September 2005
We have a limited number of back issues available in print.
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The week that
changed my life
Tara Devereaux’s Journey to Faith
By Bob Horning | Photography by Jim
Luning
 Even
though her parents took her to Mass, and she attended Catholic elementary
school, Tara Devereaux didn’t believe in God. That left an
emptiness in her life that she tried to fill with other things.
Two years ago, through the urging of her mother, Tara attended a
week-long evangelization training in Flushing, Mich., three-and-half
hours from her home in Kitchener, Ontario. The retreat, put on by
Youth to Youth, an outreach of Mt. Zion Catholic Pastoral Center,
changed the almost-16-year-old Tara’s life so much that she
now lives in Flushing.
I was very confused. I didn’t know who I
was or who I wanted to be. As a result, I decided to be the person
my friends wanted me to be. Popularity, sports and friends became
my priorities. I only cared about what I wanted, not what God wanted.
I didn’t think I needed him.
The high standards I once had for myself, which my parents
had instilled in me, lowered dramatically. It started with
not doing homework and having a bad attitude toward people. But
it turned into sins that I will regret for the rest of my life.
I didn’t know or care who I was affecting with my sins. I
lost any closeness that I had with my parents. There was a big lack
of communication with them, and I had no desire to fix it.
But there was always an emptiness. I was continually
looking for the next new thing that came along to fill the void.
Though I was with “friends,” I always felt alone. I
wanted to change because of the growing emptiness. But every time
I tried, there was a better reason just to give up. I wasn’t
strong enough to change by myself.
When I went on the retreat in the summer of 2003, my attitude
was, “Hey, a week away from life.” I figured I would
just go and make fun of the other kids.
When I arrived, I thought those people were freaks with
their Christian music and praising God. Why were they so
happy? I felt awkward to be around so many teens who were trying
to learn more about God when I had denied my faith so often. I hid
my face.
 One
part of the retreat was attending the Wednesday night prayer meeting
at Mt. Zion. There were about 180 people there. Again I
wondered why these people were raising their hands and praising
God. Then, out of the blue, it was as if Someone [Jesus] gave me
a big hug and said, “Welcome to my kingdom.” I had a
warm feeling of being very loved. It was life-changing, the most
profound experience I have ever had. I was aware at that moment
that God loved me and that I wanted to know him. I never imagined
that love could be this powerful, that God could give me so much
joy. Needless to say, during the remainder of the retreat, I was
more open to what God had for me. I was never so happy.
Now I know I will never be alone or empty. God
is always with me. My confidence is in him. When I returned home,
I decided I should go to confession. For the first time in my life,
I went truly wanting to be forgiven. Not like before when I didn’t
think I had done anything wrong. After confession, all the guilt
that had built up inside me was suddenly gone.
Shortly afterward, I moved to Flushing to be a part of Youth
to Youth Catholic Evangelization. We go to parishes in
Michigan, surrounding states and Canada to put on retreats for other
young people, at which we share the love of God we have experienced.
My parents are at peace with me living here, knowing it is where
God wants me now. They support what I am doing. My parents are great
people and I love them so much. Even when I didn’t believe
in God, they taught me how to pray anyway. They showed me how to
be a good person, to be polite, even if I wasn’t always.
 One
great memory about my dad’s love for me is that until about
age 10, I would “help” him while he was playing cards,
mostly euchre. He would tickle me until I thought I would
suffocate and die from laughing so hard.
And my mom is willing to go to great lengths to sacrifice
for me. We had considered having me live at home, but that
would mean my mom driving me back and forth to Flushing three weekends
every month so I could help on the retreats. She offered to do that,
but I couldn’t let her. That would be too much. I do still
go home often, though. And, in fact, I need to in order to fulfill
Canadian residency requirements.
I live with Chris and Mary Poletti, who are part of Mt.
Zion, and who help coordinate Youth to Youth. They have
4-year-old twins and a 3-year-old. They are cool people, and I enjoy
playing with their kids. Another girl, Juliana Babetski, who is
17 and from Pennsylvania, lives with us and is also here to be part
of Youth to Youth. We do everything together and, of course, talk
and pray together. She is there for me. We are both here for God.
It’s nice to have someone who understands how I feel, since
we have had similar experiences. My old friends influenced me into
a partying lifestyle; now I am surrounded by a community that influences
me toward God. I like being a part of that.
Mary Poletti says it is great to have Tara and Julianne live
with the Poletti family. “They listen to me when I ask them
to do something, and they are extra hands with the kids and other
things,” she says. “They are awesome.”
Since I was little, I have been involved in sports, especially
gymnastics, and dancing – jazz, ballet, and tap.
During my free time, I like to hang out with friends. That is usually
in the evenings since I do home schooling online. I would rather
be in a classroom setting, but it’s worth it if it means that
I can be here.
As part of Youth to Youth, I sing at Mass and on retreats.
During the retreats for the young people at the different parishes,
I give one of the presentations, among other things. It is eight
to 10 minutes long, and covers God’s plan of salvation and
how to choose his path by letting the Holy Spirit guide us. I also
include my personal story.
I know what it’s like not to have God, so it’s
cool to be able to tell others. Jesus felt I was worth
giving his life for; so he is worth my life.
 I
have learned how to have a personal relationship with God, and have
grown in that area through the formation classes at church.
I feel completely changed. I am stronger in faith. I know I can
depend on God because he is in control of everything. When I pray,
I like to do it in a tree in the back yard when I can. I am easily
distracted, so that gets me away from everything.
At present, I don’t have any long- term goals for
my life. I will have to see what God has for me. I want
to help people in some way, which is why I am loving what I do here.
From my experience, I know that teenagers who feel empty
are impressed when they see someone who is truly happy.
My advice to them is to surrender to God and ask him into their
lives. Choose a path that leads to him. Find others who can help
you. It’s a simple thing to say “yes” to God.
---
The Diocese of Lansing has a wonderful retreat center for teens.
Bethany House is located at the St. Francis Retreat Center and is
directed by Fr. James Conlon, 866.669.8321.
---
You can learn more about the ministry in which Tara is involved
by visiting www.youthtoyouthcatholic.com.
running for God
why Neil Atzinger
gave up a track scholarship
to attend seminary
By Bob Horning | Photography by Tom Gennara
 As
a senior at Saline High School, Nate Atzinger finished second in
the state for the Class A 800-meter run (1:52). He was third in
the 1600 meter, which is just under a mile (4:13). His 4 x 800 relay
team set a state record (7:42). Neil received partial scholarship
offers from the University of Michigan and the University of Kentucky,
the top two middle-distance track schools in the country. He decided
instead to attend St. John Vianney Seminary in St. Paul, Minn. He
explains why, and also talks about the influence others have had
in his life.
During my junior year, as I became
more involved with the youth group at St. Andrew Catholic Church,
and began to pray more, my consideration of the priesthood increased.
At the same time, I was getting more obsessed with running, doing
70 miles a week by my senior year. When I began getting minor injuries,
I regarded them as a reminder from God to keep my running in perspective.
Then, when I started reading about the saints, my desire and goal
was to be like them and to serve God no matter what it meant, including
becoming a priest.
I decided to attend St. John Vianney
Seminary. Some in the
running community were surprised and thought it was a mistake, but
I received full support from my family and church and youth group.
In fact, my extended family has been praying a long time for vocations
from our family. I am still running in college. We are an NCAA Division
III school.
I wanted my first time away from home
to be in a good environment. The best way to withstand
bad peer pressure is to have good friends, ones who support you
and won’t pressure you to do wrong. I knew the seminary would
help me remain a man of God. The school motto is “Men of Christ,
men of the church, and men for others.”
I have had some great influences in
my life. One is Mr. [Tom] Frederick. He was my cross-country
coach and always brought a Catholic perspective to school. He was
very devoted to building men of character on the team. He took the
same approach in his role as leader of the youth group at St. Andrew.
Mr. Frederick was honest with us.
Kids today don’t want watered-down truth. That drives us away.
We want to be smacked in the face sometimes with the truth. At first,
the things he said were challenging. For instance, I resented that
he would want us to change friends. He would tell us not to hang
around with the wrong people under the pretense of trying to evangelize
them. His goal was to wake us up, to get us out of our individual
and cultural sin, and to help us grow in love for Christ. Eventually,
I wanted nothing but to serve God.
 Being
older, and having grown in my faith, I am more open with my parents
now and serve them more. I have great parents, and
we talk a lot about faith. They have done a lot for me. I remember
my mom rocking me [as a child], singing me songs as I looked up
at her. She gave up a job to be home with the four of us, always
running around, being busy for our sakes.
I remember, as a kid, talking with
my dad as he took me for walks by the creek. He
would tell me stories about the church and the saints. That stuck
with me, as did praying the rosary and going to church. Seeing my
parents respect parish priests when I was 4 or 5 years old helped
me admire priests, and gave me my first desire to be one.
Our rector at the seminary, Fr. Bill Baer, is another person
who has influenced me. He lives on our floor at
the seminary, and it can take him a half-hour to go from one end
of the hall to the other because so many guys want to talk with
him. He is a real father for us. He also teaches our class in Catholic
Doctrine and Sacraments.
Between Fr. Baer, Mr. Frederick, and
my dad, I have been in good hands. God is good.
A friend on the high-school track
team, Nick George, taught me a good lesson about sacrifice.
I would always head home after practice right away, so I wouldn’t
have to drive anyone else. One day, I needed a ride. A number of
the guys had excuses why they didn’t have time. But Nick eagerly
offered to take me, and joyously drove out of his way.
My 12-year-old sister, Anna, has a
developmental disability.
She’s a cute kid, awesome. I am teaching her how to
pray a little, though some things she knows better than me. Sometimes
I need to sacrifice my time to be with her, but I love it when I
do.
I describe my relationship with God
this way: Jesus is my running buddy, and the Father is someone I
need to obey. The first thing for me in developing
my relationship with God is to have a prayer routine, an hour a
day when possible. I tell God whatever is on my mind – my
worries, what I’m mad about, what I need help with, anything.
Then I try to act on my prayer by serving others. I also read about
the saints to get help from their stories and to ask them to pray
for me. And I let the rosary and Mary lead me to Christ.
---
If you are interested in learning more about seminaries, or life
as a priest in the Diocese of Lansing, read Priest Vocation Stories,
a publication of the Office of Seminarians and FAITH Magazine. Priest
Vocation Stories is available at the Office of Seminarians. Call
Fr. Jerry Vincke at 517.342.2507 to get your copy today.
the kids’ closet
how Jarrett Patterson
clothes the needy in Hudson
By Bob Horning | Photography by Christine Jones
 Like
any 14-year-old, Jarrett Patterson enjoys being outside –
being with friends; playing golf, basketball and baseball. He also
cares about those around him, which is why he placed first in the
state, out of 20,000 entrants, for the Spirit of Community Awards
given by Prudential Financial. The award goes to middle- and high-school
students who have demonstrated exemplary community service. Jarrett
explains what his project has accomplished and what that has meant
for him and his community in Hudson, Mich.
One day, two years ago, my mother
was taking clothes to Adrian to give away. I asked
her why she would take them 25 miles away when there are kids right
in my own school who are in need. She said that there was no place
in Hudson to donate or receive free clothes. After discussing the
situation with my parents, they asked me what I thought I could
do about it.
A number of kids at school are dressed poorly.
Because of that, they are teased by classmates and left out. They
look sad and alone. I figured that if they could get some nice clothes,
they would have the chance to feel like everyone else.
I went to a parish council meeting at our church, Sacred
Heart, and asked for a space in the basement to open the Kids’
Closet. They said, “OK.” I spoke at
the end of Mass one weekend to explain what I wanted to do and how
others could help.
The way it works is that a teacher,
counselor, principal or social worker contacts me when they see
a student/family in need. I don’t know the
students’ names, only their size and sex. They never know
who went to the closet for them. Everything is kept secret. That
way the person isn’t embarrassed. They are just told that
Kids’ Closet is a place where kids share clothes. They are
given as many clothes as I have. They can try on and keep whatever
they like. We only accept good, gently used clothes, for infants
through high-school age.
I couldn’t have done this alone.
My parents encouraged and helped me. My friend, Molly Johnston,
helped me get started by folding clothes and helping with the containers.
People in town donated the clothes, and my superintendent offered
a room in the school board office when we moved out of the church.
My parents have always taken us to
church. Our faith is at the center of all we do.
My parents have always taught me that character is doing the right
thing even when no one is watching. I learn from them how to treat
others kindly. They have big hearts.
 I
think God inspired me to start the Kids’ Closet, and that
it wouldn’t have succeeded without him. He
knows I am trying to be a good Christian by serving others. He has
been right there for me all the time in this, and has helped me
not to give up. For the first four months I wasn’t getting
many referrals; I began to wonder if this was such a good idea after
all. But I kept writing reminder letters to the staff at school
on brightly colored paper, and when they realized I was serious,
it took off.
One reason I even thought of doing
something like this was because of what I learned while attending
Sacred Heart School, especially from the principal, Angela Johnston
[Molly’s mom]. She created a prayerful environment
throughout the day, and stressed the need to be kind, to serve and
to put others first.
Doing this makes me feel really, really great.
One time a boy came into a special needs class looking sad. He said
that he was sorry that his clothes smelled, but that his grandma
didn’t have four quarters for laundry. The social worker immediately
went and got him four sets of new clothes to try on. When she asked
if he wanted to change back into his other clothes, he said, “No,
I would like to wear my new clothes.”
If I don’t have the right clothes to fill a request, I buy
something on clearance with my allowance or yard money, or from
cash donations. I don’t mind spending my own
money – I would just waste it on toys or video games anyway.
Until February of this year, hardly anyone
knew that I was in charge of Kids’ Closet.
It was nice to be anonymous. I didn’t want to apply for the
Prudential award because then everyone would find out I was doing
it, especially if I won. But when I heard that there was a $1,000
prize, I knew that would buy a lot of clothes. Since I won, I have
been in newspapers and have even given speeches at schools and other
organizations about what I am doing. I felt awkward at first, but
am getting more comfortable with it. There are three other schools
seriously thinking about duplicating what I am doing. Donations
and referrals have also increased.
I have seen from this, that even though
I was only 12 when I started, that anyone can make a difference.
Just look around. Do you see someone in need? If you have
an idea that will help, try it. And stick with it. In my case, there
was nowhere else in town that kids could get clothes, so I needed
to step up and do something. But I haven’t done anything that
someone else surrounded by the same influences – people like
my parents and Mrs. Johnston – wouldn’t and couldn’t
do.
---
During the first weekend of May 2005, Jarrett traveled to
Washington, D.C., where he won first place nationally among the
middle-school finalists. He received $5,000 to donate to
a non-profit organization of his choice, plus $5,000. He will donate
the first $5,000 to Kids’ Closet. The other $5,000 he is giving
as mini-grants to help schools start their own Kids’ Closets.
---
Many
needy people in the Diocese of Lansing have their clothing, food
and some financial needs met by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
For more information about St. Vincent de Paul societies in your
area, contact:
• Ann Arbor: Barb Norman, 520 Elizabeth St.,
Ann Arbor, 48104
• Flint: Gene Myers or Richard Twomley, 1912
N. Franklin, Flint, 48506
• Jackson: O.J. Pierce, 1509 E. Michigan
Ave., Jackson 49202
• Lansing: Phillip Wippel or Karen Katko,
1020 S. Washington, Lansing, 48910
The annual Fr. Charles Irvin
Scholarship essay contest was established to honor Fr. Charlie,
our founding editor. FAITH has given yearly scholarships
to seniors in our Catholic high schools to promote Catholic education
and foster careers in Catholic journalism. This year, for the first
time, FAITH also offered a scholarship to a student who was an active
member of a parish youth group or religious education program.
This year’s winner from a Catholic high school was
Stephen DeWitt from Lansing Catholic Central; the parish
winner was Shannon Cregeur from St. Patrick Parish in Ann
Arbor. We present their essays on the topic, What
is the role of religion in contemporary society? We
hope our readers join us in congratulating these young writers on
their thoughtful reflections and we invite those interested in supporting
the Fr. Charles Irvin Scholarship to send donations to FAITH Magazine,
209 Seymour Ave., Lansing, MI 48933.
religion is
a diamond in society
and we are its facets
By Shannon Cregeur | Photography by Christine Jones
 Ever
since I was a little girl, every Sunday was reserved for Mass and
family time. I noticed that the people who gathered in
church with me and my family were all there for one reason or another.
We were people from different walks of life, each with our own story
to tell and hardships to manage. Even so, we still gathered together
to pray to the one Lord in whom we had all placed our faith.
I would sit there, looking around, wondering what had drawn these
people out of their beds early on a Sunday morning, when it was
acceptable in our society just to hit the snooze button and snuggle
back under the covers, forgetting to thank God for the day he blessed
us with. What was the driving force that called these people up
from idleness and brought them together to join hands as we all
said, Our Father, who art in heaven...
 For
some, I suppose it was the comfort they felt from the scent of burning
incense and the hum of the pipe organ. Or the feeling of sitting
among believers whose faith was similar to their own, knowing they
were not alone. To these people, religion is more than loving one
God with your whole heart and mind and soul. Religion is also about
having a support system, no matter how unbearable life becomes.
It is the peace of mind that comes with knowing that, however terribly
you may blunder, God will always take you back with open arms and
a loving smile. To those people in the pews, the support and comfort
of religion is much more precious that a few more hours of sleep
on Sunday morning.
Yet, to the person who listens with a diligent ear, religion
means something even more. It is here that we find the
answer to the questions of life. It is here that we learn how to
live. We live in a society where integrity and morals are thrown
out the window in order to indulge in alcohol or drugs, or to engage
in one-night stands. Although we are a nation founded “under
God,” we have become a country where such activities take
place without dishonor. A person can live by the laws of our government,
never breaking one, and be seen as a good person. But perhaps it
is more accurate to say that such a person is not necessarily good,
but only obedient.
On the other hand, a person who lives by the word of the Lord and
reads Scripture as life’s instruction manual will be filled
with dignity, virtue and uprightness. Religion can guide such a
person in the ways of the Holy Spirit.
 Sir
Thomas Browne wrote, “The religion of one seems madness unto
another.” In contemporary society, religion does
not have one role, but many – like the facets of a diamond.
Religion has many different meanings and manifests its influence
in different ways. For some, it is the family of God gathered together
that fills the hunger for love and the thirst for belonging. For
others, it is the road map to life.
A diamond is revered for the way it breaks into a flood of beautiful
color when light passes through its many facets. Each color, like
those of stained glass windows, represents a different facet of
the role of religion. Blue’s calm calls to mind feelings of
support and comfort. The glitter of white is like the stars at night
that guide a sailor through dark waters – advice and wise
counsel. The warmth of orange is the color of a setting sun at a
parish picnic, the joy of family gathered together.
Religion is a diamond in our society, and people are its facets.
religion or
New Paganism
what holds society together?
By Stephen DeWitt | Photography by Christine Jones
 Over
the centuries, religion has had a changing role throughout society.
In our earliest histories, religion and culture were nearly synonymous.
Christianity itself began as an underground revolution that eventually
held a dominant role in Western society in the Middle Ages. It was
the practice of religion that held a society together; there were
no differences between God’s law and civil law.
The role of religion in today’s society is much more
complex in many ways. Today’s society downplays and,
in many cases, condemns religious thought. Yet, the framework of
our social order is based on a system made by religious men and
women. And exploration of this undercurrent of religion reveals
a more complete vision of the role of religion in contemporary society.
The United States is now in the post-modern era, and one of the
tenets of post-modernism is subjective truth. The idea of subjectivity
undermines traditional religious concepts of absolutes. Traditionally,
religion has been the force that determines right and wrong; with
a subjective mind-set, each person decides what is right for himself.
In this construct, it is possible to have contradictory views of
truth. Writer Peter Kreeft calls this New Paganism, because it resembles
ancient religions in which worshippers can pick and choose from
a set of gods with contradictory attributes. For example, Romans
could choose to follow the warlike path of Mars or the sensual path
of Venus.
 New
Paganism is promoted throughout Hollywood’s entertainment,
largely because subjective truth fosters consumerism. If
a person believes in whatever she feels at any given moment, she
is more likely to make decisions about spending time and money on
that whim. This type of thinking encourages self-indulgence and
self-gratification. Self-gratification has, in turn, become its
own religion – New Paganism.
Due to the personal nature of New Paganism, post-modernism
has lessened the visible role of organized religion. Yet,
even as we seem to be purging ourselves of religion, America’s
past ensures that religion continues to affect social norms and
expectations. Recently, the First Amendment has been used to stamp
out religion in the public eye. But what some detractors of organized
religion forget is that the principle of the separation of church
and state was meant to protect religious freedom and the state,
not to banish religion. In saying that the government could not
declare an official religion or interfere in the free exercise of
religion, the Constitution clearly says that the government should
stay out of religious affairs. Yet, courts and legislatures around
the country have repeatedly diminished the ability of people to
promote religion publicly. This change from the original intent
to modern interpretation of the First Amendment is a shift in the
understanding of freedom: People want to be free to act as they
wish rather than be free from interference. This is a subtle, but
important, difference.
 Aside
from the First Amendment, America has many other religious roots
that are evident in everyday life. Western society is rooted
in a Judeo-Christian ethos. Law is a fundamental precept in Jewish
culture, with a strong role in daily life. In modern culture, law
still has a strong role. Look at contemporary law – it defines
some actions as right and some as wrong. When a wrong is committed,
there is a penalty. This is a reflection of religious morality.
In fact, many laws have been based almost entirely on religious
precepts, such as prohibitions against polygamy, abortion, euthanasia,
homosexual activity, contraceptives and under-age sexual activity.
Some of these laws have been repealed over recent decades. Even
a law like the speed limit can be seen to have religious roots,
because its primary purpose is the protection of life from reckless
endangerment.
Organized religion and the law both rely on people accepting some
actions as wrong and others as right. Even as American society gradually
separates itself from organized religion, religion stays with society.
Religion brings hope for the downtrodden, because nearly all forms
of religion – from Hinduism to Christianity – foster
a better world for the faithful. Religion fights subjectivism with
objective truth and provides the standard for people to make just
decisions. In the face of persecution from New Paganism, organized
religion still has a vibrant role in contemporary society.
|
