Diocesan News - Diocese of Des Moines

Transcription

A Journey Together Celebrating Evangelization:
Past, Present and Future
T HE C ATHOLIC
M IRROR
Bishop Emeritus William Bullock dies
Vol. 45, No. 4
The primary task of a diocesan newspaper is to “serve the truth with courage, helping the public see, understand
and live reality with the eyes of God.”
- Pope Benedict XVI, Nov. 25, 2006
By Anne Marie Cox
Mirror Staff
Bishop Emeritus William H.
Bullock, seventh bishop of the
Diocese of Des Moines, died April
3 in Wisconsin, just 10 days shy of
his 84th birthday, after recently
having been diagnosed with lung
cancer.
He was a priest nearly 60
years, a bishop for more than 30
years.
Bishop Bullock came from the
Archdiocese of St. Paul and
Minneapolis and was the first of
three consecutive bishops from the
Twin Cities to serve the Diocese of
Des Moines. He served central and
southwest Iowa from 1987 to 1993
before being appointed bishop of
the Diocese of Madison, Wisc.,
where he served 10 years until his
In this
issue
Centennial Events
A multitude of events are
occurring in celebration of
the diocese’s 100th anniversary. Check out what’s
happened in the last month.
Pages 12-13
Welcome
The Diocese of Des Moines
welcomes more than 200 in
full communion with the
Catholic Church this Easter.
Read some of their stories.
Page 14
retirement in 2003.
“Please join me in praying for
Bishop William Bullock, his
family and the people of Madison,
Wisconsin, where he served as
bishop and where he made his
home during his retirement years,”
said Bishop Richard Pates.
Bishop Bullock will be known
for wanting there to be a strong
Catholic identity in the Des
Moines diocese, said his former
vicar general and longtime friend
Msgr. Larry Beeson.
Bishop Bullock brought with
him a strong vision of the role of
bishop, a love of liturgy and
preaching, and compassion for the
poor, said Msgr. Beeson.
He accomplished much while
serving the Des Moines diocese.
He was a frontrunner in
establishing a diocesan policy in
1988 addressing sexual abuse.
He oversaw the creation of
two outreach efforts of Catholic
Charities’ St. Joseph Emergency
Family Shelter and St. Mary
Family Center.
He obtained the former bank
building at 601 Grand Ave. in Des
Moines to be used for diocesan
offices.
He established St. Francis of
Assisi Parish in West Des Moines.
“I just think he was very
forward looking and was
interested in serving people,” said
his former chancellor, Larry
Breheny.
See pages 8-9 for the
complete story on Bishop
William Bullock.
A memorial Mass for
Bishop William Bullock
will be Tuesday, April 19 at
7 p.m. at St. Ambrose
Cathedral. All are invited.
Inaugural encuentro focuses on family, prayer
By Tom Carney
Contributing Writer
As part of the diocesan
centennial celebration, around
500 Hispanic Catholics from in
and outside the diocese gathered
April 9 at Dowling Catholic
High School in West Des
Moines for the first diocesan
Encuentro.
An encuentro is an
encounter or meeting, in this
case, with Christ. It is similar to
a retreat or religious conference.
The all-day event, entirely in
Spanish, was sponsored by the
diocesan Hispanic Pastoral
Commission, organized by
Bishop Richard Pates in 2009 to
promote and enable ministry to
Hispanics in the diocese.
“This is an opportunity …
to welcome our Hispanic
brothers and sisters, many of
whom have arrived in Iowa
recently, and assure them that
Father Dietzen dies
Longtime question-andanswer columnist Father
John Dietzen died. Read
about his ministry through
the Catholic press.
Page 20
INDEX
Diocesan News 1, 3,5-18
Bishop’s Column
2
INDEX
Viewpoint
4
Diocesan
NewsCorner
1-3, 5-15
The Question
20
Viewpoint
4-5
The Question Corner 16
April 15, 2011
Luz Ruiz, Margarita Maldonado, Maria Duran and Jose
Duran, all from St. Joseph Parish in West Liberty, came
to El Encuentro on April 9.
Photo by Anne Marie Cox
it’s a great pleasure to have them
among us,” said Bishop Pates.
Addressing participants, the
bishop said in Spanish, “You
bring many gifts. You enrich our
community and you are a
genuine blessing for us.”
The encuentro’s presenters
included Bishop Elías Samuel
Bolaños Avelar of the Diocese
of Zacatecoluca in El Salvador
and Roberto Ramírez, a wellknown speaker from New York.
Bishop Bolaños, whose
diocese has sent a priest and a
seminarian to help in Hispanic
ministry in the Des Moines
diocese, and has arranged for a
second priest – now awaiting
visa processing – to come, spoke
in one of two talks about prayer.
Adopting the slogan from the
Family Rosary Crusade of the
1940s and 1950s that “the
family that prays together, stays
together,” he noted that God
himself “is a family.” That, he
said, is one reason the church so
staunchly defends the family.
Families must counter
society’s individualism and
secularism with “a spirit of
prayer,”
he
noted.
He
specifically recommended the
family rosary, prayers at meals,
weekly participation in the
Eucharist and adopting the
liturgy of the
hours, which
is the “prayer
of
the
Church.”
Ramírez,
an animated
preacher,
wondered
Robert
aloud how
Ramirez
people can
say they believe in Jesus, but
also say, “Don’t talk to me about
the Church.” The Church, he
said, was founded by Jesus as a
way to connect to Jesus.
Society is in a spiritual
crisis, he said, in which
“millions of kids have never
seen their father or mother
pray.”
“It’s a crisis of personality,
of insecurity, of emotional
conflict,” he said, advising
parents to worry not so much
Continued on page 3
Diocesan News
2 The Catholic Mirror, April 15, 2011
In the Heartland with Bishop Pates
Dying and rising: The Paschal Mystery
The Visitation Sisters
in Minneapolis are fond of
telling about a prison inmate
had
committed
a
who
crime
which
horrendous
incurred a life sentence without
parole. He, as a result, had
been ostracized and basically
all had rejected him – family
and friends. He was even an
outcast among his fellow
inmates. Self loathing and
despair constituted his frame of
mind.
The Visitation Sisters, who
were located reasonably close
to where this individual was
incarcerated in Iowa, began
visiting him. At first he was
impenetrable. He existed for
the most part in a catatonic
state. But the Sisters persisted.
One day the prisoner
responded with a faint smile
and made contact with his eyes.
It was months before he thawed
in order to converse even
minimally. The nuns were
and
enormously
faithful
patient. At first, short spurts of
conversation occurred and
eventually signs of humanity
By
Bishop
Richard E.
Pates
and longer conversations
ensued.
The Sisters, in time, told
this man about Jesus. This
story had never registered with
him before.
He listened
intently and as the story
unfolded, he locked in on the
Passion and Crucifixion.
Through the power of the
Spirit he began to realize that
there was a message of love
embedded in the dying of Jesus.
And that love was for him.
Contemplating this reality, the
prisoner personally embraced
this message. His despair and
hopelessness began to recede.
Eventually, the inmate
realized that there was someone
who loved him, someone who
cared deeply for him – someone
Sunday, April 17
Des Moines – Palm Sunday
Mass, St. Ambrose Cathedral,
8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
Des Moines – Palm Sunday
Mass, Our Lady of the
Americas, 12:30 p.m.
Des Moines – Boy Scouts of
America awards, St. Ambrose
Cathedral, 3 p.m.
Saturday, April 16
Des Moines – Vocation
committee workshop, Catholic
Pastoral Center, 9 a.m.
Tuesday, April 19
Des
Moines – School
Centennial Mass, Sacred Heart
Grades 4th – 6th, St. Ambrose
Cathedral, 10:30 a.m.
Des Moines – Diocesan
Centennial Video Committee,
Pastoral Center, 6 p.m.
M IRROR
BISHOP RICHARD E.
PATES
Publisher
[email protected]
ANNE MARIE COX
Editor
[email protected]
LISA BOURNE
Staff Writer
[email protected]
The Catholic Mirror (ISSN 08966869) is published monthly for $16
per year by the Diocese of Des
Moines, 601 Grand Ave., Des
Moines, Iowa 50309. Periodicals
postage paid at Des Moines.
POSTMASTER: Send changes to
THE CATHOLIC MIRROR, 601
Grand Ave., Des Moines, Iowa
50309.
PHONE: (515) 237-5046
E-MAIL: [email protected]
DIOCESAN WEBSITE:
www.dmdiocese.org
who cared so deeply that he
was willing to give his life for
him. These realizations gave
way to transforming moments,
tears flowed, hardness of heart
was unlocked as he connected
with Jesus.
A particular talent which
the prisoner had was that of
wood carving. Inspired by
newly found faith in the Christ,
he carved a crucifix. In his
work, he was able to capture
the mystery of Christ’s death.
In the very dying of Jesus new
life was coming forth. It was
new life such as he experienced
when he accepted salvation
from God. His artistic insight
captured the paschal mystery:
“Amen, amen, I say to you,
unless a grain of wheat falls to
the ground and dies, it remains
just a grain of wheat; but if it
dies, it produces much fruit.”
John 12:24
The prisoner gave the
crucifix to the Visitation Sisters
in genuine gratitude for
introducing to him the story of
salvation – a story which
released him from the depths of
despair to liberating hope. The
Sisters treasured the crucifix. It
was the parting gift to a group
of Sisters who left an
established monastery to open a
new house in a crime-ridden,
dangerous neighborhood in the
inner city of Minneapolis.
There the sisters in living the
paschal mystery by dying to
themselves to give life to others
hope
to
a
introduce
neighborhood darkened with
the shadows of crime and
infested with narcotics and
other debilitating drugs.
The crucifix was also the
inspiration to the sculptor
Robert Nicpon of Saint Paul.
He fashioned an image of the
dying Jesus who in that very
moment was also emitting life.
Dying and Rising. The Paschal
Mystery. This corpus was
placed on the platform where
the altar is situated at Saint
Ambrose of Woodbury Church
in Woodbury, Minnesota. It
invited all engaged in the
sacrifice of Jesus, the sacrifice
of the Mass, to become one
with Him in dying and rising
thus making present the paschal
mystery of the Lord Jesus. The
gift of the prisoner, his artistic
insight, expressed in a crucifix
continues to foster inspiration.
As we enter Holy week
and especially as we celebrate
the Triduum, the three days
when we engage the paschal
mystery – we focus intently on
that reality – in slow motion –
which has changed everything,
the death and resurrection of
the Lord Jesus.
It is my special prayer and
earnest wish for all in the
Diocese of Des Moines that you
take the opportunity to slow
down and engage yourselves in
these precious days which
commemorate the transforming
action of the death and
resurrection
of
Jesus.
Hopefully we too might
become more and more united
with Jesus in dying and rising
and joining in that process with
him in generating new life.
A blessed and very happy
Easter to all in our diocesan
community.
Alleluia!
Saturday, April 23
Des Moines – Easter vigil, St.
Ambrose Cathedral, 8 p.m.
Pius X, 7 p.m.
Conference
Bishops.
Bishop’s Schedule
Friday, April 15
Des Moines – “In the Heartland
with Bishop Pates,” KWKY
Des Moines; KVSS, Omaha, 10
a.m.
Des Moines – Serra Club
induction of new members,
Employers Mutual Company,
11:30 a.m.
Des Moines – National
Association of Social Workers,
Iowa Chapter, 2011 Citizen of
the Year presented to Pat
McManus, Holiday Inn, Merle
Hay, 12:45 p.m.
Waukee – Confirmation, St.
Boniface, 7:30 p.m.
T HE C ATHOLIC
www.dmdiocese.org
Monday, April 18
Des Moines – Van and Bonnie
Show, WHO Radio, 8:30 a.m.
Des Moines – Meeting of
Vocations team, Catholic
Wednesday, April 20
Des Moines – Catholic
Charities
Social
Justice
Consortium meeting, Catholic
Pastoral Center, 8:30 a.m.
Des Moines – 6th Grade
Vocations Day, St. Mary of
Nazareth, 12:45 p.m.
Des Moines – Iowa Prayer
Breakfast reception, Iowa State
Historical Building, 6 p.m.
Thursday, April 21
Des Moines – Iowa Prayer
Breakfast,
Polk
County
Convention Complex, 7:15
a.m.
Des Moines – Holy Thursday
Mass, St. Ambrose Cathedral,
5:30 p.m.
Friday, April 22
Des Moines – Catholic Pastoral
Center offices closed.
a.m.
Des Moines – Good Friday
service, St. Ambrose Cathedral,
12:10 p.m.
Sunday, April 24
Des Moines – Easter Mass, St.
Ambrose Cathedral, 10:30 a.m.
Monday, April 25
Des Moines – Catholic Pastoral
Center offices closed
Tuesday, April 26
Des Moines – Meeting with
young adult representatives,
Catholic Pastoral Center, 9 a.m.
Executive Committee meeting,
Catholic Pastoral Center, 10:30
a.m.
Finance Council meeting,
Catholic Pastoral Center, Noon
Winterset – Confirmation, St.
Joseph, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, April 27
Des
Moines – School
Centennial Mass, Christ the
King, Grades K – 8th, St.
Ambrose Cathedral, 10:30 a.m.
Granger – Confirmation,
Assumption, 7 p.m.
Thursday, April 28
Ankeny – Confirmation, Our
Lady’s Immaculate Heart, 7
p.m.
Friday, April 29
a.m.
Des Moines – Mercy College
graduation, Hy-Vee Hall, 2 p.m.
Urbandale – Confirmation, St.
Correction
The March issue of The
Catholic Mirror listed a
grant from Prairie Meadows
Racetrack and Casino to
Holy
Family
School
incorrectly. It should have
been $11,050.
Saturday, April 30
Indianola – Confirmation, St.
Thomas Aquinas, Noon.
Greenfield – Confirmation, St.
John, 5:15 p.m.
Council Bluffs – St. Albert
School fundraiser raffle and
dinner, St. Albert School, 7 p.m.
Sunday, May 1
Clarinda – Confirmation, St.
Clare, 10:30 a.m.
Des Moines – Divine Mercy
Sunday, Christ the King, 3:30
p.m.
Monday, May 2
Des
Moines – School
Centennial Mass, St. Pius X,
Grades K – 4th, St. Ambrose
Cathedral, 10:30 a.m.
Des Moines – Confirmation,
St. Theresa, 7 p.m.
of
Catholic
Thursday, May 5
Des Moines – Hispanic
Pastoral Commission meeting,
Catholic Pastoral Center, 3 p.m.
Des Moines – Confirmation for
All Saints, Basilica of St. John,
St. Ambrose and Church of St.
Peter Vietnamese Catholic
Community at Basilica of St.
John, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, May 6
with Bishop Pates,” KWKY Des
Moines; KVSS, Omaha, 10 a.m.
West
Des
Moines
–
Confirmation, St. Francis of
Assisi, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, May 3
Charities Board, Catholic
Saturday, May 7
Christ the King, 10 a.m.
West
Des
Moines
–
Confirmation, St. Francis of
Assisi, 1 p.m.
St. Joseph, 5 p.m.
Wednesday, May 4
Washington, D.C. – Peace and
Justice
Committee,
U.S.
Continued on page 20
In the
Heartland With
Bishop Pates
“In the Heartland With Bishop
Pates” is a weekly, hour-long radio show broadcast live on
Fridays at 10 a.m. on KWKY 1150 AM, Des Moines, and Spirit
Catholic Radio 102.7 FM, Omaha, www.kwky.com or
www.kvss.com. Upcoming show topics are:
• April 15 - Dr. Gerard Stanley, the doctor’s book on the Passion
• April 22 - Remembering Bishop Bullock
• April 29 - Lord David Alton, plight of Christians as minorities
throughout the world
• May 6 - New Council Bluffs parish name
Call in with questions at 10:45 a.m.
Fridays at 515-223-1150 or
e-mail [email protected]
Diocesan encuentro draws 500
Diocesan News
www.dmdiocese.org
“Missionary
spirit”
moves
El
Salvador
diocese to send priests to
Des Moines
By Tom Carney
Contributing Writer
The
Diocese
of
Zacatecoluca, El Salvador, has
established a relationship with
the Diocese of Des Moines
partly to foster a “missionary
spirit” among Salvadoran
priests and seminarians, said
Bishop Elías Samuel Bolaños
Avelar.
Bishop
Bolaños, in
Des Moines
April 9 for
the
first
diocesan
encuentro
for Hispanic
Catholics,
Bishop
said that in
Elias
line with the
Samuel
Bolanos
Va t i c a n ’ s
focus
on
“new evangelization,” he
wants all his priests and
seminarians to have this spirit,
and many of them embrace it.
“The whole world is
missionary territory,” he said,
adding that working in another
culture enriches his priests.
Vocations eventually must
come from Hispanic Catholics
about protecting their children
from the negative influences in
the world as about preparing
them for such influences.
the
Dora
Camargo,
encuentro’s chairwoman, said
she was pleased with the
conference, including the
turnout. She estimated that
around 500 people attended.
Among them were Marta
Lopez and Yadira Figueroa of
Des Moines.
“It gave me a wonderful
feeling,” said Lopez, 24. “It has
been so peaceful and has given
me so much strength. There’s a
new me.”
Figueroa, 23, who said she
was going through “a hard time”
in her life, said the encuentro
enabled her to better deal with it.
“It has been a way not to
forget that God is with me,” she
said.
Other participants were
Angelica
German
and
Montenegro and their family,
who rose at 4 a.m. to join one of
two busloads of Hispanic
Catholics to come from the
Council Bluffs area.
At least two couples came
from out-of-state. Artemio Rea
and his wife, Erica García, and
Jorge Lagunas and his wife,
Magali Ruíz, drove all night from
Waukegan, Ill. principally to hear
Ramírez, whom they had heard
speak before. They are attracted
to his speaking, they said,
3
in Iowa, he said,
but with so many
Hispanics
arriving in Iowa,
struggling with
their faith as they
adapt to a new
culture, they need
help now.
“There are so
many needs in
the U.S.,” he
said.
But
even
with a missionary
spirit, the priests
and seminarians
he sends must
“struggle
to
adapt,” and not
try to work here New York motivational preacher Robert Ramirez held a crowd of 500 captivated during the Diocese
the of Des Moines’ first encuentro, a centennial event.
within
Photos by Anne Marie Cox
“framework of El
Salvador.”
diocese
after miles, according to a website on square miles. According to
Moines
On the other hand, ordination.
Latin American dioceses. The estimates, at least a third of the
American Catholics must learn
In 2004, the Diocese of Des Moines diocese has an Catholics in the Des Moines
to adapt to Hispanic Catholics, Zacatecoluca had 40 priests for estimated 97,000 Catholics diocese are Hispanic, many of
their culture and the priests who an estimated 273,500 Catholics covered by 82 active priests in whom speak little or no
come to serve them, he said.
in 29 parishes over 593 square 82 parishes, spread over 12,446 English.
Father José Reynaldo
Minero, who works at Our
Lady of the Americas Parish in
Des
Moines,
is
from
Zacatecoluca. Another priest,
A sort of “super parish” without – possibly on Saturday and Sunday afternoons
Juan
Antonio
Father
boundaries will be established in Des Moines, or evenings – at each of those parishes, said the
Hernández, is due to come
hopefully by the end of the year, Bishop bishop, adding that the pastors, Benedictine
soon. Luíz Alonso Mejía is
Richard Pates said April 9.
Father Aquinas Nichols of St. John, Msgr.
finishing English studies in St.
In an interview at the first diocesan Frank Bognanno of Christ the King, and Msgr.
Paul, Minn. He plans to enter
encuentro for Hispanic Catholics, held at Frank Chiodo of St. Anthony, recognize the
theology studies next fall, with
Dowling Catholic High School in West Des need and support the idea.
the goal of working in the Des
Moines, Bishop Pates said the timing depends
Bishop Pates said the need for such a
on the arrival of Father Juan Antonio parish will eventually fade, perhaps after a
Hernández from the Diocese of Zacatecoluca decade or so, as Hispanic Catholics adapt and
in El Salvador.
participate more fully in previously established
because of his way of expressing
Father Hernández is awaiting processing parishes.
First-generation
immigrants,
himself and “his testimony about
of his visa in El Salvador. Upon arrival in Des however, have a need to pray and worship in
his own life.”
Moines, which is planned for shortly after their own languages and, as much as possible,
Easter, he will enter an intensive English study in connection with their own cultures.
The
encuentro
was
program in St. Paul, Minn. before taking
That is evidenced by the number of
organized by chairwoman
responsibility for the new parish. Naming the “national” parishes, comprised of Germans,
Camargo with help from
parish will come later, the bishop said.
Irish, Polish and others, common in the
diocesan staff Jason Kurth and
The new parish is necessary, he said, American Church decades ago.
April Young and volunteers
because the need is so great. The diocesan
“The Church has always had such parishes
Paola Nieto, Eren Muñiz, Teresa
Hispanic Pastoral Commission has studied for first generation immigrants who have a
Dunbar, Paula Plasencia and
population figures for Hispanics in Des Moines need to express their faith in their own
Jesús Zambrano, along with a
and determined that the greatest need, together traditions and are more comfortable praying in
prayer group from Our Lady of
with the area around Our Lady of the Americas their own languages,” Bishop Pates said.
the Americas Parish in Des
Parish on Des Moines’ east side, is in areas
“Besides,” he added, “Hispanic Catholics
Moines. Choirs from the Basilica
around the current parishes of the Basilica of have an open and expressive prayer life, and a
of St. John in Des Moines and
St. John, Christ the King and St. Anthony.
dedication to the family that will enrich our
from Omaha performed and
The new parish will hold weekly liturgies communities.”
accompanied the liturgy.
Inaugural Encuentro
Continued from page 1
The Catholic Mirror, April 15, 2011
“Super parish” for Hispanics to be established
4
Legislative update
www.dmdiocese.org
Opinion
Court ruling
A very important decision from the
U.S. Supreme Court might have flown
under the radar. The court dismissed a
lawsuit which challenged an Arizona
law which provides a tax credit for
contributions to school tuition
organizations. This law is similar to
Iowa’s Equal Opportunities Act,
although Iowa’s law only provides a 65
percent tax credit versus a 100 percent
tax credit for contributions.
In a 5-4 decision, the court found that
those who challenged the Arizona
program did not have standing because
the program does not use taxpayer
money for government expenditures to
Instead,
private
organizations.
contributions to school tuition
organizations are considered the
decisions of private citizens to support
private organizations.
The Iowa Catholic Conference is
working here in Iowa to increase the
amount of tax credits available to donors
from the current amount of $7.5 million.
Funds raised are used to give
scholarships for children to attend
Catholic and other private schools.
House File 657
Capitol Comments
message or talk to your senator in
person, the switchboard number is 515281-3371. You can leave a message for
them to call back.
Expanded gambling
By Tom
Chapman
week abortion ban, was referred to the
Senate
Government
Oversight
Committee. This restriction on abortion
contains an exception for the life of the
mother or for a serious risk of a
substantial and irreversible physical
impairment of the mother.
If you haven’t already, now is an
important time for you to contact your
senator. The best way to do this is to
visit www.iowacatholicconference.org
and click on “Take Action.” A sample
message is available. When you enter
your street address and edit the message,
it is sent to your individual senator. Even
if you sent a message to your member of
the Iowa House – and many of you did it is critical that you contact your senator
as soon as possible.
If you would prefer to leave a
The Iowa Catholic Conference has
opposed a proposal in Senate File 458 to
expand gambling in Iowa by offering
poker over the Internet. It now looks like
the bill will be amended to only study
the issue of Internet poker while moving
forward with other parts of the bill,
including the division of purses among
different breeds of horses at Prairie
Meadows in Altoona.
The bill was scheduled to be amended
in the Senate Ways and Means
Committee on Thursday but a new
proposal to kill dog racing in Iowa
derailed it for the day. We still suggest
contacting your legislators about the
issue.
Education
The House approved the education
appropriations bill, HF 645, along party
lines last week. It now goes to the
Senate. It appropriates about $792
million from the general fund for the
Department for the Blind, the College
Student
Aid
Commission,
the
Department of Education, and the Board
of Regents. HF 645 cuts the budget by
about $58 million compared to last year,
with most of the cuts coming from the
public universities.
Health and human services
A welcome change to this year’s
version of the health and human
services budget is the elimination of
several categories of pregnancy that
Medicaid pays to “terminate.” Currently
Medicaid pays for abortions of
pregnancies that result from rape, incest,
and pregnancies where the “fetus is
physically deformed, mentally deficient,
or afflicted with a congenital illness.” It
almost goes without saying that all
women who are pregnant, particularly in
these situations, deserve our care and
support. But does it make sense to have
the state pay to eliminate the unborn
child to solve these problems? We’ll see
if the Senate attempts to restore this
language. The exception to protect the
life of the mother remains in the bill.
Tom Chapman is the executive director
of the Iowa Catholic Conference.
www.iowacatholicconference.org.
Bringing Christ, hope and vision to South Africa
In other news, House File 657, the 20-
Every year a Des Moines physician
and his wife sponsor nearly a dozen trips
of medical missionaries around the
globe to bring the message of Christ,
hope and sight to people in South Africa,
giving up a lucrative medical practice to
do so.
“I started to do mission trips at the
recommendation of Sister Patricia
Claire when I was practicing at Mercy
Hospital,” said Dr. Jim Blessman. “She
encouraged me to do three mission trips
to St. Lucia where Mercy had a
management agreement with a 100-bed
hospital there. I had a good experience
and that started us doing mission trips all
over the world. I have worked in
approximately 70 countries now.”
Following that, Dr. Blessman and his
wife, Beth, formed Blessman Ministries
to minister to the physical and spiritual
needs of the children of South Africa by
providing nutritional support, housing,
and medical care through training and
support of leaders of the African church.
The ministry’s various programs
cover several “needs” of the people they
serve. For example, in some areas there
are shanty towns with homes made from
anything families can find. These homes
are squeezed together creating
overcrowding and lack of security. To
remedy this, Blessman Ministries, in
conjunction with a West Des Moines
Bishop Richard Pates would like to
share the following letters he received.
Dear Bishop Pates:
On behalf of Archbishop Timothy M.
Dolan, president of the U.S. Conference
of Catholic Bishops, I extend my
gratitude for contribution of $47,888.48
from the 2010 Catholic Relief Services
collection in your diocese.
The collection supports six Catholic
agencies whose programs help families
suffering from war, famine, extreme
poverty, and natural disasters; victims of
human trafficking; unaccompanied
minors; and immigrants trying to reunite
Take a break with
Deacon Mike
By Deacon
Mike Manno
architect, has designed a small home to
replace the shanties that can be built in a
day with four volunteers.
These homes will shelter up to 16 of
the approximately 1,000 children who
become orphans each day due to the
AIDs epidemic.
To fill another “need” ministry
volunteers provide eye exams for
children. “We actually train the lay
people to help us,” Dr. Blessman said.
“Each person who needs glasses gets a
new pair the day we see them and our
teams are able to see about 150 patients
each day.”
Volunteers also help provide meals by
cooking and serving the rice packet
meals that many Iowans help package
with Meals from the Heartland.
“We also help educate the children in
English classes or religious studies or
entertain them with simple skits that
many team members prepare before
they come,” he said. “We teach the
children sexual purity to try to help them
avoid contracting the AIDs virus. We
also try to pray with each child.”
The volunteer teams are made up of
about 12 people and they stay in South
Africa for about two weeks.
“My wife and I live in South Africa
about seven months out of each year in
two or three separate trips. We have
built our own personal home here. We
have three children all who have been
involved with us in ministry,” he said.
“Our volunteers come from all over the
United States and South Africa. The
highest number come from Iowa. We
recruit in churches, the Iowa State Fair,
Rotary, and through the media.”
Two of those volunteers are Steve and
Peg Cashman of St. Francis of Assisi
Parish in West Des Moines, who
traveled twice to South Africa with the
ministry.
“Our first outreach was a vision
ministry mission to KwaZulu-Natal in
the far northeast corner of the Republic
of South Africa where we spent six days
doing eye exams and fitting the natives
with eye glasses. Each day we traveled
to a remote school and set up shop
seeing on average 150 students and
faculty per day. We stayed with a
Letters to the Editor
with family members.
Please convey to your priests and
parishioners our heartfelt gratitude for
their commitment and generosity to the
Catholic Relief Services collection.
They demonstrate genuine love and
compassion for all who are helped by the
collection – those who are truly Jesus in
disguise.
Most Rev. Kevin J. Farrell, D.D.
My dear Bishop:
I would like to sincerely thank you for
your statement on labor that was posted
to the diocesan website and that was
read by Father David Polich at the labor
rally Tuesday (April 5). I sent a letter to
all the priests of the diocese prior to
noticing your statement. I am extremely
happy that you issued that statement and
hope we can have a discussion started
between the leaders of the labor
movement and of the Church. It seems
that you beat me to the punch but that is
okay because you have a lot bigger
punch than I do. Again, thank you!
Dan Garza
UAW Local 450 member
Christ the King Parish
missionary from the Dutch Reformed
Church in his compound,” Cashman
said.
“Our second trip we spend thirty days
and did three-week outreaches each to a
different region of South Africa of
which two were eyeglass ministries and
one week we worked on one of Doc’s
orphanages
where
we
were
waterproofing homes which were
flooding after torrential rains.
“Dr. Blessman is truly a disciple of
the Lord, as he is a guy who ‘walks the
talk.’ He and his wife, Beth, are selfless
people who are constantly looking for
ways to help those that cannot help
themselves,” he added.
Blessman Ministries is a 501c3
organization, which means that
donations to it are tax deductable.
Information on giving or volunteering
for a South African trip can be found on
the ministry’s webpage: http://www.
blessmanministries.org/, or by contacting its office at 2557 - 106th St.
Urbandale, IA 50322 ; phone: 515-3435920, or email:
office@blessman
ministries.org.
The ministry’s webpage also includes
Dr. Blessman’s blog, frequently
updated, where one can follow the
activities of the ministry.
Submissions Policy
The Catholic Mirror welcomes
letters to the editor. Please keep
letters short, 250 words or less.
Letters must also include a telephone
number for verification purposes. The
editor reserves the right to edit letters
for brevity and clarity.
Guest
commentaries
(approximately 500 words) are also
welcome.
Please address your letters to:
[email protected], or to the
editor, The Catholic Mirror, 601
Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50309.
Letters may also be faxed to (515)
237-5070.
Msgr. Gerald Ryan dies at age 81
www.dmdiocese.org
By Lisa Bourne
Staff Writer
Msgr. Gerald Ryan passed
away March 20 at Mercy
Medical Center in Des Moines
with family and friends present.
Msgr. Ryan, who was 81, had
been ill in recent months.
He was born in 1930 in
Sioux City to Joseph and Lucy
Ryan. His home parish in the
Des Moines diocese was St.
Augustin in Des Moines.
Monsignor attended St.
Roberts School in Milwaukee,
Wisc. before going to Dowling
Catholic High School in West
Des Moines.
He attended Loras College
and Mt. St. Bernard Seminary
in Dubuque, Drake University
and DePaul University in
Chicago.
Msgr. Ryan was ordained
June 9, 1955, at St. Ambrose
Cathedral by Bishop Edward
Daly.
Monsignor
taught
at
Dowling Catholic for a number
of years.
He also served in parish
ministry, having been at the
following parishes: Visitation
in Des Moines, Assumption in
Granger, Immaculate Conception in Creston, and the Des
Moines parishes of All Saints,
St. Anthony and St. Mary of
Nazareth, where he served 19
years until he retired in 2008.
Msgr. Ryan had hoped to
get back to teaching once he
retired but his health did not
allow it.
He celebrated Mass in his
Johnston home every day in his
inviting
retirement,
parishioners and friends.
Msgr. Larry Beeson, vicar
for retired priests, visited Msgr.
Ryan every other week.
He noted Msgr. Ryan’s
great interest in sports.
“He was a good athlete,”
Msgr. Beeson said.
Msgr. Ryan’s interest in
Parish hopes to have new
windows in by Easter
By Anne Marie Cox
Mirror Staff
It’s a delicate job, making a
brand new artistic feature fit in
seamlessly with the old.
St. Mary Church in
Hamburg is accomplishing that
task through a local committee
and input from experts in the
region.
The small country parish,
which draws parishioners from
Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska,
decided to replace its plain,
light amber windows with
colorful, new stained glass
windows.
The parish
called on the
expertise
of
Eileen Ratigan,
of Sacred Heart
Church Art in
Beatrice, Neb.
She helped take
the church in
the mid-1990s
from
a
monochromatic
decorative
scheme to a
new level using
periwinkle blue
and
other
Some of the colors to accent
architectural
original,
amberhighlights that
colored
were there but
glass is
difficult to see,
included in
such as crosses
the border
at the top of
of the new
columns, ribs
windows.
in the ceiling
and
the
icanthus
leaf
incorporated in the church.
With this most recent
project, the colors in the church
were incorporated with the new
stained glass windows to help
them blend in with the existing
design.
The icanthus flower used
in the capital and in stenciling
in the church was incorporated
into the windows. The old
windows were cut and
incorporated into the new
windows as a border.
“We had that in mind
almost from the beginning,”
said John Eckman, operations
manager for A Classic Art Glass
Studio in Omaha, which did the
design and installation work.
“We used (the old window
glass) as an accent border going
around so they have a little bit
of the old with the new.”
Ratigan said the church is a
mixed bag of architectural
elements she called Prairie
Gothic or Prairie Romanesque.
“When architects did small
country churches, they would
use ideas from historic
ornamentation in Europe and
pull these ideas in,” she said. “It
has the ability to look like a
small, cozy country church but
also have some high church
elements that go back in
history. The Catholic Church
has been around a long time.
We like to remember that.”
The
parish
committee
worked with A Classic Art
Glass Studio in Omaha to arrive
at just the right designs.
Eckman praised the committee
for its ability to work together.
“They
listened
to
everybody and there wasn’t
anybody pushing their own
way,” he said. “They talked it
over, threw ideas back and
forth.”
sports also netted him a
amount
of
substantial
memorabilia which he would
put up for auction regularly to
benefit the parish.
“He had a great sense of
humor,” said Msgr. Beeson.
Msgr. Ryan focused on
good liturgy and teaching
religious education, he said.
“He was very close to the
people, very hands-on,” Msgr.
Beeson said. “He was very
generous with his time.”
“He was like a father to
me,” said Carol Sheldon, acting
parish secretary and manager of
the parish hall at St. Mary.
“He was probably the most
spiritual, loving man that I have
ever met,” she said. “He had
very, very deep faith.
Sheldon and her husband
Jim have taken Msgr. Ryan’s
dog, Snowball, a nearly
constant companion for Msgr.
Ryan.
Sheldon and her husband
live onsite at the parish,
managing the grounds and
performing maintenance. It’s an
arrangement that Msgr. Ryan
offered after Jim Sheldon lost
his job of 38 years four years
ago.
St. Mary parishioner Fred
Krastel knew Msgr. Ryan for
about six or seven years.
“I thought he was a good,
humble, obedient priest,” said
Krastel.
Krastel would attend Mass
at Msgr. Ryan’s home several
days a week. Anywhere from
two to 20 people might be
there.
“People knew he loved the
Mass and they loved Father
Gerry,” he said.
Dave Roederer, a parish
Finance Council member, said,
“He was a priest 24 hours a
day.”
Msgr. Ryan was one of
those people who knew in
grade school he wanted to be a
priest, he said.
“He was truly put on this
5
Msgr. Gerald Ryan
earth by God to be a priest,”
Roederer said.
Bishop Richard Pates
noted that Msgr. Ryan could be
proud that his two-dozen or so
nieces and nephews are
practicing Catholics.
“He was an exceptional
priest, extremely well-liked,
very much appreciated,” said
Bishop Pates.
Mass of Christian burial was
celebrated for Msgr. Ryan at St.
Mary of Nazareth on March 23.
Interment was at Glendale
Cemetery in Des Moines.
The people of
St. Mary
Church in
Hamburg
have been
working to
replace
original plain
windows with
stained glass
windows. At
left is a
sample of the
original
windows
compared to one of the new
windows. The parish also
incorporated architectural
details of the church into
the design of the windows,
such as the cross at the top
of a pillar, which can be
seen at the top of the
windows.
Father Vern Smith, the
pastor, said eight large windows
were to be done at a cost of
$5,200. Families in the parish
took on the cost in memory of
loved ones. They could select
symbols from the Hebrew
Scriptures or New Testament.
Families paid to have the
main door windows and
balcony windows redone in
stained glass. In addition, a
long-established family paid for
protective work inside and
outside the church for the
windows.
The work is expected to be
completed by Easter, and
Bishop Richard Pates has been
invited to visit and bless the
new windows.
Father Smith said the
stained glass windows were a
dream of the parish.
“Truly, they are most
beautiful, adding much warmth
and beauty to our worship
environment,” he said. “St.
Mary’s is a very close-knit
parish that has a giant heart.”
6
Around the Diocese
Apr 28- June 9
Thursdays
Life in the Spirit Seminar
DES MOINES – The Life in the
Spirit seminar is a weekly
opportunity for prayer, worship,
singing and teaching. Sessions are
7-8:45 p.m. at St. Ambrose
Cathedral parish hall. Call Darlene
at 515-965-0053 or Kathie at 515287-4480 for information or to
register.
May 14-15 Sat.-Sun.
Christ Renews His Parish
DES MOINES – St. Anthony
Catholic Church will be having its
men’s spring CRHP weekend on
Saturday from 7 a.m.- Sunday 3
p.m. Call Matt at 515-256-0684 for
more information.
May 18 Wednesday
Facing Mecca: Deepening Our
Understanding of Islam
WEST DES MOINES -- Florida
State University professor Dr. John
Kelsay will offer reflections of the
history, theology and contemporary
face of Islam at St. Francis of
Assisi Church, large meeting room,
from 7-9 p.m. Free-will offering
will be taken. For more informtion,
contact the St. Joseph Educational
Center at 515-222-1092 or visit
www.sjeciowa.org.
May 21-22 Sat.-Sun.
Christ Renews His Parish
Catholic Church will be having its
women’s spring CRHP weekend on
Saturday from 7 a.m.- Sunday 3
p.m. Call Michelle at 515-6573493 for more information.
May 22 Sunday
Corpus Christi Procession
Catholic Church on Des Moines
south side is hosting a Corpus
Christi procession, led by Msgr.
Frank Chiodo in communion with
several other priests, deacons and
faithful parishioners. This sacred
expression
of
prayer
and
Eucharistic adoration involves
processing through the neighboring
streets flanked by banners with
religious expressions and visiting
six altars to pay homage to Our
Lord, with prayer, song and
benediction.
May 21 Saturday
Catholic Daughters
DES MOINES — Court Ave
Maria No. 302 of the Catholic
Daughters of the Americas will
meet at 9 a.m. at the Basilica of St.
John. Mass will be celebrated by
Msgr.
Robert
chaplain
Chamberlain and Benedictine
Father Aquinas Nichols, pastor.
Brunch will follow. The Hat Lady
will entertain. For reservations call
515-279-8050.
May 25 Wednesday
Holy Family Golf Tournament
NORWALK – The Holy Family
Challenge of the Collars Golf
Tournament has a great new title
sponsor but the same great cause.
The Kum & Go Golf Classic
supporting Holy Family School
will be held at the Legacy Golf
Course in Norwalk. Shotgun start
at 11 a.m. Sponsorships available.
Sponsor your favorite priest. Raffle
includes a 7-day trip to Cabo San
Lucas. Only 225 tickets will be
sold. Purchase price: $100 each.
All proceeds benefit Holy Family
School. For details contact the
foundation office directly at 515262-7466 or visit our website at
www.hsfdm.org.
***
Events near the diocese
April 30 Saturday
A Day with Fr. Timothy Gallagher
OMAHA — The Institute for
Priestly Formation, in conjunction
with the Archdiocese of Omaha
Family Life Office and Spirit
Radio
KVSS,
is
Catholic
presenting “A Day with Fr.
Timothy Gallagher, OMV” at
Christ the King Church in Omaha.
Father Gallagher is an adjunct
faculty member of The Institute for
Priestly Formation and has
authored six books on the spiritual
teaching of St. Ignatius of Loyola.
Registration and more information are available on IPF’s website
http://www.creighton.edu/ipf/ .
The cost for the presentations and
For more
lunch is $20.
information, call 402-280-3901.
April 29 – May 1 Fri.-Sun.
www.dmdiocese.org
hold its 49th Biennial Iowa State
Convention at the Holiday Inn in
Coralville, Iowa. Speakers are
Sister Charla Bulko of Dubuque
and Larry Sholstrom of Iowa City.
The Saturday evening banquet
speaker is Tom Jacobs a well
known recording artist, retreat
facilitator and storyteller from the
Kansas City area.
June 2-5 Thurs.-Sun.
CACI Young Adult Fun Weekend:
ST. LOUIS — The Catholic
Alumni Club International invites
you to a Young Adults Fun
Weekend in St. Louis. For more
information, contact Steve at
[email protected] or go to
http://www.csacstlouis.org/younga
dults.html.
Ongoing
Bible study
DES MOINES – Bible timeline
study offered at St. Catherine of Siena
on Wednesday evenings from 7-9
p.m. Learn the major people, places,
events and themes of the Bible. For
more information, contact Bobbi
Segura at [email protected] or
515-240-7883. Parish phone: 515271-4747.
CDA state convention
CORALVILLE — Catholic
Daughters of the Americas will
St. Anthony Parish
building grotto
Now that
winter is over,
St. Anthony
Parish in Des
Moines will
be working
on building a
grotto just
north of the
parish and
school
playground.
Ground was
broken Nov 1.
The
foundation
and stairs are
complete
along with the
front altar
being about
50 percent
complete. A
second altar, an arch and a 15-foot peak remain to
be constructed. Between 30 and 40 memorial rocks
have been sold at $250-$400 apiece, and will
comprise the west façade. Memorial rocks are still
available, as are other memorial opportunities. The
parish received a donation of granite that is too thin
for the grotto’s needs, and was hoping to sell it to
benefit the grotto’s completion. The goal is to have
the grotto complete in time for the Feast of Corpus
Christi, June 23, so it could be used as one of the
altars in the procession. For more information or to
purchase a memorial, contact the parish at 515-2444709.
www.dmdiocese.org
News Nuggets
Highlighting people and events in the
Diocese of Des Moines
Rock in Prevention founder honored
Patrick McManus, founder and president of
Rock in Prevention, was named Iowa Citizen of
the Year by the National Association of Social
Workers.
McManus, a national certified addictions
counselor, was honored for his “passion and
commitment to improving the lives of young children,”
according to Kelli Soyer, executive director of the NASW,
Iowa Chapter in a letter to McManus. She wrote: “Your
activism and contributions in your community are recognized
by your peers.”
McManus, who attended Catholic school, graduated from
Upper Iowa University with a degree in business management.
He created a prevention program after witnessing the family
heart break, societal loss and spiritual longing that occurs when
addition takes over a young person’s life. He felt called by God
to leave a well-paying management position in a treatment
program to start in 1990 his unique and now nationally
acclaimed program in which educational curriculum an music
are paired for student, teacher and family retention of
prevention messages and behavior.
Spanish charismatic prayer group gathering
The charismatic prayer group at Our Lady of the Americas
Parish in Des Moines held one of its annual retreats March 26
and 27 at the diocesan Catholic Pastoral Center in downtown
Des Moines.
A focus on the Holy Spirit, specifically Spirit-centered
prayer, is a hallmark of the group, which has members
primarily from the Latino community.
The charismatic prayer group has been assembling for
approximately 12 years at the parish. The group meets weekly
with between 100-200 people coming to pray, reflect on the
Gospel, sing worship songs, study Church teaching and share
testimonies. A smaller core group meets each week in addition
to the regular gathering to plan and conduct workshops on faith
and spirituality. A retreat is held each year for the larger
charismatic group and another for the wider community. This
latest weekend retreat had roughly 140 in attendance, including
people coming from outside the Des Moines area.
For more information about the charismatic prayer group,
contact the parish at 515-266-6695.
Catholic schools honor faculty and staff
Each year during Catholic Schools Week, the Diocese of Des
Moines honors the faculty and staff at Catholic schools with a
special Mass and awards ceremony. The liturgies were held at
St. Albert School in Council Bluffs on Feb. 3 and, due to
inclement weather, on March 11 at St. Pius X Church in
Urbandale.
One hundred-twenty-seven individuals received certificates
and service pins for a total of 1, 540 years of service to Catholic
education.
This year, there were two individuals, Dr. Nancy O’Neill
Dowdle and Denise Zimmerman, who were recognized for 40
years of service in Catholic schools. Dr. Dowdle is the
principal at St. Augustin School in Des Moines, having served
the school for 24 years. Zimmerman has been a third grade
teacher at St. Pius X School in Urbandale for 32 years.
St. Augustin School honors graduate
St. Augustin School in Des Moines recently honored one of
its alum, Dr. John Hurley, with the National Catholic Education
Distinguished Graduate Award. The award honors graduates of
Catholic elementary and middle schools who have made a
contribution to American life and/or the Catholic Church. Dr.
Hurley, a dentist, has touched the lives of many throughout the
city of Des Moines.
Dr. Hurley and his wife are members of St. Francis of Assisi
Parish in West Des Moines. “It’s people like John who help
make our school what it is today,” said St. Augustin School
Principal Dr. Nancy Dowdle.
Cemetery statue
Gerald LeBlanc
continues to raise funds
for a statue of Jesus in
the St. Ambrose
Cemetery in Des
Moines, the resting
place for many of the
pioneering priests and
religious women of the
diocese. Send
contributions to St.
Ambrose Cemetery,
4909 University Ave.,
Des Moines, IA 50311
Diocesan News
Local man named to head Chicago
province of Divine Word order
TECHNY, Ill. (CNS) —
Des Moines native Father
Thomas J. Ascheman, whose
work as a Divine Word priest
has taken him from the barrios
of Mexico to his order’s highest
administrative body in Rome,
has been named provincial
superior of the Chicago
province of the Society of the
Divine Word.
Council Bluffs native
leads Jesuit province
Thomas
J.
Father
Ascheman, recently named
provincial of the Divine
Word community, is a
second Des Moines diocesan
man to be leading a religious
community.
Council Bluffs native
Father Tom Krettek is a
provincial of the Wisconsin
Province of the Society of
Jesus, also known as the
Jesuits.
The
province
consists of seven states:
Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska,
Minnesota, Wyoming, North
Dakota and South Dakota.
With about 250 priests,
brothers, seminarians and
novices, the Chicago province
— based in Techny — is the
missionary order’s largest
administrative unit in the
Western Hemisphere.
When he begins his threeyear term June 1, Father
Ascheman, 56, will succeed
Father Mark Weber, who
served two terms as provincial
superior.
For 12 years, Father
Ascheman served as generalate
mission secretary, assisting the
superior general and his council
to plan and coordinate the
Society of the Divine Word’s
missionary endeavors in 71
countries. More than 6,000
Divine Word missionaries offer
services that range from
pastoral care to building
schools and medical clinics to
developing social programs
that provide food, clothing and
shelter.
For the past three years, he
served as a parish priest at St.
Patrick Church in Fort Wayne,
Ind., a large Hispanic,
Vietnamese and Anglo parish
Two local authors pen new books
Two local authors have
written new books.
Patricia Mathson, former
director of religious education
at Holy Trinity Church in Des
Moines, has authored “Plant the
Seed: Sharing the Gospels with
Children.” In the book, she
includes creative ideas to help
catechesis
and
parents
encourage children to live the
Word of God in their lives. The
book includes suggestions for
family
activities,
group
projects, crafts, service projects
and kid-friendly meditations.
Mathson has written 10
books and 60 magazine articles
in the field of faith formation
including “Time to Pray!”
“Bundles of Faith and Tons of
Fun,” and “Bless This Day.”
Currently, Mathson is the
children’s ministry coordinator
at Hope Family center, a longterm ecumenical shelter for
women and children in Des
Moines. She writes a column
for Catechist magazine.
Also new on bookshelves is
best-selling author Servite
Sister Joyce Rupp’s latest tome
“Fragments of your Ancient
Name: 365 Glimpses of the
Divine for Daily Meditation.”
Sister
Rupp,
is
internationally known for her
books, having written more
than 20 including “Open the
Door,” Praying Our goodbyes,”
and “the Star in My Heart.”
Sister Rupp has sold more than
1 million books.
On
her
website,
www.joycerupp.com, she said
that for her latest book, she
“gathered 365 names for God
from a wide variety of sources
including scripture, poetry and
music. Then I started the
journey of writing a short
reflection on each name.”
The book offers readers daily
meditations that draw from
Christian, Jewish, Muslim,
Hindu
and
other
faith
traditions.
The Spanish Immersion
program at St. Anthony School
in Des Moines is accepting
registrations for its 2011
kindergarten class.
After a successful first
year, the program will be
expanded so that this year’s
kindergarteners will continue
as first graders next year while
the program enrolls a new set
of kindergarteners in the fall of
2011. The program is open to
all students.
The Spanish immersion
program teaches Englishspeaking students to be fluent
in Spanish by immersing them
in the language.
“I
would
definitely
recommend
the
Spanish
Immersion experience to other
families,” said parent Carla
Baril, whose twin daughters are
enrolled in the program. “It’s a
wonderful opportunity for kids
when they go on to high school
and in life.”
For more
information, contact Principal
Dr. Joe Cordaro at 515-2431874 or visit www.stanthony
dsm.org.
Spanish immersion program taking
registration for next school year
7
that sponsors
a food bank, a
free clinic and
m a n y
educational
and cultural
programs.
Born in
Father
Des Moines,
F a t h e r Thomas J.
A s c h e m a n Ascheman
holds
dual
degrees
in
bachelor’s
philosophy and math-ematics,
two master’s degrees and a
doctorate. A member of the
Society of the Divine Word
since 1977, he was ordained to
the priesthood in 1982.
In 1991, Father Ascheman
was assigned to Mexico, where
he taught and lived for four
years with theological students
in an outlying, economically
challenged neighborhood of
Mexico City.
As provincial superior, he
will oversee activities of the
Society of the Divine Word
from Nebraska to Massachusetts and from Montreal to
Montserrat in the Leeward
Islands.
Marriage Minute
The Office of
Marriage Ministry of
the Diocese of Des
Moines is extending a
heartfelt invitation to
celebrate your
marriage with Bishop
Richard Pates at St.
Ambrose Cathedral
on May 29 at 10:30
a.m. Mass.
Refreshments will be
served afterward at
the pastoral center.
See the ad on page 16
of this issue of the
Catholic Mirror.
Deacon Dennis
and Sarah Luft
8
Former Des Moines
bishop leaves rich legacy
Remembering
Bishop William
Bullock
“Both Bishop Bullock and
I were from the Twin Cities
and were blessed with a
long-standing friendship.
The Bishop was a dedicated
churchman, capable of
making difficult decisions
all the while enjoying a
tremendous sense of humor.
As the Diocese of Des
Moines
celebrates
its
centennial, certainly, Bishop
William Bullock is a figure
to be applauded. We are
of
the
beneficiaries
Bishop’s rich legacy which
will have continuing impact
for decades to come.”
Bishop Emeritus Joseph
Charron, C.PP.S.
“When I came to the
diocese, others were in
decline regarding vocations.
He had just ordained several
and had a good number of
men in vocations. He
worked very diligently on
that. He was very serious
about vocations
“He secured the Catholic
Pastoral Center for diocesan
staff. I think it’s such a
visible place and accessible
to the cathedral.
“I always found him to be
supportive of what I was
doing as his successor.”
Msgr. Larry Beeeson
served as vicar general
“He was very strong in
liturgy. He will be well
remembered
for
his
confirmations.”
Msgr. Frank Bognanno
served as chancellor and
moderator of the curia
“He gave the diocese a
big shot in the arm. The
Renew program and some
of those groups continue to
meet today.”
Larry Breheny
served as chancellor
“I just think he was very
forward looking and was
interested in serving people.
He was very conscious of
the poor and what needed to
be done for them.”
Msgr. Frank Chiodo
pastor
“The greatest and dearest
impression he left with me
is of a man who was willing
to support you on any
initiative if you could point
to the spiritual and pastoral
value of the matter under
consideration.”
Tom Chapman
served as Communication
director
Bishop Bullock gave him
his first job in the Church
when hired as the director of
Communications for the
diocese. “I have always been
grateful to him for the
opportunity. He made it clear
to me that his priorities were
prayer, being pro-active on
pro-life
issues
and
maintaining a strong sense of
our Catholic identity.”
Bishop Bullock
By Anne Marie Cox
Mirror Staff
Bishop Bullock will be
known for wanting there to be
a strong Catholic identity in
the Des Moines diocese, said
his former vicar general and
longtime friend Msgr. Larry
Beeson.
A strong sense of identity is
important for two reasons, to
increase financial support and
to let others know of the
services available to them,
said Bishop Bullock’s former
chancellor, Larry Breheny.
“The Church went through a
period of time when it was
almost afraid to explain its
identity. We almost avoided
letting people know who we
were,” he added. “I was driving
somewhere and saw a sign that
very clearly spelled out that this
was a program of the Catholic
diocese. He always wanted
that.”
A strong Catholic identity
also improves ecumenical
dialogue, said Msgr. Frank
Bognanno, former chancellor
and moderator of the curia.
After Vatican II, “Bishop
Dingman did a wonderful job in
opening doors with other faith
traditions,”
said
Msgr.
Bognanno. “Bishop Bullock
said to have a strong
ecumenical relationship, we
have to have a strong identity
with the Catholic Church. It
was important to him in our
relationship with others that we
adhere to our own moral and
doctrinal positions. It creates
better dialogue.”
Bishop Bullock brought with
him a strong vision of the role
of bishop, a sense of the Church
with more centered leadership,
Bishop William H. Bullock
Msgr. Beeson said.
He also was a firm believer
in the installation of pastors,
said Msgr. Bognanno.
This rite “gives the parish the
sense that the appointment was
well-thought through and the
pastors and bishop have a close
relationship,” he said. It
emphasizes
the
parish
relationship to the diocesan
church.
Shortly
after
Bishop
Bullock’s arrival in Des
Moines, he toured St. John
Church in Des Moines, and its
pastor at the time, Msgr. Frank
Chiodo, expressed an interest in
having the church named a
basilica.
“While we met not a few
obstacles along the way, he
never let up on his support of
this project, never allowing any
obstacles or setbacks stand in
the way of reaching our goal of
having St. John’s Church
named a basilica,” said Msgr.
Chiodo. “Bishop Bullock was a
man of great faith and great
determination.”
Sacraments
Serving the poor
Bishop Bullock was focused
on the sacraments.
He implemented guidelines
from the Vatican, such as
moving first reconciliation to
be celebrated prior to first
Communion.
Bishop Bullock also ended
general absolution.
“General absolution was
pretty general in the diocese,”
said Msgr. Beeson. In practice,
general absolution was allowed
if there were more people
coming for reconciliation than a
priest could handle.
Msgr. Bognanno said, “He
rightly brought it into proper
perspective and practice.”
Bishop Bullock wrote two
pastoral letters during his time
in Des Moines, one on end-oflife issues and one on the
sacrament of reconciliation.
He’ll be remembered for his
compassion for the poor, said
Msgr. Beeson.
During Bishop Bullock’s
time in Des Moines, Catholic
Charities began its homeless
shelter and food and clothing
pantry.
The St. Joseph Emergency
Family Shelter began when the
city of Des Moines invited
Catholic Charities to take over
a property provided it be used
to house people who had no
where to go.
Breheny, who served as
director of Catholic Charities at
the same time as he served as
chancellor, remembered his
concern for the poor..
“He said, ‘What type of
people will we be serving?’ and
I said, ‘The poorest of the
poor.’ That did it,” Breheny
said. “He wanted to do
everything he could to help the
poor.”
St. Mary Family Center food
and clothing pantry began as a
service offered out of a closet at
the former Catholic Pastoral
Center on 5th Avenue in Des
Moines.
“We started off with a closet
at the Pastoral Center,”
Breheny recalled. “It was really
not the best circumstances to
have as a place for people to
come for clothing, food, that
sort of thing. We reached a
point where we couldn’t work
with a small closet and we
began St. Mary Family Center.”
Liturgy
Bishop Bullock also brought
to Iowa a love of liturgy and
preaching.
He once said, “Individuals
come out of a work week
battered and need an oasis or
drinking fountain. The liturgy
can provide that.”
“He spent endless hours on
his sermons, revising them and
revising them,” Msgr. Beeson
said. “He labored over his
words to make sure he got it
just right.”
Father Tim Fitzgerald, pastor
of Ss. John and Paul Parish in
Altoona, served as master of
ceremony for Bishop Bullock’s
Veterans
installation
at
Auditorium.
For the installation Mass, “he
wanted it to be inclusive, a
diocesan celebration with
everyone invited.”
Bishop William
Bullock will be
remembered in
the Diocese of
Des Moines for
his liturgies,
particularly
confirmation,
and his work
on vocations.
Early years
Bishop Bullock was born to
Loren and Anne Bullock. He
worshipped at St. Timothy
Church in Maple Lake, Minn.,
the same church where his
mother was baptized, where his
parents were married.
He was raised on a farm, and
took a break from college to
join the U.S. Navy in World
War II. With the end of the war,
he went to Notre Dame
University in South Bend, Ind.
on a GI Bill and earned degrees
in philosophy and English. He
went home to St. Paul
Seminary in Minnesota and was
ordained a priest in 1952.
He became an auxiliary
bishop in the Twin Cities in
1980 and served there until
becoming bishop of the
Diocese of Des Moines in
1987. He served central and
southwest Iowa until 1993,
when he became bishop of the
Diocese of Madison.
Bishop Bullock retired in
2003.
Bishop Bullock returned to
the Des Moines diocese twice
recently. He was here for the
30th anniversary of Pope John
Paul II’s visit to Iowa and for
the celebration of Msgr.
Beeson’s 50th anniversary as a
priest.
Bishop Bullock
Bishop Bullock’s major accomplishments
Bishop William H. Bullock
He served Des Moines diocese for six years
Bishop William Bullock had several major accomplishments in the six years he served the
Diocese of Des Moines.
Catholic Pastoral Center
He coordinated the purchase and establishment of the former bank building at 601 Grand
Ave. in Des Moines to be used for diocesan offices with the help of Ed Ochylski. Ochylski
had been attending daily Mass at St. Ambrose Cathedral when he saw the “For Sale” sign
outside the 601 Grand Ave. building and thought it would be a good location for the chancery.
“So I went to the bishop and said, ‘I’d like to buy this for you,’ ” Ochylski said.
He used a Yiddish word to describe Bishop Bullock.
“Mensch,” said Ochylski. “Our translation takes several
words: A warm, gentle human being.”
The Catholic Pastoral Center, with the bishop’s office
facing St. Ambrose Cathedral, continues to serve as the
chancery headquarters and main office of Catholic
Charities today.
St. Francis of Assisi Parish
He established St. Francis of Assisi Parish in West
Des Moines. Shortly after his arrival, Bishop Bullock
asked Msgr. Ed Pfeffer and Msgr. Ed Hurley to search
for property in the growing communities west of Des
Moines. They purchased 15 acres. The new parish was
established July 11, 1991 and within three months, 295
families were registered. Today, the parish has 2,888
families registered.
Msgr. Stephen Orr was completing his tenure as vicerector of the North American College in Rome when he
was appointed by Bishop Bullock as founding pastor of
a new parish in West Des Moines.
“He told me that he decided on the name of St.
Francis of Assisi since it reminded us of the day Pope
John Paul II came to Des Moines, the feast of St.
Francis, October 4,” said Msgr. Orr. “Also, he felt the
name had ecumenical opportunities since all faiths seem to have a respect for the spirit and
message of Francis: peace, prayer, care for the needy, respect for the environment.”
Sexual abuse policy
Bishop Bullock was a national leader in establishing a diocesan policy addressing sexual
abuse in 1988.
Outreach centers
He oversaw the creation of two outreach efforts of Catholic Charities: St. Joseph
Emergency Famly Shelter and St. Mary Family Center.
9
Third bishop of Madison
Seventh bishop of Des Moines
Born
April 13, 1927, Maple Lake, Minn.
Education
Grade School: Maple Lake Grade School, Maple Lake, Minn.
High School: Annandale High School, Annandale, Minn.
College: St. Thomas College, 1944-45, St. Paul, Minn.
U.S. Navy — World War II, 1944-46
University of Notre Dame, 1946-48
St. Paul Seminary, 1948-52
Degrees
1948 — B.A. University of Notre Dame, Philosophy
1962 — M.A. University of Notre Dame, Liturgy and
Religious Education
1969 — ED.S. St. Thomas University, Education and
Administration
1989 — Honorary Doctor of Humanities Degree, St. Ambrose
University, Davenport, Iowa
2005 — Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree, Honoris
Causa, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minn.
Ordained a priest: June 7, 1952, St. Paul Cathedral, St. Paul,
Minn.
Assignments
1952-55 — St. Stephen Parish, Minneapolis, Minn., associate
pastor
1955-56 — Our Lady of Grace Parish, Edina, Minn., associate
pastor
1956-57 — Incarnation Parish, Minneapolis, Minn., associate
pastor
1957-71 — St. Thomas Academy, St. Paul, Minn., instructor
1967-71 — St. Thomas Academy, St. Paul, Minn., headmaster
1971-80 — St. John the Baptist Parish, Excelsior, Minn., pastor
1980 — Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Minneapolis,
Minn., pastor
Appointed Auxiliary Bishop of St. Paul/Minneapolis by
Pope John Paul II June 3, 1980
Ordained a Bishop Aug. 12, 1980 at St. Paul Cathedral, St.
The Catholic Mirror
He restarted a regularly delivered newspaper, which had been discontinued earlier due to
budgetary reasons.
Paul, Minn.
Appointments
Appointed Bishop of Des Moines Feb. 10, 1987
Installed as Bishop of Des Moines April 7, 1987
Appointed Bishop of Madison, Wis. April 13, 1993
Installed as Bishop of Madison, Wis. June 15, 1993
Pope John Paul II accepted his resignation May 23, 2003
Served as Diocesan Administrator until Aug. 1, 2003
Membership and Activities
National Conference of Catholic Bishops (now the United
States Conference of Catholic Bishops)
Member, Knights of Columbus, Fourth Degree
Member, Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, KGCHS
Member, St. Francis Seminary Board of Trustees, Milwaukee,
Wis.
Past Offices and Committees
Bishop William Bullock returned to the Diocese of
Des Moines twice in recent years. He came back in
2009, pictured at left at the invitation of Bishop
Richard Pates for the celebration of the 30th
anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s visit. He visited
last year for the celebration of Msgr. Larry Beeson’s
50th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood.
Msgr. Beeson served as vicar general for Bishop
Bullock while he served the 23 counties of central
and southwest Iowa. Above, pictured at Msgr.
Beeson’s celebration, were: Bishop Pates, Father
Dan Siepker, Humility Sister Rachel Beeson, Msgr.
Beeson, Deacon Fred Cornwell and Bishop Bullock.
Member, Catholic Telecommunications Network of America,
C.T.N.A.
Bishops’ Committee on Liturgy
Religious Life and Ministry Committee
Tri-Conference Committee
USCC Communications Committee
Catholic Relief Services, Executive Committee, Subcommittee
on Africa, and Committee on Overseas Programs and
Operations
Advisory Council of the School of Theology and Seminary of
St. John’s Abbey, Collegeville, Minn.
NCCB/USCC Agenda Committee: Planning Committee for
General Meetings and Assemblies
NCCB/USCC Evangelization Committee
10
www.dmdiocese.org
www.dmdiocese.org
11
Catechetical Summit focuses on lifelong growth in faith
12
Centennial News
www.dmdiocese.org
By Lisa Bourne
Staff Writer
The diocese hosted its first
Catechetical Summit on April 2
drawing about 140 catechetical
leaders for the event focusing
on lifelong faith formation.
Bishop Richard Malone
from the Diocese of Portland,
Maine, was the keynote
presenter at St. Francis of Assisi
Church in West Des Moines. He
is the chair of the U.S.
Conference
of
Catholic
Bishops’
Committee
on
Evangelization and Catechesis.
Also speaking was Dr.
Jackie Witter, director of the
Illuminare Center at the
Benedictine Center of St. Paul
Monastery
and
Michael
Theisen,
director
of
membership services for the
National
Federation
for
Catholic Youth Ministry.
The reason faith formation
is
lifelong
is
because
conversion is lifelong, said
Bishop Malone.
Lifelong faith formation
must be seen as one continuous
process as opposed to separate,
unconnected moments, he said.
“We can’t forget any points
along the way,” he said.
Efforts must be engaging.
And, using the parable of
the sower and the seed, he
compared the culture to the soil
while challenging catechists to
determine what is rich soil and
what is hard, rocky or thorny.
Evangelization is the core
mission of the Church, he said.
Evangelization
is
to
individuals first, but it also
reaches out into larger society
and must become a force for
transforming every facet of
human life, he said.
The new evangelization
proclaimed by Pope John Paul
II has as its special audience in
fallen away Catholics, said
Bishop Malone.
He offered a quote from St.
Bernard of Clairvaux: “We
should seek to become
reservoirs rather than canals.
For a canal just allows the water
to flow through it, but a
reservoir waits until it is filled
before overflowing. Then, it
can communicate without loss
to itself. In the Church today,
Dr. Jackie Witter
Michael Theisen
we have many canals but few
reservoirs.”
“The responsibility for
nurturing and handing on faith
belongs to the parents and
family primarily,” he said. “We
who are members of parishes,
we who serve as parish
catechists, we who are teachers
in Catholic schools, we who are
youth ministers, partner with
the parents and families so that
faith may be witnessed and
lived, taught and caught, shared
and assimilated.”
“His comments were
rooted solidly in the National
Directory for Catechesis and
called us all, ‘to share the joy of
being a disciple,’” said Dr.
Cheryl Fournier, diocesan
director of Evangelization and
Adult Faith Formation.
Faye Akers, a catechist for
St. Theresa Parish in Des
Moines, said several points
during the day stayed with her.
One is the need for catechetical
leaders to fall in love with
Christ themselves before they
can witness to others. Another
is the need for faith formation
to be seen as lifelong. A third
point is the need for
collaboration among those in
ministry at all levels.
“It was fabulous, a day
well-spent,” said Akers.
Bishop Pates was principle
celebrant at a Mass, along with
Bishop Malone and a number of
diocesan priests.
Dr. Jackie Witter
Everyone has a family and
that family catechesis makes it
possible to live in relationship
with one another, said Dr.
Witter.
The parish and parents are
partners in catechesis, and
attention must be paid to the
health of families, she said. If
the family is struggling in some
way, then so would the parish.
Healthy families equal healthy
parishes.
Inattention to adult faith
formation presented one of the
biggest challenges according to
Dr. Witter.
Michael Theisen
The family is primarily
responsible for youth ministry,
and support is needed for the
family, said Theisen.
Reaction
Dr. Tom Neal, director of
St. Joseph Educational Center
in West Des Moines, was struck
by a quote Bishop Malone used
from Father Pedro Arrupe,
superior general of the Jesuits
from the 1960s-1980s.
“His point was that
catechists must tend to their
own spiritual lives first if they
hope to benefit anyone else’s,”
said Neal.
Centennial tours of cathedral continue
Students took part in the
centennial tour of St.
Ambrose Cathedral, had
lunch with Bishop Richard
Pates and celebrated Mass
with him on April 5.
Pictured (clockwise) are:
students
celebrating
Mass; St. Malachy School
first
graders
Macy
Adamson and Rowan
Pope look at a cross on
the altar used by Pope
John Paul II during his
visit to Iowa, a child is
blessed by Bishop Pates
and
Shelby
County
Catholic
School
fifth
graders John Erlbacher
and Will Hoffmann stand
by the chair used by Pope
John Paul II.
www.dmdiocese.org
Diocese celebrates
100th anniversary with an
abundance of activities
The Pope of the People
A musical celebrating Pope John Paul II, this centennial
program been presented at Des Moines-area parishes over
several weekends. The last performance is Sunday, April 17 at
St. Francis of Assisi Church in West Des Moines. For tickets,
go to www.MidwesTix.com or www.thepopeofthepeople.com.
Drake Concert
Maxwell
Shaeffer as
Pope John
Paul ll and
Brad Church
as Polish
President
Wojciech
Jaruzeski.
Drake University’s Department of Music presented its annual
concert April 9 and 10 at St. Ambrose Cathedral in celebration
of the diocese’s centennial. Four groups -- Drake Choir, Drake
Chamber Choir, Drake Chorale, Drake University/Communtiy
Chorus and the Faculty; Student Orchestra -- performed with
conductor Aimee Beckmann-Collier.
By Lisa Bourne
Staff Writer
A new two-part musical
composition
has
been
commissioned in honor of the
diocesan centennial.
“Psalm 65” and “God
Almighty, Lord Most High”
will comprise the processional
opening
hymns,
and
respectively, for the Mass
the
yearlong
capping
centennial celebration on Nov.
6 at Hy-Vee Hall in Des
Moines.
The work, composed by St.
Joseph Educational Center
Director Dr. Tom Neal and local
composer Elaine Hagenberg,
will be unveiled for the first
time on April 30 at the diocesan
liturgical workshop on the new
Roman Missal in Stuart. Both
composers will be there for the
hymns’ debut.
Neal had written poetry for
a long time, but had reserved
his work largely for sharing
The Saint John’s Bible -- Heritage Edition
A special reception was
held at the Polk County
Heritage Museum for The
Saint John’s Bible exhibit.
with friends and family.
Diocesan Director of
Worship Kyle Lechtenberg had
told Neal that he wanted to find
someone to write lyrics for a
commissioned piece for the
diocesan centennial.
Neal said he’d love to be
considered for the opportunity
when it came up.
Having seen Neal’s poetry,
Lechtenberg thought having
Neal write the lyrics made
sense.
for
the
music,
As
Lechtenberg had heard the
work of local composer Elaine
Hagenberg performed at a
concert with singers from
Valley High School in West Des
Moines. After researching her
work he contacted her.
“I thought it would be good
to have someone whose writing
was beautiful while also having
it by someone local,” said
Lechtenberg.
Hagenberg, of Des Moines,
is a graduate of Drake University
and an award-winning composer
Saint John’s Bible exhibit a success
By Marilyn Sharp
The exhibit of The Saint
John’s Bible Heritage Edition
and prints was held at the
Heritage
Gallery
in
downtown Des Moines and at
the Museum of Religious Arts
in Logan to coincide with the
weeks of Lent.
More than 1,300 visitors
viewed the exhibit in Des
Moines. The exhibit in Logan
attracted not only many guests
from the local community but
also from the Diocese of
Sioux City and Archdiocese
of Omaha.
Father Eric Hollas, senior
associate for Arts and Cultural
Affairs at St. John’s University
in Collegeville, Minn, was in
Des Moines to give a
presentation on the making and
significance of the bible. He
was also a guest on Bishop
Richard Pates’ radio program
“In the Heartland With Bishop
Pates” on KWKY 1150AM and
Spirit Catholic Radio 102.7 FM.
Drake
University’s
Department
of Music
presented
April 9 and
10 Franz
Joseph
Haydn’s
“Missa in
angustiis”
also known
as the
Nelson
Mass.
Teresa Roberts gets a close
look at the illuminations. At
right, Sara Eide and others
get a close-up look at pages
of the bible. The exhibit is at
the Museum of Religious
Arts near Logan until
Sunday, April 17.
New processional, opening
hymns comissioned in
honor of centennial
Centennial News
Father Hollas said The
Saint John’s Bible, which is
handwritten with calligraphy,
will be completed in May. The
last books will be delivered in
June to the university from
Wales, where Donald Jackson
is overseeing the work.
The Heritage Edition
pages, that have been on
exhibit in the Des Moines
diocese, will be returned to St.
John’s Abbey. However, a
family in Des Moines has
acquired
a
fine-arts
reproduction, limited edition
of The Saint John’s Bible and
plans to display it in the
future.
The traveling exhibit of
prints of The Saint John’s
Bible
will
continue
throughout the centennial
closing celebration Nov. 6 at
Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines.
Details for locations and dates
are available at www.dm
diocese.org/culture.cfm.
13
w h o
teaches
v o c a l
music
at
I o w a
Christian
Academy
in Urbandale.
“I have
always
b e e n
involved in church music since
I was a little girl,” Hagenberg
said. “I was playing in church
by the time I was 12.”
Thus began collaboration
between Lechtenberg, Neal and
Hagenberg, that lasted for
roughly a year, and has only
recently begun wrapping up.
Hagenberg had never
worked with a project in which
the lyrics were in the process of
created.
Neal, while a seasoned
writer, had never composed
anything musical. There was
substantial rewriting.
The process offered growth
for both Neal and Hagenberg.
“It was quite a long
process,” said Neal. “Elaine
was easy to work with.”
“I thought it was a really
great experience,” Hagenberg
said. “(Neal has) done an
outstanding job. I have a lot of
respect for him.”
With the second piece, “I
feel like the music almost wrote
itself,” Hagenberg said of the
opening hymn. “I felt a
connection.”
After April 30, parishes
will be encouraged to use the
music in liturgies leading up to
the Nov. 6 centennial Mass.
Both Neal and Hagenberg
said it was an honor to write for
the centennial.
“I get excited writing
music about the Lord,”
Hagenberg said. “I enjoy
having a creative opportunity to
have a specific goal to create
music for the Lord and to
encourage other people to lift
their voices. It’s such an
honor.”
Church welcomes more than 200 at Easter
14
Diocesan News
www.dmdiocese.org
At Easter vigil, parishes across the diocese will baptize those who want to become Catholic and have never been
baptized (catechumen) and bring into full communion with the Church those who have been baptized in other
Christian faith traditions (candidates). Here are some of their stories. Stories by Lisa Bourne
Coming into the Church is a family affair
An extended Baptist family
— a child, two adult sisters, their
mother, their husbands, and a
cousin — is entering the Church
at Easter Vigil at Christ the King
Parish in Des Moines.
It all began when Michelle
and Jack Harker enrolled their
seven-year-old daughter Allison
in daycare at Christ the King
Parish five years ago.
The family, both Michelle
and Jack, and her sister Sue
Mills and her husband, Marvin
Mills, were impressed with
Christ the King Parish, watched
it grow over time and
occasionally took part in parish
activities.
When it came time for
Allison to start kindergarten last
year, keeping her at the parish
school seemed the best option.
The family was impressed by the
school and staff.
Allison
began
When
coming home talking about the
Body of Christ, all four adults
wanted to know what that was
about.
So the Harkers and the
Mills went to meet with the
parish pastor, Msgr. Frank
Bognanno.
They signed up for RCIA
with Deacon Larry and Susan
Kehoe.
“We’ve always had a heart
for God and been involved in
church activities,” she said.
“We could see how with Mass
that attention is on the Eucharist
and not on the preacher’s
sermon,” Sue Mills said. “We’ve
discussed that we get so much
more out church services. We’ve
just grown so much.”
Sue and Michelle’s mother,
Shirley Comegys, decided to
come, too.
The group ran into cousin
Shane Theis when they first
began meeting for RCIA.
Shane Theis’s daughter
Hannah, a sophomore at
Dowling Catholic High School,
will be Shirley Comegys’s
sponsor.
This Easter vigil, Allison
will be baptized. Joining her in
An extended family, led by a
Church at Easter vigil.
coming into full communion in
the Catholic Church will be her
parents, her aunt and uncle, her
grandma and cousin Shane
Theis.
Two high school seniors
from Southeast Polk County
High School will enter into the
Church at Easter vigil at Ss. John
and Paul Parish in Altoona.
Taylor McPherson and
Dakota Doyle had known each
other since seventh grade and
have been playing football
together for their high school.
Yet, each had no idea that the
other had a tie to Ss. John and
Paul, until they encountered each
other at the parish after inquiring
separately about the RCIA
process.
“The first thing we did was
laugh,” McPherson said.
The boys had been part of a
weekly group meeting at the
high school for young men and
saw that the others in the group
had the support base that comes
from belonging to a faith
community, said David Drey, the
catechist serving McPherson and
Doyle.
“They both had a sense that
there is something greater than
themselves,” Drey said.
McPherson had been
attending Mass at Ss. John and
Paul with his family. The rest of
the family had been baptized but
he had not.
“I was just sitting there in
church and I just wanted to be
part of that community,” he said.
Attending Mass also played
a major role in Doyle’s decision
to become Catholic.
Doyle’s
father
and
stepmother are Catholic, but the
family had gotten away from
practicing the faith and he was
not baptized.
His father asked him to
think about entering the Church
when he was around 15, Doyle
said.
“I thought about it more,”
Doyle said. “It just
felt right.”
As Easter vigil
approaches, Doyle
said, “I’m a little bit
nervous. But I’ve
been
looking
forward to this for a
long time.”
McPherson
agreed.
“I’m just really
excited to join the
Church and be part
Tyler McPherson and Dakota Doyle at
of it and joining at Rite of Election.
the
table
for
Eucharist,” he said. “I’m glad I’ve been part of this.”
Andy Giles, 23, of Des
Moines, will enter the Church
this Easter at St. Catherine of
Siena Student Center in Des
Moines.
Giles,
who
is
developmentally challenged,
began attending Mass a year
ago at St. Catherine when he
told his friend and legal
guardian, Dennis Steele, he
wanted to join a church. Steele
took him to a range of faith
traditions. Giles liked Steele’s
church, St. Catherine.
“He felt most comfortable
there,” Steele said.
Giles developed an interest
in becoming a member of the
parish through his Mass
attendance, Steele said.
The two contacted Father
Joel McNeil, pastor at St.
Catherine, about Giles going
through the RCIA process.
Giles has taken to the parish
community, helping with coffee
and donuts after Mass, and with
Sunday night student suppers.
“He’s
a
wonderful
servant,” said Father McNeil.
“He’s happy to help out and
pitch in.”
“He’s become a regular
part of the community of St.
Catherine,” Steele said. “He
just really has shown an interest
in being part of the
community.”
St. Catherine parishioners
Russ and Jean Samson will
stand up for Giles at his
baptism during Easter vigil.
Samson said that Giles had
expressed to Steele that he felt
so comfortable in the parish
because he has seen how
welcome the deaf community
was there and that made him
more comfortable with his own
disability.
When asked what attracted
him to the Catholic faith, Giles
said, “All Catholics are family.
You worship together. You stay
together.”
He also liked the parish
community. “Everbody is
friendly. I like friendly,” he
said.
Another inspiration in
Giles’s journey has been his
former teacher at Ruby Van
Meter School in Des Moines.
The since-retired Babette
Marten, or Grandma Babs as
Giles knows her, a Lutheran,
has encouraged him in the
process and plans to be there
when he enters the Church at
Easter vigil.
“I knew from the get-go
When it was time for
Maddie Skinner to start third
grade, her parents Victor and
Janet Skinner decided to
change schools and try St.
Albert School in Council
Bluffs.
“St. Albert was such a
welcoming
school
and
community, they made us feel
at home and that we made the
right decision,” Janet said.
During the year, the Carter
Lake girl started bringing home
homework such as having to
learn prayers, studying the
liturgical year and the Trinity.
“When I first had religion
class, it was confusing,”
Maddie said.
“I think in some ways, I
didn’t realize how hard it would
be for her and then I realized it
was a big change,” Janet said.
The
whole
family
experienced a big change:
mom, dad and daughter will be
baptized at Easter vigil.
Now in fourth grade,
Maddie has come to know two
priests, Father George Komo
and Father David Fleming who
have taught religion at St.
Albert School. She’s also
helped at the weekly school
Mass as a greeter.
“She learned stuff we
didn't have a clue about,” said
Victor, who described the
family as not practicing any
religion.
Victor and Janet would sit
with Maddie and read her
religion homework with her.
After a while, the family
decided to try attending Mass
Our Lady of Carter Lake
Church, where they already
knew most of the parishioners.
“They were just as
welcoming as St. Albert,” Janet
said.
As a result of Maddie
learning about the Catholic
faith at school, and then talking
about it at home, her parents
began to think they wanted to
explore it more on their own
and signed up for the RCIA
program through the triparishes of Holy Family, Queen
of Apostles and Our Lady of
Carter Lake in the Council
Bluffs area.
They’re not learning about
the faith just because Maddie is
learning about it in school,
though, Janet said. She and
Victor were open to exploring
their own lives and God’s role.
“There’s a lot of soul
said.
Victor
searching,”
“Everything just seemed like it
fell in line.”
Teenagers drawn to faith
7-year-old, will join the
“Jack and I just feel like
we’re doing the right thing,” said
Michelle Harker. “It’s just been a
wonderful experience.”
Welcoming community draws young man
that
he
would do
this,” she
said. “He’ll
always be
special in
my heart,
and I’ll tell
you, I love
Andy Giles
him dearly.
He knows
when he leaves this earth he’s
going to paradise. I encourage
him 100-percent.”
As the Easter vigil
approaches, Giles said, “I’m
counting down to the day. I’m
excited. I’m ready for it.”
Daughter catechizes family through religion homework
Victor, Janet and
Maddie Skinner
Priests, Sisters celebrate major anniversaries
www.dmdiocese.org
Diocesan priests
Celebrating 50 years
Father Paul Koch celebrates
50 years as a
priest May 28.
He was born
in Panama in
Shelby County,
and is the older
brother
of
Father
Gene
Koch.
Father Koch was ordained in
1961 by Bishop Edward Daly at
St. Ambrose Cathedral. He
taught at Dowling Catholic High
School before serving in Bolivia
for 46 years.
He retired in 2009, and lives
in Council Bluffs where he
serves the Hispanic community.
Father Koch’s anniversary
celebration will begin June 5
with 2 p.m. Spanish Mass at the
Queen of Apostles Church.
Bob
Aubrey
Father
celebrates 40 years in the
priesthood May
22.
in
Born
Philadelphia,
Penn.,
Father
Aubrey
was
ordained in 1971
BVM Sisters
To send a congratulatory
message to a sister or to donate
to the BVM congregation on
behalf of these sisters, please go
to www.bvmcong.org/whatsnew
_jubs.cfm.
Three Sisters of Charity of
the the Blessed Virgin Mary
congregation who served in the
Des Moines diocese are among
five diamond jubilarians who
will gather in the Mount Carmel
Motherhouse
Chapel,
in
Dubuque on Sept. 11 for a
liturgy of thanksgiving.
Sister Noella Cavallero was
born June 2, 1919, in San
Francisco, Calif. She entered
Two Sisters of Charity,
BVM with ties to the Des
Moines diocese will celebrate 50
years in religious life this
summer. They will be among 13
BVM golden jubilarians who
will gather in the Mount Carmel
Motherhouse
Chapel
in
Dubuque on July 31 for a liturgy
of thanksgiving.
Sister
M.
Colleen
McGinnity (Rose Maureen)
was born Dec. 24, 1943, in St.
Paul, Minn. She entered the
Sisters
of
Charity, BVM
on July 31, 1961.
She professed
first vows on
Feb. 2, 1964, and
final vows on
Feb. 2, 1969.
In the Diocese of Des
Moines, Sister Colleen studied
nursing and worked as a nurse at
Mercy Hospital in Des Moines
(1992–97). She served in parish
ministry in Chariton from
1988–92. She has also
ministered in Dubuque, Illinois,
New York, Texas and Louisiana.
Diocesan News
by Bishop George Guilfoyle in
Camden, N.J.
He was pastor for St. Patrick,
Massena and St. Timothy,
Cumberland, and Our Lady of
the Holy Rosary in Glenwood.
Father Aubrey served as
administrator and pastor for St.
John the Apostle Parish when it
was located in Cumming.
Since 2001 he has performed
hospital chaplaincy in Des
Moines.
Father Ken Gross celebrates
40 years in the priesthood May
29.
Father Gross
from
comes
in
Westphalia,
Shelby County.
He was ordained
in 1971 in Harlan
by
Bishop
M a u r i c e
Dingman.
He served at St. Ambrose
Cathedral and St. Augustin
Parish, both in Des Moines. He
was pastor for St. Mary, Anita,
St. Joseph, Casey, St. John,
Adair, St. Clare, Clarinda and
Sacred Heart, Bedford, as well
as All Saints/St. Mel in Des
Moines.
Father Gross served as pastor
for Holy Family Parish in
the Sisters of
the
Blessed
Mary
Virgin
congregation
on Sept. 8,
1936.
She
professed first
vows on March
19, 1939, and final vows on
Aug. 15, 1944.
Moines, she taught elementary
school at St. Francis Xavier in
Council Bluffs. She also taught
elementary school in Montana,
Hawaii, and California, where
she was also principal for 19
years. From 1990–2004 she
served as a volunteer in San
Francisco. She is now retired
and living at Mount Carmel in
Since 2000, Sister Colleen has
been director of parish ministry
in Port Charlotte, Fla.
Sister Sandra Rodemyer
(St. Philip) was
born Jan. 5,
1941,
in
LaCrosse, Wis.
She entered the
Sisters
of
Charity, BVM
on July 31,
1961.
She
professed first vows on Feb. 2,
1964, and final vows on Feb. 1,
1969.
Sister Sandra has spent her
years of ministry in Iowa. In the
Diocese of Des Moines, she
taught at Dowling High School
in West Des Moines from
1974–93. She also taught high
school at St. Albert in Council
Bluffs and Regina in Iowa City.
She was on staff of Inspiration
Book Store and University Book
Store. She served as director of
DMARC
Food
Pantry
(1995–2007). She is currently
ministering at the Iowa
Correctional Institution for
Women/Mercy Hospice.
Council Bluffs, before becoming
pastor at St. Mary in Red Oak
and St. Patrick in Imogene,
where he has been since 2003.
Father Gross’s anniversary
celebration will begin May 29
with 3 p.m. Mass at St. Mary in
Red Oak, with a picnic to follow.
Weston. He was administrator
for St. Mary, Anita, St. John,
Adel, and St. Joseph, Casey,
before becoming administrator
for Immaculate Conception in
St. Marys, Assumption in
Churchville and St. Patrick in
Irish Settlement.
Since 2003 he has been pastor
at St. Patrick Parish in Audubon
and Holy Trinity Parish in Exira.
Father Gubbels has also been
moderator for the Des Moines
Council of Catholic Women and
chaplain for the Serra Club of
Des Moines.
His anniversary celebration
will be June 12 with 1:30 p.m.
Mass at St. Patrick Church in
Audubon, followed by a
reception.
Father Wayne Gubbels will
celebrate 40 years as a priest
May 29.
Originally from
Earling, Father
Gubbels
was
ordained in 1971
in Harlan by
Bishop Dingman
as well.
He served at
Holy Trinity Parish in Des
Moines and Sacred Heart in
Woodbine, as well as St. Anne in
Logan and St. Bridget in
Magnolia.
Father Gubbels was on the
faculty at St. Albert High School
in Council Bluffs before
becoming associate director for
the diocesan Vocations Office.
He served St. Anthony Parish
in Des Moines, St. Mary Parish
in Shenandoah and St. Mary
Parish in Hamburg.
Father Gubbels was pastor for
St. Patrick Parish in Neola and
St. Columbanus Parish in
Msgr. Mike Hess celebrates
40 years in the priesthood May
29.
Msgr.
Hess
was born in Des
Moines. He was
by
ordained
Bishop Dingman
in Harlan in
1971.
He served at
St. Michael Parish in Harlan and
St. Ambrose Cathedral in Des
Moines. He also served on the
faculty and served as president
Dubuque.
Sister Ann Galvin (Syra)
was born Oct. 16, 1919, in
Kansas City, Mo. She entered
the BVM congregation on Sept.
8, 1936. She professed first
vows on March 19, 1939, and
final vows on Aug. 15, 1944.
In
the
Diocese of Des
Moines, Sister
Ann taught at
St.
Joseph
Academy from
1939–41. She
also taught in
Montana, Colorado, Illinois and
California, where she also
served as a companion and on
the office staff at Guadalupe
College in Los Gatos. She is
now retired and living at Mount
Carmel in Dubuque.
Sister Mary James Orth,
was born Dec. 22, 1917, in
Burlington, Iowa. She entered
the BVM congregation on Sept.
8, 1936. She professed first
vows on March 19, 1939, and
final vows on Aug. 15, 1944.
Moines, Sister Mary James
15
of Dowling Catholic High
School.
He became pastor for Sacred
Heart Parish in 2000.
Msgr. Hess will celebrate June
4 with 5:30 p.m. Mass at Sacred
Heart Church, with a picnic to
follow.
Father Larry Hofmann will
celebrate 40 years of priesthood
May 29.
Father Hoffman
comes
from
Panama in Shelby
County. He was
ordained in 1971
by
Bishop
in
Dingman
Harlan.
Father Hoffmann served at St.
Joseph Parish in Des Moines and
in team ministry in Leon.
He was pastor for St. Anne,
Logan,
Holy
Family,
Mondamin, Queen of Apostles,
Council Bluffs, St. Anthony, and
St. Theresa in Des Moines.
He was named founding
pastor of St. Luke the Evangelist
Parish in Ankeny.
He will celebrate his
anniversary to the priesthood
May 29 with a reception in the
multi-purpose room of Our
Lady’s Immaculate Heart Parish
in Ankeny.
taught at St.
Francis Xavier
in
Council
from
Bluffs
1962–65 and at
St.
Joseph
Academy from
1965–72. Also in Iowa, she
taught in Cascade, Clinton,
Davenport and Iowa City. She
also
taught
and
was
principal/superior in Tennessee,
Nebraska, California and
Illinois. She is retired and living
at Mount Carmel in Dubuque.
16
National/Diocesan News
U.S. bishops echo long-standing
Church teaching on workers’ rights
WASHINGTON (CNS) —
Amid ongoing battles between
Republican governors and
organized labor in Midwestern
states, U.S. Catholic bishops
have echoed the long-standing
Church tradition of workers’
rights.
But they have also noted
that there are no easy-fix
solutions in today’s battered
economy. They have urged
workers and government
officials to work for the
common good and called on the
members of public employee
unions to make sacrifices.
The bishops’ words haven’t
gone unnoticed. Just as this
debate has stirred passions
across the country, people have
criticized the U.S. bishops for
either being too supportive of
unions or not supportive
enough.
“Hard times do not nullify
the moral obligation each of us
has to respect the legitimate
rights of workers,” Milwaukee
Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki
said in mid-February, during
angry protests in Wisconsin
over the Gov. Scott Walker’s
proposal to curb public
employees’ collective bargaining power for benefits and
increase the premiums they pay
for health care and their pension
contributions.
After a three-week standoff
that brought tens of thousands
www.dmdiocese.org
of protesters to Wisconsin’s
state capitol, the state’s Senate
passed
the
Republicans
governor’s plan March 9
bypassing Democratic senators
who fled the state to block the
legislation. The next day, the
state Assembly passed a
slimmed-down version of the
bill that stripped nearly all
collective bargaining rights
from public workers.
Bishop Pates issues statement on
labor-management relations
Bishop Richard Pates issued a statement on labormanagement relations that Father David Polich, pastor of St.
Patrick Parish in Perry, presented at a gathering April 4
sponsored by the Iowa Federation of Labor at the Iowa Capitol.
The statement is as follows.
In the midst of turmoil encyclical letter, Caritas in
related to labor unions and the Veritate, Pope Benedict XVI
current economy, it is states, “The repeated calls . . .
appropriate to reiterate long for the promotion of workers’
standing Church teaching associations that can defend
dating back to 1891 and Pope their rights must therefore be
honored today even more than
Leo XIII.
The Church in its teaching in the past.” (#25) In Laborem
on labor has steadfastly upheld Exercens, Pope John Paul II
that workers deserve just called labor associations “an
wages and benefits, decent indispensable element of social
working conditions and the life, especially in modern
ability to organize and engage industrialized societies,” but
also reminded unions “to
in collective bargaining.
Archbishop
Jerome secure the just rights of
Listecki of Milwaukee recently workers within the framework
stated: “Hard times do not of the common good of the
nullify the moral obligation whole of society.” (#20)
The present moment
each of us has to respect the
legitimate rights of workers.” offers an opportunity for
At the same time, the unions and management to
Archbishop stated that unions work strenuously for the
need to “make sacrifices when common good in order that all
required” in adjusting to “new in society might participate
justly and equitably in the rich
economic realities.”
“In his most recent gifts of a beneficent creator.
17
Diocesan/International News The Catholic Mirror, April 15, 2011
Pope John Paul II
Masses, feast day for Blessed John Paul
beatified because of
VATICAN CITY (CNS) recognized by the entire Polish.
A local bishop or the
-- The feast day of Blessed Catholic Church spread
John Paul II will be marked throughout the world,” led to superior general of a religious
the way he lived
Oct. 22 each year in Rome a general permission for the order is free to choose the day
www.dmdiocese.org
ROME (CNS) — Pope
John Paul II is being beatified
not because of his impact on
history or on the Catholic
Church, but because of the way
he lived the Christian virtues of
faith, hope and love, said
Cardinal Angelo Amato,
prefect of the Congregation for
Saints’ Causes.
“Clearly his cause was put
Local shrine to be
blessed
will dedicate a shrine at
Christ the King Parish in
Des Moines on May 1, the
same day Pope John Paul II
will be beatified in Rome.
Msgr. Frank Bognanno,
pastor at the parish, noted
that day is Divine Mercy
a
day
of
Sunday,
significance to the late Holy
Father.
The parish created the
shrine because Christ the
King Parish was the first
place the pope stepped foot
west of the Mississippi
said
Msgr.
River,
Bognanno. He explained
that when Pope John Paul II
stepped off the plane at Des
Moines
International
Airport, he was stepping in
Christ the King Parish.
on the fast track, but the
process was done carefully and
meticulously, following the
rules Pope John Paul himself
issued in 1983,” the cardinal
said April 1, during a
conference at the Pontifical
University of the Holy Cross in
Rome.
The cardinal said the
Church wanted to respond
positively to many Catholics’
hopes to have Pope John Paul
beatified quickly, but it also
wanted to be certain that the
pope, who died in 2005, is in
heaven.
Cardinal Amato said the
sainthood process is one of the
areas of Church life where the
consensus of Church members
really counts.
“From the day of his death
on April 2, 2005, the people of
God began proclaiming his
holiness,” and hundreds, if not
thousands, visit his tomb each
day, the cardinal said. A further
sign is the number of
biographies published about
him and the number of his
writings that are translated and
re-published.
Declaring someone a saint,
the Church attests to the fact
that he or she lived the
Christian virtues in a truly
extraordinary way and is a
model to be imitated by others,
the cardinal said.
and the dioceses of Poland.
The
Vatican
also
announced April 11 that
Catholics worldwide will
have a year to celebrate a
Mass in thanksgiving for
Pope
John
Paul
II’s
beatification.
The Masses need to be
celebrated by May 1, 2012,
one
year
after
the
beatification.
While
thanksgiving
Masses for a beatification -like the observance of a feast
day -- usually are limited to
places where the person lived
or worked, “the exceptional
character of the beatification
of the Venerable John Paul II,
Keep in touch with
what’s happening
with the
Diocese of Des
Moines throughout
the month by being
a “fan” of the
diocesan
FACEBOOK page:
Diocese of
Des Moines
thanksgiving Mass, said a
decree from the Congregation
for Divine Worship and the
Sacraments.
The
decree
was
published in the Vatican
newspaper, L’Osservatore
and
included
Romano,
about
the
information
thanksgiving Mass, Pope
John Paul’s feast day, annual
Masses in his honor and
naming churches after him.
The
newspaper
also
published the text of the
opening prayer -- formally
the “collect” -- for his feast
day Mass in Latin, English,
French, German, Spanish,
Italian, Portuguese and
or dates as well as the place or
places for the thanksgiving
Mass, as long as the Masses
are celebrated by May 1,
2012, which is one year after
the beatification.
In the Diocese of Rome,
where Pope John Paul served
as bishop, and in all the
dioceses of his native Poland,
his feast day is to be inserted
automatically into the annual
calendar, the decree said. Oct.
22 was chosen as the day to
remember him because it is
the anniversary of the
liturgical inauguration of his
papacy in 1978.
Provincial visits
Bishop Richard Pates dined recently with Father John
Fogarty, U.S. provincial for the Congregation of the
Holy Spirit, and priests from that religious order who
are serving in our diocese. Pictured are: Father Felix
Onuora, of Holy Spirit Parish of SE Warren County;
Father Fogarty, Father Emmanuel Agwuoke of St.
Augustin Church in Des Moines, Bishop Pates, Father
Remigius Okere of Assumption Church in Granger
and Father Anthony Adibe, chaplain at Mercy Medical
Photo by Anne Marie Cox
Center in Des Moines.
Bishop installs pastor
Bishop
Richard Pates
installed
Father Larry
Hoffmann as
pastor of the
diocese’s
newest
parish, St.
Luke the
Evangelist,
on April 10.
Photo by Mike
Gatzke
Pastor has surprise birthday party
Parishioners held a surprise birthday party at the
American Legion Club for Father Vern Smith’s 65th
birthday in mid-February. Joining him was Bishop
Richard Pates, Father Smith’s seminary classmate
Father Dennis Huffman of the Davenport diocese, and
Father Ken Gross, pastor of St. Mary in Red Oak.
Morir y resucitar: El Misterio Pascual
18
Las Hermanas de la
Visitación en Minneapolis
gustan de contar sobre un
recluso en prisión que cometió
un crimen terrible que le costó
una sentencia de por vida sin
opción a libertad condicional.
Él, como resultado de esto, ha
sido detestado y rechazado
prácticamente por todos –
familia y amigos. Él incluso
estaba aislado de los demás
reclusos. Su estado mental era el
odio hacia sí mismo y la
desesperación.
Las Hermanas de la
Visitación, quienes estaban
Diocesan News
ubicadas cerca de donde este
hombre estaba encerrado en
Iowa, empezaron a visitarlo. Al
inicio él era impenetrable. Él
estaba la mayor parte del tiempo
en estado catatónico. Pero las
Hermanas persistieron.
Un día el prisionero les
respondió con una sonrisa vaga e
hizo contacto con sus ojos.
Pasaron muchos meses antes de
que empezara a abrirse un poco
para tener al menos una mínima
conversación.
Las monjas
fueron fieles y tuvieron mucha
paciencia.
Al inicio, hubo
pequeños brotes de conversación
By
Bishop
Richard E.
Pates
y, eventualmente, señales de
humanidad y conversaciones
más largas.
el
tiempo,
las
Con
Hermanas le empezaron a contar
a este hombre sobre Jesús. Esta
historia nunca había tenido
ningún impacto en él.
El
escuchó atento y, conforme se
desarrollaba la historia, se
enfocó en la Pasión y en la
Crucifixión. Por medio del
poder del Espíritu empezó a
darse cuenta de que había un
mensaje de amor aunado a la
muerte de Jesús. Y que ese amor
era para él. Al contemplar esta
realidad, el prisionero acogió
este mensaje de manera
personal.
Comenzaron a
disminuir su desesperación y
desesperanza.
www.dmdiocese.org
Eventualmente, el recluso
se dio cuenta de que había
alguien que lo había amado,
alguien quien se preocupaba
profundamente por él – alguien
que
se
preocupaba
tan
profundamente que había estado
dispuesto a dar la vida por él.
Estos descubrimientos dieron
llegada a momentos de
transformación
en
donde
corrieron lágrimas y se fue
aliviando la dureza de su
corazón conforme se conectaba
con Jesús.
Un talento en particular que
tenía este prisionero era el de
tallar madera. Inspirado por
haber encontrado su nueva fe en
el Cristo, talló un crucifijo. En
su trabajo, él pudo capturar el
misterio de la muerte de Cristo.
En la muerte misma de Cristo
venía una nueva vida. Era una
nueva vida como la que él
mismo había experimentado
cuando aceptó la salvación de
Dios.
Su visión artística
capturaba el misterio pascual:
“En verdad os digo, que a menos
que el grano de trigo caiga en la
tierra y muera, seguirá siendo
solamente un grano de trigo;
pero si muere, produce fruto
abundante.” Juan 12:24
El prisionero les dio el
crucifijo a las Hermanas de la
Visitación en una genuina
muestra de gratitud por haberlo
presentado a la historia de la
salvación – una historia que lo
liberó de la profundidad de su
desesperación a una esperanza
liberadora. Las Hermanas han
atesorado el crucifijo. Fue un
regalo de despedida a unas
Hermanas que dejaron el
monasterio establecido para
abrir una nueva casa en un
peligroso vecindario asediado
por el crimen en las zonas
centrales de Minneapolis. Ahí
las hermanas vivieron el
misterio pascual muriendo a sí
mismas para dar vida a otros al
traer esperanza a un vecindario
oscurecido por las sombras del
crimen
e
infestado
de
estupefacientes y otras drogas.
El crucifijo fue también la
inspiración del escultor Robert
Nicpon de San Paul.
Él
desarrolló una imagen del Jesús
agonizante que al mismo tiempo
irradia vida.
Muriendo y
Resucitando.
El Misterio
Pascual.
Este cuerpo fue
colocado en la plataforma en
donde está ubicado el altar en la
Iglesia de San Ambrosio en
Woodbury Minnesota. Invita a
todos aquellos partícipes en el
sacrificio de Jesús, el sacrificio
de la Misa, a volverse uno sólo
en Él al morir y resucitar y
Continuar en el pagina 19
Classifieds
www.dmdiocese.org
Morir y resucitar: El Misterio Pascual
hacernos presentes en el
misterio pascual del Señor
Jesús. Él regalo del prisionero,
su visión artística, expresado en
un crucifijo, sigue inspirando a
los demás.
Al entrar a la Semana Santa
y especialmente al celebrar el
Tríduo, los tres días en que
celebramos el misterio pascual –
Classified Ads
Campus Ministry - Saints
John and Paul Parish of
Burlington, Iowa, and Saints
Mary and Patrick Parish of
West Burlington, Iowa, and
Notre Dame Schools in
Burlington are seeking a
Director of Campus and Youth
Ministry and part time Jr./Sr.
High School classroom
religious instructor. This
person is responsible to teach
part time at Notre Dame
Schools, coordinate campus
ministry for grades 6-12 and
coordinate youth ministry for
the parishes in Burlington and
West Burlington. The
candidate must have
exceptional interpersonal skills;
be an excellent listener and
communicator, be a leader who
will inspire young people to
develop their faith and possess
organizational and leadership
skills to develop campus and
youth ministry programs. In
addition, this person must be
excited about their Catholic
faith and want to share it with
others. This position requires
flexible hours and some
evening and weekend
responsibilities. B.A. and
experience preferred.
Applications should include a
focused cover letter, resume,
and three references.
Information received via email
is preferred. Apply to Campus
Ministry Search Committee,
700 Division St., Burlington, IA
52601 or [email protected]
Evangelization Coordinator The Catholic parishes of
Burlington and West Burlington,
Iowa, are seeking an
Evangelization Coordinator.
This full time paid position
begins July 1, 2011. This
person must be excited about
their Catholic faith and wants to
share it with others. This
person will administer a total
evangelization program for the
parishes; provide leadership to
assist the parishes’ community
in the proclamation of the Good
News with the active and
inactive and alienated, the
unchurched and those of other
faith traditions. In addition to
designing the evangelization
program, this person is to
develop an evangelization
team, train leadership for the
parishes, coordinate the RCIA
and Adult Faith Formation
programs. A theology degree
with a certificate in pastoral
ministry/religious education,
experience with RCIA and
parish ministry experience are
preferred. This position
requires frequent evening and
weekend work. Applications
should include a focused cover
letter, resume, and three
references. Information
received via email is preferred.
Apply to Evangelization
Coordinator Search Committee,
700 Division St., Burlington,
Iowa 52601 or
[email protected]
Campus Minister - St.
Stephen the Witness Catholic
Student Center, located near
the University of Northern Iowa
campus, seeks a full time
college campus minister.
Campus Minister will work
collaboratively with staff
members, student leadership
and community members.
Master’s Degree in Religious
Studies or Theology, or
willingness to work toward
Master’s Degree, preferred.
Experience in Social Justice,
RCIA, Spiritual Direction and/or
Counseling, preferred. Full
consideration will be given to
applications submitted by April
25. Send resume and
references to Search
Committee, St. Stephen the
Witness Catholic Student
Center, 1019 West 23rd Street,
Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613.
19
nos
enfocamos
intencionalmente en esa realidad
– con calma – que ha cambiado
todo, la muerte y resurrección
del Señor Jesús.
Es mi oración especial y mi
deseo de todo corazón que todos
ustedes en la Diócesis de Des
Moines se den la oportunidad de
tomar las cosas con más calma y
participar en estos preciosos días
que conmemoran la acción
transformadora de la muerte y
resurrección de Jesús. Esperamos
que también podamos estar aún
más unidos con Jesús al morir y
resucitar uniéndonos a Él en ese
proceso que genera una nueva
vida.
Benditas y muy felices
pascuas para todos en la
comunidad diocesana. ¡Aleluya!
Director
Office of Evangelization and Catechesis
The Archdiocese of Omaha is seeking an
experienced, theologically-trained individual to
serve in an executive leadership role, the Director
of the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis
(now known as the Catholic Faith Formation
Office), a Cabinet-level position, beginning July
1, 2011. For a more complete job description and
for application instructions, go to
www.archomaha.org/aboutus/careerops.html.
Director
Stewardship and Development Office
The Archdiocese of Omaha is seeking an
experienced individual to serve in an executive
leadership role, the Director of the Stewardship
and Development Office. A cabinet-level
position, the successful candidate will lead an
office that identifies and develops financial
resources to meet the present and future temporal
needs of the central administrative offices of the
Archdiocese, as well as assist its parishes,
schools, and other key apostolates. Proven
experience and skill in major gift solicitation and
capital campaigns is a must, as well as a
thorough understanding of Christian stewardship
and the ability to teach and promote this form of
spirituality. The position is open immediately.
For a more complete job description and for
application instructions, go to
www.archomaha.org/aboutus/careerops.html.
Pastoral Associate
St Cecilia Church, a 1500-family parish in Ames,
IA, is seeking a full time Pastoral Associate.
Qualifications: active participant in the work of
the Catholic Church and participation in the full
sacramental life of the Church; MA in Theology or
equivalent; experience in parish based ministry;
certification or certification eligible as a Pastoral
Associate. Salary is commensurate with education
and experience. Job description available upon
request. Send resume and two letters of reference
to St Cecilia Pastoral Associate Search Committee,
2900 Hoover, Ames, IA 50010. Deadline for
applications is April 25 with anticipated hire date
July 1, 2011.
Faith Formation Director
St. Cecilia Church, a 1500-family parish in Ames,
IA, is seeking a full time Director of Faith
Formation. Qualifications: active Roman Catholic
participating in the full sacramental life of the
Church; MA in Theology or equivalent, as well as
demonstrated competence in Theology,
catechetics, administration, educational methods,
and supervision. Minimum of three years parish
experience coordinating a total parish faith
formation program. Salary is commensurate with
education and experience. Job description
available upon request. Send resume and two
letters of reference to St. Cecilia Faith Formation
Search Committee, 2900 Hoover, Ames, IA
50010. Deadline for applications is May 1 with
anticipated hire date July 1, 2011.
20
Bishop’s schedule
Continued from page 1
Sunday, May 8
Carlisle – Confirmation, St.
Elizabeth Seton, 9 a.m.
Monday, May 9
Clarinda – Mass, Clarinda
Correctional Facility, 9:15 a.m.
Granger – Knights of
Columbus talk, James G.
Jordan Assembly, Assumption,
7 p.m.
Tuesday, May 10
Executive Committee meeting,
Catholic Pastoral Center, 10:30
a.m.
Norwalk – Confirmation, St.
John the Apostle, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, May 11
Charities Board of Directors
meeting, Catholic Pastoral
Center, 9 a.m.
Friday, May 13
Des Moines – “In the
Heartland with Bishop Pates,”
KWKY Des Moines; KVSS,
Omaha, 10 a.m.
Building Commission meeting,
Catholic Pastoral Center, 1
p.m.
Glenwood – Confirmation,
Holy Rosary, 7 p.m.
Saturday, May 14
Des Moines – Equestrian
Order
Holy
Hour
and
Luncheon, Des Moines Golf &
Country Club, 10 a.m.
Neola – Confirmation, St.
Patrick and St. Columbanus at
St. Patrick, 4 p.m.
Father Dietzen dies
Diocesan News
Council Bluffs – St. Albert
Graduation, St. Albert School,
2 p.m.
Monday, May 16
Des Moines – School
Centennial Mass, St. Pius X
Grades 5-8, 10:30 a.m.
St. Catherine of Siena, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, May 17
Mass
with
Atlantic –
Catechetical
Leadership
Association of the Des Moines
diocese, Ss. Peter & Paul, 9:30
a.m.
Cedar Falls - Iowa Catholic
Conference Board meeting, 3
p.m.
Wednesday, May 18
Cedar Falls – Iowa Provincial
Bishops meeting, American
Martyrs Retreat House, 12:30
p.m.
Des Moines – Centennial Mass
with parish youth from St. John
in
Adel,
St.
Ambrose
Cathedral, 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 19
Campus Ministry evaluation
review, Catholic Pastoral
Center, 10:30 a.m.
West Des Moines – Dowling
Baccalaureate, St. Francis of
Assisi, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, May 20
Des Moines – “In the
Heartland with Bishop Pates,”
KWKY Des Moines; KVSS,
Omaha, 10 a.m.
West Des Moines – Dowling
Catholic graduation, Drake
Knapp Center, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 15
Victim Assistance Advocate
The diocese’s Victim Assistance Advocate is Mary
McCoy, a staff member at Polk County Victim Services.
She helps victims of sexual abuse of minors by clergy
through a complaint process and in seeking support and
counseling services. She can be reached at 515-2862024 or [email protected].
Business Directory
PEORIA, Ill. (CNS) —
Father John J. Dietzen, the
foremost question-and-answer
columnist in the Catholic press
for 35 years, died March 27 at
OSF St. Francis Medical
Center in Peoria. He was 83.
A priest of the Diocese of
Peoria
whose
weekly
“Question Corner” columns
have been offered through
Catholic News Service since
1975 and were later compiled
in book form, Father Dietzen
had been hospitalized since
suffering a heart attack March
6 at his Peoria residence.
Bishop Daniel R. Jenky of
Peoria was the principal
celebrant of a funeral Mass on
March 31 at St. Vincent de
Paul Church in Peoria. Burial
followed in St. Mary’s
Cemetery, Peoria.
Father Dietzen served as
associate editor of The
Catholic Post, the newspaper
of the Diocese of Peoria, from
1957 — when it was known as
The Register — until 1973. He
was a former board member
and secretary of the Catholic
Press Association of the
United States and Canada.
Following the Second
Vatican Council, Father
Dietzen in 1968 began a
www.dmdiocese.org
The Question Corner
By
Father
John
Dietzen
question-and-answer column
in The Catholic Post called
“The Question Box” to help
understand
the
readers
changes taking place in the
Church.
Letters began coming in
on all aspects of Catholic life,
ranging from marriage and
family issues to ecumenism,
Scripture, the sacraments and
more. After the column was
syndicated by CNS, Father
Dietzen would regularly
receive hundreds of questions
each week.
The purpose of his
—
and
book
column
compilations which followed,
including “The New Question
Box” first published by
Guildhall in 1981 and the
current 560-page “Catholic
Q&A: All You Wanted to
Know About Catholicism”
(Crossroad) — was to help
readers “recognize how our
Catholic faith, in all its living
expressions of worship, faith
and service, can enhance (our)
intimacy with God,” Father
Dietzen wrote in 1997.
“What is very moving and
inspiring is the desire that so
many people, good people,
have to grow in their faith and
understanding, to grow in their
grasp of their movements with
God and prayer,” Father
Dietzen said in an interview
with the Catholic New World,
newspaper of the Archdiocese
of Chicago, in 2000.
Father Dietzen has for
years been “the most popular
and widely circulated columnist
in the stable of Catholic News
Service,” said Tony Spence,
director and editor-in-chief.
“His great and enduring
talent was his pastoral response
to the thousands of reader
questions he answered over the
years,” said Spence. “He never
compromised the Church’s
teachings and always encouraged his readers to look to their
parishes and the sacraments for
solace. He never forgot that, at
the end of the day, it was a
human being who put a
question in his box and that
person required a human
answer.”

Diocesan News - Diocese of Des Moines

Transcription

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