July 2014 - Diocese of Santa Rosa

Transcription

NORTH COAST CATHOLIC
The newspaper of the Diocese of Santa Rosa • www.srdiocese.org • JULY 2014
BISHOP VASA ORDAINS NEW PRIEST
Santa Rosa—Before a full cathedral, several diocesan and
seminary priests, and Bishop-emeritus Daniel Walsh, Diocese of Santa Rosa Bishop Robert F. Vasa ordained the Rev.
Mr. Jose Isaac Alejandro de La Cruz to the priesthood on
Saturday, June 21.
Vasa bestowed holy orders upon de la Cruz during a
10:30am Mass at St. Eugene Cathedral in Santa Rosa.
“Fr. de la Cruz demonstrates a real joy for and commitment to the gospel that’s evident in everything he does,”
Bishop Vasa said.
In other remarks, the bishop noted, “The ordination of
a man to the priesthood is an occasion of great joy for a
diocese and for a diocesan bishop. Through the priesthood
a man makes a complete gift of himself to God for the sake
of the gospel and the sanctification of God’s people. This is
something about which we all need to be very grateful, not
only to the man for making the gift but especially to God
for granting the grace of the call to priesthood. Priesthood
is God’s gift to mankind, and man’s gift is the gift of himself
to the priesthood. I pray that all priests recognize how great
is the treasure of the priesthood and how precious is the
call to serve as a priest of God.”
When asked what he plans to do with his priesthood, Fr.
de la Cruz replied, “My every thought is to serve the People
of God in my every word and in every place and bring and
show the love of God to everyone.”
Fr. de la Cruz hails from Tantoyuca, Veracruz, Mexico.
He is the youngest of 13 children, with 8 brothers and 4
sisters, one of whom is deceased, as is his mother. He is
the only one of his family to enter religious life. Although
greatly into sports and music as a boy, he also developed
an early love for praying and reading.
It was these latter hobbies that led him to know Jesus was
Fr. de la Cruz and Bishop Vasa
the way for his life, that he wanted to be another Christ and
devote his life to spreading and sharing the glory of God.
Father graduated from Santa Maria de Guadalupe Minor
Seminary in Veracruz in 1999. He then matriculated to the
Seminario Diosesano De Tuxpan Ignacio Lehonor Arroyo
in Tuxpan De Rodríguez Cano, Veracruz-Llave, Mexico,
where he studied until in 2006. He entered Gonzaga University in Washington that same year to study English and
to be a seminarian for the Diocese of Spokane.
In 2011, however, he transferred his diocesan affiliation
to Santa Rosa and was ordained to the transitional diaconate on October 30, 2013, at Mount Angel Seminary in Mt.
Angel, OR, from which he graduated in 2014.
In his first assignment, he will serve as parochial vicar
(or curate) at St. Francis Solano Church in Sonoma, CA. ❖
Sacred space: preservation
through renovation
Artist's rendering
by Dcn. Gary Moore
Santa Rosa—A transformation is underway at St.
Eugene Cathedral. For instance, the heating and
electrical systems need updating. Pews and stained
glass windows need mending. The average person
probably wouldn’t notice these since they concern
the building’s infrastructure.
What everyone will notice, however, are the makeovers to the sanctuary. The purpose of these renovations is to focus our worship experience as we glorify
God in the Mass. This is a good thing.
Perhaps the most well-known example here in
California of defining an inner space as a sacred
space set apart for beauty and worship is the Mission-style church.
Such a church’s exterior is often quite simple and
unadorned. The interior, however, is completely different.
Lift up your hearts
When we step within and are in the presence of our
Redeemer, we have entered another world. Heaven
touches earth. Because of this, the inside of these
churches tend to be magnificent. Intricate craftsmanship, beautiful colors, and only the finest, most
precious materials are deemed worthy for worship,
and they shout out, “This is indeed the house of God!”
The intention is to lift our hearts to the Lord and
inspire us, and it does.
It is hoped we can achieve the same thing at St.
Eugene. Thus an exciting part of those renovations
is the acquisition of a baldacchino (pro. “ball-dahkey-no”).
A baldacchino is a square canopy that is suspended by four pillars over a high altar. It is meant to
mimic the canopy used in eucharistic processions
such as on the Feast of Corpus Christi. Indeed that
is what distinguishes it from an ordinary canopy. It
2 north coast catholic / july 2014 / www.srdiocese.org
is used to help define a sacred space and thus focus
our worship as we glorify God in the Mass. (The
most well-known example of a baldacchino was
constructed by the artist Bernini and covers the
high altar of the Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican.)
Because of the changing demographics on the East
Coast and the spate of parish closings there, we have
become the beneficiary of one of these incredibly
beautiful structures.
An inspiring history
It comes from Ascension of the Lord, a beautiful
church in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Sadly, it
closed in 2012.
There were many good times before that point, however. Indeed, the church was the center of neighborhood
life, and it had many social justice programs. Once,
Ascension’s pastor asked the famous baseball player
Babe Ruth if he would play on their youth baseball team
as a fundraiser the next time his Yankees came to town.
“The Bambino” agreed and was astonished to see over
10,000 fans at the game.
But over the years, the neighborhood changed, the
numbers of parishioners declined, and much needed
repairs were postponed until they could simply not
be accomplished in a cost effective way.
Now? The decay and disrepair of this church are
heart wrenching.
It was once a gleaming edifice, however. The church
began construction in 1899, relying on the generosity
and donations of the working class families who lived
in the neighborhood. The impressive Italian-style
granite church was completed in 1914. Again, it was
through the widow’s mite willingly and lovingly given
by these often poor people that this imposing temple
to God was built.
Through it all, within the deteriorating church, this
beautiful, ethereal baldacchino remained pristine,
seemingly immune to the decay devouring everything
else around it. It is something one would expect from
a structure created from the finest (and now quite rare
marble) in all of Italy during the 1920s.
Now St. Eugene possesses this wonderful piece.
Like the working class church it has served so well,
had the cathedral not purchased it, it would have suffered demolition and disposal in the very near future.
Thus we are preserving a link to a church which has
lived its life.
Providentially, the cost of purchase, transport, and
installation are less than anticipated for the necessary
upgrades to the sanctuary. Money has been raised
for this through the parish’s (not diocese’s) capital
campaign.
A place of connection
There are many names for a church, but its primary
one is “House of God.” The church building needs
to be a sacred place, a transcendent place, a place
where we can worship our Creator as a community.
It is a place where we listen to the word of God and
experience His Real Presence.
Now it will also be a place where we can experience a connection to our brothers and sisters in the
Faith from long ago who lived in a Philadelphia
working class neighborhood. We are respecting,
paying honor to, and keeping alive the real sacrifice
they lovingly made.
Our companions in the Communion of Saints
have handed us their past as well as a new future. It
is now up to us to preserve that legacy and hand it
on to our own future generations. ❖
WEEDS AMONgST THE WHEAT
As
you may know, I grew up on a farm where
we had an automatic appreciation of new life.
Indeed, our very sustenance depended upon it.
Cows gave birth to calves, an event we frequently
witnessed and even at times assisted since calves
were part of our livelihood. Ducks hatched
broods of ducklings, and it was always a delight to
be surprised when one day the ducklings simply
appeared trailing behind a protective mother.
The wheat, taking in the warm sun and spring
moisture, quickly grew, and there was promise
of a harvest and future bread for the hungry.
We lived in the midst of life, and we sought to
preserve, protect, and foster it. We did this for
our livelihood and for the benefit of the world.
Life was a blessing, never a curse. Well, almost
never. You see, along with the wheat there was
dock weed. Along with the corn there were cockleburs and sunflowers. I suppose I could name
eight to ten of my least favorite weeds, and these
were seen as the enemy for they impeded the life
we were trying to foster. After all, seed for corn,
wheat, soybean, alfalfa, oats, and sorghum were
planted with the intent that they bear fruit in
multiples of 30 or 60 or 90.
So when intruding weeds threatened that
intent, we took action. It’s hard work! Weeds
are pervasive and persistent, and it seems they
have more strength and perseverance than the
hybridized, domesticated grain producing plants.
We tried eradicating these enemies, but contrary
to our best efforts, none of them ever even came and one can see it is a kind of cocklebur that
literally permeates the entire soul because it
close to making the endangered species list.
causes us to put inordinate stock
As a child I was frequently aware
of how unending struggle exemin ultimately irrelevant things.
plified the struggle between good
As Pope Francis recently told
and evil. We knew that without
young couples, these material
vigilance, the weeds would always
objects that replace openness to
win.
children might make us “careThe point is that a worthwhile
free” and “more comfortable.”
harvest requires care, nurturing,
But when we grow old, we will
protection, diligence, and perfind ourselves accompanied only
severance. As it is with farming,
by “solitude, with the bitterness
so it is with the most precious
of loneliness.”
From the Bishop
“harvest,” the spiritual life of the
How did we come to this point
soul.
in our culture where an innocent
There are many “weeds” that
pre-born child is seen as some
Bishop robert F. Vasa is
constantly threaten it. Some of
kind of nemesis? As in the Gospel
these “weeds” are delightful to the
the sixth bishop of the
parable of the one who sowed
Diocese of santa rosa.
cocklebur among the wheat (Matt
eye and good to the taste, yet they
are ultimately destructive.
13:36-43), clearly an enemy has
Take one instance: contraception. We live in done this, an enemy of life, an enemy of good, an
an age when it is not only deemed good but now enemy of genuine love.
mandated as necessary. We live in an age when These “weeds” did not spring up overnight. First
the “fruit of the womb” is deemed to be no fruit there grew the small weeds of vice, selfishness,
at all, and the weed of abortion is both defended self-centeredness, self-indulgence, and/or sensualand protected as essential.
ity. If not vigilantly contended with, these weeds
Besides these prevalent and popular weeds, overtake the soul and lead even to the destruction
there are many others which are the many sins of pre-born children.
of society of which we are all a part. Our own We must be more persistent than these weeds,
quest for pleasure and personal fulfillment for without such vigilance, the weeds will always
appears innocent enough. Look deeper, though, win. ❖
HIERBAS MALAS ENTRE ELTRIgO
Como ustedes saben, crecí en una granja donde
tuvimos una apreciación automática de una
nueva vida. De hecho, nuestro propio sustento
dependía de ello. Vacas dieron a luz a los terneros, un evento del cual con frecuencia fuimos
testigos e incluso a veces simplemente asistimos
ya que los terneros eran parte de nuestro sustento. Patos eclosionaron crías de patos, y era
siempre una delicia ser sorprendido cuando un
día los patitos simplemente aparecían detrás de
su madre protectora.
El trigo, tomando el cálido sol y la humedad de
la primavera, creció rápidamente, y había promesa
de una cosecha y el pan futuro para los hambrientos. Vivimos en medio de la vida, y tratábamos de
preservar, proteger y fomentarla. Hicimos esto para
el sustento de nuestra vida y para el beneficio del
mundo.
La vida era una bendición, nunca una maldición. Bueno, casi nunca. Vea usted, junto con el
trigo había hierba mala. Junto con el maíz había
cardos y girasoles. Supongo que podría nombrar ocho a diez de mis hierbas menos favoritas, y éstas eran vistas como el enemigo por que
impedían la vida que estábamos tratando de
fomentar. Después de todo, la semilla de maíz,
trigo, soja, alfalfa, avena y sorgo se sembraron
con la intención de que darían fruto en múltiplos
de 30 o 60 o 90.
Así que cuando las hierbas malas amenazaron con esa intención, tomamos medidas. Es
un trabajo duro! Las malas hierbas son penetrantes y persistentes, y parece que tienen
más fuerza y la perseverancia de las plantas
productoras de cereales hibridados, y grano
domesticado. Tratamos de erradicar a estos
enemigos, pero al contrario de nuestros mejores esfuerzos, ninguno de ellos incluso llegó
cerca de ser puesto en la lista de especies en
peligro de extinción.
De niño yo era frecuentemente consciente de
cómo la lucha interminable ejemplificó la lucha
entre el bien y el mal. Sabíamos que sin vigilancia,
las hierbas malas siempre ganarían.
El punto es que una cosecha que vale la pena
requiere cuidado, crianza, protección, diligencia
y perseverancia. Así como sucede con la agricultura, lo mismo sucede con la más preciada
“cosecha”, la vida espiritual del alma.
Hay muchas “hierbas malas” que constantemente amenazan. Algunas de estas “hierbas
malas” son una delicia para la vista y bueno para
el gusto, sin embargo, son en última instancia
destructivas.
Tome un ejemplo: la anticoncepción. Vivimos
en una época en la que no sólo es considerado
bueno, pero ahora el mandato de ser necesario.
Vivimos en una época en que se considera que
el “fruto del vientre” no es fruta en lo absoluto,
y la maleza del aborto es a la vez defendida y
protegida como esencial.
Además de estas malezas prevalentes y populares, hay muchos otros que son pecados de la
sociedad de la que todos formamos parte. Nuestra
propia búsqueda del placer y la realización personal parece bastante inocente. Sin embargo, Mira
más profundo, y se puede ver que es una especie
de hierba mala que impregna literalmente todo el
alma, porque nos lleva a poner interés en las cosas
finalmente irrelevantes.
Como el Papa Francisco dijo recientemente a
las parejas jóvenes, estos objetos materiales que
sustituyen a la apertura a los niños podrían mantener nos “sin preocupaciones” y “más cómodos”.
Pero cuando nos hacemos viejos, nos encontraremos acompañados solo por “la soledad, con la
amargura de la soledad.”
¿Cómo hemos llegado a este punto en nuestra cultura donde un niño inocente pre-nacido
se ve como una especie de némesis? Como en
la parábola evangélica de quien sembró cizaña
entre el trigo (Mateo 13:36-43), claramente un
enemigo ha hecho esto, un enemigo de la vida, un
enemigo de lo bueno, un enemigo del verdadero
amor.
Estas “hierbas malas” no surgieron de la noche a
la mañana. Primero crecieron las malezas pequeñas de vicio, egoísmo, egocentrismo, auto-indulgencia, y/o la sensualidad. Si no vigilantemente
cuidamos contra, estas hierbas malas superaran
el alma y nos llevaran incluso a la destrucción de
los niños pre-nacido.
Tenemos que ser más persistente que estas hierbas malas, ya que sin esta vigilancia, las hierbas
malas siempre van a ganar. ❖
north coast catholic / july 2014 / www.srdiocese.org 3
SUMMERTIME
Summertime. Perhaps no other season is so pregnant with
potential and possibilities, especially for the young. They have
no school and, for most, few responsibilities. Those without a
driver’s license will go swimming, play outdoors, play indoors
on game systems, or spend even more time watching TV.
If kids have more mobility, it means drives: to the ocean,
Vallejo’s theme park, the river, the ice cream shop, or to any
of the places driving youth have gone since the advent of
the horseless carriage.
What about we who are only still teens or young adults
in our minds?
With many of us, summer is just another season. It may
conjure memories of a time when we were footloose and
fancy free. Mostly, though, the only significant extra miles
we’ll put on our cars is when we take our kids to their games
or other events.
It’s not hard to understand why. We pay obscene prices
for gasoline. Add to these the even more absurd prices we
pay for housing and food. How easy is it to save for that
family vacation?
Furthermore, even if our employers provide vacation
time (and many don’t), we have many good reasons for
not taking this.
However, just because we can’t load everyone into the
minivan and light out for Disneyland for two weeks, let’s
not allow the perfect to be the enemy of the good. As
G.K. Chesterton said, “If something is worth doing, it’s
worth doing badly.” After all, drive two hours from any
point in the diocese, and you have many things to do for
a reasonable price.
Go do these with your family. Build those memories.
In this issue, you will find suggestions of places you can
take your family or go with your spouse for a nice getaway.
Amongst these, we’ve listed several pilgrimage destinations. I love making pilgrimages. It only sounds boring to
those who haven’t done
it. Give it a shot.
This issue also celebrates the July 25
anniversary of Humanae Vitae. If you’re
unfamiliar with HV,
don’t feel bad. It was
soon-to-be Bl. Paul VI’s
1968 encyclical affirmFrom the Editor
ing the Church’s 2,000
year teaching that all
instances of marital love
Brian o’neel is communicamust be open to life.
tions director for the Diocese
In HV, Paul VI chalof santa rosa, california.
lenged the world to
something better than using sex solely for self-gratification. The world challenged back, with many Catholics
joining in. The Church effectively grew muffled. Our
planet has reaped the whirlwind ever since.
Or consider it this way: Our diocese just ordained a
new priest, and you’ll read his story here. He has eight
brothers. If there was a call to the priesthood, the first
one did not respond to it. Nor did the second. Nor did
the third. Nor did the fourth. Nor did the fifth, sixth,
seventh, or eighth.
It took the ninth brother to become a Father. Were his
parents not faithful to the Church’s teaching by letting their
conjugal love be open to life, we would not have this priest.
Finally, we also have an interesting article in Spanish
by Fr. Mario Valencia on how purveyors of the occult use
Catholic symbols and saints to draw in customers.
If you enjoy this month’s issue, won’t you please encourage others to read North Coast Catholic, too? We would
appreciate it. ❖
OFFICIAL

The Most Rev. Robert F. Vasa, bishop of Santa Rosa,
wishes to make the following announcements:
Fr. Loren Allen, temporary administrator of St.
Bernard Church in Eureka, resumes as pastor of St.
Philip Church in Occidental and St. Teresa of Avila
Church in Bodega, effective July 7, 2014.
Fr. thomas Diaz, pastor of Holy Spirit Church
in Santa Rosa, is appointed pastor of St. Bernard
Church and Sacred Heart Church, both in Eureka,
effective July 7, 2014.
Fr. ron serban, pastor of St. Mary Church in
Arcata, is appointed pastor of Holy Spirit Church
in Santa Rosa, effective July 7, 2014.
Fr. Balaswamy Govindu, administrator of St.
Aloysius Church in Point Arena and Mary, Star of
the Sea Mission in Gualala, is appointed pastor of
St. Mary Church, Arcata, effective July 7, 2014.
Fr. carlos ortega, pastor of Sacred Heart Church
in Eureka, is appointed pastor of St. Aloysius
Church in Point Arena and Mary, Star of the Sea
Mission in Gualala, effective July 7, 2014.
taking a Vacation from Mass
Fr. eliseo Avendaño, parochial vicar at St. Helena
Church in St. Helena, is appointed pastor of St.
Joan of Arc Church in Yountville, effective June 9,
2014.
We all need time off, time when we can sleep in, relax, and do what pleases us. If we decide to unplug
from our various devices, we can lounge and recharge our batteries. We don’t to have to do much of what
we normally must, especially if we leave town.
Fr. robert Blake is granted permission to
minister in the Archdiocese of Atlanta, effective
June 9, 2014.
That includes going to Mass, right?
Not quite. The Third Commandment is not the Third Suggestion. It does not say, “Thou shalt keep the
Lord’s Day holy … unless you’re on vacation.”
So as you plan your trips, excursions, and adventures, remember our Sunday obligation remains
whether we stay in town or go away from home.
If you are not sure where to find the Mass nearest your vacation destination, visit masstimes.org. Don’t
have Internet access? Your local librarian’s reference desk will help you find the closest Catholic church.
Have a great vacation!
CONTENTS
BISHOP VASA ORDAINS NEW PRIEST.........................................................1
IN MEMORIAM..........................................................................................7
SUPERSTICIÓN: MITO, REALIDAD, O ENGAÑO..........................................14
SACRED SPACE: PRESERVATION THROUGH RENOVATION...........................2
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.............................................................................8
THE SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL FATHERS SPEAK...................................14
WEEDS AMONGST THE WHEAT...................................................................3
BOKO HARAM: TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE .......................................................9
THE TOP TEN MYTHS OF MARRIAGE.........................................................15
FROM THE EDITOR......................................................................................4
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM: A GIFT FROM GOD THAT NONE CAN ERASE..........10
HIGH SCHOOL GRADS—CLASS OF 2014.................................................16
TAKING A VACATION FROM MASS.............................................................4
CALENDAR...............................................................................................10
ST. TERESA OF LOS ANDES: THE DISCONCERTING QUESTION...................18
OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS.....................................................................4
MAKING A CAMINO, MAKING MEMORIES................................................11
BIRTH CONTROL: WHY NOT?....................................................................19
NEWS BRIEFS.............................................................................................5
ADVENTURES IN THE DIOCESE.................................................................12
JULY SAINTS.............................................................................................20
GUARDING THE VULNERABLE....................................................................7
HUMANAE VITAE: WHAT IF? ....................................................................13
STAYING CATHOLIC BEYOND CONFIRMATION............................................7
NFP? LOL!.................................................................................................13
NORTH COAST CATHOLIC
The magazine of the Diocese of Santa Rosa
Most Reverend Robert F. Vasa
PUBLISHER
Brian O’Neel
EDITOR
July 2014
Volume 5: Issue 6
985 Airway Ct.
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
707.545.7610
Fax: 707.542.9702
http://srdiocese.org/news_and_events/
north_coast_catholic
North Coast Catholic is a membership publication
of the Diocese of Santa Rosa, 985 Airway Court,
Santa Rosa, CA 95403. Published 10 times a year.
Subscriptions are free for donors of $50 or more
to the Annual Ministries Appeal.
Send all subscription information and
address changes to: North Coast Catholic,
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CA or additional offices. POSTMASTER: Send
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Rosa, CA 95403.
©North Coast Catholic, Diocese of Santa Rosa.
Fr. Gregory Villaescusa, parochial vicar of St. Mary
Church in Arcata, is appointed administrator of St.
Kateri Tekakwitha Mission, Hoopa, and Humboldt
State University Newman Center, Arcata, effective
July 7, 2014. He will continue in residence at the
rectory of St. Mary Church, Arcata.
Fr. David Galeana, parochial vicar at St. Francis
Solano Church in Sonoma, is appointed parochial
vicar at St. Bernard Church and Sacred Heart
Church, both in Eureka, effective, July 7, 2014.
Fr. Juan carlos chiarinoti, a priest of the Diocese
of San Luis, Argentina, who previously served in
the Diocese of Baker, OR, is appointed parochial
vicar at St. John the Baptist Church in Healdsburg,
effective June 1, 2014.
Fr. Biju thalupadath, idM, a member of the
Institute Id of Christ the Redeemer (aka, Misioneros
Identes), a native of Pallipuram, Kerala, India, who
currently serves as parochial vicar at Sta. Maria
Church in the Bronx, Archdiocese of New York,
is appointed parochial vicar at St. Mary of the
Angels Church in Ukiah, effective, July 7, 2014.
Following his ordination to the priesthood, Fr.
José isaac Alejandro de la cruz is appointed
parochial vicar at St. Francis Solano Church in
Sonoma, effective July 7, 2014.
News Briefs
priest, “It was a lovely time, and both the conference and
the weather were perfect.”
On the Thursday morning following the meeting, several
chancery staff drove up to Mendocino to present to the
priests recent developments such as security measures,
changes in payroll and benefits, and a review of enhanced
Diocesan
“safe environment” standards.
Thanks go to Fr. Michaelraj Philominsamy, pastor of
On June 30, St. Apollinaris Church celebrated its fiftieth- Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Windsor and director
fifth anniversary as a parish. In 1964, then-Archbishop of Continuing Clergy Formation, for coordinating and
John Mitty of San Francisco determined Napa needed hosting the workshop.
another parish besides St. John the Baptist Church, which
was established 100 years earlier. He appointed the late Fr. Fr. Sean Rogers, pastor at St. John the Baptist Church in
Parnell McCarthy as first pastor and named the parish after Healdsburg, has hired Suzanne Crotty as the director of
a courageous bishop and martyr of Ravenna, Italy, who was Religious Education for the parish and school. A longtime
a disciple of St. Peter. The school opened in September member of the parish, Suzanne is bilingual and has many
1959. Interestingly, the parish did not have a permanent years’ experience as a grade school teacher and catechist.
Fr. Rogers says, “She will be able to link the school, parish,
church until November 1989.
and Spanish communities.”
There isn’t always much children can do to help when
someone is sick. These boys at St. Vincent de Paul Ele- National
mentary School in Petaluma recently got haircuts in support of fellow student Katia, a kindergartener undergoing Católicos latinos en Estados Unidos buscan
treatment for cancer. Sport Clips of Petaluma donated the llevar la fe a todos los aspectos de la vida
cuts for the project. Katia and her family are very appreLOS ÁNGELES (ACI/EWTN Noticias)—En agosto
ciative of the kind gesture. The school community also próximo, la Catholic Association of Latino Leaders
had a special prayer service and raised funds with special (CALL) realizará su conferencia nacional y buscará motibracelets to support both her family and another with a var una “revolución espiritual” para que los católicos latinos puedan llevar la fe a todos los ámbitos de la vida.
member who was recently diagnosed with cancer.
La conferencia de CALL se realizará del 14 al 17 de
agosto en Houston. El evento contará con charlas y talleres
interactivos, Eucaristías, confesiones y eventos sociales.
El objetivo es ayudar a que los líderes latinos crezcan en
su conocimiento sobre la fe católica. En colaboración con
sus obispos locales, los miembros podrán participar en
programas relacionados a la educación, medios de comunicación y temas legislativos.
El Arzobispo de Filadelfia, Mons. Charles Chaput,
expondrá sobre las enseñanzas del Papa Francisco, mientras que el Arzobispo de Los Ángeles, Mons. José Gómez,
hablará sobre la Nueva Evangelización en los medios de
comunicación masivos. Entre los demás exponentes se
encuentra el Arzobispo de San Antonio, Mons. Gustavo
With its July 7-11 camp, Camp RAD marked 20 years of Garcia-Siller, y el Obispo de Phoenix, Mons. Thomas
continual operation.
Olmsted
La conferencia se enfocará en las enseñanzas del Papa
On July 13, Msgr. Daniel Whelton—the Diocese of Santa Francisco, especialmente su exhortación apostólica EvanRosa’s vicar general—celebrates 10 years since Pope St. gelium Gaudium y su significado para la Iglesia y la comuJohn Paul II named him a prelate of honor with the title of nidad hispana.
La conferencia también promoverá el próximo Encuenmonsignor. Before his receiving the honorific, no priest in
the diocese had been named monsignor in nearly 20 years tro Mundial de Familias que tiene por objetivo fortalecer
las familias de todo el mundo. Este encuentro se realizará
and none has been made one since.
del 23 al 27 de septiembre en Filadelfia con la probable
Both St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Rohnert Park and presencia del Papa Francisco.
La inscripción a este evento es de $485 dólares para los
St. Joseph Church in Cotati recently celebrated the tenth
anniversary of their church and sanctuary, respectively. miembros de la Asociación Católica de Líderes Latinos y
The first was built and the second renovated in late 2003. $575 dólares para el público general.
Santa Rosa—The Press Democrat has honored Cardinal
Newman High School senior Nicolas Justice with a Youth
Service Award. Justice founded “a nonprofit that has raised
more than $20,000 to benefit education opportunities for
foster children.”
Lucerne—The Lake County Record-Bee reports, “Marymount California University’s Lakeside campus concluded its first continuing education course this past spring.
“The course, Fundamentals of Speech, focused on communication skills, public speaking, organization of ideas,
critical thinking, and audience adaptability.”
Rancho Palos Verdes-based MCU’s entry into Lake
County is a joint venture between the county government
and the school. Starting in August, the school will offer
bachelor’s degrees in several fields.
Following the conclusion of confirmation season, the
diocese’s priests met in Mendocino to hold their annual
June clergy workshop. The Most Rev. Robert McElroy,
auxiliary bishop of San Francisco, served as the workshop’s
presenter and led the priests through a reflection on “The
Spirit of Pope Francis in the New Evangelization.” Said one
Brothers’ show canceled because they are
Christian
Knoxville, TN—Television network HGTV had planned
an inspirational news series that would help poorer families
buy homes they never thought they could afford. The hosts
were to have been “the Benham guys,” twins and veteran
house flippers.
That is until the brothers’ biblical and historically Christian views on abortion, divorce, homosexuality, and Islam
surfaced. The network immediately canceled the show.
In a jointly released statement, the brothers said, “We
were saddened to hear HGTV’s decision. With all of the
grotesque things that can be seen and heard on television
today, you would think there would be room for two brothers who are faithful to our families, committed to biblical
principles, and dedicated professionals. If our faith costs
us a television show, then so be it.”
una serie de reflexiones en torno al derecho penal con
magistrados y juristas de reconocida trayectoria, a quienes
invitó a pensar su actividad ofreciendo algunas claves del
magisterio de la Iglesia. Les habló de la reparación del
daño causado, la confesión y la contrición del hombre que
comete un delito y del amor misericordioso y sanador de
Dios.
Anuncian consistorio sobre canonización de
seis nuevos santos para Italia y dos para India
VATICANO (ACI/EWTN Noticias)—Este jueves 12 de
junio, en la Sala del Consistorio del Palacio Apostólico de
la Santa Sede tendrá lugar el consistorio ordinario público
para ver las causas de canonización de seis beatos italianos
y dos indios.
Las causas son las de los italianos, Mons. Giovanni Antonio Farina, Obispo de Vicenza, fundador de las Hermanas
Maestras de Santa Dorotea Hijas de los Sagrados Corazones; Ludovico de Casoria, sacerdote profeso de la Orden
de los Frailes Menores, fundador de la Congregación de las
Religiosas Franciscanas de Santa Isabel, llamadas “Bigie;”
el oblato profeso de la Orden de los Mínimos, Nicola da
Longobardi; y Amato Ronconi, de la Orden Tercera de
San Francisco, fundador del Hospicio de los Peregrinos de
Saludecio, actualmente Casa de Reposo/Opera Pia Beato
Amato Ronconi.
Además se verán las causas del sacerdote Kuriakose
Elias Chavara de la Sagrada Familia, fundador de la Congregación de los Carmelitas de María Inmaculada; y la
religiosa Eufrasia Eluvathingal del Sagrado Corazón, profesa de la Congregación de las Hermanas de la Madre del
Carmelo; ambos de la India.
Feed the Future program saving lives
WASHINGTON—A May 19 story in The New York
Times reports, “An Obama administration program set up
to reduce chronic hunger and poverty has contributed to
rising incomes for farmers around the world and helped
save millions of people from starvation, according to a
report released Monday by the United States Agency for
International Development.
“The program, Feed the Future, was started by the
agency four years ago after a rapid rise in global food
prices. It has helped more than seven million small farmers increase crop production and has provided nutritional
foods to 12.5 million children in countries hit hard by
drought, war, or poor development.
“Despite the success of Feed the Future, Gawain Kripke,
director of policy and research at the international charity
Oxfam, said the program was not without its problems.
For example, a report by Oxfam on two Feed the Future
projects in Tanzania found that not all farmers were able
to participate in the programs.
“Still, Mr. Kripke acknowledged the program was making
a difference.”
British teenager: International star for
announcing his virginity
LONDON—LifeSiteNews reports a handsome 18-year-old
British high school senior has attracted global attention for
proudly proclaiming his virginity and his intention to keep it.
In an editorial, Phin Lyman said “that sex is an incredibly
strong symbol of love between two people.” Comparing
it to glue, Lyman writes that “once you have had sex with
someone, you’re connected to them emotionally and physically. If you tear that bond the rip leaves open scars where
the glue once was. That’s why ‘casual sex’ never works in
the long term.”
Boko Haram wants to “hurt the heart of
Nigeria”
NEW YORK (ACN)—The leader of Nigeria’s Catholics
has spoken out—expressing his concerns for the girls kidnapped in the north of his country.
Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Jos, president of the
Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, described his
International
anguish over the plight of the 276 schoolgirls still being
held by the terrorists of Boko Haram.
El Papa Francisco pide fomentar reinserción de
The children were among more than 300 students seized
delincuentes en la sociedad
by the Islamist group from a secondary school in Chibok,
BUENOS AIRES (ACI—El Papa Francisco compartió Borno state on the night of April 14, 2014.
Archbishop Kaigama (ACN Photo)
The prelate told Aid to the
Church in Need, “I am very
worried. These girls have never
been outside of their village,
and now they are in the bush.
“I just pray that the religious
values that Boko Haram promotes are sufficient to influence
them to respect the dignity of
these girls.
“They are just innocent girls
and every human being feels bad
about this. Life is sacred.”
Asked why he thought the terrorist group had carried
out the kidnappings, Archbishop Kaigama replied, “They
want to hurt the heart of Nigeria.”
Ven. Pope Paul VI to receive beatification
Vatican City (CNA)—The Vatican has announced Pope
Paul VI will receive beatification at the conclusion of the
Synod of Bishops on the Family, October 19, 2014.
That the beatification ceremony will take place at the
conclusion of the bishops meeting is fitting because Paul
VI is particularly remembered for Humanae Vitae, his
encyclical that spoke about the importance of generosity in
married love and the principles of responsible parenthood.
Born in Italy’s Lombardi region in 1897, he became Pope
at age 66 and chose the name Paul VI in reference to the
missionary spirit of St. Paul.
After Pope St. John XXIII’s death, he re-convoked the
Second Vatican Council, and in an historic move in December 1965, joined Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras I in mutually lifting the excommunications that had
been leveled against the leaders of both churches in 1054.
While other popes are known for their writings, Paul’s
writings are forgotten. This is ironic, since even beyond
Humanae Vitae, his are monumental. His encyclical Ecclesiam Suam is breathtaking, and the apostolic exhortation
Evangelii Nuntiandi (On Evangelization in the Modern
World) is the definitive Catholic work on how to evangelize.
However, after the 1968 release of Humanae Vitae, he never
wrote another encyclical. Some say the coordinated and vocal
dissent against the document shocked him so much, he chose
to keep his pen mostly silent thereafter. As an example, two
month’s after Humanae Vitae’s release, the conference of Canadian bishops issued the infamous Winnipeg Statement, which
effectively told Catholics they could ignore the encyclical.
Paul died August 6, 1978. His successor, the Servant of
God John Paul I, died 33 days after assuming the papacy,
and Pope St. John Paul II ascended to the Chair of Peter in
October, making 1978 “the Year of Three Popes.”
Paul’s beatification was approved after it was determined
his intercession led to the medically inexplicable healing
of a California boy who was diagnosed in utero with an
incurable disease. The boy is still healthy and a teenager.
gospel. Remember that the Church was born to go forth
that morning of Pentecost,” the Pope said.
“Let yourselves be guided by the Holy Spirit with that
same freedom.”
According to the Associated Press, he also “told the
faithful that the devil wants to destroy the family, which
he described as the ‘domestic Church.’”
Irish Women Religious Story Retracted
In early June, the Associated Press reported that women
religious at an Irish orphanage had dumped the bodies of
700-800 dead babies in a septic tank. Understandably, the
news caused shock and outrage.
Soon after the story broke, however, people began poking
holes in it. First, the size of a septic tank needed to hold
the bodies of that many people would be gigantic. Second,
putting bodies in such a receptacle would back up the
plumbing to an egregious degree. Third, the Sisters were
devout and would never have allowed such a wholesale
desecration of these person’s bodies.
Perhaps most important, however, is the fourth point:
The place where these children were laid to rest was indeed
gigantic, but that is because it was a burial vault.
As Forbes magazine reported at the time, “Professor
Finbar McCormick, of Queens University [Belfast], says
‘The structure as described is much more likely to be a
shaft burial vault, a common method of burial used in the
recent past and still used today in many parts of Europe.
“‘In the nineteenth century, deep brick-lined shafts were
constructed and covered with a large slab which often
doubled as a flatly laid headstone … Such tombs are still
used extensively in many Mediterranean countries.
“‘Many maternity hospitals in Ireland had a communal
burial place for stillborn children or those who died soon
after birth. These were … often in a special area within the
grounds of the hospital.’”
As a result of widespread furor over the inaccurate story,
AP has printed a retraction.
Around this same time, the news media also reported
Pope Francis had abruptly cancelled all July appearances
because he supposedly had taken ill.
In actuality the Holy Father was simply slowing down his
schedule because it was July, the month he takes vacation,
as did most of his predecessors. The major difference is that
other pontiffs took their rest at Castel Gandolfo, whereas
the current Vicar of Christ chooses to stay in Rome. As
Catholic News Service’s John Thavis reported, Francis’
schedule this July is similar to the one he had in 2013.
“There is no sickness whatsoever,” said spokesman Fr.
Thomas Rosica in reply to a CNN reporter’s question
about the Holy Father’s health. “If there was, we would be
open about that and ask people to pray for him.”
This is not to say the Pope doesn’t get tired and might
need a little rest now and then. After all, he is 77-yearsold, his day begins with 7am Mass and does not end until
8pm. How many near octogenarians can maintain such a
schedule without a break?
This August, he plans a five-day trip to South Korea for
Asia Youth Day, a spinoff of World Youth Day. There he is
expected to beatify roughly 120 Korean martyrs.
Vatican laicizes former nuncio
Vatican City—May 31, 2014: A rosary procession winds through the Vatican Gardens
during a special event dedicated to the Virgin Mary May 31, 2014.
Do not cage the Holy Spirit, Pope tells massive
Rome gathering
Rome (CNA/EWTN News)—At a huge rally attended by
52,000 people from around the world held in early June,
Pope Francis cautioned the faithful to not “cage” the work
of the Holy Spirit in evangelizing, but make the adoration
of God the “foundation of renewal.”
“Go forth into the streets and evangelize, proclaim the
Vatican City—Following abuse accusations last fall
involving Archbishop Josef Wesolowski, the former apostolic nuncio to the Dominican Republic, the Vatican has
concluded the first part of his canonical trial with a guilty
verdict and laicization.
Accusations of sexual misconduct were reported last
year regarding the former nuncio, which led to his August
21 resignation.
In September the Vatican expressed its willingness to
hand the former nuncio over to civil authorities, even
though it is not required to do so since there is no extradition treaty between the Vatican and the Dominican Republic and since it possesses the legal right to invoke diplomatic
immunity in protection of the nuncio.
In a June 27 announcement making known Msgr.
Wesolowski’s laicization, the Vatican explained he now
has two months to appeal. His penal trial before Vatican
judicial authorities will begin again as soon as the canonical
sentence is definite.
Quija board not a toy
London’s Daily Mail has reported, “Three American friends
have been taken to hospital after reportedly becoming ‘possessed’ by evil spirits while playing with a Ouija board.
“Alexandra Huerta, 22, was playing the game with her
brother Sergio, 23, and 18-year-old cousin Fernando
Cuevas at a house in the village of San Juan Tlacotenco in
southwest Mexico.
“Paramedics [had to restrain] Alexandra to prevent
her from hurting herself, before treating the three with
painkillers, anti-stress medication, and eye drops, which
seemingly worked.”
A health official noted “‘whether the trio were really
possessed, or had simply convinced themselves that they
were, was not for doctors to comment on.’
“Alexandra's parents said they had called paramedics
after a local Catholic priest refused to perform an exorcism
on the three because they were not regular churchgoers.”
Those familiar with the occult have said for years that
the Ouija board is not a toy, that it is possibly the fastest
way to open oneself to demonic influence, and that retailers
should remove the item from their shelves.
México: Consagran estado de Morelos a los
sagrados corazones de Jesús y de María
MÉXICO DF (ACI/EWTN Noticias)—El estado mexicano
de Morelos con su única diócesis, la de Cuernavaca, fue consagrado a los Sagrados Corazones de Jesús y de María al término
de la semana Eucarística organizada con el fin de preparar a
los fieles en oración para este magno evento de fe y pidiendo
por la paz para que cese el clima de violencia, así como por la
vida, la familia, las vocaciones y la evangelización.
El obispo de Cuernavaca, Mons. Ramón Castro Castro,
realizó el acto de consagración durante la celebración de
la Santa Misa que inició luego de la procesión que realizaron cientos de personas por algunas calles de la ciudad
el sábado 21 de junio.
Morelos es uno de los estados mexicanos donde existen
altos índices de delincuencia, que incluye secuestros, extorsiones y asesinatos ocasionados por el crimen organizado.
En este estado también se viene impulsando por parte
de algunas autoridades la despenalización del aborto, el
mal llamado “matrimonio” homosexual, la adopción de
niños por parejas del mismo sexo y los derechos sexuales
y reproductivos.
Mons. Castro asumió la Diócesis hace menos de un
año ha mantenido una lucha constante en la defensa de la
vida y la familia a pesar de las fuertes críticas recibidas, en
marzo de este año por ejemplo, los masones de Morelos
anunciaron acciones jurídicas en su contra por encabezar
una marcha según señalaron los demandantes de carácter
político por el día de la familia.
Sudanese woman's death sentence overturned
Khartoum, Sudan (CNA/EWTN News)—Family members and religious liberty advocates applauded the news
that after months of international outcry, an appeals court
overturned a Sudanese woman’s death sentence for refusing
to denounce her Christian faith. As of this writing she and
her family are living at the American embassy in Khartoum
waiting for a chance to flee to the United States.
Meriam Yehya Ibrahim, 27, had been charged with abandoning Islam under Sudanese law. Because her father was
a Muslim, Ibrahim was legally considered a Muslim even
though her mother raised her as an Orthodox Christian
after her father left the family when she was six-years-old.
She has since become Catholic.
Despite pressure and threats of death, Ibrahim had
refused to renounce her Christian faith while in prison.
Her husband Daniel Wani, a US citizen, told the BBC he
wants his family to leave Sudan as soon as possible.
Besides the crime of apostasy—or the abandoning the
Islamic faith—Ibrahim was also charged with adultery
because her marriage to her Christian husband was not
considered valid due to her putative Muslim faith. ❖
kNOW YOUR CHILD’S WORLD!
One of the basic principles of parenting is to know your
child’s world. That’s pretty evident. That’s also relatively
easy when they are little. Theirs is a little world, and we
have control over that world.
Once they start school and interacting with other children and other adults, however, well, all that they see and
hear is no longer in our complete control. Our children
now become influenced by other families’ beliefs, those of
their teachers, and the media.
The television shows you don’t allow into your home,
kids discuss them at school. The political leanings or spiritual beliefs of your family get dissected in the classroom.
The innocence you strive to maintain in your children
often gets trashed in the media.
I had an experience when one of my daughters was in high
school. She was playing soccer, and the team was warming
up on the field while a loud speaker blasted pop music.
The lyrics degraded women and called them vicious
names. I was dumbstruck. All this under the apparent
approval of the adult in charge!
I recently read an article about a father in New Hampshire. He protested the assignment of a novel containing a
graphic sex scene as required reading for his ninth grade
daughter. He made his protest at the school board meeting.
The board refused to remove the book.
There comes a point where you have to trust the adults
in charge of your children to show common sense and
good judgment. Sadly, sometimes that judgment doesn’t
match you own.
So what do you do? Shrug your shoulders? No.
Know as much as you can about the adults and the situation before you entrust your child to them. Then talk to
your child. The conversation I had with my daughter about
}
the lyrics was enlightening—to her and to me.
It opened the door for
several conversations –
about music, about what
you allow in your head,
about men and women,
a conversation that
continues to this day—
eight years later when
Guarding the Vulnerable
a celebrity beats up his
girlfriend and she stays
with him.
julie sparacio is diocesan
When it comes to the
director of child and
books your children are
youth Protection.
assigned to read—if you
haven’t read them already – pick them up and read them.
Some of them are tough to get through, I know. Ever read
Bless Me, Ultima? Ugh. Do it anyway. It’s hard to talk intelligently if you don’t really know the subject. Thus reading
the book lends credibility to your conversation.
You could have an opportunity to discuss the story’s
apparent and implied values and how they differ or agree
with yours. For example, the sex scene in the novel referenced above could engender a conversation about sexual
purity that may be more palatable for a teen. It’s not about
“them,” it’s about “the story.”
It’s not always a predator who corrupts your child. Sometimes it’s just someone who thinks differently than you do.
But the break down in innocence they cause could make
it easier for the next person to expose your child to more,
and that person’s motive may be anything but innocent. ❖
in MeMoriAM
Fr. Gerard Krapf, CPPS
July 1, 1971
Fr. Norman van Sile
July 2, 1984
Fr. Bernard Ganger, CPPS
July 5, 1977
Fr. Joseph Green, CPPS
July 6, 1986
Fr. Sixtus Cavagnaro, OFM
July 8, 1992
Msgr. Walter J. Tappe, VG, PA
July 28, 1997
}
STAYINg CATHOLIC BEYOND
CONFIRMATION
by Randy Hain
Along with 174 other tenth graders in his class, my son
recently received confirmation. Before a packed church, the
bishop did a wonderful job explaining to the young people the
tremendous gift of our Catholic faith and their responsibility
to use this gift in their daily lives.
As I later watched him anoint each forehead with chrism
oil and say their chosen saint’s name, a thought occurred
to me: ‘What if many of the young people (and possibly
their parents as well) mistakenly viewed confirmation as
a graduation ceremony instead of an important milestone
in their continuing journey as Catholics and followers of
Christ? Would they gradually fall away from the practice
of their Catholic faith? Would they enter their college years
spiritually ill-equipped to withstand the secular onslaught
that often confronts them during one of the most formative
periods of their lives?’
As startling as these questions should be, it should be
even more startling to recognize parents can prevent this
from happening.
After all, why do many Catholic teens drift away from
the Church after confirmation (if not before)? They may
not be seeing good examples at home of how to live one’s
Catholicism. As painful as it may be to admit, we may not
be modeling and teaching the Faith to our children. The
excuses we may offer about being too busy or “that is what
CCD is for” or “I pay good money for my kids to attend
Catholic school” may seem logical, but they don’t hold water.
Our vocation as parents is to get our families to
heaven. This calling requires us to make sure our children know their Catholic faith and live it far beyond
confirmation.
“Education in the faith by the parents should begin in
the child’s earliest years. This already happens when family
members help one another to grow in faith by the witness
of a Christian life in keeping with the gospel. Family catechesis precedes, accompanies, and enriches other forms
of instruction in the Faith. Parents have the mission of
teaching their children to pray and to discover their vocation as children of God” (CCC 2226).
•
•
•
stand what happens in it and its importance?
Do we talk about our faith when we are together,
perhaps over a meal or in the car?
Do we read and study the lives of the saints and
Scripture together?
Do we show the light of Christ to our children (and
everyone else)? Do we make the way to Christ and
the Catholic Church look more inviting because of
our actions?
This is a challenging list, and I found it very convicting to answer these questions. Yet they help us address
A challenging checklist
the vital importance of truly living our faith and taking
How can we know whether we are on the right track as seriously the responsibility of preparing our children to
always be true to their Catholic faith and helping them
parents? Perhaps this checklist might help:
attain heaven. ❖
• Do we pray with our kids every evening, over all
meals, and on any other occasion where it is merited Used with permission from Randy Hain. His newest book,
(e.g., an act of thanksgiving after Mass)?
Journey to Heaven: A Road Map for Catholic Men (Emmaus
• Do we take our kids with us to adoration?
Road Publishing) came out May 12, 2014. Order from your
• Have we taught our children to seek the Blessed local Catholic bookstore.
Mother’s or another saint’s intercession when we
experience difficulties or when we pray for others?
• Do we ever pray the Rosary as a family?
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FREEDOM ISN’T FREE
Fr. Francis Sampson, who was known as the “Parachute Padre,” gives last rites to paratroopers killed in action during the D-Day invasion of Normandy. Credit: US Navy
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
I have to admit I was a bit taken aback by the point of view
expressed in your “Eucharist 101” article in the latest copy
of North Coast Catholic. I'm afraid the early Church Fathers
would turn over in their graves if they heard that the Real
Presence of Christ in the Eucharist could be proven, or
really, have anything to do with the fact that it has on
occasion, apparently, turned to blood. This rather borders
on the superstitious, and even if true, completely overlooks
the glorious deeper mystery of the message of the Blessed
Sacrament. St. Augustine says, “Receive what you are to
become!” Now that is something to consider!
In any case, though I know for sure your good intention,
I want to assure you that we do not have to be spoken to
as children or the “simple folk”—at least, not all the time
and not all of us.
Still, very grateful for your work,
Parishioner at St. Eugene Cathedral
would benefit from this information. So that we can bring
them to where you are, we included those details with which
you took issue.
Letters Policy
Thank you for the articles on the Sacred Heart in the
June North Coast Catholic. Actually I thought the whole
issue was well done as usual.
Marie Hughes
Santa Rosa
Greetings to you and your readers. There are 5,000
children and three schools in my parish. Can you kindly
inquire whether your readers could help by sending pens,
pencils, rosaries, paper, notebooks, used prayer cards, used
magazines, and statues for our children?
Fr. Paul Cruz
Kollam, Kerala, India
Editor’s response: Thank you for your kind, sincere, and
appreciated note. May I humbly suggest, however, that your
supposition about the Church Fathers rolling in their graves Editor’s response: Fr. Cruz, done! If anyone wants to help Fr.
may be more of a reflection of your personal perspective and Cruz help his children, please write to the following e-mail
less of what may be the case. After all, why would they have address or call the Communications office at the curia/chanany qualms that Our Lord—Who worked miracles galore cery, and we will put you in touch with him. Also, there is
while on earth—chooses to work yet more/other miracles a Catholic grade school in Pakistan, as well as a Sister in
from heaven by allowing Transubstantiation to be visibly that same nation who ministers to slave children who need
the same materials. We will happily put you in touch with
manifested?
I appreciate that you do not need the witness of your them, as well.
eyes or of the science alluded to in the piece. Many, though,

Email: [email protected]
Write: Letters to the Editor
North Coast Catholic
985 Airway Ct.
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Name, address, and daytime phone number for
verification required. Short letters only, no more
than 150 words.
}The Christian press should
consciously endeavor to present
the Church as it understands
itself with the emphases that
flow from faith.~
—Avery Cardinal Dulles, SJ
Boko Haram: Too little, too late
If you have paid any attention to international news of
late, you know the Nigerian Islamic extremist group Boko
Haram has kidnapped some 276 Christian girls, is still
holding them for ransom as of this writing, and in the
meantime is attempting their forced conversion to Islam.
This should infuriate us for two reasons, both of which
are relevant in this month when we observe the third
annual Fortnight for Freedom.
The first is that Boko Haram’s illegal action is obscene
on its face. It goes against any standard of human decency,
and certainly contravenes Church teaching since at least
the days of St. Augustine of Hippo that forced conversion
is not permissible (not that radical Islamicists care what a
fifth-century Church Doctor thought).
The second is that the world’s media and governments
are acting as if this is totally unprecedented. It is not. Indeed, it is both bewildering and distressing
how we are just now paying attention to a practice that is
as at least as old as Islam itself.
Think this is xenophobic hyperbole? Read history. Read
Islamic literature (e.g., Sahih Hadith Muslim, Book 8, No.
3373; Sahih Hadith Bukhari 7:62:135-136). Furthermore,
within the last two years, this very practice has happened
numerous times in Egypt to Coptic Christians. It happened for decades in what is now South Sudan. It happens
not infrequently in Pakistan.
Normally what happens is this: A kidnapped young
female Christian is raped, and then an imam marries her
to her rapist. Her family no longer gets to see her. Almost
invariably, the union produces offspring. Divorce in Islam
for a man is very easy. All he has to do is say, “I divorce you”
three times at various intervals in front of two witnesses,
and the deed is done (Sunni Islam requires no witness).
Women face greater difficulties, both in initiating and
obtaining divorce. And even if a legal end to the marriage
is procured, the forced convert woman loses custody of her
children when they turn seven or in some places eleven
or thirteen.
As far as we know, none of the Nigerian girls has been
forcibly wed. However, the only reason these ladies have
gained attention is the sheer number of them
who were kidnapped. For years, Boko Haram,
which desires an Islamic state ruled by sharia
law, has kidnapped girls and forcibly married
and converted them. For years, the group has
also burnt churches, maimed and slaughtered
Christians, and wreaked all means of other
havoc.
Where was the outcry then? It’s great that
we have some spotlight shining on these
despicable butchers, but why has it come so
late? Why is the kidnapping of 276 young
girls any more heinous than the carnage Boko
Haram has inflicted upon entire villages and
regions of people simply because their inhabitants profess Jesus as Lord, or because they
profess a more moderate expression of Islam?
This is not to say these 276 ladies’ situation is not heinous. It absolutely is. So are the
aforementioned atrocities, however.
We can take heart that our government and others want
to free these women and return them to their families.
Praise God.
That said, various governments’ inattention to similar
situations (which, had they not turned a blind eye, might
have prevented the current atrocity) is disheartening.
It makes one wonder: When the current focus on these
ladies dies down, as it inevitably will in our 24-hour news
cycle age, will that inattention return? ❖
religious freedom:
a gift from god that
none can erase
by Steve Pehanich, California Catholic Conference
Human rights, the Church teaches, come from God. From
conception to natural death, those rights recognize our
dignity and help us reach our full potential. In fact, because
they are so central, society must actively protect and promote those rights.
In the United States, we have always held them so
“inalienable” that we adopted a Bill of Rights as one of
our foundational statements. And the first of those rights,
includes the “free exercise of religion”—the unhindered
freedom to follow our own relationship with our God.
Seen in this light, recent efforts to narrow our religious
liberty by the courts and various governments are both
disconcerting and contrary to American tradition.
That is why the United States Conference of Catholic
Bishops (USCCB) continues to raise awareness of this troubling trend with its third annual Fortnight for Freedom,
which began on June 21, 2014.
The most widely known attack today is the federal government’s Department of Health and Human Services’
(HHS) mandate that forces employers to cover sterilization, contraception, and abortion-inducing drugs. The
USCCB—joined by leaders of other denominations and
legal scholars—is doing outstanding work battling the
mandate. That mandate, however, is only one manifestation
of a much deeper trend.
In the American tradition, government only restricts
authentic rights for a compelling state interest. Even then,
the State must use the least restrictive and most narrow
means possible.
When it comes to religion, it appears some are now are
stretching that compelling interest to include virtually
every aspect of public life. (For proof, just search the web.)
The mandate, for instance, redefined a religious employer
as one composed of its own believers, serving only its own
believers, and whose sole purpose is to pass on its faith.
What of Catholic Charities, though, which serves anyone
in need? What of parishes that employ Protestant jani-
tors? And what of the secular employer whose rights to
conscience when it comes to, say, life issues evidently must
be violated because of the mandate?
Through the Fortnight, the bishops highlighted similar situations where religious viewpoints and services are
being relegated to second-class status:
• The licenses for foster care and adoption
services were revoked because they did not
want to actively recruit same-sex couples for
the placement of children
• State laws have attempted to criminalize
caring for undocumented individuals
• Contracts to faith-based international
humanitarian programs that do not promote
contraception and abortion have been denied.
Such restrictions suggest a pattern of attempting to erase
the faith-based identity of religiously motivated services
providers. They deny the moral and ethical standards
found in Catholic hospitals, devalue the works of services
like the St. Vincent de Paul Society, and ignore the contributions of religious schools that educate low-income
children from different faiths.
Excluding religion from our public life destroys one of
the central elements of our system—a healthy exercise of
religion that cares for others without proselytizing and
without regard for the faith of the person in need.
It also threatens the diversity of communities that
throughout our history made room for people of many
beliefs to live their faith by serving others. Furthermore,
it diminishes the richness of our American landscape and
freedoms.
For these and many other reasons, the aforementioned
trend must be turned back. ❖
Calendar
¡Atención! ¡Atención!
Televisión Católica Saboreando la Verdad con
P. Manuel Valencia todos los Domingos de 9:00
a 9:30 a.m. en Azteca América San Francisco.
Síguenos en: youtube/saboreandolaverdad o
radiocatalicasantarosa.podbean.com.
July 18
Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, Windsor
5th Annual Golf Tournament
Location: Windsor Golf Course.
Signups being taken now.
Call 707-837-6720 for more information.
July 25
Our Lady of Częstochowa pilgrimage icon
St. Peter Byzantine Catholic Church
190 Orr St.
Ukiah, CA
Phone: (707) 468-4348
July 26-27
Our Lady of Częstochowa pilgrimage icon
St. Eugene Cathedral
300 Farmers Ln.
Santa Rosa, CA
Phone: (707) 545-7252
August 8-10
The National Catholic Singles Conference
returns to San Diego. Come meet other good
Catholic young adults who are also looking to
grow in their faith and meet others who share
similar interests and beliefs. For information,
e-mail [email protected] or
call 830-714-4677.
September 27, 2014
The Sonoma County St. Vincent de Paul
Society will hold its annual Harvest for
Humanity auction and dinner this evening
from 6-10pm at the Friedman Center, 4676
Mayette Avenue, Santa Rosa. Proceeds
benefit the Society’s Free Dining Room, which
annually serves over 85,000 meals to the
needy. The benefit will feature both a live and
silent auction. For more information, e-mail
[email protected] or call
707-586-8121.
October 4
SAVE THE DATE!
Santa Rosa Religious Education Congress
Location: Cardinal Newman High School
Call Carmen Aanenson 707-566-3366 or e-mail
[email protected].
October 12
Italian Catholic Federation Branch 52,
Healdsburg
First Annual Golf Tournament and Dinner
For more information, e-mail [email protected].
Calendar items must be submitted at
least six weeks in advance. Send them to
[email protected].
Independence Hall, Philadelphia
Making a camino, making memories
One thing we Christians have done since the beginning of
our faith is to make pilgrimages. Even before Roman coEmperors Constantine and Licinius legalized Christianity
with the Edict of Milan in 313, Christians were making
these journeys of faith.
If we lived in Europe, we would have many pilgrimages opportunities such as the Camino de Santiago de
Compostela featured in the Martin Sheen film, The Way
(camino means “way”). We don’t, however, and we certainly
have no spectacular sites like you find in the Old World
or even Mexico.
That said, there are some wonderful places for making
a camino, either in our diocese or just a short drive away,
including the following.
Mission San José de la Guadalupe, 43300 Mission Blvd.,
Fremont, CA. Call 510-657-1797 or visit www.missionsanjose.org.
Whenever missionaries established missions next to
Spanish civilian towns or presidios, Indian conversions
plummeted. That is why Bl. Fr. Serra established the San
José mission 15 miles away from the San José pueblo. It National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi
eventually became the fourth most prosperous amongst
all the missions. The beautiful orchards, gardens, Indian
cemetery, and chapel take you back in time.
Mission San Rafael Arcángel, 1104 5th Ave., San Rafael,
CA. Visit saintraphael.com or call 415-454-8141
Mission San Rafael Arcángel was founded in 1817 as a
medical asistencia (“sub-mission”) of Mission San Francisco de Asís to treat sick Indians, making it California’s
first sanitarium. Eventually it became a full mission. After
Mexico’s government confiscated it, John C. Fremont used
it as his headquarters during the Bear Flag Revolt, which
was fought to make California a United States possession.
800-year-old chapter house (meeting room) of the Cistercian monastery of Santa María de Óvila, formerly of
Trillo, Guadalajara, Spain. William Randolph Hearst had
purchased and dismantled the chapter house of the old
Spanish monastery in 1931 and had the stones shipped to
California. The City of San Francisco gave the Trappists
these in 1994.
Holy Transfiguration Abbey, 17001 Tomki Rd., Redwood
Valley, CA. Call 707-485-8959 or visit www.holytransfigurationmonksofmounttabor.com.
Another diocesan pilgrimage destination, this 37-yearold Byzantine abbey is a jewel. On Sundays, the monks
share a potluck with guests, and they support themselves
by selling the candles they make, icons, books, the almonds
they grow, and the produce from their large, organic
garden. Attend Sunday Divine Liturgy here. You will think
you are in heaven.
National Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Santuario
Nacional de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe), 711 T St.,
Sacramento CA. Call 916-442-3211
This beautiful parish church is the long-established
national shrine for La Guadalupana. Except for confession, all sacraments are in Spanish. It has perpetual
adoration and a replica of the Shroud of Turin. The latter
display features 22 panels of scientific and historical
information about the shroud, as well as a holographic
display and a life-sized sculpture made from the image
on the cloth.
Shrine of Our Lady of Sorrows, Sycamore, CA (Take
Hwy. 20 due east from Ukiah; the shrine is located on SR
45 between Buster and Earp Roads). Call 530-458-4170 or
e-mail [email protected].
This lonely little site surrounded by fields reminds one
of European shrines that have historically given solace
to pilgrims or those who simply wanted to pray. It is also
the site of the first Mass celebrated in Colusa County.
Pilgrimage groups wishing to come here should contact
the pastor at Our Lady of Lourdes in Colusa, which runs
the Shrine.
Mission Santa Clara de Asís, 500 El Camino Real, Santa
Clara, CA. Call 408-554-4023 or visit www.scu.edu/mission.
In addition to the mission’s immense historical importance, three potential saints are buried here: Bl. Junipero
Serra, founder of the California missions; the Servant of
Mission San José de la Guadalupe
God Fr. Magín Catala, OFM, an eighteenth century Padre
Shrine of St. Jude, St. Dominic Church, 2390 Bush St., Pio; and the Servant of God Cora Evans, a Mormon convert
San Francisco. Call 415-931-5919 or visit www.stjude- and mystic whose cause was opened in 2012, only 55 years
shrine.org.
after her death.
Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother, Sandy Blvd. and
People come from all over to submit their petitions at
NE 85th St., Portland, OR. Call 503-254-7371 or visit www.
this shrine to the “patron of impossible cases.” The church Our Lady of Peace Shrine and Church, 2800 Mission thegrotto.org
Since Portland and San Francisco are equidistant from
itself is gorgeous and consists of international materials College Blvd., Santa Clara, CA. Call 408-988-4585 or visit
Crescent City and environs, this would be a good choice
www.olop-shrine.org
crafted by globally renowned artists.
The Shrine of Our Blessed Mother has been a focal point for those in the northern diocese. Called “one of the most
National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi, 610 Vallejo Street, for many people seeking inspiration, comfort, or to pray splendid shrines in the world,” it is composed of two terSan Francisco. Call 415-986-4557 or email [email protected]. and is dedicated to the greater glory of God and the salva- races, one at street level, the other on a gigantic cliff. “The
Located where Chinatown and North Beach meet, this tion of souls. It is a place of prayer and pilgrimage. Very towering trees, the rustic benches, the bursting profusion of
shrine is a silent port in the midst of the City’s noisy “ocean.” close to Great America.
falling ferns, and the contrasting light and shadow combine
Built in 1849 as a parish for English speaking Catholics, this
to produce a memorable impression.” ❖
gorgeous place of worship is undergoing renovation. Thus Mission San Francisco Solano, 114 E. Spain St., Sonoma,
the main church is closed, but the life-sized replica of St. CA. Call 707-938-9560 or visit www.napanet.net/~sshpa/
mission.htm.
Francis’ Porziuncola is open.
This is the only mission in our diocese and the only
Old Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Concep- one run entirely by the state. This might be a good place
tion, 660 California St., San Francisco. Log onto oldsaint- to go pray in reparation for the sins committed against
marys.org or call 415-288-3800.
the indigenous here, namely by Fr. José Altimira, OFM.
This was the first church named after the Immaculate When people talk about the bad things done by the
Conception in the United States. As the name indicates, it missionaries to the Indians, often they mean what Fr.
is also the City’s first cathedral and is situated in the heart Altimira did. He was so bad, he had to return to Spain.
of Chinatown.
Abbey of New Clairvaux, 26240 7th St., Vina, Tehama County,
Mission Dolores (aka, Mission San Francisco de Asís), CA. Call 530-839-2161 or visit www.newclairvaux.org
3321 16th St., San Francisco. Visit www.missiondolores.org
Established in 1955 on land once owned by Leland
or call 415-621-8203
Stanford, this Trappist monastery grows prunes, walnuts,
The sixth mission and oldest building in San Francisco, and grapes that the monks harvest from the orchards and
it is five days older than the United States. One of the few vineyards to sustain the community. The monks have also
places to survive the 1906 earthquake intact, it has been sold wine since 2005. Additionally they have room for
seen in several movies, most notably Alfred Hitchcock’s retreatants. Currently, they are reassembling what they
Vertigo.
call their “Sacred Stones,” the limestone blocks from the Shrine of Our Lady of Sorrows
ADVENTURES IN THE DIOCESE
by Samuel Crump, Sr.
Summer adventures often mean travel to far off places. But
for many, financial constraints will require staying closer to
home this summer. Fortunately, for those of us in the Santa
Rosa diocese, there is an abundance of natural beauty and
fun activities to explore all around us.
Mendocino County (VisitMendocino.com)
In beautiful Mendocino County, head to the Point
Cabrillo Light Station. It was built in 1908 following the
1906 San Francisco earthquake, which destroyed the Point
Arena Lighthouse. California’s rugged north coast needed a
replacement quickly for ship navigation and Point Cabrillo
was selected. There are Sunday tours, a museum, hiking
trails, and a guest inn. (PointCabrillo.org)
The recent success of California Chrome spurred new
interest in rags-to-riches racehorses. One such story was
that of Seabiscuit, and Ridgewood Ranch near Willits
was his home. Visit the barns where Seabiscuit lived,
view historical films, and enjoy a continental breakfast.
(SeabiscuitHeritage.org)
The Skunk Train is back on track, but did you know you
can get off the train and camp on the Noyo River? What a
great adventure for the kids! (SkunkTrain.com)
Zebras and giraffes in Point Arena? It’s true. The B Bryan
Preserve is an African wildlife conservation center that
caters to four-hoofed creatures from the exotic continent.
(BBryanPreserve.com)
The town of Mendocino is charming and has been the
backdrop for several movies. (Mendocino.com) While
there visit St. Anthony Church (StAnthonysOfMendocino.
com), beautifully restored in 2000 after a fire.
If you want to taste some wines of Mendocino County
check out MendoWine.com.
Humboldt County (Redwoods.info)
Humboldt County’s past was a bustling economy of
logging activity. Today you can enjoy the majestic redwoods in their vertical state. The Avenue of the Giants is
a magnificent area for driving, walking and hiking, or just
communing with nature. (AvenueOfTheGiants.net)
The historic Benbow Inn has hosted celebrities and
presidents in its time. Built in 1926 and restored in 1978,
it remains an elegant step back in time for North Coast
travelers. Imagine how relaxing a weekend would be for
you and your spouse. (BenbowInn.com)
Don’t miss Ferndale. Established during the logging era,
this little village remains a quaint community of Victorian
homes and walkable streets lined with boutiques and cafés.
Ferndale is also home to the beautiful Assumption Church,
built in 1896. (VictorianFerndale.com)
If you feel the need for a little giddyup, head on over to the
Fortuna Rodeo, which runs July 14-20. (FortunaRodeo.com)
Sonoma County (SonomaCounty.com)
From the literature, one might think there is nothing
to do in Sonoma County but taste wine. Of course it has
world-class wines but there is much more to do.
If you don’t get your fill of African wildlife in Point
Arena, there’s more waiting for you at Safari West Wildlife Preserve. A short drive off 101 from Santa Rosa,
Safari West gets better every year. Besides daily tours,
they offer overnight stays in their tent cabins. (SafariWest.com)
A trip to Bodega Bay and the town of Bodega promises salmon and Dungeness crab. (VisitSonomaCoast.com/
Bodega). While you are in Bodega, visit St. Teresa Church,
built in 1860, which is the oldest Catholic Church in continuous use in Sonoma County. Alfred Hitchcock also filmed
part of his famous film The Birds here. (StPhilipStTeresa.org)
Not to be outdone by the grand redwoods in the northern
counties, Sonoma County is proud of its own Armstrong
Redwoods. Located along the Russian River, Armstrong
Redwoods is a great location for a picnic, horseback riding,
hiking, and camping. (StewardsCR.org)
Avenue of the Giants, Humboldt County
This tribute to the author of Treasure Island and Dr.
Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is due to the fact that he honeymooned in Napa in 1880 for two months, and it is said
his experience served as a literary canvas for some of his
writing.
You can also tour a real thirteenth-century castle in
Calistoga at the Castello di Amorosa, which starts off with
a visit to the St. Catherine of Siena Chapel. Young boys will
find the authentic iron maiden in the torture chamber and
Del Norte County (DelNorte.org)
medieval armory fascinating.
The northwestern tip of California is where we are proFive beautiful counties make up the Diocese of Santa
tected from invasion by Oregonians. Seriously, though, this Rosa. Pack a lunch, round up the kids, and head out on
is a beautiful part of California that most never see. While some adventures this summer not far from home. ❖
it is remote, the traveler will be rewarded with incredible
natural beauty. Among the rocky ocean cliffs, the Klamath Samuel Crump, Sr., attends St. Eugene Cathedral, and
River, and redwood-covered mountains, you can ponder serves as an attorney in Santa Rosa.
God’s many blessings.
The county seat is in Crescent City where many of the
HOLY LAND FRANCISCAN
activities take place including their annual Fourth of July
celebration.
Twelve miles north of Jenner and just south of Salt Point
State Park is Fort Ross State Historic Park, which was a Russian settlement from 1812-1841. It’s fun and informative
and, for your spiritual side, features an authentic Russian
Orthodox chapel.
Finally, who doesn’t love Snoopy? There are tons of
fun exhibits to interest all ages at the Charles M. Schulz
Museum & Ice Rink. (SchulzMuseum.org)
Lake County (LakeCounty.com)
Clear Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake in California. It offers year-round activities but, of course, summertime is when the boating, water skiing, and fishing
really bring the place to life.
Lake County is also developing an impressive wine
industry. The “Lake County Wine Adventure” is July 26-27.
Find out more at LakeCountyWineries.org.
Napa County (VisitNapaValley.com)
The Napa Wine Train is popular, but as a local, I would
lean toward other attractions.
For example, the Petrified Forest (PetrifiedForest.org) and
the Geysers (OldFaithfulGeyser.com) are affordable family
fun with educational benefits, too. These sites offer interesting
tours sure to spark the imagination of your kids—and you!
You can enjoy a 90-minute walking tour of old town
Napa led by costumed guides. (NapaWalkingTour.com).
Rumor has it Napa produces great wine, and you can try
some as you make your way to the Robert Louis Stevenson
Museum. (StevensonMuseum.org).
PILGRIMAGES
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February 4-13, 2015
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$3,670 *Christmas
$3,158
$3,796 *Easter
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October 9-19, 2014
$3,754
Oct. 30 - Nov. 9, 2014
$3,750
Nov. 29 - Dec. 9, 2014
$3,690
March 12-23, 2015
$3,860
Shrines of Ireland
April 8-17, 2015
$2,999
Pilgrimage to Poland
August 17-25, 2015
$3,599
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Humanae Vitae: what if?
by George Weigel
Carlo Cardinal Caffarra of Bologna has long been a vocal even mentioning Pius XII’s endorsement of natural family
supporter of Humanae Vitae’s teaching on the morally planning. And that, Bardecki told me, struck the Kraków
appropriate means of family planning. So it was notewor- theologians as “stupid conservatism.”
The other draft had been sponsored by German Julius
thy that Cardinal Caffarra recently conceded that, while
Humanae Vitae’s conclusions were true, its presentation Cardinal Doepfner. It represented a grave misreading
of those truths left something to be desired.
of what God had inscribed in human sexuality “in the
As the cardinal put it, “No one today would dispute that, beginning,” the Cracovians believed, and did so in a way
at the time it was published, Humanae Vitae rested on the that emptied individual choices and acts of their moral
foundations of a fragile anthropology, and that there was significance.
a certain ‘biologism’ in its argumentation.”
So: Were the only options “stupid conservatism” or the
Which put me in mind of a document I discovered in deconstruction of Catholic moral theology?
1997 in a dusty Cracovian library while ingesting copiThe Cracovians didn’t think so. They thought the truth of
ous amounts of antihistamines: “The Foundations of the the Church’s teaching about conjugal morality and fertility
Church’s Doctrine on the Principles of Conjugal Life.” regulation could be presented in a humane and personalistic way: one that acknowledged both
Its somewhat academic title notwithstanding, that document represents
the moral duty to plan one’s family and
What if Paul VI had adopted
one of the great “what if ” moments in
the demands of self-sacrifice in conjuthe Cracovian approach to
modern Catholic history.
gal life; one that affirmed methods of
The document was the final report
fertility-regulation that respected the
presenting the truths he
of a theological commission estabbody’s dignity and its built-in moral
taught in Humanae Vitae?
lished in 1966 by the then-archbishop
“grammar;” one that that recognized
of Kraków, Poland, Karol Wojtyła, to
the moral equality and equal moral
responsibility of men and women,
help him in his work on the Papal
Commission for the Study of Problems of the Family, rather than leaving the entire burden of fertility-regulation
Population, and Birth Rate, inevitably dubbed the “Birth on the wife.
Control Commission” by the world media.
In proposing this fresh presentation of classic moral
According to one of the document’s authors, Fr. Andrzej truths in a delicate area of pastoral care, the Cracovian
Bardecki, the Polish theologians on Wojtyła’s commission theologians drew on the pioneering work done by their
had seen two drafts of an encyclical on conjugal morality archbishop Karol Wojtyła in his book Love and Responsibiland fertility regulation.
ity – work that Wojtyła as John Paul II would later develop
One had been prepared by the Holy Office (now called in the Theology of the Body.
the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith). It strung
And so, what if? What if Paul VI had adopted the Cracotogether various papal statements on the issue without vian approach to presenting the truths he taught in Humanae
Vitae? What if the encyclical had been built upon a less
formalistic, even abstract view of the human person and
human sexuality? What if Humanae Vitae had deployed a
richly-textured and humanistic anthropology that was not
susceptible to the charge of “biologism”?
With 1968 being the year it was, and with the theological
politics of the moment being what they were, there would
still have been an uproar, I expect. But had the Cracovian
report provided the framework for Humanae Vitae, the
Church would have been better positioned to respond to
that uproar.
Catholicism now has ample materials with which to
make sense of, teach, and apply its settled convictions on
the morality of marital love and procreation: the Theology of the Body; John Paul II’s magnificent 1981 apostolic
exhortation, Familiaris Consortio; 1997’s pastorally sensitive Vademecum for Confessors on the Morality of Certain
Aspects of Conjugal Life. And we have a brilliant analysis
of the effects of a contraceptive culture in Mary Eberstadt’s
Adam and Eve After the Pill (Ignatius Press), which is mustreading for every bishop attending the upcoming Synod
on the Family.
Still, I wonder: What if? ❖
George Weigel is Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Ethics
and Public Policy Center in Washington, DC.
NFP? LOL!
by Pam Birdsall
Natural Family Planning. NFP. What a joke, right? Nothing like the old “Calendar Rhythm” method for spacing
children. Heh heh. They don’t call it “Vatican Roulette” for
nothing. NFP? More like LOL and ROFL.
This attitude is very common, even among Catholics,
and it just shows how NFP is one of the most misunderstood and little known gifts the Church has to offer.
NFP is not the old “calendar rhythm” practice from the
mid-twentieth century that we generally mention with
a smirk. Rather it is a modern science method based on
nearly 100 years of well-documented and clinically-proven
research with effectiveness rates for avoiding pregnancy
comparable to oral contraceptives and much better than
condoms.
Of course there is so much more to NFP than merely
science. By working with each phase of a woman’s cycle, it
is the safest and most natural approach to space children.
Then there are its emotional and spiritual benefits, not to
mention it follows Church teaching.
Therefore the question is, “With all of its benefits and
advantages, why is NFP so infrequently mentioned and
even less frequently practiced?”
Based on my own experience and from talking with
and observing other couples, I believe the answer is “fear.”
When we married, my husband Walt and I did not practice our Catholic faith, had no idea about NFP, and were
committed to using contraceptives as our method of family
planning.
Through a series of grace-filled events and “chance”
encounters with various people, we gradually returned ing on us in giving us children, and we felt so blessed to be
to the Church and eventually came face-to-face with part of the process.
Someone once asked me what allowed us to finally see
her teachings about contraception. We stopped contracepting so I could get pregnant, but we discussed the the truth of Church teaching and embrace it. I thought
possibility of not using contraception again following about it and realized it was when we stopped using contrathe baby’s birth.
ception and started using NFP. It was as if scales fell from
That scared me to death, though! On a practical level I our eyes. We saw everything differently. It’s an amazing gift
feared we would end up with way more kids than we could from God for all of us!
afford or handle.
The Bible and salvation history have one consistent quesWhat I really feared, however, was giving up control. tion from God: “Do you trust Me?” Mankind goes most
“What? I have to let God in on this area of my life and let wrong when we refuse to answer yes, when we don’t trust
Him and don’t follow His plan as expressed through the
Him tell us what He wants for our family?”
That would entail a major change, and I struggled with Church’s Magisterium, Scripture, and Tradition. Experithe thought of it. Ultience proves that when we follow our own
mately, we decided to trust
path, we go astray, sometimes horribly so.
What I really feared, however, was
God, and when we learned
Trust God, whether it be with your fertility
giving up control. “What? I have to
what NFP was and how it
or anything else in your life. He will not lead
let God in on this area of my life and
you on a wrong path. Rather, as Psalms tells
worked, we gained confilet Him tell us what He wants for our
dence in our decision.
us, “the steadfast love of the Lord is from
We had no idea what a
everlasting to everlasting upon those who
family?”
gift this decision would be
fear Him, and His righteousness to their
for us and our children,
children’s children, to those who keep His
though! After we started using NFP, we found a security covenant and remember to obey His commandments” (Ps
and confidence we had never had in our marriage. Walt 103:17–18). ❖
and I discovered an intimacy between us that wasn’t there
before. When we weren’t holding anything back from each
other (our fertility included), our marriage flourished and
so did the love between us.
Pam Birdsall and her husband, Walt, live in Napa and
By trusting God, we could see the gifts God was bestow- attend St. Apollinarish Church. They teach NFP together.
SUPERSTICIÓN: MITO,
REALIDAD, O ENgAÑO
(Second Vatican Fathers, cont.)
The typical edition of the books of Gregorian chant is
to be completed…. It is desirable also that an edition be
prepared containing simpler [chant] melodies for use in
smaller churches.
por P. Mario Valencia
Actualmente nos encontramos inmersos en una como “la desviación del sentimiento religioso y de
realidad sincretista que entrelaza fusiones de las más las practicas que impone…, cuando se atribuye una
interesantes y hasta contradictorias. A este punto no importancia, de algún modo, mágica…”
sabemos si lo bueno es malo o viceversa.
En antiguos tiempos nuestros antepasados los
Además, vemos como los medios de comunicación, Náhuatl inventaron los placebos para propiciar la
con el afán de atraer a todos, presentan estas fusiones confianza en las plantas medicinales. Los placebos
como verdades absolutas e irrefutables. Ahora resulta son esas pastillitas que te dan los doctores que no
que, lo que diga la televisión, internet o las películas es tienen ningún ingrediente curativo, pero ayudan a
lo que se considera como verdadero.
darte confianza en los tratamientos
Ahí tenemos el caso de Harry Potter
médicos sirviendo como reforzaque promueve la magia, usa el mal para
mientos psicológicos. Estos plalograr el bien y fomenta pensamientos
cebos son muy comunes con los
supersticiosos o los pitufos, donde los
pacientes hipocondriacos, aquellos
que creen estar enfermos de todo.
siete pecados capitales representan ser
En este sentido nuestros antepaslos buenos. En medio de esta confusión
vemos como desafortunadamente incluados usaban el incienso, el pasar
so en nuestra propia Iglesia vemos la
hojas de árbol por los enfermos,
Superstición
influencia de esta realidad sincretista.
los cantos, los huevos y los rituEn cada ciudad de nuestra Dióceales para propiciar confianza en
P. Mario Valencia es el vicario
sis podemos encontrar las mentalas hierbas curativas. Actualmente
parroquial de la iglesia San
das Botánicas: lugares que ofrecen
las botánicas siguen manejando
Juan Bautista en Napa.
estos placebos, con la diferencia
remedios mágicos, lecturas de cartas,
que ahora la confianza ya no se
amarres, embrujos, venta de la santa
muerte, adivinación, etc., junto con imágenes de pone en las hierbas curativas o medicina, sino en la
Santos y especialmente de la Virgen de Guadalupe. quiromancia, magia y brujería: dioses fuera de Dios.
Nuestra fe nos exige plena confianza en Dios que es
La ignorancia nos hace presa fácil de la superstición
y el espiritismo que son contrarios a nuestra fe.
Trino y Uno, especialmente en tiempos de angustia y
Para evitar esto necesitamos entender bien que lo dolor; y nuestra madre del cielo ayudándonos a perúnico que se promueve en estos lugares es la men- manecer en El nos recuerda “hagan lo que el les diga,”
tira y el engaño para aprovecharse de los demás, siempre acercándonos a Dios y jamás apartándonos del
usando a las imágenes de los santos y la Virgen de verdadero Dios por quien se vive.
Por favor, no frecuente las botánicas. Por favor, por
Guadalupe para atraer a sus presas movidos por la
confianza y devoción que hacia ellos se les tiene. el bien de su alma, evite todo engaño y superstición
Debemos tener cuidado de no caer en la superstición ya que no hacerlo lo separara de Dios y por lo tanto la
y sobretodo de no faltar al primer mandamiento de salvación eterna. ❖
la ley de Dios: “Amaras al Señor tu Dios con todo tu
corazón y con toda tu alma…así como “no tendrás
otros dioses fuera de mi.” La superstición es definida
tHe seconD VAticAn
coUnciL FAtHers sPeAK
From Sacrosanctum Concilium (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy)
sAcreD MUsic
The musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any
other art…. The Roman pontiffs … in recent times, led by
St. Pius X, have explained more precisely the ministerial
function exercised by sacred music in the service of the
Lord…. The Church, indeed, approves of all forms of true
art that have the requisite qualities and admits them into
divine worship.
The treasury of sacred music is to be preserved and
cultivated with great care. Choirs must be assiduously
developed, especially in cathedral churches. Bishops and
other pastors of souls must take great care to ensure that
whenever the sacred action is to be accompanied by chant,
the whole body of the faithful may be able to contribute
that actual participation that is rightly theirs.
Great importance is to be attached to the teaching and
practice of music in seminaries, in the novitiates, and
houses of studies of religious of both sexes, and also in
other Catholic institutions and schools.
The Church recognizes Gregorian chant as especially
suited to the Roman liturgy. Therefore, other things being
equal, it should be given pride of place in liturgical services.
Other kinds of sacred music, especially polyphony, are
by no means excluded from liturgical celebrations so long
as [participation by the congregation is fostered.]
All Saints Church, New York City, Wikimedia
The pipe organ is to be held in high esteem in the Latin
Church, for it is the traditional musical instrument, the
sound of which can add a wonderful splendor to the
Church’s ceremonies and powerfully lifts up men’s minds
to God and higher things.
Other instruments also may be admitted for use in
divine worship … This may done, however, only on condition that the instruments are suitable, or can be made
suitable, for sacred use; that they accord with the dignity
of the temple; and that they truly contribute to the edification of the faithful.
sAcreD Art
The Church has not adopted any particular style of art
as her own. She has admitted styles from every period, in
keeping with the natural characteristics and conditions of
peoples and the needs of the various rites. Thus in the course
of the centuries she has brought into existence a treasury of
art that must be preserved with every care. The art of our
own times from every race and country shall … be given
free scope in the Church, provided it bring to the task the
reverence and honor due to the sacred buildings and rites.
Ordinaries should ensure that sacred furnishings and
works of value are not disposed of or destroyed, for they
are ornaments of God’s house. ❖
Next month, Lumen Gentium (Dogmatic Constitution
on the Church).
ß
What Humanae Vitae means to me as a
priest is that the Church is reminding
us powerfully and clearly that children
are the greatest treasure a wife and
husband could ever possess and
of more value than any material
possession. It also means God’s special
blessing is on those who trust in His
providence by being open to life.
—Fr. Gary Sumpter, retired, in residence at
St. Eugene Cathedral
the top ten myths of marriage
by Dr. David Popenoe
Editor’s note: Since so many weddings occur during summer, we include this article.
1. Marriage
benefits men much more than women.
Current research finds men and women benefit about equally from marriage. Both men and women live longer, happier,
healthier, and wealthier lives when they are married. (See Catechism no. 1660.)
2. Having
children typically brings a married couple closer together and increases marital happiness.
Many studies have shown the first baby commonly pushes mother and father farther apart, thus bringing stress to the marriage.
However, couples with children have a slightly lower rate of divorce than childless couples. (See Catechism nos. 2366, 2373)
3. The keys to long-term marital success are good luck and romantic love.
Rather than luck and love, the most common reasons for couples’ long-term marital success are commitment and companionship. The happiest couples are friends who share lives and have compatible interests and values.
4. The more educated a woman becomes, the lower her chances of marrying.
A study based on marriage rates in the mid-1990s concluded that today’s women college graduates are more likely to marry than
their non-college peers.
5. Couples who live together before marriage have more satisfying and longer-lasting marriages than couples who do not.
Many studies have found that those who live together before marriage have less satisfying marriages and a considerably higher
chance of divorce. (See Catechism no. 2390-91.)
6. You can't expect people to stay married for a lifetime as in the past because we live so much longer today.
Unless our comparison goes back a hundred years, there is no basis for this belief. The enormous increase in longevity is due mainly
to a steep reduction in infant mortality. The life span of a typical, divorce-free marriage has not changed much in the past 50 years.
Also, many couples call it quits by the seventh year of a marriage.
7. Married women have a greater risk of domestic violence than their single counterparts.
Contrary to the proposition that for men “a marriage license is a hitting license,” a large body of research shows that being unmarried—and especially living with a man outside of marriage—is associated with a considerably higher risk of domestic violence for
women.
8. Married people have less satisfying sex lives, and less sex, than single people.
According to a large-scale national study, married people have both more and better sex than do their unmarried counterparts.
Not only do they have sex more often but they enjoy it more, both physically and emotionally.
9. Cohabitation is just like marriage, but without “the piece of paper.”
Cohabitation typically does not bring the benefits—in physical health, wealth, and emotional well-being—that marriage does. In
terms of these benefits cohabitants in the United States more closely resemble singles than married couples. This is due, in part, to
the fact that cohabitants tend not to be as committed as married couples, and they are more oriented toward their own personal
autonomy and less to the well-being of their partner.
10. Because of the high divorce rate, which weeds out the unhappy marriages, people who stay married have happier
marriages than people did in the past when everyone stuck it out, no matter how bad the marriage.
According to what people have reported in several large national surveys, the general level of happiness in marriages has not
increased and probably has declined slightly. Some studies have found in recent marriages, compared to those of twenty or thirty
years ago, significantly more work-related stress, more marital conflict, and less marital interaction. ❖
This article reprinted with permission from the National Marriage Project. Its mission is to strengthen the institution of marriage by providing research and
analysis that informs public policy, educates the American public, and focuses attention on the consequences of marriage decline for millions of American
children.
Dr. David Popenoe is professor emeritus of Sociology at Rutgers University and co-director of the National Marriage Project. Copyright © 2002 David Popenoe.
HIGH SCHOOL GRADS—CLASS OF 2014
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR SANTA ROSA DIOCESE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES AND THEIR PARENTS!
CARDINAL NEWMAN HIGH SCHOOL
Carlos Miguel Duarte Adriao, Grand Canyon University
Kathryn Marie Allen, Santa Rosa Junior College
Lauren Marie Anderson, University of Colorado, Boulder
William Thomas Andrews, San Diego State University
McKenna Elizabeth Bell, Point Loma Nazarene University
Nathan Howard Berry, Santa Fe University of Art and Design
Lelaina Marie Beyer, University of Virginia
Dylan Bradley Bigham, Santa Rosa Junior College
Bryce Stephen Bosshard, Sonoma State University
Margaret Anne Botka, University of California at Los Angeles
Danielle Galera Bradley, Santa Rosa Junior College
Christina Marie Brown, University of Mary Washington
Julianna Lynn Buehnerkemper, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio
Devin Christopher Cameron, California State University, Chico
Jixian Chen, University of San Francisco
Xinlei Chen, University of San Diego
Michael Thomas Clark, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Christian Alexander Clements, California State University, Fresno
Katrina Marguerite Cline, Dominican University of San Rafael
Spencer Steven Coon, Arizona State University
Mia Nicolle Costa, University of San Diego
Kimberly Lynn Courier, Santa Rosa Junior College
Manjari Daniel, University of California at Los Angeles
Elea Christine Davison, Portland State University
Lofton Thomas Dayton, University of San Diego
Jennifer Lynn de Rutte, Loyola Marymount University
Anthony Richard Del Secco, University of Hawaii, Manoa
Rebecca May Del Secco, San Diego State University
Jeffrey David Destruel, Santa Clara University
Cara Rose Doolittle, University of Puget Sound
Alexandra Christine Dotti, University of California at Davis
Mackenzie Edward Dougherty, United States Coast Guard
Kayla Michelle Douglas, Southern Oregon University
Keaton Garratt Dunsford, Phillips Exeter Academy
Jacquelyn McDade Dutton, University of Denver
Kylie Lynn Dutton, University of Arizona
Christina Lynn Fisher, University of Mississippi
Jessica Susan Foell, California State University Chico
Taylor Olivia Foster, Syracuse University
Marina Feliza Fowler, Santa Rosa Junior College
Lacey Stephania Galea, Santa Rosa Junior College
Mia Marie Gallo, California Polytechnic State University,
San Luis Obispo
Merrit Elizabeth Geary, Montana State University, Bozeman
Jennifer Alexis Gingras, Santa Rosa Junior Collge
Christine Ellie Gluch, Montana State University, Bozeman
Emily Elaine Greco, University of Nevada Reno
Julie Christine Guillaumin, Santa Clara University
Samuel Palmer Hamilton, United States Marines
Connor Thomas Head, University of LaVerne
Troy Matthew Hemphill, United States Air Force
Reymundo Thomas Hernandez, Santa Rosa Junior College
Jackson Landen Herrfeldt, University of Notre Dame
Nathanial Isamu Hutton, University of Arizona
Ryan Parker Johnson, University of California at Davis
Adriana Julaie Juarez, Santa Rosa Junior College
Nicolas Clay Justice, Duke University
Christopher Joseph Kemmerer, Northern Arizona University
Matthew Wayne Kitchen, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Paul James Klee, United States Military Academy West Point
Trent Alan Kennedy Klein, Northern Arizona University
Mariah Kyung-Jin Kohl, Concordia University Irvine
Caroline Cassidy Kolman, Temple University
Dylan Samuel Kolman, Temple University
Kylie Noelle LaForge, Arizona State University
Jacob Allen LeBrett, University of San Francisco
Ashley Anne Legro, Santa Rosa Junior College
Haotian (Tim) Liang, University of Dayton
Xuqing (Vivian) Liang, California Polytechnic State University, Pomona
Qianling (Jesming) Liu, Rutgers University
Xiaodong (Mark) Liu, University of California at San Diego
Zibin Liu, University of Alabama
Tyler Dewayne Loos, Santa Clara University
Russell James Loube, University of Chicago
Kevin Michael Lucey, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Jessica Mika Matsuda, University of Richmond
Maximilian Gerald Mazur, Santa Clara University
Haley Catherine McDaniel, Academy of Art University San Francisco
Gina Rose McGhee, Saint Mary's College of California
John S.T. McGhee Jr., Saint Mary's College of California
Sarah Marcellina Meder, California Lutheran University
Victoria Amelia Miksis, Boise State University
Sylas Timothy Montgomery, Santa Clara University
Wilson Nguyen, Santa Rosa Junior College
Lily Jian Clare O'Connell, Lewis & Clark University
Ryan Alexander O'Leary, Boston University
Marissa Gene Palmer, University of Arizona
Nicolas Cal Pappas, University of California at Santa Cruz
Zachary Michael Parr, Gonzaga University
Kevin William Parry, California Polytechnic State University,
San Luis Obispo
Harold Paskal, Santa Rosa Junior College
Baylee Janelle Payne, University of Colorado Boulder
Matthew Alan Payne, University of Pennyslvania
Yasmine Viola Payne, Loyola University Chicago
Austin Daniel Peccorini, United States Army
Natalie Alexandra Piazza, University of Southern California
Piercarlo Pilenga, Collegio Vescovile Sant Alessandro, Italy
Jeffrey Richard Rebello, California Lutheran University
Julia Caley Rhodes, Seattle University
Anthony Paul Henry Rink, Santa Rosa Junior College
George Paul Sakopoulos, University of Southern California
Abigail Jeanne Salling, California Institute of the Arts
Adelaide Grace Sarasy, California State University, Chico
Sadie Isabel Schroeter, University of Portland
Jordan Jon Sikes, Santa Rosa Junior College
Brandon Orthello Sims, University of Denver
Jarrett James Skaff, Willamette University
Peyton Daisy Smith, Linfield College
Tyler Andrew Stromer, United States Army
Samuel Carson Styles, Universisty of Oregon
Joseph Edwin Theberge, Santa Clara University
Rourke Randall Theiller, Santa Rosa Junior College
Angelina Valentine, American Academy of Dramatic Arts / West
Roy Richard Van Anda, Colorado State University
Emily Angeline Van Milligen, Tufts University
Adam Michael Van Prooyen, United States Military Academy
West Point
Bianca Izamare Vega, United States Army
Daeja Marie Vogensen, California State University, Chico
Michael Eugene Voight, Santa Rosa Junior College
Alex Ross Von der Mehden, Santa Rosa Junior College
Laura Lynn Vyenielo, California Polytechnic State University,
San Luis Obispo
Alexander Kenneth Ward, Santa Rosa Junior College
Jordan Kyle Watson, Santa Rosa Junior College
Madison Noel Widener, Westmont College
Kelsey Kay Wilkinson, Santa Rosa Junior College
Christine Marie Wilson, California State University, Channel
Islands
Sean Christopher Wolfe, University of Alabama
Yanxiong Yang, University of California at Santa Curz
Tanner William Zamaroni, Northern Arizona University
Jordan Francisco Zavala, San Jose State University
Liang (Rex) Zhang, University of Colorado Boulder
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL HIGH SCHOOL
Sean, Carlo Wewer Afre, Santa Rosa Junior College
Devin Jie Allen, Seattle University
Joseph Seraphim Harley Anderson, American University
Julia Christine Anderson, Barrett, The Honors College, ASU
Chazz Christian Ansanelli, Santa Rosa Junior College
Ursyla Rose Baumgarten, University of Redlands
Dominic Samuel Bergamini, Santa Rosa Junior College
Margaret Rosalie Birmingham, University of Colorado at Boulder
Nicholas David Cafiero, Santa Rosa Junior College
James Douglas Carr, Santa Rosa Junior College
Joy Cho, Syracuse University
Daniel William Chojnacki, University of California at Santa
Barbara
Max Jessie Cowell, Seattle University
Joseph Donald Cox, Gonzaga University
Joseph Daniel DeMars, University of the Pacific
Rebecca Lynn Dodele, University of the Pacific
Lucas Joseph Edmondson, Seattle University
Brandon Michael Evans, Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering,
Barrett, The Honors College, ASU
MacKenzie Louise Fairow, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Morgan Jane Faries, Baylor University
Christopher Robert Faulknor, Oregon State University
Brittany Burke Gamlen, Baylor University
Patrick Henry Garcia, California Polytechnic State University,
San Luis Obispo
Christian Arlom Gergus, Santa Rosa Junior College
Haley Lucero Godbold, Saint Mary’s College of California
Iain McNelis Gors, Sonoma State University
Rebecca Leigh Grant, University of Denver
Cameron David Gremmels, Humboldt State University
Anna Christensen Griffin, Seton Hall University
Sabrina Gabrielle Hendricks, San Diego State University
Rainey Mickole Henry, Humboldt State University
Omar Eduardo Hernandez, Hipolito, California Maritime
Academy
Jack Donovan Hogan, Santa Rosa Junior College
Rachel Mae Iniguez, San Diego Mesa College
Gwenith Jean Isaacs, University of California at Davis
Alexander Ronald Jacamo, Santa Rosa Junior College
Grace Marie Jennings, University of Wisconsin, Madison
John Franklin Jennings, Seattle University
Samantha Joann Johnson, College of Marin
Kathleen Ann Kelly, Sonoma State University
Alexa Eleanor Laval, The University of Arizona
Dante Stephen Licata, California Maritime Academy
Jennifer Morgan Locke, Arizona State University
María, José Lozano, EF International Language School, Paris/Rome
Alexander Nicholas Manchester, Santa Rosa Junior College
Brooke Ann Montgomery, The University of Arizona
Morgan Priscilla Mooney, Gap Year/Italy
Fernando Mougan Garcia, Sicilia, Santa Rosa Junior College
Derek Joseph Murphy, Barrett, The Honors College, ASU
Jacalyn D. Murphy, California Polytechnic State University,
San Luis Obispo
D'Re Hannah Murray, Sonoma State University
Alex Joseph Neve, Sonoma State University
Eleanore Aimee O'Neill, Seattle University
Hayley Price Olson, Sonoma State University
Madelynn Christean Perry, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Zachary William Pierson, Santa Rosa Junior College
Joseph Christopher Purtell, College of Marin
Marco Mosé Ricci, University of Nevada, Reno
Jack Joseph Richardson, Oregon State University
Anne, Marie Rodriguez, University of Portland
Daniel Alexander Rodriguez, Santa Rosa Junior College
Austin Richard Salizzoni, Arizona State University
Craig Michael Sankoff, Santa Rosa Junior College
Christopher Mark Schuster, Santa Rosa Junior College
Jenny Sengchanh, Santa Rosa Junior College
Xindi Sun, Santa Clara University
Seamus Benjamin Sean Swendsen, Sonoma State University
Ruqi Yuki Tang, Chapman University
Megan Eileen Tarrant, California Polytechnic State University,
San Luis Obispo
Evan Francis Thompson, Santa Rosa Junior College
Jackson Douglas Walker, California Polytechnic State
University, San Luis Obispo
Edy Jillian White, University of Nevada, Reno
Steven James Wieser, Saint Mary’s College of California
Richard Charles Young, Jr., University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Archer (Jun Cheng) Zhang, University of San Diego
Ningxuan Zhang, Michigan State University
KOLBE TRINITY GRAMMAR AND PREP
Frances Arend, University of Idaho
Clare Birdsall, Texas A&M University
Jordan Franklin, Belmont Abbey College
Bridget Healey, California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo
Greta Heun, University of Mary
Benjamin Hickey, Napa Valley College
Brianna Hickey, Napa Valley College
Ashley Huss, Serving a year with Regnum Christi Mission
Corps, then attending Aquinas College
Ismael Iniguez Barrios, Napa Valley College
Leah Kalinowski, University of Mary
Gregory Muth, University of Mary
Michael Rowles, University of Mary
David Thoits, Napa Valley College
Patricia Williams, California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo
Helena Herber
Gary Hercules Alvarado
Isaiah Herrera
Samuel Hoff
Dominique Hoppers
Kendall Howell
Arianne Irucuta
Sadie Irvine
Natalie Jauregui
Caroline Johnson
Ella Joyner-Shone
Kellen Kawachi
Robert Keller
Andrew Keown
Yegyeong Kim
Nathan Krill
David Laird
Arthur Latno IV
Ian Lederer
Adolfo Ledesma Jr
Shelby LeDoux
Christopher Lehenbauer
Massimo Lesti
Bryce Letcher
Trevor Linder
Bianca Llamas
(Grads, cont.)
Emmelia Lopez
Steven Lum
Lauren Madrigal
Andrea Mallari
Trevor Manasse
John Mattei
Justin McClure
Kenneth McGill
Meredith McGinnis
India Medaris
Victor Mieling
William Mieling
Andrew Mihm
Sophie Miyasaki
Lia Mondavi
Bettina Moore
Albert Morgese
Erin Murphy
Shivani Naik
Mickey Nunes
Samuel Oberting
Julio Cesar Olivera
Robert O'Neill
Payton Orr
Charlotte Osgood
Diano Pachote
Dilan Patel
Nicholis Petropoulos
Dung Pham
Meghan Piatti-Cosgrove
Elizabeth Picard
Adriana Ramos
Liliana Ramos
Gianna Ricci
Max Risch
Sean Romero
Bianca-Simone Roomian
Sarah Roscoe
Dominic Rossi
Calvin Sanders
Genevieve Say
Amanda Scheideman
Isabela Schmaedecke
Kirby Schmeling
Maeve Schmid
Jack Searl
Myriam Serrano
Sara Skeeters
Alyssa Smith
Daphne Smith
Grant Smith
Edward Stockand
Marina Tellez
Chad Tenbrink
Olivia Tsegeletos
Alyssa Vasquez
Shannon Vergara
Drake Vidkjer
Nikolas von Strasser
Zachary Arthur Westman
Scott Whan
Finnian Willard
Julia Williams
Olivia Wilson
Emily Wirick
Ming H. Matthew Wong
Hualin Xu
Dylan Youngborg
Jakob Zall
JUSTIN-SIENA HIGH SCHOOL
Alexander Ackerman
Alexander Aquino
Emma Asbury
Pablo Avelar
Natalie Avellar
Chelsea Barker
Marcus Barrango
Cuentin Bates
Grace Beirao
Theresa Bell
Marisa Bergin
Kathryn Bishop
Brett Bonfigli
Angelina Borges
Evangelia Bouzos
Christopher Bozzini
Chase Bright
Paul Brown
Teal Bullick
Christina Byrne
Brendan Cardey
Emily Carlson
Gio Angelo Casilang
Melissa Castellucci
Sydney Ceccato
Mark Angelo Cepeda
Kellen Chasuk
Michael Christensen
Irvin Colin
Andrew Collins
Caleb Cothran
Haley Cremen
Emma Curry
Gabrielle Danzeisen
Danika Darrin
Quentin Day
Nicholas Dehzad
Alexa DeLaat
Gabriel DelArroyo
Elaina Dimond
Henry Dixon
Madeline Dolan
Ryley Donohoe
Luis Espino
Christin Estes
Emma Estrada
Jillian Fields Hirschler
Kendyl Fleury
Darcy Forsythe
Monica Furne
Megan Gafvert
Jessica Garvey
Mason Gauthier
Nicholas Geesey
Rafael Gonzalez-Mondragon
Siena Guerrazzi
Alexander Gulrajani
Jacob Guorgui
Cullin Haden
Isaac Hall
Emma Hampson
Amelia Hardy
Cole Harper
Peter Hauscarriague
St. Teresa of Los andes, ocd:
The Disconcerting question
“She was cheerful, happy, sympathetic, attractive,
communicative, and involved in sport. During her
adolescence she reached perfect [psychological] and
spiritual equilibrium. These were the fruit of her
asceticism and prayer. The serenity of her face was a
reflection of the divine guest within.”
At age 19, she entered the Carmelites in Los Andes,
Chile, which is when she received the name in religion of Teresa of Jesus. A scant few months after
her admission, however, she contracted typhus, and
doctors determined she would die from it.
She received the news “with happiness, serenity and
confidence. She was certain her mission to make God
known and loved would continue after in heaven.
Sr. Teresa entered eternity on April 12, 1920, having
been a nun 11 months.
Each year, some 100,000 people pray at her tomb.
She is Chile’s first saint and the patroness of young
people and women.
Memorial: July 13
Teresa de Jesús de Los Andes was a Chilean Discalced
Carmelite nun. At her birth in 1900, her wealthy
parents gave her a very short, pithy name: Juana Enriqueta Josefina de los Sagrados Corazones Fernández
y Solar.
After reading St. Thérèse of Lisieux’s autobiography
Story of a Soul as a girl, she decided to follow in the
French Carmelite’s footsteps by devoting her everything to God.
It was very difficult for her, however, because she
was extremely self-centered. Receiving her First Holy
Communion at age 10, though, gave her the graces to
persevere, and she eventually grew to be very focused
on Our Lord.
According to the Vatican’s website, Juana understood that since “God was going to dwell within her
in Holy Communion, she needed to [acquire] all
the virtues that would make her less unworthy of
this grace. In the shortest possible time she managed to transform” herself “completely.” She did this
by waging “continual warfare on every impulse that
did not arise from love.”
“Once this child understood that love demonstrates
itself in deeds rather than words, the result was that she
St. Teresa of Los Andes provides
irrefutable proof that Christ’s call to be
saints is real, it happens in our time, and
with His grace, anyone can answer it.
expressed her love through every action of her life. She
examined herself sincerely and wisely and understood
that in order to belong to God, it was necessary to die
to herself in all that did not belong to Him.”
From this point forward, “Christ was the one and
only ideal she had. She was in love with Him and ready
each moment to crucify herself for Him. A bridal love
pervaded her with the result that she desired to unite
herself fully to Him who had captivated her.” This is
why at age 15 Juana made a vow of lifelong virginity
for Our Lord.
Why the big deal over a Chilean woman who really
did nothing? “It is all rather disconcerting and a great
question arises in us, ‘What was accomplished?’ The
answer to such a question is equally disconcerting:
living, believing, loving.”
Indeed, she provides irrefutable proof that
Christ’s call to be saints is real, it happens in our
time, and with His grace, anyone can answer it.
It won’t just happen, of course. Following Christ
and becoming a saint takes total dedication. But
pursuit of sanctity is the one and only thing that
will truly satisfy us, for Christ is love, happiness,
and our fulfilment.
Consider this: If we succeed at everything else in
life but fail to become a saint, nothing else really
matters, does it?
After all, eternity is a very long time. ❖
BIRTH CONTROL: wHY NOT?
Contraception. It is arguably modern Catholicism most
contentious issue. Some 82 percent of American Catholics
find birth control morally acceptable. One survey says 98
percent of American Catholic women have used contraceptives.
So with so many people on one side and those old, crusty,
white men in the Vatican on the other, the Church should
change her teaching, right?
Not so fast. Christians’ acceptance of birth control is relatively new. Furthermore, in rejecting Catholicism’s stance on
this issue, many if not most reject a teaching they have never
had explained to them in any substantive way.
Until the Anglican Communion’s Lambeth Conference
in 1930, not a single Christian denomination allowed
contraception. That year, though, the Anglicans/Episcopalians allowed for limited practice of birth control in
certain situations. This quickly devolved into allowing
unlimited use. By 1962, only the Mennonites and Amish
still opposed contraception, and both have gradually
begun relaxing their proscriptions on its use. Even the
Orthodox now allowed artificial birth regulation.
Some thought the Catholic Church would also fold
on contraception. It certainly looked that way when a
commission convened in 1963 to study the matter argued
for changing Church teaching. A minority group argued
against any change.
Ven. Paul VI studied the matter for two years before he
finally released Humanae Vitae, an encyclical affirming
the Church’s nearly 2,000-year-old teaching on the subject.
So high had expectations been that timeless Catholic
doctrine would change, that when it didn’t, few made any
effort to truly understand why Paul had made the decision
he did. They simply rebelled.
And yet we must try and understand Humanae Vitae
because it is rooted in some fundamental principles, not
to mention Scripture, sacred Tradition, the Natural Law,
and thus truth itself.
In terms of the Bible, the very first command God gives
mankind is this: Go forth, be fruitful, and multiply (Gen
1:28). After the Flood and the covenant God makes with
Noah, His second command is the same as the first (Gen
9:1). Scripture further tells us that God’s opening the womb
to new life is always and everywhere a blessing (e.g., Ps
127:3-5; 128:1,3).
In Old Testament times, the two most common contraceptive forms available were coitus interruptus and male
sterilization. Both are proscribed in Scripture, the first in
Genesis 38:8-10 and the second in Deuteronomy 23:1.
“But that’s the old law. Contraception isn’t mentioned in
the New Testament.”
Not so.
Indeed, the Church allows spouses in extreme situations
In Galatians 5:20, notice the word “sorcery” (also ren- can—after prayer, meditation, and discernment—recourse
dered “witchcraft”). This is what the ancients called the to NFP (as effective as a condom). The Catechism says,
supposedly magical combination of gum alum and herbs “Periodic continence, that is, the methods of birth regulathat prostitutes used to prevent conception. See also Rev- tion based on self-observation and the use of infertile
elation 9:21 and 21:8.
periods, is in conformity with the objective criteria of
Furthermore, the Church teaches that in marriage, morality” (cf. Humanae Vitae #16).
spouses are to totally give themselves to one another (see
In contrast, “every action which, whether in anticipaEphesians 5:31-33 et al). In his Theology of the Body, St. tion of the conjugal act, or in its accomplishment, or in
John Paul II taught that in contraception spouses say to one the development of its natural consequences, proposes,
another, “I give you my love, my everything ... but not my whether as an end or as a means, to render procreation
fertility.” Thus it makes a lie of the marital act.
impossible is intrinsically evil” (Catechism no. 2370).
But isn’t NFP just Catholic birth control? No. St. Paul
Moreover, the nuptial embrace mirrors the love that flows
within the Holy Trinity. And just as the love between the tells us wives and husbands can part “for a season” (1 Cor
Father and Son is so strong the Holy Spirit proceeds from 7:5). Second, there is a huge difference between using
it, God designed the love between a husband and wife to be natural and artificial means of avoiding conception.
so strong that nine months later, they have to give it a name. Simply by abstaining from the nuptial embrace, we don’t
Also consider the Natural Law arguments. These say that sin. We do, however, if we willfully prevent the natural
God created everything for a purpose. Thus we can see ends of the act.
One thing many who use the Pill
how every part of our body
don’t realize is this: The Pill not only
fulfills some function,
sometimes several (recent
alters a woman’s cycle, it also preParenthood has a unique capacity
science suggests even the
vents a fertilized egg from implantappendix has a function).
to bring great joy through our
ing itself in the uterus. That fertilized
The lungs breathe. The
egg—a person with a soul—then
total generosity to God and the
nose smells. The purpose
dies. So millions of otherwise proof our genitals—in their
life women around the country are
sexual usage, at least—is
unwittingly aborting their babies.
knowledge that we are raising souls
procreation.
“But Vatican II said we can use
Likewise God created the
for His kingdom.
our consciences and make decisions
marital act with two unique
for ourselves.”
but inseparable purposes.
Yes and no. Vatican II said CathoThe first is procreative, to help couples be fruitful and mul- lics must first form their consciences to the mind of the
tiply so souls are brought into the world for His glory (cf. Church.
Eph 1). The other is unitive, to bring spouses closer to one
Furthermore, in one of its documents, Gaudium et Spes,
another. No couple has the right to “rent asunder” that which the Council Fathers said the moral dimension of an act
God has created together.
“does not depend solely on sincere intentions or on an
To illustrate the point, consider eating. We eat for several evaluation of motives [i.e., conscience]. It must be deterreasons, one of which is pleasure. But beyond enjoyment, mined by objective standards. These, based on the nature
what is the first end of eating? Nutrition, right? What is it of the human person and his acts [i.e., the Natural Law],
called when someone eats for enjoyment and then makes preserve the full sense of mutual self-giving and human
themselves vomit? Bulimia. And what is bulimia properly procreation in the context of true love.”
called? A disorder. Why? Because we are separating God’s
Having children in any number is hard. But parenthood
two natural ends of eating, enjoyment and nutrition.
has a unique capacity to bring great joy through our total
The same is true of sex and contraception. When we generosity to God and the knowledge that we are raising souls
contracept, we commit sexual bulimia, and the Church for His kingdom.
teaches that this is no less illicit than the eating disorder.
The world has judged the Church and its defense of
This doesn’t mean that every time spouses make love, Humanae Vitae and found both wanting. Perhaps it is time
they must procreate. It is to say we can never willfully to start judging our own actions in light of Church teaching
separate the two essential aspects of the act.
and our own generosity with Our Lord. ❖
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Carmela Manago
email: [email protected]
Executive Director
Sponsor: Diocesan Department of Religious Education
For Registration contact Carmen Aanenson:
[email protected]
(707) 566-3366
Adult Summer Faith Formation & Certification
www.santarosacatholic.org
BASIC FORMATION
10am - 3pm
Room 21
Variety of Adult learning methods
June 30, 2014
July 2 & 7
July 9 & 14
July 16
July 21 & 23
July 28
July 30
August 4 & 6
Intro & Spirituality of Catechesis I - III/ Creed I - II
Creed III & IV
Sacraments I - IV
Hist., Princ. & Meth. Catechesis/Intro to Eccles Meth.
Life in Christ & Consc. Formation I - IV
Catholic Social Teaching
Christian Prayer
observ. & make up
Location:
St. Vincent High School
849 Keokuk St.
Petaluma
MASTER &/OR RENEWAL
930am– 3:30pm
Room 22
Adv. Seminar & Teaching Practicum
(Prerequisite: Basic Certificate - fulfills 50 of 100 required hours)
June 30, 2014
July 2 & 7
July 9 & 14
July 16
July 21 & 23
July 28
July 30
August 4 & 6
Orientation & Intro to Catechesis for Master Catechists; Creed I
Creed II
Liturgy & Sacraments
Adv. Princ. & Meth. of Catechesis, Ecclesial Meth.
Life in Christ & Consc. Formation
Catholic Social Teaching
Christian Prayer
Supervised Teaching Practicum (no make ups available)
Those who wish to attend and are not interested in receiving a
California Basic or Master Catechist Certificate are welcome.
Basic Catechist $100.00/person for entire program
Master Catechist $125.00/person for entire program
For those interested in dropping in $20 person/class.
Class can be used as credit towards Catechist Recertification
JULY SAINTS
Bl. Junipero Serra, 7/1
St. Bernardino Realino, 7/2
St. Thomas the Apostle, 7/3
Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati, 7/4
St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria, CRSP, 7/5
St. Maria Goretti, 7/6
Bl. María Romero Meneses, 7/7
St. Kilian, 7/8
The 19 Martyrs of Gorkum, 7/9
King St. Canute IV of Denmark, 7/10
St. Benedict, OSB, 7/11
St. Veronica, 7/12
St. Teresa of the Andes, 7/13
Bl. Mariano de Jesus Euse Hoyos, 7/13
St. Kateri Tekakwitha, 7/14
St. Bonaventure, OFM, 7/15
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, 7/16
The Blessed Carmelite Sisters, Martyrs of Compiègne,
7/17
St. Camillus de Lellis, 7/18
St. Arsenius the Great, hermit 7/19
Bls. Rita Dolores Pujalte Sanchez and Francisca Aldea
Araujo, 7/20
St. Lawrence of Brindisi, Church Doctor, 7/21
Bl. Augustine Fangi, OP, 7/22
Queen St. Brigid of Sweden, OSsS, 7/23
St. Sharbel Makhlūf, OLM, 7/24
St. James the Greater, apostle, 7/25
Ss. Joachim and Anne, 7/26
Bl. Maria Grazia Tarallo, 7/27
Bl. Antony Della Chiesa, OP, 7/28
King St. Olaf of Norway, 7/29
St. Elin of Skovde, 7/31
Bl. Zdenka Cecilia Schelingová, SCSC, 7/31

July 2014 - Diocese of Santa Rosa

Transcription

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