January/February
2004
We have a limited number of back issues available in print.
To request back issues, e-mail jjob@dioceseoflansing.org
or call 517-342-2595. You will be charged the regular cover price
of $2.50 per issue.
Confessions
of a former atheist
By Bob Horning | Photography by James Luning
Growing
up in Romania in the 1960s and 1970s under communist rule, life
seemed hopeless for Daniel Dragan. So at age 19, when he was
in the army, he put an AK-47 automatic rifle to his heart so that
his suicide attempt couldnt possibly fail. Now, he tells his
story to FAITH Magazine.
As a youth in my small village in the eastern part of the country
near the Russian border, I was taught in school by communists. They
told us that the Church just takes your mind, takes your money,
and when you pray, there is nobody there. They made fun of Moses
and Jesus, calling them fakes.
If you owned a Bible, you could go to jail. When I was a boy, I
saw a bulldozer destroy a church. They even destroyed churches that
were 500 years old. The government kept a few for Western eyes,
to demonstrate that religion was permitted. Under President (Nicolae)
Ceausescu, a generation of Romanians became atheists.
When I was 12, I started going to libraries in my town and those
nearby, trying to figure out what to do with my life. I couldnt
find a single book about God. All the books told about communism,
but I didnt believe them because I had seen the lies in the
lives of communists.
Later, God put a desire in my heart to become a sailor. I
didnt realize it was God at the time because I didnt
know Him. Nor did I know how that could come about, since normally
you had to be a party member and had to be married in order to be
a sailor. Having a family made it less likely that you would flee
the country when you entered foreign ports.
I wanted to get out and see the world. At age 18, though, like all
Romanians, I had to join the army. Within a year, I had given up
hope of becoming a sailor. It seemed like my dreams were over.
For six months, Satan looking back, I now know who it
was had been hypnotizing me, convincing me that there was
no way out of my futility. The only escape was to kill myself. I
believed his logic as if they were my own thoughts. As I was ready
to pull the trigger, a voice spoke to me: Why dont you
give yourself a chance? See what happens in the next few months.
Right away, the devil said, No, you wont have another
chance. Positive and negative voices were arguing in my mind.
Then, it was as if a veil came off. I suddenly realized that
my suicidal thoughts were foolish. Out of my mouth came the words,
six or seven times, I want to live. I want to live.
Things
didnt change right away, or in three months, but in a few
years they did. Through my mothers intervention with the officials
in charge of hiring personnel for cargo ships, God worked a miracle
and I became a sailor at age 22.
On my first trip, we went to seven countries in Europe, Asia and
Africa. It opened my eyes to see that I had been living in prison.
Soon God put another seed in my heart to leave Romania. For
two years, I wondered how and where.
Finally, the opportunity came in Greece. When we reached port, I
said I was going to the beach, and even took a towel to fool everyone
on the ship. Instead, I went to the town, then took a bus to Athens.
When I asked for asylum in Athens, the officials said they would
grant it if I told them military secrets. I refused not
only because I didnt know any, but I wouldnt have betrayed
my people. I cared about my country even if I hated the communists.
So they said I couldnt stay. After living with gypsies for
a while, a friend and I decided to stowaway on a ship. We sneaked
on and went down to the cargo hold. There we stayed for three days.
When we docked, we were discovered, handcuffed, and taken to the
captain. Because he could get in trouble for transporting refugees,
he told his officers to get rid of us which meant we would
probably be sent back to Romania by the police who checked everyone
coming off the ship. However, God had a way of providing. Our clothes
and body had become so dirty from being in the hold that the police
thought we were workers and waved us through.
We were in Naples, Italy. Try as we might, we were unable to
find work in Italy, so we headed for Switzerland. Surely, such a
nice country would have some work for us.
Coming to a town on the border, we learned an amazing thing
half of the town was in Italy and the other half in Switzerland.
We found a backyard where we could climb over the barbed wire fence
at night and into Switzerland. We had no identification or passport
to show. If they found out we were Romanians, we would have been
returned to our country. But soon after jumping the fence we were
caught by the police and sent back to Italy.
Each country that we were hoping to stay in and work in turned
us away. From Italy, we went to France. There we lived at a
homeless shelter for six months before the immigration service told
us we had to leave. I appealed to be sent to the U.S., and somehow
was accepted. That was the summer of 1989. I was sponsored by Catholic
Relief Services, and one of the cities they arbitrarily send people
to is Lansing.
It
had been a long time and a long journey from Romania to the States.
Once I arrived in Lansing, I worked for a year at different places
like a car wash and a dairy, before being hired by a company that
makes airplane parts. I still work there.
I had wanted to find out if God was real when I came to the U.S.
I only thought of Him as a legend before. I couldnt find Him
among my acquaintances, though. They just seemed to be interested
in partying on weekends.
In fact, I got in trouble by following their advice. They told me
that the best way to learn English was to have a close friend. That
friend became pregnant, and I became the father of twin daughters,
who are now 13 years old. They live with their mother, but I share
the cost of raising them, see them every day, and teach them the
Catholic faith. I am proud of the way they stand up for the Church
among their peers.
In my search for God, I tried many churches Baptist, Pentecostal,
Spiritualist. I read a lot, and when I found some Catholic books
at a second hand bookstore and began reading about apparitions that
occurred at Fatima and Medjugorje, I realized that Mary had never
left the Catholic Church.
Then I read that Catholics believe that the Eucharist is the real
Body and Blood of Christ. I wanted that. Not long after, I went
to confession. When the priest absolved me of my sins, I felt like
I was ready to die. I had made peace with God.
Before meeting God, whenever good things would happen to me, I thought
to myself what a lucky guy I was. But it wasnt luck. It was
God caring for me, even though I didnt know it. I attend
Mass and the rosary group at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in East Lansing,
and I go to the prayer group at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Lansing.
Since becoming Catholic, I pray every day and read about the Church.
I havent been to a bar in 13 years, since the girls were born.
I used to lose my temper often, offend people and always complain.
However, since the Lord has shown me His love and care, I try to
love my neighbor as myself.
My
life has changed greatly in the U.S., and I love this country. Four
countries rejected me, but not America. Still, I havent forgotten
Romania. My mother is there with my mentally handicapped sister.
They get support from my sisters Medicare, from relatives
and from the money I send.
My father, who is a retired veterinarian, and divorced from my mother,
became an Orthodox believer shortly after Ceausescu was executed
on Christmas Day 1989. It made him understand that communism would
not last forever. In fact, my whole extended family now attends
the Orthodox Church it is the only church in my village.
I like to think it is the result of my letters and phone calls,
telling them about how God has taken control of my life.
As for the future, I dont make plans because I made plans
in the past and they didnt work. Nonetheless, one day, praying
before the tabernacle, I told God that I didnt want to make
airplanes anymore. I said, I am submitting an application
to work full-time for you.
I think the Lord told me I would be going back to Romania from time
to time, to work for the unification of the Catholic and Orthodox
Church, and that He would provide the money. I would like to
translate religious books, which will be mostly Catholic, into Romanian,
and open a store there selling books and videos. It could be hard
in some ways to go back, but Christianity isnt all happiness.
We also need to sacrifice and share in Jesus sorrow and cross.
ministry focus
For more information
on becoming Catholic contact a parish near you. To find parish information
in the Diocese of Lansing, log onto www.DioceseofLansing.org
Elizabeth's own path
How her family reacted when she
decided to become a Catholic
By Cate Preston | Photography by Christine Jones
Parents
often fear their teenage sons or daughters will turn away from their
family and faith, pulled off course by secular distractions and
temptations. Members of the Ann Arbor Christian Reformed Church,
Paul and Katherine Gottschalk find themselves stretched in an entirely
different direction by their teenage daughter, Elizabeth. Enrolled
in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) at St. Francis
Parish, Ann Arbor, Elizabeth will be welcomed into the Catholic
Church at the 2004 Easter Vigil Mass.
Elizabeth, the oldest of three children, is a sophomore at Pioneer
High School. An enthusiast of The Lord of the Rings and Simon
and Garfunkel, she loves to bake especially anything involving
a cake mix and sews her own clothes, thinking the current
clothing trends depressing in both color and in modesty.
Elizabeth finds herself growing closer to God in unexpected ways,
such as during Mass, when the priest holds up the Eucharist.
Its one thing to be told. Its another to understand.
A couple of times, when I heard the priest say, This is Jesus,
I could feel Him. It is like when youre in a room with someone
famous, someone you really like, and you have a feeling of awe
that youre so lucky to be with that person. And that Person
is here, and He is God. Since then, when I hear the words Happy
are those who are called to His supper, it makes me jealous.
Not jealous, in that I dont want others to have it, but in
that I want it, too. But I cant yet, she says,
with anticipation.
Elizabeth eagerly builds prayer time into her life, while just
a short time ago her parents used to have to twist her arm to pray.
Ill say a decade of the rosary, say thank you, and confess
anything I did wrong. Ill ask for prayers for people Ive
promised to pray for. ... Its comforting to talk to God.
Though her family is very involved with their church, and Elizabeth
has always considered herself to be a spiritual person, Elizabeth
notes that she receives spiritual graces that extend beyond increased
prayer. Before, when Id go on retreats, Id be
excited about going back and evangelizing. But a day or so later,
life would be back to normal. Now, its never back
to normal. The feeling of being filled with the Holy Spirit
stays. I want to show everybody that Im Christian. Im
always looking for opportunities to talk about my faith. Its
weird for me, because Im not used to talking about my faith.
But I want them to have what I have, because it makes me happy.
As she gains knowledge about her faith, Elizabeths excitement
heightens. Before, I thought of myself as Christian
in general. I didnt know what a Protestant was, until I was
12. Now I say Im Catholic. I cant think of myself as
a Protestant anymore.
Looking back to her first Mass in February 2003, Elizabeth remembers
thoughts and actions that foreshadowed her decision to become Catholic.
One weekend, my friends Kate and Kathleen were coming to visit.
Kate said she could stay overnight only if she could go to Mass.
Back then, I thought a church was a church. I was brought up to
believe that as long as it was Christian, it didnt matter
what denomination you went to. And, if you missed a Sunday service
once in a while, it wasnt a big deal. But, I wanted Kate to
spend the night, so I said OK. I was interested in going to a Catholic
church, anyway, because we had a debate about it.
Elizabeth recalls an intangible feeling of something more, something
that wasnt present in her Protestant church. Afterward,
when Kate asked, So, what did you think? I said it was
different, but it wouldnt be hard for me to change (churches).
And Kate said, Well, it would be hard for me to change.
I understand what she meant by that, now. I remember asking her,
Dont you want me to be Catholic? I was letting
my feelings out without realizing it.
Compelled to find out more, but not sure what her next step should
be, Elizabeth read books about Catholicism. Like monumental
historical events, Elizabeth can remember the exact times and places
in her spiritual journey when she made baby steps toward becoming
Catholic. I didnt know what I wanted to do. I didnt
want to go too fast. I was in biology class when I decided to join
RCIA. I was afraid to make the decision, but finally broke through
it somehow. Since I decided to take that step, I havent had
any doubts at all.
When
Elizabeth decided to join RCIA, she met with the adult group over
the summer. Then, this fall, a teen group was formed. Pattie Scherer,
director of the RCIA at St. Francis, raves about Elizabeths
poise, maturity and spiritual demeanor. She was with the adults
this summer. They were so proud of her. She was right in there with
them. It was a wide age range, from 14 to 70. They really connected.
Elizabeth has the support of her family. Thats unusual. Even
with the adults (in the RCIA program) its a sensitive issue.
But her parents are behind her 100 percent.
Paul, a computer programmer, explains that he and his wife, Katherine,
Assistant Dean for Financial Aid at the University of Michigan,
think that one of the unique aspects to their family is their openness.
Theres a lot of love in our family. We arent afraid
to talk about stereotypical issues like drugs, sex, religion. Its
one of the strengths of our family. The Lord has a lot to do with
that.
Even so, Elizabeth was hesitant to approach her parents with her
decision to become Catholic. Its always been hard for
me to talk about my faith. Ive never been able to pray in
front of people. Its too personal. Its the same talking
about my becoming Catholic with them too personal,
she explains.
Paul is thankful that Elizabeth is exerting her growing independence
in choosing God, even though it means a different way of worship.
Shes old enough to make this decision, and we support
that, says Paul. The fact that she is doing this shows
she takes her faith seriously. She has genuine faith. Otherwise,
why would she be motivated to do this? If she wasnt motivated
by the Holy Spirit, shed be spending her time doing worldly
things. I feel comfortable about her pursuing this.
Although her parents offer their support, Elizabeth says they
are not thrilled about her decision. She describes her new
faith as both a source of division and of unity for her family.
My dad is going to let me, but if it were his choice, I think
hed prefer I didnt. People say you get a lot of your
beliefs from your parents politics, religion. But thats
when youre young. Now I say, This is what I believe.
Sometimes, its awkward. Its got to be hard for parents
to see their kids choose a different way.
Paul explains that he understands his daughters hesitancy.
Some things you instinctively dont want to tell your
parents. Its embarrassing, and you dont want to be judged.
More
than anything, Paul says he is curious why Elizabeth is choosing
to become Catholic. I wonder what is it that attracts
her to the Catholic worship style, and what is it about our church
that doesnt. I must say, she hasnt answered that yet.
She says I dont understand. But I have time on my side, and
Im willing to wait. She may not even have it all worked out
yet. Weve had more deep spiritual discussions, which is a
good thing, regardless of what spawns it. I talked with her about
how it is important to be willing to accept truth, wherever it comes
from. Truth comes from more than one place, whether its from
the Protestant or Catholic faith. My opinion is that were
all a part of the same universal Church. ... Whats important
is that shes in a place where she worships the Father, Son
and Holy Spirit.
Elizabeth continues to attend the Ann Arbor Christian Reformed Church
with her family, as Paul and Katherine are determined that the family
will continue to worship together. Elizabeth spends much of her
Sundays at church, going first to Mass at St. Francis of Assisi
Parish, and then joining her parents and siblings Ian and Arianna
for service and youth group.
By exercising her free will, Elizabeth is taking her spiritual
journey to the next level. Before, I would try to do the right
thing. Now, Im more aware of what I should be doing compared
to what I am doing. I dont want to disappoint God.
She goes on to explain the foundation of her faith in the Catholic
Church, saying, I have questions, like why are there so many
denominations? Why arent they all one? If it really doesnt
matter, why is there more than one? Its not about hymns or
music or a matter of personal taste. Its about doctrine.
ministry focus
Becoming Catholic: The RCIA
The RCIA is a process in Catholic parishes for welcoming inquiring
people into the Catholic tradition of the Christian way of life.
The basic steps to becoming Catholic are:
1 Inquirer: period of getting to know the Catholic
community
2 Catechumen or Candidate: period of learning about
the faith
3 Elect: the bishop chooses each person to be a part
of the
Church and then one enters a period of prayer and reflection
4 Neophyte: period after initiation (baptism, confirmation)
where the person deepens their faith
To find out more: contact your parish or talk to a priest.
Sister Sisters
How two siblings became nuns
By Jan Rynearson | Photography by Christine Jones
Two
young siblings are members of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother
of the Eucharist, based in rural Ann Arbor. Sister Mary Joseph,
24, and her sister Sister Mary Jacinta, 20, are both members of
the religious community.
Born and raised in Ann Arbor, they are the
daughters of Joseph and Helen Campbell. They have eight siblings.
Two older brothers are married. The family attends Christ the King
Catholic Church in Ann Arbor.
Rachel (Sr. Mary Joseph) was the third child in the family and Elena
(now Sr. Mary Jacinta) ranks number five. They say their mother
was involved in homeschooling long before it became popular, and
she continues to homeschool their younger siblings.
Sr. Mary Joseph attended St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School,
after which she was homeschooled for several years before attending
St. Michael Academy. She graduated from Father Gabriel Richard High
School in 1997. In August of that year, she entered the order. I
took the name of Sr. Mary Joseph from my father and also because
of my devotion to St. Joseph, she says.
Upon entering the order, Sr. Mary Joseph attended Eastern Michigan
University, and after graduation, she became a second grade teacher.
Sr. Mary Jacinta was homeschooled throughout her youth, with the
exception of third and fourth grades, when she attended St. Michael
Academy. She is currently attending Washtenaw Community College
in Ann Arbor full-time and will finish her elementary art teaching
degree
at EMU.
While I was a postulant, I was in Fatima and became fond of
the name Jacinta, says Sr. Mary Jacinta, explaining how she
selected her name.
Is it unusual for siblings to enter a religious community?
Sr. Mary Joseph says, We have three sets: Two sisters, who
are in their early 20s, are from Denver, Colo. Two others in their
50s are originally from the Dominican order in Nashville, Tenn.
The community of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the
Eucharist is only six years old. In 1997, four members of the
Nashville Dominicans were invited by Cardinal John OConnor
to begin a new foundation in the Archdiocese of New York. Benefactors
from Michigan including Tom Monaghan, Dominos Pizza founder,
invited them to Ann Arbor, sanctioned by Bishop Carl F. Mengeling.
The order became canonical (approved by the Church) later that year.
The sisters are teachers, emphasizing education. Currently, there
are 45 members of the community.
The
order operates four schools, called Spiritus Sanctus Academies,
in the Ann Arbor area. They are located at the Via Sacra, Joy
Road, Golfside and Plymouth campuses. More than 500 children, K-8,
attend. Spiritus Sanctus is the Latin term for Holy Spirit and is
used in keeping with the belief that the Holy Spirit guides all
evangelical endeavors of the Catholic Church. We hope to have
more than 20 sisters teaching within three years, explains
Sr. Mary Joseph.
Music is Sr. Mary Josephs forté. She is adept at piano,
organ and guitar. I teach the students and the sisters. I
also prepare the childrens choir for school liturgies,
she says.
When I was in the seventh grade I was taught by the Benedictines.
I loved them and wanted to be with them and like them, recalls
Sr. Mary Joseph. When I was in high school, I kept praying
while keeping myself open. But I had a really deep desire to become
a nun. I cant describe it. I just knew the feeling.
After she met Mother Assumpta, the superior of the order, and saw
the community of sisters, she became very interested.
I didnt tell anyone except my parents about wanting
to enter the convent until about two weeks before I entered. Then,
I told everyone, she shares.
Sr. Mary Jacinta shares her own decision to enter religious life.
I always got along with my sister and admired and looked up
to her. She was a role model. After she entered the order, I came
often to visit and observed how happy she was. I saw by example.
I had no intention of becoming a nun. I was planning on having kids
and writing and illustrating childrens stories.
Over time, she began to desire to enter religious life. Gradually,
when I came to visit, I found I was more excited to see all the
sisters than I was to see my own sister, Sr. Mary Jacinta
explains.
During that year, the whole time, I knew I was supposed to
be here, she remembers. The word postulant means
one who asks. I felt strongly I was making the right
decision.
Since entering the convent, Sr. Mary Jacinta has found that
her talent and desire to write childrens stories will be useful.
She has already illustrated a book of short sayings for a friend
and expects to spend more time illustrating and writing, so as to
benefit her teaching of children.
Those entering the order have to be between the ages of 17 and
35 and have a high school diploma. When a woman enters, she is a
postulant for a year, during which time she makes a commitment prior
to taking her first religious profession. After she becomes a nun,
home visits are allowed by the order.
Sr. Mary Joseph shares, One great thing that I love about
being a nun is that I have to give everything specifically for Jesus.
Theres a lot of community life. We pray, work and eat together.
Sr. Mary Jacinta made her first profession in August 2003, together
with the other 11 young women who became postulants during the jubilee
year 2000. Many people today are afraid to make a commitment,
she says. I just made my vows on Aug. 6, and it is completely,
absolutely the most wonderful thing I ever did.
By freely giving their whole lives to God, the sisters have been
given a freedom that the world cannot give. We follow
the First Commandment with our vow of poverty that God is
our only possession, says Sr. Mary Jacinta. We abandon
everything so we can be completely Gods and He can be our
only possession.
Sr. Mary Joseph says, We give Him the gift of ourselves from
all that the world holds dear, such as money and power, and we have
complete spiritual freedom.
ministry focus
National Vocation Awareness Week
Jan. 11-16, 2004
The culmination of the Christmas season is celebrated with the
feast of the Baptism of the Lord. By celebrating this annual
feast, the Church is renewed and strengthened by Gods blessing.
National Vocation Awareness Week begins with this feast.
How do I embrace my life as a vocation, as a call to someone greater
than myself? Resources emphasized during this special week are
aimed at answering this question.
National Vocation Awareness Week provides an opportunity to deepen
our baptismal commitment through reflection and action.
We are invited to reflect on the mission of Jesus as our own vocation,
to ponder what it means to be Gods beloved and to know that
Gods favor rests on us.
For more contact the Diocese of Lansing: Vocation Services Office:
(517) 342-2506 Seminarian Office: (517) 342-2507
sacred space
With a little planning, you can create
a place for prayer inside (or outside) your home.
By Patricia Majher | Photography by Philip Shippert
Ever
watch those home improvement shows on TV the ones where
a team of professionals takes a spare room and turns it into a home
office or a mini movie theater?
If you have some extra space in your home, heres another,
more spiritual way to make use of it. Convert it into a prayer
nook, a space where you can talk with God without being disturbed
or distracted by the outside world.
Big nook
or small nook?
Dont have a whole room you can devote to this purpose?
Dont worry. A prayer nook doesnt have to be in a big
space. But it should be a dedicated space one with no other
function than to bring you closer to the Creator.
If youre living in tight quarters, consider these possibilities:
a walk-in closet (or half of one), an under-the-staircase space
or a recessed area formed by a dormer. Basements and attics may
also yield some unused areas.
Prayer nooks can be developed outside the house, too in a
glassed-in porch, for example, or a garden shed. Anywhere you can
claim a little privacy for yourself will work.
Fitting furniture
After youve selected the space youre going to convert,
the next step is to furnish and decorate it appropriately. A
chair and/or kneeler are essential to establishing a meditative
mood. Handy with woodworking tools? You can find plans and kits
for kneelers (or purchase assembled pieces) at www.rosaryshop.com.
Another essential item for your nook is a small table or bookshelf
to hold a Bible, Butlers Lives of the Saints,
or other inspirational writings. A table can serve as a place
on which statues and sacred art are displayed and lit by candles.
You might also consider draping the table with fabric in the
color that reflects the liturgical season. During the seasons
of ordinary time, the recommended color is green. For Lent and Advent,
its violet. For the Paschal Triduum, Easter and Christmas,
its white or gold. And red is used to mark feast days and
holy days.
Sights, smells, and sounds
If
you choose to create a prayer nook, be proud of it. On the wall
outside, affix a holy water font. And, inside, display a simple
cross or crucifix to inform anyone who passes by or enters that
this is special space given over to God.
Your can also engage your sense of smell in a prayer nook. To
create the proper mood, burn incense or pick fragrant flowers and
arrange them in a bouquet. Remember how you used to pick May flowers
to honor Mary? Heres an opportunity to revive that tradition.
Sacred music also has a place here. A small cassette or CD
player is all you need to immerse yourself in an atmosphere of peace
and piety. Musical selections might include evocative instrumentals,
choral music or even the works of your favorite Christian performers.
For one, for all
A
nook is a place where you can isolate yourself in quiet contemplation.
But, you dont have to shut your friends and family out of
it. If the space is big enough, use it as a gathering place to recite
the rosary, to pray for special intentions or to celebrate the holidays
and holy days of the Church together.
Welcome any and all who are interested into this sacred space you
have created. And have your parish priest bless it, for good measure.
Why is it important to have
a special place to pray?
In his book Prayer: The Great Conversation, author
Peter Kreeft notes that the Church has solved half of the problem
of where we should pray by setting aside special places for
public worship every Sunday. But we have to invent our own private
churches, too, for private prayer. Otherwise, he cautions,
Praying anywhere can easily become praying
nowhere, just as praying anytime can easily become
praying at no time. Kreeft also has some advice
about when you should pray. Any time will do, but it should
be a definite, regular time the same time each day. For many
people, the only two times like that are late at night or early
in the morning. And he advocates trying both. Even if
you pray early in the morning, you should take at least a few minutes
at night, too to review the day and thank God for all of
it and commit it to his hands.
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