cover story If anyone had told my brothers and sisters I would be the one to care for Mom, they would have laughed out loud! Stop telling me I'm a saint – I'm just taking care of Mom By Nancy Schertzing | Photography by Jim Luning
	feature Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Detroit Auxiliary Bishop Earl Boyea as the fifth bishop of the 10-county Catholic Diocese of Lansing. Welcome Bishop Earl Boyea Photography by J. Carlson
	what do I know? Has therapy replaced religion? An interview with psychotherapist James Loree Has therapy replaced religion? By Kimberly Laux| Photography by Tom Gennara
	special report School update – the process for improving our schools. What makes an excellent Catholic School?

Stop telling me I'm a saint – I'm just taking care of Mom
If anyone had told my brothers and sisters I would be the one to care for Mom, they would have laughed out loud!
By Nancy Schertzing | Photography by Jim Luning

If anyone had told my brothers and sisters I would be the one to care for Mom, they would have laughed out loud! I gave her a real run for her money after Dad died.

I adored my dad! He was handsome and charming and fun. He always told us we could do anything we wanted to do and encouraged all of us – girls included – to go to college. He pushed us to think without color barriers. We put him on a pedestal. When he died, I was devastated.

Now I can see we were pretty oblivious to how hard it must have been for Mom, raising eight kids, nursing my dad through his illness, and caring for Aunt Loretta for 10-plus years. As long as I could remember, Mom was always in the background taking care of us and keeping things running. She wasn’t your typical mother or grandmother. She taught us to be very independent, yet she set an example that in our family we take care of each other.

When people find out I’m caring for my mom, I always hate it when someone tells me I’m a saint. I’m no more a saint than Mom was when she was raising us kids. It’s my mother who needs caring for; why wouldn’t I? When the time came, I was single. My kids were grown and independent. I think it was providence.

Now, to be honest, if in 2002 someone had laid out the next five years and said, “OK, Sharon, this is how it’s gonna be,” I’m afraid I might have said “no.” I have had to mourn the loss of my independence and my house. I have had to do things I never thought I could do for another person. I have seen 23 care-givers come and go because I had to work, but Mom didn’t like strangers in her house.

And I had to let go of my hope that by living with my mom I’d have time to build a closer relationship with her – maybe feel like she loved me. With her stroke and the dementia that followed, I spent the first year realizing I would never get the relationship I wanted, because the woman with me now isn’t my mom.

One of my biggest challenges centered on going to church. I knew if I lived with her, I’d have to take Mom to church every Sunday. It was almost a deal-breaker. I couldn’t lie anymore and tell her I was going when I really wasn’t. And I couldn’t just go out of obligation. I was too old for that. I would have to learn to pray again.

After that very tough first year, I didn’t know if I could live with and care for my mother anymore. Yet I obviously had to keep doing it. I remembered that same terror I felt in the final month of my first pregnancy. I was 17, scared to death, and I knew there was nothing I could do about it. I had felt trapped back then, and I was feeling trapped again 30 years later.

I remember sitting in church, praying with all my might, “Please help me find an answer for how I’m going to keep doing this, Lord. It’s just too hard and I’m not getting anything out of this.” I was begging.

Then, suddenly, a message came clearly to my mind. “You are not taking care of your mother. You are taking care of me.” I had my answer.

I love that thought! Before I went to live with my mom, my recent lifestyle wasn’t in line with my faith. I didn’t realize what a useless, unimportant life I was living before moving in with her. Now I’m doing something important and so worthwhile!

Things have never been better. All eight of us kids are speaking to each other and doing something different to help with Mom’s care. One of my daughters and my retired brother-in-law come in to care for her during the day.

While I never got a deep relationship with the mother I grew up with, I now have someone who has come to appreciate hugs and saying “love you.” In the last five years, she has come a long way in accepting our care. I can’t tell you how moving it was when I walked up to her bed during a hospital stay and she reached out her arms and said, “Will you give me a hug?” I don’t think I’ll ever forget that.

I don’t know how we got to the point in our society where if we don’t know what to do with our elderly we just get rid of them. I know my mom didn’t always love taking care of me for the 17 years she did. But she was always there for me and my brothers and sisters. She also always set an example of caring for family, and she has always expected that her children would take care of her when the time came.

I think she asked me because she knew I would do it. Every day, I worry I’m not doing a good enough job. I guess we’re always hardest on ourselves. But I love my mom! Looking back, I think she’s the one I should have had on that pedestal all along.

Welcome Bishop Earl Boyea
Photography by J. Carlson

Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Detroit Auxiliary Bishop Earl Boyea as the fifth bishop of the 10-county Catholic Diocese of Lansing. Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation of Bishop Carl F. Mengeling.

On Feb. 27, 2008, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Archdiocese of Detroit Auxiliary Bishop Earl Boyea as the fifth bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing. Bishop Boyea succeeds Bishop Carl F. Mengeling, who has led the diocese since Jan. 25, 1996.

Bishop Boyea was born April 10, 1951. His home parish was Our Lady of the Lakes in Waterford and he attended the parish school. After eighth grade, he entered Sacred Heart Seminary High School and then attended its college, where he earned a B.A. in history. From there, he went to the North American College in Rome and studied at the Gregorian University, where he received an S.T.B in 1976 and an S.T.L. in biblical theology in 1980.

He was ordained a priest on May 20, 1978. After ordination, he served as associate pastor at St. Michael Parish, Monroe, and then at St. Timothy Parish, Trenton. After a brief stint as the temporary administrator at St. Christine Parish, Detroit, he returned to Sacred Heart Seminary as professor of church history and scripture. In addition to assisting with Masses on weekends, Father Boyea earned an M.A. in American history from Wayne State University in 1984. In 1987, he received his Ph.D. in church history from the Catholic University of America. From 1990 through 2000, he served as dean of studies at Sacred Heart Seminary and in 2000, was named a prelate of honor.

In February 2000, Msgr. Boyea became rector/president of the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio. He served there until he was named auxiliary bishop of Detroit and titular bishop of Siccenna. He was ordained a bishop Sept. 13, 2002. His motto, in manus tuas (into your hands), is taken from the final words of Jesus on the cross, according to the Gospel of Luke. As auxiliary bishop of Detroit, Bishop Boyea was given responsibility for the northeast region of the Archdiocese of Detroit, which includes the following vicariates: Blue Water, Central Macomb, Genesis, North Macomb and SERF.

Bishop Boyea is a member of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Ad Hoc Committee on Priestly Formation. He is also a member of the following societies: Catholic Biblical Association, Fellowship of Catholic Scholars, American Historical Association and the U.S. Catholic Historical Society. His writings have appeared in a variety of publications, including the Catholic Historical Review and Michigan Historical Review.

Bishop Boyea will be installed as the bishop of Lansing April 29 at 2 p.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, East Lansing. On April 28, a vesper service will be held at St. Mary Cathedral, Lansing at 7 p.m. Bishop Boyea will succeed Bishop Carl F. Mengeling, now age 77. As is customary, Bishop Mengeling submitted his letter of resignation upon his 75th birthday. Pope Benedict XVI accepted Bishop Mengeling’s resignation Feb. 27, 2008. Until Bishop Boyea’s installation, governance of the diocese rests with its college of consultors or with an administrator appointed by them or the Vatican.

Carl F. Mengeling was born Oct. 22, 1930 in Hammond Ind., the second son of Carl H. and Augusta Huke Mengeling. He was ordained a priest on May 25, 1957 in Gary, Ind. Father Mengeling earned a doctorate in sacred theology in Rome.

Father Mengeling became a monsignor in June 1984 and on Nov. 7, 1995, was named the fourth bishop of Lansing, succeeding Bishop Kenneth Povish. He was ordained a bishop Jan. 25, 1996 at St. Mary Cathedral, Lansing. He has served the Diocese of Lansing as its bishop for 12 years.

Bishop Boyea will become the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Lansing, which was created out of the Archdiocese of Detroit and the Diocese of Grand Rapids in 1937. It comprises Clinton, Eaton, Genesee, Hillsdale, Ingham, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Shiawassee and Washtenaw Counties. The Diocese of Lansing’s 97 parishes and pastoral centers serve 222,519 Catholics.

How a bishop is appointed
Stage 1: Bishops’ recommendations
Every bishop may submit to the archbishop of his province the names of priests he thinks would make good bishops. Prior to the regular province meeting (usually annually), the archbishop distributes to all the bishops of the province the names of priests who have been submitted to him and their curricula vitae. Following a discussion among the bishops at the province meeting, a vote is taken on which names to recommend. The number of names on this provincial list may vary. The vote tally, together with the minutes of the meeting, is then forwarded by the archbishop to the apostolic nuncio in Washington. The list is also submitted to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
Stage 2: The apostolic nuncio
By overseeing the final list of names forwarded to Rome, the apostolic nuncio plays a decisive role in the selection process. He not only gathers facts and information about potential candidates, but also interprets that information for the congregation. Great weight is given to the nuncio’s recommendations, but it is important to remember that his “gatekeeper” role does not mean his recommendations are always followed.
For diocesan bishops
• After receiving the list of candidates forwarded by a province, the apostolic nuncio conducts his own investigation into the suitability of the candidates.
• A report is requested from the current bishop or the administrator of a diocese on the conditions and needs of the diocese. If the appointment is a replacement for a diocesan bishop or archbishop about to retire, consideration will be given to the incumbent’s recommendations. Broad consultation within the diocese is encouraged with regard to the needs of the diocese, but not for the names of candidates. The report is to include the names of individuals in the diocese with whom the nuncio might consult and how to contact them.
• Previous bishops of the diocese are consulted.
• Bishops of the province are consulted.
• The president and vice president of the USCCB are consulted.
• If the vacancy to be filled is an archdiocese, other archbishops in the United States may be consulted.
• At this point, the nuncio narrows his list and a questionnaire is sent to 20 or 30 people who know each of the candidates for their input.
• All material is collected and reviewed by the nuncio, and a report (approximately 20 pages) is prepared. Three candidates are listed alphabetically – the terna – with the nuncio’s preference noted. All materials are then forwarded to the Congregation for Bishops in Rome.
On average, this part of the
process may take two to six months.
Stage 3: Congregation for Bishops
Once all the documentation from the nuncio is complete and in order, and the prefect approves, the process moves forward. If the appointment involves a bishop who is being promoted or transferred, the matter may be handled by the prefect and the staff. If, however, the appointment is of a priest to the episcopacy, the full congregation is ordinarily involved.
A cardinal relator is chosen to summarize the documentation and make a report to the full congregation, which generally meets twice a month on Thursdays. After hearing the cardinal relator’s report, the congregation discusses the appointment and then votes. The congregation may follow the recommendation of the nuncio, chose another of the candidates on the terna, or even ask that another terna be prepared.
Stage 4: The pope decides
At a private audience with the pope, usually on a Saturday, the prefect of the Congregation for Bishops presents the recommendations of the congregation to the Holy Father. A few days later, the pope informs the congregation of his decision. The congregation then notifies the nuncio, who in turn contacts the candidate and asks if he will accept. If the answer is “yes,” the Vatican is notified and a date is set for the announcement.
It often takes six to eight months – and sometimes longer – from the time a diocese becomes vacant until a new bishop is appointed.

What do I know?
Has therapy replaced religion?
By Kimberly Laux| Photography by Tom Gennara

James Loree, a graduate of Michigan State University, is a licensed master clinical social worker serving patients from his private practice in Okemos. He treats clients recovering from addictive behaviors. He is also a member of St. John Student Parish in East Lansing.

FAITH: What are some of the most common mental health issues that you’ve come across while working with patients of the baby boomer generation?
I primarily work with patients dealing with depression; most have experienced moderate to severe trauma in their lives. Often it is exacerbated by addiction (alcohol, substance abuse or compulsive gambling) and family issues. I find that many people often turn to external sources for comfort or distraction from their pain, instead of God, even if they claim to believe and have faith.

In a nutshell, how has mental health evolved over the last 60 years?
The mental health field has experienced changes ranging from scientific theories and approaches to administration of insurance benefits. New theories and approaches that address issues such as trauma and relationships have been developed and mainstreamed into normative psychological practice.
Perhaps the greatest change has been the administration of insurance benefits. A few years ago, clients could seek services with minimal challenges. Today both clients and therapists must deal with the red tape to authorize, re-authorize and demonstrate clinical necessity just to prove to insurance companies that every dollar spent on therapy has yielded goal-directed results.

Do you think therapy is replacing faith and spirituality?
I do not believe therapy is replacing spirituality. In fact, they often complement one another. I see spirituality as the “big picture” that answers some of life’s most challenging questions: Why am I here? What is my purpose?
Therapy attempts to increase one’s awareness, understanding and skills to manage thoughts, emotions and actions in order to decrease negative consequences or increase positive outcomes. Some clients may exhaust therapy only to find spirituality through acceptance that they do not have ultimate control over their lives. Through this realization, clients can begin to take ownership over their actions and respond in ways that benefit themselves and others.

In your opinion, what is the most appropriate way to approach therapy?
Patients need to approach therapy with realistic expectations. Frequently, clients assume that a therapist is going to fix them. This is far from the truth! Therapists help clients acknowledge what they already know on a deeper level – to confront the pain and accept the facts about themselves and others so they can make conscious decisions in their lives. This process is often long and difficult, but highly worthwhile and rewarding. People must take responsibility for their lives as a prerequisite to improving it.

School update – the process for improving our schools.
What makes an excellent Catholic School?

Vatican II’s Declaration on Christian Education calls for Catholic schools to incorporate the faith into a child’s entire life – home, sports, friendships, music and video choices, among others. It also bids educators “to relate all human culture eventually to the news of salvation, so that the life of faith will illumine the knowledge which students gradually gain of the world, of life, and of humankind.” Therefore, students should be able to apply Christian principles beyond religion courses to all of their studies; from humanities to history; from geometry to geology, and beyond.

While the Diocese of Lansing’s Catholic schools’ missions incorporate these ideals, the reality of funding and the ever-changing landscape in education guidelines keeps administrators, teachers and parents jostling to assure that resources are met while meeting rigorous standards. What are the 38 elementary and middle schools and four high schools within the diocese doing to ensure excellence?
According to Sister Dorita Wotiska, OP, Ph.D., Diocese of Lansing superintendent of schools, the partnership between school staff and parents is providing an outstanding support network to make Catholic education viable, relevant and exceptional.

Grading the graders
Ensuring that students receive the best education from faith formation through core curriculum is a dynamic process.
“The diocesan curriculum guidelines are revised and updated constantly to guarantee that we meet statewide requirements and to ensure that students are receiving the educational and faith requirements that the diocese believes are important,” says Sister Dorita.
The stride toward achievement goes beyond curriculum development – it is a constant search for school improvement as each school in the diocese goes through a rigorous seven-year process of self-study within 12 areas.
Experience has shown that the diocesan schools have surpassed the measure set by the state. Diocese of Lansing students who have taken the MEAP (Michigan Educational Assessment Program) test administered to students at given times throughout their educational tenure have fared far better than their public school peers. However, the diocese is now looking to change the standardized testing procedure and programs used to examine student progress.
“After a number of years, it is human nature to become used to a certain formula, so it is time to switch and challenge our students, teachers, and entire system again to move the marker of excellence forward,” explained Sister Dorita.

Financing the future
Students learn when the schools are open. And the doors open only when there are enough dollars to operate. This has been the struggle with Catholic education throughout the country since the 1970s.
Archbishop John Foley, an American official in the Vatican, noted that too few Catholics who can afford to donate money to the schools do so. He also observed that as Catholics are becoming more affluent, they are becoming less generous.
In order to educate our youth in the faith through Catholic schools, it is imperative to provide students adequate facilities, instruction and resources. The diocese has programs to help lower-income families with tuition assistance, but this support is not as widely available to middle-income families who are pinched by swelling expenses.
Yet, schools cannot stand idly by and wait for donors and supporters to come knocking. The schools within the diocese are constantly developing innovative ways to secure the needed dollars, as are their counterparts in public schools. Annual auctions, up-front tuition payment programs and developing relationships with major donors are key components in most schools’ fundraising playbooks.

Partnering with the public
Collaboration is the hot topic in education today. Partnerships aren’t exclusive to raising funds. Some schools are finding unique ways to make their finances stretch while their instruction costs are covered.
“Several of our schools are engaging with public schools to utilize their teachers in non-core subjects such as art, band, music and foreign language,” says Sister Dorita.
This relieves the diocesan school from hiring and incurring the cost of part-time faculty and the public school wins by receiving a portion of the tax dollar allocated to the hours spent teaching each student.
At St. Martha School in Okemos, Williamston Public Schools have been providing art, music and foreign language to the students since 2006. The program has worked so well that band was added this year.
“In essence, more collaboration means our schools get more service, the public schools get more funds, and the parents see some benefit for their taxes,” says Sister Dorita.

Walking the walk: St. John Vianney Catholic School – Flint
Core subjects are taught throughout the day to the 260 pre-K through eighth-grade students of St. John Vianney Catholic School in Flint, just as they are to all students who attend elementary and middle schools. One difference may be the emphasis of evangelization that is generated from the Catholic teachings throughout the curriculum.
“We do all the normal things that any good Catholic school would do to bring our students into a vibrant personal relationship with Jesus,” says Elizabeth Petrides, St. John Vianney teacher and parent. “We wrap our day with prayer. Religion classes, of course, teach the faith, but more importantly, students learn the faith in all other classes, as well. Science classes bring discussions of God’s wonder in creation. Social studies classes explore ways that people have or have not followed God’s ways and the ensuing consequences. Music teachers instruct sacred and secular compositions side-by-side. Physical education teachers encourage good manners and hard work as part of Christian stewardship of our gifts. Jesus is the center of our entire curriculum.”
St. John Vianney is different from most diocesan schools in that it is racially diverse and 45 percent of the student population is not Roman Catholic. These students and their families are fully immersed in the Catholic faith, with the exception of the reception of the sacraments.
Students take notice, and nearly every year several will ask to be baptized and join the faith community. Last year, three second-graders were baptized at a school Mass. Sometimes whole families become part of the church as a result of the school is ministry.
Through the school’s active evangelization efforts, it has encouraged vocations to priesthood and religious life, most recently by inviting the diocesan vocations directors to speak to the middle-school students. A vocations cross is a focal point in a different classroom each week. As the students prepare to lead weekly all-school Mass, they also pray in a special way for vocations. Also, teachers are very open about personally encouraging these vocations.

Group improvements: Father Gabriel Richard High School – Ann Arbor
A collaborative approach is key to making all teams work, especially the fund development team at Father Gabriel Richard High School in Ann Arbor. Yet the collaboration goes beyond the walls of the high school to include community, diocesan, business and other nonprofit partners.
The development team isn’t just the advancement department; it is the chaplain, administration, business manager, facilities director, athletic director. They gain input from the diocese, community members, parents, teachers and all of the stakeholders to develop plans and implementation steps that take into consideration more than just the culture of the school and the region which encompasses the student body.
Gabriel Richard, established as St. Thomas School in 1867, moved into a new facility in 2003 after undertaking a $17 million capital campaign.
“The school is very fortunate to have donors with a strong passion for Catholic education,” states Elizabeth Schoch, Gabriel Richard’s director of advancement. “Now that our new facility is at capacity, we are unveiling a plan of giving that will engage our feeder parishes to support the high school on an annual basis.”
The current trend in philanthropic gifts is to designate funds to specific programs. Given the economy in the state of Michigan, corporations and private individuals must sift through many solicitations for their discretionary dollars.
“As an institution, we must excite people with who we are and what we offer as a Catholic institution,” says Schoch.