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Volume 2 • Number 3 • week OF January 23, 2014
Winterfest 2014 a big success for Catholic
Schools and Ave Maria Home
By Mary Helen Carmack
Tony Barrasso, Joe
Birch, and Michael
Spano entertain the
crowd at the Italian
Winterfest.
Additonal photos
on page 12.
Tony Barraso, Joe Birch, and
Michael Spano entertained the
crowd with traditional Italian
music at the fourth annual Italian
Winterfest which was held on
Sunday, January 12th. Tony,
along with the late, Sam Bomarito
and Angelo Lucchesi, created
Italian Winterfest in which local
Memphis restaurants and beverage
distributors come together to
benefit the Catholic schools and Ave
Maria Home. This year a recordbreaking 14 restaurants showcased
their delicious specialties from
steak, to soup to Italian spinach,
to cannoli including: Coletta’s,
Elfo’s Restaurant, Folk’s Folly,
Garibaldi’s, Grawemeyer’s, The
Italian Rebel, Lucchesi’s Pasta,
Lynchburg Legends, T.J. Mulligan’s,
Pesces’s Authentic Italian Sausage,
Pete & Sam’s, The Racquet Club
of Memphis, The Rendezvous, and
Rizzo’s Diner.
Beverage donors made the
fare complete. Lucchesi’s - Delta
Wholesale, Jackie Aaron - Athen’s
Distributing, Ruffino Wines, John
& Wanda Barzizza, Philip Spinosa
- A. S. Barboro, Coca-Cola, and the
Hammond Family - Buster’s Liquors
& Wines added to the festivities
with their contributions of wine,
Italian beer, and soft drinks.
Proceeds from the event
provide scholarships for students
in the Catholic schools through
the Catholic Education Scholarship
Fund and assistance for Ave Maria
residents who are outliving their
resources. Organizers owe a debt
of gratitude to the many guests,
the restaurants, beverage donors
and to the Title Sponsor, Gatti,
Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi; Gold
sponsor, Sam’s Town-Tunica; and
sponsors Coca-Cola, Tom Cooper
Insurance, Cordova Automotive,
and Wings of Ave Maria. The
evening included good food, good
wine, good music, good fun, dancing
and an auction with Action News
5 Anchor, Joe Birch, emceeing.
Tony Barrasso, Co-Founder;
Janet Donato, Superintendent
of Catholic Schools; and Frank
Gattuso, Executive Director of
Ave Maria Home dedicated Italian
Winterfest 2014 to the memory of
Co-Founder Angelo Lucchesi. A
plaque presented to the Lucchesi
family reads, “Angelo A. Lucchesi
- Because of his endless love,
sincere caring and generosity, his
spirit will live forever as the heart
and soul of The Italian Winterfest.” In addition, new this year, the
first inaugural, Honored Guest of
Winterfest was recognized: Brother
Joel McGraw, F.S.C., Assistant
Principal, Christian Brothers High
School.
quick links
Catholic Schools Week Jan. 26-Feb. 1
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
(For more information on
the Catholic Schools in
the Memphis Diocese, go
to http://www.cdom.org/
CatholicDiocese.php?op=DE_
Prospective_Families)
National Catholic Schools
Week 2014 will be observed in
dioceses around the country
January 26 – February 1.
This year’s theme, “Catholic
Schools: Communities of Faith,
Knowledge and Service,” focuses
on the principles of a Catholic
education.
“Our schools have educated
millions of young people over the
years by providing them a superior
academic background, always
pointing the way to eternal life,”
said Archbishop George Lucas of
Omaha, Nebraska, chairman of
the U. S. Conference of Catholic
Bishops (USCCB) Committee on
Education. “The success of Catholic
schools in handing on the faith,
generation after generation, is a
bright light in the history of the
Church in the United States.”
About 2.1 million students are
currently educated in more than
6,600 Catholic schools in cities,
suburbs, small towns and rural
communities around the country.
Students receive an excellent,
faith-filled education that prepares
them for the challenges of higher
education and a competitive world. An estimated 99 percent of students
graduate from high school and
85 percent of Catholic school
graduates attend college.
“The heart of the apostolate of
Catholic education is the mission
to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus
Christ. Catholic schools provide
a rich environment of faith and
learning where students experience
how much God loves them in Christ.
They are free to express their own
love for God in prayer and the
celebration of the sacraments and
to express love of neighbor in a
community where each is respected
as a gift from God,” Archbishop
Lucas said. “Our students hear
Jesus inviting them to be his
followers and friends, and they
learn how to respond to him with
generosity and faith.”
The observance of Catholic
Schools Week began in 1974. This
year marks the 40th anniversary
of this annual event. Schools and
parishes around the country will
hold activities such as Masses, open
houses, and pot luck gatherings
to celebrate the community they
represent.
MARRIAGE MOMENTS ©
By Susan Vogt, www.SusanVogt.net
“I urge you, brothers and sisters... that there be no divisions among you,
but that you be united in the same mind and in the same purpose.” (1
Cor. 1:10) Being united doesn’t mean you have to have the same favorite
ice cream, but the same ultimate purpose in life. What’s important to
agree on and what doesn’t matter today?
- The West Tennessee Catholic
Week of January 23, 2014
2014 Catholic Social Ministry Gathering:
Pope-‘a Poor Church for the Poor’
Attorney General Holder acts contrary to
Supreme Court decision
The 2014 Catholic Social
Ministry Gathering will focus on
the message and vision of Pope
Francis: “Becoming ‘a Poor Church
for the Poor.’” The gathering will
be in Washington, February 25, 2014. In his first audience,
March 16, 2013 Pope Francis told
members of the media, “How I
would like a Church which is poor
and for the poor.”
The Gathering will include
an opening plenary address by
John L. Allen Jr., former senior
correspondent for National
Catholic Reporter, associate editor
at the Boston Globe and Vatican
expert for CNN and National
Public Radio, February 2. Michael
Naughton, professor of Catholic
studies at the University of St.
Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, will
give the Monday morning keynote.
Naughton coordinated the 2012
reflection by the Pontifical Council
for Justice and Peace, “Vocation
of the Business Leader.” Michel
Roy, secretary general of Caritas
Internationalis, will offer brief
comments following Naughton’s
keynote.
The Social Ministry Gathering is
sponsored by the U.S. Conference
Attorney General Eric Holder
recently announced that the
federal government will recognize
so-called “marriages” performed
in Utah between persons of the
same sex that even Utah itself
does not recognize as marriage.
Presently, Utah defines marriage
as the union of one man and one
woman. On December 20, 2013,
a federal district judge struck
down that definition, but on
January 6 of this year, the United
States Supreme Court stayed
that decision while the case is on
appeal.
However, Attorney General
Holder is ignoring Utah law and
imposing a contrary federal
definition of marriage in that
state. In this, General Holder’s
decision is actually contrary to
the Supreme Court’s decision last
year in United States v. Windsor.
Windsor unfortunately struck
down a uniform federal definition
of marriage, but it made clear
that the federal government is
to respect a state’s definition of
marriage. In particular, the Court
said that the federal government is
to defer to “state sovereign choices
about who may be married” and
furthermore criticized federal
actions – like General Holder’s
– that “put a thumb on the scales
and influence a state’s decision as
to how to shape its own marriage
laws.”
The Utah Attorney General,
who (unlike General Holder) is
responsible for enforcing Utah
law, has declared that the validity
of any same-sex “marriages”
performed in Utah between
December 20 and January 6 “will
depend on the result of the appeal
process.”
In other words, out of respect
for the legal process, Utah will
wait for the federal courts to
decide. But not the Attorney
General of the United States, who
has already ruled that same-sex
“marriages” performed between
December 20 and January 6 are
valid for purposes of federal law.
If the federal government is legally
obliged to defer to the marriage
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)
and 15 national Catholic partner
organizations, including Catholic
Relief Services (CRS), Catholic
Charities USA, the Society of St.
Vincent de Paul, Catholic Rural
Life and the Association of Catholic
Colleges and Universities.
On February 4, attendees will
participate in Capitol Hill visits,
during which state delegations
will advocate several issues with
members of Congress. Legislative
priorities will include challenges
for families, the minimum wage,
the impact of migration on
children, technological warfare,
peace in the Holy Land, criminal
justice, human trafficking and
economic inequality.
The registration form and
more information is available
online: http://www.usccb.org/
about/justice-peace-and-humandevelopment/catholic-socialministry-gathering/
Women’s Morning
of Spirituality
Until God Opens
the Next Door,
Praise Him in
the Hallway!
February 22, 2014
8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Catholic Church of the Incarnation
360 Bray Station Road, Collierville, TN
Doors open 7:15 with Continental Breakfast
Mass with Bishop J. Terry Steib
Keynote Speaker: Kelly Wahlquist
Witness Speaker: Karen Lewis Bobbitt
Register at womensmorning.com
By Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone
Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone is
the Archbishop of San Francisco and
Chairman of the USCCB Subcommittee
for the Promotion and Defense of
Marriage.
law of the state, as Windsor itself
holds, then how can the federal
government recognize as valid
– even if only for federal purposes
– marriages which a state has
not deemed valid? This logically
opens the door for the federal
government to recognize any
type of relationship (and with
any number of partners) as valid
marriages in contradiction to state
law.
Events over these past several
months (the most recent being
the January 14 decision by a
federal court in Oklahoma ruling
that state’s marriage amendment
unconstitutional) have made
it clearer than ever that the
marriage debate we are having in
this country is not about access
to the right of marriage, but the
very meaning of marriage: what
it is, and what it is for.
I encourage all those who
know and believe the timeless
truth about marriage, as well as all
those who believe in following the
established judicial procedures
to address such issues, to not
remain silent, but to exercise their
constitutional rights as citizens of
this great nation and to stand up
for the truth.
Week of January 23, 2014
The West Tennessee Catholic - Catholic Charities of West Tennessee
launches ‘Aspire’ - Young Professionals
Initiative
‘Aspire’ - an initiative specifically focused
on young professionals in West Tennessee
- is launching through Catholic Charities of
West Tennessee (CCWTN).
Aspire is committed to cultivating and
engaging young professionals who are
dedicated to supporting the anti-poverty
work of Catholic Charities of West Tennessee.
Its focus is three-fold:
• Connecting young adults who share the desire to be active in the
work of CCWTN
• Encouraging participation in small acts of service that benefit the
clients of CCWTN
• Providing networking opportunities in social settings with leaders
of the Memphis community
The inaugural gathering of Aspire will be on the evening of Thursday,
February 27th from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Local Gastropub; 2126
Madison Ave (Mid-town). The featured networking guest will be Chris
Wallace, long time National Basketball Association (NBA) executive and
currently General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations
for the Memphis Grizzlies. There is no cost to attend; however guests
are requested to bring an item or two in support of Operation Bare
Necessities (Men’s new underwear, heavy socks, t-shirts, ‘hoodie’
sweatshirts or jackets sizes M - XXL). Complimentary appetizers will
be served along with a cash bar. To RSVP please contact Alie Lifsey at
(901) 722-4750 or [email protected]. Follow #InspiredToAspire
for current info.
Patrons enjoyed a colorful and tasteful evening at Ave Maria
Home’s annual wine and art show
Nearly 175 patrons of Ave Maria Home enjoyed an evening of wine and art as
the facility hosted its annual Wine & Art Show. Numerous local artists presented
their paintings for sale with proceeds benefitting Ave Maria residents. Pictured is
Diocesan Deacon Jack Chitwood (assisgned to Ave Maria Home) along with his
wife (l) Mary Louise and his daughter (r) Rose Biggs and his grandson Steven Biggs.
Steven is an artists who also had some of his paintings on display.
- The West Tennessee Catholic
Week of January 23, 2014
Archbishop: Holy
See committed to
defense of children
Vatican Information Service
Archbishop Silvano Tomasi,
C.S., Permanent Observer of the
Holy See to the United Nations in
Geneva, recently presented the
Holy See’s periodic report on this
issue.
“The protection of children
remains a major concern for
contemporary society and for the
Holy See,” the prelate said. “...
Abusers are found among members
of the world’s most respected
professions, most regrettably,
including members of the clergy
and other church personnel. …”
“Confronted with this reality,
the Holy See has carefully
delineated policies and procedures
designed to help eliminate such
abuse and to collaborate with
respective State authorities to
fight against this crime. The Holy
See is also committed to listen
carefully to victims of abuse and to
address the impact such situations
have on survivors of abuse and on
their families. The vast majority of
church personnel and institutions
on the local level have provided,
and continue to provide, a wide
variety of services to children by
educating them, and by supporting
their families, and by responding
to their physical, emotional, and
spiritual needs. Egregious crimes of
abuse committed against children
have rightly been adjudicated
and punished by the competent
civil authorities in the respective
countries.”
“Therefore, the response of the
Holy See to the sad phenomenon
of the sexual abuse of minors
has been articulated in different
ambits. On the level of the Holy
See, as the Sovereign of Vatican
City State, the response to sexual
abuse has been in accord with
its direct responsibility over the
territory of Vatican City State.
In this regard, special legislation
has been enacted to implement
international legal obligations,
and covers the State, and its tiny
population.”
“On the international level,
the Holy See has taken concrete
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action by the ratification of
the Convention on the Rights
of the Child in 1990. In 2000,
the Holy See acceded to the
Optional Protocol on the Sale
of Children, Child Prostitution,
and Child Pornography, as well
as the Optional Protocol on the
Involvement of Children in Armed
Conflict. The Holy See then
promotes and encourages these
international instruments.”
“At the same time, the Holy
See as the central organ of the
Catholic Church has formulated
guidelines to facilitate the work
of the local Churches to develop
effective measures within their
jurisdiction and in conformity
with canonical legislation.”
“Local Churches, taking
into account the domestic law
in their respective countries,
have developed guidelines and
monitored their implementation
with the aim of preventing any
additional abuse and dealing
promptly with it, in accordance
with national law whenever it
occurs. The result of the combined
action taken by local Churches
and by the Holy See presents a
framework that, when properly
applied, will help eliminate the
occurrence of child sexual abuse
by clergy and other church
personnel.”
The Permanent Observer
explained that “the Holy See’s
‘Periodic Report on the CRC’ is
divided into four Parts: Part I
deals with general considerations,
including the nature of the Holy See
as a subject of international law.
Part II responds to the concluding
observations of the Committee to
the Holy See’s Initial Report, and,
in particular, questions concerning
reservations; the Committee’s
four principles and the duties and
rights of parents, the education of
girls, education about health, and
education on the CRC. The Holy
See also discusses the principles
it promotes concerning the rights
and duties of the child within
the context of the family. Part
III presents the international
contributions of the Holy See
in advancing and promoting
basic principles recognized in
the CRC on a full range of issues
pertaining to children (e.g., the
family, adoption, children with
disabilities; health and welfare;
leisure and culture; and special
measures to protect children,
including questions pertaining
to sexual abuse, drug addiction,
children living on the streets and
minority groups). Finally, Part IV
addresses the implementation of
the Convention in Vatican City
State.”
www.campmarymount.com • Fairview, TN
Call for more information (615) 799-0410.
“In the end, there is no
excuse,” the prelate repeated,
“for any form of violence or
exploitation of children. Such
crimes can never be justified,
whether committed in the home,
in schools, in community and
sports programs, or in religious
organizations and structures. This
is the long-standing policy of the
Holy See. For this reason, the Holy
See, and local Church structures
in all parts of the world, are
committed to holding inviolable
the dignity and entire person of
every child—body, mind, and
spirit.”
“Pope Benedict XVI,” the
prelate concluded, “speaking to
the Bishops of Ireland in 2006
had these important words to
say: ‘In the exercise of your
pastoral ministry, you have had to
respond in recent years to many
heart-rending cases of sexual
abuse of minors. These are all the
more tragic when the abuser is a
cleric.’
Likewise, Pope Francis clearly undertook new action and has
announced the creation of a
Commission for the Protection of
Minors, with the aim of proposing
new initiatives for the development
of safe environment programs for
children and improving efforts for
the pastoral care for victims of
abuse around the world.”
The West Tennessee Catholic - Week of January 23, 2014
DEACON JIM PIATCHEK
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Ask about his new book, The Catholic Bucket List.
Mission Statement of
The West Tennessee Catholic - Digital Edition
The West Tennessee Catholic is a digital news publication dedicated to sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ primarily with the people of the Diocese of Memphis
in Tennessee and, secondarily, with the world at large. The West Tennessee Catholic focuses on presenting material which instructs the faithful in church teaching as
expressed by the Pope and the Conference of Catholic Bishops, all in accord with the Magisterium. The goal is to teach, encourage, aid in faith formation, and support
Catholics who seek the truth of Christ and are working toward personal sanctity. The message is shared in a positive, family-oriented, pro-life, nonpartisan, and encouraging manner. In addition, news articles emphasize local events and interests specific to our schools, parishes, and diocese which show how Catholics are answering
the call to be Good Samaritans in the Diocese of Memphis in Tennessee.
Enter to Learn.
Leave to Serve.
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- The West Tennessee Catholic
Reflections On
Sunday's Readings
By Jeff Hedglen, Catholic News Service
January 26, Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Cycle A. Readings: (1) Isaiah 8:23-9:3, Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14 (2) 1 Corinthians
1:10-13, 17 (Gospel) Matthew 4:12-23
Two years ago my life changed. In some ways it was a very common
change, one that happens to people all the time. In other ways it was a
meteoric shift. In short, I changed jobs, but the story is more involved than
that.
Changing jobs meant leaving what had been my dream job back in 1986.
I had longed to be a youth minister at my home parish and, at the age of 21,
I had my dream come true. I stayed in that job for 25 years.
I suspected the change was coming. For a few years, I had been feeling a
tug in my heart for a new challenge and a call to the mission field of young
adult ministry. But when the call came, I was not “all in” at the beginning.
Saying yes to this call would mean leaving, in many ways, all I had
known. It would mean leaving a place that was very much home, a team of
individuals who had labored beside me for years, a church family that loved
and supported me beyond belief and, most of all, I would be leaving a very
comfortable place and going off into unfamiliar surroundings.
After much prayer and conversation with my ever-encouraging wife, I
decided to take the plunge and answer the call of the Lord to minister to
the young adult church. After all, for 25 years I had been sending youth into
young adulthood where there is slim pickings when it comes to opportunities
for faith growth. Two years into this ministry, I not only have no regrets, I
feel like I am exactly where I need to be.
I imagine the disciples in this week’s Gospel were in a similar situation.
They had a comfortable life as fishermen, family men and faith-filled men.
But then Jesus offered them a new way to fish, a new kind of family and a
mind-blowing expansion of what they understood as faith.
To be sure, not every call carries such drastically life-changing
circumstances, but every call entails some risk. As the saying goes: God
does not call the qualified; he qualifies the called. Our part is to say yes to
the prompting of the Spirit, knowing that God will be faithful to do his part
as we answer the call.
Marriage, Family & Individual Counseling
From A Christian Perspective
James B. Latta, D.Min.
Licensed Professional Counselor
Pastoral Counseling
5210 Poplar Avenue, Suite 120
Memphis, TN 38119 • (901) 821-9084
Week of January 23, 2014
Lectionary Readings
Year A of the Sunday Cycle • Jan. 26-Feb. 1, 2014
Psalter Week III
Sunday, January 26
THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY
TIME
Isaiah 8:23-9:3
Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14
1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17
Matthew 4:12-23 or 4:12-17
Monday, January 27
Weekday; Saint Angela Merici,
virgin
2 Samuel 5:1-7, 10
Psalm 89:20-22, 25-26
Mark 3:22-30
Tuesday, January 28
Saint Thomas Aquinas, priest,
doctor of the Church
2 Samuel 6:12b-15, 17-19
Psalm 24:7-10
Mark 3:31-35
Thursday, January 30
Weekday
2 Samuel 7:18-19, 24-29
Psalm 132:1-5, 11-14
Mark 4:21-25
Friday, January 31
Saint John Bosco, priest
2 Samuel 11:1-4a, 5-10a, 13-17
Psalm 51:3-7, 10-11
Mark 4:26-34
Saturday, February 1
Weekday; BVM on Saturday
2 Samuel 12:1-7a, 10-17
Psalm 51:12-17
Mark 4:35-41
Wednesday, January 29
Weekday
2 Samuel 7:4-17
Psalm 89:4-5, 27-30
Mark 4:1-20
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Rev. Juan Romo-Romo
Rev. Richard Cortese
Rev. Jolly Sebastian
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The West Tennessee Catholic - Week of January 23, 2014
PROTECTING GOD’S CHILDREN
In order to prevent abuse and the devastating consequences for all involved, the Diocese of Memphis is
providing information for anyone who needs help.
Tennessee Child Abuse Hot Line
1-877-237-0004
St. Francis of Assisi
Catholic School
PreK-Eighth Grade
Where to get help in the Diocese of Memphis:
Shari Lee, LCSW, DCSW - Victim Assistance Coordinator
901-652-4066 or
Dr. Jim Latta, Office of Child and Youth Protection
and Professional Responsibility
901-652-4353
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- The West Tennessee Catholic
The Diocese of Memphis publishes obituaries provided by the individual parishes.
If you have a question concerning an obit please contact the parish directly.
Week of January 23, 2014
Calendar JANUARY 2014
23
Obituaries
DHUY
A funeral home service was conducted November 22 for Marjorie LaVerne
Dhuy, 94, at Canale Funeral Chapel, Memphis by Rev. Msgr. J. Edwin
Creary. Burial was at Calvary Cemetery. Survivors include daughter,
Sharon D. Matthews; son, George A. Dhuy, Jr.; four grandchildren and
six great -grandchildren.
HOWINGTON
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated January 13 for Carmon Dunn
Howington, 88, at Church of the Resurrection by Rev. Ernie DeBlasio.
Burial was at Memphis Memory Gardens. Survivors include daughters
Denise Howington, Delores Joyner and DeAnn (Dee) Martin; sons,
William Derrick and Steve McCormick; six grandchildren and nine greatgrandchildren.
IRWIN
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated January 14 for Dorothy Barnett
Irwin, 86, at St. Francis of Assisi Church by Rev. Jolly Sebastian. Burial
was at Memorial Park Cemetery. Survivors include daughters, Gail Loflin,
Dottie Jordan, Christy Loflin and step-daughter Patty Irwin; step-son,
Sidney Irwin; sister, Jeanne Clasgens Arnold; eight grandchildren and 12
great-grandchildren.
LASER
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated January 17 for Silvana Rosaria
Russo Laser, 63, at St. Francis of Assisi Church by Rev. Robert W. Marshall.
Burial was at Fayette County Memorial Park Cemetery. Survivors include
spouse, Jack Laser; daughter, Monica Tillman; son, Marco Laser; and five
grandchildren.
MARTIN
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated January 16 for Flora Mary
Martin, 90, at Holy Rosary Church by Rev. James Clark, assisted by
Rev. Mr. Richmond Quinton. Burial was at Memorial Garden, Memphis.
Survivors include sisters, Labora Harrison and Grace Poindexter; brother,
Vincent Ciaramitaro.
RIVALTO
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated December 23 for Deborah
Katherine Rivalto, 55, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church by Rev.
Michael Stewart, concelebrants, Rev. Msgr. J. Edwin Creary, Rev. Msgr.
John McArthur, Rev. Bruce Cinquegrani, Rev. Gary E. Lamb, Rev. Johnnie
B. Smith, assisted by Rev. Mr. David Lucchesi. Burial was at Calvary
Cemetery. Survivors include sisters, Susan Palazola and Lisa Pirani;
brother, Trey Rivalto; and mother, Marie Stewart Rivalto.
ROEMER
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated December 27 for Lorene Johnson
Roemer, 91, at Church of the Resurrection by Rev. Ernie DeBlasio. Burial
was at All Saints Cemetery. Survivors include daughters, Ruth Shelton
and Liz Roemer; three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
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25
25
26
26
“Parental Choice in K-12 Education: A Straightforward Matter
of Justice.” Presentation by John Schoenig from Notre Dame’s
Alliance for Catholic Education. 7-8:30 p.m., St. Louis Catholic Church in the Clunan Center. Participating also the Q & A
session will be TN State Sen. Brian Kelsey, TN State Rep. John
DeBerry and Mr. Michael Benjamin, Director of Grassroots Advocacy for the American Federation for Children.
Holy Rosary Church Eucharistic Conference. Friday evening,
January 24, 6-9 p.m.; Saturday January 25, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
Theme: “Keeping a Eucharistic Presence in the Family” and will
feature various speakers presenting their ideas on how best to
keep the family Christ-centered and keep the Real Presence of
Christ inside the family. Holy Rosary welcomes and invites all
interested Catholics to attend this event. Pre-registration is required and will be limited to 250 people. For additional information please contact Deacon Rich Quinton at Holy Rosary Parish.
(901) 767-6949, (901) 488-1898, [email protected]. To
register go to midsouthcatholic.com.
St. Anne School Alumni Dinner Dance. 7-10 P.M., St. Sebastian
Hall. Dancing to tunes from the ‘50s to the ‘80s. A $20 donation
at the door will include dinner, dessert, wine, beer and set-ups.
Happy hour from 5-6 p.m., dinner at 5:30-8:00 p.m. The Oliveus cooking team will prepare a delicious dinner. All school
alumni, parishioners and friends are invited to join us for this
fun evening.
9th annual Lisa Lassandrello 5K Remembrance Race. 9 a.m.,
St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School, 4830 Walnut Grove
Road. Race registration is $20 or $19 for MRTC members, and
the fee includes a t-shirt. All proceeds benefit Wings Foundation at West Clinic, St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School and
Grace-St. Luke’s School. Register online at www.racesonline.
com. On-line registration deadline is January 22. Registration is
$25 on the day of the race. For more information contact 4355841.
Ravioli-Spaghetti Dinner. 11 a.m.-2 p.m., St. Therese Church,
1644 Jackson Avenue. Spaghetti plate $6; Ravioli plate $8; Combo plate $8. Children under 5 free spaghetti. Take elevator to
Leppert Center. Take out: frozen ravioli $4/dozen; gravy $3/pint.
Scouting Celebration. 4 p.m., Church of the Incarnation, Collierville. For more information, find us on Facebook at Diocese
of Memphis Catholic Scouting.
Men’s Retreat Jan. 31-Feb. 2
CLICK HERE FOR MORE RETREAT INFORMATION.
SHARPE
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on December 16 for Mary Ann
Sharpe, 71, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church by Rev. Patrick Hirtz,
concelebrant, Rev. Gary E. Lamb assisted by Rev. Mr. Dave Lucchesi. Burial
was at Memphis Funeral Home Memorial Gardens. Survivors include
daughters, Jacqueline Trobee and Janice Lacy; son, James Daniel Sharpe;
and sister, Joanie McCormick.
The West Tennessee Catholic - Week of January 23, 2014
Calendar FEBRUARY 2014
1
1
4
4
8
15
15
18
St. Benedict Trivia Night. 7:30 p.m., school dining hall. $15 per
player or gold sponsor tables at $20 per person. Expert Trivia
Master, Brother Ignatius Brown provides questions. For reservations, contact St. Benedict High School, 260-2840 or email
[email protected]. All proceeds benefit the senior class
Project Graduation Lock-in after commencement ceremonies.
Incarnation Preschool and Mother’s Day Out 15th Annual
Spaghetti Dinner and Silent/Live Auction. 5:30-10 p.m., 360
Bray Station Road. Homemade spaghetti gravy and Italian spinach, a live and silent auction, plus a Kids’ Corner with games
to entertain children. Tickets available at the Preschool Office
and at the door the night of the event. The cost is $10 Adults, $5
children and $5 wristbands for Kids’ Corner.
Ministry for Gay and Lesbian Persons Meeting. Share hospitality, potluck, prayer and education. 6:30 p.m., Marion Hall, the
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on the first Tuesday of
every month unless otherwise noted. All are welcome to share
in a meal and fellowship followed by a brief presentation. To
contact the ministry call the rectory at IC at (901) 725-2700.
Fourth Annual Mid-South Farm to Table Conference. Christian
Brothers University. The conference is designed to provide a forum for farmers, consumers, entrepreneurs and other interested
groups to discuss ideas for developing the local food system of
Memphis and the Mid-South. If you would like more information or to schedule an interview with a conference coordinator,
please call Chris Peterson at (901) 233-8734 or email him at
[email protected].
World Day of the Sick 7th Annual Divine Mercy Healing Mass.
10:30 a.m., St. Ann Bartlett, 6529 Stage Rd., Bartlett. Celebrated
By The Most Reverend J. Terry Steib S.V.D. concelebrants Fr
Russell Harbaugh, Msgr Victor Ciaramitaro, Fr Francis Chiawa,
Fr Mike Morgera, Fr Richard Coy, Fr Elbert Callis, Fr Jolly Sebastian, Fr Martin Orjianioke, assisted by Deacons Chip Jones, Bob
Skinner, and Wayne Morton. Several Priests will be available for
confessions from 9-10:15 a.m. English and Spanish. Rosary to
our Lady of Lourdes begins at 10 a.m. Reception following in
Trinity Hall. Music by John Angotti, Mary Champion and the St
Ann Choir. www.stfaustinashrine.org, www.stfaustinasociety.org,
[email protected]
Diocesan Ministry to the Sick Training. 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the
Catholic Center, 5825 Shelby Oaks Drive. This training includes
sessions that will be helpful in becoming an effective minister.
As a minister you are trained to bring compassion, communion
and become a sacramental presence of Christ for those sick and
homebound. Candidates are required to send completed registration form signed by the pastor or representative by February
10th. Registration forms are available at your parish office or
on line, http://www.cdom.org/commhealth/sick.htm. For more
information call the office of Pastoral Services at 373-1237.
St. Anne Trivia Night. 7 p.m., St. Anne - St. Sebastian Hall, 670
S. Highland Ave. “Memphis at the Movies” and Father David
Graham, emcee. Prizes will be awarded to the first and second
place teams and best decorated table with the movie theme.
Cost is $120 per team with a maximum of 8 persons per team.
Proceeds will help support the ministry of the St. Anne Altar
Society. For registration and details go to stannehighland.net or
call Jane Mascari at 832-3642.
Adult Catholic Day on the Hill. Registration $20 includes
lunch. A day of prayer, advocacy, and education. Call Therese
Gustaitis for information (901) 722-4794.
Save the Date: Women’s Morning of Spirituality. 8:30 a.m.1 p.m., Church of the Incarnation. Continental breakfast at
7:15. Keynote Speaker is Kelly Wahlquist and Witness Speaker
is Karen Lewis Bobbitt. Mass will be celebrated with Bishop J.
Terry Steib. Please plan to spend a Saturday morning with over
a thousand women from throughout the Memphis Diocese.
27
Catholic Charities Hosts Aspire. 5-7 p.m., Local Gastropub,
2126 Madison Ave (Mid-town). Guest is Chris Wallace, currently
general manager and vice president of basketball operations
for the Memphis Grizzlies. No cost to attend; however guests
are requested to bring an item or two in support of Operation
Bare Necessities (Men’s new underwear, heavy socks, t-shirts,
‘hoodie’ sweatshirts or jackets sizes M - XXL). Complimentary
appetizers will be served along with a cash bar. To RSVP please
contact Alie Lifsey at (901) 722-4750 or [email protected].
org. Follow #InspiredToAspire for current info.
28-Mar Diocesan Youth Celebration. St. Benedict at Auburndale High
1
School, Cordova, TN. More details will be posted online closer to
the date.
22
Calendar MARCH 2014
1
4
8 & 13
The New Evangelization: The Spirituality of Volunteers. 8:30
a.m.-2 p.m., St. Francis of Assisi Church. Featuring Fr. Robert
Favazza and Therese Gustaitis. Offered in English and Spanish.
Call Therese Gustaitis for information (901) 722-4794.
Ministry for Gay and Lesbian Persons Meeting. Share hospitality, potluck, prayer and education. 6:30 p.m., Marion Hall, the
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on the first Tuesday of
every month unless otherwise noted. All are welcome to share
in a meal and fellowship followed by a brief presentation. To
contact the ministry call the rectory at IC at (901) 725-2700.
Bereavement Ministry Training – “Walking With Those Coping With Loss”
Part I Companion: Saturday, March 8, 8:15 a.m.-4 p.m., St. Ann
Catholic Church-Family Life Center.
This training will provide the participants a better understanding of the grieving process and theories on loss and also skills to
effectively reach out and to accompany their fellow parish-ioners through the journey of grief. The training also provides tools
needed to start Bereavement Ministry in your own parish.
Part II Facilitator for Bereavement Support Groups Thursday,
March 13, 5:30 -8:30 p.m., Catholic Center
This training is intended for people who plan to form and faciliatate self-help support group sharing sessions. Candidates must
complete Part 1 in order to attend Part II. The training will cover
communication, listening skill, support group ground rules, handling difficult situations and practice.
Training is free. All candidates must have the approval of their
pastor or his representative. For more information please call
the Office of Pastoral Services at (901) 373-1237. Registration
form is available at www.cdom.org or at your parish. Deadline
for registration: March 3, 2014.
10 - The West Tennessee Catholic
Week of January 23, 2014
‘Great misunderstanding’ seen on church’s teachings on end of life
By Nancy Frazier O’Brien, Catholic News Service
There
is
“great
misunderstanding” among
Catholics and others about the
church’s teachings on whether
and when life-sustaining medical
treatment can be withdrawn
when death is near, according to
a leading Catholic bioethicist.
Marie T. Hilliard, director of
bioethics and public policy and
a staff ethicist at the National
Catholic Bioethics Center, said
the Philadelphia-based center
conducts about 2,000 consultations
a year with “families in distress”
who want to talk with an ethicist
“about the church’s teaching in
light of their (family) situation.”
Staff members hear from
people who believe that “dialysis
can never be discontinued,” for
example, or that a feeding tube is
obligatory “even when it is doing
more harm than good,” she said.
“Persons who are dealing
with crises need to be helped to
understand in that situation what
is the natural moral law,” Hilliard
said. “The church always deals
with the good and trying to reach
the good,” even when that means
accepting the natural process of
dying, she added.
As outlined in the U.S. bishops’
“Ethical and Religious Directives
for Catholic Health Care Services,”
the church teaches that patients
“may forgo extraordinary or
disproportionate means of
preserving life,” defined as “those
that in the patient’s judgment
do not offer a reasonable hope
of benefit or entail an excessive
burden, or impose excessive
expense on the family or the
community.”
Survey results recently released
by the Pew Research Religion
& Public Life Project found that
57 percent of Americans would
tell their doctors to stop medical
treatment if they had a disease
with no hope of improvement and
were suffering a great deal of pain,
while 35 percent said they would
tell the doctors to do everything
possible to save their lives. Eight
percent said it depends or they did
not know.
But opinions varied greatly
according to religion and ethnic
group. Nearly two-thirds of white
Catholics (65 percent) said they
would stop medical treatment
under those circumstances,
but only 38 percent of Hispanic
Catholics agreed. Most likely
to stop medical treatment were
white mainline Protestants (72
percent); black Protestants were
least likely at 32 percent.
The margin of error for the
Pew survey was plus or minus 2.9
percentage points.
The survey also found that only
37 percent of adult Americans had
given “a great deal of thought”
to their own wishes for end-oflife medical treatment, while 35
percent had given “some thought”
and 27 percent had given “not
very much” or no thought to the
matter.
Diocesan Youth Ministries Calendar
January 24-26
26
2014
VOYAGE Retreat at St. Benedict at Auburndale
Scouting Celebration, Church of the Incarnation, 4 p.m.
February
21-23
28-March 1
2014
SEARCH Retreat,Memphis Catholic High School (MCHS)
DYC at St. Benedict at Auburndale High School
March
15
21-23
28-30
2014
Diocesan Confirmation Retreat at OLQP, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
QUEST Retreat at St. Mary’s Church/School in Jackson, TN
SEARCH Retreat, Memphis Catholic High School (MCHS)
April
25-27
2014
Friar Fest at Holy Rosary Church
A photograph of 13-year-old Jahi McMath, who doctors had declared brain
dead following complications after routine surgery for sleep apnea, is seen in late
December 2013 on a necklace in Oakland, Calif. Recent conflicts in California and
Texas between ph ysicians and the families of patients considered to be brain
dead have prompted new questions about end-of-life decision-making. (CNS
photo/Stephen Lam, Reuters) (Jan. 13, 2014)
Even among those 75 and older, only 47 percent said they had
given their end-of-life wishes a great deal of thought, while more than
half said they’d given some, little or no thought to those decisions.
Hilliard said the recent attention given to the cases of Jahi McMath,
a 13-year-old girl from Oakland, Calif., who has been declared brain
dead but remains on life support at an undisclosed location, and Marlise
Munoz, a 33-year-old pregnant woman who is being kept on life support
against her family’s wishes, point up the importance of every person
having “a good conversation” with a family member or friend about
his or her wishes in a medical crisis.
A simple checklist of possible medical scenarios is no substitute
for the designation of a health care proxy and a thorough discussion
of one’s beliefs with that person, she added.
“Because, as we ethicists often say, when you’ve seen one case,
you’ve seen one case,” Hilliard said.
PARENTING POINTERS ©
By Susan Vogt, www.SusanVogt.
net
Babies are usually cute and lovable
- but there are times when an
unplanned pregnancy can be a
crisis for the whole family. Talk to
your children about the sanctity
of human life, no matter how
invisible. Make it real by supporting
both pregnant mothers and those
struggling to raise a young child
- perhaps alone.
Week of January 23, 2014
WTC News Delivered To Your Email
The West Tennessee Catholic - 11
Catholic Cemeteries Memorial Tree Program
The Memorial Tree Program offers families an
opportunity to remember and honor their loved
ones while enhancing the beauty of Historic
Calvary and All Saints Cemeteries.
NEW Plantings
Plant–A–Tree Option A - For a donation of
$400 a new tree will be planted in memory
of your loved one, and a memorial plaque will
be displayed by the tree for a period of ten
years. In addition your loved one’s name will
be engraved on the Remembrance Plaque on
display in Calvary’s Office indefinitely.
Plant-A-Tree Option B - For a donation of $250 Plant a Crepe Myrtle, Red Bud,
Dog Wood and other Ornamental Trees in memory of a loved one. A memorial
plaque will be displayed by the tree for the period of five years. In addition your
loved one’s name will be engraved on the remembrance plaque on display in
Calvary’s Office indefinitely.
EXISTING Planting
Adopt-A-Tree - For a donation of $150 an established tree already planted on the
grounds may be selected in memory of a loved one. A memorial plaque will be
displayed by the tree for a period of three years.
How the Money is Used
Your money is used for the conservation and enhancement of the Catholic
Cemeteries. Not only will your donation offset the purchases of new tree’s and
plants for the grounds, your contribution helps maintain the beautiful, natural
environment of the Catholic Cemeteries.
Sign up for The West Tennessee Catholic Email News. A colorful html email will be delivered to your inbox each week with
a summary of the latest stories and information. A link to the
complete online PDF newspaper is also provided.
Go to www.cdom.org and on the bottom of the page click “Subscribe to our mailing list.” You’ll be asked for your email and can
choose which publications you would like to receive.
Your Donation is Tax-Deductible
Your contribution is tax deductible. You will receive a written acknowledgement
of your donation from the Catholic Cemeteries. For further details, you may wish
to contact your tax advisor.
Call (901) 948-1529 for more information. Plant a tree today for a loved one!
If you would like to receive inspirational emails from
Bishop J. Terry Steib, SVD and other periodicals
such as our Foundations in Faith newsletter, please
sign up at www.cdom.org, go to the bottom of the
page and click Subscribe to our mailing list. You’ll
be asked for your email and can choose which
publications you would like to receive.
Visit our web sponsors.
www.cdom.org
If you would like to find out more information about our web
site sponsors please either (1) click the sponsor box ad in this issue (teal rectangle), or (2) if you print this publication then type
the web address shown below in your web browser.
The Athena Project
http://www.memphis.edu/psychology/athena/index.php
Women’s Morning of Spirituality
http://womensmorning.com/
12 - The West Tennessee Catholic
Week of January 23, 2014
Italian Winterfest . . .
MORE PHOTOS
Special honoree Br. Joel McGraw with Catholic Schools Superintendent Janet
Donato.
Angela Capocaccia, Tish Montesi and Denise Lucchesi accept a plaque on behalf
of their father Angelo Lucchehi, who was honored at the Winterfest.
Bishop J. Terry Steib visits with Catholic school principal Di Aur and his wife Kelley
Aur.
The West Tennessee Catholic - 13
Week of January 23, 2014
Diocese celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. day
“Anointing of the Sick and Blessings for all”
Veneration of our 1st Class Relic of St. Faustina
and Icon of “The Divine Mercy”
Celebrated by:
The Most Reverend J. Terry Steib. S.V.D.
When? Saturday, February 8, 2014 at 10:30 am
Several Priests will concelebrate and be available for:
Confessions: 9-10:15 am English & Spanish
Where? St Ann Bartlett 6529 Stage Rd, Bartlett, TN
Martin Luther King Day was marked at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
on January 20 in a prayer and praise celebration titled “Carrying the Torch, Sharing
the Story.” Bishop J. Terry Steib presided over the occasion. The main speaker for
the event was Fr. Kenneth Hamilton, SVD, PhD, who belongs to the same order
as Bishop Steib. The St. Augustine Liturgical Dancers and the Bantaba Drummers
performed. Two awards were given during the ceremony. Congratulations to
Al Hudson for being named for the honor of receiving the Dr. James W. Hose
Evangelization Award and to Claudette Seymour for the honor of receiving the Sr.
Thea Bowman Ministry Award.
Music: John Angotti & the St Ann Choir
Spread the word: to all in
need of God’s Graces & Mercy, especially those in need of healing:
Physically, Emotionally, Spiritually and Financially. Come support His Divine Mercy
Join the Liturgy of the Holy Mass in honor of Our Lady of Lourdes, St Bernadette
and St Faustina and through their intercession receive the many graces from the Mass.
By: St Ann, St Faustina Shrine/Society & Diocesan Office of Pastoral Services. Questions: Call Jay 438-7772
Listen to The Catholic Cafe®
Saturdays 3:30 p.m.
on WWGM FM 93.1 in the Jackson area
and on WSIB FM 93.9 in the Selmer area;
and on Sundays at 8:30 a.m.
on WYVY FM 104.9 in Union City and
at 10 a.m. on KWAM AM 990 in Memphis.
Daniel Newell blows away seeds of collected milkweed pods, near sculpture of
Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in Washington, which he said represented the “seeds
of change” to him, in front of 30-foot sculpture of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in
Washington Jan. 19. The nation honors the legacy of the slain civil rights leader
and Nobel Peace Prize laureate with a national holiday, which this year was Jan.
20. (CNS photo/Jonathan Ernst, Reuters) (Jan. 21, 2014)
Livestock, pets flock to St. Peter’s Square
for feast day blessing
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service
Bleats, barks and honks
accompanied the “Our Father” as
Cardinal Angelo Comastri blessed
farm animals and pets gathered
outside St. Peter’s Square.
Hundreds of local residents
and tourists gathered for the Jan.
17 blessing to mark the feast of St.
Anthony the Abbot, patron saint
of animals and farmers.
Members of an Italian
association of farmers and
ranchers brought their donkeys,
cows, horses, rabbits, hens,
geese, sheep, goats and pigs, who
munched on hay or feed in their
wooden pens.
Many Rome residents brought
their pets -- ranging from a giant
Neapolitan Mastiff to a tiny kitten
named Birba, who got a special
caress from the cardinal, the papal
vicar for Vatican City. Cats and
dogs could enjoy a free veterinary
checkup at two tents nearby.
Italian police mounted on
horseback paraded up the wide
boulevard leading to the square and
two police dogs, with their agents,
circled and sniffed pedestrians
enthusiastically -- unaware they
were off-duty to get a blessing.
Before the blessing, Cardinal
Comastri celebrated a Mass in St.
Peter’s Basilica with members of
the livestock association and their
families.
Standing near the animals’
pens, he thanked Italian farmers
for helping care for nature and
providing communities with
healthy, wholesome food.
He said Pope Francis has
reminded people of their duty to
protect creation.
The cardinal said the recent
Cardinal Angelo Comastri greets riders on horseback as he blesses farm animals
and pets outside St. Peter’s Square. (CNS/Paul Haring)
cleaning and restoration of Bernini’s colonnade surrounding St. Peter’s
Square revealed the extent and seriousness of urban pollution.
Workers spent the past five years scrubbing and sandblasting off
black grime, showing just how much pollution is ending up in people’s
lungs, he said.
He said he hoped the farmers’ example of being ethical and honest
stewards of God’s gifts would “become contagious” and influence
everyone.
14 - The West Tennessee Catholic
Week of January 23, 2014
USCCB subcommittee chairman strongly
endorses State Marriage Defense Act
Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco, chairman of the
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Subcommittee for the Promotion
and Defense of Marriage, applauded the January 9 introduction of the
bipartisan State Marriage Defense Act of 2014 (H.R. 3829) in the U.S.
House of Representatives by Representative Randy Weber (R-TX).
“The State Marriage Defense Act is a necessary piece of legislation
that will prevent the federal government from unjustly disregarding,
in certain instances, state marriage laws concerning the definition of
marriage,” said Archbishop Cordileone.
In a letter of support to Rep. Weber, Archbishop Cordileone noted
that various agencies of the federal government have begun using a
“place of celebration” rule to determine whether persons are validly
married for purposes of federal law. He went on to say, “The Supreme
Court’s decision last year in United States v. Windsor, however, requires
the federal government to defer to state marriage law, not disregard it.”
He therefore concluded that this bill is necessary because it “would
remedy this problem by requiring the federal government, consistent
with Windsor, to defer to the marriage law of the state in which
people actually reside when determining whether they are married
for purposes of federal law.”
Urging the U.S. House of
Representatives to pass the Act,
Archbishop Cordileone said,
“State marriage laws defining
marriage as the union of one
man and one woman deserve
respect by the federal government.
This bill does that. I, therefore,
strongly encourage the House of
Representatives to pass the State
Marriage Defense Act.”
Archbishop Cordileone’s letter of
support to Rep. Randy Weber can
be found at http://www.usccb.org/
issues-and-action/marriage-andfamily/marriage/promotion-anddefense-of-marriage/upload/Ltrto-Weber-re-SMDA.pdf.
Where
matter.
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