THE CATHOLIC. World Youth Day heading to Krakow

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1 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. 48, No. 6 June 20, 2014 By Reed Flood In 1984, St. John Paul II delivered a massive invitation. He called upon the young people of the world to take part in an international celebration of youth on Palm Sunday in St. Peter s Square. When he came out to address the audience, he was met by a crowd Fortnight for Freedom planned for June 22 World Youth Day heading to Krakow of over 300,000 young Catholics. Since then, World Youth Day has offered an eclectic insight to the universal beauty of the Catholic Church. Young Catholics around the world unite in a chance to embark on a pilgrimage directed toward Christ and his Church. In the summer of 2016, World Youth Day arrives in historic Krakow, Poland. Young Catholics (ages at the time of the trip) have a rare opportunity to journey through a land which contains a thriving history of remarkable saints. Individuals will have the chance to walk the streets of Wadowice, the hometown of St. John Paul II. Participants will see monumental sites throughout Poland including the immaculate shrines of Divine Mercy and Our Lady of Czestochowa. Participants will step inside the walls of the Auschwitz concentration camp memorial and visit St. Maximilian Kolbe s prison cell. Individuals may also sign up for the highly encouraged Mission Week package beginning on July which allows for opportunities to stay with host families in the local dioceses of Poland and experience the rich Polish culture firsthand. For more information about World Youth Day, check out the online brochure located at WYD or visit the Facebook page: wyd2016dmdiocese. To sign up for World Youth Day and for information on family registration, visit the Diocese of Des Moines World Youth Day webpage or contact Tessa Schealler at tschealler@ dmdiocese.org or One step closer to priesthood Two ordained transitional deacons The Diocese of Des Moines is participating in the third annual Fortnight for Freedom, a national effort to advance a movement for life, marriage and religious liberty through prayer, penance and sacrifice. Locally, the fortnight will be marked with a holy hour, keynote speaker and reception beginning at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 22 at St. Ambrose Cathedral. All are invited. The Fortnight for Freedom runs June 21-July 4 with the goal of emphasizing the fundamental right of religious freedom. The fortnight is held at a time when our liturgical calendar celebrates a series of great martyrs who remained faithful in the face of persecution by political power St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher, St. John the Baptist, Ss. Peter and Paul and the first martyrs of the Church of Rome, according to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Current threats to religious freedom involve: the U.S. Department of Human Services mandate for sterilization, contraception and abortion-inducing drugs; Catholic foster care and adoption services; state immigration laws that infringe on Christian charity and pastoral care; discrimination Continued on page 11 By Kelly Mescher Collins Photo by Mark Hommerding Two diocesan seminarians were ordained into the transitional diaconate on June 6 at Our Lady of the Americas Parish in Des Moines. The transitional diaconate is the last major step before a seminarian becomes a priest. Deacon Luis Mejia, originally from El Salvador, and Deacon Andrew Windschitl, of Urbandale and former St. Deacons Andrew Windschitl and Luis Mejia were ordained by Bishop Richard Pates on June 6 at Our Lady of the Americas Parish in Des Moines. The two will be ordained priests next June. Francis of Assisi parishioner, attend St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, Minn., and will be ordained priests June 2015 in Des Moines. The morning of their diaconate ordination, they were interviewed by Bishop Richard Pates on his weekly radio show on Iowa Catholic Radio. I m really excited, Deacon Mejia said. I m really looking forward to serving the people of God. Bishop Pates said there is a great need for Spanish speaking priests in the church. One of the great challenges we face is the enormous influx of Hispanics with our Anglo communication, Bishop Pates said. You re a bridge because you can now speak English and identify with the Hispanic and Anglo community. Deacon Mejia will be serving at Holy Spirit Parish in Creston this summer. Deacon Windschitl said he is looking forward to working closely with the people. I m looking forward to getting out there to those who are sick and homebound and especially assisting with the liturgy, he said. The greatest thing we can do is worship God. I m very much looking forward to it. Deacon Windschitl will be serving at St. Theresa Parish in Des Moines this summer. In embracing the identity of deacon, Andrew and Luis are called to activate service through the ministry of hospitality, said Bishop Pates at the ordination. The spirit of diaconal hospitality is then extended to their broader ministry as they reach out to those in the Church they are called to serve. They will serve as bridges to the unity that brings us together into the one kingdom of the Lord Jesus. On Bishop Pates s radio show, Father Dan Kirby, diocesan director of seminarians, says he encourages those who think God may be calling them to the priesthood or diaconate to follow the words of Jesus, Continued on page 11

2 2 The Catholic Mirror, June 20, 2014 In the Heartland with Bishop Pates The Gift of Adoption I was recently on a road trip in northern Iowa listening to Iowa Public Radio. Two women who had the same birth mother were speaking of their relationship which had just been forged in the last year. The older was 70, had a family of three and had enjoyed a robust married life. The younger sister was 67 and also had enjoyed a life with basically no regrets. The older had been placed for adoption by her birth mother who at the time was facing a severe crisis in her life. She was willing to allow her daughter to be adopted in everyone s best interest. The adopting couple provided a warm and nurturing environment characterized by generous love. In turn, the adoptee grew and eventually experienced a good life. The mother of these two women had died several years before the sisters met. All came together and after growing up in the adopted home, the elder sister was blessed with children and a loving husband. The adopted woman, never having seen her birth mother, was asked, What would you say to your mother if you came upon her face to face? She responded, I would say Thank you. Thank you for the courage of giving birth instead of taking the route of abortion whether legal or not. And I would introduce her to my loving children and grandchildren who are privileged to carry at least partially her genetic makeup. My children are of great benefit By Bishop Richard E. Pates to church and society. A decision not to go the route of abortion insured their very existence. Adoption is a respectful and life-giving alternative to abortion. It clearly demonstrates that a human being is present from the moment of conception. We are very much aware and sympathetic to the struggles of parents who experience a pregnancy that is highly problematic for a variety of reasons. Adoption provides the alternative that resolves many issues. The very first is that the child will have the opportunity to be loved and to experience presumably a stable home environment. The birth mother, simply because of the mother-child relationship, may feel highly conflicted but will hopefully come to realize that this decision allows her to work through whatever issues she is confronting. For the parents who are adopting, it is a dream realized. They want children to share love and to give of themselves as nature urges them on to embrace family life. One issue that surfaces is that the birth mother often feels pushed by contemporary culture to keep the child because it is hers. The primary option, if this is not possible, is to abort the child and thus address the problem with finality. One of the great challenges of our day is to emphasize the independent identity of the child and to highlight that not only should a stigma not be attached to adoption but rather great praise and appreciation should be accorded the mother for a mature and highly loving decision. It is a love in which the best interests of all are upheld. As the older sister in the story beginning this piece so accurately stated, the proper response is Thank you! We might legitimately ask in our day are there prospective parents interested in adopting? Diana L. Baltimore, Ph.D., founder and executive director of the National Center for Adoption notes: In the United States, 1 million women wish to adopt an infant but only 9,000 to 12,000 U.S. born infants are voluntarily placed for adoption each year. Catholic Charities of Des Moines has a backlog of approximately 250 such parents. Recently, Catholic Charities has only placed children in the low single digits every year because of the scarcity of babies. But Catholic Charities is determined and its employees feel it s important to take leadership in this area addressing the unfortunate restraints culture exercises in impeding adoptions. In so doing, Catholic Charities is assuring its root identity insofar as the agency was founded in 1924 to facilitate adoptions. Catholic Charities, through its board leadership, is in the process of establishing a separate corporation which would be exclusively designed to deal with adoptions. Staffing envisioned at this juncture are a pregnancy-adoption counselor and a marketing expert to make known the adoption option and to counter the negative cultural perspective. The first step has been taken in selecting a pregnancy counselor and a marketing professional is being sought. It is anticipated that an adoption advocate from each parish will be recruited to make certain this positive message reaches the grassroots. In addition, partnerships will be developed with different clinics, counseling centers and medical providers. In launching this effort Catholic Charities is going to experience stiff headwinds as it develops and implements its re- Bishop blesses offices at Christ the King Parish newed vision. You might hopefully ask, what can I do? The very first is to speak positively and with compassionate encouragement about adoption when disproportionate attention can be focused on the woman as opposed to the child. Opinion making is a critical contribution in our time. We need to clearly espouse that adoption satisfies the needs of all parties involved. Secondly, you should consider volunteering with the organization being established by Catholic Charities. It is an opportunity to open the door for children to enjoy stability and love. Adoption is a win for the pregnant mother. Adoption is a win for the child. Adoption is a win for the parents who chose the path of adopting. Photo by Darlene Oliver Bishop Richard Pates dedicated a new office building at Christ the King Parish in Des Moines on April 19. THE CATHOLIC MIRROR Bishop Richard E. Pates Publisher bishop@dmdiocese.org Anne Marie Cox Editor acox@dmdiocese.org Kelly Mescher Collins kcollins@dmdiocese.org The Catholic Mirror (ISSN ) is published monthly for $18 per year by the Diocese of Des Moines, 601 Grand Ave., Des Moines, Iowa Periodicals postage paid at Des Moines. POSTMASTER: Send changes to THE CATHOLIC MIRROR, 601 Grand Ave., Des Moines, Iowa PHONE: (515) mirror@dmdiocese. org DIOCESAN WEBSITE: Friday, June 20 Des Moines In the Heartland with Bishop Pates, Iowa Catholic Radio, Des Moines; KVSS, Omaha, 10 a.m. Saturday, June 21 St. Paul, Minn. Rachel Davis & John Galligan wedding, Nativity of Our Lord Parish, 2 p.m. Sunday, June 22 Lenox Mass and dedication of St. Patrick Parish Center, St. Patrick Parish, 8:30 a.m. Des Moines Fortnight for Freedom Prayer Service, St. Ambrose Cathedral, 2 p.m. Monday, June 23 West Des Moines Mass with Catholic school administrators of Iowa, Dowling Catholic High School, 8 a.m. Des Moines Vocations department meeting, Pastoral Center, 11 a.m. Des Moines Diocesan Executive Committee meeting, Pastoral Center, 1:30 p.m. Des Moines Dinner auctioned at Holy Family Barn Bash, Bishop s residence, 6 p.m. Bishop s Schedule Tuesday, June 24 - Wednesday, July 2 Central America Solidarity visit on behalf of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, International Justice and Peace Committee Friday, June 26 Des Moines In the Heartland with Bishop Pates, Iowa Catholic Radio, Des Moines; KVSS, Omaha, 10 a.m. Thursday, July 3 Monday, July 7 Vacation Friday, July 4 Pastoral Center offices closed Des Moines In the Heartland with Bishop Pates, Iowa Catholic Radio, Des Moines; KVSS, Omaha, 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 8 Tuesday, July 22 Central Africa Solidarity visit on behalf of the USCCB, International Justice and Peace Committee Friday, July 11 Des Moines In the Heartland with Bishop Pates, Iowa Catholic Radio, Des Moines; KVSS, Omaha, 10 a.m. Friday, July 18 Des Moines In the Heartland with Bishop Pates, Iowa Catholic Radio, Des Moines; KVSS, Omaha, 10 a.m. New assignments and extensions granted effective July Father Robert Harris a six year extension granted as Pastor of All Saints Parish Des Moines until July Father Raymond Higgins a six year extension granted as Pastor of All Saints Parish Stuart and St. John Parish Adair until July Father Daniel F. Krettek a three year extension granted as Pastor of St. Mary/Holy Cross Parish Elkhart until July Father John Ludwig an indefinite extension granted as Pastor of St. John the Apostle Parish, Norwalk. Father Gregory Leach extension granted as Pastor of St. Mary of Nazareth Parish Des Moines until July Father Adam Westphal to study Canon Law at the Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. beginning in the summer of Bishop Richard E. Pates Bishop of Des Moines Official Sister Jude Fitzpatrick Chancellor

3 One year ago, Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines welcomed a tall, humble, yet joyful Robert Ritz as its new president. After accepting the position, Ritz vowed to continue the mission established by the Sisters of Mercy, who founded the hospital. Their goal was to deliver the best possible patient experience while improving the health status of the community. A rich, spiritual background provided the foundation for Ritz s work at Mercy. He was raised in a traditional Catholic family which jumpstarted his faith. I was trained by the Jesuits he said, adding he attended Catholic schools all his life. These strong, faithbased values continue to guide Ritz throughout his career in medicine. His Catholic faith has been important in his career. I couldn t imagine being in my current role without these values. Ritz has spent nearly 30 years in healthcare: 16 years at a place that merged with a Catholic facility, and 12 years at another Catholic health care provider. Over time, he said he couldn t help but notice the The Catholic Mirror, June 20, New Mercy Medical Center president guided by Catholic values By Reed Flood beauty of Catholic doctrine at work. The values of Catholic Church teaching were alive and well, he said. In particular, he liked the approach of caring for an individual as a whole: mind, body and spirit. M e r c y Medical Center in Des Moines is no exception. The Church s teaching has always remained at the core of Mercy s health care, he said. Ritz practices what he preaches. He recently accompanied a three-year-old patient with a congenital heart defect to an Iowa Cubs game. Ritz stood by the boy s side and even assisted him in throwing out the opening pitch. In his 30-plus years of medical experience, Ritz could only watch in amazement as the child joyfully tossed the baseball. It was somewhat miraculous, he said. Since working at Mercy, Ritz has observed the effectiveness of a Catholiccentered mission. The fact that we are a faith-based organization which treats the mind, body, and spirit as one is a strategic advantage, he said. New Mercy Medical Center President Robert Ritz took a patient to an Iowa Cubs game. For some, it may be difficult to see how the Church s teachings have a place in medical care. For Ritz, it is an absolute necessity. Mercy relies on these teaching every day to deliver effective health care. To be deeply Catholic in health care, said Ritz, is to move past acknowledging our founders. We must remember there are things that cannot be breached. It is these values which Mercy views as a great strength. Ritz pursues the Catholic-based mission at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines to his greatest ability: We want to be as Catholic and as faith-based as possible. Mercy president discusses commitment to behavioral health services By Reed Flood Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines recently opened a $12 million facility to bring behavioral health services back to its central campus in Des Moines. The new facility features the most modern, safe and healing environment available in the region, according to President Robert Ritz. It features one floor of services for adults and another floor for children and adolescents. In addition, the renovation project included a new help center a walk-in clinic for outpatient behavioral health that is open 24 hours a day. Behavioral health is an umbrella term describing a wide array of diseases and disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (known as ADHD), depression, and bipolar disorder. Mercy is one of the largest providers of behavioral health services in Des Moines with an array of services, facilities and specialists. Three physicians recently left a Mercy-owned behavioral health clinic to establish their own practice in West Des Moines, prompting Mercy to close that clinic. Most services continue to be offered, though, Ritz said. These include: a pediatric and adolescent psychiatric clinic, the help center, an intensive outpatient program, a partial hospitalization program, House of Mercy mental health and substance abuse counseling services in multiple locations, and the new inpatient units on the central campus. I m not aware of any other center in the area that provides this much behavioral health care, Ritz said. The need for behavioral health is so great and touches so many people, that we as a society have not done it justice. Behavioral health services are underpaid by government programs, such as Medicaid, he said. This makes it difficult to recruit and retain good physicians and other professionals, resulting in shortages and limited access to critically-needed services. Although media coverage of the change in practice locations for the three physicians may have misguided the community, Ritz emphasized Mercy s continued dedication to behavioral health. Mercy Medical Center continues its commitment to addressing the health of each individual s mind, body and spirit, he said. Behavioral health care, which has advanced significantly over the years, is part of that commitment. CATHOLIC REGIONAL CONFERENCE September 20 & 21, 2014 Wells Fargo Arena Des Moines, Iowa World-Class Speakers: Doubting Thomas Caravaggio Timothy Cardinal Dolan Bishop Richard E. Pates Fr. Larry Richards Mario St. Francis Herrera Angela Perez Baraquio Grey Mark Hart Immaculée Ilibagiza Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow Tony Meléndez Tom Peterson Steve Angrisano All-Weekend Pass: $25 Adults $15 Student/Youth ChristOurLifeIowa.com

4 4 The Catholic Mirror, June 20, 2014 Opinion Religious liberty continues to be an issue A U. S. Catholic bishop was taken into custody by federal authorities for refusing to order his priests to pray for the president of the United States. Sounds made-up? The rumor must be circulated by some Obama-hater, or anti-military activist, right? Wrong! It actually happened, but not recently. In 1863, William Elder was the Catholic bishop of Natchez, Mississippi. When federal troops entered the city on July 13 that year, it was put under martial law meaning that the military governed the city and its laws were to be obeyed. Bishop Elder s first dispute with the federal government was over his refusal to take the oath of allegiance to the Union; but his most pressing problem was his refusal to order all Catholic clergy to pray for President Abraham Lincoln. Bishop Elder stood on principle: the government had no right to tell a bishop for whom he must pray. For his failure to order the prayers, the Union commander, Brig. Gen. James M. Tuttle threatened the bishop with arrest. Bishop Elder then wrote to the president who referred the matter to Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. Stanton supported the bishop and he escaped penalty, for the time being. Take a break with Deacon Mike By Deacon Mike Manno However, a year later, in July of 1864, Gen. Tuttle was replaced by Gen. Mason Brayman who found Tuttle s original order and moved to enforce it. The bishop tried to reason with the general even showing him Stanton s original letter but to no result. According to Gen. Brayman, an order was an order and must be obeyed. Bishop Elder again refused to comply and wrote to Secretary Stanton, but before a reply was received, Gen. Brayman ordered the bishop expelled from Mississippi and sent into exile to Louisiana, where he was briefly taken into custody by Union soldiers. Brayman also ordered that all churches under Bishop Elder s jurisdiction be seized. Gen. Brayman later rescinded the order to seize the churches, but left the bishop in his Louisiana exile. Finally, Gen. Brayman s superior, Gen. Lorenzo Thomas heard the bishop s story and on Aug. 12, 1864 ordered the bishop released from confinement and returned to Natchez. The story has some interesting historical side notes, including an Iowa connection: Bishop Elder served in Natchez until 1880 when he was named Archbishop of Cincinnati where he served until his death in Elder High School there is named in his honor. Gen. Tuttle, whose original order started the commotion, came back to Iowa, where he had served as sheriff of Van Buren County before the war. He ran for governor in 1863, losing to fellow Union Gen. William M. Stone 86,107 to 56,132. Stone went on to win a second term in 1865; Tuttle ran for Congress in 1866, but lost to another Union General, Grenville M. Dodge. He was later elected to several terms in the Iowa House of Representatives, representing Des Moines and Polk County. He died in Des Moines, Oct. 24, Gen. Brayman was appointed governor of the Idaho Territory by President Ulysses Grant in 1876 and served until He died in Gen. Lorenzo Thomas, whose intervention returned Bishop Elder to Natchez, was Adjutant General of the Army. In 1868, President Andrew Johnson tried to appoint him secretary of war, ousting Secretary Stanton, a move that lead directly to Johnson s impeachment. Of course, while this may seem like ancient history, the right to religious liberty that Bishop Elder stood for is under attack today. That is why our bishops have set aside June 21 to July 4 as the third annual Fortnight for Freedom, two weeks of prayer, education, and action to protect our religious freedoms. For more information, the bishops have set up a website at www. Fortnight4Freedom.org. Check it out and join our bishops protecting our religious liberties. Editor s Note: The Diocese of Des Moines will mark the fortnight with a gathering this Sunday, June 22 from 2-4 p.m. at St. Ambrose Cathedral. See page 1 for details. Deacon Manno is the diocesan director of the permanent diaconate, serves St. Augustin Parish in Des Moines. The spirit of Pentecost From maize fields in Ghana to women s micro-credit groups in Nicaragua, Nora Tobin s desire to serve is rooted in Iowa. Tobin, raised in St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Des Moines, is the executive director of Self-Help International, an ecumenical, non-profit organization headquartered in Iowa. SHI implements agricultural development projects in those countries to lift farm families out of hunger and poverty, by fostering self-reliance. I was very lucky to be born into a family where my parents loved and supported me, she said. I ve always felt called to share that with those for whom it s not the case. At 26, Tobin draws upon deep family traditions of faith, service and agricultural stewardship. She has taken full advantage of educational opportunities to equip herself to share with others. Tobin attended Iowa State Nora Tobin University. Studying political science and international studies, she learned the global impact of hunger and poverty. Tobin s interest in social justice led her to South Africa to work in public health and HIV prevention, as well as to lead service trips to Uganda and Honduras. While studying at ISU, she was highly involved at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Ames, chairing the committee supporting its sister parish in Honduras. After graduation, she administered university exchange programs between the United States and Africa and in 2013, earned a master s degree in international peace studies from Trinity College in Ireland. Faith, education and worldwide Guest Column By Catherine Swoboda travel prepared Tobin for leadership at SHI, where she directs operations to confront hunger and poverty in Ghana and Nicaragua. The staff in each country is native, which is critical to building sustainability and capacity. At SHI, we help people help themselves. We work directly with farmers to implement longterm, sustainable solutions to alleviate hunger. SHI projects include remarkable work with corn, or maize. Training farmers to grow quality protein maize increases yields and use of storage bins reduces losses after harvest. Strong maize production supports school feeding projects for children and improves nutrition and school attendance. Quality protein maize is milled to make porridge for children. Additional projects include practical educational programs for women. Through micro-credit loans and training, women learn business and marketing strategies and can start their own businesses, which benefit their families by increasing income. SHI also supports the installation of low-tech water sanitation systems. Multiple opportunities exist for Iowans to be involved with SHI, including volunteer trips and financial support. If you are a farmer, as are Tobin s grandparents, a small gift of grain can go a very long way to improve another s life. To support SHI initiatives, text SELFHELP to To learn more, call SHI at or visit: org. Tobin is a dynamic young Iowan, living the call of our Catholic faith to love and serve others. She is available to present to church groups about SHI, her travels, global hunger and poverty, and is an especially inspiring example for young Catholics to connect with. Her example beautifully expresses the message at the heart of Pentecost: to go forth, unafraid, speaking to all in their native language and in their most pressing need. Catherine Swoboda is a parishioner of St. Ambrose Cathedral. Abass Kwarteng was one of the first to complete a training course offered at Self Help s Young Adult Training Center in Ghana, where he learned mushroom production, business skills and the importance of record keeping. Here, he shows Nora Tobin his record books. With him is the training center s manager Alfred Justice Mensah and country director Benjamin Kusi.

5 The Catholic Mirror, June 20, Opinion Threats from secularizing, devaluing religious roots As we prepare for the upcoming Fortnight for Freedom from June 21 to July 4, 2014, I am reminded of the words of President Ronald Reagan: If we ever forget that we are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under. Reagan clearly understood, just as the framers of the Declaration of Independence did, that religion and patriotism are woven together. In fact, the belief and faith in God is one of the key values of patriotism. Today, however, our nation s religious roots are being secularized and devalued in the educational, historical, and political arenas. Such actions undermine our patriotism. Thus, to counter this tide, we must learn and appreciate our nation s proud and diverse religious roots and their direct connection to being patriotic American citizens. Besides during the Fortnight for Freedom, 2014 gives us other ideal opportunities to embrace this challenge as there are several key milestones being celebrated. Two hundred years ago this September, Francis Scott Key, while Guest Column By Jason Follett witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry, crafted a poem which would eventually become our national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner. In the fourth and final stanza, you find the following lyrics: Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation. Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, and this be our motto: In God is our trust. Fifty years later during the end of the Civil War, the United States Congress authorized the placement of the phrase, In God We Trust, on all two cent coins. The following year, the inscription was extended to all coins. Congress 1864 decision was in response to a Pennsylvania preacher s 1861 letter in which he stated his worry that recognition of God had been overlooked on our nation s coins. The secretary of the Treasury and director of the U.S. Mint were open to including the phrase but the pending Civil War diverted their attention to the suggestion. In the 1950s, the Knights of Columbus along with other civic minded organizations began the effort to amend the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States to include the phrase under God. On Flag Day June 14, 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the bill amending the pledge into law. Eisenhower, in a letter recognizing the initiative of the Knights of Columbus in originating and sponsoring the amendment, said: These words will remind Americans that despite our great physical strength we must remain humble. They will help us to keep constantly in our minds and hearts the spiritual and moral principles which alone give dignity to man, and upon which our way of life is founded. Let us make 2014 the year in which we are not afraid or embarrassed that our nation s religious roots are a critical value of patriotism, a key component of our history, and what serves as one of the key guides for the United States of America. In other words, let us live as James Madison advised: We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of government, far from it. We have staked the future of all our political institutions upon the capacity of mankind for self-government, upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God. Jason Follett, a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus, is a member of Our Lady s Immaculate Heart Parish in Ankeny. Beginning July 1, Follett will serve as the program director for the Iowa Knights of Columbus. Sharing in Christ s presence at Holy Communion Since we began this series on the Mass almost three years ago, the Year of Faith has now concluded, and we even have a new pope! It took me about this long to read The Lord of the Rings and so I understand if it s hard to keep a sense of continuity. Past issues of The Catholic Mirror can be found online at www. dmdiocese.org/the-catholic-mirror. cfm. Readers can page through it online, or give the Worship or Communications Offices a call to have past articles mailed or ed to you. Once we ve made it to Thanks be to God, at the end of the Mass, we ll be compiling all the articles into a booklet form that will be available online for viewing or printing. On to this month s reflection: the Invitation to Communion. It begins with an invitation at the end of the Fraction Rite (the breaking of bread, one of Lift Up Your Hearts By Kyle Lechtenberg the earliest names Christians gave their Sunday worship). After the feast is prepared (consecrated bread distributed into appropriate vessels for the forthcoming procession), the priest again shows the consecrated bread and wine to the people, announcing, almost directly from Scripture, the feast all are about to share: Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world. (John 1:29) Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb. (Revelation 19:9). There is a clever move in pairing these statements. The first quote from John s gospel is John the Baptist announcing to the crowds of the coming of Jesus at the beginning of his ministry on earth. Then, we fast-forward to the heavenly banquet in heaven with a quote from Revelation; the wedding feast of the Lamb of God. In Holy Communion we share in Christ s presence and mission on earth as well as glimpse our eventual home with him in heaven at the end of our lives and of this entire world we know. Then, the priest and people together echo the Centurion s statement of faith in Jesus, a short and moving story of faith against the odds found in Luke 7:1-9: Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my Finding God in silence roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed. (Luke 7:6-7) This statement by all the people has been part of Christian worship since at least the tenth century. After we confess our lowliness and our faith in the love and healing we share in this meal, we are ready to come forward, lowly yet chosen and loved, to feast on the One who calls us to be united with himself and with one another: Jesus, the Christ. Next month we will look at the sharing of Holy Communion, the feast that calls us to be servants of God. Kyle Lechtenberg is the director of the diocesan Office for Worship and welcomes your comments and thoughts. Please call or send an to klechtenberg@dmdiocese.org. I don t have a green thumb, but it s getting greener. I ve planted my third garden this year, and I can already tell this should be my best year yet. I ve avoided pitfalls from the previous years (such as planting a row of carrots only to pull all of them thinking they re weeds two weeks later) and I m looking forward to some fresh veggies in a couple months. Ever since reading Dr. Vigen Guroian s short book Inheriting Paradise: Meditations on Gardening I continue to think about connections between gardening and family life. Today, I d like to spend a bit of time reflecting on the connection between growth and silence. Some of my favorite moments are when I head out to weed or Invited to Joy By Adam Storey water our garden. It s quiet, peaceful and it s a chance to be still and let go of the many noises that fill my day. Day after day, my garden silently reaches toward heaven. My garden is fruitful, but it s interesting to note how it becomes fruitful. Specifically, in silence. You see, as I m watching my garden grow, I hope that my family grows too. I hope we grow in holiness, in service, and if it s in God s plan, with more kids. Just like in my garden, I hope to create an environment that fosters growth and, to me, that s where silence comes in. We live in a pretty noisy world, I am bombarded daily with hundreds of distractions and in such a tumultuous environment we need silence to make sure we re putting first things first. As Christians, our job is first and foremost to say yes to God and we know that God speaks in the silence (1 Kings 19:12). Silence helps us know what we need to share with God, too. It gives us a chance to recall and relate our experiences to God. That s why I think it s vital for every family to cultivate periods of silence in their days. I like it most in the mornings and evenings, but truly anytime will do. Even 10 minutes a day can bring peace into an otherwise chaotic life and that peace will help bring forth new life. So please, join me in cultivating silence in our own hearts and in our families. I am convinced that doing so will bear much fruit! Adam Storey is the coordinator of the diocesan Marriage and Family Life Office. He can be reached at or astorey@dmdiocese.org.

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7 Bishop Drumm Retirement Center celebrates 75 years By Kelly Mescher Collins Diocesan News The Catholic Mirror, June 20, th anniversary activities underway 7 When the residents of Bishop Drumm Retirement Center in Johnston start emerging from their rooms and moving through the halls in the morning, they greet their friends, staff and spiritual role models. They consider themselves a family. Bishop Drumm is a retirement community that was founded on Catholic principles by the Sisters of Mercy 75 years ago. The Sisters of Mercy built such a strong and solid foundation, said Brenda Ballard, manager of the independent living section of Bishop Drumm, known as McCauley Terrace. I say that so confidently, because you can still feel their mission and vision and values today. It s just hard to describe the feeling that s here, Ballard continued, pointing out the positive impact small gestures make on the residents and staff. You witness [chaplain] Father Tom DeCarlo helping serve meals and saying Mass, she said. He ll drive the bus and take whoever wants to go out to eat. It s a lot of fun interaction. There are several sisters who have a strong presence at Bishop Drumm as well, including Sister Karen Yarkosky, coordinator for Sisters of Mercy, who spends time interacting with the residents nearly every single day. You see her in the hallway the warm smiles as she walks past them, Ballard said. She holds and touches their hand and just The Bishop Drumm Retirement Center has a rich history rooted in Catholic principles. In 1939, the Sisters of Mercy began their ministry for the aged in Des Moines. The sisters had been providing compassionate care in the health care field at Mercy Hospital while also teaching at St. Peter School, All Saints School and Holy Trinity School. At about that time, the Catholic Woman s League had an endowment for the specific purpose of providing a building where the elderly could live. The bishop of the Diocese of Des Moines, Bishop Thomas Drumm, acted as a catalyst in bringing the Sisters of Mercy and the Catholic Women s League together. On July 9, 1939, the retirement home opened, dedicated to Bishop Drumm, who had passed away in 1933 but had helped make this dream of serving others a reality. It was named Bishop Drumm Home and could accommodate 35 residents. The name was later changed to Bishop Drumm Retirement Center as the facility expanded services and now cares for 270 residents. In 1986, Bishop Drumm became affiliated with Mercy Health Center of Central Iowa (now known as Mercy Medical Center of Des Moines.) Bishop Drumm s philosophy includes smiles at them, and it s just so heartwarming. Three sisters from India with the Little Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus began serving at Bishop Drumm last year. You see their presence daily, Ballard said. They are assuring people get to Mass and get back to their rooms after Mass, holding their hand, sitting and listening. They are so good at getting eye level with the residents. The people at Bishop Drumm Retirement Center are a family regardless of whether a person is a resident, staff member or religious, Ballard said. [The sisters and Father DeCarlo] are all truly missed when they are not here, she said. We re all here for each other. I love that we have that Catholic Connection here you just feel it. That s why I love working here. To learn more visit opdrumm. the beliefs that the primary concern is to spread God s love in the community through a spirit of ecumenism and that love, justice, mercy and compassion are integral components in caring for the elderly and ill and in providing services that promote the concept of wellness. We are dedicated to supporting the mission of Catholic Health Initiatives by providing quality care to the elderly in an atmosphere of compassion and dignity, said Brian Farrell, president and chief executive officer of Bishop Drumm Retirement Center and a member of St. Pius X Parish in Urbandale. The need for retirement services is expected to rise greatly in the near future, Farrell said. The baby boomers are moving into retirement en masse, Farrell said. There s going to be a huge number of older people coming along. This silver tsunami To commemorate the 75 th anniversary of the Bishop Drumm Retirement Center, multiple activities are planned in celebration. The kickoff of the 75 th anniversary began on May 1 with the senior prom, said Brenda Ballard, manager of the independent living section of Bishop Drumm, known as McCauley Terrace. The prom is held every year, but this year s theme was The Diamond Event for the 75 th Anniversary, as diamonds typically represent 75- year celebrations. We crowned our king and queen, had a wonderful meal, live entertainment, we decorate to the hilt, she said. It s always a lot of fun. has prompted an increase in facilities offering independent living, assisted living and home care services, which have driven up the levels of care, Farrell said. There has been a huge explosion of services in the market place, Farrell said, although the supply is currently in far excess On May 20, Mass was celebrated at the Bishop Drumm chapel by Bishop Richard Pates, followed by a small reception. It was 75 years to the date that the first Mass was held at the Bishop Drumm Home. The final celebration will be held July 9 with a 5 p.m. cookout and 6 p.m. performance by the Des Moinesbased Isiserettes Drill and Drum Corp in the front parking lot of the Bishop Drumm Retirement Center. The event is open to the public at no cost. July 9 marks 75 years to the day that the first resident was admitted to the Bishop Drumm Home. ~ by Kelly Mescher Collins Bishop Drumm Retirement Center: Past, present and future By Kelly Mescher Collins Top: Resident John Stecher and Brenda Ballard, manager of McCauley Terrace independent living at Bishop Drumm Retirement Center. Bottom: Sister Karen Yarkosky visits with a resident at the reception brunch after Mass with Bishop Richard Pates. Residents Bob Jackson and RoseMary Larkin were crowned this year s king and queen at the Senior Prom held at Bishop Drumm Retirement Center on May 1. Left: Father Tom DeCarlo, chaplain at Bishop Drumm Retirement Center in Johnston, offers communion to one of the residents during Mass celebrated by Bishop Richard Pates on May 20. Above, L-R: Sister Shiji Mattakal John and Sister Rini Simethy of the Little Missionaries of the Sacred Heart sing during the anniversary Mass. of the demand. Bishop Drumm Retirement Center looks forward to welcoming those entering retirement at any stage, regardless of their faith background. To find out more visit or call

8 8 The Catholic Mirror, June 20, Invited to Joy Year celebrating marriage begins this fall Bishop Richard Pates has declared the year beginning Oct. 19 the Year of Marriage and Family in the Diocese of Des Moines. While there will be several regional events and one diocesan event celebrating sacramental marriage and family, the hope is for the focus on marriage and family to be a part of parish life throughout central and southwest Iowa. Our goal for the year is that, through focusing on this theme, we can enhance and build upon the many good works that are already occurring within our parishes. It is our hope that through these efforts, marriages and families will be drawn into a deeper relationship with Christ, said Bishop Pates. Throughout the coming year, the Diocese of Des Moines will be working on a threefold effort: To promote a joyful proclamation of the Church s teaching on marriage and family, To celebrate and honor the outstanding families of our diocese, and To enrich marriage ministries throughout the diocese. Our Christian faith is based on the family, how we treat each other and how we raise our children, said Deacon Jim Houston, of St. Pius X Parish in Urbandale. He and his wife, Mary, sit on a diocesan Marriage and Family Life advisory committee. Marriage, he said, requires sacrifice and is a CatholiC marital trends are similar to those of the U.s. population as a whole. 53% 25% 12% 5% 1% 4% of adult Catholics are currently married never been married divorced widowed separated unmarried and living with partner Source: Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate covenant with Christ. Marriage itself is the foundation of families, said Mary Houston. We raise our children and then the children become the future of our Church. (We have to) set a good foundation for the future of our Church. At the end of the Year of Marriage, I hope to see our Christian faith with a new spark, a new challenge for married couples to grow in their faith and opportunities to strengthen couples as they move into the new millennium, Deacon Houston said. Pope on marriage The diocesan focus on marriage and family is in sync with the direction of Pope Francis, who has made marriage and family life a top priority. Late last year, he asked for wide distribution of a survey on marriage to be completed by as many people as possible. The results will inform Vatican officials on what stress is putting pressure on marriage and family life. Pope Francis called for an extraordinary session of the Synod of Bishops to meet in four months, Oct in Rome, to discuss the pastoral challenges to the family in the context of evangelization. This will be only the third extraordinary synod since Pope Paul VI reinstituted synods in 1965 to hold periodic meetings to advise him on specific subjects. About 150 are expected to attend CNS An ordinary synod next year also will focus on marriage and the family. Also next year, there will be the eighth World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia. U.S. bishops The bishops of the United Sates have been reflecting for a number of years on how to reach out to today s married couples and families in pastoral care. One outcome was the publication of a pastoral letter entitled: Marriage, Love and Life in the Divine Plan. Realizing the struggles of married couples, the U.S. bishops in their pastoral letter speak of marriage as a vocation reflecting the life of the trinity. Also, one of the four priorities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is to strengthen marriage and family life. Local efforts With the launch of the Year of Marriage, the diocese is focusing on strengthening the domestic Church and helping families grow in their relationship with Christ. The Year of Marriage will begin with a diocesan Mass and carnival-themed reception. In addition, there will be a celebration of the marriage sponsor couples throughout the diocese. Many sponsor couples volunteer their time to visit with engaged couples, talk about issues that could pose stumbling blocks later on in marriage and focus on the sacramental nature of marriage in the Catholic Church. During the Year of Marriage, the diocese will release updated guidelines for marriage preparation. Months of work by a steering committee and the diocesan Office of Marriage and Family Life have gone into revising the guidelines to best address the spiritual and sacramental issues couples face as they prepare for marriage in the Catholic Church. Our goal was to build on the great work parishes already do for engaged couples, said Adam Storey, diocesan coordinator of Marriage and Family Life Ministry. The sacrament of marriage is such a gift and it is our hope that the new policies will help couples better understand the gift of the sacrament and say yes to it. In addition, local groups that provide enrichment opportunities for couples will be highlighted. They include the Celebrating the Year of Marriage The Diocese of Des Moines will be celebrating the Year of Marriage in several ways. Regional workshops will be offered. Liturgical and catechetical resources will be shared with parishes. The diocese will offer suggestions for local activities that strengthen families and help them grow in their relationship with Christ. Christian Family Movement, Teams of Our Lady, Marriage Encounter and Regnum Christi. Deacon Jim and Mary Houston will be married 39 years this year and just celebrated the marriage of their daughter. Mary said it s important for couples to take time out of their busy days to spend time together. It s easy to fall into everyday life and take it for granted, she said. Marriage and family are institutions established by God, said Bishop Pates. I believe most of us will vouch that they hold the key to our most precious memories and meaning in life. They constitute the rock of our culture and civilization.

9 Invited Joy to The Catholic Mirror, June 20, Bishops emphasize marriage, family life NEW ORLEANS (CNS) -- During their June spring general assembly in New Orleans, the nation s Catholic bishops were urged to promote and support Catholic families by paying close attention to the upcoming synod on the family at the Vatican and to promote the World Meeting of Families next year in Philadelphia. The bishops, by applause, showed their support of a letter to be from Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, to Pope Francis, inviting him to attend the World Meeting of Families next September in Philadelphia. Read at the meeting by Archbishop Kurtz, the letter said the pope s presence would add significance to the gathering and deepen the bonds of affection many Catholics feel for the Holy Father. Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Pontifical Council for the Family, said the Philadelphia gathering was a key factor in promoting family life, which he said is currently in crisis. The family today is living out a paradox, he told the bishops. On the one hand, great value is given to the bonds of family, everywhere in the world but he also noted that today s families are weakened and often Married people experience overwhelming benefits in physical and mental health and personal safety. Physical Health Married life is associated with greater physical health and lower rates of injury, illness and disability. The health benefits to married people are particularly great for men, who are more physically fit and less prone to disease and disability. (Why Marriage Matters: 26 Conclusions from the Social Sciences, p.25, and Marriage and the Public Good: Ten Principles, Witherspoon Institute, 2006, p.20) Married persons are twice as likely to report being very happy when compared to divorced or never-married adults. Married people have longer life expectancies than unmarried peers. (Marriage and the Public Good: Ten Principles, p.20) Rates of alcohol and substance abuse are reduced among married persons. (Why Marriage Matters: 26 Conclusions from the Social Sciences, p.24). Married men have especially lower risks of alcohol and drug addictions lose their way. Philadelphia Archbishop Charles J. Chaput told the U.S. bishops the 2015 gathering comes at a time when the church in the United States urgently needs an opportunity for joy and renewal. It s also a time of great confusion about the nature of marriage and the family. Our goal is to exclude no one from the excitement of this meeting. Our goal is to offer the beauty of Catholic teaching about marriage and the family with confidence and a spirit of invitation to every person of good will, he said. That s the heart of our theme: Love is our mission; the family fully alive. Archbishop Kurtz spoke about the upcoming extraordinary synod on the family at the Vatican, noting that it will take its cue from responses given in surveys of Catholic families worldwide. He said while the responses remain confidential, one trend they indicate is Catholics eagerness to respond to questions about family life; many have expressed a desire to hear more clear explanation of church teaching about marriage and families. He also said many parents indicated that they are at a loss for how to transmit the faith to their children and they also face challenges from today s economy, busy schedules (Linda Waite, Does Marriage Matter?, p.468) Mental Health Married persons are twice as likely to report being very happy when compared to divorced or never-married adults. (General Social Survey, National Opinion Research Center, 1998) Just 7 percent of married Americans say they are not too happy with life in general, compared to 13 percent of singles, 18 percent of the divorced, and 27 percent of those currently separated. (Brad Wilcox, Marriage and Mental Health in Adults and Children, Center for Marriage and Families Research, 2007) Married women enjoy particularly high rates of mental health benefits. This includes a significantly lower degree of depression and suicide. (Why Marriage Matters: 26 Conclusions from the Social Sciences, p.28, and Marriage and and from living in a culture that they ve described as being hostile to their faith. The synod will bring together presidents of bishops conferences, the heads of Eastern Catholic churches and the heads of Vatican offices to discuss pastoral challenges to the family in the context of evangelization. In his presentation on June 11, San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone, chairman of the USCCB s Subcommittee for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage, noted that the redefinition of marriage is not only occurring at the state level but federally. He urged the bishops to move forward recalling the words of Pope Francis: Challenges exist to be overcome! Let us be realists, but without losing our joy, our boldness and our hopefilled commitment. A report by the bishops national advisory council called the bishops effort to defend marriage an urgent priority. The report emphasized an agreement with issues on the bishops agenda for the spring meeting and also urged the bishops to develop materials to help dioceses address how it cares for those in pain and alienated from the church. Health and happiness - The benefits of marriage the Public Good: Ten Principles, p.20) Divorce increases the risk of suicide. Divorced men and women are more than twice as likely to attempt suicide compared to their married peers. (Why Marriage Matters: 26 Conclusions from the Social Sciences, p.29) Safety Marriage normally decreases the likelihood that a woman will be abused. Only 5% of married women report domestic abuse compared to 14% of cohabiting women. (L. Waite and E. Lehrer, The Benefits from Marriage and Religion in the U.S.: A Comparative Analysis, Population & Development Review, Vol. 29, No. 2, June 2003, p. 261) Marriage appears to reduce the risk that adults will be either perpetrators or victims of crime. Single and divorced women are four to five times more likely than married women to be the victims of violent crime. Unmarried men are four times as likely as married men to become victims of violent crime. (Why Marriage Matters: Buckle Up! Marriage, like a roller coaster, has lots of twists and turns By Joel and Lisa Schmidt Roller coasters are a centerpiece of the amusement park, a common summer vacation destination for many families. While there is some danger involved in riding them, roller coasters can be safe when properly designed and tested. Engineers understand what forces a body can comfortably withstand. Proper measures are taken to make sure the cars stay on the track and the passengers stay in the cars. The laws of physics are respected. Riders also play a role in ensuring a safe ride. They are instructed to keep arms and legs inside the car. Lap bars are lowered and seat belts are fastened and checked. What would happen if those things didn t happen properly? What if the rider engaged in dangerous behaviors, contrary to the rules? What if the restraints didn t fasten properly and went undetected? Marriage is a lot like a roller coaster, fun and exhilarating, but also full of twists and turns, loops and corkscrews, many of which are unforeseen. So how does a marriage survive while routinely being thrown off track? As we look back over our first ten years of marriage, the frequency of genuine lifechanging events is almost staggering: two college graduations, buying our first house, four job changes, moving to Des Moines, two miscarriages, three childbirths, the unexpected loss of Lisa s father, Lisa leaving her career to stay at home with our children, and four years of deacon formation. Whew! Clearly, the only constant in our marriage has been change, and any one of those changes could have knocked us off course. Thankfully we have the sacrament of marriage, which is a wellspring of grace, and teachings like the Theology of the Body, which grounds human sexuality in the essence of our very being. Yet, when husband and wife fail to understand Catholic teaching on marriage, their marital relationship is left vulnerable to forces that seek to undo it. They may coast along fine for a 26 Conclusions from the Social Sciences, p.30) Reprinted with permission from while, but what happens when the first loop comes? What about the second, third, and fourth times? As we stroll through these days of summer, let s be intentional about celebrating the marital sacrament. What s one thing you can do to strengthen your marriage this summer, to lower the lap bar and fasten the seat belt so to speak? A few ideas: Schedule a date night once a month. Maybe even begin it by praying a holy hour together in an adoration chapel. Enjoy a summer book club, just the two of you. Find a book on marriage specifically written for couples to read together and do just that. Set an hourly alarm on your cellphone during the daytime hours. When the alarm rings, make a hard stop and pray for your spouse. Schedule a marriage retreat at one of the many retreat centers or monasteries in the surrounding area. The ideas abound! Yours are likely more creative than ours. Ultimately, the goal is to better prepare us for the inevitable twists and turns of married life. Doing so allows us to have genuine hope --- hope that the challenges we face can not only be conquered but also will strengthen our marriage, deepen our love for spouse, and bring abiding joy and peace to our marriage. Enjoy your ride! Joel and Lisa Schmidt are parishioners of the Basilica of St. John Parish and maintain a blog called The Practicing Catholic, which can be found at ThePracticingCatholic. com. Joel is a candidate for the permanent diaconate and expects to be ordained a deacon on Aug. 16. ForYourMarriage.org, produced by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

10 10 The Catholic Mirror, June 20, 2014 Taking stewardship to the next level Last summer, Father John Bertogli, rector of the St. Ambrose Cathedral parish, opened the St. Ambrose Cathedral Investment Fund, one of the first agency funds at the Catholic Foundation for Southwest Iowa. Nearly a year later, Father Bertogli reflects on the decision and the experience so far. The foundation has grown from seven funds totaling $29 million in 2012, to 41 funds totaling nearly $50 million today. To learn more about the Catholic Foundation of Southwest Iowa, visit www. catholicfoundationswia.org. Mirror: What motivated you to open the St. Ambrose Cathedral Investment Fund, and how quickly were you able to accomplish this? Father Bertogli: There were many perceived benefits to opening this fund at the Catholic Foundation, as well as some question marks. Probably the greatest motivators were, one, unquestionable financial best practices, and two, use of a quarterly, independent screening process to ensure Catholic values investing. Bishop Pates, who is cathedral pastor, also was supportive of this new venture. To formalize the cathedral s commitment to best practices and to Catholic values in our investments was very important to us, in particular for this fund, which is intended to provide long-term financial stability for our parish. Mirror: What were the question marks? Father Bertogli: We had to do our own due diligence concerning costs, our ability to control the fund, ownership and independence, et cetera. It is significant that the Catholic Foundation is a Photo by Kelly Mescher Collins Father John Bertogli, rector of St. Ambrose Cathedral in Des Moines and Mark Reed, director of institutional advancement of the Catholic Foundation of Southwest Iowa, standing outside of St. Ambrose Cathedral in downtown Des Moines. legally independent corporation, separate from the diocese. We think this is helpful in terms of reducing liability, honoring donor intent, and ensuring safety of funds. So the more we learned, the more the decision to enroll really made itself. From there, it was simply a matter of executing an agreement. From an administrative point-of-view, this puts us in an oversight role, instead of a role of execution, which gives us time back to work on our essential missions. From an efficiency point-ofview, to have St. Ambrose and dozens of other parishes each plotting investment strategy and performing SRI (Socially- Responsible Investing) analyses, it s not very efficient, and it s not something that reflects the unique needs and unique gifts of a particular parish community. I am hopeful that our new arrangement helps us move toward a more personal stewardship, where our time can be more focused on discerning the roles each of us is called to play in God s divine plan: what is the call, and how does each of us respond? These are questions that are unique to each parish and unique to each individual. I am happy to subcontract investment decisions to the stellar investment committee of the Catholic Foundation and to Mercer Investment,* but none of us can subcontract discernment of our individual Christian vocations, and this is where, in my view, we need to be focused, and where I m excited to be focused. Mirror: Speaking of the investment committee and Mercer Investment, you re almost a year in with your fund; how is performance to date? Father Bertogli: The investment performance has been outstanding. We put our entire fund into the Catholic Foundation s strategic portfolio for long-term investment and our return to date is 11.8 percent. So we are very encouraged, and we are looking at opening a second fund for ministries. Mirror: How would a second fund differ? Father Bertogli: Our Cathedral Fund is for longterm stability; it s the financial foundation for the parish. The ministries fund we re now considering would serve as our platform to support various ministries such as a parish health care apostolate (e.g., possible parish nurse). So a parish can open an individual fund for a purpose as general as our cathedral fund, which provides long-term financial stability--and this would be I think very typical and necessary for any parish--but also for more specific purposes, as stated with the ministries fund we re considering. Almost any kind of savings fund would work with the Catholic Foundation. And although these funds are separate and distinct from our operational checking account, we do maintain ownership and therefore have full access. If needed, the funds would be virtually immediately available to us. Mirror: On the Catholic values front how is this handled differently from what parishes already do? Father Bertogli: Parishes handle this differently. What appealed to us with the Catholic Foundation s approach is that it is comprehensive and continuous, with independent, quarterly screening of funds. This gives us confidence that What is Catholic values investing? The Catholic Foundation of Southwest Iowa is committed to following the guidelines of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops on Catholic values, or socially responsible, investing. The USCCB calls for exercise of responsible financial stewardship over economic resources (i.e., ensuring a reasonable rate of return), and for exercise of ethical and social stewardship in investment policy. The guidelines recommend review of investments with attention to the following areas: Protecting human life Promoting human dignity Reducing arms production Pursuing economic justice Protecting the environment Encouraging corporate responsibility Consistent with these guidelines and Church teachings, the Catholic Foundation of Southwest Iowa performs quarterly screening of its investments to ensure, for example, that portfolios exclude companies that generate material revenue from any of the following: abortion/abortifacients; embryonic stem cells; adult entertainment; contraceptives; firearms; global weapons; landmines; and tobacco. we are adhering, as we have in the past, to the USCCB (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops) investment guidelines. To do so and achieve an 11 percent return is very encouraging. * Mercer Investment Consulting is an investment consulting firm that serves as investment advisor to the Catholic Foundation of Southwest Iowa. The members of the foundation s investment committee are listed on its website. Pastoral Minister of Lifelong Faith Formation Sacred Heart Church, a Catholic parish of 700 plus families located in Newton, Iowa, is seeking a full-time Pastoral Minister of Lifelong Faith Formation. The Direct responsibilities of this position include support to the K- participating in on-going formation. The ideal candidate will: be a practicing and active Catholic theology, pastoral ministry, religious studies, education, or -5 years of experience in parish ministry is preferred. Applicants should be highly motivated, organized and have strong interpersonal and leadership skills. Applicants must be proficient in the use of media and technology, including MS Office, Publisher, internet, and use of social media. Please send resume and cover letter to Father William Reynolds/ Sacred Heart Church/ 1115 South 8th Avenue East/ P.O. Box 1478/ Newton, IA or by to frreynolds@shnewton.com. Telephone

11 Thank you St. Jude for prayers answered. The Catholic Mirror, June 20, They pulled it off The White Collar Crew team of priests and Iowa Knights of Columbus pulled a Boeing 757 airplane weighing more than 120,000 pounds about 15 feet in the midst of a rain storm on June 7 in a fundraiser benefiting Special Olympics. Each team had to raise a minimum of $1,000. Together, 35 teams raised more than $90,000 for Special Olympics. Priests participating New deacons ordained Continued from page 1 Be not afraid. Ask more questions to learn more about it that s Fortnight for Freedom Cont. from page 1 against small church congregations and Catholic humanitarian services; and Christian students on campus. Keynote speaker Omar Gutierrez, who will offer his talk in English and Spanish, has written and spoken extensively on the Church s social teaching and human dignity. He was a natural fit for this year s theme, which is Freedom to Serve, said Adam Storey, diocesan director of Marriage and Family Life and a coorganizer of the event. As we continue to fight for religious freedom, it s important to remember that we do so in order to better serve, and that this service flows out of faith in Jesus Christ, he said. Omar will unpack the connections between our relationship with Christ and our mandate to serve the most vulnerable. For more information, go to Fortnight4Freedom.org or dmdiocese.org/religiousliberty.cfm. included Msgr. Frank Chiodo and Fathers Chris Reising, Ken Halbur, Francis Amoak, Ray McHenry, Guthrie Dolan, Dan Kirby, Michael Amadeo, Chris Fontanini, Adam Westphal, Ray Higgins, Reynaldo Hernandez, Juan Antonio Hernandez, Enrique Garcia and Joe Pins. Also represented at the competition were teams with St. Augustin and the Iowa Knights of Columbus. Priests celebrate anniversaries Monsignor Stephen Orr, pastor of Our Lady s Immaculate Heart Parish in Ankeny and Father Felix Onuora, pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Dunlap, Holy Family Parish in Mondamin and Sacred Heart Parish in Woodbine are celebrating major anniversaries this year of their ordination to the priesthood. Monsignor Orr is celebrating his 40 th anniversary, and the parish is having a picnic on Sun., July 27 at 11:30-2 p.m. at Our Lady s Immaculate Heart Church. Father Onuora, who is celebrating his 35 anniversary, has a Benediction planned for July 18 at 7 p.m. at St. Patrick Parish in Dunlap, followed by fellowship. really going to be beneficial, Father Kirby said. You have this inkling maybe God is calling you to be a priest to not be afraid of it, to really embrace learning about this call. Talk to your parish priest. Discernment isn t anything to be afraid of but to see what God is calling you to do. The Diocese of Des Moines currently has 20 seminarians and plans to have several new transitional deacons by spring of To learn more, contact Father Joe Pins, diocesan Vocations director at or jpins@dmdiocese.org. Visit vocationsonline. To learn more, visit or contact Director of Institutional Advancement, Mark Reed at PARTICIPATING AGENCY FUNDS Catholic Charities Charitable Fund Catholic Pastoral Center Foundation Fund Clergy Residences Capital Improvement Fund Corpus Christi Building Fund Council Bluffs, Iowa Diocesan Campus Ministry Fund Diocesan Capital Replacement Fund Diocesan Group Health Insurance Fund Diocesan Group Property Insurance Plan Diocesan Reserve Fund Dowling Sharing God s Gifts Fund Holy Trinity of SE Warren County Endowment for Diocesan Ministries/Activities Fund Join veteran tour leader Father John Vakulskas to Walk Where Jesus Walked Pilgrimage to the Holy Land The staff of Iowa Hospice were all so wonderful. I don t know how Mom and I would have gone through this without their support. They are angels of mercy. & Visit Haifa, Tiberias, Nazareth, Bethlehem Jerusalem January 19-28, 2015 Optional Jordan Extension: January 27-30, 2015 $3199 R/T - Chicago $3299 R/T - Omaha Price includes fuel surcharges and government taxes Includes R/T air, First Class Hotels, most meals, all tours, transfers and daily Mass. For more information contact: Father John Vakulskas Jr Saint Andrew Church PO Box 97 Sibley, IA, (712) or johnvakulskas@gmail.com Medical care provided by doctors, nurses, physical therapists, occupational and speech therapists. Home health and homemaker services such as bathing, grooming and changing bed linens. Additionally, respite services may be provided to relieve caregivers. Medical social workers to address family-life issues, work demands, and financial needs. Massage and music therapy, provided by board-certified therapists, can be used to express emotions, calm and comfort. Chaplains, clergy, counselors, and hospice volunteers offer emotional and spiritual support. Bereavement counseling, support groups and classes are also made available to families on an ongoing basis. Durable medical equipment, supplies and medications related to the terminal diagnosis to aid in patient care and comfort. Hospice-trained volunteers to serve as helping hands, companions and sympathetic listeners. Serving 95 of Iowa s 99 counties 5650 NW Johnston Dr., Suite E Johnston, IA HOSPICE With nearly $50 million under management, the Catholic Foundation of Southwest Iowa offers Catholic parishes, schools, and organizations unique benefits with its agency funds: best practices financial management in strategic, moderate, or defensive investment portfolios quarterly screening for application of Catholic values to investments access to restricted funds (through pooled resources) full ownership of, and access to, funds opportunity benefit of time back to pastors, finance councils, and other organizational leaders to pursue their individual missions Holy Trinity of Southeast Warren County Reserve Fund Holy Trinity of Southeast Warren County - Sharing God s Gifts Fund Our Lady s Immaculate Heart Foundation Fund Ankeny, Iowa Sacred Heart of Chariton Cemetery Fund Sacred Heart of Chariton Endowment Fund Senior Housing Corporation Fund St. Albert Sharing God s Gifts Fund St. Ambrose Cathedral Investment Fund Des Moines, Iowa St. Anne of Logan Improvement Fund St. Boniface of Westphalia Reserve Fund St. Francis of Corydon Fund St. Joseph of Des Moines Church Endowment Fund St. Joseph of Des Moines School Foundation Fund St. Mary of Nazareth of Des Moines Capital Improvement Fund St. Mary of Nazareth of Des Moines Reserve Fund St. Mary of Shenandoah Building and Maintenance Fund St. Michael s Growth Fund - Harlan, Iowa St. Patrick Calvary Cemetery Fund Corning, Iowa St. Patrick Catholic Church Skalla Fund - Missouri Valley St. Patrick of Corning Sharing God s Gifts Fund St. Thomas More Center Sharing God s Gifts Fund

12 12 The Catholic Mirror, June 20, 2014 It s summer and, in Shelby County, that means it s picnic time. These picnics are longstanding traditions that bring in a significant amount of revenue to help balance the budget for each parish. They also build community within the parishes, within their towns and within the entire county. I have to say one thing about it, said Father Chris Fontanini. These towns support one another with these picnics. They really come out. People come from all over. There s a lot going on at the picnics and the best thing is that it s an event where all of the people of the parish gather to work together for a common goal, said Jodie Wingert, of Panama. It s a very social event and a lot of hard work. It s also an opportunity for former parishioners to come and visit the family and friends they grew up with. On a Tuesday before a picnic, one can find people coming to town to haul lumber and start building the stands. On a Wednesday and Thursday, the electricians add lighting and outlets needed for the stands. The picnics run through the weekend and there are games for everyone. They talked me into the dunk tank last year, said Father John Dorton, pastor of three parishes in Shelby County. Here I am, at age 69, climbing a ladder to get on a little perch above a tank of water. It s wet and slippery. I m not at the perch, I have to make a leap over to sit on the perch and I m thinking, My gosh, how did Summer means picnic time for Shelby County parishes Father Chris Fontanini, pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Earling and St. Peter Parish in Defiance, enjoys a picnic with a young parishioner. By Anne Marie Cox Picnic Calendar St. Peter, Defiance, June 7-8 St. Mary of the Assumption, Panama June St. Mary, Our Lady of Fatima, St. Boniface, Westphalia July 4-5 St. Joseph, Earling July Portsmouth July I get into this? The first child to throw at the red target missed. But the girl who was second in line, well, Father Dorton said, She had an arm and into the tank he fell. There are games for people of all ages at the picnics. The Panama parish hosts the National Creeper Races. People get down on low wooden platforms on wheels (like the kind used by mechanics who need to get under a car) and race them down a hill. Portsmouth has the famous garden tractor pull, where a garden tractor is hooked up to a heavy weight. The object is to see how far a person s tractor can pull the weight. This year, Westphalia will have a new pavilion by its parish hall in time for its Fourth of July weekend picnic. Our people are very generous, said Nancy Schaben, of Defiance. They know that we need this to keep our small parishes going. Sisters of Humility celebrate 150 years of service This year the Congregation of the Humility of Mary celebrates 150 years of presence and service in the United States. On Saturday, June 28 at 5 p.m. the religious community and guests will celebrate Mass with Davenport Bishop Martin Amos in Christ the King Chapel at St. Ambrose University in Davenport. The sisters have served in the Diocese of Des Moines for more than 120 years. In Des Moines, the Sisters of Humility have served at: Christ Child Home, Mercy Hospital, Bishop Drumm, diocesan administration (Religious Education Office, Schools Office, Chancellor; Social Action Office); Iowa Religious Media Services; and the parishes of St. Anthony, St. Theresa, St. Pius X, St. Joseph, Visitation, Christ the King, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Mary of Nazareth, St. Peter and Holy Trinity. In West Des Moines, the sisters served at Sacred Heart Parish and Dowling Catholic High School. The sisters have also served in parishes in Granger; Churchville; Missouri Valley; Creston; Irish Settlement; Winterset; St. Mary s; Neola; Dunlap; Malloy; Stuart; Chariton; Corydon; and at St. Albert High School in Council Bluffs. Join the sisters for a Mass and celebration at the Bishop Drumm Retirement Center on Sept. 6 at 9:30 a.m.

13 The Catholic Mirror, June 20, Catholic priests from Pakistan visiting diocese By Kelly Mescher Collins Reach 35,000 households by placing an ad in the Catholic Mirror. Contact Kelly at In early August, two Catholic priests from the Archdiocese of Lahore, Pakistan will be spending time visiting parishes in the Diocese of Des Moines to raise money for their Catholic schools, boarding houses and programs. Father Philip John will be visiting the parishes of Corpus Christi in Council Bluffs, St. Patrick in Neola and St. Columbanus in Weston. Father Robin Bashir will be visiting the parishes of Holy Spirit in Creston, St. Edward in Afton, St. Patrick in Corning, St. Patrick in Lenox, St. Bernard in Osceola, St. Joseph in Mt. Ayr, St. Patrick in Grand River and St. Mary of Nazareth in Des Moines. Approximately 98 percent of Pakistanis are Muslim and 2 percent are other religions (Christians, Hindu, etc.) Despite the small Christian percentage, it has a rich history in Pakistan, said Deacon Jean Plourde of Corpus Christi Parish in Council Bluffs. They have been there since St. Thomas the Apostle went through and converted people, he said. Most people living in Pakistan are very poor including most Catholics. The Christians are also a marginalized minority. It s an opportunity to help those Christians, especially in an area of the world that s struggling, Deacon Plourde said. The impact the money raised in Iowa will have is astronomical, said Jon Jacobsen, outgoing chair of Diocese of Organizations share stories of challenges and hope The Pakistani priests coming to the Diocese of Des Moines are part of the Missionary Cooperative Program, a project of the Pontifical Mission Society. Through the cooperative program, each year missionaries assigned to the parishes by the diocese can make an appeal. This is one program through which the diocesan community of faith can be united with brothers and sisters throughout the world and respond generously to the needs being addressed by missionaries serving them. Representatives from the following dioceses and religious communities will be coming to parishes in the Diocese of Des Moines through the Missionary Cooperative Program this year: Congregation of the Holy Spirit Diocese of Lahore, Pakistan Diocese of Zacatecoluca Divine Word Missionaries Archdiocese of Juba Diocese of Nyundo, Rwanda Diocese of Gonaives, Haiti Diocese of Rapid City Missionairies of Jesus Father Phliip John ministers to Catholics living in the Archdiocese of Lahore in Pakistan. Des Moines Catholic Schools Board and senior vice-president of Treynor State Bank. [For instance,] in Pakistan, $7,500 of American money can build a chapel or a classrooms addition on a school, he said. This is almost a miracle for them, as the equivalent of $7,500 is an astounding amount of money when considering that their wage is about $10 per day in U.S. equivalents. The money raised is already earmarked for several of Father Philip John s projects: improvements to the hostel, school and boarding house in the diocese. If funds still remain, Father Robin s parish hopes to eventually build three new classrooms, a multi-purpose hall, repairs to the parish house and improving the Sunday school and altar boy education programs. To make a donation, make checks to: TS Bank Community Foundation Lahore Archdiocese by Aug. 15. Checks can be mailed to TS Bank Community Foundation, Attention: Lahore ArchDiocese, P.O. Box A, Treynor, IA Discalced Carmelites of Andhra Pradesh, India Sisters of the Holy Trinity, and Democratic Republic of the Congo.

14 14 The Catholic Mirror, June 20, 2014 En las tierras del corazón con el Obispo Pates Estuve recientemente en un viaje por tierra en el norte de Iowa y estaba escuchando la Radio Pública de Iowa. Dos mujeres que tenían la misma madre biológica estaban hablando de la relación que acababan de comenzar apenas hace un año. La mayor tenía 70 años, tenía una familia con tres hijos y había disfrutado de una vida matrimonial robusta. La más joven tenía 67 años y también había disfrutado de una vida básicamente sin remordimientos. La hermana mayor había sido ofrecida en adopción por parte de su madre biológica quien al momento estaba enfrentando una crisis muy severa en su vida. Ella estuvo dispuesta a permitir que su hija fuera adoptada, viendo el mejor interés de todas las partes. La pareja que la adoptó le ofreció un ambiente cálido y acogedor, caracterizado por un amor generoso. Como resultado, la niña adoptada creció y tuvo eventualmente una buena vida. La madre de estas dos mujeres había muerto varios años antes de que las hermanas se YOU HAVE A CHOICE, CHOOSE SAINT JUDE Why We Are The Catholic Choice, conocieran. Todo siguió adelante y después de haber crecido en el hogar que la adoptó, la hermana mayor tuvo la bendición de hijos y un buen esposo. A la mujer adoptada, que nunca había visto a su madre biológica le preguntaron, Qué le dirías a tu madre si la tuvieras frente a ti? Ella respondió, Le diría Gracias. Gracias por el valor de entregarme en adopción en vez de tomar la ruta del aborto, legal o ilegal. Y le presentaría a mis queridos hijos y nietos que tiene el privilegio de llevar al menos parte de su formación genética. Mis hijos son un gran beneficio para la iglesia y para la sociedad. La decisión de no tomar la ruta del aborto aseguró la existencia misma de ellos. La adopción es una We Are Endorsed By 8 Bishops and Archbishops in Kansas, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Iowa We Adhere To The Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services We Are Strengthened by faith, empowered by our values and led by our Servant Hearts, we will deliver the highest quality of care to you Contact Us: Des Moines Council Bluffs Love one another as I have loved you. John 13:34 Call us for a complimentary evaluation Medicare & Medicaid Certified El Regalo de la Adopción alternativa respetuosa y generadora de vida ante el aborto. Esta demuestra claramente cómo un ser humano existe desde el momento de la concepción. Nosotros estamos muy conscientes y al tanto de los problemas que enfrentan los padres durante un embarazo altamente problemático por una gran variedad de razones. La adopción ofrece una alternativa que resuelve varios problemas. El primero es que el niño va a tener la oportunidad de ser amado y de vivir, suponemos, en un ambiente de hogar estable. La madre biológica, por la naturaleza misma de la relación madre e hijo, puede encontrarse en un difícil conflicto, pero probablemente llegue a darse cuenta que esta decisión le permite salir adelante en cualquier conflicto que esté enfrentando al momento. Para los padres adoptivos, es un sueño hecho realidad. Ellos buscan hijos con quien compartir su amor y para entregarse plenamente a ese llamado natural que sienten para acoger la vida familiar. Uno de los problemas que surgen es que la madre biológica se siente forzada por la cultura contemporánea a quedarse con el niño porque es suyo. Our team members have found help, support and guidance in their coping and adjusting with the loss of a spouse from death, divorce or separation. We invite you to come to share in this healing and supportive journey with us as you seek to find new hope and reason once again to live a fulfilling life. Open house sessions will be at St. Augustin s Hall lower level. Location is 42 nd & Grand in Des Moines. We will meet from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday evenings: Aug. 22, 29, and Sept 5. Beginning Experience weekend is: Friday evening Sept. 19 until Sunday afternoon Sept. 21 at St. Thomas More Center in Panora. For further information contact Father Bob Schoemann at , Mike Jensen at or Kathy Irving at FAMILY FORMATION and LAY ECCLESIAL MINISTRY FOR- MATION COORDINATOR The Diocese of Davenport is looking for a driven, energetic, passionate bridge builder to coordinate both Family Formation and Lay Ecclesial Ministry. Responsibilities include working with a team coordinating formation and training programs for leaders in English and Spanish, coordinating the MFP (ministry formation program) to promote formation opportunities La primera opción, si esto no es posible, es abortar al niño y por lo tanto pone un final al problema. Uno de los grandes retos de nuestros días es hacer énfasis en la identidad independiente del niño y el resaltar que no solamente debe evitarse el estigma que persigue frecuentemente a una adopción, sino que a la madre se le debe reconocer y valorar por una decisión tan madura y llena de amor. Es un amor en el que sostienen los intereses de todas las partes. Como dijo tan acertadamente la hermana mayor en la historia al inicio de esta columna, la respuesta correcta es Gracias! Podemos preguntarnos honestamente si hay en nuestros días padres interesados en adoptar. La Dra. Diana L. Baltimore, fundadora y directora ejecutiva del Centro Nacional para las Adopciones nos dice: En los Estados Unidos, 1 millón de mujeres desean adoptar a un niño pero solamente entre 9,000 y 12,000 niños nacidos en los Estados Unidos se ofrecen en adopción cada año. Caridades Católicas de Des Moines tiene una lista de espera de aproximadamente 250 padres. Recientemente, Classifieds for adults, providing on-going training for lay leaders. The ideal candidate will have a master s degree in theology, religious education, adult education, religious studies (or similar field) or equivalent pastoral experience. The coordinator of Family Formation works with marriage and family life processes and serves as a consultant to parishes on the pastoral care of the family through the promotion of marriage and strong Catholic families. The Caridades Católicas ha colocado en adopción a menos de diez niños por año debido a la escasez de bebés. Pero Caridades Católicas está determinado y sus empleados siente que es importante asumir el liderazgo en esa área enfrentando con las lamentables restricciones culturales que impiden las adopciones. Al hacer esto, Caridades Católicas asegura la raíz de su origen que llevó a que fuera fundada en 1924 para otorgar adopciones. Caridades Católicas, bajo el liderazgo de su consejo ejecutivo, está en el proceso de establecer una corporación separada que estaría designada exclusivamente a tratar con adopciones. El personal que se planea en esta nueva agencia es una consejera para embarazo y adopciones y un experto en mercadotecnia que haga conocer la opción de la adopción y pueda combatir la perspectiva cultural negativa. Ya se ha tomado el primer paso en seleccionar a un consejero de embarazo y a un profesional de mercadotecnia está en proceso. Se anticipa que se reclute a un contacto para adopciones en cada parroquia para asegurarse que este mensaje positivo llegue a la gente. Además, se desarrollarán relaciones con varias clínicas, centros de consejería, y proveedores de servicios de salud. Al arrancar este esfuerzo, Caridades Católicas va a enfrentar fuerte vientos en contra mientras desarrolla e implementa su renovada visión. Esperamos que usted se pregunte, y yo qué puedo hacer? Lo primero es el hablar positivamente y promover con compasión la adopción sobre todo cuando se pone atención tan desproporcionadamente a la madre en vez del niño. El influir en las opiniones es una contribución crítica en nuestros tiempos. coordinator implements the mission, goals and objectives of the diocese as they pertain to marriage and family concer ns. Opening is immediate, starting date is negotiable. Full time, benefits, salary considerations will be commensurate with education and experience. cover letter and resume by July 11, 2014 to Char Maaske, maaske@dav enport diocese.org. Research shows that most people would choose to stay in the comfort of their own home for care to increase their quality of life that s why at Spirit Homecare, We Bring Care to You! BEST IN THE INDUSTRY At Spirit Homecare, we spare no expense to ensure you receive the best caregivers in the industry. Each caregiver goes through a detailed hiring process to ensure that they have the experience you need to feel safe in your decision with us. We can offer a range of services including private nursing, 24-hour care and outpatient rehabilitation. We accept Medicare and Medicaid, private pay and most insurance companies. Founder & CEO Tom Moreland is a parishioner of St. Francis, member of Legatus, Knight of Columbus and Knight of Malta

15 The Catholic Mirror, June 20, The Question Corner Understanding the sacrament of annointing of the sick Q. Before my father died in a hospice, he had (several times) received the sacrament of the anointing of the sick. I thought that meant that his sins were forgiven and that he would not have to suffer in purgatory. Nevertheless, my siblings insist on having annual Masses offered for him. Why should we pray for his soul if he had the sacrament for the sick? (Jessup, Maryland) A. The effects of the sacrament of the anointing of the sick, as listed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church in No are as follows: uniting the sick person to the passion of Jesus; strength, peace and courage to endure the sufferings of illness or old age; the forgiveness of sins, if the sick person was not able to obtain it through the sacrament of penance; the restoration of health, if that be conducive By Father Ken Doyle to the person s salvation; and preparation for passing over to eternal life. Notice that this list does not include the remission of all punishment due to sin. However, there is a sacramental called the apostolic pardon, which is a blessing a priest administers when someone is in danger of death, following the anointing (and, if the person is able, the reception of holy Communion.) This blessing carries with it a plenary indulgence, and is worded as follows: By the authority which the Apostolic See has given me, I grant you a full pardon and the remission of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. (An alternate and acceptable wording is this: Through the holy mysteries of our redemption, may almighty God release you from all punishments in this life and in the life to come. May he open to you the gates of paradise and welcome you to everlasting joy. ) I believe that most theologians and spiritual guides would see this apostolic pardon as a prayer petitioning God to do what the words ask, rather than an order commanding the Lord to act in a certain way. My feeling is that I can never be certain that a person has passed on in complete purity of spirit, with every stain of selfishness erased from the soul. For that reason, I view Masses for the deceased as always valuable. Surely, should the person have already gained eternal joy, the Mass will at least benefit those who attend it and those who requested it. GEORGE W. Appleby Attorney Des Moines Free Initial Consultation Office: Cell: appleby@carneyappleby.com The Holy Land Pilgrimage hosted by Rev. Robert E. Harris 10 days Depar ng November 10, 2014 from Des Moines Cost is $3,498 All inclusive! (except lunches) / Deposit $350 (payable on booking) / 2nd payment (50% of balance) June 13, 2014 / full balance due August 27, 2014 Journey features: round trip air transporta on; deluxe and rst class hotels; land transporta on via deluxe, private motor coach; daily Masses; professional Catholic English speaking guide; breakfast and dinner daily; entrance fees to all sites on i nerary; a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee; cable car ride to Masada; visit the Jesus boat; ps ($80) and airline fuel surcharge and taxes ($710) included. For more informa on contact: Rev. Robert E. Harris, All Saints Church, 650 NE 52nd Ave., Des Moines, IA 50313; ; bha @aol.com / h p:// Hickman Road Des Moines, Iowa phone: (515) toll free loisb@divinetreasuresinc.net Website:

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