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S P E C I A L R E P O R T

Pope Francis’ exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, the Joy of the Gospel

PA R E N T I N G J O U R N E Y

Shouldn’t my children dress up for Mass?

T H E M A G A Z I N E O F T H E C A T H O L I C D I O C E S E O F M E M P H I S

DOANDINHTRUST AND GOD WILL LEAD YOU

Faith West Tennessee / March 2014 / www.CDOM.org2

The Magazine of the Catholic Diocese of Memphis Bishop J. Terry Steib, SVD, D.D

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March 2014 • Volume 1: Issue 6

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InnerWorkingsPRINT MANAGEMENT

Carlson Productions | Tom Gennara Dr. John Tyler (cover) | Philip Shippert

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your life7 work life

8 parenting journey

8 conflict resolution

9 your marriage matters

10 culture

your faith

12 in the know with father joe

14 spiritual fitness

16 theology 101

18 special report Pope Francis’ exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, the Joy of the Gospel

your stories20 catholic by grace Giving Jesus his due

21 praying for perspective

22 cover story Doan Dinh: Trust and God will lead you.

26 local news

22

C O V E R S T O R Y

18

contents

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Bishop J. Terry Steib, SVD

GOD’S NAME IS HOLY

T he life of Moses was characterized by “ricochet”

moments. Born into slavery, he would have died

by decree of Pharaoh, but his clever mother took quick

action and set him adrift in a baby basket near the

palace. Rescued by Pharaoh’s daughter, Moses grew to

adulthood, enjoying the privileged life of

the Egyptian palace. But, another quick

turn of events occurred when he killed an

Egyptian for mistreating a Hebrew slave.

Pharaoh heard about it and wanted to

put Moses to death. To escape capital

punishment, Moses fled into the desert,

where once again he was as powerless

and as vulnerable as he was at birth.

A meeting at the well with the daughters of a priest of Midian gave Moses a new opportunity. This time, he lived with the peo-ple of his Hebrew birth and ancestry. The blessings he received included a home and family; and, in his new-found life, he performed the hard work of shepherding. On a routine day, he set out to find the best grazing spot for his sheep. Passing a bush that appeared to be on fire, he paused. Who of us would not have slowed down and wondered about a bush burning in the

desert? Moses did, and, taking a few steps for-ward, he heard the voice of God. Realizing that he was talking with God, he respectfully removed his shoes and covered his face.

In the conversation which followed, Moses was commissioned to be God’s prophet to the Hebrews and assigned the task of freeing the people of Israel from Egyptian bondage. Moses realized the Hebrew elders might not believe his story about talking with God. He asked for proof. God said, “This is what you will tell the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.” (Exodus 3:14)

Moses’ conversation with God preceded the

This far by faith

EL NOMBRE DE DIOS ES SANTO

L a vida de Moisés estuvo caracterizada por

momentos de “sobresalto”. Nació en la esclavitud,

hubiera muerto por el decreto del faraón, pero su

inteligente madre actuó rápidamente depositándolo

en el río en una cesta de bebé muy cerca del palacio.

Rescatado por la hija del faraón, Moisés se hizo adulto,

disfrutando de los privilegios del palacio egipcio. Pero

tuvo lugar una vuelta rápida de los acontecimientos:

Moisés mató a un egipcio que estaba maltratando a un

esclavo hebreo. El faraón se enteró de esto y quiso matar

a Moisés. Para escaparse de la pena capital, Moisés

huyó al desierto, donde, una vez más, experimentó la

misma impotencia y vulnerabilidad que tuvo al nacer.

Un encuentro en un pozo con las hijas del sacerdote de

Madián le dio una nueva oportunidad. Esta vez, vivió con hebreos, el pueblo de sus ancestros. Las bendiciones que

recibió incluyeron un hogar y una familia y en su nueva vida, Moisés realizó el duro trabajo de pastor. En un día rutinario, se puso a buscar el mejor lugar de pastoreo para sus ovejas. Se detuvo frente a un arbusto que parecía estar ardiendo. ¿Quién de nosotros no se detendría y se preguntaría sobre lo que sucede con esa zarza ardiendo en el desierto? Moisés lo hizo y acercándose unos pocos pasos, oyó la voz de Dios. Comprendiendo que estaba hablando con Dios, respetuosamente se quitó los zapatos y se cubrió el rostro.

En la conversación que prosiguió, a Moisés se le encargó ser el profeta de Dios para los hebreos y Dios le asignó la tarea de conducir hacia la libertad al pueblo de Israel esclavo en Egipto. Moisés comprendió que los ancianos hebreos no creerían su historia acerca del diálogo que él tuvo con Dios. Por esa razón, le pidió pruebas. Dios le dijo, “Esto es lo que vas a decirles a los Israelitas: YO SOY me ha enviado a ustedes” (Éxodo 3,14).

La conversación de Moisés con Dios precedió a la huida de los Israelitas de Egipto y ocurrió antes de que los Diez Mandamientos fueran grabados. Sin embargo, es evidente - a partir de la conducta de Moisés - que ser respetuoso de


from the bishop

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flight of the Israelites from Egypt and occurred before the Ten Commandments were recorded. Yet, Moses’ behavior indicated that being respectful of God was the norm. Even being in awe of God’s presence was common. So, it is understandable why the Israelites would have treated God’s name — “I AM” — with reverence and dignity.

As Christians, we have inherited the concept of an ever-present and all-powerful God. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that God’s answer to Moses reveals a mystery – not a clear picture of who God is. In paragraph 206, we read: “It is at once a name revealed and something like the refusal of a name, and hence it better expresses God as what he is – infinitely above everything that we can understand or say: he is the ‘hidden God,’ his name is ineffable, and he is the God who makes himself close to men.”

Because God is far beyond us, yet is the one who also created and sustains us, the Second Commandment asks that we not take the name of our God in vain. It asks that we not blaspheme or abuse God’s name either by swearing or by making false oaths. What a small price for us to pay for God’s unconditional love and unlimited grace and generosity to us!

Dios era la norma. Incluso, era común temer estar en la presencia de Dios. Por eso, es comprensible porqué los israelitas trataban con reverencia y dignidad el nombre de Dios como “YO SOY”.

Como cristianos, hemos heredado el concepto de un Dios siempre presente y todopoderoso. El Catecismo de la Iglesia Católica establece que la respuesta de Dios a Moisés revela un misterio – no una imagen clara de quién es Dios. En el párrafo 206 leemos: ”Es a la vez un nombre revelado y como el rechazo de un nombre propio, y por esto mismo expresa mejor a Dios como lo que Él es, infinitamente por encima de todo lo que podemos comprender o decir: es el “Dios escondido”, su nombre es inefable, y es el Dios que se acerca a los hombres”.

Dios está mucho más allá de nosotros, sin embargo, es quien nos creó y nos sostiene. El segundo mandamiento pide que no tomemos el nombre de Dios en vano. Requiere que no blasfememos ni abusemos del nombre de Dios, especialmente haciendo juramentos o falsas promesas. ¡Qué bajo precio debemos pagar por tener su amor incondicional y su gracia y generosidad ilimitadas!

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7Faith West Tennessee / March 2014 / www.CDOM.org6

yourlife

7

I thought I was a guest at the company party, not the butler!

Our office invited clients and all of the workers to a party to celebrate the company’s anniversary. It sounded great, until I found out we are supposed

to work doing things like checking coats, etc. And, of course, it’s all gratis – the dinner is our only pay. Is this fair?

Sounds like the party is more for clients than for

employees, but, then again, without clients there are no employees.

Maybe you can reframe your fairness concern.

Is it unfair to show appre-ciation to the clients who pay for your company’s services and provide you income?

Is it unfair to enjoy solidarity with your co-workers, providing cheerful service in a festive setting?

Is it unfair to increase your stock with your employer by showcasing your good attitude and professionalism at an important client event?

Is it unfair even if you didn’t get a dinner?

You suggest that an injustice is being done to you. If justice is to give to the other his due, what are you owed that you’re

being deprived of, a violation of an employee right?

Your disappointment is understandable. You were looking forward to a work-

free, carefree evening. But don’t equate your letdown with a grievance, making you bitter toward your employer and spoiling the occasion. There’s nothing but downside with that scenario.

Employers notice and really appreciate workers who go the extra mile. Outstanding employees don’t balk at pitch-ing in. They readily handle extra assignments and aren’t too puffed up to do a lowly

Q Jim Berlucchi is the

executive director of the Spitzer Center, whose mission is to build cultures of evangelization (www.spitzercenter.org).

a

work life

task – especially when it’s under their pay grade. They’re eager to serve and do so happily. If there’s not much work to do, they’re actually frustrated.

So what kind of employee do you want to be?

I have a friend who’s a devout Christian and suc-cessful consultant. One of his clients owns a construction firm that hosts an annual customer appreciation lunch. It’s a big job for the employees. They cook, set and serve tables, greet and clean up. It’s a big job. Though he’s not a cus-tomer, my friend was invited. He accepted, but also asked to help. This highly paid pro-fessional ended up chopping vegetables and stirring gumbo in 90-degree heat, but he enjoyed every minute of it. He was not unaware that he was indebted to his client. They pay for his services.

So don’t be a grump. Check those coats with a smile. Enjoy yourself. Love your customers. Compliment your co-workers. Thank your boss for a nice dinner.

And make sure you have seconds. You deserve it.

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intentions – don’t seek the admiration of others through your family’s attire! Instead, choose clothing that shows respect for the Mass. Talk to your teens about possible clothing choices that would reflect their personal styles while conveying modesty and respect. There are attractive “non-dress” choices for young women that are appropriate. Your sons may compromise by wearing nice slacks rather than jeans. Look through the ads together to brainstorm ideas for alternate clothing choices.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. It is said that St. Augustine was surprised when he learned that Christians in Milan did not fast on Saturdays as the Christians in Rome did. He mentioned this to St. Ambrose and received this advice: “When I am at Rome, I fast on a Saturday; when I am at Milan, I do not. Follow the custom of the Church where you are.” Members of your households should respect local customs. In Italy, your daughters would be expected to cover their shoulders with a cardigan or shawl.

In the U.S., sleeveless dresses are considered appropriate on warm summer days. Check to see if your expectations match those of your

parish community. Help your teens make choices that reflect their own styles while respecting the sacred nature of a house of worship.

Shouldn’t my children dress up for Mass?

My children fight me about getting dressed up for Mass – I think the girls should wear dresses and the boys

should wear dress pants. They think clean jeans are fine. Now that they are teens, the battle is getting worse.

At our parish, I’ve noticed younger children are dressed in ways that reflect the style of their parents – and they

tend to be dressed alike. Preschool-aged brothers wear sweaters with the same patterns in contrasting colors. Sisters have similar hair styles and dresses. As children approach the teen years, however, there is more variation. Disagreements regarding style and taste are common among parents and adolescents. But it is possible to avoid a weekly battle before Mass.

Explain the reason for wearing your “Sunday Best.” In the past, special clothes were reserved for significant occasions, such as going to church. Clothing choices helped distinguish

parenting journey

these experiences from everyday events. Our choices regarding dress continue to reveal our attitudes toward different events. When we attend weddings, we pay particular care to our own clothing, acknowledging the significance of the day to the bride and groom. Mass is a community celebration in which we gather to praise God and eat at the Lord’s Table. Share your perspective about this with your teenagers during a family meal in the middle of the week so there is time to mull over one another’s comments.

Respect and reverence, not status and attention. Double-check your own

Dr. Cathleen McGreal is a psychology professor and certified spiritual director.

Y O U R L I F E

T. Gennara

Q

a

Dr. Gelasia Marquez is a psychologist and family counselor.

More people need to respect stay-at-home moms

I am a stay-at-home mom and I feel as if my vocation is not respected. Why don’t people see being a mother as a valuable career?

Maternity is not a career, aptitude or inclination. Mater-nity is a gift and a call from God. Through maternity and paternity, God shares with us his creative power. Psalm 139:13 states, “You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb.”

Parents participate with God in renewing humankind. Thus, being a mother and being a father is a sacred action of life and love throughout their children’s life. Some mothers, along with their husbands, make the decision to remain at home to

care for their children. They are not better or worse than those mothers who decide to bring their children to day-care facilities, hire nannies to take care of their children or those who have older or unemployed family members take care of their children while they go to work. Both stay-at-home mothers and working mothers have the same dignity because of their participation in God’s plan.

S. K

endrick

conflict resolution


9

WHAT DO THEY DO?

H

SHE SAYS: HE SAYS:

Deacon Tom Fogle and JoAnne Fogle help prepare couples for marriage.

should not be abandoned; quite the contrary, our partner should be allowed to help us through our traumatic events, for they touch both of the partners, not just one of them. We would recommend Jim take the opportunity to open a dialogue with Sarah by asking her to share with him her petitions to God. What is it that she is asking of God? Jim also might wish to accompany Sarah in reciting the rosary in the evening before starting a dialogue, remembering to include affirmation of her worth to him personally and remember-ing the words of Scripture, “... encourage one another and build one another up.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11) At this juncture in Sarah

and Jim’s relation, it is more about helping Sarah regain her feet and feeling comfortable grieving her loss. Being sensitive to each

other’s feelings and honesty in discovering what Sarah is searching for will go a long way in re-establishing their coupleness.

your marriage matters

“ I believe we should pray always.”

Sarah says: I really love attending Mass once or twice a day, plus saying the rosary and reading Scripture. I believe we are to pray always. Jim is getting annoyed with this – am I supposed to stop being a good Catholic because it irritates him?

“Sarah does nothing but pray –

I’m worried she is becoming scrupulous.”Jim says: It’s not about being a good Catholic – Sarah does nothing but pray, read the Bible or

talk about the Church. She lost her job this year, and so it fills all of her

time – and I mean all. I am worried that she is becoming scrupulous.

ow we compensate for a loss varies among all peoples, genders and cultures. It is difficult to articulate the proper way to grieve a loss because grieving is highly individualistic. Loss creates a

hole in our being and we tend to fill holes with activities; Sarah has chosen to fill it with religious practices.

Sometimes we over-compensate at the exclusion of other responsibilities and duties. In this case, it appears Sarah has forgotten her vocation of marriage and the strength she could attain from including her spouse in the grieving process. Being a “good Catholic” is commendable, as God desires each of us to be in a life-giving relationship with him. Keeping him in our thoughts and prayers each day and making him a part of our daily routine is a right action. As a married couple, we have the opportunity to find God in each other – his love, his forgiveness and his nurturing. Approached lovingly and with sincerity, Sarah may discover that Jim could assist in helping her find the peace or answers she is searching for. When we lose some-thing dear to us, such as meaningful work, we look for something to ease the pain associated with the loss. It would not be abnormal for Sarah to experience some depression following a loss and to try desperately to search for strength and

purpose. She may, therefore, feel a need for more prayer and more nurturing, not only from God, but from Jim as well. Losing meaningful work can be a tremendous blow to a person’s self-worth and esteem. Throwing oneself into another activity (church included) is a natural reaction in an attempt to regain self-worth; not realizing that self-worth is not dependent on what we do, but who we are. Society tends to equate worth with the amount we can physically produce or mentally absorb, instead of how much we are being Jesus to others by loving them and caring for them. It is normal and acceptable to turn to God for assistance during times of trial, but not at the expense of damaging our relationship with our spouse. Our sac-ramental marriage partner

T. Gennara

J

Y O U R L I F E

Michelle DiFranco is a designer and the busy mom of two children.

T. G

enna

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A prayer for battleust a few months before our wedding, my husband and I attended a retreat for engaged Catholic couples. On so many levels, it was very impactful and really helped prepare us for the vocation of marriage. The amazing priest at this retreat painted a pretty powerful image in our minds – one that we have not forgotten during our life together.

He described our forthcom-ing marriage as a tower. It is a shining, white and seemingly

impenetrable tower that is beautiful because it is made by God. But from the moment

we say, “I do”, Satan begins his endless walk around the outside of the tower, look-

culture


Photography by Philip Shippert

ing for a way in. If we neglect the tower’s maintenance, over time, cracks will form. So how do we make certain the tower is not neglected? How do we protect our mar-riage? The first and most direct way is through prayer. The priest at the retreat stressed that frequent, regular prayer said together and on behalf of the marriage is critical. And I am certainly grateful for his

jolting depiction of marriage to keep me “on my toes” throughout our life together. Well, eight years later, our son and daughter would be taught a certain prayer at their new school, and it wasn’t until then that I started saying it regularly. Just as this priest’s lesson had awakened me years ago, the prayer they say at every school Mass reminds me of the spiritual protection we all need at all times, mar-ried or not. It is the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel. “St. Michael the Archangel, Defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wicked-ness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell, Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.” I find this prayer to be valuable in reminding me of the threats we face and the responsibility we all have as baptized Catholics. Certainly modern medicine, technol-ogy and entertainment have created a world that is much more comfortable and con-venient than in ages past. But our modern creature comforts and their many distractions can lull us into complacency and mask from our senses, the real spiritual threats that surround us. I find it helpful to have a visual reminder on hand at all times, to help call on the intercession of a holy archangel in our spiritual defense. Here are a few ideas that can help us to keep this prayer in our daily lives. St. Michael the Archangel, pray for us!

Prayer card and bookmark

For both projects, you will need:• 5” piece of suede craft lace• 2 jump rings (jewelry section of arts and crafts store)• 1 ribbon clamp (jewelry section of arts and crafts store)• 10” of ribbon (same width as ribbon clamp)• Needle nose pliers• Hole punch• 2 1/2” x 4” piece of patterned cardstock• Glue stick• Hot glue gun or double stick tape• Craft knife & ruler• Printer• 2 St. Michael the Archangel Medals (can be purchased

for less than a dollar at a Catholic goods store or online)

For the prayer card: Using needle nose pliers, bend jump ring just enough to attach to hole on top of medal. Bend it back to close and set aside. Type and print prayer text to fit within a 2 ½“ x 4” area. Trim and adhere to piece of patterned cardstock. Punch hole near top of the finished card. Fold suede lace in half and place folded end through the hole about one inch. Place the other ends trough jump ring on the medal. Pull tight to secure the medal over the top of the prayer card.

For the bookmark: Type and print prayer text to fit within a 1½“ x 6” area. Trim and adhere to piece of patterned cardstock. Set aside. Attach ribbon clamp to bottom of ribbon and use pliers to close. Attach jump ring to medal and then attach medal to ribbon clamp. Using hot glue gun or double-stick tape, adhere finished ribbon to back of card stock. Trim the top if necessary.

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yourfaithin the know with father joe

How can we forget that our son stole from us?

Dear Fr. Joe: Our son stole a lot of

money from us. He has apologized,

and we forgave him, but I don’t

really feel I can trust him. What does

forgiveness look like? Should I just

move on and forget this happened?

I’m so sorry that this happened with your son. It is such a painful thing when people we love hurt us or let us down. I thank God for your response to this situation. Forgiveness is a command from God to us and, like all of God’s commands, it is good for us. Let’s get right to it.

First of all, I invite you to remember that for-giveness is a process. When you forgave your son, that was a blessed a beautiful moment, one that began you on a process that will culminate in your freedom from this past event. Sometimes, this process will be easy — other times it will be hard. For me, I draw great comfort from God’s word to us in Philippians 1:6 “He who started a good work in you will see it to completion.” That is a sentence that offers us so much hope. God will finish what he started in you!

Along the way, you can be sure there will be moments like the one you are experiencing, in which you need to consider how forgiveness plays out and ask yourself, “What are the consequences of my forgiveness?” These are the moments when I’d suggest you remember a couple of things. First, the fact that you are wrestling with these kinds of questions means that you want to do the right thing in the right way at the right time. That’s the very definition of a moral act. It can, in a sense, serve as your proof to yourself of what God already knows and sees — you desire to love and obey him well. The second thing I invite you to remember is the power of prayer. You can, when trying to figure out how forgiveness should play out in a specific circumstance, pause a second and pray a simple prayer asking the Holy Spirit to guide your decisions, words and actions. Trust in God’s desire to lead you through this and in your ability to follow that guidance.

In terms of moving on and forgetting that this happened, I don’t know if that is a good idea for anyone involved. Forgetting that it happened robs your son of an opportunity to know how deep your love for him goes. If we act like nothing happened, then what did we forgive? Not only that, but we must be conscious of the fact that one of our obligations is to protect our God-given human dignity and, at times, it is only by remembering that we can prevent ourselves from being unnecessarily wounded again.

If you’d like to submit a question for Father

Joe to consider in a future column, please send it to: joeinblack@

priest.com. Father Joe is unable to personally answer

questions.

aT. G

ennaraQ


Think of it this way: It was/is our sin and guilt that caused Jesus to go to the cross and suffer so badly. We know that, in the midst of the horrible suffering he endured, he proclaimed his forgiveness for us. There is no question that Jesus not only forgives us, but advocates for us to the Father. Yet, when we read about his appearances to the disciples, the scars to his hands and side are visible – they are eternally a part of him. When we see those scars now, we remember how much he loves us and how his love con-quered our sin.

You and I live in a fallen world and, sometimes, we par-ticipate in that fallenness by wounding people and, other times, by being wounded. This process leaves scars on us and, if we allow the Spirit to work, our sense of them can be our reminder to be conscious of what we’ve been forgiven for and of how deep the love of God and others can run. We need to remember what we’ve forgiven and what we’ve been forgiven for and rejoice in the love of God that makes both of those things possible.

And this leads us to trust – when do you trust your son again? In this case, while we celebrate the free gift of for-giveness that God offers, we remember that trust is some-thing that is earned. A part of wisdom is the Holy Spirit entering into our experience and showing us how to learn from it. I would encourage you to be appropriately wary until trust is earned again.

So, in the end, I hope we see that forgiveness looks like the hard-edged gift that it is.

It’s a commitment we make to surrender our wounds to the Lord and ask him to heal us and show us how to live in the present.

We don’t pretend we were never injured or that we never injure — we learn those lessons we have to learn and allow these things to be one of the vessels through which God heals us.

Enjoy another day in God’s presence.

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spiritual fitness

Y O U R F A I T H


T

Sister Ann Shields is a renowned author and a member of the Servants of God’s Love. Questions can be addressed to Sister Ann Shields, Renewal Ministries, 230 Collingwood, Suite 240, Ann Arbor, MI 48103

T. G

enna

ra

Let’s make Lent count!

his year, let’s make Lent “count” in a particular way. Let me explain: A lot of things go in and out of our minds, almost 24/7. The daily “traffic” is enor-

mous: books, magazines, Internet, radio, iPhones, videos, personal conversations, music, disagree-ments and arguments, banal sitcoms, negative humor, ridicule of people, lies, verbal attacks on ourselves and others. Do we exercise any control over this barrage? We can, you know.

Read carefully this Scripture passage from Paul’s Letter to the Philippians:

“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

Now, an overall assault on what you allow in your mind is not a wise way to go about this. We start with one area — one area that you know allows negative input into your thoughts; negative input that most often has a detrimental emotional effect. Lent is traditionally a time to fast, to give alms (care for the poor) and to pray. I would pro-pose that for this Lent you con-sider “fasting” from one or two areas of media input – maybe a particular TV program, website, radio program or magazine that, if you are honest, you know causes you to experience anger or mockery, pessimism, sarcasm, dissatisfaction of one kind or

another, or disregard for others. In other words, it pro-duces bad fruit. Then, in its place, make a decision to actually read one good book or listen to a good faith-filled CD. Second, read a psalm daily and read the Gospel for the day. Do this each day for six weeks and I can almost guarantee that your under-standing of who you are in God’s sight will increase. You will begin to see more clearly your purpose in life and how God wants to use you for the good of others. Lent is a time to assess where we are — to continue on the right path or to get back on the right path to God. Don’t let this Lent be like any other season of the year. It is special; there is great

grace for conversion available. But God will never force you. You have free will. Don’t drift. Take a stand. Make a choice. (Remember, in your reading of Scripture, the word has real power; it imparts great grace to desire change and imparts courage to do it. Read Scripture daily – it is the living word! The second area of fasting to consider is this: your speech. What you say, what topics you introduce into a conversation or an argument or a heated discussion of some kind, or even in a time of relaxation and recreation, will reflect in some way how and what you are thinking. Again, listen to Paul:

“But now put them all away: anger, wrath, mal-ice, slander and foul talk

from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices, and have put on the new nature, which is be-ing renewed in knowl-edge after the image of its cre-ator … Put

on then as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness and patience, forbearing one another and if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so

you also must forgive. And above all these put on love which binds everything together in perfect har-mony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body; and be thankful …” (Col 3:12-17)

You were literally made new in baptism. You are a son or daughter of God. In this life, you and all Christians are called to reveal the beauty and the wisdom, the love and the mercy of our Father in heaven. If we follow the two Scripture passages given here, and put into it the necessary sacrifice to change our thinking and our speech, we really will be-come disciples of Christ in the New Evangelization! Ask the help of the Holy Spirit. He hears your prayer and is more eager to help than you are in asking! Plans and projects have their place, but if we are not converted ourselves how can we be bearers of the best news anyone could ever hear? Six weeks of sacrifice for new life, new faith, new hope. I don’t know of a better offer! At the end of Lent, would you send me a paragraph or two (no more) telling me of the change in your life and the graces that have come to you/your family/among friends during this Lenten season?

Lent is tra-ditionally a time to fast, to give alms (care for the poor) and to pray. I would propose that for this Lent you consider “fast-ing” from one or two areas of media input.

15

he Catechism be-gins by expound-ing revelation, the process by which God “addresses

and gives himself to man,” and the faith by which humanity responds to God. In other words, the Catechism follows the same structure of the entire spiritual life: we first receive, and then we respond. Like life itself, God first gives freely in order that we might have life more fully in communion with the Trinity — our destiny – but we have to choose to re-spond to this gift by receiving it.

‘Natural’ ways of coming to know god

“The desire for God is written in the human heart, because man is created by God and for God; and God never ceases to draw man to himself.” According to the Catechism, this truth enables humanity to approach

T

Y O U R F A I T H

theology 101

Doug Culp is the CAO and secretary for pastoral life for the Diocese of Lexington, Ky. He holds an MA in theology from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.

What are the ways we

know God?

S. O

lson

the knowledge of God from creation – both through the physical world and the human person. For instance, “starting from movement, becoming, contingency, and the world’s order and beauty, one can come to a knowl-edge of God as the origin and the end of the universe.” Likewise, the human person can come to this same knowledge that he or she is not the first principle nor the final end through a consideration of the person’s “openness to truth and beauty, his sense of moral goodness, his freedom, and the voice of his conscience, with his longings for the infinite and for happiness.” Knowledge of God, however, is different from intimacy with God. It is one thing to know that there is a God and quite another to enter into communion with God. Com-munion requires not only God’s self-revela-tion to humanity, but also the gift of God’s grace in order for humanity to receive this revelation in faith. Why is this so?

The limits of reason

While humanity can come to know with certainty there is a God through the natural world by the “light of human reason,” reason alone is not sufficient. The Catechism turns to Pope Pius XII and Humani Generis for the explanation: “The truths that concern the relations between God and man wholly transcend the visible order of things … The human mind is hampered in the attaining of such truths, not only by the impact of the senses and the imagination, but also by the disordered appetites which are the conse-quences of original sin.” In other words, because the “vision” of humanity is distorted by original sin, God’s revelation must en-lighten reason in order for humanity to truly understand not only those truths that exceed limited human reason, but also for those “re-ligious and moral truths which of themselves are not beyond the grasp of human reason.”

The stages of revelation

God reveals his divine plan of communion to humanity gradually. This is the very nature

Icon depicting the Emperor Constantine and the bishops of the First Council of Nicea (325) holding the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed of 381.


of relationship, i.e., it is a process of ongoing, ever-deepening self-revelation. For God, the invitation to communion was extended from the very beginning with the creation of the world and his manifestation of himself to our first parents in the Garden of Eden. Though our first parents ultimately rejected God’s invitation, God did not aban-don his divine plan. Amidst the shattering of humanity by sin, God again sought out humanity and entered into a covenant with Noah after the flood, promising to gather his children into one, or communion. The gathering of humanity began to unfold in God’s call to Abram “from his country, his kindred and his father’s house, and makes him Abraham, that is, ‘the father of a multitude of nations.’” The patriarchs, prophets and other figures from the Old Testament were entrusted with the call to prepare for the day “when God would gather all his children into the unity of the Church.” The next stage saw God form Israel by freeing the people from Egypt and establishing a covenant with them through Moses at Mount Sinai. God revealed to them his law “so that they would recognize him and serve him as the one living and true God … and so that they would look for the promised Savior.” The people were then formed in the hope of salvation and the expectation of a “new and everlasting Covenant” through God’s acting through the prophets. The prophets preached a “radical redemption” and the salvation of all the nations, a hope carried especially by the poor and humble. The culmination of God’s revelation to humanity occurs in Jesus. “Christ, the Son of God made man, is the Father’s one, perfect and unsurpassable Word. In him he has said everything.” This revelation of the extent of God’s love for us and his will for us to enter into communion with him has reached its finality with the Word made flesh. However, “it remains for Christian faith gradually to grasp its full significance over the course of the centuries.” *Quotes come from the Catechism (26-67) unless

otherwise noted.

Catechism quizQ: The living transmission of the truth of the Gospel, accomplished

by the Holy Spirit, is called what?

A: tradition – Through Tradition, “the Church, in her doctrine, life and worship perpetuates and transmits to every generation all that she

herself is, all that she believes.” CCC 78

Pope John Paul IBorn Albino Luciani, Pope John Paul I reigned as the pope for only 33 days. He was elected on Aug. 26, 1978, and died on Sept. 28 the same year.

On the role of the Church in the wake of the Second Vatican Council “As the Second Vatican Council (to whose teachings we wish to commit our total

ministry, as priest, as teacher, as pastor) has said: ‘Destined to extend to all regions of the earth, the Church enters into human history, though it transcends at once all time and all racial boundaries. Advancing through trials and tribulations, the Church is strengthened by God’s grace, promised to her by the Lord so that she may not waver from perfect fidelity, but remain the worthy bride of the Lord, until, through the cross, she may attain to that light which knows no setting.’ (Lumen Gentium, 9). According to God’s plan: ‘All those, who in faith look towards Jesus, the author of salvation and the principle of unity and peace, God has gathered together and established as the Church, that it may be for each and everyone the visible sacrament of this saving unity.’” (Ibid)

“The Church, in this common effort to be responsible and so respond to the pressing problems of the day, is called to give to the world that ‘strengthening of the spirit’ which is so needed and which alone can assure salvation. The world awaits this today: it knows well that the sublime perfection to which it has attained by research and technology has already reached a peak, beyond which yawns the abyss, blinding the eyes with darkness. It is the temptation of substituting for God one’s own decisions, decisions that would prescind from moral laws. The danger for modern man is that he would reduce the earth to a desert, the person to an automaton, brotherly love to planned collectivization, often introducing death where God wishes life.”

On the relationship between his mission as pope and the Second Vatican Council

“We wish to continue to put into effect the heritage of the Second Vatican Council. Its wise norms should be followed out and perfected. We must be wary of that effort that is generous perhaps but unwarranted. It would not achieve the content and meaning of the council. On the other hand, we must avoid an approach that is hesitant and fearful – which thus would not realize the magnificent impulse of the renewal and of life.”– All quotes from Pope John Paul I’s “Urbi et Orbi” radio message on Aug. 27, 1978

17

Pope Francis’ exhortationEVANGELII GAUDIUM,

THE JOY OF THE GOSPEL

O n the Solemnity of Christ the King (Nov. 24,

2013), Pope Francis brought the Year of

Faith to its conclusion with the issuance of

his first apostolic exhortation, entitled Evangelii Gaudium

(the Joy of the Gospel). The Year of Faith had been

declared by Pope Benedict XVI in an apostolic letter, Porta

Fidei (the Door of Faith) on Oct. 11, 2011. It began a

year later on Oct. 11, 2012, the 50th anniversary of

the opening of the Second Vatican Council and the 20th

anniversary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

The goal of the initiative was conversion and the redis-

covery of faith so that all members of the Church could

become credible witnesses of truth.

Pope Francis’ 200-plus page exhortation (the document can be found in its entirety at the Holy See’s website: www.vatican.va) was issued primarily as a response to the XIII Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (Oct.7-28, 2012) that was called by Pope Benedict XVI to study the theme: “The New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Faith.” This same synod, which began the Year of Faith, had actually requested the writing of the exhortation and Pope Francis was happy to oblige them.

The underlying theme

In order to correctly interpret Evangelii Gaudium, it is important to consider the exhortation in light of its underlying theme, i.e., the need for the joyful proclamation of the Gospel. According to Vatican Radio, Archbishop Rino Fisichella, president of the Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization, summa-rized the main message of the document when he presented it at a Vatican press conference as follows: “If we were to sum up Pope Francis’ Evangelii Gaudium in a few words, we could say that it is an apostolic exhortation written around the theme of Christian joy in order that the Church may rediscover the original source of evangelization in the contemporary world … It is an invitation to recover a prophetic and positive vision of

reality without ignoring the current challenges ... Pope Francis instills courage and urges us to look ahead despite the present crisis, making the cross and the resurrection of Christ once again “our victory banner.” (85)

The specific themes

In Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis does not attempt to address the “countless issues” that involve evangelization or to “offer a definitive or complete word on every question which affects the Church and the world.” (16) Instead, his aim is to present guidelines that hopefully will encourage the Church in a “new phase of evangelization.” To this end, he identifies the themes he intends to address at length in the document and which he hopes each of us will adopt in all of our activities: • the reform of the Church in her missionary outreach;• the temptations faced by pastoral workers;• the Church, understood as the entire People

of God which evangelizes;• the homily and its preparation;• the inclusion of the poor in society;• peace and dialogue within society; and• the spiritual motivations for mission. (17)

Throughout his treatment of the themes, it is God’s merciful love that serves as the common founda-tion. God has loved each one of us first and continually seeks out every person with this message of salvation. Acceptance of this message gives meaning to life. The encounter, then, with Jesus Christ and the joy of sharing this experi-ence of love with others becomes an inseparable bond as each person represents the “prolongation of the incarnation for each of us” (179) that, in turn, requires our showing “mercy towards all.” This mercy, as Pope Francis writes, is the key to heaven. (197)

DID YOU KNOW?

Apostolic exhortations and

encyclicals are normally named

by taking the first word, or first several words, of the document in Latin, the official language of the Roman Catholic

Church.


POPE FRANCIS NAMED TIME MAGAZINE PERSON OF THE YEAR

On Dec. 11, 2013, TIME Magazine named Pope Francis its “person of the year.” He is the third pope to receive the designation – the others were Blessed John Paul II (1994) and Blessed John XXIII (1962). The magazine states that the person of the year is one who “for better or worse … has done the most to influence events of the year.” Past recipients of the title have included Mahatma Gandhi, Adolf Hitler and Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook.

According to Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi, “It’s a positive sign that one of the most prestigious recognitions in the international press” goes to a person who “proclaims to the world spiritual, religious and moral values and speaks effectively in favor of peace and greater justice.”

In talking about the pope, the magazine stated, “He talks about Christ’s love like a man who has found something wondrous and wants nothing more than to share it. ‘[Jesus] is waiting for us,’ Francis says…’This thought gives us hope! We are on the way to the resurrection.’”

CN

S p

hoto

/Pau

l Har

ing

TYPES OF PAPAL DOCUMENTS

Apostolic exhortation: These are typically issued in response to a synod of bishops in which a pope encourages the Church to undertake a particular activ-ity. Exhortations do not define Church doctrine and are con-sidered less authoritative than papal encyclicals (exhortations are still more authoritative than other papal issuances such as audiences and homilies.)

Encyclical letters: These are general letters expressing the pope’s thoughts on matters of faith and morals. Encyclicals may be to the entire Church or to a particular Church or people. Encyclicals do not constitute ex cathedra (“from the chair”) pronouncements, i.e., they do not have infallible authority.

Apostolic letters: These letters may be concerned with a doc-trinal matter or with a papal act such as declaring a church to be a basilica. Apostolic letters also are of less authority than encyclicals.

special report

19

yourstories

Giv ing Jesus h is due

M y mother may have gone overboard. In order

to keep our tongues in check, she not only

banned us from using Our Lord’s name in vain, but

she also prohibited my siblings and me from using

bywords. No geez. No gee whiz. No jeepers. No

gosh or gosh darn.

It was too easy to go from the benign to the profane, she said.

It may have been extreme, but Mom’s high standard kept me from breaking the Second Commandment. I still have a low tolerance for foul language – especially when it misuses the name of Our Lord.

At his name, knees should bow. At his name, there should be no punching of walls, no throwing of dishes and no stamping of feet.

By his name, all creation should be blessed.Not cursed.There are many ways to express anger. Even Our Lord

became angry. But he did something pretty amazing in that moment. He affirmed the authority of the Father. He elevated the dignity due his Father – and his Father’s house. Yes, he raised his voice. But even in anger, he remained perfectly holy. It is possible for us to model his righteous anger. It is possible to be angry and yet not sin. (Ephesians 4:25-26)

This is a frustrating world. We can hardly escape feeling angry at times, but we do not have to defile the tongue in order to express emotion.

The Book of James tells it like it is: “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, his religion is vain.” (1:26)

The old adage has some truth to it. According to St. James, you can lose your religion – or at least render it useless.

When my parish priest was transferred to our little

Missouri town, he immediately began visiting the local establishments. He learned names. Made friends. Won the respect of everyone he met. After morning prayers, he stopped by the Bavarian Smokehaus – the local watering hole. And when the good ol’ boys began taking the name of his Lord in vain, he cringed inside, but he waited. He waited until he’d gained their respect. And then, he said it, quietly, friend-to-friend.

“You know, guys, I love starting my day with you. And I hope to keep doing that. But there’s something you have to know about me. When you say Our Lord’s name carelessly, you are using the name of the One I love – to curse. To vent. That’s hard for me to hear. Just thought you should know.”

Sure, the guys sometimes fall into old habits, but they are more careful now. They see my priest as a friend – and now, they see him as a friend of Christ. That has made a difference.

I don’t suppose we have to go to extremes. We don’t have to purge words like “gee” and “gosh” from our vocabulary.

But we must remember that Jesus Christ is worthy of wor-ship and praise. And holy is his name.

Catholicbygrace.blogspot.com

Catholic by grace

Denise Bossert can be reached at 4575 Hopewell

Rd., Wentzville, MO 63386 or 636.352.8705


I don’t recall much of anything else from his homily.

Honestly, I was in, I was out, hanging with him for a

bit, venturing off out there somewhere for a time. I just

recall him talking about the fact that there are “things we

say and words we use with very little thought at all.”

“Darn right,” I almost agreed out loud, pondering the

most recent email I’d received. Most like these seem

to have been penned in the wee hours after midnight,

generally insulting, seldom complimentary.

Happens at work, happens with family.

It makes it easy for me to imagine some angry sender pounding away on a keyboard, as if banging out the thunder of the “1812 Overture,” the final firework of that last drumbeat landing on the “SEND” button.

“With very little thought at all.”And then I returned for the rest of Mass, smiling with

satisfaction, sure that Father had been talking about those “other” sinners.

Pompous and proud, my mind arrived back just in time for the last few prayers of the faithful, “Lord, hear our prayer.” … And for the blah, blah, blah, “Lord, hear our prayer,” … And for the wah, wah, wah, “Lord, hear our prayer.”

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. I think I just did.

And then it hit me, sometimes we pray the very same way — saying things and using words “with very little thought at all.”

So when we arrived at the “Our Father” portion of the liturgy, I had committed to focusing on the words I would recite and what they truly mean to me.

With apologies to the author, I bowed my head and began:Our Father – Oh yeah, that’s right, you’re Father of us all,

father of the whites, father of the blacks and all the multi-colors in between. Father of the believers and those who don’t. Father of the sinners and of those who try not to. Father of the truly good as well as those who think they are.

And yes, Father of the email senders.Who lives in heaven — the place we hope to be, though I’m

really afraid, not sure what or where. Blessed and holy is your name — in spite of all evidence to

the contrary when we too often use it to make the most unholi-est of points.

We want your kingdom to come and your will to be done here on this planet even before we get to yours. — I won’t lie,

prayingF O R P E R S P E C T I V E

this part gives me trouble. Sure, I’d love for this world to be a mirror image of the joy of heaven, that part’s easy. But trying to accept your will – when it so often goes against mine – that’s nowhere near as easy as it sounds.

You know me, most of the time, I’m trying to convince you that your will would actually work out better if you’d just listen to me first and do it my way. Or am I trying to convince me?

Give us today our daily share of food — I’m curious, just who exactly is this “us”? Am I asking for me, my family and my friends, or is this one of those times when “us” is all mankind?

And just how much is our daily share? Does that mean we should share our extra with those who have none? Are you giving me more than I need, while leaning on me to be your answer to all the other “us-es” when they say this prayer?

This isn’t as obvious as you might think. Or is it?And forgive us the same way we forgive all those folks who

irritate us everyday — to quote your Son, “as we forgive others.” That suggests a lot for how things might go for us at the end. Are you really going to do just as we have done? Oh my God!

And lead us — I mean we might need this most of all. So many noisemakers out here, so many trying to work their way into our consciousness. So many looking for their own followers. And so many not knowing what “leading” is.

Not into temptation — please don’t let any bad things tempt us because there seem to be many of them around here.

But deliver us from evil —- if you have to let temptation exist, could you help us stay away from that stuff. Because we’ll darn sure go there if you leave that sort of thing up to us.

Amen. — one last thing. Praying this way – with real thought - it’s actually more fun. A lot harder, but more fun. Hope to do it again. Gotta run. But please don’t ever say “Amen” to me.

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. Is it really any better to call out his name only because … Well, only because.

I can’t imagine there’s any-thing we could say more “in vain” than the prayers our tongues offer without any help from our hearts.

Prayer “with very little thought at all.”

Dear God – Sometimes, in our hasty lives, we just spit out the words. Please don’t confuse our speed for our intent. Amen.

George Valadie is president of Notre Dame High School in

Chattanooga, Tenn.

21

DOANDINH

TRUST AND GOD WILL LEAD YOU

When Doan Dinh talks about his childhood

a listener only needs a little imagination

to hear blasts of nearby combat, hungry

children crying, and the sounds of hu-

man struggle spawned by war. Born in 1963, his family

lived near the military bases in Pleiku, Phu-Bon, and

Qui-Nhon situated in Central Vietnam.

“My father was a low level South Vietnamese Army

officer. After the Tet Offensive [a successful North

Vietnamese campaign in 1968 to capture South

Vietnamese border towns] my father moved us further

south to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) in 1969. I grew up

mostly in Saigon.” Little by little as South Vietnamese

forces lost ground in the war and as the United States

began withdrawing from combat, the Dinh family

discussed self-preservation. The family sought out an

uncle who was stationed with the South Vietnamese

Army at one of the ports with the hope of being able

to escape South Vietnam when the opportunity arose.

However, their plan failed and, in 1975 during the Fall

of Saigon, the family was trapped.


C O V E R

S T O R Y B Y

S U Z A N N E AV I L É S

P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y

D R . J O H N

T Y L E R

DOAN ARRIVED IN HOUSTON,

TX, IN 1981 UNABLE TO

SPEAK ENGLISH AND ONLY 18 YEARS OLD,

YET FULL OF HOPE .

23

“When my mother first started trying to help me to escape, it was the first time I realized the strong role of women in the Church.” He saw a similar strength in Mrs. Phan who directed her nine children, instructed them in the faith and “was very kind to her husband who was an alcoholic.” Decades later Doan finally brought together the two women who influenced his faith the most. But before that, he had to escape and start over.

Knowing the night had finally come for Doan to try to escape, Mrs. Van sent him to the dock to a waiting boat. The chaotic swarm of people who tried to get on the boat, along with stormy weather almost caused the boat to sink. Desperate people clung to the side of the heaving hull and were pushed, punched and kicked back into the water. Doan and one of Mrs. Phan’s children who had accompanied him considered going back to the dock. But they found a way to get below the deck and took their place with the 88 other people who escaped that night. Later, he realized he was delivered on December 3, the feast day of St. Francis Xavier, his patron.

To avoid arousing suspicion during the three turbulent days at sea, only one or two refugees at a time were allowed to be on deck for fresh air. Too many people on deck at the same time signaled that the boat was a refugee boat and increased the risk of capture. Other travelers stayed hidden below deck – waist deep in water contaminated by fuel and human spillage. There was no way of knowing ahead of the trip which boats they would encounter on the open sea. When they sailed into international waters, they encountered a few ships that passed the small boat without giving them any notice. One ship that did approach waved the Russian flag. But no one escaping communism wanted to be rescued by more communists, so “the boat people” ventured on in hope. Rescue arrived on the third day.

“We saw an oil tanker named Libra owned by one of the U.S. oil companies. At first, the captain did not want to save us, but one of the sailors begged him … When we approached the ship, the sailor sent down a zig-zag ladder and brought us up one at a time. When we got on board and they counted, there were 90 people saved. The oldest was a man who was 70 and the youngest was a baby who was two months old … Then they sprayed us down with a fire hose, gave us soap and medicine for lice. There were only 20 sailors on board, so they didn’t have any extra clothes except for nightshirts … We found out that the ship was going to Osaka, so we went to Japan.”

Met by the Caritas-Red Cross in Japan, the refugees were clothed and fed, then sent to refugee camps. Doan stayed for a year at a mission founded by St. Maximilian Kolbe and operated by Franciscan sisters. During that time he was able to send a message to his parents that he had survived. With the help of the Francis-cans, Doan contacted one of his uncles who lived and worked in the United States. His uncle set Doan’s immigra-tion process in motion. Doan arrived in Houston in 1981 unable to speak English and only 18 years old, yet full of hope. Influenced by the strong faith of his parents, the Phan family and the Franciscans, Doan entered the seminary to study for the priesthood.

“Because my father was a low level officer, the North Vietnamese made him go to a three day program of indoctrination in the ‘new ways’ (Communism). Other officers who were higher-ranking were told to report to school campuses and told to bring enough clothes for seven days, but most of them were held for three, five, seven, sometimes 20 years as part of their ‘Re-education Concentration Camp.’”

The communists set about making and enforcing new rules governing employment, education and military service. All unemployed young men were drafted automatically into the com-munist military. “Just after the 11th grade, I signed up for Selective Service. Because my father had been an army officer for South Vietnam, there was no guarantee I would get into a university or find a job. Without a job or college after 12th grade, I would have to serve two to three years of duty for Vietnam. My mother was afraid I would be killed, so she sent me to live with her uncle’s family (Mr. and Mrs. Van) in Hai-Son near the coast.” The Dinh family hoped he finally could escape during his senior year in high school, after six failed attempts to get him out of the country. Each attempt had cost the family three ounces in gold and, by 1980, all of their resources were depleted. Left with few choices, they counter-intuitively put their hopes in a communist.

“During the war, Mrs. Van had been a spy for the communists of North Vietnam, so she was well-connected. But she still did not fully trust the government and her son was one of the people who organized the boats … She knew the schedule kept by the police and would tell him when to have people ready to go on the boats.”

Eventually, Doan left Vietnam with the help of Mrs. Van, but life was hard in the meantime. Although Mrs. Van’s family was considered “well-to-do” because of her connection to the govern-ment and they had enough food to eat on a daily basis, Doan was sent each day to work with the poorer family of her sister-in-law (Mrs.Phan). Different from Mrs. Van’s family, Mrs. Phan’s was a strongly Catholic family. The family of nine children foraged daily for food, sometimes only finding a few sweet potatoes or unharvested rice left in the fields. Any food they gathered was all they would eat that day. But in spite of the hardship Doan says, “They were always full of joy.” The family regularly prayed the rosary and Doan found himself drawn more deeply into the Catholic faith.

TO AN OUTSIDER, IT MIGHT

LOOK LIKE THE FAMILY

BOUNCED AROUND, BUT

DOAN SEES GOD LEADING

THE WAY, TEACHING AS HE

PLACES HIS CHILDREN IN

NEW SITUATIONS.

DOAN DINH AND

HIS FAMILY ARE

MEMBERS OF THE

CATHEDRAL OF

THE IMMACULATE

CONCEPTION

IN MEMPHIS,

TENNESSEE


“As I studied, I began to question if I was meant to be celibate … It was tough to leave, but with much prayer and guidance by my spiritual director, I finally decided to leave.” By 1990 Doan con-cluded that his vocation was marriage and family life. He started looking for work.

Doan made a connection through a friend (Sister Mary Phuc Nguyen, O.P., a Vietnamese Dominican nun) at Catholic Charities of West Tennessee (CCWTN) in Memphis. CCWTN was looking for help with their refugee program. Working for the program would allow Doan to apply his seminary education and put his faith in action, so he sent in a resume and was hired. Driven by the knowl-edge of the hardship suffered by most refugees, he put himself on 24 hour call 7 days a week.

In 1992, he returned to Houston to marry MyLinh whom he had met while visiting patients in a Houston hospital. They had formed a friendship and discovered much in common including a deep Catholic faith and commitment to helping people. That same year, Doan entered the masters of social work program at the Uni-versity of Tennessee. After graduation, he applied for positions at the Arlington Developmental Center in Memphis and at the Center for Alcohol and Drugs Services in Iowa. The Iowa job came through, so the family rented out their Memphis home and, for six months, they braved the colder climate.

Nothing went smoothly. The house they were promised in Iowa was not ready and MyLinh could not find work. To make matters worse, they deeply missed the Dinh family members who had immigrated to Memphis, so they made monthly trips back to Tennessee. In June 1996, the packed car was gassed and ready to head south for a family visit. Doan stopped long enough to check the mail before hitting the road and found a letter asking him to interview at the Arlington Developmental Center. He called and asked if he could be inter-viewed on Saturday since he would be in town for the weekend. He aced the interview and the family happily moved back to Memphis.

To an outsider, it might look like the family bounced around, but Doan sees God leading the way, teaching as He places His children in new situations. “Faith must be the foundation of all that we do. We have to have zeal for what we do … And I believe I have to live it before I can preach it. As Blessed John Paul II told us, ‘Treat people with dignity.’ I prefer to do and not just talk,” Doan says.

In December 2013, Doan’s life came full circle when he and his mother returned to Vietnam. One stop they made was in homage to St. Vincent whose intercession is credited with a family miracle. At the age of 2, Doan’s mother fell headfirst on a rock and was blind for two years. After her father sought St. Vincent’s intercession, her sight miraculously returned. Doan believes a smaller miracle occurred during their visit, one which reminded him that God was present with him through his entire life.

A priest who traveled with the group to the St. Vincent shrine expressed excitement to Doan about offering the Mass; it was his feast day, St. Francis Xavier, the same as Doan’s. “It was a miracle that we shared the same feast day and that it was 33 years to the day when I escaped.” The significance of the symbols associated with Christ and the shared feast day inspired Doan.At his home parish in Memphis, Doan once said,

“ARE WE NOT LIVING UNDER THE EYES OF

GOD AT ALL TIMES EVEN WHEN WE ARE

NOT ALWAYS CONSCIOUS ABOUT IT? ON A

DAY MORE THAN 30 YEARS AGO, I HAD MY

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE ABOUT PRAYING

WHEN I WAS READY TO SET MY FOOT INTO

A SMALL FISHING BOAT, ESCAPING FROM

MY HOMELAND … TO SEEK FREEDOM OF

RELIGION, FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND THE

PROMISED LAND. ALTHOUGH I STILL PRAY

THE WAY THAT MY PARENTS TAUGHT ME,

I HAVE LEARNED SOMETHING ELSE WHEN I

FOUND MYSELF IN THE IMMENSE DARKNESS

OF THE OPEN SEA. PRAYING IS ‘TO OFFER

MY LIFE TOTALLY TO GOD,’ TO PUT MY

TRUST IN HIM, LIKE A CHILD IN HIS OR

HER MOTHER’S ARMS.”

MAY DOAN’S FAITH INSPIRE US ALL.

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yourcommunity

ST FRANCIS STUDENTS VISIT AVE MARIA RESIDENTS

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School’s Extended Care Program welcomed residents from the Ava Maria Assisted Living Nursing Home for a time of craft-making with our pre-kindergarten, Jr-kindergarten and kindergarten students.

The children sang songs with their guests and then helped them make crafts. A good time was had by all.

BY DENA CHAVEZ

EXCHANGE CLUB HONORS IC SENIOR LABRESHIA TAYLOR

Immaculate Conception Cathedral School senior LaBreshia Taylor was chosen as Midtown/Downtown Exchange Club’s December Student of the Month and honored at the organization’s luncheon on Dec. 19, 2013. She is now in competition for the title of Student of the Year. LaBreshia is president of the Student Government Association, a member of the National Honor Society and has represented ICCS at Girls State last summer.

BY JUNE LAPORTA

C A T H O L I C S C H O O L N E W S


Catholic schools undergo AdvancED accreditation review The Catholic Diocese of

Memphis system of schools was recently reviewed for renewal of its AdvancED District Accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI). SACS CASI is an accreditation division within AdvancED. Our original system accredita-tion by SACS CASI, in 2007, was only the second time in SACS CASI’s history that system accreditation had been earned by a Catholic Diocesan School System. In this recent review, an External Review Team, comprised of professional peers with diverse experience and rich contextual perspective, spent Nov. 10-13, 2013, in Memphis engaged in an intensive process of meeting with representatives of stakeholders including administration, faculty, staff, parents and students. The review team also engaged in classroom observations and the analysis of documentation provided by the school system, including surveys completed by parents, students and faculty.

The school system has been engaged in ongoing preparation for this review through self-evaluation based on five standards established by AdvancED: Purpose and Direction; Governance and Leadership; Teaching and Assessing for Learning; Resources and Support Systems; Using Results for Continuous Improvement; and Catholic Identity Criteria. The self-evaluation process has been led by the Committee for Academic School Excellence (CASE). The members of CASE are dedicated educational leaders in our system. Chair Teddi Niedzwiedz, principal of St. Louis Catholic School, said of this effort, “Working through this pro-cess really gave us all a sense that we are one diocese and one school system. It was a privilege to work with the CASE mem-bers and all the school principals who are truly dedicated educators and administrators.”

As a result of this self-evaluation and review process, the Catholic Diocese of Memphis has been recommended for renewal of full accreditation by the External Review Team. In presenting the team’s findings, Dr. Therese Williams, lead evaluator, and super-intendent of schools for the Diocese of Nashville, stated that the team is limited to only three statements of “Powerful Practices.”

With that limitation, she reported the following findings in the Diocese of Memphis Catholic Schools:

• The Catholic Schools Office, principals and teachers have ensured that Catholic identity is at the heart of all they do. They have created a mission-driven, student-centered environment by a commitment to shared virtues and beliefs and a dedication to teaching the Catholic faith.

• Each individual school serves a unique population and is given the freedom of site-based management.

This is necessary for pastors, school leaders and teachers to have the autonomy to provide a quality education in an environment of spiritual, intellectual and moral formation in which faith, culture and life are brought into harmony.

• Despite the financial constraints and aging facilities, the schools in the Catholic Diocese of Memphis are well-maintained, clean and inviting educational environments.

There are no limitations on the team with regard to areas requiring action. However, the review of Diocese of Memphis accreditation reflected only one “Required Action” was determined:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive and strategic resource management plan that includes and emphasizes enrollment management and long-range financial planning.

AdvancED is dedicated to advancing excellence in education worldwide and is the global leader in advancing excellence in education through continuous improvement, organizational effectiveness and accreditation. This review is an international protocol for institutions committed to providing an environment that increases and sustains student learning as well as stimulates and improves effectiveness and efficiency.

In that spirit of promoting educational excellence, Janet Donato, superintendent of Catholic schools expressed her appreciation for those who uphold that excellence in our diocese, “I am grateful to the leadership of the CASE team, which includes Teddi Niedzwiedz, chair; Kristi Baird, assistant superintendent; Dr. David Hill, director of academic operations; and several principals and teachers from our schools. I appreciate all the hard work and dedication of all our principals and teachers who make our mission and purpose a reality for our students.”

BY MARY HELEN CARMACK

Diocese of Memphis educational leaders are pictured above with the AdvancED External Review Team. From left to right, Dr. Therese Williams, lead evaluator; Mrs. Janet Donato, superintendent of Catholic schools; Teddi Niedzwiedz, CASE chair; Carol Templeton, principal, St. Joseph High School, Huntington, W.V.; Sheila O’Leary, field consultant, AdvancED; Marie Williams, superintendent, Diocese of Lafayette; Dr. Janice Ritter, superintendent, Diocese of Charlotte; Michelle Priar, assistant superintendent, Diocese of Evansville; Kristi Baird, assistant superintendent; Dr. Niyah Griffin, associate superintendent, Diocese of Birmingham; Rich Parkin, associate director, AdvancED Northeast Region; and Dr. David Hill, director of academic operations.

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C A T H O L I C S C H O O L N E W S

St. John students tour Ole Miss St. John Catholic School’s sixth grade class traveled to Oxford, Miss., for a tour of Ole Miss and to learn

about life on a major college campus. Students visited the library and other buildings before attending an Ole Miss women’s basketball game.

Excellence at DeLaSalle at Blessed Sacrament School

The Department of Catechesis awards the 2013-2014 Certificate of Excellence in Faculty Faith Formation to DeLaSalle School at Blessed Sacrament. This award recognizes the dedication of our religion teachers to both teaching and learning the Catholic Faith.

DeLaSalle School religion teachers are (left to right): Erika Hansen, Samantha Herbst, Mary Anne Krajenta, Amy Roaten, Bill Beckman, and Daniel Salvaggio, principal.

THE WORLD DAY FOR CONSECRATED LIFE

The World Day for Consecrated Life was celebrated universally on Feb. 2. Prior to the international observance, on January 18, 2014, Bishop J. Terry Steib, S.V.D., and religious who serve the Catholic Diocese of Memphis gathered at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception to celebrate World Day of Consecrated Life. Jubilarians were given special recognition for their dedication and service to God and his people. Jubilarians pictured (left to right) are Brother Robert Staub, FSC (75); Sister Maria van Werkhooven, BVM (50); Sister Nicholas Catrambone, BVM (60); Brother Mark Gubbels, FSC (60); Bishop J. Terry Steib, SVD; Brother Joel McGraw, FSC (50); Sister Betteann McDermott, SMSM (60); Sister Ancy Mary, SSpS (25); and Brother Joel Baumeyer, FSC (60).


SONDRA MORRIS NAMED NEW PRINCIPAL FOR ST. BENEDICT AT AUBURNDALE

Bishop J. Terry Steib of the Catholic Diocese of Memphis and Super-intendent of Catholic Schools Janet Donato, announced the appoint-ment of Sondra Morris as principal of the largest school in its system and the largest Catholic school in Tennessee, St. Benedict at Auburndale High School. Morris has been serving as interim principal for one semester after the departure of former Principal George Valadie to Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga. In a statement issued, Donato said, “I am very pleased to announce that Mrs. Sondra Morris is being appointed principal of St. Benedict of Auburndale effective Jan. 1, 2014.” Mrs. Morris was appointed as interim in April 2013 and has done an outstanding job of leading the school during this time.”

Following a national search, Bishop Steib and Mrs. Donato felt that the experience and qualifications of Mrs. Morris were unparalleled. She has been with the school since the late 1980s, when it was Auburndale School, a non-denominational program at the corner of Chimneyrock Road and Germantown Parkway. The diocese purchased the school in 1988 and opened it as a K5-12 Catholic school, naming it St. Benedict at Auburndale. It became a high school with a capacity of 1,000 students in 2004 when the current 183,000 square-foot facility opened just north of the original campus. The other grades became a parish school affiliated with St. Francis of Assisi Church.

Mrs. Morris has held a variety of positions at both Auburndale and St. Benedict — classroom teacher, coach, athletic director, admissions director, registrar, director of student affairs, dean of students and assistant principal. She also has children attending the school. She received a BS degree from Union University and received her master’s degree in education from the University of Memphis. She also is a graduate of the Catholic Schools Leadership Academy.

Mrs. Morris is grateful for the opportunity to serve the students, parents and faculty of SBA, “I look forward continuing in the capacity of principal of this great school. The vision of my predecessors provides us the foundation as we continue to strive to be an institution of faith and learning in the 21st century. I am humbled by Bishop Steib’s and Mrs. Donato’s trust in me and I look forward to the challenges of this position,” she called.

Mrs. Morris and her husband John live in Cordova with their five children. They are parishioners of St. Francis of Assisi Church.

BY MARY HELEN CARMACK

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CBHS HALL OF FAME ADDS 10 NEW MEMBERS516 MEMBERS IN HALL OF FAME, ESTABLISHED IN 1968

The Christian Brothers High School Hall of Fame has elected 10 new members, who were inducted in ceremonies on the CBHS campus Jan. 26. Candidates are chosen by the Hall of Fame membership on the basis of their personal accomplish-ments, civic and public contributions and support of or involvement with activities of interest to the school. The school opened in 1871. CBHS graduates must have graduated a minimum of 20 years prior to selection. The CBHS Hall of Fame was established in 1968. Since then, 516 men, living and deceased, have been inducted into the group (418 of whom are CBHS grads) by their peers.

THE 2014 INDUCTEES ARE:• Donald A. Nobert, Sr. (CBHS ’46) is retired after a commercial food brokerage career in Memphis.• Adolf W. Karchmer, M.D. (CBHS ’56) is a nationally acclaimed researcher and professor of medicine at Harvard University and chief of infectious dis-eases at Harvard’s affiliate hospital, New England Deaconess.• William M. McKee (CBHS ’65) is retired band director for Memphis City Schools, Bellevue Junior High and Central High School. Bill has spent his retirement as a volunteer adjunct teacher of saxo-phone at CBHS and directs the CBHS

Jazz Band.• Michael Robert Pera (CBHS ’66) had a 40-year career with Marsh and McLennan in the property and casualty insurance business.• Michael J. Donahue (CBHS ’69) is a Memphis nightlife and area music writer for the Commercial Appeal.• Robert G. Schaedle, III (CBHS ’73) is co-founder and current president of Chartwell Hospitality, which operates more than 30 hotels around the country.• J. Whitley Wills, DDS (CBHS ’81) is a general dentist in private practice and teaches at the University of Tennessee

College of Dentistry.• Joseph P. Fracchia (CBHS ’92) is a certified public accountant and a partner at VACO Midsouth.• Jonathan E. Lyons (CBHS ’93) is man-aging director, investments, for Raymond James (formerly Morgan Keegan).• Lucas A. Trautman, M.D. (CBHS ’93) is a private psychiatrist in Memphis specializing in adolescent psychiatry and substance abuse disorders.

BY JOHN MORRIS,

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND

COMMUNICATIONS

Ten Christian Brothers High School graduates were inducted into the CBHS Hall of Fame during ceremonies Jan. 26 on the CBHS campus. The inductees are: (left to right) Adolf W. Karchmer, M.D. ’56; Donald A. Nobert, Sr. ’46; Michael Robert Pera ’66; Joseph P. Fracchia ’92; William M. McKee ’65; Robert G. Schaedle, III ’73; J. Whitley Wills, DDS ’81; Lucas A. Trautman, M.D. ’93; Jonathan E. Lyons ’93; and Michael J. Donahue ’69.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF WEST TENNESSEE ELECTS NEW BOARD OFFICERS

Memphis, TN – December 13, 2013 – The Board of Direc-tors for Catholic Charities of West Tennessee (CCWTN) has elected new officers for 2014.

Dr. John Smarrelli, Jr., president of Christian Brothers University, has been elected chair; Mrs. Anne Marie Kadien, an active community volunteer, was elected vice chair; and Mr. Allie Bond, a human resources executive with International Paper, has been elected secretary.

Commenting on the Board election, Michael D. Allen, presi-dent/CEO of Catholic Charities of West Tennessee said, “I am so very grateful to each of these individuals for their ongoing service to our Board. John, Anne Marie and Allie have each distinguished themselves in their work with our agency and we look forward to a successful 2014 together.”


M A R C HP R I E S T B I R T H D AY S Rev. James Danner.....................................03/01Rev. Francis Chiawa...................................03/03Rev.Yoelvis Gonzales..................................03/08Rev. David Knight.......................................03/16Rev. Kazimierz Abrahamczyk.......................03/19Rev. Dexter P.Noblefranca...........................03/20Rev. Dennis Schenkel..................................03/22Rev. Joseph Paolozzi..................................03/28Rev Victor E. Laroche, O.P..........................03/30

Incarnation Catholic School Beta Club has been named a National Beta School of Distinction

The National Beta Club is the nation’s largest independent, nonprofit, educational youth organization. The National Beta Club is committed to recognizing and promoting high academic achievement, rewarding and nurturing worthy character, improving student leadership skills and encouraging service to others. The award speaks highly of Incarnation’s commitment to academic rigor and illustrates its dedication to preparing students for college and career readiness. Congratulations to our Beta Club students on this notable accomplishment!

Students listed (left to right, front to back): Carson Dacus, Shannon Kennedy, Sydney Shirley, Lauren Williams, Katie Ryan, Jack Camilleri, Eric Nelson, Grace Brady, Annie McDonald, Emily Grace Hall, Molly McDonald, Alyssa Denegri, Sophia Rouse, Katelyn Wall, Michael Mundy, Andrew McLaren, Henry Ballard and Ben Owen

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The Catholic Diocese of Memphis in Tennessee5825 Shelby Oaks DriveMemphis, TN 38134-7316

www.CDOM.org

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