New staffers promote the catechetical ministry

FORT WAYNE — This weekend, parishesacross the United States celebrateCatechetical Sunday, a day in which directorsof religious education and religious educationteachers are recognized for their work withintheir parishes.

“Catechetical Sunday is a special Sundayfor all those involved in teaching the faith,”says diocesan director of catechesis SisterJane Carew. “It is the recognition of the min-istry of the catechist. There are so many in thediocese who give so generously of their timeand teach the faith to children.”

On Catechetical Sunday, many parisheswill ask their religious education teachers to

stand and be recognized at a designated Massor several Masses and then offer a specialblessing. Each year has a special theme, andthe theme this year is “The word of God inthe life and mission of the church.”

“And they do this on a voluntary basis,”Sister Jane adds. “It is a very special thing toshare your faith with others.”

Over the years, workers in the diocesanOffice of Catechesis have contributed to thegrowth of the faith throughout the Diocese ofFort Wayne-South Bend. They have strength-ened the religious education programs forboth children, youths and adults. Joining theOffice of Catechesis recently are three newstaffers who work from the South Bend andFort Wayne offices.

Meggan Young works at the South Bendcatechetical office. She has moved to the areafrom Iowa, where she had worked at a large

Catechetical Sunday celebrated September 21

GENEVA MEMENTO

September 21, 2008

Serving the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend

TODAY’S CATHOLICTODAY’S CATHOLIC

50¢

Volume 82, No. 34

www.diocesefwsb.org/TODAY

LOURDES, France (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI cel-ebrated Mass for 150,000 international pilgrims at theMarian sanctuaries of Lourdes and told them that hum-ble prayer to Mary was a true path to Christ.

The pope said Mary had appeared at Lourdes toinvite everyone who suffers, physically or spiritually,to “raise their eyes toward the cross of Jesus” and rec-ognize a love that is stronger than death or sin.

“The power of love is stronger than the evil thatthreatens us,” he said Sept. 14.

The pope traveled to Lourdes, a town in the FrenchPyrenees, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Mary’sappearances to St. Bernadette Soubirous, a 14-year-oldpeasant girl.

After days of rain and cool weather, sunshine brokethrough the clouds over the pilgrims who filled agrassy field near the sanctuaries. They applauded asthe pontiff processed to an altar covered with a sail-shaped canopy.

In his sermon, the pope placed himself among thepilgrim population, saying he, too, had come to pray atthe feet of Mary, “eager to learn from her alongside lit-tle Bernadette.”

Then he made a point he has consistently empha-sized when speaking of Marian devotion: that Maryturns one’s gaze to Christ.

He noted that Mary’s first gesture to St. Bernadettewas to make the sign of the cross — an initiation intothe mysteries of faith in Christ, he said.

“Mary comes to remind us that prayer which ishumble and intense, trusting and persevering, musthave a central place in our Christian lives,” the popesaid.

“Prayer is indispensable if we are to receive Christ’spower,” he said.

Pope tells Lourdes pilgrims Mary leads to Christ

CNS PHOTO/PHIL IPPE NOISET TE , C ATHOLIC PRESS PHOTO

Pope Benedict XVI prays at the Grotto of the Apparitions at the Marian sanctuaries ofLourdes, France, Sept. 13. The pope traveled to Lourdes to celebrate the 150th anniversary ofMary’s appearances to St. Bernadette Soubirous.

MARK WEBER

Before the final blessing at a 125th

Anniversary Mass at St. Mary of the

Presentation, Geneva, parishioner Tom

Wiseman presented Bishop John M.

D’Arcy with a throw illustrating the Irish

settlement church.

Think GreenRecycle this paper

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

L O U R D E S , P A G E 3

S U N D A Y , P A G E 4

St. RobertBellarminecelebrates

anniversary50 years of ministry hailed

Page 10

Wrath of IkeTexas and Louisiana begin

recovery

Page 4

Sharing FaithBackwards and forwards

Page 9

The church and disabilities

Room for everyone

Pages 11-13

‘Fireproof”Movie about rekindling

marriage get thumbs up

Page 20

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

T O D A Y ’ S C A T H O L I C2 SEPTEMBER 21, 2008

Official newspaper of the

Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend

P.O. Box 11169

Fort Wayne, IN 46856

PUBLISHER: Bishop John M. D’Arcy

EDITOR: Tim Johnson

ASSISTANT EDITOR: Don Clemmer

STAFF WRITER: Kay Cozad

Editorial Department

PAGE DESIGNER: Francie Hogan

FREELANCE WRITERS: Lauren Caggiano,

Ann Carey, Michelle Castleman, Elmer

J. Danch, Michelle Donaghey, Bonnie

Elberson, Denise Fedorow, Diane

Freeby, May Lee Johnson, Sister

Margie Lavonis, CSC, Jennifer Murray

and Deb Wagner

Business Department

BUSINESS MANAGER: Kathy Denice

AD GRAPHICS DIRECTOR: Mark Weber

BOOKKEEPING/CIRCULATION: Kathy Voirolkvoirol@fw.diocesefwsb.org

Advertising Sales

Tess Steffen (Fort Wayne area)

(260) 456-2824

Jeanette Simon (South Bend area)

(574) 234-0687

Web site: www.diocesefwsb.org/TODAY

Published weekly except the fourthSunday in June, first and third weeksin July, first week in August and lastweek in December by the Diocese ofFort Wayne-South Bend, 1103 S.Calhoun St., P.O. Box 390, Fort Wayne,IN 46801. Periodicals postage paid atFort Wayne, IN, and additional mailingoffice.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to:Today’s Catholic, P.O. Box 11169, FortWayne, IN 46856-1169 or e-mail:kvoirol@fw.diocesefwsb.org.

SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Domestic inadvance, one year $20. Bundle ratesavailable on request. Single copy 50¢.

MAIN OFFICE: 915 S. Clinton St., FortWayne, IN 46802. Telephone (260)456-2824. Fax: (260) 744-1473.BUREAU OFFICE: 114 W. Wayne St., SouthBend, IN 46601. Telephone (574) 234-0687. Fax: (574) 232-8483.

News deadline is the Monday morn-ing before publication date.Advertising deadline is nine daysbefore publication date.

LETTERS POLICY: Today’s Catholic wel-comes original, signed letters aboutissues affecting church life. Althoughwe cannot publish every letter wereceive, we strive to provide a bal-anced representation of expressedopinions and a variety of reflectionson life in the church. We will chooseletters for publication based on read-er interest, timeliness and fairness.Readers may agree or disagree withthe letter writers’ opinions. Lettersmust not exceed 500 words. All let-ters must be signed and include aphone number and address for verifi-cation. We reserve the right to editletters for legal and other concerns.

Mail letters to: Today’s Catholic,P.O. Box 11169, Fort Wayne, IN46856-1169; or e-mail:editor@fw.diocesefwsb.org

ISSN 0891-1533

USPS 403630

TODAY’S CATHOLIC Bishop celebrates 125thanniversary of St. Mary of thePresentation Parish in Geneva

St. Mary of the Presentation, GenevaThis parish has always been close to my

heart. I went there many times in my earlyyears as bishop for one thing or another. Ithas not been easy to provide a priest forthis parish. They are 26 miles from thenearest parish to the north; namely, St.Mary’s, Decatur. Currently, they have 80families registered. It is a small church, butbeautiful, as you approach it after turningleft at the flashing light in Geneva — andfinding yourself in the midst of beautifulrolling farmland.

Most of all, it has a history. I was therethis past Sunday to celebrate the 125thanniversary of this church, which is in anarea called Irish Settlement. It was settledby Irish farmers, and so you see names likeMoran, Kenney and Finerty onthe headstones in the nearbyparish cemetery behind thechurch. Later came farmers fromGermany. The church was builtby the early settlers who firstcame in 1860s. Thomas Moran,whose great-granddaughter waswith us, came in 1865 fromGalway. More on that later.

We were celebrating the125th anniversary of the build-ing of the church, in 1883,which was considered thefounding of the parish. It was asuperb day for this: the feast ofthe Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

The Basilica of the HolyCross on the place where Jesus was cruci-fied, was rebuilt after being attacked andburned on two occasions. So also, the hum-ble farmers in Irish Settlement had to twicerebuild their church when it burned.

In 1941, when there were only 19 fami-lies, and Archbishop Noll had determinedthat he could no longer staff this church, thefarmers made the long trip to Fort Wayne toappeal this decision, and the parish wascontinued.

Some very special familiesOver the years, I have come to know

Nancy and Gene Subler. They are in theconcrete business, and they have five sons,and now four grandchildren. Nancy hasbeen a catechist for many years, andthrough the coming and going of manypriests, she and her husband, Gene, alongwith Mary Agnes Muhlenkamp and herhusband, Gary, have maintained a strong,quiet, and gentle, and very humble positionin the parish. Their heart and soul, and thatof other families, brings a service of love tothe parishioners.

A seminarian from GenevaFrom this little parish has come, I think

for the first time in its history, a candidatefor the priesthood for the Diocese of FortWayne-South Bend. That would be BenMuhlenkamp, who spent this past summerworking at St. Charles Parish, Fort Wayne.Ben gives much credit to this little countryparish for nourishing his vocation, alongwith St. Vincent’s, Fort Wayne, and theiryouth program; and the example of Msgr.Ed Hession, the late beloved pastor of St.Charles, Fort Wayne.

Ben recently drove me back and forth toSouth Bend for the Annual Bishop’s Appealdinner; telling me along the way about thevarious kinds of corn and soybeans thatwere growing in the area. He spent severaldays this summer repairing the farm equip-ment for his parents, who are dairy farmersin Geneva.

A special linkMy beloved parish church in Brighton,

Mass., sitting atop of what one priest whoserved there called “that green Irish hill,” isalso dedicated to Our Lady of Presentation.In both churches this refers not to the pres-entation of the child, Jesus, but to the pres-

entation of Mary in the temple as a youngchild, brought by her parents, Anne andJoachim. Ben Muhlenkamp was with us,and so was Father Dave Voors, the vicar forthe area and pastor of St. Mary’s, Decatur,who concelebrated with us, along withFather Paul Wohlwend of the Congregationof The Precious Blood, who helps out onmany occasions. I must also salute the pas-tor, Father Joseph Bosco Perera, OMI.Father Bosco is from Sri Lanka, and hascome 10,000 miles to care for this smallparish. His presence has been a blessing,and it makes it possible for the people tohave the holy Eucharist, especially as ournearest diocesan church is 26 miles away. Ithink that is the largest separation betweentwo parishes in our diocese. Father Boscohas won the respect of the people of theparish.

There are small parishes a few milesaway in Ohio in the Archdiocese ofCincinnati, and also to the south in the dio-cese in Lafayette. But this parish is given tothe pastoral responsibility of the bishop ofthe Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, andit was a special joy to be with them on thisanniversary.

Six young teenagers received the sacra-

ment of confirmation. So we have thatbeautiful sacrament, and the anniversary,and also the feast of the Exaltation of theHoly Cross.

A visit to the cemeteryDuring Mass, I thought of the cemetery

near the church. So afterwards, helped byour excellent diocesan Master ofCeremonies Jim Fitzpatrick, I went to thecemetery with some of the people to prayfor those who had gone before. I saw thelarge headstone of Tom Moran; his greatgranddaughter explained to me that hecame in 1865, from County Galway. Moranis my mother’s name, Margaret Moran, wholeft Glenamoy in County Mayo in 1922. InIreland, the accent is on the first syllable.Tom Moran’s great granddaughter said sheknew that, and she had visited his home inTuam, County Galway. I believe they stillhave the land, which he first claimed solong ago.

Pope John Paul and the small parishPope John Paul, as you know, was a dis-

tinguished poet, indeed, a romantic. Heonce wrote a beautiful poem entitled, I

believe, “On GivingConfirmation in a MountainParish.” I don’t have his poeticability, but this little piece is mytribute to all those who kept thisparish going, and to the spirit ofthe many families in Geneva whomake sure that the children learnthe faith, that the sick and dyingare visited, and is also written tosupport their wonderful priest,Father Bosco-Perera, in makingsure that the work of Christ con-tinues. I also met BenMuhlenkamp’s sisters, and one ofthem is studying religion andcommunications at PurdueUniversity. She hopes to work in

youth ministry in a parish when she gradu-ates. I told her that we would try and find aplace for her in one of our parishes. Asplendid day in a parish that is certainlyclose to Our Lady and her Son, and closealso to the lead bishop.

I am looking forward to a continuingeducation session with our priests atPokagon

It will be on preaching — helping ourpriests to preach more effectively. Keep itin your prayers.

My beloved Red Sox are one game outof first place, with 13 to play. I think theywill win the division; at any rate, they willbe in the playoffs in October, which isalways a beautiful month anyway. Octobernights will be strengthened by some goodball games.

See you all next week.

BISHOP JOHN M. D’ARCY

NEWS& NOTES

The Basilica of the Holy Cross on the place

where Jesus was crucified, was rebuilt after being

attacked and burned on two occasions.

So also, the humble farmers in Irish Settlement had to

twice rebuild their church when it burned.

T O D A Y ’ S C A T H O L I C 3SEPTEMBER 21, 2008

At Lourdes, he said, Mary alsorevealed herself as the ImmaculateConception, a person conceivedwithout sin. In this way, she is“beauty transfigured, the image ofthe new humanity,” he said.

This special grace inspires peo-ple by reminding them that theyare “marked by sin but saved inhope,” the hope of salvation thatallows them to face daily life, hesaid.

“This is the path which Maryopens up for man. To give oneselffully to God is to find the path oftrue freedom,” he said.

Many came to the papal Massin wheelchairs or on stretchers,part of a perennial pilgrimage ofthe sick who travel to Lourdes forspiritual or physical healing.

The assembly was multiculturaland multilingual, and the liturgyfeatured readings, prayers andresponses in 10 languages, includ-ing Chinese.

Two young Catholic pilgrimsfrom Myanmar said they had trav-eled halfway around the world toexperience the “spirit of Lourdes”that they had heard about for years.

Zen Huai Mang, 23, said shewas also seeking a personal turn-ing point.

“I heard that Mary has donesome wonderful things for sickpeople. I’m hoping for somethingpositive in my own life, too,” shesaid. Like many other pilgrims,she bathed in Lourdes water dur-ing her stay and said she felt“newborn” afterward.

Mang and her friend waited forfive hours in the cold to see PopeBenedict when he arrived inLourdes Sept. 13 and were backfor a prime spot at the Mass thenext morning.

She said her impression ofPope Benedict was that of “a veryspiritual man” who shared theirdevotion to Mary. She said thepope may seem a bit remote attimes to young people, but addedquickly, “I think he’s lovely.”

At the Angelus blessing follow-ing Mass, the pope spoke aboutthe motives that lead some 6 mil-lion people to Lourdes every year.The main reason, he said, is thatthey feel they can entrust to Marytheir most intimate thoughts.

“That which many, eitherbecause of embarrassment or mod-esty, do not confide to their nearestand dearest, they confide to herwho is all pure, to her ImmaculateHeart: with simplicity, withoutfrills, in truth,” he said.

“Before Mary, by virtue of hervery purity, man does not hesitateto reveal his weakness, to expresshis questions and his doubts, toformulate his most secret hopesand desires,” he said.

Arriving in Lourdes following atwo-day stop in Paris, the popeimmediately joined in the jubileepilgrimage established to mark the150th anniversary of the appari-tions.

Cheered by tens of thousandswho packed the streets of themountain town, the pope firststopped at the parish church whereSt. Bernadette was baptized, thenvisited the small house — a formerprison not much bigger than a cell— where the girl and her familylived in the mid-19th century.

There, he kissed her rosary andsaid a prayer.

Next the pope went to the grot-to at the base of a rocky cliff,where Bernadette experienced 18apparitions of Mary from Feb. 11to July 16, 1858. Like millions ofpilgrims each year, he paused totake a drink of water from thespring she discovered there, aspring said to have miraculouspowers.

Later that night, the popeclosed a torchlight evening proces-sion in Rosary Square. Addressingthe overflow crowd of pilgrims, hepaid tribute to simple devotion.

At Lourdes, he said, Marystirred hope and love “by givingpride of place to the sick, the poorand the little ones.”

“In this shrine at Lourdes ... weare invited to discover the simplic-ity of our vocation: It is enough tolove,” he said.

The traditional nighttime pro-cession stems from St.Bernadette’s habit of lighting acandle when Mary would appearto her. Today, the pope said, thelight from pilgrims’ torches repre-sents a powerful symbol againstthe darkness of sin.

The procession expresses themystery of prayer in a form thateveryone can grasp, like a lumi-nous path in the dark, he said. Itshould also remind Christians ofthose who suffer, he said.

“We think of innocent victimswho suffer from violence, war, ter-rorism and famine; those who bearthe consequences of injustices,scourges and disasters, hatred andoppression; of attacks on theirhuman dignity and fundamentalrights; on their freedom to act andthink,” he said.

The pope remembered thoseexperiencing family problems, ill-ness, unemployment or loneliness,

as well as difficulties related toimmigration. Those who have suf-fered or died for Christ must notbe forgotten, either, he said.

He described Lourdes pilgrim-ages as leading to a spiritual place“between heaven and earth.”Pilgrims may come secretly hop-ing to receive some miracle, hesaid, but more often leave with adifferent kind of spiritual experi-ence and a changed outlook.

“A small flame called hope,compassion, tenderness nowdwells within them. A quietencounter with Bernadette and theVirgin Mary can change a person’slife,” he said.

On the plane carrying him toFrance, the pope told journalistshis April 16 birthday fell on thefeast of St. Bernadette, and for thatreason he felt very close to her.

At Lourdes, he said, peopleencounter Mary and find that “themother’s love” is what providestrue healing for all sickness andsuffering.

“I think this is a very importantsign for our era,” he said.

The pope returned to theLourdes Mass site in the evening ofSept. 14 to close a eucharistic pro-cession. After kneeling and prayingin silent adoration before theBlessed Sacrament, he told pilgrimsthat the respect Catholics show theEucharist reflects the awarenessthat Christ is truly present.

Those who, for some reason,cannot receive Communion mayfind special meaning in adoration,he said.

“Some of us cannot — or can-not yet — receive him in thesacrament, but we can contemplatehim with faith and love andexpress our desire finally to beunited with him. This desire hasgreat value in God’s presence,” hesaid.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

LOURDES

CNS PHOTO/PHIL IPPE NOISET TE , C ATHOLIC PRESS PHOTO

Pope Benedict XVI prays at the Grotto of the Apparitions at the Mariansanctuaries of Lourdes, France, Sept. 13. The pope traveled to Lourdes tocelebrate the 150th anniversary of Mary’s appearances to St. BernadetteSoubirous.

In France, PopeBenedict shows themany dimensions of his ministry

LOURDES, France (CNS) —Being pope is not a one-dimen-sional job, a fact that was clearlyevident during Pope BenedictXVI’s four-day visit to France.

Arriving in Paris Sept. 12, thepope first engaged in an impor-tant political encounter thatattempted to build on the newopenness shown the church byPresident Nicolas Sarkozy.

Next, in a brief meeting withJews, he managed to capsulize in20 graceful lines the church’srespect for Judaism and its firmrejection of anti-Semitism.

That evening, the pope slippedinto his academic role and deliv-ered a lecture on monasticism’sinfluence on Western civilizationto 700 scholars and intellectuals.

He then switched gears andled vespers in Notre DameCathedral with priests and reli-gious, emphasizing that whiletheir ranks may be thinning theirrole in the church has lost noneof its value and, indeed, is irre-placeable.

Finally, he stepped outside andenergized a waiting crowd of40,000 young people, drawingroars of approval when he saidthe church needs them and hasconfidence in them.

It was a whirlwind beginningand demonstrated a remarkablepastoral versatility on the part ofthe 81-year-old pontiff.

The next day, after celebratingMass for a larger-than-expectedcrowd in Paris, he went toLourdes and showed another sideof his role as universal pastor —a Marian side.

It’s no secret that, as a theolo-gian and bishop, Pope Benedictwas not always comfortable withMarian devotion and claims ofapparitions. But over the years hehas widened his views, saying in2002 that, “the older I am, themore important the mother ofGod is to me.”

So at Lourdes pilgrims heardthe scholarly pope preach thevalue of “humble and intenseprayer” like the rosary. He toldhis listeners that devotion toMary was not a form of “piousinfantilism” but an expression ofspiritual maturity.

When he took a drink from theLourdes spring that many pil-grims believe to be the font ofmiraculous cures, he was demon-strating that the Christian lives bysimple signs and symbols as wellas by theological ideas.

The pope’s trip to Lourdeswas bound to be compared toPope John Paul II’s moving visitto the shrine in 2004. Ailing andunsteady, the late pope had to askfor help on the altar; it was hislast foreign trip.

Pope Benedict was not a per-sonal witness to suffering like hispredecessor, but he left no doubtthat ministry to the sick is abenchmark of Catholicism.

At his Mass with thousands ofsick people Sept. 15, the finalday of his visit, he thankedCatholics at Lourdes and all overthe world who volunteer theirtime and effort to help the infirm.

That highlighted a key themeof Pope Benedict’s pontificate,one he has underlined in encycli-cals but which is sometimesoverlooked: that personal charity— love in action — is the ulti-mate expression of faith in JesusChrist.

Another difference betweenPope Benedict and Pope JohnPaul surfaced during the visit.The late pope, on his first trip toFrance in 1980, sternly critiquedthe French drift from the faith,asking Catholics, “France, theeldest daughter of the church, areyou faithful to the promise ofyour baptism?”

Pope Benedict took a softerapproach, alluding to pastoralproblems but keeping the focuson the positive — for example,the enthusiastic crowd of 260,000people at his Paris liturgy. In hisfinal talk to French Catholics, hepraised them for their “firmfaith” and said he had been like-wise encouraged by the strongturnout of youths at a Paris vigil.

Where he offered moreinstructional advice was in histalk to French bishops. Hetouched on a sore point when heurged the bishops to show flexi-bility toward traditionalists whowant to take advantage of his2007 rule change on the use ofthe Tridentine rite, the Mass riteused before the Second VaticanCouncil.

As a whole, though, the popeframed his message in optimisticterms. Whether talking to politi-cians, pastoral workers, scholars,the sick or the young, he empha-sized that the church is at homein France, and its voice —including the voice of prayer —must continue to be heard.

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

CNS PHOTO/ALBERTO PIZZOLI , REUTERS

A girl portrays St. BernadetteSoubirous during a Mass celebrat-ed by Pope Benedict XVI in a fieldat the Marian sanctuaries atLourdes, France, Sept. 14.

T O D A Y ’ S C A T H O L I C4 SEPTEMBER 21, 2008

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

2200 Lake Avenue - Suite 260Fort Wayne 46805 - (260) 424-0411

www.phoenixfostercare.com

Institute

PROVIDED BY THE OFF ICE OF C ATECHESIS

The Office of Catechesis has recently welcomed Danielle Abril, MegganYoung and Christina Emilian to the South Bend and Fort Wayne staff.

parish in religious education forseveral years. Young and her hus-band moved to South Bend, whereher husband is pursuing doctoralstudies in economics at theUniversity of Notre Dame.

One of Young’s biggest tasks iscoordinating the CatecheticalInstitute Day, which will be heldin Syracuse, on Saturday, Nov. 8,with Dr. Gerard Baumbach fromthe University of Notre Dame asthe speaker. The focus will be onthe National CatecheticalDirectory of 2005.

“(Young’s) responsibility forthe diocese is to be a liaison forparishes,” Sister Jane adds.“Meggan has been working thispast year with the DREs,” SisterJane said. At first, her involvementwas with all parishes, but she willsoon share that task with a FortWayne staffer.

That staff person in Fort Wayneis Christina Emilian, a Fort Waynenative and recent graduate with abachelor’s in theology from theUniversity of Notre Dame. AtNotre Dame, Emilian was veryinvolved in facilitating the EdithStein Conferences, dedicated topromoting the dignity of womenin the modern world.

“She is a very gifted organiz-er,” Sister Jane says.

“Since she came two monthsago, she has been involved withheading the new Hispanic programand helping to write the juniorhigh curriculum. And then she willbe working with the DREs in the

Fort Wayne area,” Sister Janesays.

Sister Jane notes, “one of themajor focuses of her coming to theoffice is that we are beginning aprogram this year, in Fort Wayneon Hispanic adults catechesis.”Next year, it will begin in theSouth Bend area.

“Together, we are looking forthe best way to meet the needs ofthe Hispanics,” Sister Jane says.

The program will be the equiv-alent of (the diocesan offered)Education for Ministry program.Sister Jane says the program willbe offered most likely twoSaturday afternoons per monthand will begin at St. PatrickParish, Fort Wayne.

Father Virgilio Elizondo, fromSan Antonio, Texas, who works inHispanic ministry at theUniversity of Notre Dame, willlaunch the program with a specialtalk to the Hispanic people at St.Patrick Parish in December. Theprogram will involve study of thenew catechism for adults inSpanish.

In the South Bend catecheticaloffice, Danielle Abril recentlyjoined the team. She and her hus-band relocated to South Bend. Herhusband is a student in the mas-ter’s in theology program at theUniversity of Notre Dame. Fromthe state of Washington, Abrilrecently graduated with a master’sdegree with a concentration in cat-echetics from the FranciscanUniversity in Stuebenville, Ohio.

“She has a number of responsi-bilities: one of them is liaison withCatholic elementary schools,”Sister Jane says. “She also is help-ing to write the curriculum.”

Since arriving, Abril wrote thegrade 6 Old Testament Curriculumrevisions and is working now on asegment for junior high. She willalso organize the two institutedays for Catholic schoolteachers.

“The three of them are verygifted,” Sister Jane says. “Theyrepresent that love of the church(which Pope John Paul II predict-ed — a new springtime of thechurch) with their talent and gift-edness. ... They have a focus onthe catechetical ministry. Theylove it. And they just have anincredible devotion to it.”

For more information, visit the dioce-san Web site at www.diocese-fwsb.org/OC/.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

SUNDAY

Tired of Cleaning Your Gutters?

LEAFPROOF™is an amazing gutter cover

that catches rain but no leaves! Receive $100.00 OFF

a whole house LEAFPROOF™ system(Expires 10/01/08)

(260) 424-1001 Enterprise, Inc.or (260) 424-1293 House Doctors

Paul & Cindy O’Shaughnessey St. Charles Parish, Fort Wayne

Residents urged to be patient, kindas all cope with aftermath of Ike

WASHINGTON (CNS) — Theretired archbishop of Galveston-Houston told a small congrega-tion gathered for Mass Sept. 14 atSacred Heart Co-Cathedral inHouston to stay calm in the after-math of Hurricane Ike and to befriendly to one another, especiallyas they coped with the challengeof living without electricity.

Archbishop Joseph A.Fiorenza also told them to begrateful the storm, which madelandfall Sept. 13, had not takenas many lives as was feared. TheCategory 2 storm killed 30 peo-ple in its path across eight states.

“This calls us in times of greatdistress to have patience andkindness with one another, torealize we are going to have along time of endurance and greatinconvenience,” the archbishopsaid, according to a report in theHouston Chronicle daily newspa-per.

“But with good humor andGod’s grace and our public offi-cials ... hopefully the time ofgreat endurance won’t be toolong,” he said.

When Hurricane Ike sweptacross the Texas coast with its100 mph winds, battering wavesand torrential rains, it damagedthousands of homes, submergedhuge sections of Galveston andleft at least 2 million peoplewithout power.

While the height of the surg-ing water did not reach theexpected 20 feet, it still caused

extensive damage, washing awayroads and flooding homes.

Houston, without power andwith many of its streets coveredwith glass shards from brokenskyscraper windows, was placedunder a weeklong curfew.

Galveston Island and othercoastal areas took the brunt of thestorm that left homes in splinters,downed trees and power lines,and flooded neighborhoods.

Authorities estimate that140,000 people did not follow themandatory evacuation orders.The day after the storm officialsrescued 2,000 people.

Catholic schools in the

Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston were closed Sept. 15and were to reopen “according totheir readiness and safety,” saidan announcement on the arch-diocesan Web site. Only essentialdepartments at the chanceryoffices were open Sept. 15.

Catholic schools in theDiocese of Beaumont, Texas,were closed “until further notice”because of a lack of electricity.The pastoral center was similarlyclosed, according to a messageon a temporary Web site set upfor the diocese. Catholics in theBeaumont Diocese were notrequired to fulfill their SundayMass obligation during the Sept.13-14 weekend.

Catholic Charities agencies setup mobile food centers and com-munity resource sites in southernTexas after the storm to providefood, water, ice, hygiene kits,tarps and cleanup supplies. Theyalso provided gas cards and otheraid to assist stranded evacuees intheir return home as well as crisiscounseling and case management.

Kim Burgo, director of disas-ter response for CatholicCharities USA, noted that it typi-cally costs $1,000 per family toevacuate their home during a dis-aster.

“We are always mindful of thepoor who do not have the extraresources and support systems tohelp,” she said. “They truly bearthe biggest share of the burden.”

B Y C A R O L Z I M M E R M A N

CNS PHOTO/JESS IC A RINALDI , REUTERS

A police officer stands next to a resident as he surveys the damagecaused by Hurricane Ike in Galveston, Texas Sept. 14. The hurricane hitthe Texas and Louisiana coasts Sept. 13, causing extensive damage andflooding.

Agencies accept donations for victims of hurricanes Aid agencies are accepting donations for victims of hurricanes that

recently hit the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean.• Catholic Charities USA — by phone: (800) 919-9338; online:

www.catholiccharitiesusa.org; or by mailing a check to: CatholicCharities USA, 2008 Hurricanes, P.O. Box 17141, Baltimore, MD21297.

• Catholic Relief Services — by phone: (800) 736-3467; online:www.crs.org; or by mailing a check to: Catholic Relief Services,P.O. Box 17090, Baltimore, MD 21203-7090.

• Development and Peace — by phone: (888) 664-3387; online:www.devp.org; or by mailing a check earmarked “Haiti” to:Development and Peace, 1425 Rene-Levesque O., 3rd Floor,Montreal, Quebec, H3G 1T7, Canada.

• Food for the Poor — by phone: (800) 427-9104; online:www.foodforthepoor.org; or by mailing a check to: Food for thePoor, 6401 Lyons Road, Dept. 9662, Coconut Creek, FL 33073.

• Parish Twinning Program of the Americas — online: www.parishpro-gram.org; or by mailing a check to: Parish Twinning Program, c/oTheresa Patterson, 309 Windemere Woods Dr., Nashville, TN37215.

5T O D A Y ’ S C A T H O L I CSEPTEMBER 21, 2008

Fort Wayne’s Most Complete Wedding Service.

Banquet Rooms

Hotel Rooms

Rehearsal Dinners

Catering Service

Wedding Cakes

You can choose one or all

of our services. We’ll make the best of

your special event. Hall’s has been in the

business of making people happy for

over 60 years. You can trust us to

do it just right.

For more information contact Hall’s Guesthouse at:

(260) 489-2524 • www.DonHalls.com

Pro-life Advocates in South Bend launchgroundbreaking 40 Days for Life campaign

SOUTH BEND — “On Sept. 24,South Bend area pro-life advo-cates will join together with peo-ple of faith andconsciencefrom manyother commu-nities fromcoast to coastto kick off thearea’s own ver-sion of thegroundbreaking40 Days forLife campaign,” said Mary Akre,spokesperson for the South Bend40 Days for Life campaign. Thecampaign will be held at severalparishes and parish pro-lifegroups across the Diocese ofFort Wayne-South Bend.

40 Days for Life is an inten-sive pro-life initiative that focus-es on 40 days of prayer and fast-ing, 40 days of peaceful vigil atabortion facilities, and 40 daysof grassroots educational out-reach. The 40-day time frame isdrawn from examples through-out Biblical history where Godbrought about world-changingtransformation in 40-day peri-ods.

“As people here in South

Bend join with others fromacross the country to pray andfast and take courageous actionfor 40 days to end the tragic vio-lence of abortion, we look for-ward to seeing what kind of

transformation God will bringabout in our city and throughoutAmerica,” said Akre.

“40 Days for Life has alreadygenerated proven lifesavingresults in cities across America,”said David Bereit, national cam-paign director for 40 Days forLife. “During the fall of 2007and spring of 2008, dozens ofcommunities joined together fornationally coordinated 40 Daysfor Life campaigns. The effortsof thousands of people of faithhelped make a tremendous dif-ference. Numerous cities report-ed a significant drop in abor-tions. Some abortion facilitieseither closed altogether or scaledback their operations during thecampaign. New volunteers got

active in local pro-life efforts.Churches of different denomina-tions worked together to workfor an end to abortion in theircities. Many post-abortivewomen begin programs to heal

from the paincaused by pre-vious abortionexperiences.With such astrong trackrecord ofresults, we areexcited to seewhat God has

in store for this fall.”“We are expecting great

things for our local 40 Days forLife campaign,” said Akre. “It isexciting for our city to be a partof something that can have suchlifesaving impact, and we can’twait to begin.”

Catholic Churchembraces organ donation

FORT WAYNE — You have thepower to donate life.

Though often taken for granted,organ and tissue donation is cru-cial to the modern health care sys-tem and embraced by the CatholicChurch.

Organ and tissue donation inand of itself is a selfless actencouraged by both religious andcivic leaders. The Indiana OrganProcurement Organization (IOPO)is a statewide initiative aimed atadvancing organ, tissue and eyedonation in Indiana.

From a civic point of view,Sam Davis, director of profession-al services and public affairs,offers some insight into the topic.

Davis said that most Christiandenominations, includingCatholics, support organ and tissuedonation, as it promotes the sancti-ty of life.

“The decision to donate, or atleast the concept of organ and tis-sue donation, is something consid-ered while one is still living ...from a practical point of view,once you’ve died no additional(bodily) harm can come to you, sodonating allows valuable lifesav-ing resources to be used ratherthan buried,” he said.

“It’s important that people talkabout their attitudes toward dona-tion and assuming they are in themajority of Americans andHoosiers that support that dona-tion, they should tell their familymembers, “ he said. “When thedecision is known, it makes thingseasier for those left to answerquestions.”

Lisa Polhamus, a biologyteacher at Bishop Dwenger High

School, echoed Davis’ commentsabout the morality of organ andtissue donation. Polhamus saidthat high school anatomy andphysiology class is a “good time totalk about organ donation.”

Polhamus stresses that organ ortissue donation is an opportunityto give a part of yourself to some-one.

“I stress that (organ and tissuedonation) are an altruistic act andvery much in line with Jesus’teachings,” she said. “Studentsneed to talk to their families abouttheir wishes.”

Gwyn and Julio Garcia, parish-ioners at St. Vincent de Paul inFort Wayne, are among the 700organ recipients and 130 organdonors in Indiana. Julio was suf-fering from acute arthritis and wasin dire need of a healthy kidney.Like many facing hard times, Julioturned to his family.

Gwyn seemed like a likelydonor, as her blood type was com-patible. Gwyn said Julio did notconsider his children as potentialdonors, as the operation can berisky even for those in goodhealth.

The transplant took place Feb.27 at Lutheran Hospital in FortWayne. The Garcias were backedby a strong support network,Gwyn said. From the doctors andnurses, to her children, all weresupportive of the decision. In fact,as Gwyn recalls, one nurse com-mented that she would hope herfamily would be as supportive asGwyn was in a similar situation.

Gwyn said her faith helpedshe and her husband get throughtough times.

“Trust in the Lord that he’sgoing to watch over you,” shesaid.

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

PRECIOUS BLOOD SCHOOL CELEBRATES 110 YEARS

DON CLEMMER

Students at Most

Precious Blood

School in Fort

Wayne stand, ready

to release balloons

commemorating

the school’s 110th

anniversary on

Sept. 12. The Boy

Scouts presented

the flag and the

student body,

teachers, alumni

and staff enjoyed

eating birthday

cake.

To learn more about 40 Days forLife campaign, visit:www.40daysforlife.com. Forinformation about the SouthBend campaign, please contactthem at (574) 807-1991, or signup to participate atwww.40daysforlife.com/south-bend

B Y T O M U E B B I N G

Bishop Malooly sayssanctity of human life‘crucial’ to just societyWILMINGTON, Del. (CNS) —The new bishop of the Diocese ofWilmington said he intends “tobuild a supportive and trustingfriendship” with U.S. Sen. JosephR. Biden Jr. of Delaware and otherpublic officials to help them andall citizens “understand how cru-cial the sanctity of human life is toa just society.” Bishop W. FrancisMalooly made the comments in astatement Sept. 10 after leaders ofthe U.S. bishops’ conference hadissued their own statement inresponse to Biden’s commentsSept. 7 on “Meet the Press”regarding church teaching onabortion. Addressing the people ofhis diocese, the bishop said theU.S. Conference of CatholicBishops’ statement explained “thetruth of the matter in a clear andconcise way. As your bishop, Iwant you to understand our churchteaching, embrace it and promoteit.” The bishop, who was installedSept. 8 as the ninth bishop ofWilmington, then included thestatement from Cardinal JustinRigali of Philadelphia, head of theU.S. bishops’ pro-life committee,and Bishop William E. Lori ofBridgeport, Conn., head of thedoctrine committee, before con-cluding: “It is my intention tobuild a supportive and trustingfriendship with Sen. Biden and asmany public officials as I can.”

Jewish leader says PopePius XII has been demonized falselyROME (CNS) — Pope Pius XIIhas been demonized and his lega-cy of helping Jews during WorldWar II has been poisoned by inac-curate and incomplete historicalaccounts, said the Jewish founderand president of Pave the WayFoundation. “We have to changehistory” and tell the world thetruth about this wartime pope“who saved so many lives,” GaryKrupp, foundation president, toldCatholic News Service. He spokeat the start of a Sept. 15-17 sym-posium that studied the papacy ofPope Pius and unveiled new evi-dence of the pope’s hidden actsand orders aimed at saving Jewsfrom the Nazis. The symposium,sponsored by the U.S.-based foun-dation, featured Catholic andJewish speakers and video footageof interviews with people whowere saved from the Holocaustthrough the church’s intervention.Krupp said scholars and historians“have failed, they’ve simplyfailed” over the last 45 years toretrieve and present firsthandaccounts from eyewitnesses,Holocaust survivors, diplomatsand archival material.

Philadelphia pastorordained as new bishopof St. ThomasPHILADELPHIA (CNS) — Thenew bishop of the Diocese of St.Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islandssaid he has been welcomed by theCatholic community there with“open hearts and open arms.”“They certainly are people filledwith faith, filled with joy,” Bishop

Herbert A. Bevard told TheCatholic Standard & Times,Philadelphia’s archdiocesan news-paper, in a telephone interviewSept. 8. “They love the churchvery, very much. I have a beautifuldiocese.” In July, when he wasnamed the diocese’s fifth bishop,then-Msgr. Bevard, 62, had beenpastor at St. Athanasius, thelargest African-American parishin Philadelphia, for the past 14years. Dozens of PhiladelphiaCatholics attended his Sept. 3episcopal ordination Mass at theCathedral of SS. Peter and Paul inCharlotte Amalie. Because St.Thomas is a suffragan diocese ofthe Archdiocese of Washington,Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl ofWashington was the principal cel-ebrant and ordaining bishop.

Bishops seek end toimmigration enforcement raidsWASHINGTON (CNS) — If fed-eral immigration officials cannotcreate more “humane” conditionswhen making enforcement raidsagainst undocumented immi-grants, then “these enforcementraids should be abandoned,” saidBishop John C. Wester of SaltLake City, chairman of the U.S.bishops’ Committee on Migration.The raids, conducted by theImmigration and CustomsEnforcement division of theDepartment of HomelandSecurity, “reveal, sadly, the failureof a seriously flawed immigrationsystem,” Bishop Wester said at aSept. 10 press conference at thebishops’ headquarters inWashington. “The humanitarian

costs of these raids are immeasur-able and unacceptable in a civi-lized society,” he added. “Our cur-rent policies do little to solve theproblem of illegal immigration tothis country — they simply appearto do so, often at the cost of fami-ly integrity and human dignity.”Bishop Wester noted that afterCongress’ failure to pass a com-prehensive immigration bill lastyear, Homeland Security startedconducting mass raids, mostly atworkplaces.

Pelosi agrees to meetarchbishop; Bidenremarks also draw criticismSAN FRANCISCO (CNS) —Responding to an invitation tomeet with him to discuss churchteaching on abortion and othertopics, U.S. House Speaker NancyPelosi said she would “welcomethe opportunity” to meet withArchbishop George H. Niederauerof San Francisco “to go beyondour earlier most cordial exchangeabout immigration and needs ofthe poor to church teaching onother significant matters.” In a let-ter delivered to ArchbishopNiederauer Sept. 5, Pelosi offeredto “meet at your earliest conven-ience” to discuss a statement bythe archbishop that said Pelosi’sremarks were “in serious conflictwith the teachings of the CatholicChurch” on abortion, the begin-ning of human life and the forma-tion of conscience. But the furorthat arose after Pelosi said onNBC’s “Meet the Press” Aug. 24that church leaders for centurieshad not been able to agree on

when life begins received furtherfuel Sept. 7 when Sen. JosephBiden, the Democratic vice-presi-dential nominee, responded to asimilar question on “Meet thePress.” Biden, who like Pelosi is aCatholic, said he acceptedCatholic teaching that life beginsat conception but did not believethat he could impose his beliefs inthe public policy arena. CardinalJustin Rigali of Philadelphia andBishop William E. Lori ofBridgeport, Conn., chairmen ofthe U.S. bishops’ pro-life and doc-trine committees, respectively,had criticized Pelosi Aug. 25, say-ing she “misrepresented the histo-ry and nature of the authenticteaching of the Catholic Churchon abortion.” The two chairmenalso issued a lengthy critique ofBiden’s comments Sept. 9.

Priests for Life returns toroots, drops plan to haveown seminariansWASHINGTON (CNS) — Inwhat the founder of Priests forLife called a return to its roots, theorganization has decided not toseek church recognition as a soci-ety of apostolic life that wouldaccept and ordain its own semi-narians. Instead Priests for Lifeand the related Missionaries of theGospel of Life will continue tohelp priests, seminarians and layCatholics around the countrybecome “more effectively pro-life” within their own parishes andcommunities, said Father FrankPavone in a telephone interviewSept. 9. “We got it right the firsttime,” he told Catholic NewsService, noting that he founded

Priests for Life in 1991 as a way to“infuse the existing structures” ofthe church and society with thepro-life message. Priests for Lifeand the Missionaries of the Gospelof Life will be one entity, “withoutthe founding of a canonically dis-tinct community,” said a jointstatement from Priests for Lifeand the Diocese of Amarillo,Texas. Father Pavone, who wasoriginally ordained as a priest ofthe New York Archdiocese, wasincardinated in the Diocese ofAmarillo in March 2005 andbecame the first member of thenew Missionaries of the Gospel ofLife the following year. He willremain a priest of the AmarilloDiocese, he said.

Pope sends e-mail tomore than 30,000 WorldYouth Day participantsVATICAN CITY (CNS) — PopeBenedict XVI sent a brief e-mailto more than 30,000 young peoplewho attended World Youth Day inSydney, Australia, or haveexpressed interest in knowingmore about the experience. In theSept. 8 message, the pope greetedthe young people, offered hisprayers for them and asked themto pray for the young people ofFrance as he prepared to visit theircountry Sept. 12-15. The messagewas sent through www.Xt3.com, asocial networking Web site estab-lished to help World Youth Dayparticipants keep in touch, con-verse with one another online andmeet others who were in Sydney.The text of the papal messageread: “Fifty days ago we weretogether for the celebration ofMass. Today I greet you on thebirthday of Mary, Mother of theChurch. Empowered by the Spiritand courageous like Mary, yourpilgrimage of faith fills the churchwith life! Soon I am to visitFrance. I ask you all to join me inpraying for the young people ofFrance. May we all be rejuvenatedin hope!”

Pope names Australiancardinal to replaceIndian as a synod presidentVATICAN CITY (CNS) — PopeBenedict XVI has named CardinalGeorge Pell of Sydney, Australia,to be one of three delegate presi-dents for the world Synod ofBishops on the Bible. The Vaticansaid Sept. 9 that Cardinal Pellwould serve in place of CardinalOswald Gracias of Mumbai,India, who is unable to attend theOct. 5-26 gathering. The Vaticandid not elaborate. In June, thepope had named the Indian cardi-nal as one of three delegate presi-dents; the other two are U.S.Cardinal William J. Levada, pre-fect of the Congregation for theDoctrine of the Faith, andBrazilian Cardinal Odilo Schererof Sao Paulo. Although the popehimself is president of the synod,the three cardinals will take turnspresiding over the gathering’sdaily sessions.

T O D A Y ’ S C A T H O L I C6 SEPTEMBER 21, 2008

NEWS BRIEFS

CNS PHOTO/AMIT DAVE , REUTERS

Schoolchildren hold signs promoting peace and the end of terrorism during a ceremony at

a school in Ahmedabad, India, Sept. 15. The ceremony was held to pay tribute to those

who who died in the Sept. 13 bomb blasts in New Delhi.

SCHOOLCHILDREN PROMOTE PEACE IN INDIA

SEPTEMBER 21, 2008 T O D A Y ’ S C A T H O L I C 7

St. Jude andSacred Heartplan joint missionSOUTH BEND — St. Jude ofSouth Bend and Sacred Heart ofJesus in Lakeville are sharing amission titled “Companions on TheJourney.” The mission runs fromSept. 21-24 with morning sessionsand evening presentations. A parishmission is an extraordinary preach-ing event. Each evening is different,yet each will consist of a proclama-tion of the word, reflections,singing and praying together.

The mission begins on Sunday,Sept. 21, with a parish picnic.Members of both parishes are invit-ed to share food and fellowship atthe Knights of Columbus on SouthIronwood Road. The picnic starts at1 p.m. with a presentation, OurChurch: The Family of God, byTom Padberg, leader of the RCIAprogram at Sacred Heart. There willalso be children’s games, children’smission and lots of family fun.

The next three evening presenta-tions are at St. Jude and begin at 7p.m. Active Catholics, those new tothe faith, or those who have beenabsent from the church for a whileare welcome.

“This is a great opportunity torecharge your spiritual batteries andfind your place in the faith,” saysFather John Delaney, pastor of bothSt. Jude and Sacred Heart. Eachnight will have childcare, a coordi-nated children’s mission, refresh-ments and transportation is avail-able.

On Monday, Sept. 22, FatherWilliam Schooler will give a pres-entation titled God is Present in theUnknown. He is the pastor of St.Pius X Parish in Granger.

Tuesday’s presentation, Hope inthe Light, is being given by FatherBob Lengerich. A native of Elkhart,he was ordained to the priesthood inOctober of 2007. Father Lengerichcurrently serves as the associatepastor of St. Pius X Parish inGranger. There will also be thesacrament of reconciliation after thepresentation.

Father Michael A. Driscoll endsthe mission on Wednesday with hispresentation, We Are One Body.Father Driscoll, a priest of theDiocese of Helena in Montana, is aprofessor in the Department ofTheology at the University of NotreDame. He has served as an advisorto the United States Bishops’Committee on the Liturgy.Wednesday evening will have aclosing Mass.

Morning faith-sharing sessionswill be held on Monday, Tuesdayand Wednesday at Sacred Heart.The sessions start with a Mass at 8a.m. and followed by a reflectionand sharing time. These sessionsare moderated by Ginny Kohrman,director of the Office of SpiritualDevelopment for the Diocese ofFort Wayne-South Bend, andJennifer Kohrman who is the asso-ciate director.

St. Jude Catholic Church islocated one half mile south of theU.S. 20 bypass and one block eastof U.S. 31 South on Johnson Road.Sacred Heart of Jesus is located onU.S. 31 about three miles south ofSouth Bend. For more information,call the St. Jude Parish office at(574) 291-0570.

Symposia offers scholarships to students FORT WAYNE — The School ofArts and Sciences at the Universityof Saint Francis is hosting a sym-posium for high school sopho-mores, juniors and seniors onFriday, Oct. 17.

The event will give students theopportunity to do scientific researchand humanities studies at the col-lege level and earn a USF scholar-ship.

The science symposium hasthree topics for students:

• Forensic Chemistry: studentswill examine and analyze criminalevidence with a professional foren-sic investigator.

• Marine Biology: students willexplore the undersea and participatein a research project on a CoralReef.

• Math Puzzles and Games: stu-dents will apply mathematicalstrategies to solve puzzles likeSudoku.

The humanities symposium willoffer two topics:

• Mudslinging 101: Politics,Propaganda and Parody: studentswill examine political ads and cre-ate their own parody of one.

• Catholics and Politics: FromEmperor Constantine to PopeBenedict XVI: participants will dis-cuss the mixture of religion andpolitics.

Student application materials areavailable online at www.sf.edu/sci-encesymposium. To find out moreon the science symposium, contactCarolyn Exner at 260-399-8067.

For further information on thehumanities symposium, contactAngie Springer at (260) 399-8066.The application deadline is Oct. 6.

Series on St. Pauloffered on South BendFORT WAYNE — The diocesanOffice of Catechesis is sponsoring afive-week session on St. Paul pre-sented by Greg Doyle. Meetingswill be held on Thursday eveningsfrom 7-9 p.m. at Saint Joseph’sHigh School, South Bend, Oct. 2, 9,16, 23 and 30.

The sessions will include insightinto Paul, his letters, his world andthe church. Participants will spendsome time seeing how Paul’s writ-ings pertain to today’s world and toeach person’s spiritual develop-ment.

Registration is required.Interested participants can registeronline at www.diocesefwsb.org/OCunder Adult Faith Formation, ortelephone Janice Martin at (260)399-1411 or e-mail atjmartin@fw.diocesefwsb.org.

Part of each evening will haveparticipants sharing in small groupdiscussions using the book, “St.Paul: A Bible Study Guide forCatholics.” Participants must pur-chase the book to complete read-ings prior to each session; however,no one will be turned away from thesession if they are unable to pur-chase the book. The book is avail-able with a discount at theCathedral Bookstore. Call (260)422-1411 ext.3356 or e-mailkslocum@fw.diocesefwsb.org to

purchase “St. Paul, A Bible StudyGuide for Catholics.”

Columbia City parishoffers financial seriesCOLUMBIA CITY — St. Paul ofthe Cross Parish will offer a six-week series on how to plan, protectand provide for your family in afundamentals financial courseoffered at the parish. The seriesbegins Sept. 24 and runs throughOct. 29.

Each week offers a differentguest speaker exploring practicalsteps to help families and individu-als stay on target with their finan-cial goals regardless of their currentfinancial situation. Sessions are 60minutes each Wednesday eveningimmediately following the eveningMass. The sessions begin at 7 p.m.and refreshments will be served.

Sign up for the sessions in thechurch narthex or call the churchoffice at (260) 244-5723 for infor-mation.

Walk for hunger slatedSept. 27FORT WAYNE — Hunger WalkVI will be held Saturday, Sept. 27,beginning with registration at 9a.m. The 2.2-mile walk to raisefunds for local hunger will takeplace at Lawton Park in downtownFort Wayne. The walk will beginwith devotions at 9:45 a.m. and thepresentation of the Father TomO’Connor Awards. The walk itselfwill begin at 10 a.m. and will bealong the River Greenway.

Hunger Walk VI is held eachyear to benefit four faith-basedagencies that work hard each yearto feed the hungry. It is the goal ofthe planning committee to have 500walkers raise a total of $100,000.The Lutheran Foundation willmatch each gift up to a total of$40,000.

The four faith-based groups arethe Associated Churches of FortWayne and Allen County, TheFranciscan Center, Miss Virginia’sMission House and the SalvationArmy. Each month the four groupsfeed a total of 10,500 low incomeFort Wayne residents who are inneed of food for their families.

The total number of individualsserved in 2008 will be over 100,000individuals. The funds raised willgo to purchase food at wholesaleprices and to give balanced meals tothose who are unemployed, theworking poor and the historic poor.

Hunger Walk V was extremelysuccessful and a total of 400 walk-ers raised a total of $93,450 (withthe Lutheran Foundation Match). Itwas the most successful HungerWalk. This year, there is an all-timehigh for the number of low incomefamilies served.

For more information, pleasecheck out the Associated ChurchesWeb site at www.associatedchurch-es.org.

The Quest Project falllecture series includescenters on interaction offaith and reason NOTRE DAME — The QuestProject, operated by the SaintMary’s College Center forSpirituality (CFS), presents its falllecture series, which is free andopen to the public. World-renowned scholars will come toSaint Mary’s to share their wisdomon contemporary religious issues,and to address broader issues ofhow faith and reason interact.

• The Practice of Spirituality andthe Practice of Medicine: WorldsApart or Overlapping? — HaroldKoenig, M.D., M.HSc, professor,psychiatry and behavioral sciencesand associate professor, medicine atDuke University Medical Centerand founding co-director of theCenter for Spirituality, Theologyand Health, Duke UniversityMedical Center will be the speakeron Tuesday, Sept. 30, at 4 p.m. inthe Little Theatre, Moreau Centerfor the Arts.

• The Quest for the Living God— Elizabeth Johnson, CSJ, distin-guished professor, theology atFordham University will be thespeaker on Thursday, Oct. 9, at 7:30p.m. in the Little Theatre, MoreauCenter for the Arts.

• Theories of EmergingComplexities: A TheologicalApproach to the QUESTion —Rev. Dr. Antje Jackelén, past direc-tor of the Zygon Center for theStudy of Science and Religion andcurrent bishop of Lund, Sweden, isthe speaker. She is the first womanbishop in the Church of Sweden.The talk will be Thursday, Oct. 30,7:30 p.m. at the Little Theatre,Moreau Center for the Arts.

For more information on the lec-tures, please contact Kathy Guthrie,(574) 285-4636, or e-mail:kguthrie@saintmarys.edu.

AROUND THE DIOCESE

DIANE FREEBY

South Bend’s Christ the King School learned last week that it was named a Blue Ribbon

School. Christ the King Principal Steve Hoffman will join other representatives from the

2008 Blue Ribbon Schools for an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. There, Hoffman

will receive a plaque and a flag signifying Christ the King’s status as an award-winning

school. The students enjoy the blue-frosted cookies the entire student body received in

celebration after winning the prestigious Blue Ribbon Award.

CHRIST THE KING NAMED AS BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL

T O D A Y ’ S C A T H O L I C SEPTEMBER 21, 20088

Witness the power of diversity

FORT WAYNE — A new andinnovative project has recentlycome to life at St. Henry Parish onthe southeast side of Fort Wayne.The St. Henry Community Centeropened for business less than twomonths ago and is already pickingup momentum.

The nonprofit community cen-ter is the brainchild of DirectorElaine Bakle, who grew up in thearea as parishioner and student ofSt. Hyacinth. After researching thedemographics, Bakle found a clearsampling of the diverse array ofethnic communities within the areaand met with St. Henry pastorFather Dan Durkin and the parishcouncil to “pitch the idea” of acommunity center. Within monthsshe found herself being handed thekeys to the former BenoitAcademy building to begin herendeavor.

“Father Dan supported the ideaand helped me get started. Now Ihave to make it work,” says thedetermined director.

Due to the number of youthcenters already in the area, Baklehas chosen to offer a wide varietyof services for all ages and cul-tures. Many programs and activi-ties that she hopes will eventuallybe offered will be in partnership

with other agencies.Currently the community center

is partnering with the Eagle’s NestYouth Center in hosting a basket-ball league utilizing the schoolbuilding gymnasium. The LiteracyAlliance offers English classes tothe Burmese community at thecenter two mornings a week aswell.

Another beneficial program thatwill be offered Oct. 1 is the volun-teer run “After School Special,”where children will attend threeone-hour structured sessions from3-6 p.m., including homework, artsand movement and physical activi-ty. Parents have the option of pay-ing the standard monthly fee orvolunteering seven hours eachmonth to cover the cost of theirchild’s participation.

Bakle hopes to develop futureprograms with the assistance ofarea agencies and organizations,such as the Fort Wayne BalletCompany that would host danceclasses at the center, East AllenCounty Schools for English-as-a-second-language classes for adultsand area higher education institu-tions for art, sewing, music, com-puter and home décor classes forall ages. Sports instruction, coun-seling and conflict resolution train-ing will also be offered on site aswell as emergency food and cloth-ing subsistence.

“By offering these things topeople in general, they may findpart of themselves they have lost,”says Bakle hopefully, adding,“And by sharing themselves withothers, they complete themselves.”

Bakle’s dream for the center isto provide “social capital,” for thevarious cultures within the area,which she describes as “getting toknow each other and building onrelationships.” Strength in thecommunity will allow its membersto be more willing and able toassist with meeting each other’sneeds: a networking within cul-tures.

“The thing I noticed is the needin this area hits every single ethnicgroup. They all have needs but arenot recognizing each other’s cul-ture.”

Bakle hopes to acquire otherhealth and social service organiza-tions and ministries that will rentspace in the building to help offsetthe center’s costs. Facility opportu-nities include classroom and meet-ing space, gym, playground and anovernight stay facility for retreatsand trainings. Private and corpo-rate donations, grant money andfundraisers will also assist insecuring the life of the center.

Fund-raising activities that arein the works to subsidize this wor-thy program have truly been acommunity effort and began this

month with a rummage sale andbarbecue on the grounds of thecommunity center.

“So many donations have comein for the rummage sale, includingfrom Catholic Charities,” saysBakle, adding that the Eagle’s NestYouth Center secured the cateringservice for the barbecue as well.

During the month of October,Bakle is planning “A Blend ofMusic” fundraiser, which willoffer a variety of culturally diverselive-band music groups along withfoods and beverages correspon-ding to each culture. The BishopLuers High School Key Club willbe serving at the event. And thecenter hopes to organize a craftsale with cookie walk inNovember, with December dedi-cated to the volunteers.

“I hope to have a niceChristmas party for the wonderfulvolunteers,” says Bakle, as she

sings the praises of the volunteerswho have devoted their time andtalent to getting the center up andrunning. According to Bakle, thecenter’s volunteer base firststemmed from St. Henry Parish,but soon volunteers from all overthe city began offering their servic-es, “all by word of mouth,” shesays. More volunteers are alwaysneeded.

Bakle encourages volunteerteachers, coaches and others toshare their skills and talents withthe center saying, “If you havesomething to give — not justmoney — but a special part ofyourself, come talk to me andwe’ll design a program for you.”

For more information aboutvolunteering at or donating to thecenter, located at 3029 PauldingRd. contact Elaine Bakle at (260)447-5121, ext. 124.

B Y K A Y C O Z A D

CAST YOUR VOTE FOR CATHOLIC RADIO

Fall Sharathon October 22-24

Catholic RadioAM 1450

Catholic news, talk and informationwww.redeemerradio.com

To contact us or to provide financial support:Info@redeemerradio.com

Redeemer Radio, 4705 Illinois Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46804260-436-1450

KAY COZAD

Elaine Bakle, directorof the newly openedSt. Henry’sCommunity Centeron the southeastside of Fort Wayne,stands between twoof the volunteers,Jan Gillig, left andGloria Gilbert, whoassisted with thesetup of items forthe Sept. 12-13 rum-mage sale. Proceedsfrom the sale willhelp subsidize thecenter.

T O D A Y ’ S C A T H O L I C 9SEPTEMBER 21, 2008

kintzinsuranceagency

•Life •Auto•Health •Home•Annuities •Business•Disabilities •Liability•Medicare Supplements•Nursing Home Care

111 North Third Street • Decatur(260)728-9290 • (260) 724-8042 • 1-800-589-5468

“Professional Insurance Services”

Backwards and forwards

hope can only be God, whoencompasses the whole of realityand who can bestow upon uswhat we, by ourselves, cannotattain. The fact that it comes tous as a gift is actually part ofhope. God is the foundation ofhope: not any god, but the Godwho has a human face and whohas loved us to the end, each oneof us and humanity in its entire-ty. His kingdom is not an imagi-nary hereafter, situated in afuture that will never arrive; hiskingdom is present wherever heis loved and wherever his lovereaches us. His love alone givesus the possibility of soberly per-severing day by day, withoutceasing to be spurred on byhope, in a world which by itsvery nature is imperfect. Hislove is at the same time ourguarantee of the existence ofwhat we only vaguely sense andwhich nevertheless, in our deep-est self, we await: a life that is“truly” life. — Spe Salvi #31.

Opening prayerDear God, in this moment

draw me to yourself. Enfold mein your love and infuse me withquiet. Open my mind to yourwords that I may learn to reflectwith wisdom and gratitude and tohope with optimism and joy.Gather me to be with you, confi-dent that you are always close tome, now and forever. Amen.

Scripture: Eph 2: 17-19

CommentaryLast time in Ginny Kohrman’s

article, “Counting our summerblessings,” she wrote about theevents of her summer months. Itimmediately brought to mindhow often, in the first week ofschool, teachers had us writesomething about “How I SpentMy Summer Vacation.” Ah ha! Iwondered (as the proverbial lightbulb lit up over my head!) if theydid this on purpose to help usreluctant students leave our fun-filled summer days behind andfocus on the important task oflearning for another school year.

BackwardsMy mental train then moved

on to another of summer’s rituals

— class reunions, both highschool and college — and howsome who attend seem to havenever gotten beyond those longago years. They seem to be “lostin time,” nostalgically wishing,even decades later, that theycould return to their “glory days.”It’s almost like the past holdsmore for them than the present orfuture. They constantly relive thepast to feel happiness, almost asif the present or the future cannotpossibly offer the same — orcomparable — joy.

But looking backwards can bea very good thing. As the old say-ing goes, history that’s forgottenis bound to repeat itself. There ismuch wisdom in that sentence. Ifwe neglect to consider the pastand the lessons it offers, we canmake the same mistakes againand again. The past offers aunique perspective to judge theeffectiveness of our decisions andactions. Serious and honestreflection can be an invaluableguide in making good decisionsthat positively impact the future.We actually need to look back-wards even as we look forward.

ForwardsHuman nature instinctively

anticipates the future. We expectthat tomorrow, next week, nextChristmas will come. And, asChristians, we look beyond ourhuman existence to an eternal life

with the One who created us.This instinctive anticipation is,for me, one of the most com-pelling arguments for the exis-tence of God. Looking back-wards, reflecting, we see evi-dence all around us that thethings of this life cannot bringcomplete satisfaction and happi-ness. We are always anticipating,looking forward to — or for —something more. We believe thatthe Something that will finallysatisfy the “to” is eternity andthat which will completely satisfythe “for” is God. “Our hearts arerestless until they rest in you, OGod,” said St. Augustine a verylong time ago. His words ringjust as true today as they did inthe Middle Ages.

In Pope Benedict’s latestencyclical, “Spe Salvi,” he elo-quently writes about our humanhopes within the context of thisgreat hope:

“Let us say once again: weneed the greater and lesser hopesthat keep us going day by day.But these are not enough withoutthe great hope, which must sur-pass everything else. This great

B Y L I N D A F U R G E

Living in the chaotic world ofthe 21st century, we should takePope Benedict’s words to heart.We should make an effort tolook both backwards and for-wards, learning from the pastand hoping for the future. Weshould let these two complemen-tary attitudes, reflection andanticipation, draw us ever closerto the great hope that is JesusChrist.

Closing PrayerMay the God of our Lord

Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,grant you a spirit of wisdom andinsight to know him clearly. Mayhe enlighten your innermostvision that you may know thegreat hope to which he has calledyou, the wealth of his gloriousheritage to be distributed amongthe members of the church, andthe immeasurable scope of hispower in us who believe. — Eph2:17-19.

Sharing FaithMore Shared Faith literature

can be found at www.diocesefwsb.org/OSD

BISHOP D’ARCY CONFIRMS YOUNG PEOPLE AT JUBILEE

MARK WEBER

Celebrating the 125th year of its founding, St. Mary of the Presentation, an isolated but

vibrant parish in rural Geneva, combined a jubilee Mass with confirmation, a reunion of

old friends, parishioners and a full house luncheon. On the feast of the Exaltation of the

Holy Cross, Bishop John M. D’Arcy urged the confirmandi to love, serve and follow Jesus

Christ, who gave us the Eucharist from the cross. Those confirmed are, from left, front,

Hanna Muhlenkamp, Jennifer Miller and Tiffany Deitsch; second row, Joel Hawbaker,

Erik Subler, and Tyler Deitsch. Father Joseph Bosco Perera, OMI, pastor, is shown with

Bishop D’Arcy.

S T . R O B E R T B E L L A R M I N E SEPTEMBER 21, 200810

St. Robert Parish celebrates 50 years

NORTH MANCHESTER — St.Robert’s Bellarmine Parish inNorth Manchester has grown froma humble shop building to a strik-ingly modern church.

But the outward appearance isnot necessarily indicative of thefaithfulness of the flock.

Today’s Catholic archives indi-cate that as far back as 1880s,Mass was cele-brated in NorthManchester byFather JohnBathe in thehome of JohnEnnis.

The parishwas founded onAug. 3, 1958 asa mission of St.Patrick Church,Lagro. FatherRaymondBalzer was thepastor. The firstsite for St.Robert Churchwas a storefrontin downtownNorthManchester.

According to a 1965 writeup inOur Sunday Visitor, when St.Robert’s was established, it was amission of St. Bernard Parish,Wabash, and the new parish wasorganized by Father Robert J.Zahn, the Wabash pastor at thetime.

At its dedication, April 25,1965, of the present church, locat-ed on the east side of NorthManchester on State Road 114,Bishop Leo Pursley said, address-ing the parishioners, he had “nobetter wish for you than to hopethat this new church becomescompletely inadequate.”

Bishop Pursley proceeded toacknowledge North ManchesterCatholics for making “so muchprogress in comparatively littletime.” Likewise, North Manchesteris fitting for a church, BishopPursley said, “as it’s a center ofintellectual and cultural life.”

It’s no coincidence that St.Robert was chosen as the church’spatron saint. He said one of thereasons he was chosen as patron ofthe new parish in 1958 was thatthe saint was a prominent scholarand church doctor. The saint isalso revered for his “devotion tothe church, to the faith and to theHoly See.”

Bishop Pursley then preached ata dedication Mass of the newchurch.

He told the congregation thattheir new church represents the“presence of God among you,”and called it a “dispensation of hisgrace” and as described in theMass of Dedication, it is a “a Gateof Heaven.”

A dinner followed, attended byparishioners, friends of the parishand local prelates and priest.

Today and beyond Today, the parish has grown

from a group of eager farmers to a150-family parish.

St. Robert Church has an activeparish council, finance committee,

religious education program, Biblediscussion, choir and music oppor-tunities, a youth group for highschool students and a bereavementministry that helps plan funeraldinners. Twice a month, Mass iscelebrated at the PeabodyRetirement Community.

Father Ronald Ramenaden, pas-tor, has led the parish since 1997and “knows everyone by name andface,” in his words. The parish,

which has grownslightly over the

years, is com-prised of teach-ers and farmers,he said.

The priestsaid his goal isto “build upgood relation-ships with every-one.” In particu-lar he wants tofocus on theloyal base ofabout 30 to 35ManchesterCollege students.Always focusingon outreach, he

said he tries to goout and talk to (thestudents).

Father Ramenaden said it’s achallenge to remain strong in a“non-Catholic environment,” asNorth Manchester’s populationcomes from a Protestant back-ground. Despite the challenges, hesaid he strives to make the parishmore united and welcoming.

“I encourage them to put Christfirst,” he said.

St. Robert Bellarmine ParishNORTH MANCHESTER

Congratulations on 50 years in thefootsteps of the patron saint of catechists

and a Doctor of the Church.

†

In celebration of his Feast Day, and the50th Anniversary of the founding

of the parish honoringSAINT ROBERT BELLARMINE,

we offer congratulationsand prayerful best wishes

OTom and Marie Hardy

Tom and dolores Hardy

Fort Wayne - Mishawaka - Indianapolis - Lafayettewww.batteriesplus.com

SAINT ROBERT BELLARMINEAlways there when needed.

“so are we!”

A full bouquet of prayerful best wishes, asST. ROBERT BELLARMINE PARISH

celebrates 50 years bringing the Light of Christ to North Manchester.

We rejoice, with the parishioners ofSAINT ROBERT BELLARMINE

on the occasion of this golden anniversary!Cheryl Wilson - Broker-Owner

Marie Hardy - Agent-Office ManagerDolores Greenlee - Agent

A full-service Real Estate Agency in North ManchesterServing Wabash County, Southern Kosciusko and Southern Whitley Counties.

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

TODAY’S C ATHOLIC ARCHIVES

At its dedication, April 25, 1965, of the present church, located on the east side of North Manchester on StateRoad 114, Bishop Leo Pursley said, addressing the parishioners, he had “no better wish for you than to hopethat this new church becomes completely inadequate.” He told the congregation that their new church repre-sents the “presence of God among you,” and called it a “dispensation of his grace” and as described in theMass of dedication, it is a “a Gate of Heaven.” The parish will celebrate its 50th anniversary Sunday, Sept. 21.

Celebration plans

A 10:30 a.m. Mass followed

by a luncheon by invitation

will be held Sunday, Sept.

21, celebrating the 50th

anniversary of the parish.

T O D A Y ’ S C A T H O L I C 11SEPTEMBER 21, 2008

South Bend schools make strides in helpingstudents with disabilities thrive

SOUTH BEND — Despite a cli-mate of belt-tightening, Catholicschools aren’t cutting cornerswhen it concerns the needs of spe-cial education. Remaining true tothe Gospel, some area Catholicschools simply see a need andmeet it.

South Bend’s Corpus ChristiSchool is one of many schoolslinked to Saint Joseph’s HighSchool, named a Blue RibbonSchool just a few years ago. Withits high academic standards, SaintJoseph’s can appear out of reach tostudents struggling to get throughgrade school. But teachers at bothCorpus Christi and Saint Joseph’swork hard to ensure everyone whowants a Catholic education canreceive one.

Preschool teacher PeggyFoldenauer knows it’s importantfor special needs students to feelgood about themselves and have a“can-do” attitude.

“Our classroom is part of afamily,” she explained. “If I have achild who grasps things quickly, Imight pair that child up withanother child who has specialneeds. Children often learn betterfrom each other, and at this agethey don’t notice the differencesyet. All they know is we are part ofa family.”

According to Assistant to thePrincipal Maggie Mackowiak,Corpus Christi accepts anyonethey feel they can help. To herknowledge, nobody has ever beenturned away.

“It’s our job to find the way thechild learns best,” saidMackowiak. “If one method does-n’t work then we try another. Afterthe teacher tries everything avail-able, we might call in ChrisSamuels.”

Chris Samuels-Wade has beenthe resource teacher at CorpusChristi for 20 years. She justreturned to her position as a repre-sentative on the Council ofTeachers. The council conveyseducational needs and concernsdirectly to Bishop John M.D’Arcy.

Samuels is the mother of threegrown children who all attendedCorpus Christi. In the ChallengeProgram, she uses creative ways tokeep exceptional students motivat-ed, putting together programs likePioneer Days for the entire schoolto enjoy. Perhaps most importantlyto families of children with specialneeds, Samuels advocates for chil-dren who might not otherwise suc-ceed in school.

“I was in special ed for

speech,” explains Samuels, recall-ing what inspired her to become aspecial education teacher. “Thenuns I had told mom I’d never beable to learn, and she should putme in an institution. Mom put meinto a speech class and eventually Icaught up. I never forgot what itwas like to need special ed, to havekids make fun of the way I talkand nuns who couldn’t understandme.”

Samuels brings that drive and

compassion to the classroom everyday. She was one of the first spe-cial education teachers hired in thediocese. Within the last five years,she says, most diocesan schoolshave hired resource teachers.

Samuels helps students withIndividual Education Plans (IEP’s)reach their potential. Some solu-tions include reading a test to astudent quietly or clarifying theclassroom teacher’s instructions.Samuels says her goal is to helpstudents become more independ-ent, giving them the tools theyneed.

Many of “Mrs. Samuels’ kids”are success stories. Twenty-three-year-old Mary Nolan says she wasbored in grade school and just“bounced around a lot.” She metwith Samuels a few times a week,and was later diagnosed withAttention Deficit Disorder.Samuels watched her student makea smooth transition to SaintJoseph’s.

“Mrs. Samuels was great,”smiles Nolan. “She seemed tounderstand something that otherpeople didn’t. She seemed toapproach me as though she wereseeing my gifts before she was

seeing anything else.”Nolan is now in Rome, finish-

ing up her studies at the presti-gious Pontifical University of St.Thomas Aquinas. Commonlyknown as the “Angelicum,” theuniversity is noted especially forits faculties of canon law, sacredtheology and philosophy.

David Parisi suffered frommuscular dystrophy. He and hisfamily worked hard to graduatefrom Saint Joseph’s High School

and theUniversity ofNotre Dame,before the dis-ease sadlyclaimed his lifein 2007.

One CorpusChristi graduatenot only over-came the diffi-culties of cere-bral palsy, butwas recentlyhired to helpresource teacherKevin Downeyin the specialeducationdepartment atSaint Joseph’s.Becky Kinnucansays her grade-school experi-ence motivated her to help otherswith special needs.

“My second-grade teacher, Mrs.Manley, inspired me to be ateacher,” said Kinnucan, whoendured grueling physical therapyduring her grade school years justto make it through the day. “NowI’m in a high school, and I love it.”

Downey, whois also SaintJoseph’s headfootball coach,sees progress inthe five years hehas worked as aresource teacher.

“We try tolook at the indi-vidual first, notat their disabili-ty,” he said.“This year wehave two stu-dents withAsperger’s. Wenever had a stu-dent withAsperger’sbefore, so wemet with thegrade schoolteachers and their

parents to get a better grasp of howwe could help.”

Downey works with studentsbattling a wide range of disabili-ties. All require individual atten-tion, including everything fromacademic guidance to tailored edu-cation plans.

Linda Skwarcan’s daughter,

Dorian, is a freshman at SaintJoseph’s. Cerebral palsy makes itdifficult for Dorian to move asquickly as other students, butthanks to Downey and his supportstaff, her mom says Dorian is hav-ing a great year.

“Mr. Downey has been wonder-ful,” said Linda Skwarcan.“Dorian was able to do a walk-through of the school before orien-tation. She e-mails him questionsand he gets back to her. Dorian isable to have a locker on each floor,and two sets of books so she cankeep one set at home and other atschool. She is happy and that’swhat’s important.”

Skwarcan started at CorpusChristi with Samuels, whose bul-letin board sums up the philosophyof many Catholic school specialneeds teachers. It reads: “first God... then family.”

Samuels stresses the importanceof a Catholic education.“Sometimes God’s the only onewho can make kids feel better. Itry to remind them to pray. AskGod to take away all your worriesand help you get through the day.Give it up to God!”

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

Mary Nolan, once taught bySamuels, transitioned into SaintJoseph’s High School and is now astudent at the prestigiousPontifical University of St. ThomasAquinas in Rome.

&DISABILITIESTHE CHURCH

PHOTOS BY DIANE FREEBY

Saint Joseph’s High School teachers Kevin Downey and Becky Kinnucanwork with students who have special needs.

At Corpus Christi School in South Bend, Chris Samuels-Wade has beenthe resource teacher for 20 years. She just returned to her position as arepresentative on the Council of Teachers, which conveys educationalneeds and concerns directly to Bishop John M. D’Arcy.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2008C H U R C H A N D D I S A B I L I T I E S12

Catechetical resources for persons with disabilities

The Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend Office ofCatechesis has a renewed

interest in welcoming and assimi-lating those with disabilities intoits faith community and has initi-ated the Catechetical andInformational Resources forPersons with Disabilities library.The lending library is an assem-bly of resources for priests,DREs, catechists, teachers andparents who are interested inassisting or learning more aboutvarious disabilities.

Areas of interest are AttentionDeficit Disorder (ADD), Anxiety,Asperger Syndrome, Autism,Bipolar Disorder, Depression,Downs Syndrome, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, andSensory Integration Disorder.Resource books on sign lan-guage, life and social skill build-ing are also available as thelibrary continues to expand.

The initiative is based on theNational Directory forCatechesis and the bishop’sstatement on disabilities andhopes to empower parishes toinclude members with disabili-ties into the faith community.Resources may be checked outfor three weeks at a time.

Additionally, the Logan Centerin South Bend is partnering withthe diocese to answer any ques-tions on disabilities that areposed.

For information in Fort Wayne,contact Janice Martin at (260) 399-1411 or e-mail jmartin@fw.dioce-sefwsb.org. In South Bend contactMeggan Young at (574) 259-9994or e-mail myoung@fw.diocese-fwsb.org. or visit the diocesan Website at www.diocesefwsb.org/OC.

Resources available are:

• Religious educationThe Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy

Program to Improve CatholicReligious Education for Childrenand Adults with IntellectualDisabilities developed by theDiocese of Pittsburgh,Department for Persons withDisabilities funded by a grantfrom the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr.Foundation offers a comprehen-sive curriculum with lesson plansfor special needs children andadults. For use in a parish, family,institution or group home settingand is available in English andSpanish.

• ADD/ADHD“The ADD & ADHD Answer

Book,” by Susan Ashley, PhDOffers practical answers to

questions that parents of childrenwith ADD or ADHD have,including checklists and question-naires to assist with doctorappointments and evaluations.

“ADHD: A Complete andAuthoritative Guide,” by MichaelI. Reiff, M.D., FAAP, editor-in-chief with Sherill Tippins

An authoritative guide for par-ents offered by the AmericanAcademy of Pediatrics thatanswers most often asked ques-tions on children’s mental healthcare.

“Problem Solver Guide forStudents with ADHD,” byHarvey C. Parker, PhD.

A “quick reference” for par-ents and teachers seeking insightsinto guiding children with ADD.

“Teaching Young Childrenwith ADHD,” by Richard A.Lougy, Silvia L. DeRuvo andDavid Rosenthal, M.D.

Provides general educatorswith an understanding of ADHDthat includes clarifying inclusiveclassroom strategies to work with

children with attention dis-orders.

“TheADHD

HandbookforSchools:EffectiveStrategiesforIdentifyingand TeachingStudents withAttention-Deficit/HyperactivityDisorder,” byHarvey C.Parker, PhD.

An “every-thing at your fin-gertips” resource for teacher orparent assisting a child withADHD.

“ADHD in the young child: AGuide for Parents and Teachers ofYoung Children with ADHD,” byCathy Reimers, PhD. and BruceA. Brunger

A practical solutions guide tocommon problems associatedwith ADHD. The appendix offersreproducible black line masters touse in a variety of situations.

“The ADHD Workbook forParents: A Guide for Parents ofChildren Ages 2–12 withAttention-Deficit/HyperactivityDisorder,” by Harvey C. Parker,PhD.

A guide to assist parents inunderstanding the “at home”struggles faced when raising achild with ADHD, while alsobeing their child’s advocate formedical treatments and at school.

“Teenagers with ADD andADHD: A Guide for Parents andProfessionals,” by Chris A.Zeigler Dendy, M.S.

A resource for parents inunderstanding diagnosis andtreatment options for teens withADD or ADHD.

“How to Reach and TeachChildren with ADD/ADHD:Practical Techniques, Strategies,and Interventions,” by Sandra F.Rief

A resource for parents andteachers offering practical strate-

gies and suggestions to improvebehavior, social performance andacademic performance in childrenwith ADD/ADHD.

“The ADHD Book of Lists: APractical Guide for HelpingChildren and Teens withAttention Deficit Disorders,” bySandra F. Rief

Offers supports, interventionsand strategies to guide childrenand teens with ADD/ADHD.Reproducible checklists, calen-dars and forms included.

• Anxiety“Helping Your Anxious

Child: A Step-by-Step Guide forParents,” by Ronald M. Rapee,PhD., Susan H. Spence, PhD.,Vanessa Cobham, PhD., and AnnWignall, M. Psych.

A practical guide for parentson how to teach their anxiouschild to cope with anxiety andfears.

Asperger syndrome“Asperger Syndrome

& Your Child:Unlocking YourChild”s Potential,” byMichael D. Powers,PsyD., with JanetPoland

Offers comprehen-sive answers to themost common ques-tions parents haveabout Aspergersyndrome andincludes stories ofchildren whospeak on theirown condition.

• Autism“1001 Great

Ideas for Teaching and RaisingChildren with Autism SpectrumDisorders,” by Ellen Notbohmand Veronica Zysk

A solution book for communi-cation, social, sensory, behavioraland self-care issues within theautism spectrum.

“Ten Things Every Child WithAutism Wishes You Knew,” byEllen Notbohm

Defines the “Top Ten” charac-teristics of the hearts and mindsof children with autism.

“Autism and Your Church:Nurturing the Spiritual Growth ofPeople with Autism SpectrumDisorders,” by Barbara J.Newman

Practical guide for welcomingand including parishioners withASD into the full life of theparish, including action plans andreproducible resources.

• Bipolar disorder“New Hope for Children and

Teens with Bipolar Disorder,” byBoris Birmaher, M.D.

Offers the latest informationon causes of bipolar disorder andways to assist children and teenslive full lives.

• Depression“Helping Your Depressed

Child: A Step-by-Step Guide forParents,” by Martha UnderwoodBarnard, PhD.

A practical guide for under-standing and seeking treatmentfor a depressed child.

• Down syndrome“My Friend Isabelle,” by Eliza

Woloson, illustrated by BryanGough

A resource for introducing andencouraging young children totalk about differences in peopleand includes a teacher’s guide forclassroom activities that fosteracceptance of differences.

“We’ll Paint the OctopusRed,” by Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen, illustrated by PamDeVito

A reassuring story for bothparents and young children onwhat Down syndrome means fortheir relationship with their childor sibling.

“Teaching Reading to Childrenwith Down Syndrome: A Guidefor Parents and Teachers,” byPatricia Logan Oelwein

A guide for parents and teach-ers to teach reading to their chil-dren with Down syndrome. Theappendix offers reproducible pic-tures, flashcards, games, chartsand word lists.

“Teaching Math to Peoplewith Down Syndrome and OtherHands-On Learners: Book 1 –Basic Survival Skills,” byDeAnna Horstmeier, PhD.

Applies practical strategies forbasic, introductory math skills,with an appendix offering repro-ducible worksheets.

“Classroom Language Skillsfor Children with DownSyndrome: A Guide for Parentsand Teachers,” by Libby Kumin,PhD., CCC-SPL

A resource of specific strate-gies for adapting the languagedemands of schoolwork, with anappendix offering samples ofreproducible worksheets, check-lists, graphic organizers, visualprompts and an IEP planner.

“Gross Motor Skills inChildren with Down Syndrome:A Guide for Parents andProfessionals,” by Patricia A.Winders, P.T.

A resource on gross motordevelopment, including activitieswith milestone checklist thatencourage gross motor activitiesto be used with infants and chil-dren through age 6.

“Fine Motor Skills forChildren with Down Syndrome:A Guide for Parents andProfessionals,” by MaryanneBruni, BScOT (Reg)

A resource on fine motordevelopment including activitiesfor learning new skills.

• Obsessive-compulsivedisorder

“Talking Back to OCD,” byJohn S. March, M.D. withChristine M. Benton

Offers children and youth away in which they can beginworking toward a life that is notcontrolled by their obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Sensory integration disorder

“The Out-of-Sync Child:

Recognizing and Coping withSensory Processing Disorder,” byCarol Stock Kranowitz, M.A.

Offers insights into a common,but frequently misdiagnosed,problem in which the centralnervous system misinterpretsmessages sent from the senses.

“Raising a Sensory SmartChild,” by Lindsey Biel, M.A.,OTR/L and Nancy Peske

A resource offering parentssuggestions, resources and check-lists for observing and analyzinga child’s behavior.

“The Everything Parent”sGuide to Sensory IntegrationDisorder,” by Terri Mauro

A “one-stop” guide for parentsto assist their child in life.

“The Out-of-Sync Child hasFun” by Carol Stock Kranowitz,M.A.

Offers 100 plus ideas for play-ful activities for children withsensory integration disorder.

• Sign language“Signing: How to Speak with

Your Hands,” by Elaine CostelloOffers 1,200 American Sign

Language signs and their descrip-tions.

• Disabilities resources“Helping Kids Include Kids

with Disabilities,” by Barbara J.Newman

Offers assistance on teachingchildren to reach out to theirpeers with disabilities, as well ashow to help welcome the childwith disabilities into a classroom.

“Complete LearningDisabilities Handbook,” by JoanM. Harwell

A resource for those involvedin special education.

“Life Skills Activities forSecondary Students with SpecialNeeds,” by Darlene Mannix

A resource with practical les-sons including reproducibleworksheets to help guide the dis-abled child into the context ofreal-life situations.

“Social Skills Activities forSecondary Students with SpecialNeeds,” by Darlene Mannix

Offers social skills buildingideas for those working with spe-cial needs grades 6–12.

“It’s So Much Work to BeYour Friend: Helping the Childwith Learning Disabilities FindSocial Success,” by RichardLavoie

For caregivers of children ages6-17, to guide them throughalmost any social situation.

“You will Dream NewDreams: Inspiring PersonalStories by Parents of Childrenwith Disabilities,” by Stanley D.Klein, PhD., and Kim Schive

An inspiring collection ofwritings from parents of childrenwith disabilities.

“Treating Youth with DSM-IVDisorders: The Role of SocialSkill Instruction,” by MichaelSterna, M.H.D. and Tom Dowd,M.A.

An evaluation tool to assistcaregivers, doctors and teachersunderstand the various disorderscommonly diagnosed in youth.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2008 C H U R C H A N D D I S A B I L I T I E S 13

Two men with post-polio syndrome; two different paths of ministry

FORT WAYNE — According tothe National Institute ofNeurological Disorders andStroke, Post-polio syndrome(PPS) is a condition that affectspeople who survived polio yearsafter recovery from an initialacute attack of the poliomyelitisvirus. PPS is mainly character-ized by new weakening in mus-cles that were previously affectedby the polio infection and in mus-cles that seemingly were unaf-fected. Symptoms include pro-gressive muscle weakness, jointstiffness, lack of stamina and per-haps muscle atrophy.

Gary Johnson Fatigue does not slow Gary

Johnson, who has worked forWabash Technologies, Inc. inHuntington for 15 years and isnow manager of advanced devel-opment. He is also the managerover the engineering laboratorieswhere he is responsible for devel-oping new technologies that canbe incorporated into products,manages the intellectual propertyassets and holds 11 of those

patents himself, as well as beingresponsible for the engineeringlaboratory, which builds proto-type parts and performs all prod-uct qualification testing.

Brady, a 5-year-old blackLabrador Retriever, often accom-panies him to work and lies in hiscubicle until asked to pick upsomething or assist in the move-ment of his manual wheelchair.Brady is very much accepted bythe employees.

Johnson said, “The one day Idid not take him to work becausehe was sick, everybody askedabout him.”

“Parishioners have been verysupportive (of Brady). Brady’sbeen no problem whatsoever. Shewas blessed at the feast of St.Blaise and she is often blessed atCommunion time.”

Gary Johnson and his wife,Fran, have been helping with theannual fall festival at Ss. Peter and

Paul Parish in Huntington for thepast five or six years. They plan tocontinue this service as long asthey continue to receive the phonecall asking for their help.

Bob O’DellBob O’Dell, a retired GTE

network planner became a volun-teer at Redeemer Radio a fewmonths ago where he edits tapes.A once fallen-away Catholic,O’Dell says, “My life has beenwhen times are tough, I went tochurch; but when it’s not, Idon’t.”

While hoping his relationshipwith the Catholic Church lastslonger than in previous years, headmits that he is involved withthe church now because he isalone and lonely after his divorceseveral years ago.

To deal with these feelings,O’Dell has also joined the charis-matic men’s group Rekindle theFire, begun the process of becom-ing a member of the Knights ofColumbus chapter at St. Vincentde Paul Parish, Fort Wayne, andwants to attend the next ChristRenews His Parish weekendthere.

Serving the churchGary and Fran have been

parishioners at Ss. Peter and PaulParish for nearly 15 years. Theirtwo oldest children went toschool there through eighth gradeand their youngest child throughthe fourth grade.

The invitation to volunteer atthe fall festival began when Franworked at the public elementaryschool when they first moved toHuntington and a paraprofession-al at the school asked for theirassistance.

Since that time, Fran and Garyhave helped with various activi-ties associated with the festival.“One year they had wine tasting(for the adults) and I poured thewine,” says Gary. Cooking the 30pans of lasagna for the dinners isthe Johnsons’ all–time favorite.

Both Gary Johnson and BobO’Dell give credit to their parentsfor molding them to chase theirdreams and try new things inorder to expand their horizons.

B Y D E B W A G N E R Fran and GaryJohnson from Ss.Peter and PaulParish inHuntington havehelped with vari-ous activitiesassociated withthe annualchurch festival.

Accommodation allows Deb Wagner to be active in ministry

FORT WAYNE — Deb Wagnerhas never been one unwilling toaccept a challenge. Born withcerebral palsy and using a wheel-chair or crutches at the time,Wagner attended Sacred Heart,St. Henry schools and BishopLuers High School. And she has agreat love for her Catholic faith.

“I had a good support system,”Wagner says ofher childhood,“parents thatpracticed theirCatholic faithand showed me,through exam-ple, how to beinvolved in aparish commu-nity.” Both hermother andfather wereamong the firstlay eucharisticministers intheir parish. Hermother pro-claimed, andher parentswere involvedin Holy Name and RosarySodality.

And Wagner also feels thatneed to be involved in ministry inmany ways with the church. AtBishop Luers, at the age of 16,she became a eucharistic minister.That ministry continued throughcollege at Ball State Universityand even today.

Participation in a ministry,“depends on the pastor of theparish at the time or the people incharge of a particular (ministry)as to what things I am able to do,or permitted to do, and whatthings I have to forego,” Wagner

says. “Sometimes I choose aparish community based on thewillingness of a pastor and thestaff at that time to allow me todo things.”

Today, she is a eucharisticminister at Most Precious BloodChurch in Fort Wayne, where shecan distribute both body andblood of Christ and also ministersas a proclaimer there.

One may also see Wagner tak-ing assignments as a freelance

writer and pho-tographer forToday’sCatholic.

“I think thechurch in differ-ent areas isgrowing withacceptance ofpeople with dis-abilities,”Wagner says. Itdepends on theparish and thepeople whomake up a par-ticular parish.

In general,“... I think (thechurch is) grow-

ing at rate much slower than soci-ety in their acceptance of peoplewith disabilities and theiracknowledgment of what they arecapable of doing,” Wagner says.“So I would say (the church is)probably a decade or two behindsociety’s understanding of what aperson with a certain disabilitycan do.”

Based on her own experiences,“usually I have to beg and pleadto be a lector or be a eucharisticminister,” she says. And once sheconvinces a pastor that she cando it, it will often take a fewmonths to get scheduled.

The changes may be a simple

accommodation: “when I lector,most of the ambos are a few stepsfrom the main level. I lector fromthe floor,” Wagner says.

At another parish, Wagner wasrecognized by the children as“the voice from church” because

they could hear her, but theycouldn’t see her. “And they hadto pay attention more becausethey had to listen and not justlook,” Wagner was often told byparents.

“So there are some benefits of

changes that have to be made forme to be a minister of anything,”she says.

“I think there is a reluctance tochange, and I think that it isfear,” Wagner says. A lot of theordained, “just haven’t had theexposure that lay people have hadwith people with disabilities.They are used to caring for themmore than seeing them as anequal capable of giving.

“But I do think that we areimproving because, as theyounger people — who havebeen exposed to people with dis-abilities through school — seewhat we are capable of doing,they are a lot more willing toallow us to try new things.”

With assistance from a work-ing service dog named Scarlet,Wagner is greatly assisted withmobility difficulties. Service dogssuch as Scarlet “help people withphysical disabilities accomplishthings that either they cannot doon their own or, by having anassistance dog do the task foryou, you are conserving yourenergy so you use that for anothertask,” Wagner says.

She is working with Scarlet tobecome certified as a therapy dogthat could visit nursing facilitiesand hospitals. “So she will begiving back to the communitythat way,” Wagner adds.

Scarlet was trained as a serv-ice dog by prisoners in the ToledoCorrectional Institute. Wagnerand Scarlet recently visited pris-oners at the Westfield correction-al facility in northwest Indiana.They were part of the Catholiccontingency of the ChristmasBehind Bars team that visits pris-oners and provides cookies,candy, etc., to inmates.

Read the prison story in nextweek’s issue.

T IM JOHNSON

Deb Wagner, who is a contributing freelance writer for Today’s Catholic,a eucharistic minister and proclaimer at Most Precious Blood Church inFort Wayne, is shown with her working service dog Scarlet at a recentvisit to the newspaper office.

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

“I think the church in

different areas is growing

with acceptance of people

with disabilities.”

DEB WAGNER

DEB WAGNER

T O D A Y ’ S C A T H O L I C SEPTEMBER 21, 200814

EDITORIAL

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

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

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

Room for all at his table As Catholics we all are called to worship and serve at Christ’s

table. In his offering of self at the altar we find not only sal-vation but community as well. Jesus calls the rich and destitute,the young and the old, the healthy and the disabled — all are wel-come there.

However in our fast-paced, over-scheduled culture, takingtime to get to know others within our church community, espe-cially those with differences, is sometimes complicated. Manytimes those with disabilities are completely overlooked. But withthe integration initiative in our country, we, as moral Christians,are called to reach out to those who by the very nature of theirdisability may feel isolated or unloved.

We can take our initiative from Jesus, who is the ultimatemodel for integration. He lovingly broke bread with sinners,mingled with the lepers and welcomed the little children.

Typically, those with disabilities who wish to participate andserve within the church have been met with extraordinary chal-lenges. Structural limitations hamper those in need of wheelchairaccess while those with special intellectual needs get lost in theshuffle. In this diocese there are efforts quietly being undertakento assist these Catholics in meeting their faith development andservice needs.

One group at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, called Room atthe Table, invites all those who are disabled or support thosechallenged with disabilities to gather each month to discuss andinitiate positive ways the church can meet a standard of integra-tion for this special population.

As loving acceptance of all persons is the goal of integration itis imperative, but many times difficult, to offer appropriate activ-ities and opportunities for groups of varied levels of ability. Onedynamic religious education program for students with disabili-ties called The Amazing Apostles offered at Our Lady of GoodHope Parish, Fort Wayne, is addressing the catechetical needs ofsome special students there, including meeting with the regularreligious education classes periodically to add the all importantelement of community to their education. The inspiring classexists only by the extraordinary efforts of some devoted moms.

Time to retreatAnother opportunity for special catechesis is a bi-annual

retreat for the disabled, offered by the diocesan Office ofCatechesis, where young adult and adult disabled Catholics cometogether for a day of fellowship and worship.

There is even a newly forming support group for moms ofspecial needs children in the St. Matthew Cathedral, South Bend,and St. Pius X, Granger, area.

These are just a few of the initiatives Catholics in the dioceseare implementing to gather all people to his table. But so muchhas yet to be done.

As Christians, we believe that we were created in God’simage and for a special purpose. As in the stories featured in thisissue of Today’s Catholic, it is evident there is a place for eachone of us in the Catholic community. Men, woman and childrenwith physical limitations as well as intellectual challenges areserving as volunteers at festivals, at the altar as acolytes, inchoirs, as well as participating in Bible studies, retreats and orga-nizations like Knights of Columbus. Their deep faith and stead-fast service enriches our faith communities.

The need for integration is ageless and the desire to belongand participate constant. There should be no limit to opportuni-ties for all levels of ability to participate fully in worship, fellow-ship and service within our church. But it takes caring hearts,creative minds, time and hard work to initiate and advocate forthose less fortunate. We must take up the challenge to accept andwelcome all levels of ability into our faith community.

If we, as Catholic community, can take on the heart and mindof Jesus there will truly always be room for all at his table.

Today’s Catholic editorial board consists of Ann Carey, Don Clemmer, Fredand Lisa Everett, Father Mark Gurtner, Father Michael Heintz, TimJohnson and Vince LaBarbera.

Politics and abortion: What’s the choice? Responding to editors’ requestsfor a regular sampling of currentcommentary from around theCatholic press, here is an editori-al titled “Politics and abortion:What’s the choice?” It appearedin the Sept. 4 issue of TheCatholic Messenger, newspaperof the Diocese of Davenport,Iowa. It was written by FrankWessling, the paper’s retired newseditor.

Very smart politicians havetheir weaknesses, just like the restof us. They tend to be vulnerablewhere they’ve been compromisedby the need for money and for 51percent approval in the electorate.How do we recognize such weak-ness? We wonder about certainthings.

For example, we don’t neces-sarily know how Barack Obamaand John McCain would answer aquestion about abortion if theywere in a secure room with oneother person and a guarantee thatwhat they said would neverbecome public. All we know iswhat they say and do in their pub-lic personas as political officehold-ers — and now as candidates forthe presidency.

When asked in a recent publicforum about abortion, both men,both smart and experienced men,performed predictably. Both alsoleft unanswered questions whenthat issue was brought up by theRev. Rick Warren during his Aug.17 televised joint interview. Whydid Obama sound as if he was notprepared? Why was McCain notcalled on his inconsistency?

Obama did not seem ready forWarren’s question on when humanrights begin. He replied with eva-sions about “whether you’re look-ing at it from a theological per-spective or a scientific perspec-tive,” and pleaded ignorancebecause the answer would be“above my pay grade.”

It’s more than odd that Obamapunted that question so badly. Hecertainly has had to think about it

and cope with it more than once.As someone looking for success inthe Democratic Party, he surelyknows how tender and sensitivethe issue of abortion is for manypeople when they consider votingfor Democrats. The party hookedits fortunes to the abortion“choice” position decades ago.Every Democrat since has had towalk the minefield between anactivist pro-choice wing in theparty — along with its money —and the wavering Catholic votethat once favored Democrats fortheir social consciousness but nowfeels homeless.

Perhaps Obama was gropingfor a fresh way to avoid a directanswer on the question of whenhuman life begins. It’s a hard oneto answer honestly when you havea militant constituency on yourback insisting on a pregnantwoman’s “choice” to kill a “fetus.”If you say, yes, human life is sure-ly present when human sperm andovum are joined, and that lifeshould be considered in the orbitof human rights, then it’s very hardto explain why that life does notdeserve full protection in our law.The easier way is to fudge andfuzz and declare the answerunknowable.

McCain spoke up with anorthodox “at the moment of con-ception.” But while he talks theright talk on the issue, he falls offthe walk when it comes to action.McCain is on record as favoringembryonic stem-cell research,which requires the sacrifice oflives far beyond the “moment ofconception.”

The reality is that politics andthe law cannot resolve our soci-ety’s ambivalence over abortion.Politics and law operate with thelanguage of individual rights andopportunity, with emphasis on theindividual. The unborn person sim-ply does not have enough presenceto command a hearing on thoseterms. This becomes apparentwhen considering how the libertar-

ian wing of the Republican Partyviews abortion: Government andlaws are not the answer to any-thing. They believe in maximumliberty for the individual — theborn individual, that is; the onewith the power.

Obama has at least arranged —or allowed, as these things aredone — a party platform plank onabortion that also supports moreassistance for pregnant womenthrough prenatal and postnatalcare, income support programs forthose who need the help, andaccess to adoption services.

But neither of our major politi-cal parties is centered on a funda-mental pro-life stance. One is com-promised by an individualistic phi-losophy that neglects distributivejustice. The other takes an abso-lutist, extreme position for“choice” that makes unborn lifeinvisible. Conscientious voterswon’t feel comfortable in eithercamp, although many individualcandidates offer better value thanthe standard for either party.

The politics of this country willnot allow an end to abortion, oreven significant limitation.Wishing so will not change thatwell-documented reality. TheRepublican Party has had years ofopportunity to actually move inthat direction with nothing to showfor it. The Democratic Party wearsblinders. Even if the unlikelyoccurred, and Roe v. Wade wereoverturned by a future SupremeCourt, legalized abortion wouldstill be demanded by a majority ofAmericans. Political battlingwould spread among the stateswhile few, if any, lives would besaved.

Neither party deserves our trustas a true pro-life carrier of values.Our judgment about voting comesdown to whether we prefer tolerat-ing the status quo on abortion infavor of more attention to distribu-tive justice, or risk a decline inequality across this society for thechance of change on abortion.

Article lends air oflegitimacy

The editorial page of the Sept. 7issue of Today’s Catholic containsthe following: “…(Sen. Joe Biden’s)voting record does not reflect con-sistency with the church’s teachingson abortion, in that he supportskeeping it legal and its federal fund-ing.

As Sen. Biden and his bishopcontinue their dialogue on thisissue, ...”

At Mass this weekend (Sept. 7),the first reading is Ez 33: 7-9. TheGospel reading is Mt 18:15-20.

They both have to do with admon-ishing people who need correcting.In all charity and love and humility,I dare to suggest the followingthought.

When confronting seriousdigressions from the teachings ofour Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,would the first bishops, St.Matthew, St. Mark, St. Luke, St.John, etc., have chosen to “dia-logue” with the person in need?

As long as pro-abortionCatholics perceive no serious threatto their souls, they will simplychoose the status quo and will con-tinue the “dialogue” indefinitely.Meanwhile, what about all the scan-dal and serious spiritual damage to

the souls of countless members ofthe flock?

Then, on page 4 of the sameissue of Today’s Catholic, there’s alengthy article about Barack Obama— “Obama invokes American spirit,echoes ‘Faithful Citizenship’themes” — complete with wonder-ful family photo. I would expect apuff piece like this in any of ourmany liberal, politically correctnewspapers, but I was deeply dis-mayed to see it in our Today’sCatholic. What a waste of valuablespace, lending an air of legitimacyto somebody who is so deeply, pub-licly, and profoundly anti-life.

Anthony J. SteinSouth Bend

C O M M E N T A R YSEPTEMBER 21, 2008 15

25th Sunday inOrdinary TimeMt 20:20:1-16a

The last section of the Book ofIsaiah provides this weekend withits first reading. Virtually none ofthe prophets of ancient Israelwrote when times were good, or atleast when the prophets perceivedthe times to be good.

Certainly, the author of the sec-tion of the Book of Isaiah fromwhich this weekend’s readingcomes hardly regarded the times tobe good.

There was an added dimensionto the story of the unhappy plightthen being endured by God’s peo-ple. They had returned fromBabylon, where they and theirancestors had been in exile forfour generations. They had greetedthe news that their exile was overwith great rejoicing, convincedthat God had provided for themand had rescued them. Eagerly,and with great expectation, theyhad returned to their homeland.

When they returned, they foundonly want and despair. It is easy toimagine their anger. They werefurious with God, and this prophethad to call them back to trustingGod.

In this reading, Third Isaiahwarns the people not to put theirtrust in scoundrels. Instead, theprophet tells the people to call

upon God. In God alone is truestrength, regardless of fleetingappearances to the contrary.

For this weekend’s secondreading, the church offers us a pas-sage from the Epistle to thePhilippians.

The Apostle Paul, in thisEpistle’s soaring language, pro-claims the divinity of Christ, thesavior, the son of God. Paul con-tinues to explain the intimate,inseparable link between the Lordand true disciples.

Come what may on earth, a dis-ciple will never die, if the discipleis constant in loving God and fol-lowing Christ in obedience to God.

St. Matthew’s Gospel providesthe last reading, a parable. Thisparable is set within the context ofeveryday life in Palestine at thetime of Jesus. Agriculture was thepursuit of most. Life was hard.Many did not know where to findtheir next meal. Gainful employ-ment was at a premium. A dinariuswas a typical day’s wage.

Men looking for work, andincome, came to village centerseach morning, making themselvesavailable for work. Persons withprojects came to these places andhired the men.

It was a buyer’s market. Nolabor statutes or requirements forany minimum wage restrainedemployers in their pursuit of profit.Still, at least for Jews, certainexpectations of fairness prevailed.

Jesus used the term “vineyard.”It immediately brought to mindOld Testament references to Israelas God’s vineyard. So, the storyfrom the beginning had a theologi-cal and ethnic quality. God ownedand cared for the vineyard. He setthe rules. But, God hires the men.He therefore provides them withsurvival itself.

Two powerful lessons emerge.The first is that God is enormouslygenerous. The second is that God’s

ways are not necessarily our ways.

ReflectionFor some weeks, the church,

through these weekend readings,has been calling us to followChrist. Wisely, in this process, thechurch recognizes that some of ushesitate not because we do notwant to be with the Lord, butbecause we bear the burden ofguilt or doubt. We think that ourself-created distance from God istoo great to bridge.

Emphatically, in these readings,the church reassures us of theunlimited mercy of God. God isthe source of life. He lavishlyoffers it to us.

Whatever our sin, if we repent,even at a late hour, God’s lovingforgiveness awaits us.

However, we must choose to bewith God, to be disciples. No oneis dragged, kicking and screaming,into heaven. Discipleship requiresfaith. Paul’s words call us to faithwith the reminder that withoutGod all is folly, all is imperma-nent, and all is death. God aloneoffers life.

The unlimited mercy of God

THE SUNDAYGOSPEL

MSGR. OWEN F. CAMPION

CATEQUIZ’EMBy Dominic Camplison

September is the only month to start with S.This quiz assesses the letterS in Scripture and sacraments and other church related terms.

1. Scruples refer to

a.worries that one has sinned when one has not.b.a small piece of cloth worn by some Catholics.c.small pancakes,usually maple,served to welcome new parish-ioners.

2. Secularism is

a.the type of religion one gets when one parts from the CatholicChurch.b.the notion of historical cycles (seculorum).c.a view that religion should be excluded from society.

3.The Scala Sancta, the steps Jesus ascended for trial, were in Jersulem but are now in

a.Palestinian controlled territory. b.Rome.c.London, in the British Museum with other purloined items.

4.This type of work is forbidden on Sundays, except as necessary for family or society:

a.servile workb.service at a churchc.selling or buying

5.This object is thought by many to have covered the body of Jesus:

a.sacramental cloth b.the Shroud of Turinc.the Sewn Garment

6. Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras) derives its name from “shrive” meaning

a.to give absolution.b.to condemn for sin.c. to cook up pancakes.

7.The term sanctuary refers to a part of a church, but also this concept:

a.the special privilege the clergy get in Catholic countriesb.the inviolability of churches when used as refugec.the area in Notre Dame where the bells are rung

8.The Great Schism divides these churches:

a.The Catholic and the Protestant.b.The Roman Catholic and the Eastern Catholic.c.The Catholic and the Orthodox churches.

9. Sabbatarianism was a 17th and 18th century movement based on enforcing Old

Testament laws concerning Sunday observance. Its logical flaw was

a. it could only apply to areas under the influence of Calvinism.b. it was not able to determine which day was which.c. the Old Testament rules applied to Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath.

10. Simony is the forbidden practice of buying or selling spiritual things. Its name is

derived from

a.Simon Templar, the first Templar Knight who bought the stablesin the Holy Sepulcher.b.Simon Magus,a magician who attempted to buy spiritual powerfrom the apostles.c.Simon Peter,who paid Jesus 30 pierces of silver for leadership inthe church.

11. A spoon is used in this liturgy:

a.The Byzantine liturgy (for dispensing the Eucharist)b.The rite of leavening bread used in Celtic countriesc.The Tridentine version of benediction

12. Eastern rites make use of a Stephanos, for example at a wedding.What is it?

a.An icon of Steven,the first Russian martyrb.A ritual crown c.A rope of golden thread used to symbolically bind the newlymarried couple

13.These soldiers guard the Vatican and the pope

a.Service Armata del Papab.Swiss Guardsc.Sancta Soldati

14.The Synoptic Gospel are all but this one:

a.Matthews’s Gospel b.Luke’s Gospel c. John’s Gospel

15. A Seraph (plural Seraphim) is a type of

a.angel b.serpent c.dome

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

READINGSSunday: Is 55:6-9 Ps 145:2-3,8-9,17-18Phil 1:20c-24,27a Mt 20:1-16aMonday: Prv 3:27-34 Ps 15:2-4b,5Lk 8:16-18Tuesday: Prv 21:1-6,10-13 Ps 119:1,27,30,34-35,44 Lk 8:19-21Wednesday: Prv 30:5-9 Ps 119:29,72, 89, 101, 104, 163 Lk 9:1-6Thursday: Eccl 1:2-11 Ps 90:3-6,12-14, 17bc Lk 9:7-9Friday: Eccl 3:1-11 Ps 144:1b,2abc,3-4 Lk 9:18-22Saturday: Eccl 11:9-12:8 Ps 90:3-6,12-14, 17 Lk 9:43b-45

St. Paul alive: Scholars tell how hisChristian teaching applies now VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Byproclaiming a year dedicated to St.Paul, Pope Benedict XVI hasbrought attention to a figure whooften has been off the church’sradar.

One noted U.S. Scripture schol-ar said most priests think preach-ing the Gospel means focusing onJesus’ biography as recounted byMatthew, Mark, Luke and John.

This has meant St. Paul’s lettersusually got “lip service” by mostpreachers and scholars, FatherRaymond F. Collins told CatholicNews Service.

Compounding the problem wasthat Martin Luther, the 16th-centu-ry leader of the ProtestantReformation, drew heavily uponSt. Paul’s letters to the Romansand Galatians. This led manyCatholics to feel Scripture was“Protestant” and St. Paul’s letterswere “dangerous,” said FatherCollins.

As a result, the apostle’s teach-ings “didn’t really enter into ourCatholic thinking,” although inrecent years the apostle’s lettershave been getting more attentionfrom Catholic scholars and theolo-

gians, he said.Father Collins, a New

Testament scholar retired from TheCatholic University of America inWashington, was one of 30 inter-national experts who attended aweeklong Pauline symposium atthe Basilica of St. Paul Outside theWalls in early September.

The St. Paul’s Colloquium is anecumenical initiative sponsored bythe basilica’s Benedictine commu-nity. Participants have been meet-ing every two years since 1968.

U.S. Lutheran and NewTestament scholar Karl Donfried, asymposium participant, told CNSthat the saint’s life and teachingsare timely examples of dealingwith a secularized world and heal-ing a divided Christianity.

He said there is “a remarkableparallel” between the multicultural,secularized societies of today andthe complex, pagan world of St.Paul.

Despite enormous challenges,St. Paul was “always proclaimingthe Gospel — the good news ofwhat God has done for us in JesusChrist — in a very specific situa-tion that is always complex, con-

troverted and difficult,” said theretired professor of religion atSmith College in Northampton,Mass.

Father Collins said St. Paul was“a pathfinder,” showing today’sdisciples that they need to findnew ways to translate the Gospelmessage into different cultures andgenerational divides.

The Pauline year also is meantto focus on the saint’s call forChristian unity, and Father Collinsand Donfried said St. Paul plays asignificant role in fostering ecu-menism.

Christian unity was a problem

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

THE VATICANLETTERCAROL GLATZ

C O M M E N T A R Y16 SEPTEMBER 21, 2008

How ‘alt.’ lost the kingdom — andwhy it matters

Back in the day, before theparish repertoire wasexpanded to accommodate

the hymn sandwich (the “openinghymn” and “closing hymn”), the“offertory hymn,” and thealmost-never-sung-by-parish-ioners “Communion hymn,”Catholics in the U.S. didn’t knowa lot of hymns. Everyone knew“Holy God, We Praise ThyName”: disfigured by thosebaroque trills (“In-fih-ih-neh-ettthy vast do-oh-main”) that aren’tin the score, but the AmericanCatholic fight song, nonetheless.Then there were the Marian stan-dards, of which the treacly con-fections (“Bring Flowers of theFairest, Bring Flowers of theRarest”) were more prevalentthan the noble classics (“OSanctissima”).

And there was “Lord, Who atThy First Eucharist,” which Imay have learned for my firstholy Communion in 1958, butwhich was certainly a standardlong before then. In an era of the-ologically thin hymn-texts, it wasa eucharistic hymn chock-full oftheology. It centered the church’sidentity and unity in theEucharist. It reminded Catholicsof the ecumenical imperative. Itclosed with an image of the sup-per of the Lamb, in the kingdomwhere the redeemed live in theunity of trinitarian light and love.

It’s a fine hymn. And it’s nowbeen wrecked by that greatwreckovator, “alt.” You sayyou’ve never heard of “alt.”? Goto the bottom of any page in thehymn section of your worshipaide, and there you will find theubiquitous “alt.,” a protean char-acter who seems to have rewrit-ten virtually the entire repertoire.“Alt.” did a particularly egre-gious job on “Lord, Who at ThyFirst Eucharist.”

Here’s the original last verse:So, Lord, at length when

sacraments shall cease

May we be one with all ThyChurch above,

One with Thy saints in oneunbroken peace,

One with Thy saints in oneunbounded love;

More blessed still, in peaceand love to be

One with the Trinity in unity.“Alt.,” who breaks out into

hives whenever he encounters“Thy,” was not content to wreck-ovate that into Eliza DoolittleEnglish. No, “alt.” had to flattenthe theology as well as thevocabulary. Thus the wreckovat-ed hymn now limps to the finish-line with a slavish repetition ofprevious verses: “O may we allone bread, one body be/Throughthis blest sacrament of unity.”

What happened to the king-dom-to-come? Or to the life ofthe blessed who live within thereally real presence of the MostHoly Trinity? They’ve been jetti-soned in favor of togetherness.This kind of gelding is not with-out consequences, and the conse-quences aren’t only literary; thedeeper consequences are theolog-ical and liturgical. “Lex cantandi,lex credendi, lex orandi” —“what we sing affects what webelieve and how we pray.”

As the fathers of the SecondVatican Council taught in theConstitution on the SacredLiturgy, the celebration of theEucharist here-and-now is ourprivileged participation in theliturgy of angels and saints thatgoes on constantly around theThrone of Grace. In theEucharist, we experience theunity of the church in this world,true; even more importantly, weexperience our unity with whatwe used to call the “church tri-umphant.” The Eucharist doesn’tsimply focus our attention on us,and on now. The Eucharist, right-ly understood, points us towardour fuller communion with theredeemed of the Lamb, in the

time-beyond-time that is God’stime, trinitarian time. To diminishthis kingdom-sense is to diminishan essential element of theEucharist.

As I’ve argued in this spacebefore, losing a sense of theKingdom-to-come is one key fac-tor in our post-Vatican II liturgi-cal languors. If the reformedliturgy has failed to do what twogenerations of liturgical reform-ers expected it to do — equip thepeople of God for a new evangel-ical Pentecost in the world —that may have something to dowith too intense a focus in ourprayer and song on us, and onnow.

The answer? Catecheticalpreaching on the kingdom-dimension of the liturgy is essen-tial. And might I suggest theproper authorities consigninghymnals defaced by the arch-wreckovator, “alt.,” to the parishdumpster?

GEORGE WEIGEL

THE CATHOLIC DIFFERENCE

George Weigel is a senior fellow ofthe Ethics and Public PolicyCenter in Washington, D.C.

in the early church and the first-century saint proposed practicalideas for bringing Christians fromJewish, Greek and Roman culturestogether “in a basic unity of faith,”Father Collins said.

Donfried said St. Paul warnedagainst the “inherent contradictionbetween saying on the one handwe are in Christ and yet holdingsharply diverging opinions anddoing things ... anti-Gospel.”

The Jewish-born apostle triedto strip away superficial, culturalbaggage and drive his audienceback to the central questions for allChristians about the Gospel, Jesusand what it means “to be trans-formed by the Holy Spirit into anew life and not be conformed tothe world,” he said.

The problems preventing fullunity 2,000 years later are similar,he said.

“Throughout the history of the

church there are cultural ideolo-gies ... that people easily adapt to;they become a kind of ‘culturalChristian’ insofar as they have asuperficial understanding of theGospel and the church,” Donfriedsaid.

When people become drivenand motivated only by their cul-ture, they risk drowning outChrist’s power to transform, hesaid.

He said the current fixation onsocial justice or the “politicalagenda of good works” is obscur-ing God’s true message andimpoverishing spirituality.

Churches and the faithfulshould not be looking to seewhether the Democratic orRepublican parties resonate morewith their beliefs; rather theyshould be asking, “How doesJesus Christ transform my under-standing of the political, social orcultural” world, Donfried said.

While Christians must be con-cerned about rectifying injustices,he said, they first must be “trans-formed and informed” by Jesus,who gives people courage.

LETTERCONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

Mary is assumed to speak throughout ScripturesBesides finding Jesus in the templeand the wedding at Cana, were thereany other times when the BlessedVirgin Mary spoke?, R.M., South Bend

Mary spoke at theAnnunciation in Nazareth whenthe angel Gabriel told here shewould bear Jesus. Mary respond-ed: “How can this be since I donot know man.” The angelreplied this conception will hap-pen through the power of theHoly Spirit. Mary responded: “Iam the servant of the Lord. Let itbe done to me as you say.”

Mary also spoke at theVisitation in Ain Karim outsideof Jerusalem when she visited herkinswoman Elizabeth. Elizabethtold Mary she was blest amongwomen because of her approach-ing birth.

Mary then responded with thecanticle called the Magnificat:“My being proclaims the great-ness of the Lord; my spirit findsjoy in God my savior.”

Mary appears elsewhere in theGospels. Although she might notbe quoted in exact words, we pre-sume she said something. Thus,at the birth of Jesus inBethlehem, Mary would havespoken to St. Joseph and the mid-wives. When the shepherds andthe Magi visited Mary, she wouldhave spoken with them. At thecircumcision of Jesus, Marywould have spoken to St. Josephand her relatives. At thePresentation of Jesus in the tem-ple in Jerusalem, Mary wouldhave spoken to St. Joseph,Simeon and Anna.

During the flight into Egyptand the stay there Mary would bespeaking. During the hiddenyears of Jesus, from age 12-30,Mary would have spoken to Jesusand St. Joseph and the women atthe well in Nazareth and Maryprobably visited her mother St.Anne.

During the public life ofChrist, we see Mary leaving the

wedding feast at Cana and goingwith Jesus at Capernaum on theSea of Galilee where she couldhave spoken with Jesus’ disciplesand even St. Peter’s mother-in-law. We also see Mary and therelatives of Jesus trying to getJesus’ attention among thecrowds so they could speak withhim.

The Way of the Cross devo-tion shows Jesus meeting Marywhile carrying the cross. HereMary could have spoken to Jesus.Although this episode is not men-tioned in the Bible, it makessense because the Gospel of John

does place Mary at the foot of thecross. Mary would be speaking toSt. John the Apostle and the otherwomen at the cross.

Father J. Delaney says it isbelieved that Mary was present atthe resurrection and ascension ofJesus, but this is not in the Bible.We do, however, see Mary pres-

ent in the upper room inJerusalem at Pentecost when theHoly Spirit descended upon theapostles.

Father Richard Hire, pastor of St.Martin de Porres Parish, Syracuse,answered this week’s question.

THAT’S A GOODQUESTION

SCRIPTURE SEARCHBy Patricia Kasten

Gospel for September 21, 2008Matthew 20:1-16a

Following is a word search based on the Gospelreading for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, CycleA: a parable about the generosity of God. The words

can be found in all directions in the puzzle.

KINGDOM HEAVEN LANDOWNERLABORERS DAILY WAGE NINE O’CLOCK

IDLE NOON HIRED USTHE LAST THE FIRST RECEIVE

GRUMBLED ONE HOUR EQUALBURDEN HEAT FRIENDUSUAL ENVIOUS GENEROUS

THE WAGE

H E A V E N E D R U B L

I K I N G D O M H T T A

R E C E I V E D D S S N

E Q G O N E H O U R A D

D U E Q L W K D E I L O

U A N U J C J R E F E W

S L E S O J O T A E H N

F G R U M B L E D H T E

I W O A A N O O N T Y R

D U U L N A D N E I R F

L S S N A S U O I V N E

E G A W Y L I A D F T Y© 2008 Tri-C-A www.tri-c-a-publications.com

T O D A Y ’ S C A T H O L I C 17SEPTEMBER 21, 2008

SportsCOUGARS OVERCOME WEATHER, HAWKS Weather and the Quincy University football team conspired to ruin

the University of Saint Francis (USF) road trip to Quincy, Ill., but the fourth-ranked Cougars pre-

vailed 21-0 on Saturday afternoon. By about 5 p.m. CST, nearly 1.5 inches of rain had inundated the

Quincy region and the Cougars were loading up the busses and trying to dry out. The Cougars travel

to Taylor University in Upland on Saturday, Sept. 20, starting at 1 p.m.

Field conditions send CYOfootball to D’Arcy Stadium

FORT WAYNE — CatholicYouth Organization (CYO) foot-ball action for the fourth week ofthe 2008 season was switchedfrom Bishop Luers Field to theUniversity of Saint Francis, dueto soggy field conditions andexpected rainfall.

In the Sunday, Sept. 14 firstgame, Redeemer Radio broad-casters kept dry as the St. JohnEagles downed a “never-say-die”St. Vincent club, 30-18.

In the contest dedicated inmemory of former principal, BobHerber, the Eagles upped theirwin streak to 4-0. ChanningWilliams broke the ice returningthe kickoff 80 yards for a touch-down. Matt Williamson added ascore on a 10-yard pass play fromThomas Starks and SamStronczek was 3-4 on PATs.Jocquel Cooper had another bigday rumbling twice for theEagles who will face St. Charlesnext week.

St. Vincent Coach CoryKitchen was very pleased withhis team’s tremendous perform-ance against the Eagles’ size andspeed, “I felt like we were play-ing a bit shell-shocked (after theopening TD), and the game gotaway from us in the first half, butwe came back in the second halfand were not intimidated, playingwith a lot of heart.”

Nick German scored all threetouchdowns for the 2-2 Panthers.

The torrential rains continuedinto the St. John New Haven vs.Sts. JAT (St. Joseph-Elizabeth-Aloysius-Therese) 30-0 game. Arelentless Raider defense turnedout their third shutout in the pastfour games and Coach DanCarey’s line dominated in the wetconditions. The offensive attackwas led by quarterback JakeBritton’s score and a pair oftouchdowns from DillonCarey. AdamMcCarthy was 3-4 on point afterattempts andadded theother sixpoints.

Thedownpour didnot let up andthe thirdmatchup wasfinally called duringthe fourth quarter when the scoreread Holy Cross, 24; St. Charles,8. Consequently, a disappointedgroup from St. Jude and PreciousBlood/Queen of Angels wasforced to reschedule their grid-iron showdown.

Next week, Catholic Radio1450 A.M. will feature the St.Jude Eagles against the 2-2Knights from JAT in a 1 p.m.contest, Sunday, Sept. 21.

B Y M I C H E L L E C A S T L E M A N

Rain, rain,go away ... ICCLgames canceled

SOUTH BEND — For the firsttime in the history of the Inter-City Catholic League, both var-

sity and junior varsityschoolboy games were

washed out because of atwo-day torrential rainof nearly 12 inches.Both Marian High

School field inMishawaka

and SaintJoseph’sfield inSouth Bend

were coveredwith water.

ICCL President TonyVioli said, “Never before in the64-year history of our leaguehave we experienced such a dis-aster, even though, in some yearspast, we played football gameson snow-covered fields.”

He said the games would bemade up at a later date.

LAKE STATION (CNS) — Anautomobile accident put PattyCisneros in a wheelchair but notout of commission.

A three-sport athlete in highschool, she currently is seeking agold medal as captain of the U.S.women’s wheelchair basketballteam at the Beijing ParalympicsSept. 6-17. She’s on her way:Cisneros scored four points andgrabbed five rebounds in theteam’s win over Germany Sept. 8.

Cisneros, 30, earned a goldmedal at the Athens Paralympicsin 2004 and played on the U.S.team at the Sydney, Australia,games four years earlier. TheParalympics consist of events forathletes with physical disabilities;Cisneros was introduced to wheel-chair basketball by a physical ther-apist in Indianapolis.

The fourth of 10 children,Cisneros played basketball and rantrack and cross-country in highschool. The valedictorian of herhigh school class, she was in herfirst semester at IndianaUniversity, Bloomington, in 1996when both of her legs were para-lyzed following an accident inwhich she was a back-seat passen-ger.

A parishioner at St. Francis

Xavier Church in Lake Station,Cisneros said her Catholicupbringing helped her survive thecrippling accident.

“If it wasn’t for my faith, Idon’t know if I could have madeit,” she said. “I’d been walking mywhole life, and then the accidenthappens.”

Cisneros also cited the faith ofher mother, Maria, a “traditionalMexican Catholic mom,” for help-ing her explore different opportu-nities available to people with dis-abilities. Her father, Jesus, likes tobrag to his fellow steelworkersabout his gold-medalist daughter,she added.

Maria Cisneros, a catechist atSt. Francis Xavier, said when herdaughter was injured in the acci-dent, the family prayed.

“God does things and we haveto accept what God gives us,” shesaid. “You try to reason why thishappened to you, but you have togo on. God gives you obstacles,but we carry on with our faith andprayers.”

She drove Patty to wheelchairbasketball practice until her daugh-ter could drive with hand controls.

Patty Cisneros, a former parishcatechist, called her family the“backbone of my life.” She saidher mother is “my biggest fan andsupporter. She’s really the one topush me, to encourage me to trythings.”

After earning a bachelor’sdegree in elementary educationfrom Valparaiso University inIndiana, Cisneros earned a mas-ter’s degree in curriculum instruc-tion from the University of Illinoisat Champaign-Urbana, where as awheelchair cager from 2001 to2003, she played on two nationalchampionship teams.

She is now in her second sea-son as head coach of the universityteam.

Earlier this year, Cisneros wasamong four finalists for an ESPYAward from ESPN for “bestfemale athlete with a disability.”

Although she can smile nowand count her medals, Cisnerossaid things did not always lookthat promising, especially after theaccident.

“It was devastating, with a longperiod of depression,” she said.“The old Patty is gone and nevergoing to come back. There was theemotional, the mental — every-thing changes in you. I had tolearn to deal with school beingparalyzed.”

For a time, she said: Why me?Now, she said, she sees the

accident as part of the “big picture,God’s will.”

B Y E L M E R J . D A N C H

Faith, family support propel woman toParalympics basketball team

B Y S T E V E E U V I N O

Since 1929Repair - Remodel

Specialists

483-0572 2234 North Clinton, Fort Wayne PLC#1001073

& Co., LLP

CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

Park Lake Medical Building

2410 Lake AvenueP.O. Box 5486

Fort Wayne 46895-5486(260) 423-9405

Fax: (260) 422-9206

•Tax Planning and preparationcorporations, individuals and partnerships

•Estates and Trusts•Auditing Services • Financial Planning

COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL7701 Opportunity Drive, Fort Wayne 46825

489-1234

Christopher M. Ciocca, PresidentParishioner - St. Mary’s - Avilla

Call for a Free Estimate260-483-2112

15% OFF ANY SERVICE!Professional

Cleaning Servicesince 1980

www.gmpcleaning.com

This doctor makes house calls!The big name in small jobs.•FULLY INSURED•FREE ESTIMATES•FREE SERVICE CALLS•EXPERIENCED CRAFTSMAN

(260) 424-1293Painting • Plastering • Drywall • Carpentry • Electrical • Kitchens

• Ceiling Repair • Bathrooms • Interior Trim • CaulkingServing the Fort Wayne area since 1996!

Parishioner - St. Charles, Fort Wayne

HOME HEALTH CARE and STAFFING

Serving Northern Indiana for more than 30 yearsProviding service from 1 - 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

•RN’s •LPN’s •Home Health Aides •Nurse Aides •Homemakers/Companions•Physical Therapy •High-Tech Nursing •Pediatric Specialists

FREE HOME CARE ASSESSMENTIndiana Licensed - Bonded/Insured

Medicare/Medicaid Certifiedwww.interimhealthcare.com

Mishawaka605 W. Edison Road

574-233-5186

Fort Wayne 310 E. Dupont Road

Suite # 1260-482-9405

Andrea “Andy” HallREALTOR®

Providing knowledgeable and attentive service for

Fort Wayne & surrounding area.Cell: (260) 417-5093

Office: (260) 490-1590

Andy Hall

T O D A Y ’ S C A T H O L I C

CHUCK’S FOOT SUPPORTSHOES • PEDORTHICS • REPAIR

4546 Maplecrest Road • Fort Wayne 46835Ending Foot Pain for those “On the Go”

260-492-1752Tues-Fri 8AM-6PM

Sat 8AM 2PM Closed Sun MonExtra Depth Shoes • Orthopedic Build-Ups

Minnetonka Moccasins

We offer: Orthopedic Inlays for those with tired feet and diabetes,also extra depth shoes in Wide/Extra Wide for anyone on theirfeet all day! TRY COPPER SOLE SOCKS - A must for anyone withAthlete’s Foot or shoe or foot odor (kills bacteria and fungi)

ONE STOP SHOPPING

www.chucksfootsupport.com

R. GREGORY LOWE,Ph.D., P.C.

Providing Personalized Hearing Carein Tri-State area since 1979.

(260) 471-56933124 East State Boulevard • Fort Wayne 46805

Suite 1A

• Carpet Cleaning• Air Duct Cleaning• Furniture Cleaning• Drapery Cleaning• Satisfaction Guaranteed

South Bend Area Fort Wayne Area1-800-252-8947 • (574) 255-8947 1-800-232-4956 • (260) 422-7447

•Plumbing

•Heating

•Air Conditioning

•Electrical

•Sheet Metal

•Humidification

485-34126332 Maplecrest Road - Fort Wayne

It’s Hard to Stop a Trane!

SEPTEMBER 21, 200818

Bioethics book is a good resource guide covering life issues

The dignity that human lifedeserves is so often ignorednowadays that society can’t seethat new technologies and scien-tific progress are used to damageour relationship with God andone another.

For example, over the lastdecade, progress in the field ofgenetics has moved forward so rap-idly that procedures are beingimplemented without any consider-ation of the consequences. Genetictesting is so advanced now that it ispossible to screen for hundreds ofgenetic anomalies in prebornbabies. Unfortunately, any results

that show a defect, no matter howminor, are often used to abort thatbaby.

Meanwhile, at the opposite endof life, that of the aged, euthanasiais being promoted — legal in thestate of Oregon — under the guiseof compassion and “dignity,”endangering the lives of the ill anddisabled.

To help us deal with these andother life issues, William May hascompiled and presented detailedand in-depth analysis of theCatholic perspective in “CatholicBioethics and the Gift of HumanLife” (Our Sunday Visitor, $19.95,second edition). Actually, this is abook few will sit down with andread from front to back. Instead, it

serves as an extensive resource forthose who are working in profes-sions that confront these issues, andcan be a good reference book forevery day Catholics dealing with ahost of problems (struggling to con-ceive, taking care of an Alzheimer’srelative, considering organ donationfrom a dying family member, andmore).

May uses years of study andtraining in these issues and multipleresources from the church (includ-ing papal documents, the teachingsof the Second Vatican Council,teaching of the Church Fathers,etc.) to explain church teaching.

His eight chapters focus on (1)major issues in Catholic bioethics;(2) true moral judgments; (3) mar-

riage and reproductive technolo-gies; (4) contraception; (5) abor-tion; (6) human experimentation;(7) euthanasia; (8) organ transplantsand defining death.

Perhaps the most difficult chap-ter for everyday readers is the third,looking at couples who desire tohave a baby, but are having troubleconceiving. Since 1978, when thefirst in vitro fertilization successwas announced — the headlinescall her the “test-tube baby” —couples have had an option of cre-ating children outside the womb,then implanting the embryo in themother for development and deliv-ery.

This has become commonenough that many Catholics don’t

see any problem with this — sort oflike contraception (another areawhere Catholics join the culture inattitudes, seeing nothing wrongwith it) — but these acts say thatthe church teaching on married sex-ual love is wrong. Despite whatmuch of secular society would haveyou believe, the church has thoughtthese issues through carefully, usingthe Bible, tradition and the HolySpirit as its guide.

Sometimes, life gives us situationsin which doing the right thing is diffi-cult. When Jesus told the rich youngman to sell all he had and “thencome, follow me,” — Mt 19:21— hewas talking to all of us.

For life issues, May’s book helpsus see the way to follow him.

B Y Y O R K Y O U N G

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

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

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

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

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

T O D A Y ’ S C A T H O L I C 19SEPTEMBER 21, 2008

REST IN PEACE

Beginning ExperienceDonaldson — A BeginningExperience weekend retreat forwidowed, divorced and separatedpersons will be held atLindenwood Retreat Center from7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, to 3 p.m.Sunday, Oct. 12. Register bySept 27 to Teresa at (574) 261-0123 or by e-mail at green-light7113@sbcglobal.net orMarilyn at (269) 684-0882 orBecky at (260) 768-7350.

Youth Mass begins for fallNew Haven — St. John theBaptist, St. Louis Besancon andSt. Rose of Lima parishes willcollectively celebrate a youthMass on Sunday, Sept. 21, at 6p.m. at St. Louis BesaconChurch. A free high school pro-gram follows in the parish hallwith a teen dinner. Time allowedfor teens to socialize with peerswhile learning ways to strength-en their walk with Jesus Christ.

Find out about becoming a SerranSouth Bend — The Serra Clubwill host an information meetingon Tuesday, Sept. 30, in theAndre Room at Holy CrossVillage from 12:30-2 p.m.Refreshments will be served.

FaithFest 2008 - Can I Get a Witness?Syracuse — All high school stu-dents are invited to celebrate theCatholic faith and the Year of St.Paul at the diocesan high schoolyouth rally on Sept. 28, atWawasee Middle School. Music,workshops and the chance tomeet teens from all across thediocese. Registration begins at

Joint Parish Mission: Companions on The JourneySouth Bend — The Parishes ofSt. Jude and Sacred Heart ofJesus will have a join missionMonday, Sept. 22, to Wednesday,Sept. 24, at 7 p.m. each eveningat St. Jude Parish, 19704Johnson Rd.

Banquet for LifeFort Wayne — The Banquet forLife hosted by Sen. David Longand Allen County Right To Lifewill be Monday, Oct. 13, at theGrand Wayne Center. Keynotespeaker will be U.S. Rep. MikePence with special guest MajorieDannenfelser. Tickets are $30.Call (260) 471-1849 for reserva-tions.

Rebuilding workshop offeredFort Wayne — The Rebuildingworkshop sponsored by St.Vincent’s de Paul’s divorced andseparated support group is opento the public. The eight-weekseminar will be held Thursdays,beginning Oct. 2 from 7 to 10p.m. at the Spiritual Center onAuburn Rd., just south ofWallen. Cost is $40 whichincludes the book, “Rebuilding,When Relationships End,” byDrs. Bruce Fisher and RobertAlberti, as well as the accompa-nying workbook. Co-facilitatedby Dian Sullivan, LCSW andMary Jo Todoran, LCSW. Yourcheck for $40 made out to St.Vincent’s Catholic Church, (attn.Judy), 1502 Wallen Rd., FortWayne IN 46825, will serve asyour reservation.

FUNDRAISERSKnights plan spaghetti dinnerSouth Bend — The Knights ofColumbus Council 5521, 61533S. Ironwood Dr., will have aspaghetti dinner on Friday, Sept.19, from 5 to 7 p.m. Adults $7,children (5-12) $3. Dinnerincludes spaghetti, salad, garlictoast and coffee. Carry-out avail-able.

St. Hedwig chicken dinnerSouth Bend — St. HedwigParish will have a chicken dinnerat the Hedwig Memorial Center,331 S. Scott St., Sunday, Sept.28, from noon to 2 p.m. Advancetickets only. Deadline Sept. 22.Adults $9, children 6-10 $5 andchildren 5 and under free. Call(574) 299-1194, (574) 287-4821or (574) 232-6546 for informa-tion.

Card party plannedSouth Bend — The Altar RosarySociety of St. Casimir Parish issponsoring a card party at theparish annex, 1308 W. DunhamSt., on Sunday, Sept. 28 at 1p.m. Lunch and dessert will beserved. The cost is $4 (advancesales only). Bring your owncards and/or dice. Gentlemen arewelcome. To purchase ticketscontact Theresa at (574) 291-9131 or Fides at (574) 289-2059.

Rummage and bake sale supportsrosary societyFort Wayne — Most PreciousBlood Parish, 1515 BartholdAve., will have a Rosary Societyrummage and bake saleThursday, Oct. 2, and FridayOct. 3, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.and on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 9a.m. until 1 p.m. in Mohr Hall.

Sigma Alpha Chi Sorority pasta bake,silent auction and wine tastingFort Wayne — St. Jude Hall willhost the Sigma Alpha ChiSorority event Thursday, Oct. 23,from 5-9. Dan and KristaStockman, wine critics from theJournal Gazette will be featured.Dinner is $8 for adults, $5 forchildren 4-12 and those under 4free. All proceeds benefit localcharities.

MISC. HAPPENINGSSeniors 50 and over invited to lunch Waterloo — St. Michael Parishwill host the Harvest HouseFestival Thursday, Oct. 9, begin-ing at 10:30 a.m. with the rosary.The 11 a.m. Mass will be fol-lowed by a country-style home-cooked meal, entertainment anddoor prizes. Tickets are $8 andneed to be reserved byWednesday, Oct. 1, to Mary AnnHeitz at (260) 837-7420.

Chris & Marcia Wells

Families Personally Served by the Owners

Funeral Homes& Cremation Service

Celebrating 71“Family Owned”years of serving

the Michiana area.We welcome any

questions youmay have.

17131 Cleveland Road - 3516 E. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend

574-289-1000

Our experienced and professional staff is dedicated to providing the highest quality of nursing care.

• Daily Mass

• Medicare Certified

• Secured Neighborhoods for Alzheimer Care

• Physical, Occupational, & Speech Therapies

• One and Two Bedroom Assisted Living Apartments

• Independent Living Patio Homes

For Information, Call: (260) 897-2841

515 N. Main Street, Avilla, Indiana 46710Provena Health, a Catholic health system, builds communities

of healing and hope by compassionately responding to human

need in the spirit of Jesus Christ.

Visit us at www.provena.org/sacredheart

Part-time CustodianSt. Joseph Parish in South Bend seeks a part-timecustodian for church and school. Duties includemopping, vacuuming, dusting, and general clean-ing. Day or evening hours, Monday - Friday. For more information, call:

Father John at 234-3134, ext 20

AvillaSister M.CordeMiranda,80,ProvenaSacred Heart Home

Sister Hilda MarieKroemer,101,ProvenaSacred Heart Home

DecaturArthur J.Heimann,85,St.Mary of theAssumption

ElkhartDiana Lynn Bedford,61,St.Vincent de Paul

Jewell E.Turgi,91,St.Vincent de Paul

Fort WayneGermaine Floyd Miller,85,Our Lady of GoodHope

Ilene Hess Pierce,83,Saint Anne Home

William A.Russell,91,St.Charles Borromeo

Thomas Nartker,70,St.Elizabeth Ann Seton

Janice Keys,65,St.Vincent de Paul

HuntingtonJane Frances Scher,82,Ss.Peter and Paul

LigonierLoretta Leona Noe,73,St.Patrick

MishawakaCatherine M.Weinkauf,89,St.Monica

New HavenEugene C.Hoffman,80,St.John the Baptist

Donald L.WoodringSr.,76,St.LouisBesancon

Notre DameSister M.GeraldHartney,CSC,98,Our Lady of Loretto

South BendRocco Ameduri,90,St.Joseph

Dorothy E.Eberhardt,94,St.Anthony dePadua

Joseph E.Walsh,St.Anthony de Padua

Irene R.Gergacz,87,St.Patrick

Virginia G.Koch,85,St.John the Baptist

Eugene J.Staszewski,76,St.Stanislaus

Richard J.Chwalek,82,Holy Family

Timothy J.Hojnacki,51,St.Hedwig

Gregory C.Hatfield,48,Holy Family

Beverly Jean Scarsella,76,St.Anthony dePadua

Joseph G.Szucs,86,Our Lady of Hungary

Betty M.Nemeth,85,Christ the King

YoderMary G.Harber,86,St.Aloysius

8:30 a.m. and the day ends at 6p.m. The cost is $20. Teens canregister with their parish youthminister or with the Office ofYouth Ministry. Visit www.dio-cesefwsb.org/YOUTH or call(260) 422-4611 for information.

Chicago bus tripFort Wayne — The BishopDwenger Development Office issponsoring a bus trip to Chicago

on Saturday, Nov. 8. DepartBishop Dwenger at 7 a.m. andleave Chicago at 5 p.m. CentralTime. Cost is $35 per person.Seating is limited. Checks shouldbe made payable to BishopDwenger High School and sentto the Development Office: 1300E. Washington Center Rd., FortWayne, IN 46825. Call (260)496-4710 for more information.

T O D A Y ’ S C A T H O L I C SEPTEMBER 21, 200820

Thumbs up for ‘Fireproof,’ opening Sept. 26

It is not often that a majormotion picture does more thanmesmerize its viewers for 90

minutes, leaving little impact ontheir lives once they exit the the-ater. That is why moviegoers arein for a pleasant and potentiallylife-changing surprise when thefilm “Fireproof” open across thecountry on Sept. 26.

I was able to watch the movieduring a prerelease screening inSouth Bend thissummer towhich Catholicand otherChristian lead-ers were invit-ed. My familyand I had seenand lovedSherwoodPictures’ previ-ous film,“Facing theGiants,” and Ihoped that“Fireproof”would have the same high pro-duction quality and moving storyline that would give it the uncan-ny ability to both entertain andevangelize.

The movie begins seven yearsinto the struggling marriage ofCaleb and Catherine Holt. Calebis the captain of the local firedepartment and a hero to every-one but his wife. Catherine ispublic relations director of a hos-pital and finds herself becomingattracted to a doctor on staff whopays more attention to her thandoes her husband.

Both spouses are embitteredand on the brink of divorce whena friend and fellow firefightersays to Caleb: “When most peo-

ple say, ‘For better or for worse,’they really only mean ‘for bet-ter.’”

What follows is the movingstory of how Caleb discovershow to put out the fires that aredestroying his marriage and winback the heart of his wife.Needless to say, “Fireproof” sur-passed my expectations as Ifound myself alternately laughingand crying, drawn into this realis-tic, poignant and powerful dramaof a marriage on the rocks that isrebuilt on the rock of Christ.

Perhaps as remarkable as thefilm itself is thestory of how itcame to be pro-duced. Like“Facing theGiants” beforeit, “Fireproof” isthe fruit of thefaith and prayerof brothersStephen andAlex Kendrick,who serve asassociate pastorsof SherwoodBaptist Church

in Albany, Ga. “We were praying for months

for the next story line for amovie, and we had a lot of ideasthat we were batting around,”recalls Stephen. Alex recountsthat the answer came unexpected-ly: “I was running around theblock one day and the Lordimpressed on me to focus onmarriage, which is not what I wasinclined to do.”

Following the Lord’s lead, thebrothers decided to delve into thequestion, “What does it reallymean to love your spouse?”

Alex describes the basic sce-nario with which they wanted tobegin: “We want to take a mar-riage that is in the midst of the

daily struggles that most peoplecan relate to that are married, theselfish tendencies that we some-times have, the blandness that canoccur in a marriage, and startthere — how do you put life backinto that marriage?”

Stephen knew that a story likethis could strike a universal

chord: “Couples struggle with thesame things all over the world.They don’t know how to commu-nicate, they don’t know theirroles, they don’t know how tolove each other unconditionally.”

The Kendricks realized thatthe question of how to really loveyour spouse could not be ade-

quately answered without refer-ence to the greatest love story ofall time, in which Christ, thebridegroom, laid down his life forhis bride, the church. It is this“great mystery,” in fact, which St.Paul says marriage is supposed topoint to and make present.

“Just like we don’t alwaysdeserve God’s love, our spousedoesn’t always deserve love. Butyou still love anyway,” Alexpoints out.

And as St. Paul emphasized inhis letter to the Ephesians, hus-bands in particular are called toshow this sacrificial love to theirwives, after the heart of Christ:“A husband is supposed to repre-sent Christ to his bride,” remarksStephen. “He is supposed to laydown his life for her.”

This is the lesson that Calebultimately learns in “Fireproof”,and it is a lesson that our cultureneeds now more than ever.

Kirk Cameron, former star ofthe sitcom “Growing Pains”who plays Caleb, comments onthe power of this film to changelives: “We show the truth aboutreal love: it’s a decision, a com-mitment. It’s a choice to loveeven when you don’t feel any-thing. When a man loves awoman that way, with God’shelp, she’ll bloom, even if he’sneglected her.”

In this age which proffers somany attacks on authentic loveand the institution of marriage,take the time to see this inspiringmovie.

Lisa Everett is the co-director of theOffice of Family Life for theDiocese of Fort Wayne-SouthBend.

B Y L I S A E V E R E T T

In Theatres

9.26.08

In Theatres

9.26.08

never leave your partner behindnever leave your partner behind

Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz

Archdiocese of louisville

Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz

Archdiocese of louisville

Fireproofthemovie.com Fireproofmarriage.comFireproofthemovie.com Fireproofmarriage.com

FROM THE CREATORS OFFROM THE CREATORS OF

“FACING THE GIANTS”“FACING THE GIANTS”

Check Website for Local Listings Check Website for Local Listings

PRECIOUS BLOOD BLESSES MARY

CHARIT Y MOSS

Father Joe Gaughan, pastor of Most Precious Blood Parish

in Fort Wayne, blesses a statue of Mary outside the church

after Mass on Sunday, Sept. 14. Parish families volun-

teered their time to rebuild the statue’s base and land-

scape the area around it.

“When most people say,

‘For better or for worse,’

they really only mean

‘for better.’ ”