Saginaw Bishop Joseph R. Cistone (right) personally greeted the guests as they arrived Friday, April 27, for the annual Bishop’s Charity Ball at the Horizons Conference Center in Saginaw. Mark Haney/Catholic Weekly

By Mark Haney
The Catholic Weekly

SAGINAW — From start to finish, the annual Bishop’s Charity Ball was about service.

From the silent auction that funneled the proceeds to various service agencies and projects, through a mealtime video about work being done for those in need through the diocese to the giving of the Bishop Murphy Award to Edna Kujawski of St. Agatha Parish in Gagetown, the theme on Friday, April 27, was all about service.

Even the parting gift — a small box of chocolates — bore a tag with a message from Matthew’s Gospel: “And the King will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me’” — was in keeping with the theme.

The silent auction offered many items, including gift baskets from the schools of the diocese, on which guests bid to win.

Ah, but there was more. The emcee was Tom Conklin, executive director of Catholic Family Services. The prayer before the meal was given by Fr. Ron Wagner, who told about the work for the poor done by the Ezekiel Project, an ecumenical church-based group that works to fight the systemic causes of poverty and crime in Saginaw County and the city of Saginaw, of which he is a member.

There even was a song performed by the children from Blessed Sacrament Parish in Midland — sporting “A Future Full of Hope” (the parish planning process under way in the diocese) yellow t-shirts —  that highlighted that everything is possible with God.

The children of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Midland entertained the crowd with a cute song and dance.

“I deeply believe we will all be judged, as a Church and as individuals, on our concern for and support for the poor and vulnerable in our midst,” Bishop Joseph R. Cistone told the crowd gathered at the Horizons Conference Center. “Charity is not an option for those who wish to follow Jesus Christ. Concern for those in need is integral to evangelization and fundamental to what it means to be Christian. We are not just asked to give from our excess. We are called to give from what is ours in a way that allows us, in some way, to experience the need of a another.”

That was why he chose Robert and Catherine Looby to be the host couple of this year’s ball, because of the work they have done through the Catholic Federal Credit Union and volunteer work with organizations and foundations to raise funds for the needy.

“Fourteen years ago I had a heart attack,” Robert Looby told the crowd. “There is a commercial being shown on TV where an older gentleman — I guess I would now be in that category; older, not elderly — said ‘I beat the widow maker!’ I can also say that. I believe the Lord said, ‘That Looby boy, he just can’t do that much time in Purgatory. So he needs to stay alive on earth and keep volunteering. He needs all of the credits he can get.’”

His volunteering began 30 years ago, when he met teacher-principal Barb Geary.

“She taught me the meaning of the three T’s: time, talent and treasure, and the importance of each one,” he said. “She said, ‘Bobby, you need to know this.’ That is why we, as human beings and especially as Catholics, have a duty and an obligation, to help those less fortunate than ourselves. However, it should be viewed as a privilege to do so.”

Terri Grierson, head of the Office of Christian Service,  showed there are a lot of those people around.

“This video merely touches on the many good works being done,” she said. “In my work at the Office of Christian Service, I have had the privilege of meeting hundreds of unsung heroes who are dedicated and committed to serving God’s people. Men and women who go about their work largely unnoticed, and prefer it that way. I’ve been humbled by the generosity of donors whose support make this outreach possible. Often they are people who have very little themselves but are eager to share what they have with others. Most importantly, I have been touched by the stories of individuals and families in need, who come to us in faith, who lift us with their faith and their strength.”

Bishop Cistone gave Edna Kujawski of St. Agatha Parish in Gagetown the annual Bishop Murphy Award, given to a peson who, through the example of their life, fulfills Jesus’ Great Commission to promote and pass on the faith.

One of those volunteers is Kujawski, whose service roots are also deep. As young teacher in 1968, she spent 15 months teaching, without pay, in West Africa. When she retired from teaching and moved back to her native parish in Gagetown, she started the “Little Dresses” project that sews simple but colorful dresses for girls in impoverished countries around the globe. She collects cots, hats, gloves and scarves for local children, coordinates the local “Walk for Warmth,” coordinates the parish’s food pantry, has worked with the Tuscola County Homeless Coalition and puts together food baskets for those in need.  This earned her this year’s Bishop Murphy Award, an honor named for the diocese’s first bishop, Bishop William F. Murphy, and given annually since 2007 to a person who, through the example of their life, fulfills Jesus’ Great Commission to promote and pas on the faith.

In accepting the honor, Kujawski turned the spotlight on those she sees give at her parish.

“I am blessed to be surrounded by people with similar values and beliefs,” she said. “And these are the people who deserve credit for this award. Who are these people? They are the women who shop for coats given to children, who make the hats, scarves and mittens distributed to the local school and in our pantry. They are the men who come  out to help with food delivery, where one to three pickup trucks are filled to capacity. They do the loading and unloading in all kinds of weather.

“There are others at church, who load the cart and get the cases of food to the shelves and storage area. There are the women who take the inventory as it is placed on the shelves. On pantry days, there are both men and women who come to serve the people. They load the pantry shelves, they replenish items as needed, they see that the coffee is hot and ready and one lady brings a crock of soup, which the patrons especially appreciate. Stories are exchanged, recipes are offered and all done with a smile, a kind word and compassion.

“The ladies who work on the little dresses do so with such joy and love. There are those who donate supplies that are needed. On work days, a great deal of laughter is heard. The sharing of their lives takes place and many prayers are prayed for their needs.

“Those who come out on a cold winter’s morn for the Walk for Warmth, which takes place in February, are generous with their financial support as well as their time as they walk Gagetown to demonstrate their concern for those needing help in keeping their homes warm during our Michigan winters. In them one sees the Holy Spirit inspiring these people to take Jesus’ admonition to help those less fortunate brothers. In the summer months, there are those who plant more in their garden so as to be able to share their produce not only from their garden but also from their orchard. I like to do garden work and I like to work in my orchard, but by myself I could never supply enough food for all of those who come to our pantry. These members of St. Agatha are involved in this ministry have the hearts of servants because they truly understand Jesus’ teaching to care for His children and to love one another.”

Before she sat down, though, she thanked her husband, Jordan, for all of his support and help through the years.

The bishop said the night was for people like Kujawski, but more importantly for those who’ve never heard of her.

“Unfortunately, even the average Catholic is unaware of the many and varied initiatives in place at both the parish and diocesan level,” he said. “This evening we have seen a small sampling of the great work being done by the people of our diocese to promote the life, dignity and rights of the human person through collaborative outreach. I continue to be amazed at the generosity of our good people, particularly in these difficult economic times. I am grateful to all of you for your ongoing support. We are not alone in our efforts to promote the life and dignity of our neighbors. We are privileged to work with and be supported by so many wonderful organizations that are within and outside the diocese.

“Our diocese will make every effort to increase our capacity for outreach to the poor. We will work with parishes and local entities to raise awareness of the effects of poverty on individuals, families and the broader society. My friends, please know how grateful I am for the good work you do and for all those who give so generously of their time and treasure to help our neighbors in need. It is my hope that this year’s charity ball will inspire others to reach out to our brothers and sisters in need and that it will raise awareness of the many good things being done in the name of the Church in our parishes and in our local communities.

“May our efforts be a sign of our commitment to a future full of hope and may our friends in need, through our acts of charity and justice, know they are loved and not alone.”

Even the parting gift, a small box of chocolate, bore a tag citing a passage from the Gospel of Matthew about service.

Robert J. Andretz will replace retired judge Thomas E. Brennan Jr. as president. Andretz is in private practice with the Barone Defense Firm in Birmingham. He is active in the Knights of Columbus Council 11694 and is chairman of the board for the Greater Lansing Catholic Education Foundation.

Robert Andretz

Lawrence P. Nolan has been named vice president.  Laura Skriba will serve a second term as secretary. David M. Gadaleto will be the incoming treasurer. Fr. Charles E. Irwin will remain the chaplain. Brennan will serve as past president.
Appointed at-large board members were Timothy Perrone, Gary Adamo, George Elworth, Thomas Quasarano and Ronald Styka. Paul Brandenburg and Lisa Gigliotti ended their service as at-large board members.

During his tenure as president, Brennan implemented a number of significant reforms to streamline the structure and operations of the guild.

The guild organized to foster spiritual growth and fellowship among lawyers and law students; to enhance appreciation for and observance of high ethical standards in the practice of law; to promote advancements in jurisprudence and improvements in the administration of justice by working for greater harmony between human law and divine law; and to encourage attentiveness among lawyers to the weightier matters of the law — justice, mercy and faith; that their competence in secular disciplines may serve to promote human dignity and the common good.

It is open to all Catholic lawyers who live or practice in the Lansing Diocese.†

The next event is the spring luncheon on Wednesday, June 20, at the St. Mary Cathedral Parish Hall.

For more information contact Skriba at (517) 277-8200 or visit http://home.catholicweb.com/lansingcatholiclawyersguild/.

In announcing these appointments, Bishop Cistone indicated that, due to the pastoral planning process currently under way, as few changes as possible have been made so parishes may benefit from their current leaders during the planning process. A number of priests and pastoral administrators have agreed to remain in their present assignments for an additional year, even though their terms have come to an end or they are eligible for retirement. Furthermore, any assignments at this time will be temporary, contingent upon the results of the planning process.

Resignations

Fr. William Prospero, .S.J., pastor of St. Mary University Parish in Mount Pleasant.  Fr. Prospero is a member of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and will be reassigned by his provincial.

Fr. Reginaldo Daza Salcedo, from priest administrator of SS. Casimir and George Parish in Saginaw and sacramental minister to Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Bay City.  Fr. Salcedo does not possess faculties for the Diocese of Saginaw.

Fr. Jose Parra, from leave of absence to departure from active ministry.  He does not possess faculties.

Retirements

Maria Cepeda, from pastoral administrator at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Bay City and director of Hispanic Ministry. She will continue to work with and assist the Office for Hispanic Ministry for a brief transition period.

Parochial Administrators

Fr. Jose Maria Cabrera, from graduate studies in Rome to parochial administrator of SS. Casimir and George Parish in Saginaw and Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Bay City.

Fr. Denis M. Heames, from graduate studies in Rome to parochial administrator of St. Mary University Parish in Mount Pleasant.

Diocesan Offices

Fr. James W. Bessert, from chaplain of St. Francis Home in Shields and part-time ministry in the Office for Liturgy to director of the Office for Liturgy.

Fr. Jose Maria Cabrera, as vicar for Hispanic Ministry for a term of five years. He is also to serve as parochial administrator to SS. Casimir and George Parish in Saginaw and Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Bay City,.

Fr. Denis M. Heames, as adjutant judicial vicar, for a term of five years. He is also to serve as parochial administrator to St. Mary University Parish in Mount  Pleasant.

Newly Ordained

Fr. Thomas R. Held, to parochial vicar at Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Mount Pleasant. He also will assist part time in ministry to Sacred Heart Academy.

Fr. Alberto E. Vargas, to parochial vicar at SS. Casimir and George Parish in Saginaw and Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Bay City.

Sacramental Ministry

Fr. James W. Bessert, to sacramental minister at St. Mary Parish in Alma and Mount St. Joseph Parish in St. Louis.

Fr. Richard E. Jozwiak, senior priest, to sacramental minister at St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Parish in Vassar.

Chaplaincies

Fr. Thai Hung Nguyen, from sacramental minister-pro tem at St. Mary Parish in  Alma and Mount St. Joseph Parish in St. Louis to chaplain at St. Francis Home in Shields.

Renewal of Terms

The terms of the following priests and pastoral administrators have been extended for the benefit of parish planning:

Priests

Fr. Richard Bokinskie, pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Chesaning, St. Michael Parish in Oakley and St. Cyril Parish in Bannister, renewed for one year.

Fr. Andrzej Boroch, pastor of St. Elizabeth Parish in Marlette and sacramental minister at St. Michael Parish in Wilmot, renewed for one year.

Fr. John F. Cotter, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Gladwin, renewed for one year.

Fr.  James E. Falsey, pastor of St. Mark Parish in AuGres and St. Joseph Parish in Alger, renewed for one year.

Fr. James G. Heller, pastor of St. Stephen Parish in Saginaw, renewed for one year.

Fr. Edward J. Konieczka, pastor of St. Hyacinth Parish in Bay City, renewed for one year.

Fr. Thomas J. McNamara, rector of Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption Parish in Saginaw, renewed for one year.

Fr. Robert J. Meissner, pastor of St. Vincent DePaul Parish in Bay City, renewed for one year.

Fr. Joseph K. Miller, pastor of St. Mary Parish in Pinconning and sacramental minister for St. Michael Parish in Pinconning, renewed for one year.

Fr. Dale A. Orlik, pastor of St. Boniface Parish in Bay City and sacramental minister for St. Joseph Parish in Bay City, renewed for one year.

Fr. David L. Parsch, pastor of Holy Spirit Parish in Shields, renewed for one year.

Fr. John S. Sarge, pastor of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Bridgeport and Sacred Heart Parish in Birch Run, renewed for one year.

Fr. Thomas E. Sutton, pastor of St. Anthony/St. Joseph Parish in Auburn, renewed for one year.

Fr. John Weis, administrator of Holy Family Parish in Sebewaing, and St. Francis Borgia Parish in Pigeon, renewed for one year.

Pastoral Administrators

Sr. Jean Baumann, O.S.F., pastoral administrator of St. Athanasius Parish in Harrison.  In October, her appointment was renewed until June 2013
Sr. Maria Dina Puddu, M.C., parochial administrator of St. Pancratius Parish in Cass City, renewed for one year.

Deacon Aloysius Oliver, pastoral administrator of St. Mary Parish in Alma and Mount St. Joseph Parish in St. Louis, renewed for one year.

Fr. Nick Caffaro leans into a pew to point to a student who was answering his question: “What did Fr. Nick give up for Lent?”

Students at St. Michael School in Pinconning learn Polish to delight their priests

By Mark Haney
The Catholic Weekly

PINCONNING — Kathy Krzysiak and the students of St. Michael School planned a surprise for the four priests who came to celebrate Mass with them on Tuesday, April 24.

That’s right, niespodzinkę.

That’s Polish for “surprise.”

The four priests — Frs. Nick Caffaro, Jerzy Dobosz, Richard Jozwiak and Chester Pilarski — were coming to do a Polish Mass for the children and those adults who could attend. What Krzysiak planned was for the children to respond in Polish to the priests at various points in the Mass.

Deacon Stanley Kuczynski from St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish in Bay City read the Gospel in Polish and then in English.

The idea was hatched when Floyd Grocholski came to St. Michael Church in February for one of his periodic polka Masses. The well-traveled polka accordionist and Krzysiak, who plays piano at parish Masses, decided the students could learn a few Polish responses to the Mass.

But Krzysiak, who is not Polish — she grew up in California and had no exposure to Polish culture before meeting her husband — needed some help. She turned to Deacon Stanley Kuczynski from St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish in Bay City to help. He wasn’t available, but he sent along Dorothy Gerold, who made several visits to the school to teach the children.

“The children,” Krzysiak said, “are spot on.”

Eighth graders Vicki Wise and Meredith Grusnick were cantors for the Polish Mass at St. Michael School.

Enthusiasm for the project grew to the point where seventh and eighth graders were coming forward to volunteer to learn more Polish just for the Mass.

“For the kids to get into it that much,” Krzysiak said, “almost never happens.”

One reason for that enthusiasm may be the role those four priests play in the parish. They each have served as sacramental minister for St. Michael Parish and School, which has no pastor.

“They are really our children’s sacramental ministers,” she said. “So this is a gift back from the children for all they have done for our parish and for the children.”

Krzysiak got additional help from the classroom teachers, who helped with the language instruction.

“The teachers have been working with kids in the classroom too,” she said. “I had to write the words out phonetically so they could work with them. It has just been a real team effort.”

The students were pledged to keep the plan a secret so the priests wouldn’t find out. They were so good at keeping the secret that they didn’t even tell their parents, until Krzysiak found out and told them telling family was okay.

Eighth graders Vicki Wise and Meredith Grusnick, who served as cantors, also learned to sing a little Polish.

“Dorothy Gerold said the two girls are just perfect,” Krzysiak said. “She can’t believe how good they are.”

Wyatt Osier, 7, helped his mother, Michelle Osier, sing a hymn from the printed song sheet.

The surprise was effective. It spurred Fr. Caffaro to speak about his Polish heritage during the homily.

“What did Fr. Nick give up for Lent?” he asked the children.

One answers, “candy.” Another answers “beer.” Yet another answers, “cooking” —

“Because you know I like to cook.”

Yet another answered, “pop.”

None were correct. After several more wrong answers, he turned to Grocholski.

“Mr. Grocholski, what did Fr. Nick give up for Lent?”

“Polkas.”

He gave them up for Lent, he said, because he likes them, he’s Polish and because they are fun.

His Sundays, when he was a youngster, meant getting up early to serve at Mass at SS. Peter and Paul Church in Brownsville Heights, Ohio. It was there, through the priests, that he learned the Polish language.

“When I was very young, we had a Polish Mass every day,” he said. “I learned Polish through prayer. It is not very easy.”

He learned, he said, by hearing the prayers and then reading the words.

He would return home from Mass to find his mother in the kitchen, making dinner and listening to polkas. He often found her dancing around the kitchen to the music coming from the radio.

Polka music, he told the children, is not Polish. Rather it is an American creation, formed when immigrants like the Poles, Slovaks, etc., combined their traditional folk music with the new beats and music they heard in their new homeland.

The faith, he said, is like the Polish language and polka music, something handed down from generation to generation.

“Boys and girls,” he said, “that faith was the greatest gift I could ever receive. Now we are giving it to you.”

At the end of the Mass, before he dismissed the children, he turned to the adults in attendance.

“One of the things I am going to view you is homework,” he said. “You guys don’t have to do homework but the adults do. Do you like that?”

The children roared in approval.

“I am charging each and every one of you to dedicate a rosary each and every day for these kids,” he said. “If this is important to you then make it important to them to give them a culture of faith. These kids need that stability. They definitely need an example of what Christianity looks like, what Catholicism is like.

“I ask you to pray for these kids at St. Michael; and for those at St. Anne (in Linwood), and for all of the children of the diocese that through them we might have more vocations.”

Still, kindergartner Kinsie Jacques could not stifle a yawn during the Mass.

The top 10 essays competed against more than 5,000 other students from more than 400 Michigan junior high and middle schools to win their top positions.

Nate Brickner

As the winner at St. Gerard School, Brickner’s essay advanced to the state-level competition. As one of the state’s top 10, he also will receive a plaque, a medallion and a cash award of $1,000 at an awards banquet in Lansing in May.  He also will attend a Lansing Lugnuts game and a riverboat luncheon aboard the Michigan Princess. Both Ruth Johnson, the secretary of state, and Brian Calley, the lieutenant governor, will be a part of the day.

The essay contest asked Michigan youth to explore their roles in America’s future while focusing on one Michigan hero, someone they know personally who has encouraged them and inspired them to live better and achieve more.

Here is what Brickner wrote:

LETTERS FOR COLLIN

Dear Collin:
You may not read this because I won’t show it to you unless I do exceptionally well. We have to write an essay at school for a contest. If I get tops in my class, it will get sent in to the statewide judges. I really hope it does so I can show you something as phenomenal as what you always did in school. Anyways, we have to write this essay about our personal Michigan hero. I’m writing about you because you are the one who has inspired me to do everything I can to the best of my ability. I try my hardest to do great because I dream of one day being as talented as you are. I’m procrastinating on this assignment again, sort of like you used to do. I seem to have picked up on that bad habit of yours. I’ll get back to you with the rest of it.
Your brother, Nate

Dear Collin:
I’ve never really told you this, but you mean the world to me. Other people may not look at you as a hero. They will look at you and see only a smart kid who is athletic. That’s their opinion. Not to say that you aren’t, but you are much more than that to me. For me, you’ve been my inspiration ever since I could walk and talk. Every time you brought home straight A’s or made the game-winning play, it encouraged me to do the same thing, or something even greater. But that’s not all you’ve done for me. You’ve been like a teacher and a coach and are always there when I need advice about anything. But most of all, you’re there. You’ve always been there for me, even through the hardest times. That is the main reason that you are my hero.
Your greatest fan, Nate

Dear Collin:
Next year, you will be going off to college at Central Michigan University. Since we are four  years apart in age, I will be moving on to high school at the same time that you are moving on to college. I will be going to Grand Ledge High School, the same school that you attended this year.  It’s going to be strange walking the same halls that you did, especially since you won’t be home very often anymore. But in a way, you will be here with me. You have a special place in my heart that can never go away. It will be very difficult getting used to a new life with you not here every day. But, I’ll do okay. I’ll get through it because you taught me to be strong despite the hardships and to always take on new challenges. Like, when you transferred high schools after your sophomore year. You showed courage through the whole time you were getting used to a new place. Because of that, you have given me the same courage and confidence that I’ll need to get through this transition. I hope you come and visit often, because, honestly, I’m going to miss you buddy. You’re the greatest brother a person could ever have asked for. You’re like a best friend to me.

Your little brother, Nate

Dear Collin:
You are my hero. You always have been. You always will be.
Love,
your little brother, Nate

By Jeff Wack
Special to The Catholic Times

PINCKNEY — Throughout the decades, Margaret Torongo says her students have kept her young at heart.

The kindergarten teacher has worked at St. Mary School in Pinckney for the past 27 years, joining the newly reopened school in 1985. She’ll be retiring at the end of the school year.

Margaret Torongo

After finishing her post graduate degree at the University of California-Riverside and Eastern Michigan University, Torongo was hired to teach fourth grade at Shrine of the Little Flower in Royal Oak.

“I was hired by Sr. Patricia Marie, who had been principal there when I was in school,” said Torongo. “At the time I was relieved that Sr. Marie did not remember making me wear a red crepe paper tie in seventh grade when I’d forgotten my uniform tie.”

A family move to Unadilla landed Torongo at St. Joseph School in Howell, where she taught fourth and fifth grades before taking time off to raise her children.

During her years at St. Mary, Torongo has just about seen it all.

“I couldn’t have been happier when in 1987 someone decided to remove the orange shag carpeting from the school hallways in the old building,” Torongo said. “They also painted over the orange walls in the classrooms. That was definitely school improvement.”

In 2006, Torongo was asked by then-Principal Suzanne Cowdrey to lead the school’s environmental stewardship program. In it she saw an opportunity to have the children experience stewardship by learning to take care of God’s gifts. St. Mary was the first Catholic school in Michigan to state certify as a “green” school. The program now includes a community garden, composting stations and community paper recycling which reached 14 tons of paper recycled this year.

Torongo will miss many things about St. Mary, especially her co-workers, the children (she’s taught more than 400 of them) and their families.

“I’ve come to know many families over the past 27 years,” she said. “Working in a grade K-8 school, you really get to know families and you stay in touch long after the children have left your class. Kindergartners are a special gift because they remind you on a daily basis to live in the present. They don’t worry about yesterday and are not concerned about tomorrow. They also tell the best stories.”

St. Mary parent Kristin Myher is reflective about Torongo’s constant presence in the lives of both the students and parents of St. Mary School.

“From the ever-important role of being the first teacher experience for many students (and parents), to her efforts in establishing St. Mary as one of Michigan’s leaders in the Green School process, that wise and reliable presence will truly be missed,” she said. “Margaret is leaving some big shoes to fill here at St. Mary, but we are excited to wish her a very blessed and joyful retirement.”

Principal Veronica Kinsey expressed gratitude for Torongo’s service to St. Mary.

“Margaret has been a wonderful teacher, a friend and a big part of the success of the school over the years,” she said. “She’ll be greatly missed by the many people whose lives she’s touched.”

After the school year, Torongo will have more time to pursue her genealogy hobby and visit some of the ancestral places she’s learned about. She’ll also be able to enjoy the company of her newly retired husband, Tom, her children and nine grandchildren. She plans to take her own grandkids on some of the field trips she’s led her kindergarten classes on for years.

Charles Collins

In May of 2004 he became a candidate for the Secular Order of Franciscans and after 18 months of formation made his profession becoming a member of Our Lady of Carmel Fraternity in Lewiston, Michigan. .
On January 2, 2010, Collins and his mother took home the Vocations Prayer Chalice from St. Mary Cathedral that he began to reconsider his call to priesthood. That same day, a couple asked him if he had considered going back and finishing his seminary studies, “which was exactly the reason I had signed up to take the Chalice, though I figured the Diocese would not even consider me because of my age,” Collins said. That discussion led to meetings with Fr. James Bearss, the parish priest ,as well as Fr. Don Geyman, the Vocations Director and Bishop Hebda. He was accepted to Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners, Wisconsin that fall.
Collins credits Bishop Hebda and Vocations Consultant Dr. John Olesnavage in guiding him in his discernment process which has led him to this point in his life. “They have helped me in my self- confidence and to accept myself as God made me. God makes us all different for a purpose and if we allow Him, He will make that purpose fruitful.” Collins said. “I have learned to put everything into the Lord’s hands and trust that He will lead me in the direction He wants me to serve Him.”
Bryan William Medlin was born on May 19, 1980 in Wyandotte, Michigan, to Daniel and Debra Medlin.Early in life Medlin felt that his calling was to the priesthood and was accepted by Sacred Heart Major Seminary in 1998, at the age of 17. Realizing that he was too young and not quite ready, Medlin left seminary one week after he arrived and enrolled in Henry Ford Community College in Dearborn. He went on to earn a bachelor of arts degree in history from the University of Michigan-Dearborn.

Bryan Medlin

Though a native of southern Michigan, Medlin’s discernment process led him to the Diocese of Gaylord, an area where he had spent time hiking, hunting, and fishing. He enrolled at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit where he completed his bachelors of philosophy in 2008 and in the fall of 2009 Medlin began his theological studies at Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio.
Medlin says his roots in the Catholic Church give him strength and comfort. Before moving to Columbus, he served as Chairman of the Worship Commission at St. Joseph Parish in Trenton and as a volunteer chaplain at Oakwood Southshore Medical Center also in Trenton. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, bike riding and playing the piano.
In the summer of 2010 Medlin received a scholarship to participate in The Rome Experience, an intensive six week program in the Eternal City including lectures, coursework and cultural formation for a select group of young men preparing for the priesthood each year.
“I was able to see the tombs of people like Pope John XXII, St. Monica, St. Catherine of Siena, and so many more,” Medlinexplained. “My favorite part was going into the catacombs where the early church praised the Lord in the midst of their persecution. I was in awe over all that I saw and am humbled to have walked where the saints of the past and present trod.”
As he prepares for his ordination to the diaconate, the next step in his priestly formation, Medlin said, “My life experiences have made me a better human being and formed my conscience. I love the Church and I look forward to the day I can serve the people of God as a priest.”
On the eve of the Ordination, seminarians of the Diocese of Gaylord will lead a Vespers Service in thanksgiving to God for the gift of Chet and Medlin as well as to pray for vocations. It will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 27, at St. Thomas of Aquinas Church in Elmira.
The ordination will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 28, at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Gaylord. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall.
Everyone is invited to celebrate this special occasion.†

A special Vespers celebration was held this month honoring five diocesan priests who were named Prelates of Honor by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI in December, 2011. Before the liturgy, the new monsignors gathered for a photo. Shown left to right are Msgr. Raymond C. Mulka, Msgr. Francis J. Murphy, Msgr. James A. Suchocki, Bishop Bernard A. Hebda, Msgr. Edwin A. Thome and Msgr. James L. Brucksch. Each of the men has served as Vicar General during the 40 year history of the diocese.

GAYLORD — On Sunday, April 15, a special Vespers service was held at St. Mary Cathedral in Gaylord in celebration of six priests of the Diocese of Gaylord receiving Papal Honors by Pope Benedict XVI. Fr. James A. Suchocki, Fr. Raymond C. Mulka, Fr. James L. Brucksch, Fr. Edwin A. Thome and Fr. Francis J. Murphy, who have each served as Vicar General of the Diocese of Gaylord, were named Prelates of Honor of His Holiness on December 23, 2011. In March of 2011, Fr. Daniel B. Gallagher was appointed a Chaplain of His Holiness by the Holy Father in the course of his fourth year of service at the Holy See working in the English and Latin Sections of the Secretariat of State. The recognition for each of the six priests carries with it the honorary title of “Monsignor.”
Papal honors had not been conferred on a priest of the Diocese of Gaylord since 1987 when the late Monsignor David Gemeund was named Domestic Prelate.
“I was thrilled to receive notice of the Holy Father’s decision to recognize these very worthy sons of the diocese who, like so many of their brother priests, have served the Church so faithfully over the years,” Bishop Hebda said. “That the honors were conferred within the year of our diocese’s 40th anniversary makes them all the more significant and is one of the ways in which the Holy Father was able to express his closeness to us in our Jubilee year. In this gesture, Pope Benedict also affirms that we are always in union with him, tied into the very heart of the Church and to the gift of Apostolic Succession that takes us all the way back to St. Peter and to Christ.”
Referring to the new monsignors seated in the sanctuary, Bishop Hebda noted “these five men have all had the particular honor of serving as the Vicar General of the Diocese at one time or another over these past 40 years. It’s a very, very difficult job as they are called to be the voice of the Bishop and to be the instrument of the Bishop in not only dealing with the Church and the priests, but also with some of the problems that come to the Bishop. These five men had always managed to do it with great grace, they managed to do it with great love, and with great Christian charity,” he said.
“Each of these men, along with Msgr. Gallagher and the other priests of the diocese, have given their lives in service to the Church. As we honor these men in particularly for their accomplishments, the Holy Father also honors all of the good priestly work that has been done in collaboration with the bishops over the history of the Diocese of Gaylord,” Bishop Hebda concluded.
The formal celebration of the occasion was delayed until now so that family members of the honorees, and parishioners who spend their winters in warmer climates, might be able to attend. All of the of the new monsignors were present for the event with the exception of Msgr. Daniel Gallagher who was unable to make the trip due to responsibilities in Rome. At the conclusion of Vespers, Bishop Hebda presented each of the five new Prelates of Honor with diplomas from the Holy Father.
A dinner reception followed in the parish hall.†

Biographies
n Msgr. James Alex Suchocki (age 75) was born May 1, 1936 in Saginaw, MI. He was ordained on Dec. 19, 1962 in Rome by the Most Reverend Martin J. O’Connor, the rector of the North American College.
He served as assistant pastor for St. Mary Cathedral in Saginaw before becoming a teacher and spiritual director for St. Paul Seminary. He was appointed the pastor of St. Joseph Parish in West Branch in 1970. In 1972 he also became the deacon director and vocation director. He was then appointed pastor for St. Joseph Parish in Manistee. In Oct. 1978 he was pastor in residence at the North American College in Rome until May 31, 1979. In July 1980 he became rector and pastor of St. Mary Cathedral in Gaylord as well as pastor of Holy Redeemer Parish in Vanderbilt. On Aug. 21, 1981 he was appointed temporary vicar general, Sede Vacante. In Aug. 1984 he also became pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Elmira in addition to the Gaylord and Vanderbilt parishes.
On Aug. 6, 1987 he was appointed vicar general and served in that capacity until Aug. 30, 1989 when the Most Reverend Robert J. Rose was transferred from the Diocese of Gaylord.
Msgr. Suchocki also served as pastor for the parishes of Immaculate Heart of Mary in Tawas City, St. Pius X in Hale and St. James in Whittemore and sacramental minister, then administrator for St. Joseph Parish in East Tawas, as well as administrator, then pastor for St. Francis Xavier Parish in Petoskey and St. Francis Solanus Parish in Bay Shore. During his priestly ministry he also served the Church as a vicar, consultor and confessor for the Sacramentine Sisters.
He went on medical leave on July 1, 2001 and retired to senior priest status in 2004. He presently resides in the Archdiocese of Miami.
n Msgr. Raymond Clement Mulka (age 88) was born April 11, 1924 in Rogers City, MI. He was ordained on June 11, 1949 at St. Mary Cathedral in Saginaw by the Most Reverend Allen Babcock.
He served as assistant pastor at St. Andrew Parish in Saginaw and St. Stanislaus Parish in Bay City before becoming pastor for St. Anne Parish in Harrisville. He also served as pastor for the parishes of St. Mary in Alpena, St. Francis in Traverse City, St. Joseph in Mapleton and St. Casimir in Posen as well as administrator for St. Dominic Parish in Metz. He retired from active ministry in Aug. 1989 due to disability.
He was appointed as vicar general on Oct. 11, 1990 for a three-year term. After this he continued to serve the Church as a vicar, consultor, sacramental minister and member of the presbyteral council and priests’ retirement fund board.
He presently resides in Alpena, Michigan.
n Msgr. James Lawrence Brucksch (age 68) was born May 27, 1943 in Saginaw, MI. He was ordained on June 7, 1969 at St. Mary Cathedral in Saginaw by the Most Reverend Francis F. Reh.
He served as assistant pastor for St. Anne Parish in Alpena and St. Francis Parish in Traverse City before becoming pastor for St. Dominic Parish in Metz. Other parishes he served as pastor include St. Anthony in Mancelona, St. Luke in Bellaire, Our Lady of the Lake in Prudenville, St. Helen in St. Helen, Sacred Heart of Jesus in Oscoda, St. Anne in Harrisville and St. Raphael in Mikado.
On Nov. 1, 1993 he was appointed as vicar general for a three-year term. Msgr. Brucksch also served the Church over the years as secretary of the liturgical commission, director of liturgy, vicar, member of the presbyteral council, college of consultors and priests’ retirement fund board and on the pastoral advisory committee for The Catholic Weekly.
He retired from active ministry in July 2008 but continues to assist the priests in his area.
n Msgr. Edwin Anthony Thome (age 84) was born March 2, 1928 in Grand Rapids, MI. He was ordained on June 5, 1954 at St. Andrew Cathedral in Grand Rapids by the Most Reverend Allen J. Babcock.
He was assistant at St. Francis de Sales Parish in Holland and also in charge of the Mexican Apostolate in the Holland area. He became pastor of the parishes of St. Margaret Mary in Edmore, St. Bernadette of Lourdes in Stanton and St. Francis de Sales in Lakeview. He has also served as pastor for the parishes of Immaculate Conception in Traverse City, St. Ann in Cadillac and Christ the King in Acme and is currently the pastor of St. Joseph in Traverse City.
He was appointed as vicar general on Jan. 1, 1998 for a three-year term that was extended until Sept.1, 2001.
During his priestly ministry he has also served as a regional vicar, consultor, director of priestly life, director of priestly vocations, member of the priests’ retirement fund board, presbyteral council and finance council.
Msgr. Thome currently serves as pastor for St. Joseph Parish in Mapleton.
n Msgr. Francis John Murphy (age 71) was born Sept. 15, 1940 in Grand Rapids, MI. He was ordained on June 4, 1966 at St. Andrew Cathedral in Grand Rapids by the Most Reverend Allen J. Babcock.
His first summer he was assigned to the Mexican Apostolate, working where needed and then became assistant for St. Francis de Sales Parish in Holland. He served as associate pastor for Immaculate Conception Parish in Traverse City before becoming pastor at St. Mary of Hannah Parish and the Mission at Karlin. He also served as pastor for the parishes of St. Joseph in East Tawas, St. James in Whittemore, St. Patrick in Traverse City, rector of St. Mary Cathedral in Gaylord, pastor of Holy Redeemer in Vanderbilt and St. Thomas Aquinas in Elmira, and is currently the pastor of St. Ann in Cadillac, St. Edward in Harrietta, St. Stephen in Lake City and St. Theresa in Manton.
He has also served as a Knights of Columbus chaplain, spiritual director for the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, director of the department of priestly life board, vicar and member of the presbyteral council and consultors.
He was appointed as vicar general by the Most Reverend Patrick R. Cooney on Sept. 1, 2001 for a three-year term, which was renewed on Sept. 1, 2004 for six years. After the retirement of Bishop Cooney, he was re-appointed as vicar general on Dec. 4, 2009 by the Most Reverend Bernard A. Hebda for a three-year term.
Msgr. Murphy continues to serve as vicar general and as pastor to four parishes.
n Msgr. Daniel Bernard Gallagher (age 42) Msgr. Gallagher was born January 5, 1970 in Pittsburgh, Pa. He was ordained on July 17, 1999 at St. Mary Cathedral by the Most Reverend Patrick R. Cooney.
He served as associate pastor for St. Ann Parish and as associate in the diocesan secretariat for faith formation of children and youth. In 2002, after completing a master’s degree in education administration from the University of Michigan, Msgr. Gallagher was appointed the director of the secretariat for faith formation of children and youth and sacramental minister for the parishes of St. Anthony of Padua in Mackinaw City, St. Luke in Bellaire, and St. Joseph in East Jordan. In July of 2004, Msgr. Gallagher was granted a 5-year leave to serve at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit as assistant director of pastoral formation for seminarians in graduate theology, associate professor of theology and philosophy and an instructor in Latin. Just three years later, the Holy See requested the service of Msgr. Gallagher and he was appointed to serve at the Vatican in the English section of the Secretariat of State. In April of 2010, Msgr. Gallagher was transferred to work full time in the Latin Section of the Secretariat of State at the Vatican.
Msgr. Gallagher continues his work for the good of the whole Church through his ministry in Rome.†

Lansing Bishop Earl Boyea addresses his fellow priests during his homily at the Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday, April 5, at St. Mary Cathedral.

By Mark Haney
The Catholic Times

LANSING — On the day when he gave each parish a copy of his first pastoral letter, “Go and Announce the Gospel of the Lord,” Bishop Earl Boyea got to speak of many issues addressed in the letter in a homily aimed at the priests of the Diocese of Lansing.

And yet the homily he gave at the Holy Thursday, April 5, Chrism Mass also spoke to the many lay leaders, pastoral administrators and parish representatives who fill St. Mary Cathedral for the service.

He wasted no time getting to the point.

“Ultimately,” he said,  “we are to provide occasions for our whole community, especially those who do not know Jesus, to witness us living the Catholic faith and thus be drawn to the Lord. Blessed John Paul and Pope Benedict have called these the elements of the new evangelization. Yet, the newness is not the task itself. That task was proclaimed by the prophet Isaiah, realized in Jesus Christ and continues to the this day. And yet there is something new for our time. There is a new culture that we face. There are new evangelists. And there are new ways to evangelize.”

There also are new challenges in evangelization.

“First, what is new is that today we find ourselves in a culture which is fundamentally agnostic, if not atheistic,” he said. “ I do not mean this in a theoretical sense or a philosophical sense, but what I mean is practically speaking, most of our society — and dare I say even many of our Catholics — live their daily lives as if God does not exist or, at least, that is doesn’t matter that He exists.”

One thing missing today, he added, is the fervor shown by the saints.

“Let us be clear,” he said. “This fervor does not result from mere altruism. Rather, it is the love of Christ which impels them. This is what I mean. We do not find any today who are actually impelled by the love of Christ.”

It is up to the priests, he said, to be examples of a person impelled by the love of Christ.

“With fervor and impelled by that love, we will be models such that every Christian, seeing and hearing us, will know his or her own grounding in that same love,” he said. “And thus the Catechism instructs us: It is from God’s love for all men that the Church, in every age, receives both the obligation and the vigor of a missionary. For the love of Christ urges us on.

“Manifest the fervor of Christ rather than any fervor for comfort or recompense. Be impelled by the love of Christ, rather than by the need for attention. Christ does matter. Our cry, manifest both in our lives and in our words, to our society must be ‘Awake, O Sleeper! Arise from the dead and Christ will give you life.’”

Evangelization today also requires a Church-wide effort, the bishop said.

“If we are to build up our community of faith, if we are to bring back the lost sheep, if we are to be a light to the nations, we know, my brothers, that we as pastors of our local flocks cannot accomplish this task,” he said. “This work of God is bigger than us. The task given by us before He left this earth is also meant for all of the laity and for consecrated men and women to carry out. Everyone must be a missionary. Everyone must be an evangelizer. Everyone must be a saint.

“However, we do not give the charge to the people we serve and then wash our hands of the task. No, we must assist Christ as He equips the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the Body of Christ. Our first step is to call them, as well as calling ourselves, to penance and to renewal, to the narrow ways of the Cross, Our people are best equipped to spend their fervor when they know it is a share in the Cross of Jesus. We also equip them when we teach them patience, that the work we do is to plant seeds, to be leaven, to be light, to be the voices crying in the wilderness, all the while realizing it is God alone who gives the increase. We also equip them how to value the good that is in this world, to treasure what is true and beautiful, so they will be able then to show that Christ is the answer to all of the longings of the human heart.”

At the Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday, April 5, at St. Mary Cathedral in Lansing, Bishop Earl Boyea was given a plaque, honoring the “Boyea Boys,” Diocese of Lansing seminarians, for taking first place in the relay for colleges and universities at the 2010 Detroit Free Press Marathon relay. Mark Haney

He also told those gathered in the cathedral that this new evangelization will need a new boldness that has been lacking in the faith.

“As the Second Vatican Council noted, the true apostle is on the lookout for occasions for announcing Christ by word either to unbelievers or to the faithful,” he said. “If Christ knocks on doors and awaits their opening, then we, too, must knock on doors. If Christ showed Himself in the public square, then we must show ourselves in the public square. If Christ took the taunts of the crowd and still proclaimed the message of His Father, then we, my brothers, must withstand patiently the opposition of this world and yet faithfully, with fervor, announce the good news. We also need the great gift of knowledge. Our people need to be better informed about the faith. And, let’s face it, one of the prime times for us to do this is in the homily. While fully being faithful to the reading of the day, we need to a little extra work to bring an element of catechesis to all that we do. The world yearns for truth. Christ is the truth. Let us make that connection and help our people to make that connection between Christ and the deep truth of all reality.”

Finally, the bishop urged his fellow priests, and all those in attendance, to pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit so that all might use all of their gifts to further the work of the Church and Jesus Christ.

“We, my brothers,” he said, “are responsible for building a band of disciples, a house of spiritual flames meant to set the world on fire, and a community of love which craves — craves! — to announce the Gospel of the Lord.