The Father Charles Irvin Scholarship honors Father Charlie, our founding editor and Last Word columnist. Each year, FAITH awards a scholarship to two high school seniors – one from a parish religious education program and one from a Catholic high school in our diocese. Due to a generous gift from Father Charlie, this year’s scholarships were $1,000 apiece. FAITH hopes to encourage careers in Catholic journalism by recognizing those students who think deeply and write well.

I hope we never grow up
keeping our childlike enthusiasm
by Katie Phelan | Photography by Tom Gennara

As the graduation class of 2006 moves forward into the next phase of our lives, a change is expected to seep into us without our immediate awareness: we will grow up. It has happened to the students before us, and it will happen to the underclassmen who can’t even imagine the process. Though growing older is inevitable, it is my hope that the seniors around me will redefine the parameters set for their ascent into adulthood. I am certain that my classmates will become wiser with age, and naturally, more mature. But I hope that we retain a bit of the adventurousness that molded our high school career, that we never work so hard that we stop enjoying what we are doing. It is my wish for the class of 2006 that we grow out of being childish, but never out of being childlike.

I hope the boy who plays in the band at football games will never be embarrassed by his trombone, no matter how many of his college friends wore a football uniform instead of marching band attire. I hope the girl who cantors for every school Mass never stops singing in church. I watch the boyfriend who surprises his girlfriend on her birthday, and I hope he grows into a husband who still surprises his wife. I hope the girl who turns cartwheels at random is never afraid to dishevel her hair. I hope the girl who flew to Africa and decided to join the Peace Corps is never too burdened to want to fly back. The track record is fast, but I hope the slowest boy on the track team never takes his eye off his goals, no matter who tells him they are unreachable. I hope the group of teenagers who pray in the dark chapel before school are forever willing to lend some light.

I hope they never grow up.

I hope I still want to skydive when I turn 40. I hope, both literally and figuratively, that I am never afraid of heights. The sign-up sheet of a marathon for charity has my name on it, and I hope I run every mile for something bigger than myself. I started praying before bed when I was too little to appreciate what I was saying, and I hope I never stop, even when I am displeased about the lack of sleep. I hope I never stop laughing. I hope the spark inside me that kept me sprinting down the basketball court after practice was over is never extinguished; I hope I never lose the desire to better myself. I hope I never consider myself too important to strike up conversations with the people beside me in the grocery line. No matter how many commitments should take precedence, I hope I don’t stop doing things I truly love. I hope the little girl who grew up watching Iowa rain is never too clean to run outside and splash in the mud.

I hope I never grow up.

I hope my class never loses sight of the goals that pushed us to be who we were in high school, the dreams that kept us up at midnight learning trigonometric functions simply to earn an A. I hope we never stop helping each other. I hope we never turn down ice cream. We won’t be in a classroom forever, but I hope a shift in location doesn’t stop us from asking questions, doesn’t stop us from learning. I hope money is never more important than happiness. We will all become busy with work and families, but I hope we still find time to visit our grandparents. I hope we never stop getting excited about things, ridiculous things, like a Billy Joel song on the radio, a shooting star or winning at BINGO. I hope we live every day of our adult lives with the passion and enthusiasm that we poured into our high school career, and that we never succumb to a lackluster existence. Right now, we are overflowing with energy and determination, and I hope the roaring whitewaters of our potential never subside to a depleted tributary. I hope we never forget that once, we wanted to leave some goodness in our wake. That once, we knew we could. I hope we never lose our faith in God. I hope we, and anyone we inspire along the way, change the world, and I hope that idea never seems naïve.

I hope we grow in many ways, but I hope we never grow up.

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standing tall
a foundation in faith builds a strong life
by Brianne Walsh | Photography by Tom Gennara

How does a tree stand straight and tall? How does the Sears Tower look down upon the world without crumbling? How do people lead successful lives? All three of these things have something in common: all have a base upon which they were built. A tree’s roots keep it grounded to the earth, from which it came. The Sears Tower has a foundation anchored into the soil, and a sturdy framework to maintain it. Successful people have values, which they utilize regularly to build their lives. A foundation is required to build upon, and the foundation for life begins at birth, when the core constructions of family, religion and education begin to mold and shape new life. In my personal experience, the Catholic education I have been given, along with my faith, has led me through life thus far. I use that groundwork and continue to develop, hoping it will carry me through life’s most troublesome times.

Entering high school was a big change. High school halls were filled with an endless amount of journeying students, each one’s destiny and direction being his or her choice. This new freedom differed drastically from my graduating class of 10 best friends at St. Michael’s school. I went from having merely two classrooms to having a high school full of them, and full of people who didn’t know who I had always been. I had left my comfort zone, and the one place where everyone knew me. I had been the “good little Catholic girl” my whole life, and suddenly I was surrounded by a blur of the unfamiliar, without any directions to follow except the ones embedded within me, my faith.

Without anyone to lead me, I sought new and exciting changes in my environment. High school was an opportunity to shed my restraints and become whomever I saw fit to be. Willing to accept anyone and anything, I ventured into the unknown, leaving behind the tools I had acquired.

However, I learned that mistaking other’s values for my own would only provide contentment for a short time, and acceptance for being open is different than acceptance for being genuine. Joining activities that were well-admired and becoming friends with those who could open the door of popularity only brought temporary happiness. I had become someone I had never been before, someone I did not want to be. The lifejacket I thought was holding me afloat began to pull me underwater. When my “friends” left me, I had only one resource to turn to, the faith inside me. Like a child who has first learned to speak, I found my voice and began to take my own path. I began to understand that in order to thrive and be satisfied with myself, I must first be able to depend on myself, because I had already been taught the values that would help me build a fulfilling life.

Growing daily, I have used the spiritual teaching instilled in me, as well as the core values of love and kindness to begin discovering myself. What I learned from my Catholic schooling has helped me to realize the type of person I wish to be. By making the wrong choices, I learned that without Christ I am nothing, and my life cannot be fulfilled without living for him. With the help of my family, friends, and faith I have recognized that I can accomplish any goal I set for myself. In choosing where I want my future to go, I have remembered my years at St. Michael’s, and in putting those memories and life lessons to use, I have made decisions for myself that will help me achieve success in a life with God.

Throughout my childhood, I recited prayers, read Bible stories and listened in church. I was surrounded by religion and examples of right and wrong, but none of these lessons became reality until what I believed was challenged. My values were not mine. I did not know who I was until I was submerged in a world where my life was not necessarily acceptable to my peers, where they tried to change me into what they thought I should be.

College will be the next time I enter unfamiliar territory, but this time I will be able to adjust because I have built upon my Catholic foundation. I learned that being who I am is more important than being understood by the “in crowd,” and that faith is my best resource. The journey toward my future begins here, at my foundation, my faith. My greatest hope is that I will continue to build upon my framework, that I will use the faith I have been given and share it with others for the glory of God. I hope that in times of happiness, struggle or sadness, it is the faith I rely on that will send me the strength to continue.

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sing a sad song, and make it better
by Mary Lefere

I held his shaking hand and glanced at his blue eyes as they rolled to the ceiling. I heard the thud of his feet as he kicked them against the wall. I slid down to the bottom of the bed, still holding his hand, and sat on top of him, so he wouldn’t break his legs again. St Jude, patron saint- He abruptly threw me off, and thrashed his legs against the wall once more. This fit was worst than most. St. Jude, patron saint of hopeless causes, God never named Shane a hopeless cause. We never will either. Please pray that he will calm down. I extended my hand and brushed the hair from his eyes, willing myself to feel some of the pain for my brother. “It’s okay Shane, I’m here. We love you, we’ll always be here,” I said.

It was impossible to prove that he could hear my comfort during those seizures, but it was also impossible to prove he couldn’t. I closed my eyes and searched for some form of reassurance I knew he could feel. Something from 17 years of living with him, that I knew would make him feel less pain. Without realizing it, the song came to me. In that time of trouble, the Beatles were there. “Hey Jude, don’t make it bad, take a sad song and make it better,” I sang. I finished the entire song, including the “na na na’s,” even though Shane usually sang just the chorus. I finally opened my eyes and saw him lying still. As if nothing had happened. He slept quietly before me, his hand loose in mine, as if I needed him more than he needed me. All I could do was whisper a thank you. St. Jude had answered my prayer.

I believe with my entire soul that St. Jude was the one to open my mouth, to sing those words to Shane. I believe that God had Hey Jude on Shane’s “top-five favorite songs of all time” list, so that I would sing it to him when he needed comfort. I believe that, perhaps, he even inspired the Beatles to write that song, so that somewhere down the road, Shane would know he was loved. I believe this, and I’m not sure how anyone can survive without believing in a higher power. My only hope is that those who are hopeless will have faith. That one day every soul on Earth will experience a numbing, humbling, completely visionary faith that is necessary to live a happy life.

I hope that every person I meet will feel as much love as Shane has. But more importantly, I hope they will love as Shane has loved for 30 years. Throughout his life, Shane has been measured by what he does not know, what he cannot do. But I have seen what he does know. What he can do. He knows when to hug you, when you’re having the worst day; when you are on the verge of crumbling and admitting defeat. When you’re ready to destroy everything you’ve worked for, he can smile and make you change your mind. He has laughed harder than anyone I have ever seen at the movie Dumb and Dumber. He can eat 30 chicken nuggets from Wendy’s. Shane knows more about God than I do, even with my 12 years of religion class and 17 years of living with a father so devout he could give the pope a run for his money.

Shane is the best Catholic I have ever known. My entire life, I have been told that in order to be Christ-like, I would have to suffer without complaint. I have seen Shane take nine pills, three times every day of his life. I have held his hand through seizures; I have witnessed his full-leg cast, which he had for an entire summer. He has suffered more than any person I have ever met, without complaint. There is only one thing I could ever hope for: to live my life as Shane has.

I have seen love that overcomes pride. I have held my father as he collapsed at the mere thought of losing my brother. I have never seen Shane hold a grudge. I have seen him rise after every seizure he has ever had. He truly is an inspiration. There is only one thing I can hope for: to live my life with the faith that Shane has shown me, the faith he has given me. I can only hope to live as he has, without complaint.

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making a difference
how hope leads to positive change
by Kyle Heslip

I will never forget that moment. As I sat in the pew, awaiting my confirmation, Bishop Mengeling asked me to answer a question which was, thankfully, easy. “After today, when will be the next time that a priest calls on you by name in the church?” he asked.
With a wavering voice, I obligingly answered, “At my wedding.” The Bishop gave me a congratulatory smile and continued with his unforgettable homily. During that time, he said something that awakened my spirit. In his resonating voice he said, “I want to make a difference.” I felt as though he was speaking solely to me. He said that, as human beings and Christians, making a difference is what each of us should strive for. My hope is that I can fulfill such a responsibility, that I can make a difference.

When I left that ceremony, nearly four years ago, I felt as though I needed to make an impact. I participated in programs and activities I wouldn’t have considered before. The motivation to have a positive influence is the reason I joined the National Honor Society, for the community service. It is also why I volunteered in an elementary school classroom after school. Bishop Mengeling’s homily moved me so deeply that I wanted to help people, in any way possible, the minute the chrism touched my forehead. I wish to one day have the same effect on others, to inspire them so that they will also want to create change. I have only just begun making a difference. I hope I will continue to do so for the rest of my life.

To hope is to look ahead with confidence, trust and expectation. This is how I feel about making a difference, about impacting my community. I feel hope. I will attend the school of Lyman Briggs at Michigan State University, with the aspiration of a bachelor of science degree in chemistry and biology. I then wish to transfer to the University of Michigan for the medical or pharmaceutical programs, to receive what I think is the best of both worlds. I plan to one day become a pharmaceutical researcher or a practicing physician. By working in the medical field, I know I will truly make an impact. I can save the sacred gift of life. I know it will be difficult, but I am ready for the task. I will do what it takes, so that I may have the opportunity to make an enormous difference in the lives of others.

By acting as an example, a tremendous difference can be made. I have witnessed people illustrate this many times. My parents have shaped my life through their loving relationship, as well as their active participation within our church. As educators, they are making a difference every day in the lives of their students. By being a shining example of what is right, anyone can positively influence his or her community. By practicing my faith, starting a family, being a positive role model, and being an active participant in my church, I hope to be an excellent example for my own children, as well as others I encounter.

Faith is a very important part of hope. Without faith, hope does not exist. Faith is what creates hope, because without a belief that God will help us find our way, there is nothing to hope for. I have a lot of life in front of me. I have time to make a difference on this earth. I desperately hope to do so, through words, actions, and faith. I hope to remain devout in my belief in God. Upon my highest goals and farthest journeys, I hope to make a difference.