World Marriage Day: - Diocese of Columbus

World Marriage Day: - Diocese of Columbus

C A T H O L I C
D I O C E S E O F CO L UM B US
A journal of Catholic life in Ohio
F E BRU A RY 8, 2 0 0 9
FIFTH WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME
VO L U ME 58:1 8
W W W.CTO N L I N E .O RG
World Marriage Day:
Celebrating the Vocation of Marriage
2 Catholic Times
February 8, 2009
Catholic Times 3
February 8, 2009
The Editor’s Notebook
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ:
We Deserve Each Other
By David Garick, Editor
This week Catholic Times looks at the
vocation of marriage. Vocation is such an
interesting and accurate term to describe
marriage. In the purest sense, the word
vocation is a calling, a life that God has
called us to. Just as some are called to
Holy Orders or Consecrated Life many
are also called to marriage and family
life. But the word vocation also is used to
refer to an occupation and to work. Anyone who is married knows that it certainly
occupies a lot of your attention and is a
lot of work.
As Saint Paul says in 1st Corinthians,
“An unmarried man is anxious about the
things of the Lord, how he may please
the Lord. But a married man is anxious
about the things of the world, how he
may please his wife, and he is divided.”
In fairness, St. Paul then points out the
same thing concerning women. You may
have heard that reading at Mass last week.
I’m a reader at St. Joseph Cathedral and
by luck of the draw I got to read that last
Sunday. You can’t proclaim that message
without having the thought in the back
of your mind that your wife is sitting out
there thinking, “What does he mean by
that?” Sort of like when you get that other
reading from St. Paul about wives obeying their husbands.
Now I have to say, I’m not sure that all
unmarried folks have quite gotten that
concept of focusing totally on God. I’m
gauging that partly on beer sales and
attendance at area night spots and monster truck rallies. Certainly those folks
were totally centered on God, vocations
to the priesthood and consecrated life
would be skyrocketing. And, we continue to pray for that.
But there is no doubt that marriage can be
distracting. But I don’t think that it has to
be distracting from
concern for God. In
fact, if you are doing marriage right,
I think it brings you a lot closer to God.
What marriage really distracts you from
is yourself. When you get married you
create a new entity: “Us”. That’s the hardest thing about adjusting to marriage. It is
the realization that life from now on is not
about me. It is not about what makes me
happy, or fulfilled or satisfied. It is about
what makes us, the family, a true reflection of God’s love.
God is really pretty smart. He looked at
me and saw a guy that was never going
to get where he needed to be spiritually
on his own. Left to my own devices I
was pretty much a slave to my own selfcentered Neanderthal tendencies. So he
gave me a wife to shape me up. Likewise,
my wife has me to toughen her up to deal
with the real world, and to kill spiders.
None of this comes easily because neither of us wants to give up our little pet
notions and our comfortable little selfcentered worlds. But we aren’t just individuals any more. We are a team and so
we drive each other crazy for the good of
the team. We still have a lot of our old
selves inside, but we have allowed each
other to have a part in constructing “us”.
So, as we squabble in an effort to hang
on to some old piece of self, we end up
admitting in frustration that “We deserve
each other.” And the amazing thing is
that in denying our own sense of what
makes “me” happy to focus on “us”, we
are both more satisfied than we have ever
been. That’s why God put us together and
that’s why as a couple we are able to live
according to his will so much better than
we ever could have done alone.
Front Page photo:
Father Rod Damico
presides as Emily
Brewer and Kevin
Masterson are married
at Columbus St. Peter
Church
Photo courtesy Janet Brewer
MSGR. WILLIAM J. MAROON
PASSED AWAY ON JANUARY 30, 2009
Funeral Mass for Msgr. William J. Maroon, 79, who died Friday, Jan.
30, at the Cleveland Clinic, was held Wednesday, Feb. 4, at Hilliard St. Brendan the Navigator Church. Bishop Frederick Campbell
presided in choir, Bishop Emeritus James Griffin was the principal
celebrant, and Msgr. John Dreese delivered the homily.
Burial was in Mount Calvary Cemetery, New Straitsville.
Msgr. Maroon was born in Lawrence, Mass., on Oct. 1, 1929, to
Abraham and Rose (Farrah) Maroon.
He attended elementary and high school in Lawrence and served
in the Army in France.
He received a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from St.
Charles Borromeo College, Columbus, in 1963. He studied theology
at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary of the West, Norwood, from which
he graduated in 1967.
He and his brother, Father Donald Maroon, pastor of Wellston Ss.
Peter and Paul Church, were ordained to the priesthood for the
Diocese of Columbus on May 27, 1967, at St. Joseph Cathedral by
Bishop Edward Hettinger.
His assignments included assistant pastor at the cathedral (196770); instructor of religion, Columbus St. Joseph Academy (1967), and
director of religion, Columbus Bishop Ready High School (1970-73).
He was named administrator pro tem, then pastor at Kenton Immaculate Conception Church (1973-78). He also was pastor at St.
Brendan (1978-82; 1993-2001) and Portsmouth St. Mary (1982-93).
CATHOLIC
TIMES
Copyright © 2009. All rights reserved.
Catholic Times is the official newspaper of the Catholic
Diocese of Columbus, Ohio.
It is published weekly 48 times per year with exception of
two weeks following Christmas and two weeks in July.
Subscription rate: $25 per year.
ISSN 0745-6050 Periodical Postage Paid in Columbus, Ohio
Bishop Frederick F. Campbell, D.D., PhD. ~ President & Publisher
David Garick ~ Editor ([email protected])
Laura Troiano ~ Assistant Editor ([email protected])
Tim Puet ~ Reporter ([email protected])
Alexandra Keves ~ Graphic Design Manager ([email protected])
Deacon Steve DeMers ~ Business Manager ([email protected])
Phil Connard ~ Advertising Sales Account Executive ([email protected])
Jodie Sfreddo ~ Bookkeeper/Circulation Coordinator ([email protected])
Mailing Address: 197 E. Gay St., Columbus OH 43215
Editorial Staff Telephone (614) 224-5195 FAX (614) 241-2518
Business Staff Telephone (614) 224-6530 FAX (614) 241-2518
How Marriage Sensitive
Is Our Parish?
By: Stephanie L. Jenemann
Director/Marriage & Family Life Office
The National Pastoral Initiative for
Marriage (NPIM) is a multi-year project of the U.S. Catholic Bishops aimed
at communicating the meaning and value of married life for the Church and
society. The Initiative was begun by the
bishops in 2005. In the Initiative the
bishops bring Catholic belief into dialogue with contemporary needs. They
urge the Catholic Church to become a
community of hope and help for marriages, and to join others in building a
culture of marriage.
Weaving together the Catholic faith
tradition and its pastoral practice, the
data of social science, and the experience of married couples, the NPIM offers guidance and resources, including a
pastoral letter (to be published later this
year), in order to promote, strengthen,
sustain, and restore marriages.
Supporting the efforts of the NPIM,
the Secretariat for Family, Laity, Women & Youth of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)
and the Catholic Communication Campaign have launched an exciting website, www.ForYourMarriage.org. Visit
this inviting website for resources to
“prepare for” and “care for” marriage.
You’ll find Daily Marriage Tips, sources of encouragement, and information
on what makes marriage work, as well
as ways to nurture and strengthen marriage. You will also note their link,
Find Marriage Help in Your Diocese, to
access our diocesan Marriage and Family Life Resources.
While the Initiative has many objectives, the promotion of more extensive
and effective ministries to marriage,
particularly in parishes, is highly recommended. It may be the opportune
time to ask, “How marriage sensitive is
our parish?”
As a parish community how can we
better direct resources toward strengthening marriages? How can we offer a
Catholic witness to the meaning, value,
and sanctity of marriage? How do we
articulate the Catholic vision of marriage and family life?
The following are some suggestions
that may be considered when evaluating a parish’s spiritual, educational, and
enrichment marriage offerings:
n Is ongoing Church teaching on
marriage provided for parish staff? Is
the staff familiar with the historical development of Catholic doctrine on this
subject?
n Does the parish have a Marriage
Ministry Committee responsible for
marriage preparation/enrichment/education?
n Is the parish staff sensitive and responsive to the needs of engaged and
married couples?
Have they learned how to “listen”?
n Are adult education programs that
address marriage/family life topics offered?
n How often are opportunities provided for couples to deepen their understanding of the Sacrament of Matrimony? (e.g. Retreats, Days of Reflection,
Marriage Encounter)
n Are your parish staff and council
leaders familiar with diocesan/community resources and services to make
sound referrals?
n Does your parish publicize links to
World Marriage Day will be observed
throughout the diocese and the world on Sunday, February 8, 2009. It is an opportune day
to honor husbands and wives who remind us of
the great beauty of the covenant of marriage.
As we celebrate their faithfulness to one another, to the Church, and to the Lord’s call,
we know that they are chosen to proclaim his
salvation in the usual routines of their married
life. We salute the sacredness of their commitment, sacrifice, and joy.
We honor all married couples who have embraced the holiness and
dignity of marriage and family life, this blessed vocation of service.
While commending the heroic virtue of married couples, we recognize the importance of supporting them. We are fortunate to have
clergy, religious, diocesan staff, parish lay ministers, and active lay
movements providing marriage preparation and enrichment. World
Marriage Day is an appropriate time to thank them for their many
contributions to the marriage ministry.
On this World Marriage Day, the Church of Columbus congratulates and offers prayers for those of you who are among these married
couples. Our prayer is that while your love for each other continues
to grow, you will share that gift with your community. In addition,
we pray that your shared faith life will continue to develop: for faith
can give direction, guidance and endurance in your lifelong promise
to create and sustain your sacramental marriage. May God’s richest
blessings be yours.
Sincerely in Christ,
Most Reverend Frederick F. Campbell, D.D., Ph.D.
Bishop of Columbus
Internet sites that support marriage on
the parish website and in the parish bulletin? Examples are: www.ForYourMarriage.org. and www.FamilyLife.
colsdioc.org.
n Are “date nights” for married couples offered with child care provided?
n Is there a sensitivity to the diversity of married couples? (i.e. nationality,
language, customs, stages of married
life, remarried couples )
n Is Retrouvaille and other program
information available for supporting
couples in hurting marriages?
While the above listing is not all-inclusive, it provides many examples of
possibilities. Of course, parishes may
and do demonstrate their marriage sensitivity in other ways as well.
I invite parishes to explore these and
other possibilities. Perhaps these suggestions can serve as a stimulant to
prompt your parish to develop and/or
expand your marriage ministry, for continuing education gives us the opportunity to evangelize and catechize on the
Sacrament of Matrimony. In so doing,
married couples and their families can
be assisted in better understanding the
challenges and opportunities posed by
the demands of their faith commitment
while helping them share and experience
an intimate communion of life and love.
4 Catholic Times
February 8, 2009
PRACTICAL
By Rick Jeric
Catholic Times 5
February 8, 2009
FREE ROOF
INSPECTION !
Do you qualify
for a new roof
paid for by
insurance?
STEWARDSHIP
Marriage
Did you encourage good, Christian activities
for your children or grandchildren last week? You
probably do already, and maybe you do not even
think about it. So many of us who encourage youth
growth and participation in Christian groups and
organizations are to be praised. Whether they
are children of yours or not, the leadership and example you model as
an adult are the impressions our children and even young adults need.
Again, those of us who diligently try to do this consistently need a reminder and a boost every so often. Complacency is a real danger. Even
frustration and despair in difficult cases can wear us out. Continue to
pray for that grace, so freely given, to keep us fresh, assertive, confident
and spiritually mature in our Faith in a way that leads our youth to a
lifetime with Jesus Christ.
When we think about marriage, there are many directions in which
our thoughts can go. Marriage is taken very seriously by many and is
treated very lightly by some. In 2009, it can mean the union of a man
and a woman, or it can mean something else, unfortunately. Marriage is
a term that can be used to parallel other ideas, such as someone being
“married to his or her job” or “married to his or her favorite pastime
or activity.” A perfect culinary dish can be described as a “marriage of ingredients.” A great dessert can be described as a “marriage of chocolate
and other ingredients.” The Church has been described as the “bride of
Christ, in the perfect marriage of God’s eternal kingdom and His Church
on earth. Many vowed religious women wear a ring to symbolize their
commitment to the Church with Jesus Christ as their groom. In all of
these examples, there is a stated and real mixture that becomes one, and
cannot be broken.
Jobs come and go, but the dedicated laborer works hard all of his
or her life. Pastimes and activities come and go, but our favorites stay
with us forever. A well-prepared steak, pizza, burger, or whatever we
like cannot be undone. A great chocolate mousse cannot be separated.
The Church can never cease to exist, and Jesus Christ is eternal. Our
religious women remain our living examples of commitment to a life of
Faith. Other examples? Married men and women; husbands and wives.
We all know of great examples of wedded commitment, and examples
of unwavering love. Are there exceptions in all of these? Of course. But
we continue to focus on our models of lasting marriages that turn into
models of lasting family life. Marriage is a sacrament, sealed by the promises of a man and a woman. Anyone married or who has been married
will tell you that it takes commitment, sacrifice, giving, trust, sharing,
growing, faith and prayer. Marriage is manifested in children, in the practice of our Faith, in our actions, and in praying together. It is the most
difficult, yet the most satisfying work that human beings can do.
Our practical challenge this week is to simply keep marriage sacred
and respectable. Love your spouse. Thank your relatives and friends in
long and lasting marriages for their example. Love and embrace those
who struggle, or who may have failed in a marriage. We all fail, in many
ways.Whether you are married, single or religious, keep that marriage of
Jesus Christ and His Church at the forefront of all that we do, and all to
which we commit each day.
Jeric is director of development and planning for the Columbus Diocese.
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Watterson softball Eagles volunteer
Members of the Columbus Bishop
Watterson High School girls softball team, along with their coach,
Mike Huff, recently volunteered
their time at the Columbus Cancer
Clinic. The girls worked in the food
pantry sorting food and filling grocery bags for families served by the
clinic. At a recent basketball game,
they also sold raffle tickets to raise
money for the clinic.
The girls will be holding various
fundraisers throughout the year in
support of the clinic.
Pictured are (front row from left):
Coach Mike Huff, Maureen Gallick,
Colleen Gallick, Shelby Pheanis,
Maggie Wilson, Rachel Stydnicki
and Elizabeth Hrach; and, (back
row from left) Kaela Kreuzer, Nora
Anderson and Emily Vlahakis. CT
photo courtesy of Watterson
www.muetzel.com
OH Lic. #24318
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Annual Respect Life Conference, Feb. 14
The annual diocesan Respect Life conference will be at Columbus St. Andrew Church, 1899 McCoy Road, on Saturday, Feb. 14.
Father Tom Euteneuer, president of Human Life International (HLI), will
lead the conference. Dr. Brian Clowes, HLI research and training director,
will be a guest speaker. The day will start with registration at 8:30 a.m., and
end at 3 p.m., with the rosary. Lunch will be a catered. The fee is $15.
To register, contact the diocesan Office for Social Concerns at 614-2412540 or e-mail at [email protected].
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        
        
            
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          
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         
        
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
Married couple guided by faith
Vincent and Sally Lombardo (center) celebrated their 50th anniversary at Reynoldsburg St.
Pius X Church, where they have been parishioners since their marriage on Nov. 8, 1958.
They have six children and 22 grandchildren.
Their children attended St. Pius, Columbus
St. Charles Preparatory and Columbus Bishop
Hartley High schools, and their grandchildren
attend Columbus St. Agatha, Columbus St. Andrew, Dublin St. Brigid, Gahanna St. Matthew,
Marion St. Mary, Worthington St. Michael and
Columbus St. Timothy schools, as well as Bishop Hartley and Columbus Bishop Watterson
high schools. CT Photo courtesy of Vickie Stover
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          
        
           
 
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6 Catholic Times
February 8, 2009
Is going bankrupt a sin?
A quick note from:
OFFICE OF LITURGY
LITURGICAL AND DEVOTIONAL LANGUAGE
By now it should be fairly certain that all things liturgical are
specific and directed by the Church. So it should not be surprising that the same practice goes for our liturgical language. Liturgical language is what we use to communicate with God, but it
is also what he uses to communicate with us through the priest.
Therefore, our liturgical language is specific and is the best our
language can express our faith.
When we participate in the Mass, or any other liturgy, our
responses should be clear and made with full voice. There are
two reasons for this. First, we are able to affirm our faith with
a clear conscious when we make our voice heard, and second,
as our voices blend with the whole of the community, we
complete our baptismal promises and our belief in the Holy
Trinity is reassured and heightened by the participation of
the other members of the community.
Historically, the liturgical language used by the Roman Catholic
Church has been Latin. While Latin is still the preferred language
for the Roman Rite, the liturgical reforms of Vatican II allowed us
to hear and communicate in our own vernacular language. This
is both good and bad. It is good in
that we have a better understanding of what it is we are saying. We
are more convicted in our beliefs if
we positively know, and are clearly
able to express, what we believe.
It is bad because some of the nuances of the Latin language are not
translated very well to the English.
In Latin, and all Romance languages, the plural word “men” is
understood to include both genders of humanity. In American
English, and especially during our
politically correct times, “men” has become and literally understood to be just the male gender of people. This is further
complicated when we apply our own corrections without an
understanding of the original Latin.
The phrase in the Gloria; “and peace to his people on earth”
is an example. This disregards the Latin word hominibus – literally “to men” not “people.” The Latin does not mention God in
this phrase. Since the pronoun “his” in our translation, referring
to “God” is used, some politically correct consciences change
the pronoun and say “God.” In most instances, using the noun
instead of the pronoun is good practice. However, using God
instead of the pronoun “his” shows a lack of understanding of
Catholic theology. But, this again is the problem of the English
language and not having a proper way to express the Latin.
Hopefully this discussion of the differences between liturgy
and devotion has led to a greater understanding of worship
and why we do what we do as Catholics. The ritual of liturgy
is should be seen as a comfort. Knowing that you are able to
go to a Roman Rite church anywhere in the country or the
world and fully participate is what distinguishes Catholics
from other denominations of Christianity. Devotion should
also be a part of our healthy Catholic lives because it helps
draw us further into the mystery of God’s love and allows
us to build the interior graces that are necessary for us to
achieve the salvation promised by Jesus Christ.
Q
: A few weeks ago
you wrote that
declaring bankruptcy can be a legal and
moral way for people to
deal with financial crises
confronting them. I totally disagree. In my mind,
this is cut and dried.
Most likely, the person
is a victim of his own
indiscretions. For most
people who suffer tragedies through no fault of
their own, there is insurance — medical, auto,
mortgage.
Many people decide
to do without insurance
since it deprives them
of other more pleasant
wants. This has become
the American way.
I view taxes given to
others as extortion. I
view wealth redistribution as immoral.
You say that bankruptcy is legal. So is abortion.
It seems to me a priest’s
job is to remind people
of such things. (Virginia)
QUESTION & ANSWER
FATHER DIETZEN
Catholic News Service
For example, many
economists claim that
mortgage policies and
manipulations in the past
10 years or more have
induced many people
into buying homes they
could not possibly afford,
which is a major factor
leading to our present
economic meltdown.
However, I disagree
with you when you are
saying that the entire
bankruptcy idea for ordinary people is unjust and
immoral.
People can be financially squeezed, especially
today, by events and
circumstances entirely
beyond their control –
catastrophic
medical
emergencies (more than
half of bankruptcies result from colossal medical bills, often for people who had significant
health insurance), loss of
job and other tragedies.
A
: Some of the
points you bring
up are certainly
fair to discuss.
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numbers of financially
marginal families.
As I had indicated previously, bankruptcy is a
legal, and often a moral,
way for them to deal
with what is confronting
them.
That the bankruptcy
process can be misused
is obvious.
But legal structures,
sometimes excessively
severe, exist to limit
abuses.
Especially today, the
opportunity to declare
bankruptcy may be a
good and lawful approach for economically
threatened families.
Maybe I am somehow
missing something in
what you’re saying, but
by far, most people today
do not go through this
horrendous and painful
process of bankruptcy
lightly or without enormous and embarrassing
anguish.
In addition to it being a
fundamental expression
of Christian solidarity,
therefore, every decent
civilized society today
feels a responsibility to
provide some kinds of
opportunities of relief
for people who, through
no fault of their own,
suddenly have no means
to provide proper food,
clothing or shelter for
themselves or for their
families.
In the dysfunctional
economy we have today,
there are many thousands
of such men and women.
You can be profoundly
grateful to God that you
are not one of them —
yet.
Send questions to Father
Dietzen at Box 3315,
Peoria, IL 61612, or email [email protected].
Available at Giant Eagle
Catholic Times 7
February 8, 2009
Christ Child ‘Mardi Gras,’ Feb. 21
On Saturday, Feb. 21, the Christ
Child Society of Columbus will
hold “Celebrate Mardi Gras” at
Brookside Country Club, with
entertainment provided by Team
Arnette Howard. Proceeds will
benefit the organization’s childcentered service projects in the
greater Columbus area.
Christ Child Society is a nonprofit organization serving at-risk
children. The Columbus chapter
was founded in 1980, and is one of
42 chapters in 18 states. It has more
than 275 members, who donated
nearly 14,000 hours of service last
year alone. Members volunteer in
a variety of activities, including
providing dinners to the Ronald
McDonald House; providing support to the Child Care Center and
library at St. Stephen’s Community House; operating the Crib Club
at the Women’s Care Center; and,
sponsoring scholarships for area
Catholic high school students.
Pictured are event committee
members (from left): Kim Mattingly, Westerville St. Paul; Pat
Reynolds, Worthington St. Michael; Becky Cummins, Westerville St. Paul; Rose Reymann,
Worthington St. Michael; and,
Barb Monnaville, Powell St. Joan.
For more details, call 614-8571230. CT photo courtesy of Christ Child
Catholic Record Society
reservations for Winter Meeting
due Feb. 16
The Catholic Record Society
will hold its Winter Luncheon and
Election Meeting at 11:30 a.m.,
on Saturday, Feb. 21, at Westminster Thurber Community, located
at Neil Ave. and Goodale St.
This year’s program is titled,
“The O’Shaughnessys, Dorrians
and O’Gradys: Franklin County
Irish Catholic Political History,”
will be presented by Maryellen
O’Shaughnessy (Franklin County
Clerk of Courts), Julia Dorrian,
Esquire (Franklin County Municipal Judge), and John O’Grady
(Franklin County Commissioner).
Each panelist, a second or third
generation politico, will present a
brief account of the family’s political history, to be followed by
interaction among the panelists
and with those in attendance.
Republican, Independent, Green,
and other variant guests are also
welcome to attend.
Abraham Lincoln memorabilia will be on display, in commemoration of the bicentennial
of the birth of the country’s 16th
president. Included are New York
newspapers from April 15, 1865
through several dates in June of
that year.
A display table will also be provided for any political memorabilia attendees may wish to share.
Anyone owning campaign shirts,
hats, sashes or scarves is invited
to wear them.
Cost of the luncheon is $20 per
person, and reservations must be
received by Monday, Feb. 16.
The group will gather at Westminster Thurber Community at
11:30 a.m., for “Punch and Pickups.” The meal will be served at
noon, followed by the program
and then the business meeting.
Society members are encouraged to bring guests.
A reservation from must be
filled out for those planning on attending.
For further information, contact
Patrick Mooney at [email protected] or 614-225-0130.
Help bring about
God’s will by
including Him in yours.
Naturally, as you prepare your will your first thoughts
are of your family. That is as it should be.
But once you have provided for them, you may be
But once you have provided for them, you may be
surprised to see that you still have the capacity for
surprised to see that you still have the capacity for
meaningful gifts. In fact, you may find that you can
meaningful gifts. In fact, you may find that you can
leave your parish a larger gift than you ever thought
leave your parish a larger gift than you ever thought
was possible.
was possible.
Call Scott Hartman at The Catholic Foundation to discuss
giving options that will allow you to achieve your
personal goals and intentions,
614.443.8893.
THE
CATHOLIC
FOUNDATION
www.catholic-foundation.org
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8 Catholic Times
February 8, 2009
Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekends help rediscover hearts
BY BRUCE AND PATRICIA HILLWERTZ
Some 30 years ago, I met the love
of my life. He was charming, confident
and larger than life. He took my breath
away.
I had an overwhelming confidence
that we would be wed; it was only a
matter of time.
Four years later, I stood in the back of
the Catholic Church, my hands wrapped
up in my father’s arms and with shaky
knees, proceeded down the isle to join
my husband to be.
No doubts... no second thoughts… it
was our time, our moment.
“I do!” Now and forever. Till death do
us part, we vow to love one another as
husband and wife.
Two years later, our first daughter was
born and again, and two-and-a-half
years later we were blessed with another beautiful baby daughter.
Through good times and bad, we journey together as a couple, in the ups and
downs of life but little did we know how
things would change one fateful day
in 1998 when I accepted an invitation
from my best friend to attend a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend.
Something in the invitation intrigued
me. Could one weekend really make
such a difference in a marriage?
I wanted to find out.
Not that our marriage was troubled,
on the contrary, we were still madly in
love after 14 years of marriage, but like
so many other couples, we were working full time jobs, focusing on raising
our two children and all the activities
that go along with a family, we just
needed time for the two of us.
Why not grow closer on a Worldwide
Marriage Encounter weekend?
After all, it is one of the largest Marriage Enrichment programs in the entire
world.
So off we went, just us.
It was that weekend that Bruce not
only gave me his love, like on our wedding day, but he gave me his heart.
We were refreshed and renewed.
Our relationship received the spark
that we needed to grow even closer as
a couple. We came away with a deeper
appreciation for each other and the tools
to keep our passion alive. I discovered
my wonderful husband all over again
on that special weekend. Why don’t you
discover your spouse’s inner heart?
Celebration for the ‘Year of St. Paul’ held in Glenmont
The midyear celebration for the Columbus
Diocese of the “Year
of St. Paul” took place
at Glenmont Ss. Peter
and Paul Church on
Sunday, Jan. 25.
The service consisted
of 13 readings, one
from each of Paul’s
epistles, chosen by the
clergy of the HolmesCoshocton-Tuscarawas Deanery, pastors
of several denominations who are members of the Millersburg
Ministerial Association, and laypeople of
the parish.
Father Ronald Aubry,
pastor at Glenmont and
at Millersburg St. Peter,
invited each reader to
give a 30-second comment about his or her
selection. The readings were interspersed
with music based on
Paul’s writings.
Pictured bottom left
are (left to right): Deacon Lyn Houze, Father
Aubry, Marty LaVigne, Terry Kurant and
Sam Strausbaugh.
For the final blessing
of the special service,
those in attendance
joined hands as Father
Aubry prayed 1 Corinthians 13 over them.
Len Lorz of the parish was the winner of
a contest in which participants were asked
to create a 13-word
acrostic, with the first
letters of each word
corresponding in order
to the first letters of
Paul’s epistles.
The winning entry
was titled, “Remember, Christian Children, Gleefully: Even
Paul Couldn’t Teach
The Tango To The
Priest.” CT photos courtesy of
Bob Kurant and Julia Brewer
Pick your weekend of discovery: Feb.
13-15; April 24-26; June 5-7; July 1719; Sept. 25-27; and, Nov. 6-8.
The Catholic Worldwide Marriage
Encounter Weekend experience teaches
a unique method of communication. It
is for couples with good marriages who
want to enrich their relationship. The
weekend is a very private experience,
there is no group sharing.
This life-giving experience is for all
couples whether you’ve been married a
year or 50 years or more. The weekend
is a great way to put the spark back in a
marriage and to celebrate your love for
one another.
For more information, call Paul and
Marilou Clouse at 740-746-9003 or
visit the Web site at www.wwmecolumbus.org.
DivorceCare for Kids
at St. Matthew
Gahanna St. Matthew the
Apostle Church, located at 807
Havens Corners Road, will be
offering DivorceCare for Kids
(DC4K), a special group to
help children heal from the pain
frequently caused by a separation or divorce.
Children experiencing divorce
often feel alone and helpless.
They may feel scared, sad and
confused, or they may hide
their feelings from their parents
because they are worried about
their parents’ happiness.
The DC4K program provides
children with a safe and neutral
place to recognize and learn to
share their feelings.
The session topics are designed
to help children learn that God’s
love strengthens them and helps
them turn their sadness to hope
and their anger to joy.
This special program will begin in mid February.
For more information, call
Michele Melaragno at 614-5380353, ext. 129.
February 8, 2009
Catholic Times 9
Faith
LIVING
When God kisses you on the cheek, rub it in
One day a grandmother
gave her 4-year-old
grandson a big kiss on his
cheek. When he brushed
his hand against the damp
spot, she asked, “Are
you wiping off my kiss?”
He paused, and thinking
mighty fast replied, “No,
I’m rubbing it in.”
Like this grandmother,
God also kisses each of
us in many different ways.
Do we hurry to rub it off?
When it comes to God’s
love for us, do we duck
his kiss because we do
not want to be beholden
to him?
We all want to be
independent and make
our own decisions. Do
we think that if we accept
God’s loving kisses, it will
obligate us to submit to
his authority and conform
our lives to his plans?
This is too hard for us, we
fear, so we are tempted to
turn away from God and
his kisses. A thousand
times a day we may resist
his kindness and block
the channels of his lifegiving love.
We brush off a helping
hand or snub a friend.
We turn on the television
or internet instead of
turning to our families
and friends. We abandon
our loved ones under the
pretense that we need to
“find ourselves” first. We
get high on drinking or
drugs rather than getting
high on life.
Why do we do this to
ourselves?
We hurry past a poor
beggar as he holds out his
dirty hand for a coin. We
THE JOYFUL CATHOLIC
Rick Hermann
avert our eyes from an
invalid in a wheelchair.
We close our doors to the
downtrodden and miss
the chance to entertain an
angel.
Why do we make it so
difficult to receive a kiss?
Soon we neglect the sun
shining brightly overhead.
We protest against God’s
authority. We may even
leave our church and start
a new one.
We disregard his loving
commandments and treat
them as mere suggestions.
We disdain his righteous
ways, dismiss his sacred
Word and brush aside his
grace-filled sacraments.
Finally we lose the
hospitality in our hearts,
and our cheeks grow cold.
Why do we rub off his
kisses in this manner?
Thank God our Creator
is persistent in seeking
us. Our Prince of Peace
yearns to awaken us from
our lonely dream with his
irresistible kiss of love.
If we accept the embrace
of our Creator, we will be
truly liberated. If we do
not wipe away his kiss,
we will discover that we
are able to do his will
with ease. Far from being
stifled or oppressed by his
reign, we rejoice to find
ourselves truly liberated
and free at last.
We are free to do his
will and we do it gladly
because we know he seeks
only our best.
Now we see ourselves in
the parable of the prodigal
son: “while he was still a
long way off, his father
saw him and was filled
with compassion for him;
he ran to his son, threw
his arms around him and
kissed him” (Luke 15:20).
Gradually we discover a
thousand of God’s kisses
coming our way every
day. Every smile that we
receive and every kindness
that we perceive is now
recognized as a life-giving
blessing from God.
We find faith, hope and
love in unexpected places.
To our surprise, as often as
we receive God’s kisses
we find ourselves inspired
to offer similar blessings to
others. With every helping
hand we give, every sin
that we forgive, and every
life that we let live, we
magnify his love and
multiply his blessings.
So the next time God
kisses your cheek, don’t
be so quick to rub it off.
Rub it in. Then turn the
other cheek… for more
kisses.
Hermann is author of The
Spirit Set Me Free. E-mail him
at [email protected].
Father Bob Schuer was a good and faithful priest
This is the homily given by
Msgr. David Funk at the Funeral Mass for Father Robert
Schuer on Jan. 17, at Columbus St. Agatha Church. Father
Schuer died on Jan. 12, at the
church, where he had been in
residence for many years.
We have come here together to
commend to God and lay to rest,
Father Bob Schuer.
When I was here as pastor of
St. Agatha, whenever anyone
of the parish died, I would tell
Bob “So-and-so passed away,”
and he would say, “Well, I
guess they have graduated.”
So in Bob’s regard, I guess he
has graduated.
Some years ago I was attending one of our priests conferences. I overheard one of our
elder priests state, “The problem with the presbyterate of
Columbus is we have no more
characters.” Characters? All of
us priests are characters. Bob
Schuer was a character.
I didn’t get to know Bob until I became the pastor of St.
Agatha in 1995. I knew of him.
I grew up in the parish neighboring Junction City, where
Bob was pastor in the late ’50s
and ’60s. I knew who he was,
but nothing beyond that. When
I was ordained and sent to
Chillicothe St. Peter’s, I met an
aunt of his there. I knew he had
been associate pastor at Corpus Christi and Holy Redeemer in Portsmouth, where I too
served. But it was only when I
became pastor here that I really
met and knew Bob. I quickly
found him to be a character.
One of the things about rectory living is the control of
the thermostat on heating and
cooling. Yes, the thermostat.
Bob was always cold, summer
or winter, and when he could,
he would turn it up. I would
turn it down. He would appear
in the morning at the kitchen
table with his winter coat on
and his Russian hat with the
ear tabs down, looking like
Nanook of the North, and
complain how cold it was.
I don’t know if Bob ever
found out I had the upstairs
thermostat rewired into my
bedroom on the opposite side
of the wall, and just left the unhooked box and thermostat on
the hallway wall. Pastors are
serious, you know.
Twice a year, Bob went to Las
Vegas, and on to California to
visit his brother. The first time
I saw him leaving for that trip,
he was dressed in red slacks, a
white sport coat, white shoes,
and a slouch hat like the cartoon character Andy Capp. I
thought to myself, “Look out,
Vegas!” And when he came
back, he told me all about his
blue ’60s Cadillac he kept
out there. All I could envision
was Bob in his sport coat, red
slacks and hat, tooling up and
down the Strip in Vegas.
But on the more serious side,
as I came to know Bob, I came
to regard him as a good priest.
At dinner table in the evening,
he would often share stories of
his childhood – reminiscences of
his parents, brothers and sisters;
working on the seed corn farm
in Urbana; going to the Plumwood School; telling a doctor
who came to treat him that he
wanted to be a priest; having
an aunt who was an Oldenburg
Franciscan nun; a priest relative
in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati; going off to high school at
St. Gregory Seminary at age 13;
going through the rigors of seminary life, and, after 12 years of
formation and education in Cincinnati; being ordained a priest
for the Diocese of Columbus by
Bishop Ready.
He always said he would
never have chosen any different way. He was happy to be a
priest and was one for over 60
years. I saw Bob being faithful
to this ministry – going every
weekend to the juvenile prisons
near the zoo and having Mass
for the young Catholic inmates;
getting up bright and early to go
have Mass at St. Michael on the
weekday, or over to Immaculate
Conception; hearing children’s
Confessions at St. Michael’s or
IC, or here, and getting up on
Saturdays to have the morning
Mass here at St. Agatha.
He was faithful and dependable. A character, yes. A faithful
servant of God and his people,
yes. As I said previously, Bob
referred to people’s passing
away from this life as graduation. Bob, you have graduated.
10 Catholic Times /February 8, 2009
February 8, 2009 /Catholic Times 11
Church provides more than just a ‘fairy-tale’
setting for a Catholic marriage ceremony
BY TIM PUET
don’t see the value of a church ceremony
for their marriage, and they’re missing
something significant,” said Father MatA church can provide a memorable set- thew Hoover, pastor of Wheelersburg
ting for a wedding ceremony, often with St. Peter in Chains and New Boston St.
sunlight streaming through stained glass Monica churches.
windows, the sounds of an organ play- “When a man and woman recite their
ing appropriately beautiful music, and a marriage vows in a church, usually in the
long aisle for a bride to make a dignified context of a Mass, it shows the imporwalk to the altar where her future hus- tance of their Faith in their own lives,”
band awaits.
he said. “It’s an expression of faith to say
But beyond those ‘fairy-tale’ aspects, God is needed in their marriage. All we
there are very meaningful spiritual rea- do in living out those vows should be a
sons for a couple to pledge their lives to reflection of that faith and what we hope
each other in a sanctuary rather than at a married life to be. That’s a dimension
park or on a beach or in some other, more you won’t be able to find on a cruise ship
or in Las Vegas.”
secular atmosphere.
“I don’t want to say there’s a trend Father David Sizemore, pastor of Sunagainst church weddings these days – bury St. John Neumann Church, described
trend may be too strong a word – but it the celebration of the sacrament of matriseems more people than before say they mony in a church setting as “something
that goes beyond
bricks and mortar.
It should make a
couple think about
the church community that meets
within those walls
and about their
role in that community.”
Although
it’s
common to say a
priest marries a
couple, he pointed
out that the priest
only serves as a
witness to the sacrament which the
couple confers on
each other.
“A church is the
ideal setting for a
marriage to take
place because as
sons and daughters of God, this is
where couples receive grace to overcome their failings
and grow in faith,
where they gather
to hear the word
of God proclaimed
and to receive that
Michelle and Jim Dennett were married at Reynoldsburg St. Pius X word, and where
Church. Father Dan Ochs presided
Photo courtesy of the Dennetts they’re fed with the
Reporter, Catholic Times
Eucharist,” Father Sizemore said.
“It’s also the place where husbands and
wives see the familiar faces of other families and their children, all affirming the
value of marriage and of the family as an
institution designed by God as its own
instrument of his grace.”
He said the effects of having their wedding in a church linger throughout their
lives for a couple in a happy marriage.
“Whenever such a couple enters into that
church, or any Catholic church where
they may worship, they always carry a
little memory of walking up an aisle,
standing before an altar in front of their
family, friends and a community of believers, and reciting their marriage vows.
“Week after week and year after year as
they live out those vows, they reinforce
one another, becoming a witness to other
couples and giving back the grace that
was given to them through marriage,”
Father Sizemore said.
Before being married in a Catholic
church in the Diocese of Columbus,
couples must visit the priest or deacon
who will preside at the ceremony. At
this time, they discuss their reasons for
marrying and learn the wedding guidelines of the church where the ceremony
it will take place.
They also must take a marriage preparation course. In some cases, this consists
of several one-on-one sessions with the
priest or deacon. In addition, parish- or
diocesan-based pre-Cana or Engaged
Encounter programs are offered at which
other church members discuss various
aspects of marriage.
“I highly encourage such programs,”
Father Hoover said. “It’s important for
me to meet personally with the couples
and to give them all the encouragement
I can, and a good faith-based marriage
preparation course can add greatly to
any assistance I can offer.
“One thing I do whenever a couple
comes to me is give them a handout
about their spiritual commitment to
each other and talk to them about that
subject. I try to instill in them the importance of praying together and having
God as their unseen third partner.
See CHURCH, Page 12
Shared faith helps couples in marriage
preparation programs live their vows daily
BY TIM PUET
Reporter, Catholic Times
Msgr. David Sorohan asks Brandon and Shelly Johnson to recite their marriage vows at
Columbus St. Charles Preparatory School
Photo by Benjamin Scot Photography
World Marriage Day
What do a giant candle snuffer and
a two-cycle chainsaw have to do
with marriage?
To find out, come to the World Marriage Day event sponsored by the diocesan Office of Marriage and Family Life on Sunday, Feb.
8, from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at
Columbus St. Elizabeth
Church, 6077 Sharon
Woods Blvd.
The featured speaker,
Kevin Anderson, a psychologist,
marriage
counselor and Catholic
writer from the Toledo
area, uses humorous
analogies
involving
the candle snuffer, the
chainsaw and other items
to discuss various aspects of marriage.
He will be talking about “The Surprising No.1 Secret to Your Best
Marriage.” “I’m not giving away
any hints about the secret. To learn
what it is, you’ll have to be there
Sunday,” he said.
“In more than 20 years as a psychologist, I’ve found that images and
stories are much better than words
in trying to get a point across,” he
said. “The sillier or more surprising an image, the more it sticks in
people’s minds, so I’m always trying to come up with a memorable,
entertaining way of illustrating what
I’m saying.”
Anderson said one of the keys to
a successful marriage is “becoming
accident-prone.”
“God’s grace is flowing through
the experiences of marriage, but
that flow isn’t something you can
force to happen,” he said. “It comes,
seemingly by accident, by being receptive to it at all times and allowing yourself to be transformed by it
at any moment, by being as accident-prone
as possible.
“The more accepting
and receptive you become, the higher the
probability that grace
will have an impact on
you, and the deeper will
be your joy.”
The first 200 couples
registered for the event
will receive a copy of
Anderson’s book, “The Seven Spiritual Practices of Marriage: Your
Guide to Creating a Deep and Lasting Love.”
Anderson also has written a number
of nested meditations, a distinctive
form of writing he describes as “not
quite a poem and not quite a prayer.”
They take the reader through surprising twists and turns as the first line
morphs into new meanings when additional lines are added.
The meditations are contained in a
book titled “Divinity in Disguise,”
which also is the name of his Web
site, www.divinityindisguise.com.
For more information about the
World Marriage Day celebration,
contact the Office of Marriage and
Family Life at (614) 241-2560.
A couple’s wedding day is both a time
of great happiness and the end of what
usually is a considerable amount of work
by the newlyweds involving preparation
for the event and making sure the guests
have an enjoyable time.
But eventually the guests go home
and the honeymoon ends. Several
Columbus-area couples involved in
Catholic programs for preparing other
men and women for married life say
that’s when the real work of a marriage begins and when their shared
faith proves to be an important part of
strengthening their relationship.
Mike and Marianne Bruening of Columbus St. Cecilia Church have been
married for 11 1-2 years and have been
involved for several years in both Engaged Encounter and their parish’s preCana program, which are two of several
options for marriage preparation within
the Diocese of Columbus. All couples
married within a diocesan church are
required to take a marriage preparation
course of some kind.
The Bruenings said the biggest adjustment they had to make to married life involved little things like peanut butter.
“When you live along, you know how
much peanut butter is left in the jar,”
Marianne Bruening said. “But when
there’s someone else in the house, you
can reach for the peanut butter and find
the jar left with little more than enough
to spread on a cracker. It takes some time
to find your footing and set those basic
ground rules, like ‘Let me know when
the peanut butter needs replaced.’”
“I agree with the peanut butter thing,”
said her husband, who then noted he
quickly discovered another subject of
unexpected contention. “The same could
be said for the toilet paper, but that’s another story,” he said.
Terry and Chris McKenzie of Columbus
St. Peter said that after they were married
25 years ago, it took a while for them to
realize that while both had good parental
role models, each was raised in very different ways.
“I was an only child. I had to adjust to
Terry’s large family and all of the differ-
ences in our families of origin,” Chris
said. Her husband
said the two “had
different styles of
communication. We
had to learn how to
communicate with
each other, respecting each other’s
style.”
Both the McKenzies and Tony and
Donna Bonina of
Westerville St. Paul
have been pre-Cana
presenters for 15
years. The Boninas
said getting used to
both another person
and another community was a challenge
after they were married in 1983.
Mike and Marianne Bruening of Columbus St. Cecilia Church on vacaThe couple left fam- tion at the Grand Canyon
Photo courtesy Mike and Marianne Bruening
ily and friends in
Cleveland behind foleach person has grown up.
lowing their marriage and moved to Columbus, where they knew no one. Tony The Boninas said they also use props –
Bonina said he had relocated before and in their case, tennis balls, bird seed, candidn’t always realize how a young bride dy, music, or note cards – to help them
get points across.
might feel in strange surroundings.
“I needed to learn how to make it all fit Following another talk, the Barrs involve couple in an “agree/disagree” actogether – a new job, a new city and a
tivity. “Each of the couples stand and
new wife. Juggling all that was daunting
answer statements that Toni and I repeat”
at times,” he said.
about an aspect of a couple’s relationMike and Toni Barr of Gahanna St. Mat- ship, such as finances or raising children,
thew said 40 years of marriage, including Mike Barr said. “They sit if they disagree
10 as parish pre-Cana team leaders, has and remain standing if they agree.”
taught them that “It takes 24/7 to work
He said, “It is amazing the looks they
on your marriage.”
(couples) get on their faces and the
Both said finding what was important to surprises they see from their spousethe other person was something it took a to-be when some of these issues are
long time to learn. Mike added that in his brought up,” since many of them apcase, learning patience was critical, and parently have not discussed the issues
both said that saying “I’m sorry” when the Barrs mention.
necessary plays a big part in a strong One of the important aspects of marriage
marriage, no matter who says it.
preparation courses is to show couples
Pre-Cana sessions involve a series of that there are usually important aspects
talks, the first of which usually has a cou- of living in a committed relationship
ple speaking about the families in which with another person that they haven’t adthey grew up. The Barrs said that in this equately considered.
talk, they use a set of luggage as a sym- “Some couples may be fairly well prebol of the baggage each half of a couple pared for the ‘technical’ details: the robrings to a relationship in the form of different sets of expectations, based on how
See COUPLES, Page 13
12 Catholic Times
February 8, 2009
CHURCH, continued from Page 10
“I think any couple
that recognizes there is
a spiritual dimension to
marriage and that regularly asks for God’s help
in their married life will
have a good marriage, because God has ordained
marriage and wants couples to succeed.”
He said priests, brides
and grooms all feel a
sense of nervous anticipation on the days of
their ordination and marriage respectively.
“For any person, as
much as we might know
an individual, when we
get to that ultimate day
of commitment, who is
to say we’re 100 percent
sure that ‘this is it,’” Father Hoover said.
“We make that com-
Catholic Times13
February 8, 2009
COUPLES, continued from Page 11
mitment and face an unknown future not fully
prepared, but knowing
that God is the source of
all grace, and will provide us with the grace
we need to face whatever
tests might come in our
respective lives.”
Father Sizemore said
he encourages all marriage preparation programs because “the less
we as a church put into
marriage
preparation,
the more likely it is that
a marriage may not be
successful.”
Besides talking with
couples to determine
their readiness for marriage and sending them
to Engaged Encounter or
pre-Cana programs, he
places couples with mar-
Renew Your
mance, financial issues, the details
of raising a family and so forth,” the
McKenzies said. “We don’t think most
are ready to handle the hard work of
the relationship, the ups and downs, the
good with the bad,”
“Couples are both more prepared
riage mentors.
These are married couples who visit engaged
couples seven or eight
times before the wedding ceremony to discuss
all aspects of matrimony,
from planning the ceremony to deciding who
takes out the trash. Newlyweds often invite the
mentors to continue to
encourage them following the ceremony.
“It’s important that
a couple knows why
they’re getting married,” Father Sizemore
said. “They need to understand the purpose of
marriage is not to fulfill
or complete the other
person, but to help each
other find their way back
to God.”
... they soon find out that they are still individuals
within the relationship and it’s not always just about
making the other person happy ...
--Mike and Marianne Bruening
Romance
Join millions of couples worldwide
Who have learned how to keep their
ments about many couples’ preparation
for and attitudes toward marriage.
“It would seem that there are certain
issues that the couples have either not
discussed at length prior to marriage or
just assumed the issue would resolve itself,” they said.
Saul and Alicia Buitron were married at Columbus Christ the King Church. Father Steve
Seever was celebrant of the Mass
Photo courtesy Saul and Alicia Buitron
and less prepared,” the Boninas said.
“They are perhaps more established
financially and often marry later, ostensibly with more maturity. They are
also often more educated and established in their careers.
“However, society, the media and
their peers all tell them and show them
that marriage doesn’t have to be permanent or even necessary at all. So in
that way, we believe they come less
prepared to look upon marriage as a
lifetime commitment.”
The Bruenings expressed similar senti-
“When they are in their honeymoon
stage, the issues just don’t seem that
important to the couple. However,
they soon find out that they are still
individuals within the relationship and
it’s not always just about making the
other person happy.
“There needs to be a common understanding of the other person’s views. …
If there is no resolution, this can cause an
immediate strain on the relationship.”
“Many couples see marriage as a union
of finances and material items,” the
Bruenings said, “not understanding that
marriage vibrant and alive!
An enduring marriage is more than simply endurance.
It is a process of growth
For Information on Marriage Encounter Weekends,
into an intimate friendship and deepening peace.
Call Paul & Marilou Clouse at (740) 746-9003
“Follow the Way of Love,” United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Or visit www.WWMEColumbus.org
Find support and enrichment for your marriage at the United States Catholic Bishops’ website
www.ForYourMarriage.org
Marriage and Family Life Office
Diocese of Columbus
www.FamilyLife.colsdioc.org
Renew Your
Romance
Who have learned how to keep their
marriage vibrant and alive!
For Information on Marriage Encounter Weekends,
Or visit www.WWMEColumbus.org
Celebrate�Married�Life
�
�
Join millions of couples worldwide
Call Paul & Marilou Clouse at (740) 746-9003
Blessings to All
Married Couples
from
The Deacons and Their Wives
in the Diocese of Columbus
marriage is a true
union, that two
become one. We
think all of these
factors have influenced some
couples entering
marriage
with
the idea that it
no longer means
forever.”
The McKenzies
said they feel a
sense that some
couples see marriage “as a stage
in their lives,” Tony and Donna Bonina of Westerville St. Paul Church on vacation at
not necessarily a a restaurant on Maui. They have been involved in marriage preparation programs for 15 years
Photo courtesy Tony and Donna Bonina
permanent one.
“When we were
est with parents that are happy and semarried, it felt different to us,” they said. cure with each other.”
“Twenty-five years ago, marriage was
thought by everyone we knew to be per- But as the Bruenings pointed out, “Almanent; that is, ‘until death do us part.’” though the best case scenario would
be a mother and a father, the reality
The most recent federal Census shows is that this is not always the case. We
that less than one-quarter of American think that whatever your family unit,
families are traditional nuclear fami- as long as God is at the center of
lies – married couples with one or more that family unit, the kids will have the
sons and daughters. By 2010, stepfami- foundation needed to become an adult
lies are forecast to be the majority.
of proper values and integrity.”
All four couples contacted for this The couples also stressed a link bestory fit the traditional family definition tween their faith and their marriage. As
and believe such an arrangement is the the Boninas put it, “Our Catholic faith
best way to raise children. As the Barrs plays an important role in our commitput it, “Children are secure and happi- ment to marriage and forms the basis
for our core values as
a couple. Our faith has
�
brought us to this ministry and opened our hearts
Office�of�Vocations�
to other ways in which we
can both enrich and be
enriched on our spiritual
journey as individuals and
www.seekholiness.com
as a couple.”
�
�
�
“... The love of man and woman is made holy in the
Sacrament of marriage and
becomes the mirror of God’s everlasting love ...”
�
(from the Rite of Marriage)
…�y�los�dos�serán�una�sola�carne.�Mc�10,�8�
21demarzo,2009
27dejunio,2009
19desetiembre,2009
Parroquia�St.�James�the�Less
Oficina�del�Apostolado�Latino.�Oficina�de�Vida�Familiar�
y�Matrimonial.�Diócesis�de�Columbus�
1652OaklandParkAve.,Columbus,OH43224Ͳ3552
Teléfono:(614)670Ͳ7865.Email:[email protected]
Charlas de
Preparación Matrimonial
14 Catholic Times
February 8, 2009
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle B)
The pending power of the resurrection
Father
Lawrence L. Hummer
Job 7:1-4, 6-7
1 Cor. 9:16-19, 22-23
Mark 1:29-39
The path of Job is, to be
frank, like a lane into deep
depression if we spend too
much time there. We all
know people adept at bringing us down because of the
rotten deal they’ve been
dealt in life. Job is this in
spades! Job’s pal, Eliphaz,
had argued Happy is the
man whom God reproves!
The Almighty’s chastening, do not reject. For he
wounds, but he binds up. He
smites, but his hands give
healing. (Job 5:17-18)
Jobs response to this is
Sundays first reading. Job
reflects on life and deems
it all drudgery. To be a hireling is to be no better than a
slave or a day laborer who
ekes out a living and, if
lucky, survives. The image
of a slave longing for the
shade is that of a person who
works all day in the heat of
the sun, longing for the day
to end to give relief. The
hireling simply works for
his pay. There is no idea of
finding satisfaction in ones
work. Its all about the money. And the hireling gets his
pay at the end of each day.
Job reflects on the months
of misery he has been assigned (by God). He adds
the burden of troubled
nights which he follows
with a classic description
of insomnia. Who of us has
not struggled with a sleepless night when we just lie
there waiting for morning to
come? Blessed is the man or
woman who has never suffered insomnia!
Job keeps piling it on. His
days end swiftly, only to
return with a monotonous
repetition and each day
ends without hope. Job,
who has suffered greatly, is
convinced he will not see
happiness again. Our better instincts protest that life
cannot be that bad. It makes
us want to flee from Job,
and so we do.
It is hard to say why the
Job reading was chosen to
accompany the Gospel selection from Mark.
Mark focuses on the first
of many healings he will
record, beginning with Simon Peter’s mother-in-law,
meaning, of course, that he
was married. We never hear
of his wife anywhere else
in the Gospels.
Some commentators suggest this was an eye witness
account. The commentators
note that it happened immediately after they had left
the synagogue and entered
the home of Simon and Andrew. This made sense since
they were brothers and families often shared accommodations. The extra detail that
James and John were there
made it even more memorable if it had been an eyewitness account.
The mention that he
helped her up uses the same
Greek word which will be
used to describe Jesus after
the resurrection when the
young man tells the women
at the tomb He has been
raised. Here Jesus took her
hand and raised her up. It is
likely Mark introduced the
word early on in this Gospel to suggest to readers the
pending power of the resurrection even during the
early stages of Jesus earthly
ministry. The completeness of her cure is signaled
by the note that she waited
upon them.
In the following scene
when the whole town gathered at the door, people are
often confused to hear that
Jesus did not allow the demons to speak because they
knew him. They knew that
he was the Holy One of God
as we have seen already at
Mk.1:24. Yet Jesus orders
silence often in Mark after
major events or after encounters with demons.
Scholars continue to debate whether this order to
silence is part of Mark’s
style to delay the full revelation of Jesus until later in
the Gospel or is part of the
historical record.
Father Lawrence L. Hummer, pastor at Chillicothe
St. Mary, can be reached at
[email protected].
SHERIDAN
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MONDAY
Genesis 1:1-19
Psalm 104:1-2,5-6,10,12,24,35
Mark 6:53-56
TUESDAY
Genesis 1:20-2:4a
Psalm 8:4-9
Mark 7:1-13
WEDNESDAY
Genesis 2:4b-9,15-17
Psalm 104:1-2,27-30
Mark 7:14-23
THURSDAY
Genesis 2:18-25
Psalm 128:1-5
Mark 7:24-30
FRIDAY
Genesis 3:1-8
Psalm 32:1-2,5-7
Mark 7:31-37
SATURDAY
Genesis 3:9-24
Psalm 90:2-6,12-13
Mark 8:1-10
G
iven the unique
status of the Holocaust as an icon of evil
in a morally confused
world, Holocaust-denial
triggers revulsions similar to those triggered by
blasphemy in the Middle
Ages: the Holocaustdenier must be shunned,
for everyone else’s moral
health. Thus it was completely understandable
that, when Pope Benedict
XVI lifted the excommunications of four bishops illegally ordained in
1988 by the late French
archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, reporting and commentary focused on the
fact that one of the four,
Richard Williamson, is
a Holocaust-denier and
a man given to extolling
that hoary anti-Semitic
forgery, “The Protocols
of the Elders of Zion.”
Understandable, but
something of freakish
sideshow, for Williamson is an internationally
known crank and no serious person can believe
that Benedict XVI’s act
constituted an endorsement of Williamson’s lunatic view of history.
As the Pope made clear
at his Jan. 28 general audience, he has long recognized the Holocaust as
a unique icon of wickedness – one that should
call all of us “to reflect on
the unpredictable power
of evil when it conquers
the heart of man.”
For Catholics, condemning Holocaust-denial is a moral imperative
rooted in the conviction
that anti-Semitism (of
which Holocaust-denial
is a pseudo-sophisticated
form) is a sin against the
God of Abraham, Isaac,
Jacob, and Jesus – a God
who keeps his promises,
both to the people of Israel and to the people of the
Church. That conviction
leads readily to another
conviction: that God preserves the Church from
fundamental error in essential truths. And that,
not questions of liturgical taste, is what is really
at issue with Lefebvrists:
FliZXi`e^_fd\ZfdgXe`fej_\cgj\e`fijc`m\Xk
_fd\%?p^`\e\Xjj`jkXeZ\#d\Xcj#_flj\nfib#lg
kf)+_fliZXi\%Kfgi\]\i\eZ\j%8]]fi[XYc\iXk\j%
“We Do Things
614-561-0075
VISITING ANGELS
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614-538-1234
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Don’t hassle with ads, calls and negotiations.
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Martin J. Mitchell, CPCU, ChFC
[email protected]
7 ) , , 3 s T R U S T S s 0 2 / " !4 %
THE CATHOLIC
DIFFERENCE
George Weigel
Were the Second Vatican
Council’s teachings on
the nature of the Church,
on Church-state theory,
and on the sin of antiSemitism in continuity
with the great tradition
of Catholic faith?
Or did they represent
a rupture and a breach of
faith?
The interpretation of
Vatican II among Catholic “progressives” has
long stressed that Vatican II was a Council of
radical change: a new
beginning that, in effect,
created a new Church.
On this understanding,
the Council broke with
hundreds of years of
Catholic history by mandating an open dialogue
with secular modernity.
In an odd mirror-image,
the Catholic far right –
embodied by Lefebvrists,
among others – agrees:
except that, in this instance, rupture means
betrayal. Marcel Lefebvre was shaped in part by
currents in French public
culture that helped produce the Vichy regime
during World War II.
To a mind formed in
that cauldron of resentments, prejudices, and
dreams of an ancient regime restored, it seemed
self-evidently clear that
the Council made a fatal
bargain with modernity,
thereby emptying Catholicism of its content
while eviscerating the
distinctive Catholic way
of life.
For the past three decades, by contrast, Joseph
Ratzinger has argued
vigorously in defense of
Vatican II as an authentic
expression of Catholic
faith that must be interpreted in continuity with
the Church’s tradition.
For Ratzinger, Vatican
II was a Council of development: its teaching
teased new meanings out
of ancient tradition, but
it in no way involved a
rupture with the past.
How could it, if God
keeps his promise to preserve the Church in essential truths?
The Council’s continuity with the great tradition of Catholic faith is
what Archbishop Lefebvre and his movement
have long denied.
And while some may
sympathize with the
Lefebvrists’ commitment
to dignified worship,
few, I suspect, will want
to defend the Lefebvrist
claim that the Council
taught falsely when it defined religious freedom
as a fundamental human
right.
Thus if Benedict XVI’s
attempt to reconcile dissidents on the far starboard edge of world Catholicism is to contribute
to the Church’s unity, his
gestures of reconciliation
must be met from the
Lefebvrist side by a clear
rejection of the rupture
theory of Vatican II. That
means an unambiguous
acknowledgment from
the Lefebvrist bishops
that the Council taught
the truth of Catholic faith
in affirming religious
freedom and condemning anti-Semitism.
Until that happens, the
absurd Lefebvrist claim
that their movement is
“the Tradition” (most recently made by the leading Lefebvrist bishop,
Bernard Fellay) will remain an insuperable obstacle to the restoration
of full communion.
Weigel is a senior fellow of
the Ethics and Public Policy
Center in Washington, D.C.
• • • • • • • • • • • •• • • • • • • • • • • •• • • • • • • • • • • •• • • • • • • • • • •
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Letters to the Editor
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Catholic Times 15
February 8, 2009
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Editor:
Two years ago during Catholic
Schools Week, I sat down and wrote a
letter to the editor about my love and
pride in Bishop Flaget School.
The love and pride I felt then has
not changed, what has changed is one
man’s presence.
That man was Ken Kessler, the
principal at Chillicothe Bishop Flaget
School, until he unexpectedly passed
away Jan. 27, 2008.
Here was a man that I and the rest
of the Catholic community and Chillicothe grew to admire and respect.
For those of you who did not have
the pleasure of knowing Ken, he was a
man truly dedicated to Catholic Education and to Chillicothe’s Bishop Flaget
School. He was an individual that the
students and faculty could easily see
his deep faith and love of his family
and life.
To teach or be a principal in a Catholic School is certainly not a very lucrative job.
What draws a person to take a position within the walls of Bishop Flaget?
I think each person wants to make
a difference in each student’s life and
bring their Catholic Faith alive and
into every area of their education and
daily life.
If we as parents are lucky we have
educators that are not only highly qualified in their jobs but also are terrific
role models in our faith.
We have been blessed with yet another individual who did not hesitate to
fill that horrible void quickly and with
compassion.
As an active alumnus of Bishop
Flaget School, I thank Laura Corcoran
for being there to help us through this
past year.
The students and faculty once more
have been blessed with someone who
shares her deep faith and love of family
and life.
Ken Kessler will live in our hearts
and will always be a special angel to
the school and certainly to his lovely
wife and two beautiful children.
The Kessler family has touched my
heart, and I say he is gone but certainly
not forgotten.
Cathy Zangri
Chillicothe
16 Catholic Times
February 8, 2009
Pray for our dead
APSOLON, Mary V., 86, Jan. 26
St. Brendan Church, Hilliard
McCAULIFF, Donald J., 82, Jan. 29
St. Matthew Church, Gahanna
Sister Estelle Laufersweiler, OSF
BAUDO, Joseph R., 77, Jan. 30
St. Timothy Church, Columbus
NOLAN, Dr. Robert B., 78, Jan. 27
St. Andrew Church, Columbus
CLAIR, Jack A., 66, Jan. 28
Christ the King Church, Columbus
PAGLIONI, Vincent J., 89, Jan. 27
Church of the Resurrection, New Albany
FILICHIA, Anne M., 94, Jan. 27
Christ the King Church, Columbus
POLCHOW, Veronica M., 65, Jan. 27
St. Anthony Church, Columbus
GARD, Katherine, 78, Jan. 22
St. Nicholas Church, Zanesville
POWERS, William E. Jr., 87, Jan. 26
St. Patrick Church, London
GERNHARDT, Ruth, 92, Jan. 27
St. Timothy Church, Columbus
ROBERTS, Robert A., 80, Jan. 28
St. Joan of Arc Church, Powell
HARPER, Joyce E., 67, Jan. 28
St. Peter in Chains Church, Wheelersburg
SCHAEUFELE, Lawana M., 87, Jan. 25
Our Lady of Peace Church, Columbus
HUDYK, Dawn L., 36, Jan. 24
St. Matthew Church, Gahanna
TURNER, Barbara A., 69, Jan. 29
Ss. Simon and Jude Church, West Jefferson
JENKINS, Jerry L., 72, Jan. 30
St. Mary Church, Groveport
ZEHALA, William J., 78, Jan. 27
St. Andrew Church, Columbus
Funeral Mass for Sister Estelle
Laufersweiler, OSF, 85, who died
Wednesday, Jan. 21, was held Saturday,
Jan. 24, at Stella Niagara, N.Y. Burial
was in the cemetery of the Sisters of St.
Francis of Penance and Christian Charity at Stella Niagara.
She was born in 1923, in Columbus,
to the late William and Hertha Laufersweiler, entered the convent in 1941 and
made her final profession of vows in
1943. She received a bachelor’s degree
from St. Mary of the Springs College
(now Ohio Dominican University) and
master of arts degrees from Niagara
University and Ohio University.
In the Columbus Diocese, she was
a teacher at New Lexington St. Rose
School (1946-48), Columbus Holy Ro-
Patricia A. Groom
Funeral Mass for Patricia A. Groom,
82, who died Friday, Dec. 26, was held
Tuesday, Dec. 30, at Columbus Holy
Cross Church. Burial was at St. Joseph
Cemetery, Columbus.
She was preceded in death by her par-
ents, Thomas and Helene Groom; and
one brother, James.
Survivors for Ms. Groom include two
sisters, Sister Helene (Sally) Groom,
OP, and Marie (Richard) Bresson; and
one brother, Joseph (Pat).
Amelia C. Bangert
Funeral Mass for Amelia C. Bangert,
98, who died Saturday, Jan. 31, at
Mother Angeline McCrory Manor, was
held Monday, Feb. 2, at Columbus St.
Mary Church. Burial was in Mount
Calvary Cemetery, Columbus.
She was a 1929 graduate of Columbus
St. Mary High School.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Rosa Franz; husband,
Adam; and, several brothers and sisters. Survivors include daughter, Mary
Jane (Leon) Skybo; son, Adam (Judy);
sister, Sister Mary Franz, OSF; seven
grandsons; two granddaughters; and,
nine great-grandchildren.
John R. McAndrew
Funeral Mass for John R. McAndrew, 87, who died Saturday, Jan. 10,
was held Wednesday, Jan. 14, at Columbus St. Cecilia Church. Burial was
in St. Joseph Cemetery, Columbus.
He was born in1921, to John and
Marie McAndrew. He graduated from
Marion St. Mary High School in 1939,
served during World War II in the Coast
Guard and was a 30-year employee of
the State of Ohio.
He was a football coach at the old
Columbus Aquinas High School, a
basketball referee for 25 years in Columbus and served in a various volunteer roles at his parish for many years
until he was 82.
He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter, Kathleen.
Survivors include his wife of 63 years,
Jane; children, Pat, Michael (Cathy),
Denny (Mary), Molly (Tommy) Notturniano, Kevin (Jerry), Jim (Betsy),
Tim (Jenny), and Kelley (John) Eramo;
sister, Joann Terazo; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
sary School (1948-54 and 1955-56),
Columbus Sacred Heart High School
(1959-62), New Lexington St. Aloysius
Academy (1964-67), and Columbus St.
Francis DeSales High School (196769), and a counselor at the New Lexington Mt. Aloysius Center (1982-83).
She also taught in the dioceses of
Steubenville, Buffalo, N.Y., and Wheeling/Charleston, W.Va., and on Guam.
She worked with mentally challenged
adults in Davie, Fla., from 1983-85 and
was a pastoral minister in Fort Myers,
Fla., from 1985-2002. Her most recent
ministry was as a receptionist at the
Stella Niagara convent from 2007 until
the time of her death.
She is survived by several nieces and
nephews.
Catholic Times 17
February 8, 2009
Televised Mass for the Fifth
Sunday in Ordinary Time
Feb. 8, 2009
From the Diocese of Columbus
The Sunday Mass with the Passionist
Fathers can be seen at:
7 a.m. on WHIZ 18
7:30 a.m. on WWHO 53
11 a.m. on Cable Channel 2
(in Marion) 11 a.m. on Cable Channel 20
(on Adelphia Cable in Scioto County)
The televised Sunday Mass also can be
seen on Time Warner Cable Chan. 6
(Hardin County), at: 10 a.m.
Immaculate Conception Church, Kenton
On EWTN (Time Warner Chan. 127, Insight
Chan. 382 and on WOW Chan. 378) at:
8 a.m. Our Lady of the Angels Monastery
in Birmingham, Ala.
(Encores at noon and midnight)
Daily Mass
8 a.m. Our Lady of the Angels Monastery
in Birmingham, Ala. (Encores at noon, 7
p.m. and midnight) See EWTN above; and
on I-Lifetv (Chan. 113 in Ada, Logan, Millersburg, Murray City and Washington C.H.;
Chan. 125 in Marion, Newark, Newcomerstown and New Philadelphia; and Chan.
207 in Zanesville; 1270 AM in Marysville
and 1580 AM in Columbus on St. Gabriel
Radio, rebroadcast at noon.)
We pray Week I, Seasonal Proper of the
Liturgy of the Hours
All fund-raising events (festivals, bazaars, spaghetti
dinners, fish fries, bake sales, pizza/sub sales, candy
sales, etc.) will be placed in the
“Fund-Raising Guide.” An entry into the Guide will be
$17.50 for the first six lines, and $2.50 for each additional line. For more information, call Phil Connard
at 614-224-6530 or 800-511-0584.
‘Happenings’ submissions
Notices for items of Catholic interest
must be received at least 12 days before
expected publication date. We will print
them as space permits. Items not received
before this deadline may not be published.
Listings cannot be taken by phone.
Mail to: The Catholic Times, Happenings,
197 East Gay St., Columbus, OH 43215
Fax to: 614-241-2518
E-mail as text to: [email protected]
H A P P E N I N G S
FEBRUARY
6, FRIDAY
St. Cecilia Adoration of Blessed Sacrament
St. Cecilia Church, 434 Norton Road, Columbus. Begins
after 8:15 a.m. Mass, continues to 5 p.m. Saturday.
Monthly Adoration of Blessed Sacrament
Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church, 5225 Refugee Road, Columbus. Begins after 9 a.m. Mass; continues
through 6 p.m. Holy Hour.
Catholic Man of the Year Luncheon
12:10 p.m. (time approximate following 11:45 a.m. Mass),
St. Patrick Church, 280 N. Grant Ave., Columbus. Annual
Catholic Man of the Year award luncheon sponsored by
Catholic Men’s Luncheon Club, honoring Gary Allwein,
owner of Mustard Seed Catering. Contact wilsoc43@
nationwide.com.
All-Night Eucharistic Vigil
Holy Cross Church, 205 S. 5th St., Columbus. 7:30 p.m.
Mass; Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, public and
quiet prayer until 11:30 p.m.; private prayer until 7:30 a.m.
Saturday.
7, SATURDAY
Day of Spiritual Reflection
8 a.m. to 2 p.m., The Church at Mill Run, 3500 Mill Run
Drive, Hilliard. Day of spiritual reflection with Father Vinny McKiernan, CSP, of the St. Thomas More Newman Center, and clergy of other faiths. Subject: “What’s My Place
at the Table?” Sponsored by Cum Christo. 740-548-5209
Life and Mercy Mass in Plain City
9 a.m. Mass, St. Joseph Church, 140 West Ave., Plain City
(note new location). First Saturday Life and Mercy Mass,
followed by rosary and confession.
614-565-8654
Mary’s Little Children Prayer Group
10 a.m., Mt. Carmel East Hospital, 6001 E. Broad St., Columbus. Meet in chapel (Shepherds of Christ format).
614-861-4888
Farmers Honored at Maria Stein
Noon to 2 p.m., Spiritual Center of Maria Stein, 2365 St.
Johns Road, Maria Stein. Lunch and program on relationships with God and neighbors in the farming community.
419-925-7625
Evening of Quiet at Martin de Porres Center
3 to 9 p.m., Martin de Porres Center, 2330 Airport Drive,
Columbus. “Quiet in Winter” with Father Stephen Fitzhenry, OP. An evening of reflection around the fireplace,
including a simple supper and Sunday vigil Eucharist. Participants are asked to bring a Bible.
614-416-1910
Pelican Club Meeting for Youth
7 to 9 p.m., Parish center, Holy Family Church, 584
W. Broad St., Columbus. Monthly meeting of the Pelican
Clib, a Catholic study and prayer group for eighth- to
12th-graders.
614-837-4845
8, SUNDAY
Seton Youth Choir, Handbells
9:30 a.m., St. Elizabeth Seton Parish, 600 Hill Road N.,
Pickerington. Church’s youth choir and youth handbell
groups sing and ring bells at Mass.
614-833-0482
St. Christopher Adult Religious Education
10 to 11:15 a.m., St. Christopher Parish Center, Trinity School, 1420 Grandview Ave., Columbus. “The Tide Is
Turning” with Catholic Times columnist David Hartline.
614-488-9971
World Marriage Day Celebration
2 to 4:30 p.m., St. Elizabeth Church, 6077 Sharon Woods
Blvd., Columbus. World Marriage Day celebration
sponsored by diocesan Office of Marriage and Family
Life, with marriage therapist Kevin Anderson speaking
on “The Surprising #1 Secret to Your Best Marriage.”
614-241-2560
Panel Discussion on Hispanics at St. Peter
4 to 5 p.m., St. Peter Church, 6899 Smoky Row Road,
Columbus. Panel discussion on “Understanding and Embracing Catholic Hispanics” with Father Ervens Mengelle,
IVE, and Angela Johnston of diocesan Latino ministry.
614-467-9069
XLT Evening at Marion St. Mary
5 to 6:30 p.m., St. Mary Church, 251 N. Main St., Marion.
XLT, an evening of prayer, adoration and worship sponsored by the diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult
Ministry. Topic: “The Power of the Eucharist.” 614-241-2565
Catholic Faith Rally at Maria Stein
7:30 p.m., Spiritual Center of Maria Stein, 2365 St. Johns
Road, Maria Stein.Catholic faith rally with Father Jim Trick.
419-925-7625
9, MONDAY
Bethesda Post-Abortion Healing Ministry
6:30 p.m., support group meeting, 2744 Dover Road,
(Christ the King Church campus), Columbus.
614-718-0277, 614-309-2651, 614-309-0157
Hearts of Jesus and Mary Bible Study
7 to 8:30 p.m., Marian Hall, St. Michael Church, 5750
N. High St., Worthington. Hearts of Jesus and Mary Bible
Study/Prayer Group meeting. Rosary (optional) at 6:35.
614-846-3803 or 614-841-1776
Our Lady of Peace Men’s Bible Study
7 p.m., Our Lady of Peace Church, 20 E. Dominion Blvd.,
Columbus. Bible study of Sunday Scripture readings.
614-459-2766
11, WEDNESDAY
Turning Leaves and Tea Leaves
2 to 3:30 p.m., Martin de Porres Center, 2330 Airport
Drive, Columbus. Turning Leaves and Tea Leaves book
club with Dominican Sisters Marialein Anzenberger and
Colleen Gallagher.
614-416-1910
XLT Evening at St. Brendan
6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Hilliard St. Brendan Church, 4475 Dublin Road, Columbus. XLT, an experience of prayer, adoration and worship, with Dan DeMatte speaking on “High
Speed Connection.” Sponsored by diocesan Office of
Youth and Young Adult Ministry.
614-241-2565
Kindergarten Information Session at St. Cecilia
7 p.m., St. Cecilia School, 440 Norton Road, Columbus.
Information meeting for families wishing to attend kindergarten in the fall.
614-878-3555
12, THURSDAY
‘Praying the Lenten Labyrinth’ at Maria Stein
10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Spiritual Center of Maria Stein, 2365 St.
Johns Road, Maria Stein. “Praying the Lenten Labyrinth,” a
one-day retreat. Registration deadline Feb. 6. 419-925-7625
St. Pius Adult Faith Formation Series
7 p.m., St. Pius X Church, 1051 S. Waggoner Road, Reynoldsburg. Second talk in eight-week adult faith formation series on the Sacraments, with Deacon Charlie
Miller speaking on Baptism.
614-866-2859
Open House at Bishop Hartley
7 p.m., Bishop Hartley High School, 1285 Zettler Road,
Columbus. Winter open house for eighth-graders and
their families.
614-237-5421
13-14, FRIDAY-SATURDAY
‘Fireproof Your Marriage’ at Plain City St. Joseph
Parish Activity Center, St. Joseph Church, 670 W. Main
St, Plain City. Viewing of the movie “Fireproof” at 7 p.m.
Friday, followed by two-part seminar on marriage from
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and on Feb. 21. For all married or engaged couples. Free, with lunch and childcare
available both Saturdays.
614-873-8850
14, SATURDAY
Diocesan Respect Life Conference
9 a.m. to 3 p.m., St. Andrew Church, 1899 McCoy Road,
Columbus. Diocesan Respect Life Conference with Father
Tom Euteneuer and Dr. Brian Clowes, both of Human Life
International. Starts with Mass. Sponsored by diocesan
Office of Social Concerns.
614-241-2540
Catholic Alumni Club Valentine’s Dance
8:30 to 11:30 p.m., St. Michael Church, 5750 N. High St.,
Worthington. Catholic Alumni Club Valentine’s Day
dance. For all single Catholics.
614-221-7601
15, SUNDAY
St. Christopher Adult Religious Education
10 to 11:15 a.m., St. Christopher Parish Center, Trinity School, 1420 Grandview Ave., Columbus. “Women
in Church History, Part II” with catechist Barbara Fink.
614-488-9971
Praise Mass at Seton Parish
11:15 a.m., St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, 600 Hill Road
North, Pickerington. Praise Mass with contemporary
music by parish’s small musical groups. 614-833-0482
St. Padre Pio Secular Franciscans
2:30 to 5 p.m., Parish center, Holy Family Church, 584
W. Broad St., Columbus. Franciscan Crown Rosary and
Chaplet of Divine Mercy, followed by Evening Prayer,
meeting and formation.
Cookie
614-275-4960
St. Catherine of Bologna Secular Franciscans
2:30 to 5 p.m., St. Christopher Parish Center, 1420
Grandview Ave., Columbus. Rosary followed by general
meeting, ongoing formation and social.
Elizabeth Bowen
614-276-1953
Jesus Jam at St. Catharine
5 to 8:30 p.m., St. Catharine Church, 500 S. Gould Road,
Columbus. Jesus Jam for middle and high school youths,
with speaker John Beaulieu.
1-888-548-2972
16, MONDAY
B;oodmobile at Church of the Ascension
1 to 7 p.m., Social hall, Church of the Ascension, 555 S. Main
St., Johnstown. American Red Cross bloodmobile stop.
740-967-0873
Marian Prayer Group
7 p.m., St. Patrick Church, 280 N. Grant Ave., Columbus.
Holy Hour for priestly and consecrated vocations with
Father Andre LaCasse, OP.
614-235-7435
Hearts of Jesus and Mary Bible Study
7 to 8:30 p.m., Marian Hall, St. Michael Church, 5750
N. High St., Worthington. Hearts of Jesus and Mary Bible
Study/Prayer Group meeting. Rosary (optional) at 6:35.
614-846-3803 or 614-841-1776
19, THURSDAY
St. Pius Adult Faith Formation Series
7 p.m., St. Pius X Church, 1051 S. Waggoner Road, Reynoldsburg. Third talk in eight-week adult faith formation
series on the Sacraments, with Sister Joan Supel, OP,
speaking on Confirmation.
614-866-2859
20-22, FRIDAY-SUNDAY
Weekend Retreat at St. Therese’s
St. Therese’s Retreat Center, 5277 E. Broad St., Reynoldsburg. Retreat sponsored by women of Gahanna St. Matthew Church, with Sister Diane Kozlowski, OP, program
director of Shepherd’s Corner in Blacklick. Theme: “The
Wonders of Creation.” 614-475-5086 or 614-855-3543
21, SATURDAY
Columbus Catholic Women’s Conference
8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Lausche Building, State Fairgrounds, 717 E.
17th Ave., Columbus. Second annual Columbus Catholic
Women’s Conference, with Mass celebrated by Bishop Frederick Campbell and speakers Immaculee Ilibagiza, survivor of
the Rwandan genocide, and Sister Rosalind Moss of Catholic
Answers. Register at www.columbuscatholicwomen.com.
Black History Collectors and Memorabilia Fair
10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Martin de Porres Center, 2330 Airport
Drive, Columbus. Fourth annual black Catholic history
collectors and memorabilia fair, sponsored by Columbus Black Catholic Ministries.
614-228-0024
Catholic Record Society Meeting and Luncheon
Noon, Westminster Thurber Community, Neil Avenue and
Goodale Street, Columbus. Catholic Record Society winter meeting and luncheon. Subject: “The O’Shaughnessys,
Dorrians, and O’Gradys: Franklin County Irish Catholic Political History.” Reservation deadline Feb. 16.
614-225-0130
Valentine’s Evening for Couples at Maria Stein
4:30 p.m., Spiritual Center of Maria Stein, 2365 St. Johns
Road, Maria Stein. Valentine’s evening for couples, with
meal, Mass and gifts. Limited seating.
419-678-8644
Spanish Mass at Columbus St. Peter
7 p.m., St. Peter Church, 6899 Smoky Row Road, Columbus. Parish’s monthly Spanish Mass, celebrated by Father
Ervens Mengelle, IVE, of the Josephinum. 706-761-4054
St. Joseph Cathedral Mardi Gras Gala
Jessing Center, Pontifical College Josephinum, 7625 N.
High St., Columbus. St. Joseph Cathedral Mardi Gras
gala, honoring Deacon Tom and Mary Alice Johnston.
614-329-9779
18 Catholic Times
February 8, 2009
FILM REVIEW
+<>
PYM_] YX
Catholic Times 19
February 8, 2009
NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD IN PHOTOS
Just released on DVD: “FIREPROOF”
Low-budget film creates stir among
Catholic marriage advocates
By Marilyn Lanford
Catholic News Service
The film “Fireproof” is causing a stir
in Catholic marriage advocacy groups
around the country.
The movie, produced on a $500,000
budget, has become a hit around the
country, first appearing in 839 theaters
when it was released Sept. 26. As of
Oct. 23, the movie had shown in 905
theaters and grossed $21.5 million,
more than 40 times its budget. The
movie was re-released on DVD on January 27, 2009.
The Rev. Michael Catt, senior pastor
at Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany,
Ga., and executive producer of the film,
spoke about the project at an event in
Rogers Oct. 16 and in an interview with
KDUA radio from St. Vincent de Paul
Church in Rogers.
“Fireproof” tells
the story of a firefighter and his struggles to save his marriage. A book, “The
Love Dare,” which
was originally a
plot device in the
film, was a No. 1
best-seller on The
New York Times’
paperback advice
books list.
In promoting the film, Rev. Catt said,
“We learned -- take it to the people. We
didn’t have a multi-multimillion-dollar
advertising budget. We had grass-roots
word of mouth. We are very grateful
for the support the Catholic Church has
given us.
“I think anything that can impact marriages is a positive thing,” he added. “If
we can save a million marriages this
year, the ripple effect on children who
will not be from broken homes, who
will not be abused, who will not be
growing up in homes where Mom and
Dad are yelling and screaming, that will
have an effect on our culture -- it will
have an effect on our churches.”
On a related “Fireproof” Web site,
www.fireproofmymarriage.com,
are
links to Catholic marriage resources
such as the Archdiocese of Chicago
Family Ministries, Retrouvaille, the
National Association of Catholic Fam-
ily Life Ministers and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ National Pastoral Initiative for Marriage.
According to Frank Hannigan, director of family ministries for the Archdiocese of Chicago, the film has had
great popularity in the Catholic community because of its pro-marriage,
faith-filled message.
“When marriage is under such an attack, to have in the popular medium a
movie like ‘Fireproof’ was a wonderful
gift for us,” he said. “We hope it will
be something that will help couples
strengthen their marriages.”
Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Ky., chairman of the bishops’
Subcommittee on Marriage and Family
Life, endorsed “Fireproof,” saying the
film portrayed, in a “convincing and
realistic way, ... how a married couple
was able to honor their marriage in the
context of how easy it is today for couples to walk away from this commitment in the midst of incredibly hectic
and complicated lives.”
“In the end it is clear that their faith
in God is central,” he added. “While
this is not a film with a uniquely
Catholic theological perspective, I believe that the core message is one that
can be profitably received by Catholic married couples and ultimately all
married couples.”
The USCCB’s Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-II --adults and
adolescents. The Motion Picture Asso-
ciation of America rating is PG -- parental guidance suggested. Some material
may not be suitable for children.
The project grew out of a desire to
make Christian films, Rev. Catt said.
“It was early 2000 when we were on a
staff retreat down in Florida,” he said.
“Alex Kendrick, one of the writers for
the screenplay ‘Fireproof,’ was on our
staff. I was talking to the staff, asking
them, ‘What do you want to do with
your life? How do you see God using
your life?’ Alex responded by saying he
would like to make Christian movies. I
don’t know if I was having a moment of
weakness or God just struck me, but I
said, ‘Why not? Bring me a script and a
budget and let’s see if God is in it.’”
It began a series of three films made
by Sherwood Pictures. The first film,
“Flywheel,” which was released in
2003, had a budget of $20,000 raised
from private donations. The next film,
“Facing the Giants,” was released
in 2006 and was produced with a
$100,000 budget.
Based on the success of the two earlier
movies, Provident Films/Sony provided the $500,000 budget for “Fireproof.”
All the films have been made with the
support of volunteers from the church
and the community in Albany. All the
actors, with the exception of Kirk Cameron, the lead actor in “Fireproof,” are
from Georgia.
The “Fireproof” DVD is available at
the Cathedral Book Shop.
Get reviews and ratings of Movies, DVDs and Television.
All from a Catholic Perspective.
www.ctonline.org
Detroit Cardinal Adam J. Maida hands Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron his crosier during his installation ceremony at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit.
CNS photo/Larry A. Peplin, Michigan Catholic
A native of the Detroit Archdiocese, Archbishop Vigneron returns there after serving for six years as bishop of Oakland, Calif.
Russian Orthodox Patriarch-elect Kirill leads a service in Moscow’s Christ
the Savior Cathedral after being chosen as head of the Moscow-based Russian Orthodox Church. Pope Benedict XVI sent Patriarch Kirill a chalice as a
sign of his hope that the Catholic and Orthodox churches soon will be in full
CNS photo/Sergei Karpukhin, Reuters
communion with each other
Pope Benedict XVI pets a lion cub held by a performer of the Medrano Circus during his weekly
CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano via Reuters
general audience at the Vatican
20 Catholic Times
February 8, 2009
cath olic time s
c a th olic time s
c a th olic times
Catholic Times is the only
newspaper that brings you a
weekly look at Catholic Life
in the Diocese of Columbus.
OHIO DOMINICAN STUDENTS
JOIN RALLY FOR LIFE
23 Students from Ohio Dominican University made the trip for Columbus to Washington D.C. to
participate in the National Rally for Life on January 22nd.
Pictured above are: 1st Row (L to R): Christa Sena, Brett Yarmesch, Nicole Knabe, Carline Orians,
Maria Dematte, Hollie Bradley, Aly Green and Jeremiah Guaponne
2nd Row (L to R): Katie Brown, Amanda Zurface, Sarah Krosse, Bob Roth, Phillip Tobin, Burnadette
Buzenski, Kayla Walton, Clayton Frederick, Sarah Hagen, Jessica Buzenski, John Boyden, Ricky Shoop,
Phil Rogers, Kate Strancar, Chris Albanese.
Don’t
Miss Out
By dropping your Catholic Times envelope into the collection plate in
February you guarantee getting the next 48 weekly issues of
Catholic Times for the special Parish Rate of only $15.
If you don’t have the envelope, just attach a note to your
contribution telling your parish you want the Catholic Times!
The Catholic Times Collection - February 8, 2009