THE CATHOLIC One step closer
THE CATHOLIC MIRROR The primary task of a diocesan newspaper is to “serve the truth with courage, helping the public see, understand and live reality with the eyes of God.” - Pope Benedict XVI, Nov. 25, 2006 Vol. 49, No. 7 July 17, 2015 One step closer Four seminarians reach milestone on journey to priesthood Photo by Bob Nandell Four seminarians declared their candidacy for priesthood during a July 5 Mass at St. Theresa Church in Des Moines. Pictured with Bishop Richard Pates, they are: James Downey of St. Theresa Parish in Des Moines, Mark McGeary of St. Francis Parish in West Des Moines, Ryan Welch of St. Augustin Parish in Des Moines, and Carlos Gomez Pineda of the Basilica of St. John Parish in Des Moines. By Anne Marie Cox Staff Writer Four seminarians were received as candidates for pristly ordination at St. Theresa Church on July 5. They are: James Downey of St. Theresa Parish in Des Moines, Mark McGeary of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in West Des Moines, Ryan Welch of St. Augustin Parish in Des Moines, and Carlos Gomez Pineda of Basilica of St. John Parish in Des Moines. During the Candidacy Mass, the seminarians present themselves to the bishop as candidates for priesthood. “When God chooses men to share in the ordained priesthood of Christ, he moves their hearts and helps them by his grace,” said Bishop Richard Pates in his homily. “At the same time, he entrusts us serving the Church as his ministers of calling suitable and approved candidates and of consecrating them by a special seal of the Holy Spirit for the mission of God and of the Church. “Our four brothers have begun their preparation so that down the road, they can be called to ordination to priesthood by the bishop,” he said. “Day by day, they will learn to live the life of the Gospel and deepen their faith, hope and love. “Urged on by Jesus’ Faith leaders encourage discussion of encyclical By Anne Marie Cox Staff Writer Iowa Catholic leaders, interfaith leaders, clean energy advocates and others encouraged Iowans to take action in light of Pope Francis’s historic encyclical on the environment, “Laudato Si.” Des Moines Bishop Richard Pates encouraged Catholic Iowans to take advantage of the state’s first-in-the-nation role in the presidential electoral process to keep the issue of caring for the environment — as shared by Pope Francis in his encyclical — in mind as they talk with those who seek to lead the United States. He invited all Iowans to conserve energy, use energy-efficient appliances, invest in renewable energy systems and talk with their local, state and national leaders, urging them to “exercise leadership in protecting the Earth.” Bishop Pates encouraged all people to consider what role they can play in caring for God’s creation during a news conference July 2 in front of a wind turbine on the Ankeny campus of Des Moines Area Community College, where students learn job skills for employment in Continued on page 11 love and strengthened by the Holy Spirit, they have come here to the Church of St. Theresa to declare in public their heartfelt desire to commit themselves to the service of God and the human family. We welcome them wholeheartedly and pledge our support on their journey.” Bishops react to court ruling on marriage Photo by Kelly Mescher Collins Des Moines Bishop Richard Pates and Davenport Bishop Martin Amos led a press conference July 2 calling on all Iowans to ask presidential candidates how they plan to address climate change. Des Moines Bishop Richard Pates, along with the three other Iowa bishops, were saddened by the June 29 U.S. Supreme Court marriage ruling. The bishops will continue to “lead people to live under the Gospel, which requires us to be humble and loving to all others, regardless.” The following is their statement, issued through the Iowa Catholic Conference, in its entirety. It was signed by Dubuque Archbishop Michael Jackels, Davenport Bishop Mar- Continued on page 10 2 The Catholic Mirror,July 17, 2015 www.dmdiocese.org In the Heartland with Bishop Pates “Praise Be to You, My Lord,” words taken from the canticle of St. Francis, is the way Pope Francis opens his encyclical on the environment. This beginning immediately frames the Pope’s reflections within the context of creation. You and I have been blessed with the gift of God’s handiwork. We are integrally related to God’s initiative, and as the crown of creation by virtue of our consciousness and self-reference we are called to be stewards of this creation. It is our responsibility to maintain its integrity and its life-giving hospitality to all creatures intended to live within its framework but especially, of course, to the human family. But the great bestowal of consciousness includes the gift of one’s will that makes decisions that are often at odds with the best interests of the natural world. Pope Francis cites Pope Benedict in establishing that the degradation of Mother Earth, being experienced today, is due to freedom run amok. “We have forgotten that man is not only a freedom which he creates for himself. Man does not create himself. He is spirit and will but also nature. With paternal concern, Benedict urges us to realize that creation is harmed ‘where we ourselves have the final word, where everything is simply our property and we use it for ourselves alone.’” (Paragraph 6) Pope Francis moves from identification of human responsibility for natural degradation to citing Patriarch Bartholomew, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople of the Eastern Orthodox Church. The Patriarch asserted the following: “For human beings to destroy THE CATHOLIC MIRROR Bishop Richard E. Pates Publisher [email protected] Anne Marie Cox Editor [email protected] Kelly Mescher Collins Staff Writer [email protected] The Catholic Mirror (ISSN 0896-6869) is published monthly for $18 per year by the Diocese of Des Moines, 601 Grand Ave., Des Moines, Iowa 50309. Periodicals postage paid at Des Moines. POSTMASTER: Send changes to THE CATHOLIC MIRROR, 601 Grand Ave., Des Moines, Iowa 50309. PHONE: (515)237-5046 E-MAIL: mirror@dmdiocese. org DIOCESAN WEBSITE: www.dmdiocese.org Praise be to you, my Lord By Bishop Richard E. Pates the biological diversity of God’s creation; for human beings to degrade the integrity of the earth by causing changes in its climate, by stripping the earth of its natural forests or destroying its wetlands; for human beings to contaminate the earth’s waters, its land, its air and its life, these are sins.” For “to commit a crime against the natural world is a sin against ourselves and a sin against God.” (Paragraph 8) Patriarch Bartholomew sees human conversion as the ultimate remedy for the crisis of environment. He asks us to “replace consumption with sacrifice, greed with generosity, wastefulness with a spirit of sharing, an asceticism which entails learning to give, and not simply to give up. It is a way of loving, of moving gradually away from what I want to what God’s world needs.” (Paragraph 9) Thus, Pope Francis presents the argument for change, determines what is required for authentic change and then calls on all the earth’s inhabitants to undertake this transformation. But change requires motivation. Who am I among 7 billion people to have an impact by changing? Even if I were to join thousands others, what difference will it make? In order to go beyond the immediate we need to move from the more pragmatic outcomes to be in touch with my relational identity. Relationship, or a derivative of this word, appears most often in Pope Francis’ encyclical – exceeding 160 times. By changing in rhythm with Mother Earth and nature – I will set right my relationship with God and the creation which he has designated as my home. By changing – I will address my relationship with the poor and the vulnerable who suffer the most when nature’s equilibrium runs afoul. Pope Francis raises the question about the most defenseless person in existence: “How can we genuinely teach the importance of concern for other vulnerable beings, however troublesome or inconvenient they may be, if we fail to protect a human embryo even when its presence is uncomfortable and creates difficulties? If personal and social sensitivity towards the acceptance of new life is lost, then other forms of acceptance that are valuable for society also wither away.” (Paragraph 120) By changing we will provide for the intergenerational health and well-being of our children, grandchildren, our progeny for centuries to come. Can we choke off or doom their future by our reckless ways? What Pope Francis does in this encyclical is lay before us the condition of Mother Earth today. By all accounts, the Earth is ailing. The reason is chiefly accountable to human behavior. Given the gift of freedom we can change that behavior and in turn earth’s health. But what will it take for us to change? I encourage all to read carefully “Praise to you, My Lord.” It is not a scientific document nor is it political in nature. Referring to it as either serves to sidetrack the Pope’s intentions. It is religious in character, a moral document if you will, pleading with us to take action. The bottom line is that God created each human person out of love as well as our home, the earth. We are fully capable of responding to that divine outreach with an altruistic love modeled for us by Jesus. Photo by Kelly Mescher Collins Soybean farmer Ray Gaesser, of St. Patrick Parish in Lenox, shares what he has observed about major weather changes during a news conference on the pope’s encyclical. Bishop’s Schedule Friday, July 17 Des Moines – “In the Heartland with Bishop Pates,” Iowa Catholic Radio, Des Moines; KVSS, Omaha, 10 a.m. Monday, July 18 – Saturday, July 24 Vacation Friday, July 24 Des Moines – “In the Heartland with Bishop Pates,” Iowa Catholic Radio, Des Moines; KVSS, Omaha, 10 a.m. Saturday, July 25 Des Moines – Mass, ItalianAmerican Heritage Festival, Downtown Des Moines, 4 p.m. Sunday, July 26 Urbandale – Mass Celebrating Father Dave Fleming’s 25th anniversary of ordination, St. Pius X Parish, 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 28 Des Moines – Diocesan Executive Committee meeting, Pastoral Center, 1:30 p.m. Thursday, July 30 Des Moines – Catholic Foundation of Southwest Iowa Board meeting, Pastoral Center, 7:30 a.m. Friday, July 31 Des Moines – “In the Heartland with Bishop Pates,” Iowa Catholic Radio, Des Moines; KVSS, Omaha, 10 a.m. Des Moines – Pastoral Center staff picnic, Fairmeadows Park, Noon Tuesday, August 4 – Wednesday, August 5 Des Moines – “In the Heartland with Bishop Pates,” Iowa Catholic Radio, Des Moines; KVSS, Omaha, 10 a.m. Wednesday, August 5 Saturday, August 8 – Saturday, August 15 Des Moines – Seminarians Days of Reflection, Pastoral Center, Des Moines – Mass with seminarians, St. Ambrose Cathedral, 12:10 p.m. Des Moines – Des Moines Serra Club’s luncheon with seminarians and priests, Pastoral Center Friday, August 7 Monday, August 3 Des Moines – Vocations Department meeting, Pastoral Center, 7:30 a.m. Des Moines – Mass and dinner with new seminarians, St. Anne’s Chapel, 5:30 p.m. Friday, August 14 Des Moines – “In the Heartland with Bishop Pates,” Iowa Catholic Radio, Des Moines; KVSS, Omaha, 10 a.m. Official Sunday, August 2 Des Moines – Rite of Candidacy, Cohort XV, permanent deacon candidates, St. Ambrose Cathedral, 10:30 a.m. Vacation Bishop Richard Pates has made the following appointment effective July 15, 2015. Father Reynaldo Hernandez Minero, from Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of the Americas Parish, to Chaplain to the Hispanic Members of the Des Moines parishes Christ the King, St. Anthony and the Basilica of St. John, Des Moines. Bishop Richard E. Pates Bishop of Des Moines Sister Jude Fitzpatrick Chancellor www.dmdiocese.org The Catholic Mirror, July 17, 2015 3 St. Luke Parish in Ankeny opens doors to permanent home Retired Dubuque Archbishop Jerome Hanus, OSB blesses building and altar By Anne Marie Cox Staff Writer The diocese’s newest worship center, St. Luke the Evangelist in Ankeny, was blessed June 20 with a reminder that all the hard work and effort of the birth of the parish and the rising -up of the church is for the “main act,” the celebration of the Eucharist. “We Catholics are Eucharistic people,” said retired Dubuque Archbishop Jerome Hanus, OSB, who blessed the church while Bishop Richard Pates recovers from a throat ailment. “We believe Christ wants to be present with us through the Mass and in communion with him when we receive the Body and Blood,” said Archbishop Hanus. “This is the most solemn form of prayer we can offer. It is the way we worship God in spirit and truth. It is that kind of deep spiritual worship that we hope will be the fruit of all these efforts to build a place of worship for your parish.” The blessing ceremony had many aspects that are similar to those of the initiation sacraments of baptism, confirmation and Eucharist. The church building and the people were blessed with holy water, reminiscent of baptism. The altar was anointed with Sacred Chrism, as Catholics are anointed during the sacrament of confirmation. Through confirmation, individuals are made temples of the Holy Spirit, the archbishop said. Incense placed in the middle of the anointed altar and the Photos by Anne Marie Cox congregation was incensed as a re- TOP LEFT: Retired Dubuque Archbishop Jerome Hanus, OSB uses Sacred Chrism to anoint the altar, minder of the rev- a symbol of Christ and his priestly, prophetic and royal identity, an identity shared by all the baptized. erence the altar Sacred Chrism is used in four liturgies: baptism, confirmation, the ordination of priests and bishops, and the people de- and the rite of dedication of an altar. serve, he said. T h e TOP RIGHT: Archbishop Hanus blesses the walls of St. Luke the Evangelist Church in Ankeny, a rite that Paschal (Easter) evokes the imagery of Christian initiation. candle and altar candles were lit, BOTTOM: Deacon Dan McGuire lights the Paschal (Easter) candle as a connection with Christian reminding pa- initiation. rishioners to keep the light of Christ with the end of the blessing cereburning. mony, he added. All this was done to “As members of this worship God in spirit and in truth, Catholic parish, you have accepthe said. ed the commission of Jesus to But the work is not done proclaim the good news, the Gospel, with compassion and mercy,” he said. “As a parish, you’ve committed and continue to commit yourself to worship, to teach ing praying, going to Mass and and to care. You will endeavor to treating classmates as members continue the work of St. Luke, proclaiming the Gospel as misof God’s family. The Catholic Founda- sionary disciples,” he said. tion, which is a separate entity from the diocese, helps numerous parishes and Catholic organizations in southwest Iowa. It hopes that by helping St. Luke School with the necessary startup expenses, the school can become more sustainable down the road. Education is one of many fields that the Catholic Foundation supports. For more information about the Catholic Foundation, see catholicfoundationiowa.org or contact Mark Reed at 515237-5044. For information on St. Luke School and how to register a child, go to saintluketheevange listschool.org. St. Luke receives $10,000 grant for classrooms By Reed Flood Staff Writer The Catholic Foundation of Southwest Iowa is giving St. Luke the Evangelist School in Ankeny a significant boost. Because of an Educational Excellence Fund at the Catholic Foundation, St. Luke will receive $10,000 for capital needs. Tonya Eaton, the principal at St. Luke School, plans on using every penny of the grant for science and technology equipment, as well as classroom furnishings. The school will compete with the Ankeny Public Schools, which have a solid reputation for good educational institutions. Eaton hopes families will take advantage of St. Luke’s faith-filled opportunities, includ- 4 Stephen Ministry: One-on-one Christian caring “Bear one another’s burdens, and so you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 You may have heard about something called Stephen Ministries and Stephen ministers but aren’t sure what it or they are. Come closer. Simply stated, Steven Ministry is composed of lay caregivers, called Stephen ministers, who provide confidential, Christ-centered care to people who are hurting. There are more than 12,000 Christian congregations with active Stephen Ministries including four Catholic parishes in our area: Holy Trinity, Des Moines; St Cecilia, Ames; Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart, Ankeny, and St. Francis of Assisi, West Des Moines, according to Jane Augspurger, Stephen Ministry team leader at St. Francis. Stephen ministers walk with people during those rough times in their lives, such as after a family member’s death, divorce, illness, loss of job or financial reversal, or some similar setback. They help others to carry their cross. Take a break with Deacon Mike By Deacon Mike Manno Stephen ministers are not trained therapists, counselors or social workers, but they do go through 50 hours of training, learning to be good listeners and get a good grounding in Scripture. “After training we typically ask for a two-year commitment from the new Stephen minister,” Jane said. The ministry is broken down into three components: Stephen leaders in each parish who establish and direct the ministry, recruit and train ministers, meet with and evaluate potential care receivers and match recipients with the proper minister. Stephen ministers are parishioners who offer one-to-one Christian care to people going through tough times. A minister usually provides care to one person at a time, meeting with that person once a week for about an hour. Twice a month, Stephen ministers gather with their leaders for supervision and continuing education. Care receivers are people who receive care from a Stephen minister. These are people struggling through a difficult time in life—experiencing grief, divorce, job loss, chronic or terminal illness, or some other life crisis. The relationship between care receiver and minister is confidential; men are matched with men and women with women. When the minister or the team leader determines that the receiver’s needs exceed what the minister can provide, a referral can be made to an appropriate therapist, social worker or mental health professional. “There are some things we specifically cannot handle: substance abuse problems, mental health issues and minors under age 18,” Jane said. They would be referred to other professionals. Dr. Kenneth C. Haugk founded Stephen Ministry in St. Louis and commissioned its first ministers in 1975. Since that time more than 600,000 Stephen ministers have been trained. On Oct. 31 there will be a halfday workshop at Holy Trinity Parish. Individuals interested in the ministry can get more information there. Additionally, more information can be found on the Stephen Ministry’s website, stephenministries.org, or by calling Jane at 515-991-5015. Stephen Ministry assistance is available to members of parishes other than the four listed here. If you or someone you know may need assistance, Jane can also help you. Deacon Mike Manno is the diocesan director of the permanent diaconate, has a weekly show “Faith on Trial” on Iowa Catholic Radio and serves St. Augustin Parish in Des Moines. Year of Marriage & Family NFP in synch with the green movement I get a lot of funny looks when I tell people my wife and I use cloth diapers for our children. The first expression usually says, “You know you don’t have to do that,” and then it’s followed with a subtle panic as they try to remember, “Did I just shake this guy’s hand!?” I’m mostly joking - not about the cloth diapers, that’s real - but about the responses we get. In fact, Kara and I have a lot of friends who have made similar decisions in their families. There is certainly nothing wrong with disposable diapers, but the economic and environmental benefits to cloth are hard to overlook. In young families I’ve noticed a growing desire to do things more organically and simply. I see it in a choice to use cloth diapers, but also in decisions about childbirth, what food we eat and where it comes from. These choices manifest themselves in all sorts of ways, and they aren’t meant to be a critique on other choices. Invited to Joy By Adam Storey B u t I’d say that at the heart of these choices is the desire to do things more naturally. Aristotle would be proud and so would St. Thomas Aquinas! I think Pope Francis would be proud, too. As I read his recent encyclical, “Laudato Si,” his invitation to work with nature instead of standing in opposition to it really resonated with me. This is a message the Church has always stood for, and it’s basically a statement that the way God made things is good. We should work with his creation, not against it! One of the places I see this principle, most obviously, is in the Church’s support of natural family planning and opposition to birth control. When it comes to our sexuality, obviously the Church’s vision is richer than solely endorsing nature. The Church supports natural family planning because it protects the integrity of our sexual expression, it fosters an attitude of love and self-gift within marriage, and because it’s consistent with God’s moral law. But I still see a connection between why the Church supports NFP and how NFP works in harmony with nature. The Church teaches that in our sexuality we should work within God’s design, respecting the natural connection between sexuality and fertility. And just like so many other areas of our faith, it’s not always a cake walk, but it is always a gift that leads us closer to happiness, not further from it. From July 19-25 we’re celebrating National NFP Awareness Week and this year the theme is “All Natural! NFP, Good for the Body. Great for the soul!” Since working in the diocesan Marriage and Family Life Office, I’ve been pleasantly surprised to find fellow supporters of NFP in the green movement, as more and more people recognize the gift of working with our bodies and the real harm that comes from working against it. So this NFP awareness week I’d like to challenge you to share the Church’s good news with at least one person who hasn’t already heard it! Adam Storey is the diocesan director of the Office of Marriage and Family Ministry. Contact him at [email protected] or 515-237-5056. A personal story of independence For one member of the Diocese of Des Moines, July 4 marked a particularly personal celebration of independence – a moment that was the culmination of years spent in pursuit of a dream, the result of unwavering courage and deep faith. In a scene that could not have been better scripted to symbolize America, Michael Lian, a parishioner at St. Ambrose Cathedral, became a United States citizen over the Independence Day holiday, taking his Oath of Allegiance on the baseball field at Principal Park. The image of Michael standing as a proud, smiling U.S. citizen on the ballfield, holding an American flag, is all the more meaningful upon learning the story that led him to that moment. Michael’s journey began in his native Burma (now Myanmar), a nation located in Southeast Asia bordered by India, China, Laos, Thailand and Bangladesh. In 2000, while in his early 20s, Michael left Burma on foot, walking through Thailand to arrive in Malaysia, with the ultimate goal of reaching the United States. Michael, an ethnic Chin from the Chin State in Burma, left his homeland to escape the brutal mili- Guest column By Catherine Swoboda tary regime that was persecuting ethnic and religious minorities, including Michael’s. Recalling the situation in Burma and the reasons he fled, Michael simply states, “We didn’t have freedom. There were no jobs and people were very poor. There was no religious freedom and no freedom for Christians.” The risk that Michael and many others took in pursuit of freedom is revealed as he describes a long and dangerous journey to Malaysia. As they illegally crossed Thailand, many Burmese lost their lives trying to covertly navigate thick forests and mountainous terrain. Some fell to malaria, others were shot. “It was very dangerous. There was no food. Many people died walking. But at every place I stopped, I prayed. I had my rosary. My body did not feel safe, but my soul always felt safe.” Michael survived the perilous 12 days of walking, and arrived in Malaysia, where life was difficult and by no means free for Burmese. He lived there for eight years, patiently awaiting an opportunity to come to the United States. In August 2008, Michael arrived in Des Moines. While it was a dream come true, life in the United States has not been easy for Michael and other Burmese refugees – of which, three ethnic groups belong to the diocese. “In the U.S., it’s very hard. Hard to speak English, get jobs, become a citizen,” he said. “It’s hard to make a life. So we must have strong faith.” That faith and determination – which carried Michael and Burmese parishioners of our diocese from religious and ethnic persecution through life-threatening treks to a world of different trials – is an inspiration. How did Michael feel this July 4, when he became a U.S. citizen after 15 years riddled with risk, difficulty and hardship? With a huge smile, closing his eyes, and breathing in deeply, he said: “I can now breathe in and breathe out. I’m a citizen. I have a country.” Catherine Swoboda is a member of St. Ambrose Cathedral Parish in Des Moines. Refugee Michael Lian, pictured with his wife, Lucy, escaped the brutal military regime in Burma and now lives in Des Moines. Centennial celebrations 5 St. Peter Vietnamese Parish in Des Moines and St. Patrick Parish in Imogene celebrate 100-year anniversaries Bishop commends parishioners for energy, personal gifts to re-awaken parish By Anne Marie Cox Staff Writer St. Peter Vietnamese Catholic Community celebrated its 100th anniversary as a parish June 28. In his homily, Bishop Richard Pates related the Gospel, from how St. Paul extended the good news of salvation “literally to all people of the world” to the service offered by the parish over its 100-year history. The parish has served those whose heritage is European, the Hispanic community while a site of Our Lady of the Americas Parish, and most recently the Vietnamese community. Founded in Des Moines in 1915 by Bishop Austin Dowling, the parish had one building that served as both church and school, which was staffed with Sisters of Mercy of the Omaha Province. In 1980, the parishes of Visitation, the Basilica of St. John and St. Peter formed Holy Family School, which today remains the school of the three parishes. The parish has overcome hardship. In 1949, a fire de- stroyed the church. A new church was built and dedicated in 1960. Shortly after Bishop Pates became the ninth bishop of the Diocese of Des Moines in 2008, he visited with leaders of the Vietnamese community, who envisioned a Vietnamese center, and St. Peter Vietnamese Catholic Community was formed. The Vietnamese community has updated the church, the parish hall and the parish center. But the truth that emerges from the parish’s history is that the buildings, while beautiful and treasured, exist to serve the faith, said Bishop Pates. “All of the parishioners, both Anglo and Vietnamese, are to be richly commended for the investment of your energy and personal gifts to the re-awakening of this parish of St. Peter,” he said. “It keeps alive the traditions of St. Peter over the decades as well as those of your homeland, Vietnam, contributing to the rich and varied tapestry of the Diocese of Des Moines, embracing many nationalities and traditions. I commend all and assure you, as your bishop, I am very proud of you.” Photos by Anne Marie Cox Above: Sister Diep Huynh shows children how to hold their hands for a blessing at communion time. Left: Bishop Richard Pates greets parishioners of St. Peter Vietnamese Catholic Community following a Mass celebrating the parish’s 100th anniversary. Strong support enlivens rural parish By Anne Marie Cox Staff Writer Three years of hard work, a capital campaign and renovations culminated in a joyous July 11 centennial celebration of the building of St. Patrick Church in Imogene. Work began on the church in 1915 to replace the previous church building that was destroyed by fire. The pastor, Father Edmond Hayes, invested his personal wealth in the church and individuals, families and groups contributed to the effort. Father Hayes went to Pietrasanta, Italy, to order the altars, made of Carrara marble, which he donated in memory of his family. The altars were on a ship that hit a German mine in World War I and sunk. His second choice of altars are in the church today. The stained glass windows came from Munich and are 15 feet high. Each window shows three stories in the creation, fall and redemption of mankind. The large St. Patrick window was sent back three times before Father Hayes was satisfied with the face of St. Patrick. The Stations of the Cross have white Carrara marble frames that come from Venice. The church was built to last. It was wired for electricity before electricity came to Imogene. The ceiling was made of steel beams covered with oak panels, which was unusual for the time. Photos by Anne Marie Cox Father Tom Kunnel, pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Imogene, celebrated Mass marking the 100th anniversary of the church’s construction. With him were Bishop Richard Pates, Father Ken Gross, Jesuit Father William P. Leahy and Father Antony Mathew. At right, Dan Kinsella shares with parishioners and guests how much work and support went into preparing for the special day. In his homily, Bishop Richard Pates said, “Because the St. Patrick Church building represents the very best of human construction, I suggest it serves as a sacrament. It speaks to us of our God and enables us as community and individuals to enter into relationship with him.” “Though designated on the National Registry of Historic Places on July 7, 1983, the stunningly beautiful church doesn’t stand as a museum,” according to Bishop Pates. “Over the past 100 years, it has embraced a live, pulsating community growing in the ways of God and rendering faithful religious witness to the surrounding community.” Jesuit Father William P. Leahy, president of Boston College, returned to his home parish in Imogene for the celebration. Because Bishop Pates is recovering from a throat ailment, Father Leahy delivered the homily. 6 The Catholic Mirror,July 17, 2015 July 19, 20 Sunday, Monday The Prodigal You Love DES MOINES – Sister Theresa Aletheia Noble from the Daughters of St. Paul will be at Christ the King Parish promoting her book, “The Prodigal You Love.” July 19 is a session for parents at 3 p.m. in the parish hall, and a session called “From Atheist to Nun: Reaching Out to Fallen-Away Catholics” from 7-8:30 p.m. On July 20 she will have a session from 7-8:30 p.m. in the church titled “Evangelizing Friends and Family with Joyful Holiness.” July 23-25 Thurs.-Sat. Parish Rummage Sale ANKENY -- Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Parish, 510 E. 1st St., is holding its annual parish rummage sale: July 23 from 4-8 p.m., July 24 8 a.m.- 7 p.m., and July 25 8 a.m. - noon. Early bird entrance fee July 23 of $5 from 4-5 p.m. July 24 Friday Iowa Catholic Radio picnic DES MOINES -- Iowa Catholic Radio is hosting afmaily picnic from 5-9 p.m. at St. Mary of Nazareth Church. $5/person, $25/ family. Barbecue, cash bar, band, www.dmdiocese.org Around the diocese games and more. July 25 Saturday Mass Honoring the Elderly DES MOINES -- A Mass at 10:30 a.m., followed by a luncheon and reception in the parish hall. Aug. 2 Sunday Mass honoring the elderly will be celebrated in conjunction with the Italian-American Heritage Festival Bishop Richard Pates will be the celebrant assisted by Italian priests and deacons of the diocese. Mass is on the Casey’s Stage in the Western Gateway Park area of downtown beween 12th and 13th Streets and Locust and Grand Avenues at 4 p.m. Chicken Dinner ST. MARYS – Immaculate Conception Parish is hosting its 71st Annual St. Mary’s Chicken Dinner and Games from 1-6 p.m. (doors open at 12:30) at St. Mary’s Hall, 101 St. James St. in St. Marys. Cost is $9/ adult (11 years & older), $4/child (310 years). The hall is air conditioned. July 26 Sunday Rural Life Mass PERRY -- The annual Rural Life Mass will begin at 2 p.m. on the Kautzky farm about five miles south of Perry. Coordinated by the Kautzky family, St. Patrick Parish and Catholic Charities Social Justice Consortium. All are welcome. Contact Ken Bresnan at kbresnan@ catholiccharitiesdm.org or 515-2375089 for details. Spaghetti Dinner INDIANOLA – St. Thomas Aquinas Parish will serve a spaghetti dinner from 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Palmer Hall, 210 R63 Highway (west of Indianola). Cost is $8/adults and $5/children ages 8-12. For more information call 515-961-3026. July 26 Sunday 40th Anniversary of Ordination ALTOONA -- Ss. John and Paul Parish, Altoona, will celebrate with Father Tim Fitzgerald the 40th anniversary of his ordination with Aug. 16 Sunday Aug. 21 Friday Beginning Experience DES MOINES -- Find help, support and guidance coping and adjusting to the loss of a spouse from death, divorce or separation. Open house sessions at St. Augustin Church’s hall, 42nd Street and Grand Avenue, lower level from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday evenings: Aug. 21, Aug. 28 and Sept 4. Beginning Experience weekend Sept. 18-20 at St. Thomas More Center in Panora. For more information contact Marla Williams 515-710-4471, Father Bob Schoemann 515-418-1938, or Kathy Irving 515-339-7191 Sept 18-20 Friday - Sunday Serra Convention DES MOINES - All are invited to the Region 9 convention of the Serra Club held at the West Des Moines Marriott and hosted by the Des Moines Serra Club. Preregistration is required. Visit dmserra.com for more information. If you have any questions, contact at [email protected]. *** School Enrollments Aug. 5 Wed. School registration URBANDALE – St. Pius X Catholic School will have its 2015/2016 school registration from 11 a.m. - 1p.m. & 5-7 p.m. in the gym. Contact Michelle Fournier at 515-276-1061 ext. 167 to schedule a tour. Tours offered that day between 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. School enrollment GRANGER - Assumption School in Granger is now enrolling early childhood (pre-school & pre-K – ages 3&4) & kindergarten students. All faiths welcome, small class sizes, Christian environment, world-class education. For more information go to assumptionschoolgranger.org or call 515-999-2211. *** Considering JustFaith? JustFaith is a national program based on Catholic social teaching that will help you deepen your faith and better understand how you are being called to care for those in need. JustFaith groups are being offered on six different days and times in the Des Moines area, beginning in September: Sunday early evenings, Monday evenings, Tuesday daytime, Wednesday evenings, Thursday daytime and Thursday evenings. Groups are filling so register soon to secure a place in your preferred group. To find out more about JustFaith or the fall group offerings, contact the Center for Social Ministry office: 515-7823054 or centerforsocialministry@ gmail.com. Year of Marriage and Family World Meeting of Families draws Iowans By Kelly Mescher Collins Staff Writer Many Iowans are anxiously awaiting their trip to Philadelphia for the World Meeting of Families Sept. 26-27. Each cited their own reasons for taking time off, spending the money and making the trek. Sandy and Rick Hoenig of St. Joseph Parish in Winterset, are one of 10 couples serving on the national Christian Family Movement board, and wanted to be there for a number of reasons. “I think it’s a connection with other families, other people with a Christian faith,” Sandy Hoenig said. Working as a school counselor and teacher for 40 years, Hoenig has seen firsthand the importance of families. It’s something they care about, but promoting traditional Christian values is not always easy in today’s secular world. “I think Christianity is being challenged today,” she said. The Hoenigs try making a difference for their cause through their involvement in CFM and by serving as a sponsor couple for Catholics preparing for their own marriage. “We see how important marriage is with the family,” she added. Deb Cortes, of St. Boniface Parish in Waukee, is looking forward to attending with her husband and daughter. “[We hope to gain a] deeper spirituality and then, also, the support of seeing other Catholic families,” Cortes said. “We consider it a once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage.” They are hoping to enrich their faith by hearing the different speakers, and are particularly looking forward to seeing Father Robert Barron, who has created a number of instructional DVDs, including the popular “Catholicism” series. The Corteses couldn’t afford to travel to Rome to see Pope Francis, so they are happy he will be in the United States. Teresa Camacho and her husband feel called by God to attend the World Meeting of Families. “I am so in love with the pope and I can see that he is the representative of Christ on earth,” said Camacho, of Christ the King Parish in Des Moines. She appreciates that he may be speaking in her native Spanish language. “I’m so excited – this is [God’s] will for us to be there,” she said. “I want to leave my future in his hands.” It will be spiritually enlightening for Suzie Shultz, of St. Patrick Parish in Audubon, and CNS photo/Paul Haring Pope Francis arrives to celebrate Mass in Nu Guazu Park in Asuncion, Paraguay on July 12. He will be in Philadelphia Sept. 26-27 for the World Meeting of Families. a friend to be in Philadelphia for the World Meeting of Families. She will be looking for ideas to bring people back into the pews. To learn more about the World Meeting of Families visit worldmeeting2015.org. Eric E. O’Leary, Funeral Director & Owner Parishioner at St. John the Apostle in Norwalk Catholic & Family Owned Funeral Home Serving Norwalk, Des Moines & Central Iowa Central Iowa’s ONLY Funeral Home Offering: Pre-Arrangements ▪ Funeral & Cremation Services On-Site: Banquet Room, Flower Shop, Monuments and Professional Grief Counseling Ask about our ‘Special Catholic Packages’ 1020 Main Street ▪ Norwalk - 515-981-0700 ▪ olearyfunerals.com Diocesan News www.dmdiocese.org The Catholic Mirror, July 17, 2015 7 Emmaus House celebrates 40th anniversary, launches capital campaign for new building Photos by Anne Marie Cox Left: Adele VerSteeg, a member of the Emmaus House Board of Directors, carries a banner at the beginning of the vesper service. Right: Tony Garvey, of St. Pius X Parish in Urbandale and longtime friend of Emmaus House, lights the candle of Jesuit Father Gene Merz. By Kelly Mescher Collins Staff Writer Emmaus House celebrated its 40th anniversary on June 28 with a vespers service celebrated with Bishop Richard Pates and a dinner with program afterwards, where a three-year capital campaign to raise $1 million was launched. Of the $1 million, 70 percent will be used for the purchase of a new plot of land and building that can better accommodate all of the programs currently offered at Emmaus House, which includes daily Mass, spiritual direction, Ignatian spiritual exercises, book studies and retreats, said co-director Father Dan Krettek. The remaining 30 percent will go towards an endowment investment fund, which covers a por- tion of the annual budget. Emmaus House was founded nearly 40 years ago, and is now located in a three-story house at 1521 Center St. in Des Moines. The house is lacking the space needed for large groups, more restrooms and handicap accessibility. The new house will have flexible, open spaces, offices for the co-directors and guest rooms for those staying at the house for a one-day retreat or overnight, Father Krettek continued. T.J. Johnsrud, chair of the capital campaign committee, said organizers have already reached about 20 percent of their goal. “I’m very optimistic about it,” he said. “The campaign is having a very positive effect in that all of these people are starting to know about what Emmaus does. Emmaus is one of the best kept secrets.” Use of Emmaus House has dramatically increased over the past couple of years, Johnsrud said, only adding to the need for more room. “They are literally running out of space,” he said. About 20 years ago, Johnsrud was facing his own storm – crises of his health, finances and a personal relationship all at the same time – when a priest referred him to Emmaus House. “That was the reason I reached out at that time of my life – there is no doubt it was a game-changer for me,” he said. “Emmaus provides a very unique, non-judgmental opportunity to [deepen your spiritual life].” Father Kretteck said he is extremely grateful for Bishop Victim Assistance Advocate The diocese’s Victim Assistance Advocate is a staff member at Polk County Victim Services. She helps victims of sexual abuse of minors by clergy through a complaint process and in seeking support and counseling services. She can be reached at 515-286-2024 or [email protected] Visit Donegal Shrine of Our Lady of Knock Shrine at Ballymoe Join me for a special tour as we celebrate the Holy Jubilee Year of Mercy in the Emerald Isle of Ireland (Birthplace of Fr. Flanagan Founder of Boys Town) Connemara Galway April 18 - 28, 2016 Cliffs of Moher $3099 R/T - Chicago $3299 R/T - Omaha Ring of Kerry • At this price, this trip will fill up fast • Killarney Includes daily Mass, most meals, roundtrip air, First Class Hotels, Blarney Castle daily tours, transfers, all admission fees, porterage, hotel taxes, service charges, govt. taxes and airline imposed surcharges. Cashel Enjoy the great hospitality of the Irish people who share Dublin their zest for life, their beautiful country and history. Best of Northern Ireland Father John Vakulskas Jr Belfast PO Box 347 Downpatrick Okoboji, IA 51355 (712) 490-8047 or [email protected] Derry Pates, who has fully supported Emmaus House throughout the years. “Emmaus House has contributed in the diocesan effort to be about its foremost task: enabling believers to be in personal contact with the Lord Jesus and from there with Father and Spirit and all the other personalities of our faith,” Bishop Pates said. “It fulfills the message in today’s Gospel.” A bigger, accessible house will enable Emmaus House to reach more people. “I applaud the courageous decision of the Emmaus’ Board of Directors to now expand its facilities in light of growing needs and to accomplish this goal through a capital campaign,” Bishop Pates continued. “I assure all that the effort enjoys the 100 percent support of the Diocese of Des Moines as well as my personal support in the form of participating in the campaign.” Bishop Pates encourag- es others to help. “I urge your investment as well,” he continued. “Such will be a valuable contribution to enabling so many more to benefit from the Emmaus ministry.” Emmaus House serves people of all faith traditions. To learn more visit emmaushousedm. com, call 515-282-4839 or email [email protected]. Mike May lights a candle for his wife, Eileen, the chair of the Emmaus House Board of Directors. They are members of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Indianola. 8 Hispanic Ministry The Catholic Mirror,July 17, 2015 www.dmdiocese.org Hispanic lay leadership team sent to minister in parishes New formation group forming With the first graduates of Hispanic lay leaders commissioned by Bishop Richard Pates to carry out ministry in their faith communities, another group for lay leadership formation is forming. The first group of 22 Hispanics journeyed together through nearly two years of faith formation in Spanish through El Instituto de Liderazgo Pastoral, a part of the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Illinois. There, they were given theological, pastoral and spiritual formation in Spanish. They received their certificate in lay leadership in early May and are now assuming more active roles in their parishes. Among their ministries are sacramental preparation, support to marriage and families in crisis, youth projects, Bible studies and more. A second group is being gathered and registered now with a start date in December. “I congratulate you on achieving your goal and express heartfelt thanks on behalf of the Diocese of Des Moines for your perseverance and sacrifice these two past years,” Bishop Pates said on June 14 during a Mass at Christ the King Parish. “It reflects your love for Jesus and the Church.” He sent them as missionary disciples to their communities to evangelize, making Jesus known and loved in our times, and to provide leadership in the Hispanic community. “May you be agents of unity casting aside backbiting, gossip and division in order that the spirit of Jesus reigns above all enabling his light and love to be the center of your life together,” he said. Mark your calendar Marriage & Couples Retreat Presenters: Lucia and Ricardo Luzondo Aug. 8 -- 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. , Catholic Pastoral Center, 601 Grand Ave., Des Moines Aug. 9 -- 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., St. Bernard Church, 222 E. Pearl St., Osceola Cost $20 per couple. To register and get more information contact: Mayra Moriel de Banuelos at 515-237-5011 or mmoriel@ dmdiocese.org Encuentro de Parejas Presentadores: Lucia y Ricardo Luzondo (Conferencistas y Cantantes Católicos a nivel internacional) Sábado 8 de Agosto de 8:30am a 5 p.m. Centro Pastoral Católico (601 Grand Ave. Des Moines) Domingo 9 de Agosto de 8:30am a 5 p.m. Parroquia de San Bernard ( 222 E. Pearl St. Osceola) Costo $20 por pareja. Incluye Desayuno y Comida Para inscribirse y obtener más información, por favor comuníquese con Mayra Moriel de Banuelos al 515-237-5011 o [email protected] Ministry of Compassion Workshop Aug. 15 -- 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Catholic Pastoral Center, 601 Grand Ave., Des Moines 15 de Agosto -- Taller de Ministerio de Compasión de 9 a.m. a 1 p.m. en el Centro Pastoral. Para inscribirse o recibir más información contacte a Mayra Moriel de Banuelos al 515-237-5011 o [email protected] Photos by Anne Marie Cox Juan Miramontes, of Our Lady of the Americas Parish, watches Bishop Richard Pates light his candle during a June 14 Mass at Christ the King Church in Des Moines. Diana Balmaceda looks on. Ya se está formando un nuevo grupo Los primeros graduados en Liderazgo Laico Hispano acaban de ser comisionados por el Obispo Pates para cumplir con su ministerio en sus comunidades de fe y ya se está formando un nuevo grupo de formación para líderes laicos. El primer grupo de 22 Hispanos estuvieron juntos en casi dos años de formación de fe en español por medio del Instituto de Liderazgo Pastoral, parte de la Universidad de St. Mary of the Lake en Mundelein, Illinois. Allí recibieron formación teológica, pastoral y espiritual en español. Ellos recibieron su certificado en liderazgo laico a inicios de mayo y están asumiendo un papel más activo en sus parroquias. Algunos de sus ministerios incluyen preparación sacramental, apoyo a matrimonios y familias en crisis, proyectos de juventud, estudios de biblia y más. Ya se está formando un nuevo grupo y se están recibiendo inscripciones para iniciar en diciembre. “Les felicito por lograr su meta y les doy gracias de todo corazón a nombre de la Diócesis de Des Moines por su perseverancia y sacrificio estos dos años,” dijo el Obispo Pates durante una Misa en la Parroquia de Christ the King el 14 de junio. “Es un reflejo de su amor por Jesús y la Iglesia.” Él les envió a sus comunidades como discípulos misioneros para evangelizar y hacer que Jesús sea conocido y amado en nuestro tiempo, y ofreciendo liderazgo en la comunidad Hispana. “Que sean agentes de unidad, haciendo a un lado los rumores, chismes y división para que reine el espíritu de Jesús sobre todos, permitiendo que su luz y amor sean el centro de sus vidas juntos,” les dijo. Father Minero takes on new role in Hispanic Ministry Father Reynaldo Hernandez Minero has been appointed chaplain to the Hispanic members of the Des Moines parishes of Christ the King, St. Anthony and the Basilica of St. John effective July 15. Father has served as parochial vicar at Our Lady of the Americas Parish for the past five years. This was his first assignment after his priestly ordination in his native El Salvador. Father will serve in his new role for a term of three years. “The Diocese of Des Moines is very grateful to Father Reynaldo for his much-appreciated ministry,” said Bishop Richard Pates. “We assure him of our prayerful support as he begins this new service.” The three parishes with significant Hispanic membership began sharing a ministry team as a means of bringing the His- panic culture and language to spiritualty. Eventually, the Latino Catholics will come to see the church where they at- Father Reynaldo tend Mass as Hernandez Minero their parish and merge with the rest of the parishioners in faith community. www.dmdiocese.org Hispanic Ministry Carneys: Con el esfuerzo de todos creo que pudimos lograr lo que quería el obispo Tom y Amparo Carney se separan de la Comisión Pastoral Hispana de la diócesis luego de ayudar a echarla a andar hace siete años. Los parroquianos de la Parroquia de Asunción en Granger, fueron invitados por el Obispo Richard Pates luego de llegar a Des Moines a que liderearan el comité para atender las necesidades de la creciente población Hispana. “Yo dije, ‘Bien, vamos a tratar y ver cómo funciona,” dijo Amparo, quien es maestra jubilada y nativa de Colombia. “Parece ser para mí que pudimos lograr lo que se necesitaba.” La primer meta del comité fue la de conseguir sacerdotes nativos en habla Hispana para servir las necesidades sacramentales de los Católicos Latinos. “Muchos de ellos no eran apropiadamente atendidos o no eran atendidos.” La diócesis se benefició de este esfuerzo y de una relación con la Diócesis de Zacatecoluca con tres sacerdotes de El Salvador. El Padre Reynaldo Hernández Minero, salvadoreño quien luego de cinco años de servir en Nuestra Señora de las Américas comenzará a servir en otras tres parroquias de Des Moines. El Padre Juan Antonio Hernández Lozano, salvadoreño quien sirvió en esas tres parroquias por algunos años antes de regresar a El Salvador. Y el recién ordenado Padre Luis Mejía Mejía quien es de El Salvador. También han venido otros dos nativos de países Hispanos, El Padre Enrique Cruz, mexicano, profesor en el Seminario de Concepción en Missouri, sirve a la diócesis durante los meses de verano. Además el Padre Fabián Moncada, originario de Colombia, quien se ordenó en la diócesis. Además, los Carney ayudaron a la comisión a obtener una subvención de Extensión Católica (Catholic Extension por su nombre en inglés) para traer a tres mujeres religiosas mexicanas a Des Moines para ayudar a crear liderazgo en la comunidad Hispana. Una segunda prioridad de la Comisión Pastoral Hispana era la de hacer el uso más eficiente de los recursos que tenía disponible la diócesis. La comisión trabajó con parroquias y con aquellos involucrados en el Ministerio Hispano a crear principios comunes para sacramentos como el bautismo y bendiciones culturales como las quinceañeras. En tercer lugar, la comisión trabajó por años en el desarrollo de un programa de formación de liderazgo laico. “Eso fue, de alguna forma, la parte más difícil,” dijo Tom. Una prebenda de Catholic Extension ayudó a la dióce- Tom and Amparo Carney are stepping down from the diocesan Hispanic Pastoral Commission after helping it get off the ground about seven years ago. The parishioners of Assumption Parish in Granger were invited by Bishop Richard Pates after he arrived in Des Moines to chair a committee to meet the needs of a growing Hispanic population. “I said, ‘Well, we are going to give it a try and see how it will work,’” said Amparo, a retired teacher and native Colombian. The first goal of the committee was to get native Spanish-speaking priests to serve the sacramental needs of Latino Catholics. The diocese has benefited from this effort and a relationship with the Diocese of Zacatecoluca with three priests from El Salvador. Salvadoran Father Reynaldo Hernandez Minero, after five years serving Our Lady of the Americas, will begin serving three other Des Moines parishes. Salvadoran Father Juan Antonio Hernandez Lozano served those three parishes for a few years before returning to El Salvador. And, the newly ordained Father Luis Mejia Mejia is from El Salvador. Two other native Spanish speakers have come, as well. Mexican Father Enrique Cruz, a professor at Conception Seminary in Missouri, serves the diocese during the summer months. In addition, Father Fabian Moncada, originally of Colombia, was ordained for the diocese. In addition, the Carneys helped the commission gain a grant from Catholic Extension to bring three Mexican religious women to Des Moines to help build leadership in the Hispanic community. A second priority of the Hispanic Pastoral Commission was to use most efficiently the resources the diocese had. The commission worked with parishes and those in Hispanic Ministry to create commonly held principles Founding members of the diocesan Hispanic Pastoral Commission, Tom and Amparo Carney of Assumption Parish in Granger, are stepping down. sis a contratar a Mayra Moriel de Bañuelos como coordinadora de Ministerio Hispano y a Luis Salinas como coordinador de Ministerio Juvenil Hispano, quienes han estado trabajando en desarrollar liderazgo laico. Un grupo de 22 se acaba de graduar de un instituto en Chicago y han recibido del Obispo Pates la comisión de asumir el ministerio de liderazgo en cooperación con sus párrocos en sus parroquias. Algunos de los graduandos de este grupo buscarán ingresar a formación del diaconado permanente luego de que se gradúe una segunda clase de líderes. “Nos tomó tiempo llegar a este punto,” dijo Tom. “Va a ser verdaderamente valioso para la diócesis. Creo que (el número de líderes Hispanos laicos) va a crecer y va a hacer una gran diferencia en el ministerio Hispano en la diócesis.” “Lo que al inicio parecía ser una enorme tarea, con el esfuerzo de todos creo que pudimos lograr lo que quería el obispo,” dijo Amparo. Tom y Amparo están listos para tomar nuevos retos. Tom escribe un blog sobre la fe en SkepticFaith.blogspot.com, y la pareja ha aceptado liderar la participación de su parroquia en el programa de almuerzo en el centro de Des Moines llamado Connection Café. “Hemos avanzado mucho,” dijo Tom sobre el esfuerzo de formar liderazgo a partir de cero. “Creo que le hemos demostrado a los Católicos Hispano en la diócesis que la diócesis se está tomando en serio el servirles.” Carneys stepping down from Hispanic commission for sacraments like baptism and cultural blessings like quinceanera. Third, the commission worked for years on developing a lay leadership formation program. “That was, in some ways, the hardest part,” Tom said. The diocese received grants from Catholic Extension to hire Hispanic Ministry Coordinator Mayra Moriel de Banuelos and Hispanic Youth Ministry Coordinator Luis Salinas, who have been working on developing lay leadership. A class of 22 has just graduated from an institute in Chicago. Some from the graduating class will pursue the permanent diaconate after a second class of lay leader graduates. Tom and Amparo are ready for new challenges. Tom writes a blog on faith at SkepticFaith.blogspot.com, and the couple has agreed to lead their parish’s participation in a downtown Des Moines lunch program called Connection Café. The Catholic Mirror, July 17, 2015 9 Pastoral de Conjunto, the core of ministry to the Hispanic community Pastoral de Conjunto, el centro del ministerio a la comunidad By Antonio Bañuelos Contributing Writer By Antonio Bañuelos Contributing Writer One of the priorities of the Diocese of Des Moines is reaching out to newcomers, particularly Spanish-speaking people. As a diocese and as a Catholic community, we have faced the challenge to serve the pastoral needs for what is almost 30 percent of the Catholics of the diocese. Many think that the challenges are a consequence of a different language or a different culture. Although these exist, the main barriers are the method and approach to this outreach. The way Hispanics encounter and live Christ is different to that of the European-based methods. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops calls it “Pastoral de Conjunto,” which very vaguely translated means “collaborative team ministry.” All ministries in the Catholic Church have one common goal: to “bring its people to a closer encounter with Jesus Christ through his body the Church.” We have many parishes and parochial movements that spend countless hours working on plans, structures, methods and agendas. Pastoral de Conjunto goes beyond bureaucratic structures and becomes a communal expression of spirituality. In a simple sense, we love God and we serve God because we want to, because we can and because we have to make him known to all. Pastoral de Conjunto requires fewer structures and more communication at all levels of the Church organization. Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez would say, “Don’t get caught up in thinking about our plans. … We concentrate so much on the means and end up mistaking the means for the end.” Pastoral de Conjunto is about merely focusing on the end, which is Christ. The European-style structures and methods, which predominate in Anglo parishes all over the United States, are often seen by Hispanic Catholics as limiting or controlling factors. Establishing a true relationship based on direct open communication and trust will allow this one-third of Catholics in our diocese, to rediscover the true meaning of collaboration in our Church beyond parishes, beyond movements, beyond organization, but in living example of the first communities who simply called themselves Christians. Una de las prioridades de la Diócesis de Des Moines es la de servir a los recién llegados, particularmente al pueblo de habla Hispana. Como Diócesis y como comunidad Católica, hemos enfrentado el reto de servir las necesidades pastorales de quienes forman casi el 30% de los Católicos de la diócesis. Muchos piensan que los retos son a consecuencia de un lenguaje diferente o de diferencias culturales. A pesar de la existencia de estos, las principales barreras son el modo y el método de dar este servicio. La forma en que los hispanos encontramos y vivimos a Cristo es diferente a la forma basada en métodos europeos. La Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de los Estados Unidos llama a este método Pastoral de Conjunto, que se describe muy generalmente como “ministerio colaborativo en equipo.” Todos los ministerios de la Iglesia Católica tienen una meta común: “llevar al pueblo a un encuentro más cercano con Jesucristo por medio de Su cuerpo la Iglesia.” Tenemos muchas parroquias y movimientos parroquianos que pasan horas incontables trabajando en planes, estructuras, métodos y agendas. La Pastoral de Conjunto va más allá de estructuras burocráticas y se convierte en una expresión común de espiritualidad. Sencillamente, amamos y servimos a Dios porque queremos, porque podemos y porque sabemos que debemos hacerlo conocido a todos. La Pastoral de Conjunto requiere menos estructuras y más comunicación en todos los niveles de la Iglesia como organización. Su Excelencia José Gómez, Arzobispo de Los Ángeles dice “no nos atoremos en pensar sobre nuestros planes… nos concentramos tanto en los modos que terminamos confundiendo los modos con las metas.” La Pastoral de Conjunto se basa en enfocarse principalmente en la meta final que es Cristo. Las estructuras y métodos al estilo europeo que predomina en las parroquias Anglosajonas de todos los Estados Unidos son vistos en veces por los Católicos Hispanos como factores limitantes o de control. Al establecer relaciones verdaderas basadas en comunicaciones directas y en la confianza, permitirá que este tercio de los Católicos de nuestra Diócesis pueda redescubrir el verdadero significado de colaboración en nuestra Iglesia, más allá de parroquias, más allá de movimientos, más allá de organizaciones; siguiendo el ejemplo de vida de las primeras comunidades que se llamaban simplemente Cristianos. 10 The Catholic Mirror,July 17, 2015 www.dmdiocese.org Local Catholics meet Pope Francis Ambassador Quinn, wife share World Food Prize mission with pontiff By Reed Flood Staff Writer Former U.S. Ambassador Kenneth Quinn, president of the World Food Prize (WFP), hopes Iowa’s legacy in agriculture will save another 1 billion lives and attract Pope Francis to visit Des Moines in October. During a surprise visit with the Holy Father this past May, Ambassador Quinn asked Pope Francis if he would stop by Iowa during his visit to America in three months. The pope smiled and replied “Iowa! It’s so far away.” Quinn hopes Iowa’s legacy in farming and agriculture will put Des Moines on the pope’s radar. Just last year, the WFP in Des Moines hosted more than 1,200 people from 56 countries to discuss solutions to end world hunger. During the conference, scientists brought up some frightening statistics that would attract even the pope’s attention. “There are about 1 billion people in the world who are insecure in food” reported Quinn. “There’s going to be another 2 billion in the next couple years who will live in food insecurity.” He warns climate change will only make this problem worse. Fortunately, the pope is not alone in the fight against world hunger. Quinn follows in the footsteps of a man credited to saving more lives than any other person in history. Dr. Norman Borlaug, Iowa native and the original founder of the WFP, believed biotechnology could increase food supply. Through his work in advancing agriculture, Borlaug saved close to 1 billion lives. Ambassador Quinn reveals how witnessing miracles, like those performed by Borlaug, can recruit people in the fight against world hunger. When he started his career, the former ambassador wanted nothing to do with starving people. In his early 20s, Ambassador Quinn became a diplomat so he could “attend fancy parties in chandelier ballrooms.” He was stirred from his dreams of luxury when the war broke out in Vietnam. He was sent to Vietnam with the task of advising small rural villages. It was in these villages where Quinn had a revelation. He observed how the combination of genetically modified “miracle-rice” and improved roads lifted the Vietnamese out of poverty. As he watched the agricultural innovations save thousands of lives, Quinn vowed to dedicate his life to end hunger. “I became a foot-soldier in the green revolution,” he said. Ambassador Quinn saw tremendous success throughout his career. “From 1965 to 2005, we Photo courtesy of L’Osservatore Romano World Food Prize President Dr. Kenneth Quinn and his wife, Le Son, had an opportunity to visit with Pope Francis and Cardinal Turkson during a recent visit to Rome. Former U.S. Ambassador Quinn hopes Pope Francis considers coming to Iowa someday. saw the single greatest period of food production and hunger reduction in human existence,” he said. After he retired from his work overseas, he joined the WFP in Des Moines where he and his staff now focus on the future of Borlaug’s legacy. Catherine Swoboda, director of Iowa and Midwest Education Programs for the WFP Foundation, believes the legacy of saving lives starts with Iowa’s youth. “We do a tremendous amount of work to engage young people,” she said. Swoboda became involved with the WFP at age 16 while attending East High School. “I remember as a teenager looking at the WFP laureates. They had made contributions that uplifted millions out of starvation and suffering,” she said. “I wanted to be a part of that.” Her story isn’t unique. Every year, the WFP offers internships to students who want to join the effort in ending world hunger. “That’s the legacy of Norman Borlaug and that’s the legacy of our state,” she said. Former Des Moines couple greet Pope Francis Court ruling on marriage Cont. from page 1 tin Amos, Sioux City Bishop R. Walker Nickless and Bishop Pates. The US Supreme Court’s ruling on marriage saddens us. To make something legal does not mean that it is true or good. Take, for example, the ruling that legalized abortion. Notwithstanding this ruling, we will continue to lead people to live under the Gospel, which requires us to be humble and loving to all others, regard- less. The Gospel also compels us to defend and share with others Jesus’ teaching on marriage, which re-asserted the original plan of creation, and which no one can rend asunder: One man and one woman who freely give themselves to each other in a permanent and exclusive partnership, to be helpmates for each other, and to be open to conceiving and bringing up children. We believe that this understanding of marriage does no harm; on the contrary, it serves the common good of society, as well as the good of family life, and of children. We still expect that true religious liberty, enshrined in our Constitution, and won at such a dear price, will be honored, allowing us to be guided by a faithformed conscience in our teaching and practice. There’s a reason more Catholic families choose an Iles Funeral Home... ...and it starts with our people. Barbara Bellizzi, St. John the Apostle Sydney Blanchard, St. Joseph’s Kelly Broderick, St. Boniface Randy Broich, St. Mary of Nazareth Mark Dreckman, St. Pius X Tom Goodwin, St. Mary of Nazareth Bill Henry, St. Pius X Jan Hogan, St. Francis of Assisi Tim Hughes, St. Theresa’s Ted Lockwood, St. Pius X Sharon Reid, St. Joseph’s Allyn Salz, St. Mary of Nazareth Karl Schmitz, Jr., St. Malachy’s Diana Shandri, St. Joseph’s Paul Sweeney, St. Pius X John Wild, Christ The King John Wild,Sr., Christ The King Larry Zahm, St. Pius X Photo by Servizio Fotografia St. Augustin School and Dowling Catholic High School alumni Allison Harvey Smith and Colton Smith had an opportunity to visit Pope Francis during their honeymoon this past spring. Before they married at St. Augustin Church in Des Moines, Colton Smith had requested tickets to the weekly audience with the pope for newlyweds. Allison Harvey Smith is the youth minister at Church of St. Mary in Lake Forest, Illinois. Colton Smith works for a Chicago trading firm. Find out what’s going on in the Diocese of Des Moines every Friday at 10 a.m. Tune in to “In the Heartland with Bishop Pates” on Iowa Catholic Radio 1150 AM / 88.5 FM / 94.5 FM Or stream it live at www.iowacatholicradio.com www.dmdiocese.org By Reed Flood Staff Writer Photo by Kelly Mescher Collins Continued from page 1 the clean energy industry. “We are called to participate in public life and work for the common good,” he said. His remarks were delivered by Father David Fleming, Vicar General, due to a throat ailment. “We will have presidential candidates visiting our state regularly in the coming months. We have a unique opportunity to keep the issue of climate change on the front burner.” Davenport Bishop Martin Amos began the news conference with prayer directly from the Holy Father’s encyclical. Pope Francis, in “Laudato Si,” explained that human life is grounded and intertwined with God, each other and Earth itself, said Father Robert “Bud” Grant, an environmental theologian and instructor at St. Ambrose University in Davenport. Climate change and overconsumption have created social, economic and spiritual consequences, he said. The world’s poor, who contribute the least to environmental problems, are bearing the heaviest consequences, said Father Grant. Pope Francis “is absolutely adamant that climate change is real, it’s advanced and that we are causing it,” he said. Every person on the planet is invited to work toward solutions, which will take “profound political courage.” The encyclical, though, goes deeper than a political debate, he said. ”The pope uses the words Democrat and Republican exactly zero times” in the encyclical, said Father Grant. However, the Holy Father does use the word “relationship” more than 100 times. “It’s the most-oftenused word in the encyclical other than those related to God, religion and the earth. He wants us to build relationships with the earth and with one another,” said Father Grant. “Fundamentally, this is about all human beings. It’s not about political debate. He thinks we need to get beyond that and buckle down and get to work” at finding solutions. There is groundwork for an interfaith effort, said Rev. Susan Guy, director of the Iowa Interfaith Power and Light. “All major faith traditions have a statement on caring for the earth or caring for creation and they all have something to say about caring for one another,” she said. “Climate change is an issue that impacts both the earth and all of us. It really is an issue that we’ve come together around.” Extreme weather can be seen here in Iowa. “In recent years, we’ve seen more volatile weather, more extreme events -- unprecedented is the word – unprecedented in our lifetime: heat, drought and heavy rain and late snows and extreme cold in snow. We need to prepare and adapt for these extremes,” said southwest Iowa soybean farmer Ray Gaesser. “We need to use practices that are successful along with new technologies to feed people and enhance our resources,” said Gaesser, a parishioner at St. Patrick Parish in Lenox. “We should all work together because it’s the morally right thing to do.” Change can also be seen in Iowa. It’s possible to care for the environment while encouraging economic growth. In Iowa, 28 percent of the energy Iowans use comes from the wind. Local governments get taxable value in their communities, farmers gain income and utilities gain a stable supply of clean energy, said Kirk Kraft, who works for Iowa-based wind farm developer RPMAccess. “We’re living proof that doing the right thing environmentally can also be a very positive economic impact,” he said. Ultimately, “Laudato Si” is a teaching document of hope, said Lonnie Ellis, associate director of the Catholic Climate Covenant. “The pope, with a huge smile on his face, is saying we can do this. We can have a better relationship with the Creator. We can protect our children” and find economic opportunity while protecting the environment. 11 Sustainability “isn’t just a donation” Environmental encyclical Environmental theologian Father Robert “Bud” Grant and Vicar General Father David Fleming share a few words before the press conference. The Catholic Mirror, July 17, 2015 Justin Doyle, principal at Modus Engineering, proves that “you don’t need to eat granola” to operate an environmentally friendly business. Lack of interest, fear of expenses and nature-loving stereotypes are just a few of the excuses Doyle has heard from business owners who avoid switching to sustainable energy. With his newly renovated building Market One, located in downtown Des Moines, Doyle has plans to erase any doubts people may have about going green. “Being sustainable doesn’t just have to be a donation of money” said Doyle. “There’s a very valid business case for it.” Doyle’s company spent $2 million converting a 100-yearold warehouse into an ener- gy-producing gold mine. The building sports 787 solar panels that cover both the roof and parking ramp. Beneath the surface lie geothermal wells that reach depths of 380 feet. The building interior shines with LED lights. On a sunny summer day, the building can produce enough energy to power about 330 homes for one hour – double the amount of energy it consumes. At its current rate, the entire energy system will pay for itself in eight and a half years. Doyle hopes to convert people’s checkbooks and their minds. “We’re trying to change the mindset of a throwaway culture one building at a time. If we as a society and as Catholics can keep pounding that issue home, then that’s moving the ball down the field.” Pope Francis’ encyclical on climate change, released June 18, urges business to cut back on waste. Doyle draws his inspiration from a much earlier lifestyle dating back to the Great Depression. “They didn’t want to waste things back then. The encyclical on climate change is just a natural progression on what my grandpa (who founded the company) was hearing back in church.” Doyle demonstrates how living sustainably and operating a business go hand-in-hand. “I want to have other business owners and Catholics try to live those same ideals through their basic business practices,” he said. “Don’t turn off Catholic thought when you leave the church on Sunday. Take it with you to work, the way you make investments and home to your families.” Iowa Catholic Conference legislative update The Iowa legislative session began in January with Democrats in control of the Senate, 26-24, and with Republicans leading the House 57-43. Iowa is one of only seven states with a legislature that’s not controlled by a single party. As a result, it’s more difficult to pass bills through both chambers. The usual deadline to end the session is when the per-diem payment for expenses by legislators runs out – this year on May 1. However, the session By Tom Chapman Contributing Writer bogged down on a dispute over public school funding levels. The legislature finally adjourned on June 5 after reaching agreement on final details of the state budget. Gov. Terry Branstad signed the final budget bills from the session last week. He also vetoed several line items in those bills. The Iowa Catholic Conference had supported two of the items that were vetoed, including $100,000 in funding for a refugee pilot program, and an increase in the number of parents who would be eligible to receive child care assistance. However, receiving the most attention was the gover- nor’s veto of an additional $56 million in “one-time” funding for public schools. Democrats are calling for a special session of the legislature to address the issue. Legislators can call a special session if two-thirds of Senators and Representatives agree. For a complete review of the 2015 legislative session and its two committees, Education, and Human Life and Dignity, go to the ICC’s website: http://iowacatholicconference. org/2015/07/report-on-2015-legislative-session/ Tom Chapman is the executive director of the Iowa Catholic Conference. For all the latest news, updates and photos, follow us! www.facebook.com/dmdiocese 12 The Catholic Mirror,July 17, 2015 www.dmdiocese.org Mark your calendar for fifth annual Rural Life Mass Former Des Moines Register columnist Chuck Offenburger will speak after Mass By Anne Marie Cox Staff Writer Everyone is invited to the fifth annual Rural Life Mass on Aug. 16 at 2 p.m. at the Kautzky farm, about 5 miles south of Perry. The outdoor Mass offers an opportunity for urban and rural people to come together to show solidarity with rural Iowans and celebrate their important role in the diocese. The Mass will be on the farm of Greg and Lori Kautzky, parents of Father Zach Kautzky, at 18443 195th St., Perry. The couple is working with St. Patrick Parish in Perry to host the gathering. “It’s an opportunity for the diocese as a community to observe a Mass in a nice, rural setting,” said Bob Smith, a member of St. Patrick’s worship committee and a planner for the event. It’s a chance for those who farm to come together with those who have roots in farming, added Lori and Greg. “It used to be that people would have a real direct connection to farm life, whether themselves or their parents,” she said. “Now, people are more removed. I’m hoping this helps people feel more connected.” Chuck Offenburger, who penned the “Iowa Boy” column in the Des Moines Register for 21 years, has seen rural Iowa change in the 50-plus years he’s been writing. He’ll share his thoughts after the Mass. “I have seen tremendous change in rural life in the last half century. Much of that has been driven or dictated by the changes in agriculture,” he said. “One thing that has not changed is the need for faith.” When rural communities were settled, one of the first things to be built was a church, he said. Great leaders have come from rural communities, he said, mentioning Msgr. Luigi Ligutti. Greg and Lori Kautzky “He was a classic example of poor, rural area of coal miners a spiritual leader coming into a and farmers and giving them direction,” Offenburger said. “He set a great model that we still see today in leaders of the faith out here, pulling our communities forward.” Greg and Lori live on his grandparents’ farm. His grandfather purchased about 80 acres in 1899. His father lived there and built another home on the farm. “I grew up here next to my grandparents’ house,” Greg said. Now, the third generation farmer has a couple of sons and a son-in-law who farm corn and soybeans with him. Rural Life Mass What: Fifth annual Rural Life Mass When: Sunday, Aug. 16 at 2 p.m. Where: Kautzky Farm 18443 195th St., 5.3 miles south of Perry Speaker: Former Des Moines Register “Iowa Boy” columnist and blogger Chuck Offenburger of Offenburger.com For more information: Ken Bresnan, 515-237-5089, kbresnan@ catholiccharitiesdm.org Rural Life Mass has moved across southwest Iowa The first annual diocesan Rural Life Mass was celebrated at the home of Ron and Maria Vakulskas Rosmann in Shelby County. The second moved to Lucas County near Chariton, on the farm of Mike and Kellee Curran. In 2013, the Mass was held on the farm of Jo and Robert Mulvihill about six miles west of Cumming. Last year, the Rural Life Mass was held near Stuart, on the farm of Tom and Amy Doud. www.dmdiocese.org The Catholic Mirror, July 17, 2015 13 Students’ suicides spur meeting for Hispanic community her son was a good friend of [one of the deceased].” Bañuelos referred the woman to a counselor, but want The diocesan Hispanic ed to bring help to the entire comMinistry Office held an informa- munity. tional meeting on suicide prevenBetty Mond, clinical tion for the Hispanic community therapist from the Catholic Charon May 21 in Spanish at the Cath- ities’ Center for Life Counseling olic Pastoral Center. and Father Fabián Moncada, for The meeting was mer associate pastor at Sacred prompted by a string of suicides Heart Parish in West Des Moines by young people in the Des (who has since been given a new Moines area. More than one of assignment at Corpus Christi Parthese students were of Hispanic ish in Council Bluffs), were on descent. hand to help answer questions Nearly 200 adults and and speak with attendees. teenagers came to the meeting to The event was positive learn more, said Mayra Moriel for families to air concerns and de Bañuelos, diocesan Hispan- have questions answered, Mond ic Ministry coordinator. Many said. were feeling panic and unable to “The anxiety was so find resources in their language. high in the community that it was Parents and teenagers in the com- very good that they came and also munity are concerned, upset and brought some of their teenagers,” wondering what they can do to Mond said. “It was a place where prevent this from happening in they could share and talk out all the future, she said. of their worries.” “I got a phone call from Mond told the group that one of the moms of teenagers – young people are at a very vulshe was so scared,” Bañuelos nerable age, so family support is said. “She was impacted because critical. By Kelly Mescher Collins Staff Writer “They don’t have coping mechanisms,” she said. “The structure of their personalities is still developing.” When a young person feels bullied, ignored or rejected by a peer, they have a much harder time dealing with these realities than an adult does, Mond added. Also, the teenager can absorb any anxiety the family system is suffering, putting them in a vulnerable situation. “It’s very important for the whole family to support the changes of the teenager and help them self-differentiate from their group of peers,” Mond continued. Parents concerned that their child may be depressed should pay attention to changes in behavior, sleeping or eating patterns or if they’re withdrawing from family, friends and activities. Parents should also pay attention to who their child is spending time with, as well as the television shows, movies and books they are consuming, Mond said. It’s important for parents to have a positive, open relation- ship with their kids, so that they feel safe in sharing their feelings. Mond said parents “cannot give yourself the luxury of giving up” on an open line of communication with your child. Father Moncada said it’s also imperative that parents make their faith a central part of the family. “We need to focus on spirituality in the interior of the family,” he said. “It’s extremely important to live different circumstances through the eyes of faith. They help us understand in a different view our relationship with pain, difficulties and our relationship with the dead as well.” In addition to counseling services, Father Moncada Fairway Fathers said that when young people are feeling down or depressed, the Church has spiritual tools in place to help them, including prayers of deliverance and healing. Uniting our pain with the pain our Lord Jesus Christ endured and finding meaning in our pain and suffering can help us through difficult situations. If you think you or someone you know may be depressed or suicidal, please contact your local priest or the Catholic Charities Center for Life Counseling in Des Moines at 515-237-5045 or in Council Bluffs at 712-3283086, or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1 (800) 273-8255. Priests and seminarians gather for golf outing fundraiser and questions about vocations Photos by Reed Flood Above: Monsignor Frank Bognanno, pastor of Christ the King Parish in Des Moines, played alongside young men who attended the Fairway Fathers golf outing on Monday, June 22. Right: Seminarian James Downey eyes the hole for his next shot. Educator Sister Mary Anne Leto dies Sister Mary Anne Leto (Mary Jacinta), 87, died July 1 at Bishop Drumm Retirement Center in Johnston, Services were July 6 at Bishop Drumm Our Lady of Peace Chapel and the funeral Mass was July 7. Burial services and interment were at 11:30 a.m. July 8 at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Ottumwa. Sister Leto was born Feb. 16, 1928 in Des Moines to Ignazio and Josephine Collo Leto. She entered the Congregation of the Humility of Mary Sept. 8, 1946 and professed vows July 19, 1949. She held a master’s degree in special education from Drake University. Sister taught at several elementary schools in the Des Moines diocese: Sacred Heart in West Des Moines, St. Pius X in Urbandale, and St. Anthony and All Saints in Des Moines. She also taught in Quad Cities and in Montana. She worked as nurse aide and in pastoral care at Bishop Drumm Retirement Sister Mary Center, for Anne Leto more than a decade she was director of activities. From 2000-2009 she served as coordinator of retired sisters’ services. She, herself, retired to Bishop Drumm in 2012 where she resided until her death. She was the sister of Father Nelo Leto, a retired priest of the Des Moines diocese. Memorials may be made to the Sisters of Humility of Mary. 14 The Catholic Mirror,July 17, 2015 www.dmdiocese.org En las Tierras del Corazón Con el Obispo Pates Con las palabras tomadas del canto de San Francisco, “Alabado Seas, Mi Señor” es como el Papa Francisco abre su encíclica sobre el medio ambiente. Este inicio marca inmediatamente las reflexiones del Papa dentro del contexto de la creación. Ustedes y yo hemos sido bendecidos con el don de las obras de Dios. Estamos relacionados integralmente a la inicia de Dios y como la corona de la creación por virtud de nuestra consciencia y autorreferencia, estamos llamados a ser administradores de esta creación. Es nuestra responsabilidad el mantener su integridad y su hospitalidad que es dadora de vida para todas las creaturas que viven dentro de su marco pero en especial, por supuesto, para la familia humana. Pero el gran regalo de la consciencia incluye el don de la voluntad personal de tomar decisiones que son en veces contrarias al mejor interés del mundo natural. El Papa Francisco menciona al Papa Benedicto al establecer que la degradación de la Madre Tierra, como la que vivimos hoy en día, es debida a una libertad descontrolada. “el hombre no es solamente una libertad que él se crea por sí solo. El hombre no se crea a sí mismo. Es espíritu y voluntad, pero tam- Alabado Seas, Mi Señor By Bishop Richard E. Pates bién naturaleza.” Con paternal preocupación, nos invitó a tomar conciencia de que la creación se ve perjudicada “donde nosotros mismos somos las últimas instancias, donde el conjunto es simplemente una propiedad nuestra y el consumo es sólo para nosotros mismos.” (Párrafo 6) El Papa Francisco va de identificar la responsabilidad humana de la degradación natural citando al Patriarca Bartolomeo, Patriarca Ecuménico de Constantinopla para la Iglesia Ortodoxa Oriental. El Patriarca indicó lo siguiente: “Que los seres humanos destruyan la diversidad biológica en la creación divina; que los seres humanos degraden la integridad de la tierra y contribuyan al cambio climático, desnudando la tierra de sus bosques naturales o destruyendo sus zonas húmedas; que los seres humanos contaminen las aguas, el suelo, el aire. Todos estos son pecados.” Porque “un crimen contra la naturaleza es un crimen contra nosotros mismos y un pecado contra Dios.” (Párrafo 8) El Patriarca Bartolomeo ve la conversión humana como el principal remedio de la crisis ambiental. Nos propuso “pasar del consumo al sacrificio, de la avidez a la generosidad, del desperdicio a la capacidad de compartir, en una ascesis que «significa aprender a dar, y no simplemente renunciar. Es un modo de amar, de pasar poco a poco de lo que yo quiero a lo que necesita el mundo de Dios.” (Párrafo 9) Entonces, el Papa Francisco presenta el argumento para un cambio, determina qué se necesita para un auténtico cambio y entonces llama a todos los habitantes de la tierra a asumir esta transformación. Pero el cambio requiere motivación. ¿Quién soy yo entre 7 mil millones de personas para tener un impacto al cambiar yo? Incluso si nos uniéramos solamente a otros miles, ¿qué diferencia podría hacer? Para poder ir más allá de lo inmediato, necesitamos superar los resultados más pragmáticos para estar en contacto con mi identidad relacional. Relaciones, o un derivado de esta palabra, aparece con gran frecuencia en la encíclica del Papa Francisco – más de 160 veces. Al cambiar en ritmo con la Madre Tierra y la naturaleza – corregiré mi relación con Dios y con la creación que él ha designado como mi hogar. Al cambiar – atenderé mi relación con los pobres y vulnerables que son quienes más sufren cuando se rompe el equilibrio natural. El Papa Francisco se pregunta sobre la persona más indefensa que existe: “No parece factible un camino educativo para acoger a los seres débiles que nos rodean, que a veces son molestos o inoportunos, si no se protege a un embrión humano aunque su llegada sea causa de molestias y dificultades: Si se pierde la sensibilidad personal y social para acoger una nueva vida, también se marchitan otras formas de acogida provechosas para la vida social.” (Párrafo 120) Al cambiar proveemos a la salud intergeneracional y al bienestar de nuestros hijos, nietos y descendientes por varios siglos. ¿Podemos limitar o amenazar su futuro a consecuencia de nuestros descuidos? Lo que el Papa Francisco hace en esta encíclica es exponer ante nosotros la condición actual de la Madre Tierra. A todas luces, la Tierra está en crisis. La razón de esto está relacionada directamente al comportamiento humano. Dado el don que tenemos de la libertad, podemos cambiar ese comportamiento y a la vez la salud de la tierra. Pero ¿qué es lo que tenemos que hacer para cambiar? Exhorto a todos a leer cuidadosamente “Alabado Seas, Mi Señor.” No es un documento científico ni es de naturaleza política. El referirse a éste como tal, sirve para desviar la atención de la intención del Papa. Es de carácter religioso, un documento moral si así lo prefieren, que nos llama a la acción. Lo fundamental es que Dios creó a cada persona humana por amor, así como a nuestro hogar, la tierra. Tenemos la plena capacidad de responder a ese llamado divino con un amor altruista, que Jesús nos puso como ejemplo. La Reina KDLF 1260AM Fr. Fabian Moncada on Wednesdays 11 a.m. - noon, repeats on Sundays, 11 a.m. - noon. Luis Salinas pn Saturdays, 11 a.m. - noon. Consejero sobre Asistencia de Víctimas El Consejero sobre Asistencia de Víctimas es un empleado de Polk County Victim Services. Ella ayuda a víctimas de abuso sexual por parte del clero durante el proceso de la queja y buscando servicios de apoyo y consejería. Pueden comunicarse al 515-286-2028 o en [email protected]. George W. Appleby Attorney Des Moines Free Initial Consultation Office: 515-282-6803 Cell: 515-238-8396 [email protected] Fulfilling our mission is to help Catholics know, love and keep their faith. Stop in and have a cup of coffee, peruse our great selection, & connect with other people of faith. You’ll be glad you did. 5701 Hickman Rd. • Des Moines, 50310 515-255-5230 • 877-206-2220 www.DivineTreasuresInc.net [email protected] Mary, pray for us. Sister Pat Haley passes away Dubuque, Iowa – Des Moines native Sister Mary Pat Haley, (St. Thomas), 81, died May 30 at Caritas Center in Dubuque. She was buried in the Mount Carmel cemetery in Dubuque. Sister Mary Pat was an elementary and secondary school teacher in Iowa City and the Chicago area. She was college professor and administrator at Mundelein College, and assistant dean of humanities and professor of communications at Loyola University, both in Chicago. She was a college professor in Los Gatos, Calif. She was born in Des Moines Dec. 10, 1933, to Edward and Lucille (Muelhaupt) Haley and entered the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary from St. Augustin Parish on Sept. 8, 1952. She professed first vows on March 19, 1955, and final vows on July 16, 1960. Sister Mary She Pat Haley is survived by three sisters, a brother, nieces and nephews the Sisters of Charity, BVM, with whom she shared life for 62 years. Memorials may be given to the Sisters of Charity, BVM Support Fund, 1100 Carmel Drive, Dubuque, Iowa 52003, or online at bvmcong.org/whatsnew_obits.cfm. St. Jude, Thank you for your intercession. 15 Funeral for Sister Sharon Culhane will be July 20 in Michigan www.dmdiocese.org Thank you St. Jude for prayers answered. LA ADRIAN, MICHIGAN—Sister Sharon Culhane, formerly known as Sister Thomas Clare Culhane, died on July 11 at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian Michigan. She was 76 years of age and in the 57th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation. Sister Sharon was born in Rockford, Illinois and earned a bachelor’s degree in The Catholic Mirror, July 17, 2015 fine arts from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian, Michigan. She ministered in elementary and secondary education for 40 years including three years at St. Augustin School in Des Moines. She served at the school from 1958-1961. She also spent 10 years serving the African American communities in Charleston and Columbia, South Carolina. Sister became a resident in Adrian, Michigan in 2015. A funeral Mass will be July 20 at the St. Catherine Chapel at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. Memorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, Michigan, 49221. Des Moines’ only Catholic-owned and operated funeral home. Mark and John Parrish, parishioners of St. Francis of Assisi Director of Hispanic & Multicultural Ministry The Diocese of Sioux City has an opening for Director of Hispanic & Multicultural Ministry to provide for the ongoing support & continued development of programs for Spanishspeaking Catholics NW Iowa. Bi-lingual Spanish/English required. Work includes collaboration with parish leadership, evangelization & the integration of Hispanics into the full life of the Church. Successful applicant must be practicing Catholic in good standing, w/ coursework in Theology and/or equivalent work experience in coordinating/directing diocesan and/or parish ministries preferred. Must possess proven leadership skills, excellent interpersonal skills & ability to communicate with staff, parishioners & administrative boards. Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a team is essential. Competency with computers required, including word processing skills. The Diocese offers a competitive compensation / benefits package incl tuition assistance for children enrolled in Diocesan Catholic Schools. Position is available immediately & will remain open until filled. Please send resume, cover letter w/ salary requirements & 3 professional references to: Margaret Fuentes, Director of Human Resources; Diocese of Sioux City, P O Box 3379, Sioux City IA 51102-3379; E-mail: margaretf@ scdiocese.org. 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