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Deacon community grows by 13
In this issue
TTHEHE CCAATHOLICTHOLIC
MMIRRORIRRORVol. 44, No. 8 August 20, 2010
The primary task of a diocesan newspaper is to “serve the truth with courage, helping the public see, understandand live reality with the eyes of God.” - Pope Benedict XVI, Nov. 25, 2006
INDEX
Viewpoint 4-5
Around the Diocese 6
Diocesan News 1-3, 6-13
The Question Corner 16
A Journey Together Celebrating Evangelization: Past, Present and Future
Deacon Jim Obradovich, of Holy Trinity Parish in DesMoines, was one of 13 men ordained Aug. 14. Hethanks many people, including his pastor, FatherMichael Amadeo, for their support.
Above: DeaconFrancis Chan, of St.Ambrose CathedralParish, receives hisvestments from hiswife, Regina. Topright: Bishop RichardPates invokes thepresence and actionof the Holy Spiritthrough laying on ofhands with DeaconBob McClellan, ofHoly Family Parish inCouncil Bluffs.
The deacon candidates prostrate themselves in humble prayer during the Litany of theSaints. Photos by Mark Hommerding
CRS says“Thank you,”continuesHaiti relief
Catholic Relief Services,the U.S. bishops’ outreachorganization to promote humandevelopment overseas, hascontinued to work on the Haitiearthquake relief effort with thehelp of more than $350,000donated by people within theDiocese of Des Moines.
Catholic Charities’ KenBresnan went to a CRSawareness-raising meeting atSacred Heart Church in WestDes Moines on July 22, andcame away knowing that thepeople of the Des Moinesdiocese have aided 900,000people.
Bishop Emeritus Joseph L.Charron, C.PP.S., spoke abouthis experiences of serving onthe board of CRS. Former DesMoines Bishop WilliamBullock also served on the CRSboard.
The people of the DesMoines diocese have helpedCRS relief efforts in the past.CRS relief for those whosuffered the 2005 Asiantsunami is complete, said VinceWalker, who handlesphilanthropy and stewardshipfor CRS.
“We raised over $180million and spent it over fiveyears, rebuilding homes,schools and one hospital,” hesaid. Many of those same reliefworkers are together againhelping Haiti, whichexperienced a massiveearthquake Jan. 12.
A five-year plan will be
By Lisa Bourne Staff Writer
Continued on page 7
Bishop’s columnBishop Richard Pates
shares his thoughts on the
ordination last Saturday of 13
men to the permanent
diaconate. Page 2
Book reviewDiocesan Vocations
Director Father David
Muenchrath reviews a book on
Christ’s Passion, written by a
Clarinda physician.
Page 5
Vocations activitiesSeveral events related to
Vocations are starting. Check
out the center section, where
two pages are devoted to
highlighting Vocations.
Pages 8-9
Back to schoolSchool is starting back
up. Check out what our
schools are doing to mark
the start of the diocese’s
100th anniversary.
Pages 10-11
Deacons serve our diocesein many capacities both atparishes and at the diocesanlevel.
At the parish, where wemost often see the deacon atwork, his ministry includesministry of the word. Thedeacon is the herald of thegospel he participates as anevangelizer and teacher. Thisincludes not only proclaimingthe gospel but also homilizingabout the gospel and its impacton our lives.
In his ministry of theliturgy, the deacon has manyroles in the celebration of theEucharist to help the faithfulparticipate more fully,consciously, and actively in theEucharistic sacrifice.
In his ministry of charitythe deacon is to provideexemplary witness andassistance in the Church’sministry of charity and justice.
These activities can include,visiting and service to the ill,hospice, jail ministry, feedingthe poor, care for the homeless,refugees support, support todiocesan offices ofcommunication, worship,marriage and areas of socialjustice.
Bishop Pates has assignedthe new deacons these diocesanservice ministries to our newdeacons and charged them tospend 30 percent of the
diaconate service in thesespecial, non-parish activities.
After ordination the newdeacons are required tocomplete an additional threeyears of post-ordinationtraining. This training includes
work on homiletics, theology,apologetics, Fathers of theChurch, spirituality, griefsupport and other areas ofpractical ministry.
At the conclusion of thattraining there is an ongoing
expectation of 20 hours per yearof continuing education as wellas an annual retreat.
Many deacons work 10 to 20hours per week in the parish andministry. Most receive nocompensation for the parish work.
On Aug. 14, I had theprivilege of ordaining 13 mento the permanent diaconate.Quite fittingly, they belonged tothe 13th cohort or group ofpermanent deacons who havebeen ordained for service in theDiocese of Des Moines.
There are two kinds ofdeacons, permanent andtransitional. Transitionaldeacons are those who areordained to this order on thepathway to priesthood. Thediocese is scheduled to ordaintwo individuals to such, DennisGaston and Guthrie Dolan onNov. 19 at St. Joseph Church onDes Moines’ east side.Permanent deacons ordinarilyexperience ordination as theterminal step in their receptionof Holy Orders.
The permanent diaconatewas reinstituted in the CatholicChurch by Vatican Council IIafter being dormant for eightcenturies. The diaconate tracesits origin to the Acts of theApostles. In Chapter six, sevenmen were selected who were“deeply spiritual and prudent.”They were primarily to be ofservice to widows and orphansin the burgeoning Christiancommunity. The Apostles“prayed over them and thenimposed hands on them.”
Thus, the diaconate wasborn.
The Diocese of DesMoines, under the leadership ofBishop Maurice Dingman, wasamong the first to reinstitute thepermanent diaconate in theUnited States. In total, 108men have been ordained to thisorder for the Diocese of DesMoines. Another four deaconshave transferred from otherdioceses. Currently, there are
fifty men who are active indeacon assignments, and fiveretired deacons still regularlyassisting in their parish.
The diaconate and itsrenewed place in the church isconstantly evolving. It isgoverned by a universaldocument, Basic Norms for theFormation of PermanentDeacons and the Directory onthe Life an Ministry ofPermanent Deacons, whichthen is adopted to our needs inthe United States by NationalDirectory for the Formation,Ministry, and Life of PermanentDeacons in the United Stateswhich is in its first rendition.
The heart of the diaconateremains the same. Deacons areordained for the service of aparticular diocese and aredirectly responsible to theBishop. Their ministry consistsof three components: Ministryof the Word, Ministry of theEucharist and Ministry ofService.
Ministry of the Word seeksto integrate the Word of Godthrough preaching at Mass andenabling believers to blendGod’s revelation with everydayexperience. In addition,deacons may organize Biblestudies, be involved in the Riteof Christian Initiation ofAdults, be active in religiouseducation of youth, sacramentalpreparation, prayer services,
etc. They are particularlycalled to be in the forefront ofthe evangelization outreach ofthe Church: Making JesusChrist known and loved in ourtime.
The Ministry of theEucharist involves the deaconin liturgical celebration as heproclaims the Gospel, preachesand assists the priest at Mass.The deacon is also the ordinaryminister of baptism andmatrimony. His presence inrelationship to the Eucharistand the sacraments points to thefact that his entire ministryderives its deepest meaningfrom the Paschal Mystery, thedeath and resurrection of theLord Jesus. Who the deacon isand what he does originates andis sustained by this relationship.
Intrinsically entwined inthe identity of the deacon is theMinistry of Service. As amatter of fact, the word deaconis taken from the Greek word“diakonia” meaning service.As the order of deacon inpractice evolves the focus onservice takes on ever greaterprominence. In my pre-ordination interviews, thedeacons-to-be stressed thisaspect. They commented onhow they were being called tobe servants, a state of beingwhich implies a mentality and ahabit of the heart as opposed tobeing simply of service. In thisone might observe that theybecome a sacrament for us ofChrist the servant.
Deacons are allowed to be,and for the most part aremarried. Their wives are nearlyuniversally involved in theirformation/education. In somany ways, their hearts becomeentwined in their mutual
spirituality and so frequentlythey share ministries of serviceto the community. Deaconswho have not reachedretirement are also active inemployment for theirlivelihood. Obviously, this canlead to juggling in theirresponsibilities – but the orderof priority remains consistent –wife and family, employment,and then diaconate.
As was noted earlier, thedeacon is not ordained for aparticular parish but is ordainedfor a diocese and is assignedunder the supervision of thebishop. The deacons, as is thecase of those recently ordained,will have their parishassignments, and take on rolesof service to the broadercommunity such as: marriageministry, outreach to thehomeless and rural life,participation and leadership in adiocesan bioethics commission,participation in the outreach toCatholic students at public andsecular universities, etc.
The deacons also seek tosolidify the unity of the dioceseinspired by the prototypeChristian community fromApostolic times, “They were ofone mind and one heart.” Thus,they strive to be bridges in theirparishes and other involvementin supporting the diocesanpriorities: religious vocations,ministry to the Hispanic/Latinocommunity, outreach to youthand young adults, strengtheningof the institution of marriageand the celebration of thediocesan centennial especiallyits evangelization components.
The diaconate thrives to asignificant degree in thediocese because of theleadership of the deacons
themselves. Deacon MikeRiley serves as director of thediaconate in Des Moines. Inleadership, he is joined byDeacon Council – EmmettTinley III, Sue Tinley, TomBradley, Dan McGuire, RandyHorn, Dave Miller and MontyMontange.
As I have come to knowthe 13 deacons and their wivesordained as cohort 13 – Francis& Regina Chan, Dan Gehler,Bill Hare, Jim & MaryHouston, Mike & LuanneManno, Bob & Peg McClellan,Jim & Kathie Obradovich,Steve & Jan Reed, Tom & JuliaSchenk, Terry & DianaSchleisman, Luke & JudyTieskoetter, Steve & MyrnaUdelhofen, Dave & Pat Wadle,it was obvious that they werebeneficiaries of a rich andextensive preparation program.
Thus, I thank andacknowledge the diaconateformation team led by DeaconRon and Tammy Myers andtheir associates,- Dan McGuire,Cora Bartemes, Ava Erickson,Father Dan Krettek, Emmettand Sue Tinley and David andJan Miller, who have rendered aconscientious and effectiveservice. A good portion of thetraining occurs at ConceptionMonastery in Conception,Missouri where the Benedictinemonks play an instrumentalrole in the education andformation process.
I wholeheartedly welcomeour newly ordained deacons intheir vital service in theDiocese of Des Moines. Yougenerously responded to thisvocational call requiring muchsacrifice on your part. I amconfident your ministry will beabundantly fruitful.
Diocesan News2 The Catholic Mirror, August 20, 2010 www.dmdiocese.org
BISHOPBISHOP RICHARD E.RICHARD E.PPAATES TES
ANNEANNE MARIEMARIE COXCOXEditor
LISALISA BOURNEBOURNEStaff Writer
The Catholic Mirror (ISSN 0896-6869) is published monthly for $16per year by the Diocese of DesMoines, 601 Grand Ave., DesMoines, Iowa 50309. Periodicalspostage paid at Des Moines.
POSTMASTER: Send changes toTHE CATHOLIC MIRROR, 601Grand Ave., Des Moines, Iowa50309.
PHONE: (515) 237-5046E-MAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: www.dmdiocese.org
TTHEHE CCAATHOLICTHOLIC
MMIRRORIRROR
ByBishop
Richard E.Pates
IInn tthhee HHeeaarrttllaanndd wwiitthh BBiisshhoopp PPaatteess
Thirteen new deacons
Official
Bishop Richard Pates has made the following deaconassignments effective Aug. 14, 2010.
Community XIIIDeacons Parish Diocesan Service Ministry
Francis Chan St. Ambrose Social Justice -- Refugee programDaniel Gehler St. Joseph Diocesan Worship OfficeWilliam Hare St. JosephJames Houston St. Pius X Diocesan Marriage OfficeMichael Manno St. Augustin Diocesan Communication OfficeRobert McClellan Holy Family Jail MinistryJames Obradovich Holy Trinity Airport ChaplaincySteven Reed St. Mary Social Justice -- Bridges of IowaThomas Schenk Assumption Social Justice -- Poor/HomelessTerry Schleisman St. Mary Bishop Drumm & VA HospitalLuke Tieskoetter Basilica, St. John Social Justice -- Rural Life programSteven Udelhofen Our Lady’s Immaculate Diocesan Campus Ministry
HeartDavid Wadle St. Anthony Social Justice -- Bioethics
Newly ordained deacons to devote time to diocesan ministries
The Most Rev. Richard E. PatesBishop of Des Moines
Sr. Jude FitzpatrickChancellor
IIttaalliiaann ffeessttiivvaall
Illumination Media, a localnonprofit organization gearedtoward raising awareness ofresources for women exper-iencing unexpected pregnancy,has recently launched an effortto get a pro-life message out tothe public using signs on buses.
This team of marketing,public relations and businessprofessionals is marketing thepregnancy help centers thatdon’t have the resources tomarket themselves.
“Realizing that womenfacing untimely pregnancies
need accurate information andcompassionate assistance, andknowing that agencies exist inour community to provide life-giving options, we saw the needto bring the two together,” saidJenny Condon, executivedirector of Illumination Media.
She founded the organiza-tion, alongside Janelle Kennedyand Tricia Pietig.
Their most recent efforthas been circulating the DesMoines metro area on city busposters. The posters’ messageof “Unplanned Joy” runsalongside an image of a womanwith child, with a websitewhere expectant mothers can goto get more information.
This particular campaignwas a product of collaborationbetween Illumination Mediaand the Students for Life Clubat Dowling Catholic HighSchool, which raised the moneyfor the project. It’s a good
partnership, said Condon.“Since Illumination Media
has a balanced staff ofvolunteer marketing profes-sionals in the business who arewilling to do the work for littleto nothing, we are able tostretch the project dollars a lotfurther than most,” she said.
The project includes fivebus posters rotating routes dailyfrom July through September, acampaign that cost $2,300.There are radio and TV spotsbeing developed.
Past efforts of IlluminationMedia include ads in Juicemagazine, as well as in TheCatholic Mirror.
“We believe that people ofgood will, working togetherwith and through the secularmedia… can touch hearts andsave lives,” Condon said.
To contribute to futureefforts, go to www.illuminationmedia.com.
Friday, August 20Des Moines – “In the Heartlandwith Bishop Pates”, KWKY DesMoines; KVSS, Omaha, Guests:Dennis Gaston, Rob Sloma, NickNeibergall, 10 a.m. Florian, Minn. – Wedding ofJessica Safranski & MarcusTibesar
Sunday, August 22Harlan – Installation of FatherJohn Frost as pastor, St. Michael,11 a.m.
Monday, August 23Des Moines – Dowling CatholicCorporate Board meeting,Pastoral Center, 4 p.m. Des Moines – Dinner auctionedoff at St. Mary of Nazarethfestival, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, August 24Des Moines – PresbyteralCouncil, Pastoral Center, 10 a.m.
Wednesday, August 25Des Moines – Catholic CharitiesAnnual Board meeting, PastoralCenter, 9 a.m.Des Moines – Bishop’s ExecutiveCommittee, Pastoral Center, 1p.m.
Thursday, August 26Des Moines – CommunityFoundation of Greater DesMoines, Pastoral Center, 9:30 a.m.
Friday, August 27Council Bluffs – Opening ofSchool Mass, St. Albert School, 9a.m.Council Bluffs – “In theHeartland with Bishop Pates”,KWKY Des Moines; KVSS,Omaha, 10 a.m., Guests:Representatives of St. AlbertSchoolsCouncil Bluffs – Meet and greetnew diocesan employees, St.Francis Center, 1 p.m.Council Bluffs – Meeting withrepresentatives of DiocesanCouncil of Catholic Women, St.Francis Center, 2 p.m.
Saturday, August 28St. Mary – Meeting withrepresentatives from ImmaculateConception, St. Marys; St.Patrick, Irish Settlement;Assumption, Churchville andthree neighboring pastors, 10 a.m.Urbandale – Abreu/LeonettiWedding, St. Pius X Parish, 1 p.m.
Carter Lake – 40th AnniversaryMass and dinner, Our Lady ofCarter Lake, 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, August 29Hamburg – Installation of FatherVernon Smith as pastor of St.Mary, 8:30 a.m.Shenandoah - Installation ofFather Vernon Smith as pastor ofSt. Mary, 11 a.m.
Monday, August 30Des Moines – Catholic CharitiesGolf Classic, Echo Valley CountryClub, 11:30 a.m.
Tuesday, August 31 -Wednesday, September 1
Des Moines – Visit of ArchbishopZygmunt Zimowski, president ofthe Pontifical Council for thePastoral Care of Heath CareWorkers and Father CharlesNamugera to Des Moines, MercyMedical Center and MercyCollege
Thursday, September 2West Des Moines – OpeningSchool Mass, Dowling CatholicHigh, 10 a.m.
Friday, September 3Des Moines – “In the Heartlandwith Bishop Pates”, KWKY DesMoines; KVSS, Omaha, Guests:prerecorded Archbishop ZygmuntZimowski, president of thePontifical Council for the PastoralCare of Heath Care Workers, 10a.m.
Sunday, September 5Avoca – Installation of FatherThomas Dooley as Pastor of St.Mary, 8 a.m.Walnut - Installation of FatherThomas Dooley as pastor of St.Patrick, 9:30 a.m.Council Bluffs – Firstanniversary Mass, HispanicCommunity, Queen of Apostles, 2p.m.
Tuesday, September 7Des Moines – School CentennialMass, Assumption, Granger,Grades K-8 and Holy FamilyGrades K-4, St. AmbroseCathedral, 10:30 a.m.Des Moines – Meeting ofHispanic Pastoral Commission,Pastoral Center, 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday, September 8Des Moines – Diocesan
Executive Committee meeting,Pastoral Center, 10:30 a.m.
Friday, September 10Des Moines – “In the Heartlandwith Bishop Pates”, KWKY DesMoines; KVSS, Omaha, Guests:John Gaffney, Dr. CherylFournier, Bob Perron; Topic:Adolescent Catechesis, 10 a.m.
Sunday, September 12Griswold – Installation of FatherBob Dufford, SJ as pastor of OurLady of Grace, Griswold and St.Timothy, Reno, 10:30 a.m.West Des Moines – PriestsAppreciation Dinner, SacredHeart, 5:30 p.m.
Monday, September 13Des Moines – School Centennial,Holy Family Grades 5-8 and HolyTrinity Grades 7-8, Mass, St.Ambrose Cathedral, 10:30 a.m.
Tuesday, September 14Boston – Ordination of BishopArthur Kennedy, AuxiliaryBishop of Boston, 2 p.m.
Wednesday, September 15Des Moines – Bishop’s CouncilMeeting, 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, September 16Des Moines – School Centennial,Holy Trinity Grades 4-6 and St.Anthony Grades 3-4, Mass, St.Ambrose Cathedral, 10:30 amDes Moines – CentennialPlanning Meeting, PastoralCenter, 5 p.m.
Friday, September 17Des Moines – Opening of SpanishImmersion Program and Schoolvisit, St. Anthony, 8:45 amDes Moines – “In the Heartlandwith Bishop Pates”, KWKY DesMoines; KVSS, Omaha, Guests:Representatives of St. AnthonySchool, 10 a.m.
Friday, September 17 – Sunday,September 19
Overland Park, Kan. –Equestrian Order of the HolySepulchre of Jerusalem annualmeeting
Sunday, September 19Des Moines – Inauguration Massand fall rally of Catholic collegestudents, St. Catherine of Siena, 5 p.m.
Diocesan News 3The Catholic Mirror, August 20, 2010www.dmdiocese.org
In the Heartland With
Bishop Pates“In the Heartland With Bishop
Pates” is a weekly, hour-long radioshow broadcast live on Fridays at 10 a.m. on KWKY 1150 AM,Des Moines, and Spirit Catholic Radio 102.7 FM, Omaha.Upcoming show topics are:
Aug. 27 -- Live from St. Albert SchoolSept. 3 -- Prerecorded, Archbishop Zygmunt Zimowski,
president, Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Heatlh CareWorkers
Sept. 10 -- Adolescent Catechesis, John Gaffney, Dr. CherylFournier, diocesan catechist, representative of the U.S. Conferenceof Catholic Bishops
Sept. 17 -- Representatives of St.Anthony School
Call in with questions at 10:45 a.m.Fridays at 515-223-1150 or [email protected]
Bishop’s Schedule
By Megan Dunbar Contributing Writer
Bus ads raise awareness
Msgr. Frank Chiodo, pastor of St. Anthony Parishand Deacon Tony Romeo, celebrate Mass at thefirst Italian festival on the Des Moines Court AvenueBridge. The festival honored the contributions ofItalians in the Des Moine area.
Photo by Jacinda Bevilaqua
CorrectionA photo caption in the July issue of The Catholic Mirror
misidentified Julia Schenk. The Catholic Mirror regrets the error.
Members of the Serra Club of DesMoines are often asked about ourenvironmental concerns (mistakingSerra for Sierra) and in response, wecould quip that we pray for them as well.
In reality, our two organizations arenot related at all. The Serra Club is avoluntary organization of Catholic menand women fostering vocations toreligious life.
The Serra Club takes its name fromFranciscan missionary Blessed JuníperoSerra, the 18th century founder of astring of California missions. LikeFather Serra in his time, the Serrans oftoday put faith into action.
Our faith in action is focused onprayer, celebrating First Friday Masstogether, participating in Eucharisticadoration with the parishioners ofvarious churches in our area, orindividually praying the Rosary for theintention of increasing vocations. Atregular meetings, Serra members learn
about the priests and sisters of ourdiocese through their personaltestimonies of the call to their vocation.
All members, whether working fulltime, retired or home bound activelyparticipate in the ministry of Serra bypraying in the way that best suits theircurrent circumstances.
The Serra Clubs in both CouncilBluffs and Des Moines have recentlyassisted Bishop Richard Pates in anoutreach to all of the parishes in thediocese. His request to us was to offer
assistance to each parish in establishinga Parish Vocations Committee. Throughpulpit presentations and subsequentcontacts with parishes, there are now 40committees actively working to create aculture of vocations in their local parish.Their goals include insertinginformation in bulletins, providingprayers of the faithful intentions andencourage dedication to prayer for anincrease in vocations to the priesthoodand religious life.
All this prayer must be helping. Thediocesan Vocations Office continues tohelp young men and women as theydiscern their way of serving God and theChurch. At last count, there were 14seminarians, with several more in theapplication process.
The opportunity to plant the seed ofpriesthood or religious life is aroundeach of us. A few months ago, a teenageson of a friend was an altar server. AfterMass we were chatting and I commented
that I thought he would make a goodpriest. He said he was thinking aboutthat right before Mass.
Then he asked, “But how do I know?” “Pray about it,” I said. He was even more confused thinking
that if he prayed about it he wouldautomatically be destined forpriesthood. I reminded him: “God has aplan for you; you need to pray todiscover what it might be.”
I’ve often said, “If God would onlysend me a memo; I’d know exactly whathe wanted me to do!”
It wouldn’t surprise me if thoseconsidering the priesthood or religiouslife desire a memo as well. But short ofa note from God, we all have a directchannel to God.
And that’s prayer.
Jeanne Wells is the president of the Serra Clubof Des Moines. If you have an interest inlearning more about Serra Club, contact her at515-237-5010.
Our prayers go to the many Iowanswho have suffered the effects of thissummer’s floods.
Campaign timeAs we enter the late summer months,
campaigns for elective office in Iowa areheating up.
The Iowa Catholic Conference ispreparing our Faithful Citizenship votereducation material to be distributedthrough the parishes this fall. As youknow, we do not endorse candidates orparties, but wish to help people informtheir conscience and exercise it in thevoting booth.
Right now on our website atwww.iowacatholicconference.org, youcan click on “Action Center” and thenon “Elections” to get information onhow to contact your local candidates. Wealso have posted our “votes of interest”from the past legislative session.
Now is the time when candidates arepaying very close attention to whatyou’re saying. Don’t hesitate to contactthem! It’s important to hold candidatesaccountable.
The Iowa Catholic Conference andother Catholic organizations in the stateare also co-sponsoring “FaithfulCitizenship” presentations this fall. Atthese meetings, participants will learn
about what the Church has to say aboutvoting and conscience. If yourorganization is interested in hosting apresentation, let me know.
Abortion and health careThe states of Pennsylvania, New
Mexico and Maryland recentlyannounced that elective abortion wouldbe covered by new “high-risk” insuranceplans created by the new federal healthcare reform bill, the Patient Protectionand Affordable Care Act (PPACA).These plans had been approved by thefederal Health and Human Servicesdepartment.
However, after complaints by pro-lifegroups, the government changed courseand stated that the new plans would infact not be able to cover electiveabortions, only in those cases of rape,incest or danger to the mother’s life, as
has been true for many years in federallysubsidized health plans for federalemployees.
The U.S. Catholic bishops’conference supports HR 5111, the“Protect Life Act,” which would cleanup problems with conscience andabortion funding in PPACA.
ImmigrationAs chairman of the U.S. bishops’
Committee on Migration, Bishop JohnC. Wester of Salt Lake City applaudedthe July 28 decision by U.S. DistrictJudge Susan Bolton to halt some of themost controversial provisions of ArizonaSB 1070 from going into effect the nextday. Bishop Wester lamented the statusquo on immigration as “unacceptable”and called for the federal government toact immediately on immigration reform.
As Bishop Wester has said, “The U.S.bishops and the teachings of the CatholicChurch have consistently respected theright of the sovereign to control itsborders, as well as the rule of civil law.
However, the Church, along withother members of our democraticsociety, has the right to work to changelaws which are believed to violate basichuman dignity, dignity imbued by theCreator.”
Please encourage your friends to visit
www.justiceforimmigrants.org.
MarriageArchbishop Joseph Kurtz of
Louisville, chairman of the U.S.Conference of Catholic Bishops’Ad HocCommittee for the Defense of Marriage,expressed grave concern regardingrecent rulings by a federal judge inMassachusetts rejecting the definition ofmarriage as between one man and onewoman.
“Marriage - the union of one man andone woman - is a unique, irreplaceableinstitution. The very fabric of oursociety depends upon it,” he said.
“To claim that defining marriage asthe union of one man and one woman issomehow irrational, prejudiced, or evenbigoted, is a great disservice not only totruth but to the good of our nation,”Archbishop Kurtz said. “Marriage existsprior to the state and is not open toredefinition by the state. The role of thestate, instead, is to respect and reinforcemarriage.”
And finally,Encourage people to sign up on our
website to receive the ICC updates.Make sure you visit us on our Facebookpage and on Twitter (iacatholicconf).
4 The Catholic Mirror, August 20, 2010 www.dmdiocese.org
Opinion4 www.dmdiocese.org
Submissions policy
The Catholic Mirror welcomesletters to the editor. Please keepletters short, 250 words or less.Letters must also include a telephonenumber for verification purposes. Theeditor reserves the right to edit lettersfor brevity and clarity.
Guest commentaries(approximately 500 words) are alsowelcome.
Please address your letters to:[email protected], or to theeditor, The Catholic Mirror, 601Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50309.Letters may also be faxed to (515)237-5070.
Legislative updateCapital Comments
By TomChapman
Guest Column
By Jeanne Wells
Serra or Sierra: Inquiring minds want to know
To the Editor:On behalf of the USCCB
Subcommittee on the Church in LatinAmerica and Catholic Relief Services(CRS), we express our heartfelt thanksto you and your faithful for yourcontributions to help our brothers andsisters in Haiti after the devastatingearthquake of January 12.
Received from Diocese of DesMoines for the Special Haiti ReliefCollection: $281,564.38. Received fromother groups and individuals with zipcodes in Diocese of Des Moines:$85,054.48.
In the months since the earthquake,CRS has distributed food and water tohundreds of thousands of people while
providing emergency shelter andmedical care to many thousands more.
With prayers and gratitude to you andto all the faithful, we remain,
Most Rev. José H. GomezCoadjutor Archbishop of Los Angeles
Most Rev. Timothy DolanArchbishop of New York
To the Editor:During 2009, the Diocese of Des
Moines contributed $27,415 to theSociety for the Propagation of the Faith,and $860 to the Society of St. PeterApostle for seminarians and religiousnovices in the developing world.
During a private audience with the
world’s national directors of thePontifical Mission Societies, PopeBenedict XVI asked us to share hispersonal gratitude with you and thefaithful of your diocese for supportingthe universal mission needs of theChurch.
Please accept as well my ownpersonal thanks to you and all yourcollaborators, especially your missiondirector. Please also express to yourfaithful the thanks of missionaries allover the world and of those being servedby them, the poorest in our humanfamily.Rev. Msgr. John E. KozarNational DirectorPontifical Mission Societies
Letters to the Editor
Recently, as I read about St. JohnVianney, I was inspired to give thanksfor the many saints who provide suchholy role models for all of us. Offeringtheir talents and shortcomings, theirdedication and devotion, and their livesand souls to Christ, saints provide theperfect example of the value of privaterevelation in our Catholic faith.
The upcoming Christ Our LifeConference, to be held in Des Moines atthe Iowa Events Center Oct 16-17, willfeature a mix of speakers from aroundthe world. All will speak from a strongscriptural and Catholic foundation andfrom the wisdom garnered from theirintimate and ongoing relationship withChrist. A few will share their privaterevelation. As the Catechism of theCatholic Church states, “It is not theirrole (i.e. private revelation’s role) to
improve or complete Christ’s definitiveRevelation, but to help live more fullyby it in a certain period of history.”(CCC #67)
Private revelation has inspired mein my faith journey. Of course it’s wiseto learn all we can about the personoffering private revelation. Does thisperson consistently live a Christ-centered and Christ-like life? Has theindividual asserted anything contrary tothe deposit of faith? We must respectthe Church as the final authority on alljudgments regarding private revelation.
Marino Restrepo, from Colombia,South America, will share his
remarkable life story and his privaterevelation at the Christ Our LifeConference. Journeying from Colombiato Hollywood in search of great success,Restrepo was lured by new-age thoughtand occultism. He chose a selfish anddecadent lifestyle which includedcocaine and total abandonment of God.
While in Colombia attending a familyfuneral in 1997, he was kidnapped byrebels seeking a large ransom. Duringthis horrific ordeal of over six months,Restrepo was changed by Christ and hislife was miraculously spared. Feelingpersonally called to sell his worldlypossessions and, supported by hisbishop, he began traveling throughoutthe world to share his profound insightsand love of Christ. He relates that hisCatholic faith was shown to him to behis greatest treasure, and he had chosen
to bury it.Restrepo’s story of trial and faith
has changed many hearts in these last 12years. Those attending the Christ OurLife Conference will hear two othertestimonies: Father Rick Wendell’schallenge to become a priest and ReneeBondi’s determination to live for God inspite of severe physical limitation. Theirstories of trial are only the seeds of thefruit. The fruits are the inspiration andmotivation to live Christ-centered livesfor all those who hear them.
I’m thankful to God for providingsaints and holy people along my faithjourney, who speak and share throughprivate revelation.
Marilyn Lane is an organizer of theChrist Our Life Catholic Conference,www.christourlifeiowa.org.
Congress passed the PatientProtection and Affordable Care Act(PPACA) in March, amidst anunresolved debate about the legislation’simpact on abortion and conscienceprotection. As president of the U.S.Conference of Catholic Bishops,Cardinal Francis George explained thenthat the bishops had to oppose the finalbill despite their strong support forhealth care reform, because (amongother things) it “appropriates billions ofdollars in new funding withoutexplicitly prohibiting the use of thesefunds for abortion.” Others dismissedthis charge, saying that legislative intentand a last-minute executive order fromPresident Obama prevented abortionfunding.
Fast-forward to July, when one ofthose PPACA provisions appropriatingbillions of dollars was about to takeeffect. Section 1101 of the Act provides$5 billion for “high-risk insurancepools,” providing much-needed healthcoverage for people with “pre-existing
conditions” who cannot otherwise getcoverage. This program ends inJanuary 2014, when these patients canjoin others in purchasing qualifiedhealth plans on the new state insuranceexchanges. State governments canpropose the benefits list and other detailsfor covering their residents in thesepools, but the federal government makesfinal decisions and provides allgovernment funds for subsidizing thiscoverage.
Pro-life groups found that severalstates – beginning with Pennsylvania,New Mexico and Maryland – had
announced on their websites that theirstatewide plans would include electiveabortions.
Public criticism of thisdevelopment prompted immediatedenials and evasive responses. Aninitial response from the Department ofHealth and Human Services insisted that“federal funds” would not cover theseabortions – leaving open the prospectthat everyone who enrolls could beforced to fund other people’s abortionswith their premium dollars. Late onJuly 14, however, HHS issued a new andmore welcome response, saying thatabortions simply “will not be covered”in these plans except in cases of rape,incest or danger to the mother’s life, ashas long been true in federallysubsidized health plans for federalemployees.
Now pro-abortion groups are cryingfoul, with the interesting complaint thatthis pro-life outcome goes beyondanything in PPACA or the executiveorder. In other words, they are saying
the bishops’ analysis of loopholes inthese documents is right.
The high-risk pool program is justone funding stream left open to abortionby PPACA. For now it seems pro-lifeforces have won the first round, throughcareful research and a prompt publicresponse. But PPACA needs alegislative fix to close such loopholesonce and for all. That fix is offered bythe “Protect Life Act” (H.R. 5111)sponsored by Rep. Joe Pitts (R-PA) and115 other House members, including 13Democrats. Whether these or otherbillions of dollars in taxpayers’ funds areused to help kill unborn children is not amatter we should leave to shiftingpolitics or to chance.
Mr. Doerflinger is associatedirector of the Secretariat of Pro-LifeActivities, U.S. Conference of CatholicBishops. To learn more about thebishops’ pro-life activities seewww.usccb.org/prolife.
5The Catholic Mirror, August 20, 2010
Opinion
www.dmdiocese.org
Opinion
Christ Our Life Conference bringing Restrepo to Des MoinesGuest Column
By Marilyn Lane
Abortion remains in health care reform debateGuest Column
By Richard M.Doerflinger
From the very beginning of ourChristian faith we have been looking tothe cross, for as St. Paul writes in 1 Cor.1:18 “The message of the cross isfoolishness to those who are perishing,but to us who are being saved it is thepower of God.”
Christ’s sacrificial and salvificactions upon the cross are at the veryheart of our faith; it is the power of God.That action continues every time wecelebrate the sacrifice of the Mass, andwe are mindful of the salvation won forevery time we hang a crucifix aroundnecks, in our churches, our homes, ourschools, our hospitals, and we aremindful of Christ action every time webless ourselves with the Sign of theCross.
With the central role that thecrucifixion plays in our identity asChristians it should not surprise us thatDr. Gerard Stanley (a member of St.Clare Catholic Church in Clarinda,Iowa) chose to use his gifts and talentsas a medical doctor to invite us todeepen our understanding of Jesusaction in his book, “He Was CrucifiedReflections on the Passion of Christ.”
Dr. Stanley examines every aspectof the Passion from a medicalperspective beginning with the Agony inthe Garden and ending with Jesus’ deathon the cross. At first this may seem likesimply an intellectual exercise to
describe in medical terms what Jesusendured during the Passion, but Dr.Stanley does a wonderful job of helpingus to see that having an intellectualunderstanding of Christ’s sufferings isindeed a spiritual exercise.
For example Dr. Stanley describesthe medical condition that causessomeone to sweat blood, hemohidrosis,as Jesus did when he prayed andagonized in the Garden of Gethsemane.Hemohidrosis is a condition that occursso rarely that many even doubt itsexistence, but in the cases where it hasbeen recorded, the patient has undergonetremendous distress.
Dr. Stanley invites us to reflect withhim what distress would cause Jesus tosweat blood. Being the Son of God,Jesus would have known what he wasgoing to suffer. He would have knownnot only that he was going to die on thecross, but he would have also known thepain he would endure with every lash ofthe whip. He would have known the pain
of the nails piercing his hands. Knowingall that he would suffer would be enoughto cause him to sweat blood, and moreimportantly even knowing all that hewould suffer he did not run away fromit.
Dr. Stanley challenges us to ask:“Would we be willing to do the same?”
The book is indeed a spiritualexercise as we deepen our understandingof the Christ’s Passion; we are called totruly contemplate upon it.
To help this contemplation, Dr.Stanley has included the writings ofmany of the Church Fathers and some ofthe most beautiful images that have everbeen created of Jesus suffering anddeath.
I found that these images andpassages helped me to come back againand again to the same events in thePassion and see that there was more forme to see, to learn, and contemplate.
If you are looking for a wonderfulbook to deepen your understanding ofthe Passion, the central event of ourChristian faith, I cannot recommendenough Dr. Stanley’s book to you. In it,he, like St. Paul, “preaches the gospel,so that the cross of Christ would not bemade void.” 1 Corinthians 1:17
Father David Muenchrath serves as theVocations director for the Diocese ofDes Moines.
Doctor’s book invites contemplation of the Passion
Book Review
By Father DavidMuenchrath
New column startingnext month
Startingnext month,n e w l yo r d a i n e dDeacon MikeManno willbegin am o n t h l ycolumn in TheC a t h o l i cMirror.
DeaconManno grewup in DesMoines, graduated from DowlingCatholic High School andCreighton University, where heearned a bachelor’s degree injournalism. He earned a master’sdegree in political science fromIowa State University and attendedDrake University Law School.
Formerly a newspaper reporterand editor with several Iowanewspapers, a real estate brokerand Davenport city councilmember, he is an adjunct professorof law and government with UpperIowa University, author of twobooks and maintains his lawpractice.
His pastoral ministry includesassisting at St. Augustin Parish inDes Moines.
Deacon Mike Manno
Aug. 22 SundayAuthentic Mexican Dinner
WINTERSET -- St. JosephChurch is hosting an authenticMexican dinner from 4-7 p.m. Costis $7.50/adults and $4/children 12and under.
Aug. 25 WednesdayRoman Missal workshop
PORTSMOUTH -- Workshop onthe upcoming Roman Missal, thirdedition from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at St.Mary. Register online atwww.dmdiocese.org/worship.
Sept. 1 WednesdaySchool golf outing
DES MOINES -- Fighting IrishBack to School Golf Classic at theWillow Creek Golf Course.Contact Michael Sadler at 515-276-8169 or [email protected] more information. All proceedsbenefit the athletic department atSt. Theresa School.Roman Missal workshop
CRESTON -- Workshop on theupcoming Roman Missal, thirdedition from 6:30-9:30 p.m. atHoly Spirit Parish. Register onlineat www.dmdiocese.org/worship.
Sept. 3 FridayCatholic Widows and Widowers
DES MOINES -- First Friday 8a.m. Mass at All Saints Churchwith brunch following.
Sept. 8 WednesdayRoman Missal workshop
COUNCIL BLUFFS --Workshop on the upcoming RomanMissal, third edition from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Queen of Apostles
Parish. Register online atwww.dmdiocese.org/worship.
Sept. 11 SaturdayCAST (Catholic Adult SinglesTogether)
DES MOINES -- The monthlydance for area singles will be at St.Mary of Nazareth Ryan Hall from 7p.m. – 11 p.m., Cost is $10 fornonmembers, $7/membersadmission. For details, contactRoger at 515-271-9562 orhttp://sites.google.com/site/castsinglesdesmoines/home.Roman Missal workshop
DES MOINES -- Workshop onthe upcoming Roman Missal, thirdedition from 9:30-12:30 p.m. at AllSaints Parish. Register online atwww.dmdiocese.org/worship.
Sept. 12 SundayFall dinner
DUNLAP -- St Patrick Parish,Dunlap, is hosting it’s annual FallDinner serving Staley’s broastedchicken, raffles, a country store,bingo and games for the children. Blast of Cash
INDIANOLA – St. ThomasAquinas Parish is having its earlybird raffle drawing with total prizesof $300. Tickets available for$10,000 grand prize. Cost is$25/ticket, $100 for five. Only2,000 will be sold. For moreinformation, 515-961-3026 orwww.stthomasindianola.parishesonline.comFr. Greg Leach’s 30thanniversary
DES MOINES -- Following 11a.m Mass, St. Mary of Nazarethparish will be holding a luncheon
to celebrate Father Greg Leach’s30th anniversary of his ordinationto the priesthood. All are invited.For more information contactColleen at 515-278-9841.
Sept. 14 TuesdayAdolescent Catechesis/YouthMinistry Kickoff
PANORA -- Training onadolescent catechesis – hosted bythe diocesan Office of FaithFormation, Catechetical Servicesand Youth Ministry – is at St.Thomas More Center from 12:30-4:30 p.m. Immediately following
the Youth Ministry Kickoff, guestspeaker Mike Patin will take thestage at 6:30 p.m. following dinner.Cost is free. For more information,contact Bob Perron [email protected] or Dr. CherylFournier, [email protected].
Sept. 16 ThursdayCatholic Daughters of theAmericas
DES MOINES -- Court AveMaria No. 302 will meet at 5:30p.m. at the Basilica of St. John forMass. Dinner, program and
business meeting will follow.Members will bring a favorite itemthat has special meaning to themand talk about it.
Sept. 17-19 Friday-SundayBeginning Experience
PANORA -- This peer ministry isfor widowed, divorced or separatedpeople who are healing from grief.For information and/or to registercall Cleo Scheidel 515-221-1371 orFather Bob Schoemann 515-418-1938.
Sept. 28 TuesdayCatholic Widows and Widowers
DES MOINES -- Businessmeeting at 2 p.m. at St. AugustinChurch, lower level.
***
50th Wedding AnniversaryAug. 21 Saturday
STUART -- Dave & Rosie Tislwill celebrate their 50th weddinganniversary at All Saints ParishHall in Stuart. Dave and Rosie’sfour children are hosting an openhouse from 2:30 -5 p.m. followedby Mass at 5:30 p.m..
SSiibblliinnggss cceelleebbrraattee 111100 yyeeaarrss ooff ccoommmmiittmmeenntt ttoo CChhuurrcchh
Around the Diocese 6 The Catholic Mirror, August 20, 2010 www.dmdiocese.org
Siblings Msgr. Larry Beeson and Humility Sister Rachel Beeson, celebrated majoranniversaries this year: Msgr. Beeson, 50 years as a priest, and Sister Beeson, 60years as a religious woman. They celebrated in Atlantic with Bishop RichardPates, Father Dan Siepker, Deacon Fred Cornwell, former Des Moines BishopWilliam Bullock and Madison diocesan seminarian David Johannes.
Photo by LaNette Freund
Diocesan News 7The Catholic Mirror, August 20, 2010www.dmdiocese.org
Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre Nine people from the Diocese of Des Moines will be
invested at the September meeting of the Northern Lieutenancyof the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem inKansas City.
They are: Deacon Charles and Kay Putbrese, Stephen andMargaret Cashman, Michael Lacey, and Daniel and CarolWerner, all from the Des Moines area, and David and CathyWebster from Glenwood.
The annual meeting will include Cardinal John Foley,grand master of the Equestrian Order; Father Peter Vasko,president of the Franciscan Foundation for the Holy Land; andOmaha Archbishop George J. Lucas. Cardinal Foley willpreside over the investiture ceremony for the new members ofthe order.
Council Bluffs student wins scholarshipA Loras College junior from the Diocese of Des Moines
was one of only two women representing a college at theinternational conference of the Daughters of Isabella inMontreal in early August.
Megan Godfrey, of St. Patrick Parish in Council Bluffs,joined Dana Disteldorf, of Illinois, in representing Circle#1427 at the conference.
The Daughters of Isabella organization has recently beenreaching out to the college population and currently has sevencollege circles across the United States. The Daughters ofIsabella was founded in 1897, and is a charitable organizationof Catholic women founded on the principle of its motto:Unity, friendship and charity.
Western Iowa student wins scholarshipCaitlin McDonald, of Oakland, Iowa, was awarded a
college freshman scholarship of $1,250 from the First CatholicSlovak Ladies Association. She will be attending theUniversity of Chicago.
The First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association is offering223 scholarships totaling $251,743. The FCSLA has had anannual scholarship program since 1954 and awards educationalscholarships to graduate, college, high school and elementaryschool students.
Annual diocesan auditThe Finance Department of the Diocese of Des Moines
performs the accounting work for 10 related organizations ofthe diocese including the diocesan Administrative Office,Catholic Charities, seven endowment funds and CatholicTuition Organization.
Beginning in September, the independent CPA firm ofDenman and Company, of West Des Moines, will perform theannual audit of these organizations. The audit reports will bepublished on the diocesan website upon completion, which isprojected to be early December 2010. The reports for the yearended June 30, 2009 are currently available on the website athttp://www.dmdiocese.org/diocese-charities-accountability.cfm.
Summer Salad Luncheon fund raiserTo benefit their charitable projects program, the Catholic
Daughters of America, Court St. Anthony #330, under thesupervision of member Linda Spencer, held its annual summersalad lunch on July 14. More than $1,000 was raised among the160 people from the Council Bluffs community who attendedat the social hall of St. Peter Church.
Proceeds from the fundraiser will go to the charitableprojects program of the court, benefitting many localorganizations.
New parish/Newman Center website St. Catherine of Siena/Drake Newman Center has a new
website thanks to the efforts of a DrakeUniversity graduate.
Trisha Lightfoot, a 2010 Drake graduatewith a double major in graphic design and webadvertising, gifted the Newman communitywith a new website with all the latesttechnology.
Links to Twitter, Facebook, podcasts ofFather Joel McNeil’s homilies, blogs forcampus ministry and parish news are just someof the features of the new site.
According to Father Joel McNeil, pastor anddirector of diocesan Campus Ministry: “Trisha gave us a first-class site that relates to the young people we serve.”
Lightfoot, who served on parish’s Pastoral Council as astudent, said, “I love St. Kate’s and for me it was a chance togive back for everything St. Kate’s had given me during mytime at college.”
St. Catherine of Siena Newman Center is both a residentparish and Newman center for college students. In 2009 thecenter became the home of the office of diocesan CampusMinistry.
To learn more about St. Catherine Parish visit the newwebsite at www.stcatherinedrake.org.
News NuggetsHighlighting people and events
CRS grateful for financial aidused to disperse relief funds inHaiti as well.
About $145 million hasbeen raised by CRS for Haitirelief, with more than $80million coming from specialcollections.
Bishop Richard Patesreceived a letter from CRS inearly July, expressing thanksfor the generosity of those inthe Diocese of Des Moines.
According to the letter,$281,564.38 was received fromthe Diocese of Des Moines forthe special collection for reliefin Haiti. An additional$85,054.48 was received fromother organizations andindividuals with zip codes inthe Des Moines diocese.
Walker said the immediateneeds of housing, clean waterand food were the first priority.
There’s also rebuilding ofthe agricultural economy, healthand sanitation.
The CRS funds areproviding transitional parishcenters and structures for theNational Seminary in Haiti.
“We hope we can buildthings better than they were,”Walker said.
For more information visitwww.crs.org.
Earling native SisterKathleen (Laura) Kenkelrecently celebrated herdiamond jubilee, marking 60years of vowed religious life asa Franciscan Sister of PerpetualAdoration.
Sister Kenkel is a sister ofFather Ben Kenkel, and cousinto Father Leonard Kenkel andhis sister Benedictine SisterSylvia Kenkel.
She served as anelementary school teacher for12 years and as an Englishteacher for 11 years in schools
in Wisconsin, Iowa andWashington. In Iowa, shetaught in Guttenberg, Carrolland Belleview.
From 1975-1983 she wasan instructor in the theologyand English departments atViterbo College (now ViterboUniversity) in La Crosse, Wis.Her next ministry was as firstdirector of the FranciscanSpirituality Center, also in LaCrosse. For four years SisterKathleen served as director ofreligious education at a PalosHills, Ill parish.
Her lastseven years ofactive ministrywere at Viterboas assistantprofessor ofr e l i g i o u sstudies. SisterKathleen spentone year as apart-time staff member at VillaMaria Retreat and ConferenceCenter in Frontenac, Minn. Sheretired to her religiouscommunity’s St. Rose Convent inLa Crosse in 2006.
Diamond jubilee celebrated
SisterKathleenKenkel
TrishaLightfoot
8 The Catholic Mirror, August 20, 2010
9The Catholic Mirror, August 20, 2010
Diocesan News10 The Catholic Mirror, August 20, 2010 www.dmdiocese.org
Schedules are beingsecured, curriculum is beingwritten and busses are beingwarmed up in preparationfor the Catholic schoolsdiocesan centennialcelebration. The schoolswill be celebrating theDiocese of Des Moinescentennial celebrationthroughout the year with avariety of educationalopportunities for students.
All Catholic schoolstudents and religiouseducation students will bevisiting St. Ambrose
Cathedral in downtown DesMoines during thecentennial year. During thevisit, students will attendMass with Bishop RichardPates, as well as tour theCathedral and learn about itshistory.
“I am excited to see ourstudents and celebrate Masswith them in the cathedralsetting. I believe this is aunique learning opportunityand experience for all of ourstudents across the dioceseto join in prayer at ourprincipal house of worship,”said Bishop Pates.
Students will also belearning about the diocesethrough their religion
classes. Special curriculumwill be incorporated thatwill teach students about adiocese, bishop andcathedral. The curriculum isspecifically written for eachgrade level. In addition tohaving discussion aboutthese topics, students will beinvolved in role playing,game creating, reading,drawing, writing poetry,songs, and/or papers.
“The Schools and FaithFormation offices have beenworking together to developlesson plans that are full ofactivities to help ourstudents learn more aboutthe diocese. All of thoseinvolved, from teachers to
students, will come awaywith a better appreciation ofthe diocese and their ownparish thanks to the lessonsthey will be involved in,”said Denise Mulcahy,diocesan director ofTeaching and Learning.
“The student projectsrecommended in the lessonplans, when completed,would be great displays foruse in the parish as weprepare for the Nov. 6, 2011diocesan centennialcelebration to be held in DesMoines at Hy-Vee Hall,”said Cheryl Fournier,director of Evangelizationand Adult Faith Formation.
In its 98th year ofoperation, St. Anthony Schoolis getting ready to begin agroundbreaking educationprogram.
Twenty-eight kindergartenstudents will experience aunique classroom where theywill be learning beginningskills in a different language.These kindergartners will beginat St. Anthony’s Spanish
Immersion program, SanAntonio de Padua, this fall.
Marisol Guerra has beenhired as the new kindergartenteacher for San Antonio dePadua. She recently moved toDes Moines from Honduraswith her two children. Guerrahas 16 years of teachingexperience with most of thattime teaching at an Englishimmersion school in Honduras.
“On behalf of St. AnthonySchool, I welcome Marisol andher two children to ourcommunity. We are excited to
have Marisol a part of our St.Anthony staff. She has awealth of experience and she’san excellent addition to ourSpanish immersion program,”said St. Anthony Principal Dr.Joe Cordaro.
St. Anthony is only thesecond elementary school inIowa to offer an innovativeSpanish immersion program.
The Spanish immersionprogram teaches English-speaking students to speakSpanish by immersing them inthe language. They will be
taught the same curriculum andfaith formation as a traditionalEnglish classroom, except itwill be in Spanish.
By the time thekindergartners complete fifthgrade, they will be fluent in theSpanish language.
Sara Eide has twindaughters who will be attendingkindergarten at San Antonio dePadua this fall.
“I’m very excited to finallyhave a Spanish immersionprogram in Des Moines. This isan educational option that
central Iowa has been sorelylacking. My daughters willhave a great opportunity in theSan Antonio de Padua programto be immersed in Spanish at ayoung age. Most importantly,they will be in a Catholicschool and learning more abouttheir Catholic faith,” said Eide.
The idea for a Spanishimmersion program evolvedfrom the work of the diocesanCentennial Steering Com-mittee, which has beenplanning events to celebrate the100th anniversary of thediocese.
Most schools in theDiocese of Des Moines have arich and long standing history.If you look to St. MalachySchool in Creston, you’ll findthe oldest continuouslyoperated Catholic school in thediocese. St. Malachy will becelebrating its 140thanniversary this school year.
St. Malachy was foundedin 1870 by Father B.P.McMenomy, a Benedictinepriest. Father McMenomyopened a private school andEliza Moran was the school’sfirst instructor. At the time,there was not a church in thearea. Mass was celebrated oncea month in a private home. InOctober 1879, Sister PaulaO’Riely and three companionsarrived in Creston under thebishop’s permission to establisha convent. They lived in arented house and taught schoolin the church building.
A school building wasconstructed on church propertyin 1881.
Ten years later, the motherhouse was transferred toGuthrie, Okla. and theBenedictine sisters from the
convent in Atchison, Kan.provided teaching staff for St.Malachy School. The Sisters ofSt. Benedict remained until1975. The Sisters of Mercy,Sisters of Loretto and oneSister of Humility also servedthe school in the 1970s.
A new, one-story schoolbuilding was opened in 1957.This building is the site of St.Malachy School today. Fourclassrooms were added in 1976with its newest additiondedicated in November 2009.Sixth, seventh and eighth gradestudents moved into the newaddition, which offers threenew classrooms, a science labin one of the classrooms, mediacenter/computer lab and chapel.
“St. Malachy School hasestablished a long standingtradition of excellence. Ourfamilies stay connected to theschool. The dedication,sacrifice, and hard work of theparish and community havebrought us to where we aretoday. The example of thosewho have gone beforemotivates us to maintain ourschool and insure that it isavailable to the young people inour parish and community formany years to come,” saidPrincipal John Walsh.
Today, St. Malachy Schoolserves 185 preschool througheighth grade students. Thenumber of teachers at St.Malachy has grown from one in1870 to 29 faculty and stafftoday. The enrollmentnumbers continue to flourish.The addition constructed in2009 was needed due to aninflux of 55 additional studentsover the course of two years.
“I get excited when I lookto the future of the school. I getexcited when we beginplanning and implementingprograms that help our studentsbecome active members insociety and when they bringtheir faith and their backgroundinto their daily lives,” saidWalsh.
Schools prepare for diocesan centennialBy Darcie Tallman
Contributing Writer
Spanish immersion program kicks off at St.Anthony SchoolBy Darcie Tallman
Contributing Writer
Oldest school to celebrate 140 yearsBy Darcie Tallman
Contributing Writer
St. Malachy School, as it stands today, serves 185preschool through eighth grade students.
The old St. Malachy School pictured before theexisting building was constructed in 1957.
Diocesan News 11The Catholic Mirror, August 20, 2010www.dmdiocese.org
Over the last 10 years, thediocesan Catholic schools haveworked hard to make thechanges necessary for studentsto be ready to succeed in theglobal world they will be a partof.
When we think about thefact that 90 percent of the jobsour fourth grade students willhave when they enter the workforce have not yet beeninvented, we know that wemust prepare our students forwhat’s to come.
Our teachers have beenengaged in professionaldevelopment that has helped usto become better assessors of
student progress and facilitatorsof learning in our classrooms.
We have worked onstandards, benchmarks, andgrade-level expectations whichhave focused our teaching onconcepts and skills that ourstudents will need to moveforward in life.
Our reporting system inour elementary schools is nowstandards-based which meansour parents learn of theirstudents’ individual progress inmastering the standards andbenchmarks.
Teachers and administra-tors have become moreproficient in their use oftechnology as our schools haveinteractive white boards andcomputers in the classrooms.
Preparing to be successfulinvolves not only academics
but also the tradition of theCatholic faith.
Our schools focus on actsof service as a means ofteaching students how to livethe call from Jesus to serveothers. All of our students havethe opportunity to attend andparticipate in Mass with theirschool families. And during thelast year, our administrators andteachers participated in the “OnA Journey Together”evangelization program toenhance their own faithdevelopment.
While change is nevereasy, we are not slowing down.Our diocesan Catholic schoolsboast a strong, rich heritage ofoffering quality Catholiceducation to our students; andthose of us who are currentlyserving continuously try to live
up to the tradition, whileseeking ways to improve.
In the coming years wewill focus our work in the areasof seeking more ways to serveall students, continued work inour standards-based reportingsystem, and on implementationof the Iowa Core in our schools.
The Iowa Core will focus oninstruction and curriculum thatwill prepare students for the21st Century.
Our work is far from done,but the administrators andteachers in our diocesanCatholic schools are up for thechallenge. We know thatbuilding a strong educationalprogram in our diocesanCatholic schools now will serveus all well later.
Fromthe time Iwas a kid,m yp a r e n t sw o u l dr e m i n dthe six ofus kids that God alwaystakes care of us, providesfor us, and answers ourprayers. We learned thatGod knows what is best forus and if we continue topray and keep the faith,God will bring us to theplace we need to be, withthe tools we need tocomplete the work. Ah, thewisdom of our parents.
I feel like I know aboutkeeping the faith andknowing that God isleading you in a way that isa part of the path he haschosen for you.
My name is DeniseMulcahy and I am the newdirector of Teaching andLearning for the Diocese ofDes Moines Catholicschools. I know about thatpath because it has led mehere, it has led me home.
I have been aneducator for 24 years (ifyou don’t count playingschool as a child) and haveworked in the Catholicsystem for 21 of thoseyears. I taught fourth gradeat Sacred Heart School inMonticello for 13 years. Ihave also served asprincipal for St. PatrickSchool in Sheldon andAssumption School inGranger, as well asassistant principal at St.Francis of Assisi School inWest Des Moines.
For the past threeyears, I have worked at theIowa Department ofEducation as a schoolimprovement consultant. Ithink God knew I neededsome more experience,maybe a broaderperspective, and the job atthe D.E. provided me withthat. All of my experiencesin the Catholic schools andat the D.E. have given metools I will use in this newjob.
I am excited about thisnew opportunity! Workingwith principals andteachers to provide aquality, Catholic educationfor our students is what Ihave always wanted to do.I tell people that I believe Ihave been blessed becauseI get to do what I love withpeople that I love workingwith.
By Denise Mulcahy Contributing Writer
God’s pathleads to jobposition withSchools office
Preparing students to succeed in a global world
By Denise Mulcahy Contributing Writer
Annual fundraiser brings successAssumption School in
Granger is holding its fifth annualBike Ride Around Granger, orBRAG, fundraiser in September.On the day of the event, studentsenjoy a sack lunch with theirparents, bike around a specifiedcourse through the streets ofGranger, and receive prizes for theamount of money the studentshelped raise for the school. Overthe past four years, almost$85,000 has been raised to fundprofessional development opp-
ortunities for teachers and field trips for students, updated sciencecurriculum and equipment and new technology throughout theschool.
Christmas project celebrates 40-plus years of successDowling Catholic High School in West Des Moines has been
involved in providing needy families in the Des Moines area with aChristmas basket for more than 40 years. This basket includes food,clothing, requested householditems, and toys—all generouslydonated and purchased byDowling Catholic students, staff,faculty and friends.
Last year, about 115 familiesreceived the baskets. Part of theschool’s effort includes a candlelighting ceremony.
Currently, the program is led bysenior moderators Trish Sackettand Pete Ause.
Annual Culture DaysHoly Family School in Des Moines has one of the most diverse
student populations in the state. The school embraces this diversityby having annual Culture Days, when it celebrates one of the manycultures that is representative of the school population.
Last year, the school celebrated the cultures of Southeast Asia.Through dance, history, food, and storytelling, the students were ableto explore and learn about the aspects of this culture.
During a recent accreditation visit by the Iowa Department ofEducation, Culture Days was singled out as one of the many positiveaspects of Holy Family.
Service to help othersOnce a month, Holy Trinity students can wear their favorite
jeans while supporting a charity through the school’s MissionAwareness Jeans Day. Students give $1 to be donated to a charitychosen by the grade hosting the jeans day.
One program Holy Trinity has annually supported is theChildren’s Cancer Connection (formerly the Heart Connection).Through the donations, children affected with this disease are giventhe opportunity to attend a camp for children with cancer.
Children’s Cancer Connection is dear to the Holy Trinitycommunity as it began with the loss of Danny Cornish, a student andson of Billie (a school guidance counselor) and Kelly, and brother ofJohn Cornish.
May CrowningDuring the month of May, Sacred Heart School in West Des
Moines honors the role Mary plays in the students’ journey to Christ. Last school year, all students were encouraged to bring a flower
from home and a few volunteers arranged them into bouquets. Thebouquets were brought to the statue of Mary in the church. Songshonoring Mary were sung as eighth grader Anna Nielsen placed a
crown of fresh cut flowers on the statue of Mary. May crowning isone of many faith-filled traditions at Sacred Heart.
A tradition of faithOne of St. Albert School’s long-standing traditions in Council
Bluffs is its all-school Masses that celebrate the feast day of theschool’s patron saint, Albert the Great, in November and duringCatholic Schools Week in early February.
About 800 students from pre-K through 12th grade, along withtheir parents, grandparents, alumni and friends, gather in the maingym to celebrate their faith. After Mass, members of the senior classpartner with elementary students to participate in classroomactivities for additional reflection and faith sharing.
Welcome to our houseIn an effort to foster friendship, understanding and fun, the
students at St. Augustin School in Des Moines were inducted into anew tradition this past school year called Middle School Houses.
Each of the houses is named after a saint: St. Gabriel, St. Jude, St.Marcellus, St. Norbert and St. Sebastian. Each house has a mixtureof sixth, seventh, and eighth graders who meet every morning inhomeroom. They remain in the same house until they graduate. Newstudents are added each fall.
Positive behavior system brings positive changeSt. Francis of Assisi School in West Des Moines implemented a
positive behavior support system. The program was designed to focus on four main expectations
at different locations throughout the school: being safe, responsible,respectful and faithful. When the students demonstrated these traits,they received tickets. At the end of the week, they were able toredeem tickets for a variety of items from a prize cart.
The data that was collected throughout the year has helped stafffocus its teaching and learning of expectations at certain locationswhere students need more redirection.
End-of-the-year field dayEach May, St. Pius X School in Urbandale holds an end-of-the-
year field day for all students. Last year team captains -- representingBugs Bunny, Clifford, Scooby Doo, Yogi Bear, Buzz Lightyear, andother characters -- carried out their cartoon theme by using costumesor shirts that represented the character.
In the morning, the students walked to a neighborhood park forfield events. These events ranged from the bat spin and leap frog, tothe traditional two-legged and potato-sack races. Field day brings allstudents together for a common event and goal.
Working for social justiceSocial Justice Week is a faith formation tradition at St. Theresa
School in Des Moines. St. Theresa parish is actively involved in the week. Curriculum
is developed and aligned with diocesan standards and benchmarks.Other resources include guest speakers, field trips, interactive mapprojects, presentations and an artist in residence.
Students have gone into the community to learn about the needsof others and provide service to them through their work to share:food through Kids Against Hunger; water through the Sister WaterProject; and needed items with refugees.
Scholarship program helps graduatesIn 2009, a new scholarship program was started for graduating
seniors who also graduated from the eighth grade at Shelby CountyCatholic School. All Shelby County Catholic School graduates whoapply receive scholarships funded through activities sponsored bythe school faculty and staff and by donations from the school’s manysupporters. This new tradition is one way for SCCS to showcontinued support for its students as they pursue other educationalopportunities.
While the Catholic schools celebrate the Diocese of Des Moines Centennial, the schools each hold a long history and rich tradition.Some of these traditions are captured in the following school stories.
News from the schools
What do you get when youcombine a hardworking parishwith powerful prayer andgenerous communitymembers?
A “behemoth” garage sale,as one person described it.
The St. Vincent de Paulchapter at Ss. John and PaulParish in Altoona recently helda garage sale to benefit the
Catholic Charities RefugeeResettlement program, and wasoverwhelmed with the amountof donations, along with theoverall success of the garagesale.
Parishioner Doug Shipleysaid the idea for the salestemmed from a desire to dosomething larger than the usualclothing drives the group doesoften.
Father Tim Fitzgerald,pastor, suggested that CatholicCharities Refugee Resettlementprogram would be a great placeto direct efforts, and thecommittee agreed, said Shipley.
The team decided a garagesale would be the perfect wayto not only raise money for therefugees but also be a means forpeople to donate householditems that the refugees coulduse.
When the doors of theparish were opened up todonations, the members of St.Vincent de Paul wereastonished by the generosity oftheir community.
“We were simplyoverwhelmed by the amount ofitems donated,” said Shipley.
Ultimately, he had to cut offdonations early because of lackof space to store it all. Amongitems donated were furniture,electronics, toys, books, knickknacks, decorations, exerciseequipment, and clothing.
The members of theparish’s St. Vincent de Paulchapter were overwhelmed bythe success they had with thesale, which raised $3,141.Leftover items were donated toSalvation Army and Goodwill.
“It was a bit humbling, to behonest, to see the power ofpeople’s giving spiritthroughout this entire project”Shipley said.
They had prayed forpeople to donate, for people tocome to the sale, and that whenpeople came they would findthe bargains they were lookingfor. They were blessed with asunny day, and success thatthey were able to share withCatholic Charities RefugeeResettlement program.
For more information onhow you can help the refugeeprogram, call 515-237-5090.
This fall the third season ofOn a Journey Together, adiocesan process ofevangelization and renewal,will be underway in theparishes across southwest Iowa.
This third installment,entitled Living in Christ, asksthe question: “How doesknowing and following JesusChrist change me?” In thisseason participants will explorethe implication of Living inChrist, which results invocation for each person.
“The discussion will focuson the vocation of the laity, theordained and vowed, and theface our Catholic community asa whole presents to the worldaround us,” said BishopRichard Pates.
The four seasons of On a
Journey Together really aretransformative, according to Dr.Cheryl Fournier, diocesandirector of Evangelization andAdult Faith Formation.
“Many of the people I havebeen in conversation with in thepast few weeks havecommented on how much moreaware they are of the presenceof God in their every dayliving,” she said. “People areso grateful for the opportunityto share faith in a small faithcommunity. Some havecontinued to meet through thespring and summer monthssince season two ended duringthe Easter season.”
On a Journey Together isabout more than the small faithgroups coming together. Theprocess is truly intended to
assist people in growing in theirknowledge and understandingof the presence of God in theirlives and the power of JesusChrist active in them asindividuals, as parishcommunities, and as a diocesanchurch. On a Journey Togetheris an active process of personaland group reflection, sharedprayer, and is intended toenliven and revitalize the faithexperience of all whoparticipate.
“The process does notend,” said Dr. Fournier.“Growth in faith andconversion, that is turning againto see and know Jesus Christ asthe center of one’s life, is an on-going and never endingprocess.”
On a Journey Together is afour-season process of renewaland evangelization in theDiocese of Des Moines. It isintended to be an ongoingprocess of renewal within the82 parishes of southwest Iowa.
As this first round of fourseasons comes to a conclusion,it is the hope of the diocesanoffice that parishes willcontinue to offer this processagain and again and invite thosewho have not had theopportunity to participate to doso in the future.
For more informationabout On a Journey Together,contact Dr. Fournier [email protected] or byphone at 515-237-5006.
Diocesan News www.dmdiocese.org12 The Catholic Mirror, August 20, 2010
Deacon Dennis and Sarah LuftOffice of
Marriage MinistryKEYS FOR
STEPFAMILYSUCCESS
(Continued from last month)
6. Examine and clarifyboundary issues early.Time, space, chores, andauthority are issues to sortout early in the stepfamilyjourney so everyone is onthe same page.7. Disclose and discussfinances. Money discus-sions are best done beforeremarriage, because issuesaround money and othereconomic considerationscan be a big challenge inthe stepfamily.8. Reduce children’sanxiety. Kids worry abouttheir roles in the newfamily and may beconfused. Many are angryabout all the changes.Reduce their concerns bytalking with them openly.Yes, they still have a goodrelationship with theirother parent without itupsetting you or your newpartner. No, they needn’tlose touch with theirgrandparents. Yes, they canthey still see their oldfriends. Clear answersprovide the reassuranceyoungsters need. Newstepparents can assurechildren their intent isneither to replace theirbiological parent norinterfere in thoserelationships. Ask themhow they view your role intheir lives, listen well forguidelines, and watch foropportunities to build goodrelationships with them.9. Participate in stepfamilyeducation or counseling.Because stepfamilies differfrom other families in somany ways, the more youlearn in advance, the fewerstruggles you’ll face later.Attend a stepfamilyeducation class. Visit atherapist who’s savvyabout stepfamilies and istrained in family systems –especially before marriageand in the early stages. It’sa healthy family that seekshelp to strengthen itsfamily life.10. Celebrate with aceremony that includes thechildren. Stepfamilyweddings can help create astorehouse of memoriesthat provide a strongfoundation for yourstepfamily.
Third season of evangelization process begins
Mammoth garage salebenefits refugee program
By Megan Dunbar Contributing Writer
70 West 36th Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10018
A Clarinda physician haspublished an award-winningbook on the Lord’s Passion,focusing on the physical andmental suffering Jesusexperienced in the hours leadingup to his death.
Dr. Gerard Stanley Sr., a St.Clare parishioner and familypractitioner, said his book “HeWas Crucified: Reflections onthe Passion of Christ,” explains“what it really means to becrucified, to go through theagony in the garden and whathappens in the garden.”
Published in early 2009, thebook was years in the making.After seeing a paper on thephysical aspects of thecrucifixion, written by a MayoClinic physician, Dr. Stanley
began givingpresentationson the topic tor e l i g i o u se d u c a t i o nclasses at hisparish inColorado. Hisa u d i e n c eexpanded toi n c l u d eparents and then people in otherparishes, medical students andcampus ministry.
His wife told him to put hispresentation on paper.
More research was needed,he said, and he completed thebook in about two and a halfyears.
It was another three or soyears for his publisher,Concordia Publishing House, tosecure contracts for art work,complete theological review andto incorporate scripture.
“It turned out to be a
gorgeous book,” said Dr.Stanley. “It’s far exceeded theexpectations of ConcordiaPublishing,” Dr. Stanley said.
The book was nominatedfor the Evangelical ChristianPublisher’s Association’s Bookof the Year, and was in the topfive for the ECPA category ofInspiration and Gift.
Dr. Stanley is happy that hiswork has had an effect onpeople, whether through thebook or his talks.
“Priests have told me they’dnever thought of it like that, whatit actually means,” he said. “Andpeople in general are veryinsightful, very reflective.”
It gives him a good feelingto be able to educate and bringmore meaning about Jesus’experience to people,particularly during the Lentenseason.
“It’s a humbling experienceto be part of God’s plan,” he said.
Kris Gaspari first gotinvolved with Rachel’sVineyard four years ago as aparticipant, then as helper,using her IT skills to do designwork for their webpage andworking as a retreat facilitator.
Now she is taking over therole of coordinator of thehealing retreat ministry forwomen and men who have beenaffected by abortion.
“Abortion is such ashameful topic, and Rachel’sVineyard is all about restoringdignity to the people whocome,” said Gaspari, 45, whohas herself experienced
abortion. “It’s about letting thelight of Christ shine through.I’ve been there. It’s a lot ofwork and a lot of tears, but it’sworth it.”
Although Rachel’sVineyard retreat program isnow an international ministrybegun in 1995 at a parish inDarby, Penn., Gaspari says sheis surprised how few peopleseem to know about it. “Wehave a lot of work to do topromote this here in centralIowa. It’s almost a secret,” saidGaspari, a member of OurLady’s Immaculate HeartParish in Ankeny.
According to the NationalRight to Life Committee,almost half of all pregnanciesare unintended and nearly halfof these are terminated byabortion. More than a quarter ofall women between the ages of15 and 64 have had an abortionand nearly 40 percent of allwomen between the ages of 40
and 55 have had an abortion.The program brings
together a trained team of laysupport people, professionalstrained in counseling and clergyto provide individuals anopportunity to deal with issuesof emotional pain they carrywith them due to abortion.
Currently, two retreats areoffered yearly, one in the springand one in the fall. Typicallythe retreats work with 5 to 10participants. The next retreatwill be held Sept. 17-19 at theCreighton University RetreatCenter in Griswold. A retreat atthe American Martyrs RetreatHouse in Cedar Falls isscheduled next spring.
“Doctors usually think ofreferring people dealing withpost-abortion pain to apsychologist. They overlookthe spiritual side,” said Gaspari.
Although Rachel’s Vineyardis rooted in Catholicspirituality, the retreats are
open toindividuals ofall faithtraditions.
Gaspari’spredecessor,Maria Bain,is moving onin her role ase x e c u t i v edirector ofHope and Healing Ministries todevelop Compassion of Christ,a program being pilotedthrough the Diocese ofDavenport, the Archdiocese ofBoston and the Diocese ofRockford.
Compassion of Christ willfocus on healing retreats forsoldiers and for individualsdealing with divorce, domesticabuse, and addictions.
For information on the fallretreat or to make a donation tothis ministry, please contactKris at 515-306-7838 [email protected].
Diocese/National News 13The Catholic Mirror, August 20, 2010www.dmdiocese.org
By Patti Brown Contributing Writer
Rachel’s Vineyard offers post-abortion healing retreat
Kris Gaspari
Clarinda physician pens book on PassionBy Lisa Bourne
Staff Writer
Dr. GerardStanley Sr.
Statewide convocationdraws seminarians
“Pray as you go.” That’s the slogan for
Wayne Kneeskern’s custom-made, hand-crafted steeringwheel cover with the rosaryembedded in it.
Now drivers can praywhile keeping both hands onthe wheel, said Kneeskern, amember of Ss. Joseph &Cabrini Parish in Richland,Iowa.
The idea has been in theworks for about six years anddeveloped while he drove toand from work, about a 15-20-minute commute each way. Heknew of people who recited therosary on their commutes towork, but he was not one to usethe rosary in his car. He didn’tthink it was safe to be thumbinga rosary and driving at the sametime.
A near-accident involvingfriends of his daughter inspiredKneeskern’s idea for a rosarydesigned for the car. She toldhim the couple almost hit a deerduring their drive to a party. Forthe rest of the ride the couplerecited the rosary.
“I really wasn’t intopraying the rosary, but Ithought there had to besomething better than trying tohold a rosary and the steeringwheel at the same time,”
Kneeskern said. So he decidedto put a rosary right into asteering wheel.
Kneeskern bought astretchy fabric steering wheelcover and added some stickpins for medals and silver-colored rivets for beads. Heshowed it to his wife anddaughter. Then he made one foreach of them and tinkered withoptions for other steering wheelrosaries.
Steering wheel covers areavailable in different colors andmaterials: leather, sheepskin,velour and stress relieverdesign. Kneeskern hand-makesthe steering wheel rosaries; it’sa one-person operation at thepresent time. “I waited until Iwas retired, and then I spentsome time working on it.”
Praying the rosary alone isnot for everyone. So Kneeskernproduced a CD to play in thecar that includes the rosary andall the mysteries.
A website was developed
with the help of SambitBhattarai, whom Kneeskernconsiders his “adopted sonfrom Nepal.”
Kneeskern’s son, Scott,collaborated with his father andis the creative director. Hedesigned the art for the CDs,website and business cards.
Five percent of the proceedsfrom all sales will be donated todifferent Catholic charities,Kneeskern said.
Kneeskern is working on apatent for the Travel Rosaryand has registered it with thestate of Iowa. He also isworking to get it copyrighted.
For more information onthe travel rosary visitwww.travelrosary.com or e-mail info@ travelrosary.com.
This story is reprinted withpermission from The CatholicMessenger, newspaper of theDavenport diocese.
Diocesan/National News www.dmdiocese.org14 The Catholic Mirror, August 20, 2010
During their June meetingin Davenport, therepresentative assembly of theSisters of Humility endorsed astatement calling for federalimmigration reform.
The religious community’saction planning groups plan tocontinue to addresscomprehensive immigrationreform and climate changeissues through education andadvocacy efforts.
Sisters Jeanie and ElaineHagedorn are co-chairs of theHumility sisters’ nonviolenceaction planning group, whichoffered the immigration reformproposal along with the culturaldiversity action planning groupto the representative assembly.
The proposal says thefollowing:
“In our CHM missionstatement we ‘commitourselves as individuals and asa congregation to work forjustice within the humanfamily….’ The current
intolerant treatment ofimmigrant persons obligates usas Christians to stand insolidarity with our immigrantsisters and brothers by makinga public statement of supportfor them.
“The members of theCongregation of the Humilityof Mary stand in solidarity withour immigrant sisters andbrothers and urge the U.S.Administration and Congressto enact fair andcomprehensive immigrationreform without delay.Legislation should reflect ourown immigrant history,tradition and values as a nation:protecting and respecting thedignity of all people,acknowledging the value andcontributions of immigrants,preserving the unity offamilies, and providing a pathto citizenship forundocumented immigrants whodesire to make their home inthis country.”
Humility sisters call for national immigration reform
By Anne MarieAmacher
Contributing Writer
Steering wheel embedded withrosary for on-the-go prayer
Judicial Vicar
The Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph seeks a degreed priest (JCD or JCL) towork full time as Judicial Vicar of the diocese. Among the Judicial Vicar’s
duties will be: administration of the Marriage Tribunal, assisting the Bishop oncanonical matters, advising the Bishop on personnel issues, preparing and
managing the budget for the Tribunal, representing the Bishop as appropriate,and working collaboratively with other diocesan offices. Serving as a judge inFirst Instance is also expected. Applicant must be in good standing and must
have the endorsement of his Ordinary or Major Religious Superior. Experiencein Church leadership, as Pastor or other leadership role, as well as familiarity
with tribunal procedure is expected. Proficiency in Spanish is helpful.Applicants may contact Msgr. Robert Murphy, Vicar General, at 816-756-1850or [email protected], or Msgr. Bradley Offutt, Chancellor, at 816-756-
1850 or [email protected]
Seminarians for the Des Moines diocese gathered for aday of reflection with Bishop Richard Pates beforeleaving for a statewide convocation. Right, JonathonWadle introduces himself at a Serra Club of Des Moinesluncheon. Lower right, Matthew Krastel prays. Below:Ross Parker, Brett Rauzi, Krastel and Trevor Chicoineattend Mass at St. Ambrose Cathedral.
Find out the latest news in the
Diocese of Des Moines by
subscribing to our blog(www.dmdiocese.org) or becoming
a fan of our Facebook page.See pictures of Bishop at the KWKY booth at
the Iowa State Fair, diaconate ordinationpictures and more.
El 14 de agosto tuve elprivilegio de ordenar al diaconadopermanente a 13 hombres.Bastante adecuado es el que ellospertenecen a la 13va unidad ogrupo de diáconos permanentesque hemos ordenado para suservicio en la Diócesis de DesMoines.
Hay dos tipos de diáconos,permanentes y transicionales.Los diáconos transicionales sonaquellos que reciben laordenación en su trayecto hacia elsacerdocio. La diócesis tieneprogramada la ordenación de dosindividuos a este diaconado,Dennis Faston y Guthrie Dolan, el19 de noviembre en la Iglesia deSaint Joseph en el este de DesMoines. Los diáconospermanentes por lo general vivensu ordenación como el últimopaso de recibir las SantasÓrdenes.
El diaconado permanente sevolvió a instituir en la IglesiaCatólica por medio del ConcilioVaticano II después de haberestado inactivo durante ochosiglos. El diaconado tiene susorígenes en los Hechos de losApóstoles. En el Capítulo Seis, seseleccionaron a siete hombresquienes eran “profundamenteespirituales y prudentes.” Ellostenían la función principal de darservicio a las viudas y a loshuérfanos en las crecientescomunidades Cristianas. LosApóstoles “oraron por ellos y lesimpusieron las manos.” Así fuecómo surgió el diaconado.
La Diócesis de Des Moines,bajo el liderazgo del ObispoMaurice Dingman, fue una de lasprimeras en restituir el diaconadopermanente en los EstadosUnidos. Se han ordenado a estaorden un total de 108 hombres enla Diócesis de Des Moines. Otroscuatro diáconos han llegado deotras diócesis. Actualmentecontamos con cincuenta hombressirviendo en sus asignacionescomo diáconos y otros cincodiáconos retirados quienes aúnasisten regularmente a susparroquias.
El diaconado y su posiciónrenovada en la iglesia estánevolucionando constantemente.A éste lo gobierna un documentouniversal, Normas Básicas para laFormación de DiáconosPermanentes y el Directorio en laVida y Ministerio de los DiáconosPermanentes, la cual a su vez esadaptada a nuestras necesidadesen los Estados Unidos por elDirectorio Nacional para laFormación, Ministerio y Vida delos Diáconos Permanentes en losEstados Unidos, de la cual existesu primera versión.
El corazón del diaconado esel mismo. Los Diáconos sonordenados para el servicio a unadiócesis en particular y leresponden directamente alObispo. Su ministerio consiste entres componentes: Ministerio dela Palabra, Ministerio de laEucaristía y Ministerio deServicio.
El Ministerio de la Palabrabusca el integrar la Palabra deDios predicando en las Misas yayudando a los creyentes a queincluyan las revelaciones de Diosen sus experiencias diarias.Además, los diáconos puedenorganizar estudios de Biblia, estarinvolucrados en el Rito deIniciación Cristiana para Adultos,estar activos en la educaciónreligiosa de los jóvenes,preparación sacramental,servicios de oración, etc. Ellostienen el llamado particular deestar al frente de los esfuerzos deevangelización de la Iglesia:Hacer que Jesucristo sea conocidoy amado en nuestro tiempo.
El Ministerio de Eucaristíainvolucra al diácono en lacelebración litúrgica conformeproclama el Evangelio, predica yayuda al sacerdote en la Misa. Eldiácono es también el ministroregular de bautizos ymatrimonios. Su presencia enrelación a la Eucaristía y lossacramentos apunta al hecho deque la totalidad de su ministeriose deriva del significado profundodel Misterio Pascual, la muerte yresurrección de Nuestro SeñorJesús. El quién es el diácono yqué es lo que hace se origina y sederiva de esta relación.
El Ministerio de Servicioestá intrínsecamente aunado a laidentidad del diácono. De hecho,la palabra diácono se deriva de lapalabra Griega “diakonia” quesignifica servicio. Conforme laorden de diáconos en prácticaevoluciona, el enfoque en elservicio toma aún una mayorprominencia. En mis entrevistasprevias a la ordenación, lospróximos a ser diáconos hacenhincapié en este aspecto. Elloscomentan como fueron llamados aser servidores, una forma de serque implica una mentalidad y unacostumbre en los corazones,opuesta a estar simplemente alservicio. En esto se puedeobservar que ellos se conviertenen un sacramento para nosotros deCristo el servidor.
A los diáconos se les permitecasarse, y la mayoría de ellos loestán. Sus esposas están casiuniversalmente involucradas ensu formación y educación. Demuchas formas, sus corazones seentrelazan en su espiritualidadmutua y compartenfrecuentemente ministerios deservicio para la comunidad. Losdiáconos que no se han jubiladoaún se mantienen activos en susempleos para ganarse la vida.Obviamente, esto los puede llevara tener que reacomodar susresponsabilidades – pero el ordende prioridades se mantiene igual –esposa y familia, empleo ydespués el diaconado.
Como mencionamosanteriormente, el diácono no seordena para una parroquia enparticular sino que se ordena parauna diócesis y recibe suasignación y supervisión por partede un obispo. Los diáconos,como es en el caso de los reciénordenados, además de susasignaciones parroquiales tomanun papel activo en el servicio a lacomunidad en general tales como– ministerio de matrimonios,asistencia a la gente sin hogar y aquienes viven en áreas rurales,participación y liderazgo en lascomisiones diocesanas debioética, participación enestablecer contactos conestudiantes Católicos en escuelaspúblicas y seculares, etc.
Los diáconos también buscanhacer más sólida la unidad de ladiócesis, inspirados en elprototipo de comunidad Cristianadel tiempo de los Apóstoles,“Ellos eran una mente y uncorazón.” Por lo tanto, ellos seesfuerzan en ser puentes en susparroquias y demás involucradosen apoyar las prioridades de laDiócesis: vocaciones religiosas,ministerio a la comunidad
Hispana/Latina, servicios a losjóvenes y adultos jóvenes,fortalecer la institución delmatrimonio y la celebración delcentenario de la diócesis,especialmente en suscomponentes de evangelización.
El diaconado ha aumentadoen un grado significativo en ladiócesis gracias al liderazgo delos mismos diáconos. El DiáconoMike Riley funge como Directordel Diaconado en Des Moines.En su papel de líder le acompaña
el Consejo de Diáconos – EmmettTinley III, Sue Tinley, TomBradley, Dan McGuire, RandyHorn, Dave Miller y MontyMontange.
Conforme he venidoconociendo a los trece diáconos ya sus esposas quienes seránordenados como la unidad 13 –Francis y Regina Chan, DanGehler, Bill Hare, Jim y MaryHouston, Mike y Luanne Manno,Bob y Peg McClellan, Jim yKathie Obradovich, Steve y Jan
Reed, Tom y Julia Schenk, Terry yDi Schleisman, Luke y JudyTieskoetter, Steve y MyrnaUdelhofen, Dave y Pat Wadle,resultó obvio que ellos sebeneficiaron de un programa depreparación rico y extenso.
Por lo tanto, agradezco alequipo de formación de diáconosliderado por el Diácono Ron yTammy Myers y sus colegas,-Dan McGuire, Cora Bartmes, Ava
15The Catholic Mirror, August 20, 2010www.dmdiocese.org
By Bishop
Richard E.Pates
En las Tierras Centrales
Trece Diáconos Nuevos
Continuar en la pagina 16
Q. My daughter and herfamily have joined anondenominational Christiancongregation. She will bebaptized there soon, as will heryoung children. What am I to doabout attending the ceremony ifI’m asked?
My husband is against ourattending. He’s a convert and issad about the situation. I’vealways been there for mychildren, but should I be forthis? It is a heartache. (Illinois)
A. THESE DECISIONS arealways anguishing ones forparents. Nor are they helped byfriends or advisers who tell themthe only “right” answer is aclear-cut yes or no.
The first point to recognize,if you wish to approach this withsome peace of soul, is that thereis ordinarily no absolute “rightor wrong” way to deal with thesituation. One needs to look atall the responsibilities one has,to the children, the rest of thefamily and others, and arrive atwhat you see as the best way tocope with all of them at once.
You do not wish to
compromise your ownconvictions. You must not feelpressured to do something that isagainst your own faith becauseof what they do. The question is,of course, can you attend theevents you speak of withoutbetraying what you believe?
Many, perhaps most,parents feel they can.Particularly if they make theirposition clear (which in mostfamilies the children alreadyknow), these children are notgoing to misread the parents’presence as an expression of notcaring or agreeing with thereligious decisions of their adultchildren. Children with anysensitivity at all are aware of thepain they are causing and accept
that their parents’ attendance issimply an expression ofcontinued love and affection.
Some parents are morestrict with themselves. They feelin such circumstances that theirfaith requires total divorce fromthis part of their children’s lives.
The great master of thespiritual life, St. Francis deSales, however, was fond ofsaying, “Always be as indulgentas you can, never forgetting thatone can catch more flies with aspoonful of honey than with ahundred barrels of vinegar.” Iagree with him. After all, theevent will take place whether ornot you attend.
Another factor to accept, asdifficult as that may be, is thatwe really don’t know how muchfaith these individuals had tobegin with. It is no reflection onthe parents’ teaching andexample to acknowledge thatyoung people today grow upamid an unprecedented array ofmixed signals about religion,God and morality.
They may be well intoadulthood before they aremature enough to internalize and
solidify their faith commitments.Of course, they, as all of us, areaccountable to God for theirdecisions.
It might help to recall thatthe late Pope John Paul II,speaking of freedom of religion,insisted this freedom “is suchthat individuals must berecognized as having the righteven to change their religion, iftheir conscience so demands.
People are obliged to followtheir conscience in allcircumstances and cannot beforced to act against it” (WorldDay of Peace message, Jan. 1,1999).
Questions may be sent toFather Dietzen at Box 3315,Peoria, IL 6612 or e-mail:[email protected].
www.dmdiocese.org16 The Catholic Mirror, August 20 , 2010
The Question Corner
The Question Corner
ByFather
John Dietzen
Business Directory
DDoo II aatttteenndd tthhee bbaappttiissmm ooff aann aadduulltt cchhiilldd wwhhoo lleefftt tthhee CChhuurrcchh??
Erickson, Padre Dan Krettek,Emmett y Sue Tinley, así comoDavid and Jan Miller, quienes handado un servicio consciente yefectivo. Una buena parte delentrenamiento se lleva a cabo en
el Monasterio de la Concepciónen Conception, Missouri, endonde los Monjes Benedictinostienen un papel primordial en laeducación y en el proceso deformación.
Les doy mi bienvenida detodo corazón a los diáconos
recién ordenados en su serviciovital en la Diócesis de DesMoines. Ustedes respondierongenerosamente a este llamadovocacional que requiere tantosacrificio de su parte. Tengoconfianza en que su ministerioserá abundante y fructífero.
En las Tierras CentralesContinued from page 15
