today’s Catholic • P.O. Box 11169 • Fort Wayne,

IN • 46856-1169 or e-mail to: editor@fw.diocesefwsb.org

The gas crunch takes abite out of the walletIf you are finding you have a few less dollars these days, most

likely, it’s the cost of gas taking an extra bite out of the wallet.Transportation costs impact us all: whether it is increased grocerycosts — farmers need gasoline for their farm equipment, oil forsome insecticides and fertilizers, to transport the crops to market, totransport the products to the supermarkets, etc. Or pull out the menufrom a favorite restaurant and notice higher prices as well as fewercustomers.

As Catholics, we need to especially be concerned about the poorduring these difficult times. Local news has reported families tight-ening the belts, cutting back on medicines, food, heat or electricity,to be able to pay their transportation fees.

Catholic Charities is one of the agencies on the front line. Theirwish list of items and for volunteers can be found on their Website, www.ccfwsb.org. They operate two food pantries: one at 1817Miami St., in South Bend, and another, the Community of CaringFood Pantry, at 109 W. 5th St. in Auburn. Interestingly, gas cardsare the second item on the wish list.

Also many parish food banks could use assistance. St. Mary’s Soup Kitchen in Fort Wayne has reported the num-

bers of people coming to their window is growing at an alarmingrate.

So the need to help our brothers and sisters is becoming evermore important with donations, volunteerism or help.

For the rest of us, tightening the belt may become a necessity.To save on gas, fueleconomy.gov offers the following gas mileagetips: drive more efficiently — drive sensibly, observe the speedlimit, remove excess weight, don’t idle the car, use cruise controland overdrive gears. The Web site also recommends keeping yourcar in shape — keep the engine tuned, check and replace the airfilters, keep tires properly inflated and use the recommended gradeof oil. They also pose planning and combining trips — stop at themarket on the way home from work. Lastly, they suggest choosinga more efficient vehicle.

Some resort to using public transportation, carpooling, or usinga bike or walking — two healthy alternatives.

Environmental stewardshipThe U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)

Environmental Justic Program urges “Catholics throughout thecountry to become more aware of the links between reverence forthe environment and social action on behalf of those negativelyimpacted by the environment,” according to their Web site. “As aresult, a primary thrust of the program has been to develop localprograms and local leadership to ensure that the message of envi-ronmental justice became part of the fabric of Catholic life, espe-cially as that life impacts low income communities.”

We live in a global society. We all have a stake and a part toplay in taking care of the world. We need to be good caretakers ofour environment and this starts with our own little piece of theworld.

A few weeks ago we featured environmental stewardship. Sincethat time, several schools and parishes and the Archbishop NollCatholic Center have received the services of PaperWorx, a com-pany in Fort Wayne that collects and recycles newspaper, card-board, magazines, books, junk mail, office paper. PaperWorx thenpays the parish, school or the diocese $20 per ton of recyclablematerials collected. It is a good environmentally-friendly way to bea good steward of our earth and make some money for a charitablecause.

Go digitalOur newsprint can be recycled. But only a few may be aware

that Today’s Catholic can be e-mailed as a PDF file to your homecomputer. This electronic version of Today’s Catholic looks exactlylike the print version, readers can adjust the size of the content ontheir computer screen, get it delivered as early as Wednesdays anddirectly link to any Web site and e-mail address. It’s our way ofbeing green by utilizing new technology and it requires no produc-tion — ink, paper, transportation costs or U.S. postal deliverycosts. It’s something to think about.

Young urged to ‘Proclaim the Lord Christ’

“Habemus Papam!” These wordswere uttered three years ago onApril 15, 2005, when our ownPope Benedict XVI was electedpope. There have only been ninevisits to the United States by apope. This was also Pope BenedictXVI’s first visit to the UnitedStates during his papacy.Excitement pulsed through theentire country in anticipation ofthis most important visit of theHoly Father to our own nation.

As a teenager, I wanted toknow more about our current popeand what his message was for theyoung people of our country. I amsure that his talks and homilieswere all broadcasted and posted onthe Internet, but I wanted that per-sonal experience of hearing thepope’s words live and comingdirectly from him.

So when an opportunity to wintickets through an essay contestwas presented to me, I jumped atthe chance. A few weeks after, Iwas contacted by Cindy Black thatmy essay had been selected. It wasa great joy to know that I would beseeing the Holy Father in personand hearing his message.

At the youth rally on April 19,there were so many people there toshow their love and support forour Holy Father. There were manypopular bands that played through-out the day, but you could feel theanxiousness of each person to seethe pope. When he entered St.Joseph’s Seminary, you could justfeel the “electricity” as some calledit in the air. When Pope Benedict

finally stepped onstage, the shoutsand cheers from the crowd were farfrom over. It was so amazing tojust have him in sight that youcouldn’t help but clap and cheer asloud as you could.

Pope Benedict started hisaddress to the young people andseminarians with a Bible verse,“Proclaim the Lord Christ... andalways have your answer ready forpeople who ask the reason for thehope that is within you.” — 1 Pt3:15. That lone verse struck mehard because it challenged all of uspresent there to always be ready toproclaim Christ to others whowant to know where you find yourhope in your life.

The pope also spoke of fouressential pieces of our faith: per-sonal prayer; liturgical prayer;charity in action; and vocations.

In our world so full of noise, itis often hard to hear God’s voicebecause we are afraid of or don’tknow how to be still and listen. Healso spoke of liturgical prayer as“the whole church at prayer.” Thesacraments are the “work of Jesus”in the church and our lives.

This liturgical prayer, personalprayer and charitable works bringus closer to Christ and our voca-tion. It was so powerful when ourHoly Father spoke of vocationsbecause so many seminarians werepresent who were in fact discern-ing their vocations.

The next day was equally if notmore special than the youth rallybecause I would be in the presenceof the pope and Jesus in theEucharist. Once again, when PopeBenedict arrived, the whole ofYankee Stadium was charged with

excitement and shouts of “VivaBenedicto!”

The Mass was the most beauti-ful celebration of the Eucharist Ihave ever been to. Just being inunion with the church in such ahuge way was an inspiring experi-ence. During his homily, PopeBenedict spoke of freedom andJesus being “the way that leads tothe Father” and as “the way thetruth and the life.” He also spokeof the only way to find ourselves isto love ourselves.

Both of these messages struckme in a particular way. It reallychallenged me to let go of every-thing in my life that was not glori-fying God.

The pope’s whole message ofhope and happiness for our nationwas a refreshing message. He didnot come to tell us how dark andtroubled our country was or tochastise us for the numerous thingsthat happen in our country that goagainst the Catholic Church.

Pope Benedict came to give ushope for the future and to challengeus to deepen our faith in order tolead our nation into a bright andhappy future. We young peoplehave a great responsibility toensure that hopeful and happyfuture. I feel that Pope Benedictchallenged us the most to be exam-ples to our country and the rest ofthe world in living out our faith.

Lindsay Harris is a junior atBishop Dwenger High Schooland one of the teens who repre-sented the Diocese of FortWayne-South Bend in New Yorkfor the papal activities.

B Y L I N D S A Y H A R R I S

Student recountsclass trip toMedjugorje

When friends and family ask whatMedjugorje is like, it is incrediblyhard to talk about because the experi-ence that I had during this pilgrimagewas personal and unique. It is hard toexplain to others a place that consistsof so much peace and inspiration.

Imagine, for a moment, a placefull of many graces. This place is avillage and it is filled with peoplewho love Christ. Everyone in this vil-lage knows each other and respectsone another. Pilgrims can feel thisstrong sense of unity. The friendlinessand joyful faces of the people makeone feel welcome.

Imagine waking up to the birdssinging, the church bells ringing andthe sensational feeling that God andthe Blessed Mother are presenteverywhere. These are my feelingsand observations of Medjugorje as Ireflect on a place that fulfills a dreamand embraces a heavenly atmosphere.

I stepped foot for the first time onthe pavement in Mejugorje and

thought, “Wow, this trip is going tobe life-changing.” From that firstmoment, I could already feel thepresence of Christ around me. Fromclimbing Cross Mountain toApparition Hill, I felt much peace. Iremember one day I was sitting onthe top of Apparition Hill and it wasdead silent. I sat and reflected on mylife, prayed and looked down captur-ing the glorious glimpse of gracesthroughout the village.

St. James Church was filled withmany different cultures and lan-guages. This was the first time whereI saw a diverse group of people cometogether to praise God for his ever-lasting love. One night for adoration,I remember how awesome it was tosee the church filled with people whowere in deep prayer and sung thehymns of praise. This demonstratedto me a great unity of faith.

It is through all of our experiencesin life that we are able to have adeeper conversion with Christ. I wasvery fortunate to have been able totravel on this pilgrimage. It wasGod’s will and a special calling fromOur Lady that invited me to travel toMedjugorje. Many go to this specialplace because they hear about theapparitions and want to meet the

visionaries. Though the apparitions and

visionaries are important, I believethat the real reason many travel isbecause they respond to the call fromOur Lady. Still to this day, I continueto ask myself this question: Whywere my 13 friends and I called tomake this pilgrimage out of 850 stu-dents at Saint Joseph’s High School?I fondly believe that Our Lady hasgood things in store for us and thatshe will challenge us to convert manyhearts as we provide a strong testimo-ny to truth. It was this experience thatopened the door to a whole new light.

So as I close, I leave you with afew messages that Vicka, one of thevisionaries, spoke about one day. Shesaid the most powerful weapon is therosary. With many difficulties in fam-ilies these days, Vicka encourages usto pray the rosary as a family. Go toconfession, fast and read Scripture. Itis Our Blessed Mother who walkswith us day by day and leads us tomany graces in life. This is the lessonthat I learned during my trip toMedjugorje.

Monica MurphySaint Joseph’s High School

South Bend, Ind.

C O M M E N T A R YMAY 18, 2008 15

Feast of the HolyTrinityGospel: Jn 3:16-18

This weekend the church cele-brates the feast of the MostHoly Trinity. This is the

scholarly, theological term todescribe the most intimate detail ofthe reality of God.

In the first reading, from theBook of Exodus, the church beginsits lesson for us today by remind-ing us about God, and also aboutourselves.

Exodus, in general, recalls thepath of the Hebrews, escapingslavery in Egypt, across the forbid-ding Sinai Peninsula to the land ofprosperity, peace and securitypromised them by God. It was adifficult trip, to say the least.

Without God’s mercy, theHebrews would not have complet-ed the journey. He guided them.He loved them.

The first reading reports com-munication between God andMoses. Divine love allows, anddeepens, this communication. Godreaches out to us. God listens tous.

For the second reading, thechurch presents Paul’s SecondEpistle to the Corinthians.

The Christians of Corinth con-fronted Paul with many chal-lenges. They quarreled and plottedamong themselves. They sinned.Considering their surroundings, it

is not difficult to realize why theyso often were wayward.

Corinth was known throughoutthe Mediterranean world of thefirst century AD as a virtualcesspool of vice and licentious-ness. A rich commercial center, onthe route between East and West, italso was the site of greed andexceeding competition.

The great apostle urged theChristian Corinthians to rely onJesus, and the strength giventhrough and in Jesus of the HolySpirit.

Finally, the church presents,from St. John’s Gospel, the storyof the Lord’s instructingNicodemus, an important figure inJewish life in Jerusalem.

Jesus explains that the messi-ah’s words are not just the opin-ions of a mere mortal. The messiahis from God. The Son is one withthe Father. To hear the Son is tohear the Father.

Jesus tells Nicodemus that theFather sent the Son into the worldof space and time, to be withhumanity and to redeem humanity.

Eternal life awaits the faithful.God is merciful and forgiving.God loves humankind. Despite alltheir sins and weaknesses, Godloves humans and wills that theylive forever.

Jesus is the perfect bearer ofcommunication between God andhumanity. He came as the verypersonification of God’s love.

ReflectionUsing the phrase “Holy Trinity”

does not customarily bringCatholics to an emotional responsein their religious experience. Quitefrankly, it should evoke consider-able emotion among any whocount themselves as disciples ofChrist.

First, the term tells us of theimmense love God has for us. TheHoly Trinity, while not unreason-

able in the philosophical sense,never would have come to humanknowledge as the result of humandeduction. It had to be revealed. Itseeks to explain in human termsthe most intimate aspect of the lifeof the divinity. In God’s great lovefor us, so that we might knowGod, the Lord revealed the Trinityto us.

Secondly, so much of Catholicteaching rests on the belief thatGod has created every human, andall humans, in the divine imageand likeness. This is more than thematter of nice words. We are inGod’s image and likeness.

As such, we are out of kilter ifwe fail to love God. We are not inaccord with our nature, our ulti-mate DNA, if we set ourselvesapart from the human communityand certainly if we do not loveothers.

This is why that all three read-ings for this feast bear in commonthe message that God loves us.

Long ago, the great theologianssaw love as the essence of divinelife. It is the kernel of the life ofthe Trinity. This feast calls us torealize that love is of God.

Pacing the pope: Pope’s seclusion isprudence, not disappearing act VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Everypontificate has its rhythm, andsometimes Pope Benedict XVI’sseems to have more than one.

In recent weeks, journalistshave seen the 81-year-old pontiffgo from seven-hour days on thepublic stage to virtual seclusionbehind the Vatican walls.

Predictably, that led to onealarming report — promptlydenied by the Vatican — aboutthe pope’s supposedly “fragileheart.”

In fact, what may appear fromthe outside as warning signsprobably reflect a more subtleprocess: pacing the pope.

In the week leading up toPope Benedict’s six-day visit tothe United States, his activitieswere reduced to a minimum. Hegave no speeches, met with nogroups and only a few individu-als, and limited his public appear-ances to a weekly general audi-ence and a Sunday blessing.

In Washington and New York,the pope sailed through a busyschedule — 16 major events —

with no evident problems, a factthat pleased his aides immensely.But once he got back to Rome,he took another rest and held nopublic audiences for a week.

Some might call it a disap-pearing act. Vatican officialswould simply call it prudence.

“They’re being careful, but Idon’t think it’s because of anyparticular health concern,” saidone Vatican official who hasknown the pope for years.

If the pope’s doctors had seri-ous worries about his health, theysimply wouldn’t let him travel orwould at least prohibit long inter-continental voyages, he said.

In early May, the Vatican con-firmed that the pope would fly toAustralia for a World Youth Daycelebration in July. That seemedto suggest a clean bill of papalhealth.

But the announcement fueledspeculation when it was disclosedthat after landing in Australia thepope would spend three daysdoing absolutely nothing in orderto get over jet lag.

Once again, pacing tookprecedence over public image:Pope Benedict didn’t have to hitthe ground running.

“There’s no mystery. It’s justlogical for the pope to rest aftersuch a long flight,” said theVatican spokesman, Jesuit FatherFederico Lombardi.

One papal aide emphasizedthat the pope’s careful pacingapplies not only to foreign tripsbut also to his schedule all yearlong.

“If you look closely at thepope’s agenda, you’ll see that

Trinity helps us realize that love is of God

THE SUNDAYGOSPEL

MSGR. OWEN F. CAMPION

CATEQUIZ’EMBy Dominic Camplisson

In May,the church commemorates Nereus and Achilleus.These two martyrswere unusual in that they were members of the elite Praetorian Guard;theywere reputedly baptized by St.Peter himself and eventually beheaded.This

quiz takes a guarded look at these elite troops and the church.

1.What divine personage were the Praetorian guards sworn to protect?a.The pope b.The Roman Emperor

c.The high priest at the Temple in Jerusalem

2.When God expelled Adam and Eve from Eden, he set one of these to guard theentrance:

a.a cherubim with a fiery swordb.a swarm of demons called legionc.demons living in a herd of swine

3. In Exodus 23, the Lord sends one of these to guard the Israelites on the way acrossthe desert:

a.a prophet b.an angel c.a Prince of Egypt

4. Millennia before Boone or Rather, this tribe acted as rear guard for all the camps, ledby Ahiezer, son of Ammishaddai, over their host:

a.Benjaminites b.Celebrities c.Danites

5. In Deuteronomy 12, the people were warned to be on their guard, not only againstforeign gods but even

a.dancingb.wondering how pagans worshipped their gods (in case they didlikewise)c. the Chaldeans

6.Why did Joshua use troops to guard a cave at Makkedah?a.There were enemy kings were hiding in it.b. It was reputedly the birthplace of Abraham.c. It was the last known location of the Ark of the Covenant.

7. King Saul sent troops to guard David’s residence. However this did not make David’swife Michal feel secure.Why?

a.She was a pacifist and was nervous about soldiers being so near.b.She was jealous of any favor shown her husband.c.She believed the guards were there to kill David in the morning.

8.The Babylonian Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, led the last of the Jerusalemitesinto this:

a.the temple where they sacrificed a pig on the altarb.the valley of Kidron where they were all killed c.exile in Babylon

9. In Psalm 18, the writer is on guard against this:a.sin b.money c.commerce with the Romans

10. Psalm 127 notes that it is pointless to guard a city unless it is also guarded by a.animals — dogs or at least geeseb.the armies of the Amishc.the Lord

11. In the New Testament Matthew recounts how Pilate gave the Jewish leadersauthority to guard this:

a.The cell where Barabbas was held captiveb.The trumpet used in the temple to trump up chargesc.The tomb of Jesus

12. In Acts 4:1 it is recounted how the apostles were arrested by a temple guard inJerusalem.This guard was an elite group made up of

a.Levites b.gentiles c.Romans

13.The ironic origin of the fearsome Muslim Ottoman Turkish elite guard theJanissaries was that they

a.were mostly seminarian students known as Talibanb.were mostly Christian children,given to the Turks in tribute andconvertedc.were from ethnic groups who had always lost in battles againstthe Armenians

14.This oldest British guard regiment, the Coldstream Guards was not associated withthe church but was founded by a man with this splendid name:

a.bishop b.monk c.Kirk

15.The most famous church guard is indisputably the a.Palatine Guard b.Liebstandarde Julius Streicher

c.Swiss Guards

ANSWERS 1.b,2.a,3.b,4.c,5.b,6.a,7.c,8.c,9.a,10.c,11.c,12.a,13.b,14.b,15.c

READINGSSunday: Ex 34:4b-6,8-9 (Ps) Dn 3:52-55 2 Cor 13:11-13 Jn 3:16-18Monday: Jas 3:13-18 Ps 19:8-10,15 Mk 9:14-29Tuesday: Jas 4:1-10 Ps 55:7-11, 23Mk 9:30-37Wednesday: Jas 4:13-17 Ps 49:2-3,6-11 Mk 9:38-40Thursday: Jas 5:1-6 Ps 49:14-20Mk 9:41-50Friday: Jas 5:9-12 Ps 103:1-4, 8-9,11-12 Mk 10:1-12Saturday: Jas 5:13-20 Ps 141:1-3, 8Mk 10:13-16

L E T T E R , P A G E 1 6

THE VATICANLETTERJOHN THAVIS

Why do we genuflect, reverence thealtar and the tabernacle the way wedo? M.B. Ohio

A genuflection is a sign ofdeep respect and even adoration.This calls to mind Philippians2:9-11 which says, “ThereforeGod has highly exalted him andbestowed on him the name whichis above every name, that at thename of Jesus every knee shouldbow, in heaven and on earth andunder the earth, and every tongueconfess that Jesus Christ is Lord,to the glory of God the Father.”

So, because Jesus is truly pres-ent in the tabernacle in the holyEucharist, we genuflect as a signof our worship and adoration.

Concerning the altar, undercertain circumstances a bow tothe altar is the appropriate gestureof respect. The altar is a profoundsymbol of Jesus because on it, theone sacrifice of Jesus on the crossis made present to us every dayin the holy Mass. So we bow tothe altar as a sign of respect forwhat happens there.

So what are the circumstancesunder which a bow to the altar isappropriate? When the tabernacleis present in the church directlybehind the altar, then the Lord’strue presence in the tabernaclesupersedes in terms of gestures, ifyou will, the symbol of the altar.

In this case, a genuflection to thetabernacle is the appropriate ges-ture for the priest at the begin-ning and end of Mass and for thepeople when entering or exitingthe church. When the tabernacleis in the church, but somewhereother than directly behind thealtar, then at the beginning andend of Mass, the appropriate ges-ture for the priest is a bow to thealtar (although a genuflection bythe priest to the tabernacle whereever it is would not be out ofline), but the people still genu-flect to the tabernacle whenentering and exiting the church. Ifthe tabernacle is not in the mainbody of the church at all but in aseparate chapel, then all bow tothe altar when entering and exit-ing the church including thepriest at the beginning and end ofMass.

Why do we pray to saints when we canpray directly to the Lord? M.B. FortWayne

We certainly always can praydirectly to the Lord. However,God has created us all to be in acommunity of love. By our bap-tism, we are all bound together inthe body of Christ. As such, thereis a great sharing of spiritual giftsamong all the members of thebody of Christ, the church,

including those members of thechurch who are already in heav-en. When we ask the saints topray for us, this is, in a sense, nodifferent from asking someone onearth to pray for us.

God has made it so that ourcare and concern for each othershould also be expressed by ourprayers for each other. In addi-tion, the prayers of the saints aremost powerful in obtaining graceand favor from the Lord becausethey see God face to face.

As the Letter of James tells us,“The prayer of a righteous manhas great power in its effects”(5:16). There are none morerighteous than the saints who arein heaven seeing God face toface, and so their prayers “havegreat power in (their) effects.”

So, the short answer to yourquestion is that we pray to thesaints because God wants it thisway because he has bound us all

by baptism in a great communityof love. We also pray to the saintsbecause the prayers of the saints,who stand before the face of God,are most powerful.

My hairdresser asked me why GoodFriday was called good. I told her whatI thought, but I really wasn’t 100 per-cent sure. B.K. Fort Wayne

It is called Good Friday sim-ply because this is the day thatour Lord died for our salvation.

Certainly, the worse thing thathumans could have possibly donehappened on this day, that is, wenailed God to a tree, but from thisGod brought the greatest goodpossible, that is, our salvation.For this reason it is called “GoodFriday.”

THAT’S A GOODQUESTION

Genuflect as sign of respect and adoration

SCRIPTURE SEARCHBy Patricia Kasten

Gospel for May 18, 2008Exodus 34:4b-6, 8-9

Following is a word search based on the First Readingfor Trinity Sunday, Cycle A: the appearance of theLord God to Moses. The words can be found in all

directions in the puzzle.

EARLY MORNING WENT UPMOUNT SINAI THE LORD COMMANDED

STONE TABLETS CLOUDPROCLAIMED NAME BEFORE HIM

MERCIFUL GRACIOUS SLOWANGER MOSES BOWED

STIFF-NECKED PEOPLE PARDON

THE LORD

D E P R O C L A I M E D

M E R C I F U L K D E E

O O W G A N A N P K N D

U G S O N J O U C W O N

N R T E B I T E D L T A

T A E D S N N R P L S M

S C L B E F O R E H I M

I I B W F D D P O G F O

N O A I J U R F P M N C

A U T G O E A R L Y N A

I S S L O W P D E M A N

G H C T H E L O R D L M© 2008 Tri-C-A Publications www.tri-c-a-publications.com

C O M M E N T A R Y16 MAY 18, 2008

An education received from Lou Holtz

I’ve been incredibly blessedthroughout my life to come incontact with people who have

played a significant role in direct-ing me, motivating me and helpingme develop a Christian attitudetoward living life.

Obviously, we all could bestronger Christians, and I certainlyam no exception to the rule. Butbeginning with my parents,through the priests and nuns whoinstructed me during my Catholiceducation, and right on throughtoday, I have contact with peopleof high moral character and greatpassion for their role as teachers.

I had the good fortune to becoached by some great men whoinspired me to pursue my goalsand passions. My profession as asports journalist also brought me incontact with a wisp of a man whoinspired hundreds of young menthat played football at theUniversity of Notre Dame.

He inspired me too.Between the ages of 25 and 36,

I wrote about the Notre Damefootball program coached by LouHoltz, who recently was selectedby the National FootballFoundation for its latest Hall ofFame class.

I can’t imagine a more deserv-ing selection.

I learned more about coachingand directing young people fromHoltz than any person I’ve everbeen around. Being “unreason-able” at times is simply part of thejob. In fact, it is the head coach’sresponsibility and right to beunreasonable, depending upon thesituation.

Motivation comes in manyforms, and Holtz tapped into all ofthem. Sometimes he would showhis love and compassion for them.Other times he would set his

expectations at unreasonable pro-portions. Then his players wouldplay to that level, and suddenly,being unreasonable seemed, well,reasonable, and the sensibleapproach to coaching.

Sometimes a teacher has to setseemingly unreasonable expecta-tions to get the most out of students.

Holtz didn’t have muchpatience for failure. His playersoften didn’t like him. Yet mostcame away from the NotreDame/Holtz football experiencewith a much clearer understandingof what it took to compete andsucceed at the highest level whilestill representing the universitywith honor and dignity.

Holtz’s 1988 national champi-onship team was the most fun-lov-ing, confident, productive group ofplayers I’ve ever been around, duein part to their personalities/abili-ties, but also due to Holtz’s abilityto bring a team to a fever pitch inthe most critical situations.

My favorite memories of Holtz,however, are the one-on-one con-versations we would have in hisoffice. Those interviews were likepersonal tutoring sessions. Holtz’soff-the-field demeanor was muchdifferent than it was on the field. Iwould often have to strain whentranscribing the tape to hear exact-ly what Holtz had said. He wouldspeak in a soft, almost grandfather-ly tone. But it was during thesetimes that Holtz’s words of wis-dom were like found gold to me.

I don’t know if he ever actuallyput it this way, but the gist of hisapproach was that in coaching, it isa constant building up and tearingdown process with an athlete.When you feed the ego of a youngathlete, it is human nature for himto grow comfortable, and Holtzwasn’t about to allow his players

to be comfortable or secure in theirplace in the pecking order.

Holtz forced his players to beaccountable at all times, and hehad an incredible knack for mak-ing players want to please him.Sometimes their motivation was astarting spot or additional playingtime. Sometimes their motivationwas to prove the little cuss wrong.At all times, the motivation was tomaximize the individual’s abilitiesso as to better the team.

Under Holtz, the team came first... second ... and third. Then camethe individual’s needs. That can bea difficult message to convey.

After Holtz left Notre Dame,my appreciation for him grewbecause a) his successors nevercould recapture the magic and b)his love for Notre Dame was andstill is genuine.

The education I received fromLou Holtz was the most valuableexperience and most incredibleblessing of my journalistic/coach-ing career. Maybe I haven’t beenaround a lot of coaching geniuses.But it doesn’t take a genius to rec-ognize one.

Lou Holtz in the Hall of Fame?He belongs at the head of the class.

FROM THE SIDELINES

BY TIM PRISTER

there’s a systematic effort toavoid periods of excessivelyintense activity,” he said.

“As soon as he was elected, hemade it clear that his activitywould not be frenetic like that of(Pope) John Paul II. He sets pri-orities,” he said.

Last March, the pope cut backhis schedule ahead of heavyEaster activities later in themonth. The lull coincided with avisit by the Vatican secretary ofstate, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone,to Armenia and Azerbaijan, andthe cardinal’s myriad speechesand sermons were distributed bythe Vatican press office. There isno “vice pope,” but for severaldays Cardinal Bertone sureseemed like one.

Although Pope Benedict pre-dicted that his would not be along pontificate, he has shown nolack of stamina during his firstthree years. Many visitors to the

Vatican, including those whocome for his weekly generalaudience, remark on how goodhe looks and sounds.

He chooses his moments,however. In early May, for exam-ple, instead of celebrating Massfor 150,000 Italian members ofCatholic Action in St. Peter’sSquare, he came down afterwardfor a ride-through and a speech.

As he settled back into hiswork rhythm two weeks after hisreturn from the United States, hehad plenty on his plate: meetingswith the Anglican primate andthe Armenian Apostolic patriarch,speeches to the PontificalAcademy of Social Sciences andseveral other organizations, acrosstown visit to pray the rosaryin a Rome basilica, hosting aconcert by a Chinese orchestra,ordaining new priests, celebratinga Pentecost liturgy, meeting withHungarian bishops and preparingfor a two-day pastoral visit tonorthern Italy.

Once again, the pace waspicking up.

LETTERCONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

Tim Prister is a 1978 graduate ofMarian High School and a 1982graduate from the University ofNotre Dame.

Father Mark Gurtner, pastor of OurLady of Good Hope answeredthis week’s questions.

S P O R T S 17MAY 18, 2008

SportsU.S. ARMY ALL-AMERICAN BOWL NOMINATION NAMES The U.S. Army All-American Bowl recognizes TyQuan

Hammock of Bishop Luers High School as one of the nation’s top 400 high school football players.

During the 2008 fall football season, 90 of the 400 nominees will be selected and invited to the 2009

U.S. Army All-American Bowl. The 2009 U.S. Army All-American Bowl will be played in the

Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas, on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009.

SOUTH BEND — With only twomore weeks to go in the Inter-City Catholic League’s baseballcampaign, only three teamsremain undefeated and the trioare expected to play a major partto settle division champs.

Christ the King is unbeaten inthe John Bosco Division, with theKings also having the overallrecord of 5-1.

In the Martin De PorresDivision, the St. ThomasSpartans of Elkhart are unblem-ished at 4-0 and currently have a

one-game edge over St. Joseph,Mishawaka. Overall, the Elkhartteam has a 6-0 record.

And in the Father MikeDivision, Holy Family Blue has a4-0 division and 6-1 overallrecord.

All teams will participate in apost season tournament.

Current standings:wins-losses

John Bosco DivisionChrist the King 4-0Holy Family 3-1St. Joseph, SB 2-2Corpus Christi 1-3Holy Cross 0-4

Martin De Porres DivisionSt. Thomas 4-0St. Joseph, Mish. 3-1St. Anthony 2-2St. Jude 1-3St. Matthew 0-4

Father Mike DivisionHoly Family Blue 4-0St. Joseph (SB) Gold 2-2Queen of Peace 2-2St. Monica-St. Bavo 1-3St. Thomas Maroon 1-3

Two weeks left in ICCL baseball B Y E L M E R J . D A N C H

USF Athletics announces $200,000 renovation

project for Hutzell Athletics Center

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FORT WAYNE — University ofSaint Francis Athletics announcedMay 6 that the USF Board ofTrustees has approved a $200,000renovation plan for the HutzellAthletics Center. In addition, theUSF Leadership Council hasapproved a proposal from HawkConstruction, Inc. to complete allrenovations this summer.

USF Director of Athletics MarkA. Pope stated that the major com-ponents of the project will includeexpanded locker rooms for bothmen’s and women’s teams, a largertraining room for all student-ath-letes, and a new office complex.

“Our facility has served us wellfor the past 20 years,” said Pope.“However, Hutzell was built at atime when we had far fewer stu-dent-athletes than we have today.We need to expand the size and

quality of our locker rooms andtraining room, to provide for ourgrowth.”

In addition, USF Athletics willbuild all new offices for all coach-es and staff who are currentlyhoused at Hutzell.

“Our partners, DesignCollaborative Architects and HawkConstruction, have come up withan innovative and cost-effectivedesign to allow our coaches andstaff to have larger offices,” saidPope. “The design will include anopen concept that is utilized bymost corporate offices today. Ibelieve that it will be a more colle-gial place to work than the currentoffice structure.”

Hawk Construction has alreadycommenced work on the projectand will complete all work beforethe start of the fall semester.

St. Charles takes CYO soccer titles

FORT WAYNE — Catholic YouthOrganization (CYO) softball tour-nament action was rained out andwill be played this week atHavenhurst. The championshipgame will feature the LadyCardinals from St. Charles pittedagainst the St. John New HavenRaiders.

The CYO City Track Meet wasrun on Saturday, May 10. St. JohnNew Haven and St. Charles werealso the top two competitors in thisspring sport. The Lady Raiders ranaway with the girls title and St.Charles took the boys on a glori-ously sunny, record-breaking dayat Bishop Luers. Individual resultswill be highlighted in an upcomingissue.

On the soccer field, anotherseason has ended and in a thirdspring sport, the Cardinals from St.Charles came out on top. Theywon both the girls and boys tour-naments for 2008.

“It was so neat for the eighthgraders to have their classmates onthe same field, the same night,”beamed winning boy’s coach PatWelch of the double victory on arainy, dreary night.

The red and blue boy’s teamfinished with an unblemished 10-0for the year beating St. John New

Haven in the championship game4-0. Welch and assistant coachMike Lewis have coached thissame group the past four years.

As sixth graders, the team wentundefeated during the regular sea-son and came in runner-up in thetournament. As seventh graders,they finished third place in aneighth grade league. This year theypushed each other especially hardand really focused on grades andwere all eligible the entire season.

The group includes: ChrisBoger, Zach Fortier, AlexGonzalez, AJ Houk, CaseyJackson, Bobby Jauch, TylerLanders, Brett Lochbiler, ChrisMcGraw, Johnny McKenna, LukeOfferle, Matt Olry, Tom Roach,

Cam Schenkel, Dalton Shutt,Michael Sordelet and Ethan Welch.

The team came in full force tooptional practices during springbreak and every “kick around”offered. Welch called the practices“tough” and the games “fun.”

“We executed what we prac-ticed very well,” he explained.Another team strength was theirdepth. “When the bench subbed in,we never missed a beat,” saidWelch.

But it was the team’s defensethat really shined allowing anunbelievable four goals the entireseason and zero in the post season.“Our defense dominated and iswhat really made us go,” Welchconcluded.

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St. Charles Borromeo boy’s soccer team won the Catholic YouthOrganization soccer title. The boy’s team is shown above. The girls fromSt. Charles also took the soccer tournament.

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MAY 18, 200818

Angelus Film Festival shows future of filmmaking in good hands

NOTRE DAME — If the shortfilms showcased earlier thismonth at the University of NotreDame are any indication, thefuture of filmmaking is in goodhands. Young filmmakers werehonored by the Angelus StudentFilm Festival, a creation ofFamily Theater Productions.

“The Angelus Student FilmFestival showcases films of highartistic caliber that also embodyvalues such as equality, dignity,spirituality, tolerance and respect

for diversity, peacemaking andhope,” noted Monika Moreno,director of the Angelus StudentFilm Festival, adding that it isimportant to honor emerging film-makers for their artistry as well astheir integrity as they embark ontheir careers.

Shyam Balse from theUniversity of Southern Californiawas among four young filmmakersintroduced at Notre Dame, with hisshort film, “Monsoon.” The storyfocuses on a young doctor forced toreturn to India when his estrangedfather falls ill, but he isn’t prepared

for the journey his father takesthem on to reconcile their brokenrelationship.

“I’m interested in themesinvolving collision of cultures,”said Balse, who shot the film onlocation with a HD-CAM and a$40,000 budget.

After graduating, he started aproduction company with produc-er/director Joseph Itaya calledTempered Entertainment. Balsewrote and directed “Monsoon” ashis thesis project. It has screened inover 35 film festivals worldwideand has won 16 awards.

Other Angelus Award winnersincluded Lowell Frank and DestinCretton of San Diego StateUniversity with “Deacon’sMondays,” Sean Overbeeke of theUniversity of North Carolina atChapel Hill with “Christmas WishList,” and Nicholas Ozeki ofChapman University with“Mamitas.”

“Wish List” introduces a fasttalking New York lawyer who findshimself alone on Christmas Eve ina small college town. After herefuses to help a homeless man, ayoung resident doctor decides to

show him the true meaning of theChristmas spirit.

“Mamitas” tells the story of teen“Casanova” Jordan Juarez whothinks he excels in the art of pickingup hot “Mamitas” until a chancemeeting challenges his way of life.A feature script for “Mamitas” iscurrently in the works.

The 2008 Angelus Student FilmFestival will be held Saturday, Sept.13, at the Directors Guild ofAmerica in Hollywood. FamilyTheater Productions, Hollywood,created and continues to conductthe Angelus Student Film Festival.

B Y D I A N E F R E E B Y

WHAT’S HAPPENING?WHAT’S HAPPENING carries announcements about upcoming events in the diocese. Send in your

announcement at least two weeks prior to the event. Mail to: Today’s Catholic, P.O. Box 11169,

Fort Wayne 46856; or e-mail: fhogan@fw.diocesefwsb.org. Events that require an admission charge

or payment to participate will receive one free listing. For additional listings of that event, please

call our advertising sales staff at (260) 456-2824 to purchase space.

T O D A Y ’ S C A T H O L I C 19MAY 18, 2008

REST IN PEACEBremenClementine Slos,94,St.Dominic

ElkhartRobert H.Harvey Sr.,90,St.Thomas theApostle

Fort WayneMargaret N.Johnson,92,St.Patrick

John F.Spoltman,88,St.Elizabeth AnnSeton

Marcella S.O’Malley,85,Cathedral of theImmaculateConception

Catherine M.Carney,68,St.Vincent de Paul

Paul B.Ehinger,St.Jude

Bernice J.Lichtsinn,98,St.Vincent de Paul

Diane McAllister,73,St.Vincent de Paul

GoshenGeraldine A.Juday,87,St.John the Evangelist

GrangerJoseph MauriceCocquyt,65,St.Pius X

Francis R.Scharpf,69,St.Pius X

HuntingtonSister AntoinetteGolabowski,OLVM,94,Victory Noll

MishawakaLarry Blume,67,Queenof Peace

Notre DameEugene Kocent,70,Sacred Heart Basilica

Julieta Neyra,35,Sacred Heart Basilica

South BendBernard Taylor,66,St.Anthony de Padua

Joseph A.DeCola,89,St.Matthew Cathedral

George J.Grochowski,73,Little Flower

Dorothy G.Laskowski,84,St.John the Baptist

Sister Olivia MarieHutcheson,CSC,90,Our Lady of Loretto

Mildred C.Brink,91,Holy Cross

Herman E.Beutel,81,St.Jude

Mary D.Bonnell,86,St.Anthony de Padua

Bradley G.Pianstki,28,Holy Family

Sister RosemaryEggermann,Church ofthe ImmaculateConception,St.Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind.Sister served atCathedral of theImmaculateConception,FortWayne

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PRINCIPALPre-K through 5

St. Lawrence Catholic School in Muncie, Indiana,seeks a principal to lead our Pre-K through 5thgrade school. St. Lawrence School has a strongtradition of educating children for 127 years. weare a diverse, multi-ethnic, socio-economic popu-lation, with high ISTEP scores, and a caring anddedicated staff. We seek leadership committed toacademic excellence in the Catholic tradition.Send cover letter and resume to:

Search CommitteeSt. Lawrence Church

820 East Charles Street

Muncie, IN 47305

Fine arts fair and open house plannedSouth Bend — Holy CrossSchool, 1020 N. Wilber St., willhave a fine arts fair and openhouse Wednesday, May 21, from7-8:30 p.m. Enjoy the students’artwork and musical talent. HolyCross School offers a faith-basededucation for all-day four-year-old pre-school, pre-kindergarten,and kindergarten through eighthgrade. For information call (574)234-3422 or visit www.holy-crosscrusaders.org.

Twelfth Night to be performedSouth Bend — Saint Joseph’sHigh School will present theShakespearean play “TwelfthNight” on May 15 and 16 at 6:30p.m. and Saturday, May 17, at 2p.m. All performances will be atDriscoll Auditorium at HolyCross College.

Precious Blood announces Funfest 2008Fort Wayne — Most PreciousBlood Parish will have Funfeston Friday and Saturday, May 30and 31. Friday offers food from5-8 p.m. and music by Paul andSusan from 7-10 p.m. OnSaturday kids games, Texas Hold‘em and Blackjack, hog roast,family fun, beer tent and a raffle.Loose Change will perform from8-11 p.m. Free admission.

Luers Loot Garage SaleFort Wayne — The Luers LootGarage Sale will be Saturday,May 31, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Abag sale will begin at 1 p.m.Items may be dropped off anySaturday in May from 9-11 a.m.Large items may be donated bycalling Meg Hanlon at (260) 456-1261 Ext. 3256.

Musical announcedMishawaka — Marian HighSchool will perform a MusicalSpectacular on Friday andSaturday, May 16-17, at 7 p.m.This year’s music will be takenfrom “The Wizard of Oz” and“Wicked.”

DEVOTIONLittle Flower holy hourFort Wayne — Father TonySteinacker will celebrate the holyhour at MacDougal Chapel onTuesday, May 20, at 7:15 p.m.

Father Tony is associate pastor ofSt. Charles Borromeo Parish.Join in praying for priests andvocations.

May crowningSouth Bend — Holy Cross/St.Stanislaus will have a Maycrowning Friday, May 16, begin-ning at 9 a.m. The students, par-ents, and Holy Cross/St.Stanislaus communities willprocess from Holy Cross at 1050Wilber St. to St. StanislausParish, 415 N. Brookfield.

German Mass celebratedFort Wayne — St. Peter Church,500 E. DeWald St., will celebratea German Mass at 11 a.m. onJune 1. Father Charles Hermanwill be the celebrant, and theFort Wayne Mennerchor andDammenchor will provide music.A German dinner may be pur-chased after Mass in thePavilion. Both the church andPavilion are handicapped accesi-ble, as is the large parking lot.

Day of reflectionMishawaka — A day of reflec-tion will be held Wednesday,May 28, at St. Francis Convent,from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thetheme for the day is“Ecclesiastes.” Please bring yourBible. The cost of the day is $15and includes lunch. Register byFriday, May 23, by calling SisterBarbara Anne Hallman at (574)259-5427.

Phoenix Institute, a small family oriented foster care agency, is lookingfor people to foster abused and neglected youth. Phoenix Institute islooking for stable and supportive families, single parents, married couples, families of color, empty nesters, people who rent or own.To become a foster parent, you don’t need a lot of money, a fancyhouse, or extensive parenting experience. What you do need is a com-mitment to learning and working as part of a team, a sense of humor,flexibility, and patience. And you need to want to provide a stable andsupportive home to a child. Phoenix Institute has a staff with a richhistory of working in foster care. Free training - 24 hour staff support-reimbursement provided.

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May isFOSTER PARENTAppreciation Month

Sister Olivia MarieHutcheson, formerHoly Cross superior andhealthcare leader, diesNOTRE DAME — Holy CrossSister Olivia Marie Hutcheson,90, former superior general ofthe Congregation of the Sistersof the Holy Cross, died at 9:25p.m. on Tuesday, May 6, at SaintMary’s after an illness. Sisterserved with distinction in thecongregation’s general adminis-tration from 1967 to 1984, firstas a member of the leadershipteam of her congregation andthen as its president.

“There are many wonderfulthings that could be said aboutSister Olivia Marie in her longyears of leadership and serviceto the congregation, but it washer deep spirituality that perme-ated all that she did and radiatedfrom her person,” said HolyCross Sister Joy O’Grady, presi-dent of the Congregation of theSisters of the Holy Cross. “Sheloved people in her kind andgentle way and people respond-ed to her in love.”

The Mass of Resurrectionwas celebrated on Monday, May12, in the Church of Our Ladyof Loretto at Saint Mary’s, NotreDame.

St. Louis AcademyBesancon, New Haven, Indiana,

seeks a licensed administrator/ principal beginning with the 2008-2009 school year.

Must be a practicing Catholic. For more information,

contact the Catholic Schools Office at(260) 422-4611

T O D A Y ’ S C A T H O L I C MAY 18, 200820

•Eucharistic Adoration in Church 1 - 5 PM

•Eucharistic Procession with the Blessed Sacrament

and Benediction 5 - 6 PM

Homilist - Father Joseph GaughanSunday, May 25, 2008

St. Jude Church - Fort Wayne • www.stjudefw.org

Feast of Corpus Christi

Bluffton wood sculpture of Christ reminds travelers to take up the cross

BLUFFTON — One cannot helpbut notice the large, 14-foot wood-en statue of Christ holding a crossin front of St. Joseph Church onNorth Main Street in Bluffton.Luke’s Gospel, 9:23, offers theinspiration for the statue: “If any-one wishes to come after me, hemust deny himself and take up hiscross daily and follow me.”

On site just since May 6 whenit was erected by the sculptor andhis dad, many are taking notice tothe newest Bluffton wood carving,and that’s justwhat pastorFather DaleBauman hopeswill happen.

North Main isa busy street,and perhaps achild would seethe statue andsay, “Lookmommy, there’sJesus.” FatherBauman says,“that might bethe only religionthey get thatwhole day. But itwill stop andmake themthink.”

The wood carving came aboutlast year when the electric compa-ny contacted property ownersalong North Main that trees tallerthan the electric lines would be cutdown — that included the 160-year-old ash tree on the churchproperty near the road.

“The electric company wasvery concerned about the powerlines, because the tree was tallerthan that top lines,” FatherBauman says. “And every winter

we’d get the high winds andbranches would come down in bitsand pieces on those power linesand set fire.”

Father Bauman met with theelectric company, explained heunderstood why the tree needed tobe removed, and added, “I wouldlike all the wood.” He gave all thewood that they cut to a family thatheats their home with wood tohelp them with their heat supply.The family came in and hauled thewood to their home and cleaned upthe yard. But he also had anotherrequest.

“I asked them to leave me 20foot of that trunk,” Father Baumansays.

The Bluffton community hasseveral carvings by the river front,and Father Bauman thought, “Thatwould be kind of neat to save thattree, since it grew there, and tocarve it and enhance the property.”

The trunk sat all winter whileFather Bauman took ideas fromparishioners of what to carve.

“I asked a couple of differentpeople to draw a picture,” he says.“They had Jesus holding the

Sacred Heart.”Father Bauman says he prayed

and thought about the SacredHeart, but in a community that hasa small Catholic population, “Ithought the Sacred Heart isn’tgoing to mean anything to thesepeople in town, so we took theheart out and put a cross in.”

The parish didn’t have to lookfar to find a craftsman carver.Daniel Mayer, who was a memberof St. Joseph Parish most of hislife, and an altar boy there in hisyouth, but now resides inBardstown, Ky., where he owns a

woodworkingbusiness, wascommissionedto carve the stat-ue. Mayer wasassisted by hisfather, Gregory,who hasbelonged to theparish for over40 years andwho handled theengineeringaspects.

This projectturned into afamily opera-tion. On April30, a 20-footsection was

loaded on a hay wagon with apropane tank loading truck, Danielsaid, and taken to the farm of hisbrother, Patrick, west of Bluffton.

It was there, “I started carvingwith a chainsaw,” Mayer says. Andusing grinders and chisels, thetools of his trade since he was 7years old, he produced the statuein just six and a half days.

On May 6, the Mayers took thestatue, weighing 7,000 pounds,back to the St. Joseph Parishgrounds where it is now erectedwhere the old tree was located.

B Y T I M J O H N S O N

T IM JOHNSON

Daniel and Gregory Mayer are shown putting the final touches on awood carving of Christ holding the cross that stands in front of St.Joseph Parish in Bluffton. Daniel Mayer, a former St. Joseph parishionerwho operates Wood’N’Works in Bardstown, Ky., www.kywoodnworks.com,carved the statue from a 20-foot trunk section of a 160-year-old ashtree, which stood at the North Main Street grounds of St. Joseph’s andwas cut down by the electric company.

“We wanted a statue of Jesus because we’re Catholic

Christians. We don’t worship statues, as it is said not to

do in Exodus 20:4 and Deuteronony 5:8. All statues are

like photographs in your wallet. They are reminders of

those who’ve taken the faith journey before us.”

FATHER DALE BAUMAN, PASTOR ST. JOSEPH, BLUFFTON

RESCUERS TAKE CARE OF INJUREDAFTER EARTHQUAKE IN CHINA

CNS PHOTO/REUTERS

Rescuers take care of injured people in the debris of a col-

lapsed building at Juyuan Middle School after an earth-

quake in Dujiangyan, in China’s Sichuan province, May

12. The magnitude 7.9 earthquake killed at least 9,000 in

Sichuan province alone, and the count was expected to

rise significantly.