1. No category

Find Us
On The Web
www.cdom.org
• Obituaries
• Lectionary
• Calendar
a digital Publication of the Diocese of Memphis
Volume 1 • Number 1 • week ending september 6, 2013
Reverend Ernie DeBlasio joins Catholic
Charities of West Tennessee Board of
Directors
Catholic Charities of West Tennessee (CCWTN) today
announced that Reverend Ernie DeBlasio, Pastor of
the Catholic Church of the Resurrection in the Hickory
Hill area of southeast Memphis, has joined its Board
of Directors effective immediately.
Fr. DeBlasio was raised in Chicago and moved
to Memphis in 1982. He earned a Master’s Degree
in Theology at Saint Mary’s Seminary and University
Fr. Ernie DeBlasio
in Baltimore, Maryland. Fr. DeBlasio serves as a
member of both the Presbyteral Council and Board of Consulters for the
Catholic Diocese of Memphis. He has served as pastor of the Church of
the Resurrection since 2000.
Commenting on the addition of Fr. DeBlasio to the Board, Michael D.
Allen, President / CEO of Catholic Charities of West Tennessee said, “We
welcome Fr. DeBlasio to our Board and are grateful for his acceptance of
our invitation. Fr. Ernie brings a fresh perspective to our group, along with
a broad based understanding of the needs of our diocese. His ministry
experience in the Hickory Hill community where CCWTN has been
expanding its presence, will be very helpful to our future initiatives”.
quick links
Food for the Journey
Youth ministers and catechists from the diocese attended the annual
“Food for the Journey” retreat and in-service on Aug. 23-24 at St. Louis
Church. Pictured are some of the participants, (l/r) Stephanie Schweitzer
(OLPH), Marisol Guerrero (Sacred Heart, Memphis), Jose Magana
(Sacred Heart, Memphis), Elizabeth Guerrero (Sacred Heart, Memphis),
Dr. Scott Beebe, a presenter during the retreat, Stacy Freed (St. Jude,
Martin), John Owens (Immaculate Conception, Memphis), Wendy Gabb
(Holy Spirit), Paul Walker (St. Louis) and Maggie O’Neill (Immaculate
Conception, Memphis). (Photo by Dianne Dolan)
Red Mass to be celebrated at St. Peter
The Twentythird Annual
Red Mass will
be celebrated
at St. Peter
Church,
located at
190 Adams
Av e n u e i n
downtown
Memphis on Friday, September
27, 2013, at 12 noon. The Red
Mass is sponsored by the St.
Thomas More Catholic Lawyers’
Guild of West Tennessee, Inc.,
which was reconstituted in 1990
under the direction of Archbishop
Daniel Beuchlein, OSB, the Bishop
of Memphis, and has been in
continuous existence and service
since that time.
The Liturgy will be celebrated
by J. Terry Steib, S.V.D., D.D.,
Bishop of Memphis in Tennessee,
and Fr. Robert Marshall will serve
as homilist. The Mass will be
concelebrated by priests of the
Diocese of Memphis. Father
Robert Szczechura will serve as
Master of Ceremonies.
The tradition of the Red Mass
can be traced back many centuries
in Rome, Paris, and London. The
ceremony has also officially opened
the judicial year of the Sacred
Roman Rota, the
tribunal of the Holy
See. In the United
States, the tradition
began in 1928
and continues in
several cities to this
day, most notably
in the Cathedral
of St. Matthew
in Washington, D.C., where
Supreme Court Justices and other
government officials are regularly
in attendance. The majority of the
Supreme Court Justices, including
the Chief Justice, is Catholic. The
Red Mass is celebrated to invoke
the blessings of the Holy Spirit upon
public officials, judges, and lawyers
of all faiths at the commencement
of the judicial year.
In connection with the Red Mass,
each of the Catholic high schools
in the Diocese
of Memphis
and Christian
B r o t h e r s
University have
been invited to
send students to
attend the Red
Mass as well as a
special program
before the Mass designed just
for them. Students will hear
presentations on financial literacy
and the rule of law. The Honorable
John T. Fowlkes, Jr. United States
District Judge for the Western
District of Tennessee, will be the
presenter. Prior to becoming a
District Judge, Judge Fowlkes
served as Judge for the Shelby
County Criminal Court, Chief
Administrative Officer of Shelby
County, Assistant United States
Attorney, Assistant District Attorney
General, and Assistant Public
Defender for Shelby County.
The Mass will be followed by a
reception for those in attendance.
Contact Sandy Beck, Judicial
Assistant to Judge Jennie D. Latta,
at (901) 328-3542 or sandy_
[email protected], for more
information or to respond.
- The West Tennessee Catholic
Week Ending September 6, 2013
St. AnnE-School benefit auction
St. Benedict Celebrates All-School Mass
Everyone is invited to the St. AnnE-School Benefit Auction on
Saturday, October 12, 5:30 – 9 p.m. in St. Sebastian Hall. Tickets
are $25 in advance or can be purchased for $30 at the door. This
fun-filled evening will offer a delicious homemade dinner, beverages
and both live and silent auctions. Auction items include fine wines,
collectibles, sports memorabilia, jewelry, home accessories and gift
certificates. TV personality Joe Birch will be the auctioneer. Music will
be provided by Earl Randle. The funds raised will support the children
of St. AnnE-School through the University District Scholarship Fund.
St. Anne School has provided quality education to the community for
over 75 years and continues to provide innovative education through
its affiliation with the University of Memphis. The E-School label
acknowledges that Electronic technology is an integral part of the
school. Call 901-323-3817 for more information.
Celebrating 25 years as a Catholic School of the Diocese of Memphis,
Fr. Dexter Noblefranca (St. Ann) and Fr. Patrick Hirtz (OLPH), who
each gave up his day off, concelebrated the first All-School Mass of
the year for SBA students & faculty. As tradition has it, Honor Council
members were inducted and Miraculous Medals for Fall Athletes were
blessed and distributed. The spiritual aspect of the school in worship
and prayer are what makes SBA unique and is the fundamental basis
of this Diocesan School.
Allan Travers: The
Priest who Pitched
By Jay Gauthreaux
Chances are you never heard
of Allan Travers from Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania. Born
On May 7, 1882, Travers was
a twenty year old seminary student
at St. Joseph College, who stepped
into the baseball record book on
May 18th, 1912 as a member of the
Detroit Tigers. What’s so unusual
about this? Permit me to explain.
A few days’ previous, at New York, Tigers’ star Ty Cobb had been
kicked out of a game with the Yankees for fighting with a fan who
insulted his character. Cobb was fined and suspended. Hearing of
Cobb’s suspension, upon their arrival in Philadelphia, the Tigers refused
to suit up unless Cobb’s suspension was lifted. Given an ultimatum of
fielding a team, or risk fine and forfeiture of franchise by the League
President, Hugh Jennings, manager of Detroit, rushed to put makeshift
team together after hearing his team refusing to suit up. Jennings found
Allan Travers on the corner of 23rd and Columbus.
Travers really didn’t have any experience in baseball, other than being
the assistant manager of the St, Joseph baseball team. But pitching and
batting cleanup, Travers gave it the old College try. The new “Tigers” gave
up 24 runs, on twenty six hits. Fourteen of those runs were earned and
credited to Mr. Travers. Those 24 runs established a American league
record that still stands today.
Travers struck out one and walked seven Philadelphia batters in
pitching a complete game. He went 0-3 as the Philadelphia Athletics
defeated the new “Tigers”, 24-2. Travers’ career was rather brief, one
game, as the real Tigers came back the next day. Travers did received
$50.00 for his efforts and press in the next days’ papers as “The Man
who saved a Franchise”. Travers returned to his studies rather sheepishly
after his major league debut. He never volunteered to tell his story, unless
was asked to. He was ordained Reverend Aloysius Stanislaus Travers, S.J.
(Society of Jesus), in 1926. He taught at St. Francis Xavier High School
in New York. In 1943, he joined the faculty at St. Joseph Preparatory
School teaching Spanish and Religion until his death in April of 1968. He
remains today as the only priest to pitched a major league ballgame.
Fr. Dexter Noblefranca (St. Ann) and Fr. Patrick Hirtz (OLPH)
Ave Maria
HomeCare Services
Compassionate Care So You Can Stay at Home
Serving Seniors.
Enriching Lives.
• Companionship
• Bathing / Dressing
• Respite / 24-Hour Care
• Housekeeping / Laundry
• Meal Preparation / Medication Assistance • Transportation / Shopping
HomeCare Services participates in the
TNCare Choices Program.
For more information contact Vicki Woods,
(901) 386-3211, or visit our web site
www.avemariahome.org.
2805 Charles Bryan Road
Bartlett, TN 38134
(901) 386-3211
We do not discriminate in regard to race, creed, sex, religion or national origin.
The West Tennessee Catholic - Week Ending September 6, 2013
Hope Before Us: From an ICE Raid to
Reconciliation
By Sister Mary McCauley
Lessons
learned at the
Postville, Iowa,
Immigration
Raid in 2008
stand vividly
in my mind
Sr Mary McCauley as our nation
considers
comprehensive immigration
reform.
Hundreds of memories flood
my mind and heart. Recollections
of people from Postville and
surrounding communities arriving
to offer support, food, clothing,
blankets, medical care, money
and legal advice warm my heart.
The vision of children crying as
they feared they would never
again see their mother or father
breaks my heart. It challenges me
to again think of women walking
with GPS devices on their ankles
carrying signs that read:
We are not criminals.
We came to work. We came to
feed our families.
We are mothers.
That May 8 afternoon I stood
in the unadorned rectory dining
room of St. Bridget’s Parish,
where I served as the pastoral
administrator. It had suddenly
became command central. I read
a statement from Immigration
Customs Enforcement or ICE.
The statement attempted to
explain what had taken place at 10
that morning at Agriprocessors.
I skimmed the paper hoping
to make sense out of what was
happening. I read one line after
another and then my eyes fell
upon these words:
“An immigration raid was
conducted at Agriprocessors in
Postville, Iowa in order to uphold
the integrity of the law....”
I saw children searching for
parents, wives searching for
husbands. I saw faces filled with
fear. At that moment my heart
stirred and I realized that while
our government claimed to uphold
the integrity of the law it had
totally ignored the integrity of the
person, the integrity of the family,
the integrity of a community, as
well as the integrity of the values
for which our country stands.
The profound respect and
love for every person affected by
the Postville raid and a desire to
uphold American values demands
we find a humane solution to the
Postville scene and those like it.
The rendering of relationships in
ICE raids, the ripping apart the
fabric of families, of children from
parents and husbands from wives,
demands we find ways to bring
people together to benefit all.
After viewing what horrors
the ICE raids wrought, we now
have the opportunity to create
humane solution to the broken
immigration system and to
reach out to government, to
employers who unscrupulously
take advantage of undocumented
workers, to neighbors who fear
the stranger, and to legislators
who have been slow to rewrite our
broken and callous laws.
Now is the time to say: Let us
move on, let us respect and honor
the dignity of all persons, let us
recognize that laws have but one
purpose — to ensure the common
good. Now is the time to restore
the integrity of the law, of the
family, of our American values,
of our country. Now is the time
for comprehensive immigration
reform.
Memories may sadden but
they will never paralyze us. Our
memories, our consciences, our
integrity, our respect for the
dignity of all persons, as well
as our respect and love for our
country call us unabashedly to do
all that we can to turn the tragedy
Natural
Family Planning
The Billings Ovulation Method
Totally moral, healthy & steroid free
Class Series Begins
Saturday, October 5, 2013 at 10:00 a.m.
Catholic Center - Pre-Registration Required
Register online at www.cdom.org or call (901) 373-1285.
Next class series begins November 4, 2013.
of Postville into victory for justice.
Sister Mary McCauley, BVM is a member of the Sisters of Charity
of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Dubuque, Iowa.
- The West Tennessee Catholic
Week Ending September 6, 2013
National Catholic Youth Conference
coming this November
Every day, every year, throughout the diocese of Memphis, the
teens in the diocese are challenged to always keep praying and to never
lose their faith. This is difficult when there are so many other influences
that can tempt them to give up on prayer and give up on their faith.
The National Catholic Youth Conference will be on November 2123 in Indianapolis. The theme is “Signed. Sealed. Delivered.” Diocesan teens will have the opportunity to join over 23,000 other teenagers
from throughout the U.S. to hear dynamic keynote speakers, to attend
several different workshops, to hear
inspiring musicians, and especially
to pray with and for one another. OPEN
Bishop J. Terry Steib also will be in
HOUSES
attendance this year.
The diocese will be taking
October 15
two buses of teens and adults to
the conference, but financial help is
ECC-4th Grade
needed. In
addition to registration
5:30-6:30 p.m.
fees of $215 per person, there are
October 29
also bus costs and food and lodging
9th Grade
expenses. Participants could be
looking at paying $500 each to cover
8:30 a.m
all of these costs. November 6
Diocesan youth desperately
We are a girls’ school and a boys’ school, together as part of one family. Our students share access to
5th-8th Grade
need any size financial donation so
an advanced technology research center with a Cybrary, Distance Learning Center and Digital Projects
5:30-7:00 p.m.
that teens keep praying and never
Studio. Through award-winning leadership in technology, a commitment to academic excellence, and a
lose their faith. Please consider
dedication to Study, Prayer, Community and Service — we prepare students to be leaders who will make
November 12
making
a donation to the Office of
the world a better place. To learn more about our innovative campus, please call (901) 767-1356.
ECC-4th Grade
Youth Ministries, 5825 Shelby Oaks
9:30 -10:30 a.m.
Drive
St. Agnes Academy
St. Dominic School
P K-8
Memphis, TN 38134. For information
P K-12
or to help call (901) 373-1292 or
Learning individually. Developing together.
email [email protected].
Two schools.
One innovative campus.
8BMOVU(SPWF3PBEr.FNQIJT5/r rXXXTBBTETPSHr"$BUIPMJD5SBEJUJPO4JODF
6th year in a row
The West Tennessee Catholic - Week Ending September 6, 2013
Lee Daniels’ The Butler
By John Mulderig, Catholic News Service
ey,
Honmember
The Beatitudes:
A Couple’s Path
to Greater Joy
to
es:
dat
Re
he
th ,
t
e
14
sav
ber
m
e
,
and
th
pt
12
Se
er
b
th
o
16
Oc t
er
emb
!
Nov
pm
un
6:30
e f
@
av
h
e
r
a
t su
ha
yt
er
ng
u
l
fu
ci
ffer persecu
tio
n
ee k
em n
r
ou
h
r
e
it
ir
sp
er s
o f hea r t
ak
an
m
e
le
c
c
the
Beatitudes
A Couple’s
Path to
Greater
Joy
th
m
o
y
w
h
Blessed are
th
e
m
Blessed are
th
e
po
ssed are
e
l
B
th
o
r
e
pe
a
B l e ss e d a r
et
h
e
e
th
e
w
h
o
Blessed are
th
e
r
ey
se
a
th
es
d
Blessed are
Bl
d
e
’ll
We
The Church of the Holy
Spirit Marriage Team and the
Catholic Diocese of Memphis
invite all married couples
to go on a date! Mark your
calendar for the evenings of
September 14, October 12,
and November 16 at 6:30 pm,
and ask your spouse on a date
for those three evenings.
Bl
es
s
in
A frequently heard slogan of the
late 1960s held that “the personal
is political.” Whatever its value as a
rallying cry, that phrase certainly fits
the affecting fact-based drama “Lee
Daniels’ The Butler” (Weinstein) in
which the private and public realms
collide.
Drawing on a 2008 Washington
Post article by reporter Wil Haygood,
director Daniels (“Precious”) tells
a fictionalized version of the life of
former White House butler Eugene
Allen (1919-2010). Allen’s screen
stand-in is Cecil Gaines, played by
Forest Whitaker.
Escaping the vicious racism of
the early 20th-century Deep South
-- flashbacks to the Georgia cotton
plantation where he was raised prove harrowing -- Cecil makes his
way to the relatively less oppressive surroundings of Washington.
There he masters the art of providing elegant service to the all-white
patrons of an elite hotel, a skill that requires him to suppress not only
his true feelings, but his views on
any controversial matter.
Cecil’s discretion wins him the
favorable notice of a White House
agent, and he secures a coveted
place on the domestic staff of
the executive mansion. As he
proceeds to work, close at hand,
with every president from Dwight
D. Eisenhower (Robin Williams)
to Ronald Reagan (Alan Rickman),
Cecil cherishes the cautious hope
that, under their leadership, white Americans will eventually see the
light on racial issues.
This patient, conservative stance, however, increasingly conflicts
with the civil rights activism of Cecil’s older son Louis (David Oyelowo).
And the long hours Cecil puts in at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue leave
his strong-willed but fragile wife Gloria (Oprah Winfrey) feeling
neglected.
Of the several appealing performances from which the movie
benefits, Winfrey’s complex portrayal of Gloria is perhaps the most
impressive. Earthy yet spiritual, a commanding matriarch yet a woman
tempted both by the bottle and by a slick, seductive neighbor (Terrence
Howard), Gloria follows an erratic course through life -- one very much
in contrast with her husband’s steady ways.
In addition to its subtle fictitious characterizations, the surprisingly
nuanced view of the various real-life chief executives offered by
screenwriter Danny Strong’s script -- an irretrievably self-absorbed
Richard Nixon (John Cusack) alone excepted -- also helps to keep the
unfolding events from feeling like a chronological checklist of postwar
history.
Still, it does come across as a bit too pat when Louis moves, with
seeming inevitability, from training for sit-ins at lunch counters
to enrolling as a Freedom Rider to enlisting in the Black Panther
movement. All the more so, since his on-cue, Malcolm X-inspired
radicalization is followed, in short order, by his younger brother
Charlie’s (Elijah Kelley) departure for Vietnam.
The Marriage Team invites
spouses of all ages to take
a journey together as a
couple toward greater
love, understanding, and
commitment using the
program The Beatitudes: A
Couple’s Path to Greater Joy.
Married couples will meet
in the Batson Center for
appetizers and a brief
introduction/instruction by
the Marriage Team, and then
go on their date to explore as
a couple the topic given as the
subject for that evening.
By learning together how
to live out the Beatitudes in
daily life and taking the time
to “date” again, couples will
enrich their faith, and their
marriages and have fun while
doing so!
Please contact Cisa Linxwiler
@ [email protected] or
901-737-7289 with any
questions.
$IVSDIPGUIF)PMZ4QJSJUt)JDLPSZ$SFTU%SJWFt.FNQIJT5/tXXXITQJSJUDPNt
Additionally, those of a Republican bent should note that the
climactic first-term election of the current commander-in-chief is
presented not only in an understandably celebratory light but in one
that borders on adulation.
Vulgar language and other red-flag content would normally prevent
recommendation of “Lee Daniels’ The Butler” for any audience but
grown-ups. But the moral significance of this uplifting journey - undertaken within a context of implicit religious faith and strong
marital commitment -- is such that at least some parents may consider
it acceptable for older teens.
The film contains occasional action violence, an adultery theme,
numerous mature references, a half-dozen uses of profanity, a couple
of rough terms and some crude and crass language. The Catholic News
Service classification is A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association
of America rating is PG-13 -- parents strongly cautioned. Some material
may be inappropriate for children under 13.
Mulderig is on the staff of Catholic News Service.
- The West Tennessee Catholic
Week Ending September 6, 2013
Reflections On
Sunday's Readings
Lectionary Readings
Year C of the Sunday Cycle • September 8-14, 2013
Psalter Week III
By Jean Denton, Catholic News Service
September 8, Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Cycle C. Readings: (1) Wisdom 9:13-18b, Psalm 90:3-6, 12-17 (2) Philemon
9-10, 12-17 (Gospel) Luke 14:25-33
Philip Hamrick is a gifted singer-songwriter. Several years ago, his band
had developed to a point where it had a good chance of succeeding in the
competitive music industry. Its strong musicianship, tight vocal harmonies
and thoughtful lyrics were delighting a growing audience. The group believed
the time was ripe to begin the work necessary to take their music to the next
level on tour.
The band was ready. But Phil was not.
No one loved the band more than Phil. His tunes and lyrics were the heart
of the music. But he’d just gotten married and felt a responsibility to his new
wife. He’d also been offered a stable job leading a fledgling music ministry in
a growing church.
He tried to explain to his disappointed bandmates, “If it is meant to be,
the music will get there. It will happen. I trust God. Right now, I have to
think about other things, and this ministry is something I have to do.”
Phil understood what this weekend’s Scripture from Wisdom points out:
Our “mortal” deliberations are uncertain at best and “what is within our
grasp we find with difficulty,” but the wisdom given by the Holy Spirit guides
us along a straight path.
Phil had always been open about how his faith guided his life. His band
members respected him and accepted his decision.
Their desire was based on an unsure chance of success. Phil’s decision was
based on his certain faith that the Holy Spirit showed him God’s desire.
The band scattered, but the members kept a close friendship. In maturing,
the others each have looked to Phil as a role model, largely because of his
commitment to a life guided by Christ’s Spirit. Most remain professional
musicians; some, dedicated Christians. All are successful, compassionate
people.
Phil now directs more than 50 musicians in leading thousands of
Christians in worship. He writes music that enriches their prayer. He writes
other music that he categorizes as outside the “Christian music” genre. But
it all carries the Gospel message that inspires him.
Philip Hamrick isn’t on the charts, but he continues to take his counsel
from the Holy Spirit. As for his music, wherever it is meant to be, trust God
it is there.
Sunday, September 8
TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN
ORDINARY TIME
Wisdom 9:13-18b
Psalm 90:3-6, 12-17
Philemon 9-10, 12-17
Luke 14:25-33
Monday, September 9
Saint Peter Claver, priest (USA)
Colossians 1:24-2:3
Psalm 62:6-7, 9
Luke 6:6-11
Tuesday, September 10
Weekday
Colossians 2:6-15
Psalm 145:1-2, 8-11
Luke 6:12-19
Wednesday, September 11
Weekday
Colossians 3:1-11
Psalm 145:2-3, 10-13
Luke 6:20-26
Thursday, September 12
Weekday; The Most Holy Name
of Mary
Colossians 3:12-17
Psalm 150:1-6
Luke 6:27-38
Friday, September 13
Saint John Chrysostom, bishop,
doctor of the Church
1 Timothy 1:1-2, 12-14
Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 11
Luke 6:39-42
Saturday, September 14
FEAST OF THE EXALTATION OF
THE HOLY CROSS
Numbers 21:4b-9
Psalm 78:1-2, 34-38
Philemon 2:6-11
John 3:13-17
Mission Statement of
The West Tennessee Catholic - Digital Edition
The West Tennessee Catholic is a digital news publication dedicated to sharing
the Good News of Jesus Christ primarily with the people of the Diocese of Memphis in Tennessee and, secondarily, with the world at large. The West Tennessee
Catholic focuses on presenting material which instructs the faithful in church
teaching as expressed by the Pope and the Conference of Catholic Bishops, all in
accord with the Magisterium. The goal is to teach, encourage, aid in faith formation, and support Catholics who seek the truth of Christ and are working toward
personal sanctity. The message is shared in a positive, family-oriented, pro-life,
nonpartisan, and encouraging manner. In addition, news articles emphasize local
events and interests specific to our schools, parishes, and diocese which show
how Catholics are answering the call to be Good Samaritans in the Diocese of
Memphis in Tennessee.
Trips to Scotland, France, Ireland, Shrines of Europe and
much more... ranging from $3,599—$4,699 for 2013.
Prices are ALL-INCLUSIVE w/Airfare from anywhere
in the continental USA
Listen to The Catholic Cafe
®
Saturdays 3:30 p.m.
on WWGM FM 93.1 in the Jackson area
and on WSIB FM 93.9 in the Selmer area;
and on Sundays at 8:30 a.m.
on WYVY FM 104.9 in Union City and
at 10 a.m. on KWAM AM 990 in Memphis.
Italy Wide/Switzerland: Oct. 12-24, Oct. 19-31, Oct. 26-Nov. 7..
Italy: Oct. 5-13, Oct. 12-20, Oct. 19-27, Oct. 26-Nov. 3 ...
Holy Land: Oct. 21-31, Oct. 22-Nov. 1, Oct. 28-Nov. 7,
Oct. 29-Nov. 8, Nov. 1-11, Nov. 2-12, Nov. 4-14, Nov. 12-22 ...
Italy/Lourdes/Fatima: Oct. 12-24, Oct. 19-31, Oct. 26-Nov. 7 …
Poland: Oct. 6-17, Oct. 12-23, Oct. 19-30, Oct. 26-Nov. 6 ...
www.proximotravel.com
email: [email protected]
855-842-8001 | 508-340-9370
Carmela A. Dupuis—Executive Director
Week Ending September 6, 2013
/CTOR
The West Tennessee Catholic - Celebrating
the Year of
Faith
Fall 2013 courses and
retreats offered for adults are
now posted by Department
of Catechesis, Parishes, and
Our Lady Queen of Peace
Retreat Center.
Visit www.cdom.org.
Call to Community Prayer for Peace
On September 7, Bishop J. Terry Steib, SVD, will lead a Rosary for
Peace in the Middle East at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral,
1695 Central Avenue in Memphis. The Rosary will be held at 12 noon
and is scheduled for the same time as the Rosary to be led by Pope
Francis in Rome.
A Prayer for the People of Syria
Almighty eternal God, source of all compassion,
the promise of your mercy and saving help fills
our hearts with hope.
Hear the cries of the people of Syria;
bring healing to those suffering from the violence,
and comfort to those mourning the dead.
Empower and encourage Syria’s neighbors
in their care and welcome for refugees.
Convert the hearts of those who have taken up arms,
and strengthen the resolve of those committed to peace.
O God of hope and Father of mercy,
your Holy Spirit inspires us to look beyond
ourselves and our own needs.
Inspire leaders to choose peace over violence
and to seek reconciliation with enemies.
Inspire the Church around the world with compassion
for the people of Syria,
and fill us with hope for a future of peace built on justice for all.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace and
Light of the World,
who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Amen.
PROTECTING GOD’S CHILDREN
In order to prevent abuse and the devastating consequences for all involved, the Diocese of Memphis is
providing information for anyone who needs help.
Tennessee Child Abuse Hot Line
1-877-237-0004
Where to get help in the Diocese of Memphis:
Shari Lee, LCSW, DCSW - Victim Assistance Coordinator
901-652-4066 or
Dr. Jim Latta, Office of Child and Youth Protection
and Professional Responsibility
901-652-4353
- The West Tennessee Catholic
Week Ending September 6, 2013
The Diocese of Memphis publishes obituaries provided by the individual parishes. If you have a question concerning an obit please contact the parish directly.
Obituaries
CIANCIOLO
A Mass of Christian Burial was
celebrated September 3 for Mary
Agnes Cianciolo, 93, at St. Louis
Church by Rev. Msgr. John B.
McArthur. Burial was at Calvary
Cemetery. Survivors include
daughter, Rose Marie Portera; sons,
Bill Cianciolo, Anthony Cianciolo,
David Cianciolo, Jr. and Jerry
Cianciolo; brother, Joseph Radogna;
six grandchildren; and 10 greatgrandchildren.
DAVOCK
A Mass of Christian Burial was
celebrated August 30 for Courtney
Ann Davock, 37, at St. Brigid Church
by Rev. R. Bruce Cinquegrani. Burial
was at Boston, MA. Survivors
include parents, John and Barbara
Davock; and sister Shannon Trzil.
FRACCHIA
A Mass of Christian Burial was
celebrated August 24 for Lindy Rose
Fracchia, 90, at St. Louis Church
by Rev. Saji Ellickal. Burial was at
Memorial Park Cemetery. Survivors
include son, Albert Louis “Bert”
Fracchia; one grandchild and two
great-grandchildren.
GOMEZ
A Mass of Christian Burial was
celebrated August 10 for Santo
Marie Guerrero Gomez, 69, at
Church of the Resurrection by Rev.
Robert Favazza. Survivors include
son, Luis A. Gomez.
Rev. William F. Burke
Rev. R. James Murphy
Rev. James Martell
Rev. Kevin Bravata
Rev. Bryan Timby
KNOX
A Mass of Christian Burial was
celebrated September 4 for Florence
A. Knox, 97, at Holy Angels Catholic
Church by Rev. Robert J. Stellini.
Burial was at Fairview Cemetery/
Dyersburg. Survivors include
nieces, Bobbie Echard and Martha
Calabria; and nephew, Vincent E.
Knox, Jr.
LAMB
A funeral home and graveside
service were conducted August
26 for Kevin Michael Lamb, 64, at
Covington Funeral Home by Rev.
Martin Orjianioke. Burial was at
Shiloh Cemetery, Covington, TN.
Survivors include spouse, Martha
Sue Hill Lamb; daughters, Jenifer
Lamb and Sherry Russell (stepdaughter); son, Joe Lamb; sisters,
Priscilla Lamb Sassi, Brenda Lamb
Maurer, Teresa Lamb, Monica Lamb
Casey, Louise Profera Frohman,
and Becky Profera Grant; brothers,
George, Tommy, and Peter Lamb.
REINOEHL
A memorial Mass was conducted
September 4 for Robert Charles
Reinoehl, 66, at St. Louis Church
by Rev. David Graham. Burial was
at Veterans Cemetery. Survivors
include spouse, Chris Reinoehl;
daughters, Tracy Price and Kelly
Trim; son, Scott Reinoehl; and 10
grandchildren.
09/06
09/12
09/21
09/22
09/28
RUTSTEIN
A Mass of Christian Burial was
celebrated August 31 for Gracemary Balton Rutstein, 81, at St. Louis
Church by Rev. Msgr. John B.
McArthur. Burial was at Memorial
Park Cemetery. Survivors include
sons, Louis M. Rutstine, Jr. and John
B. Rutstein; and brother, Frank T.
Balton, Jr.
TRAUSENECKER
A M a s s of C h r i s t i a n B u r i a l
was celebrated August 27 for
Gertrude “Trudy” Trausenecker,
79, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Church by Rev. Gary E. Lamb,
assisted by Rev. Mr. John Moskal.
Survivors include spouse, Harry
Trausenecker; daughters, Janice
Turnipseed and Donna Webb;
sons, Barry Trausenecker and
Todd Trausenecker; and four
grandchildren.
Legion of Mary holds faith series
The Diocesan Legion of Mary will offer a series entitled “How to explain your
faith.” The series is designed to equip laity to explain and defend our Catholic
faith. Msgr. Al Kirk, diocesan moderator of the Legion of Mary, encourages all
to come and learn. He says, “I am very excited about this series. We offered
a similar set of programs when I was pastor of St. Mary’s in Jackson, and
it proved very helpful to people. The format enables participants to obtain
a better grasp of Catholic beliefs which are often misunderstood by their
non-Catholic friends and relatives.” All programs are open to the public.
Refreshments will be served.
• September 22, 4 p.m. – “Catholics and Muslims: How Can We Live
Together?” presented by Mr. Jim Barnett and Deacon Henry Littleton
at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 1695 Central Avenue,
Memphis.
If you wold like to receive inspirational
emails from Bishop J. Terry Steib, SVD and
other periodicals such as Foundations in
Faith newsletter, please sign up at http://
goo.gl/LRhU1, or go to the www.cdom.org
website and click on the link “Emails.”
Please consider remembering your Catholic parish, school or diocese in your will.
For more information contact David Cremerius, Director of Planned Giving.
(901) 373-1273 or [email protected].
The West Tennessee Catholic - Week Ending September 6, 2013
Calendar SEPTEMBER 2013
7
8
10
10
14
15
15
Saturday for the Engaged Marriage preparation for First Marriages. A time to discover the realities of marriage while sharing
your thoughts and feelings with your future spouse about the
sacrament and your new life together. Class Time is 8:45 a.m.-3
p.m. Registration is required and forms are available from the
priest or deacon who is helping with marriage preparation. Preregister submit completed form with payment to Dept. of Pastoral Services, Catholic Diocese of Memphis, 5825 Shelby Oaks
Drive, Memphis, TN 38134. Classes are also offered in Spanish.
For more information call (901) 373-1237 or (800) 825-5731.
St. Ann Young Adults Shrimp and Crawfish Boil. Are you a
young adult (20s-30s) at St. Ann Church-Bartlett looking to get
into a group where you can meet others your age with similar
interests and values; have opportunities to volunteer at food
shelters; assist the elderly; grow spiritually through bible studies,
prayer groups; have fun hanging out watching movies, having
game nights? Kickoff 6 p.m., Trinity Hall, 6529 Stage Road, Bartlett. Childcare provided free! Join us or learn more - email Anna
Myers at [email protected] or Rebecca Miller at miller.
[email protected].
Midsouth Chapter of the National Association of Pastoral
Musicians Chapter inaugural meeting, Dinner at 6 p.m., $10;
choral workshop, 7 p.m. led by Dr. Larry Edwards of University
of Memphis. Marian Hall at the Cathedral of the Immaculate
Conception, 1695 Central Avenue (at Belvedere) Memphis.
Grief Support Group. 8 week grief group. 6:30-8 p.m, Methodist
Hospice, 6416 Quince Rd. Call Reba David at (901) 754-7085 for
more information.
The Beatitudes: A Couple’s Path to Greater Joy. Sep. 14, Oct.
12, Nov. 16 at 6:30 pm. The Church of the Holy Spirit Marriage
Team and the Catholic Diocese of Memphis invite all married
couples. Meet in the Batson Center for appetizers and a brief
introduction/instruction by the Marriage Team, and then explore
the subject for that evening. Contact Cisa Linxwiler at cisa@
linxwiler.net or 901-737-7289 with any questions.
St. Therese Ravioli-Spaghetti Dinner. 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Elevator
to Leppert Center. Spaghetti plate $6; ravioli plate $8; combo
plates $8. Children under 5 free spaghetti. Frozen ravioli $4/dozen; gravy $3/pint.
Ave Maria Gala Week Dinner. 6 p.m., CBHS Heffernan Hall.
Dinner honors John Barzizza, John Zoccola, and Wanda Duke
(posthumously). Tickets $100/person, $800 table of eight. Call
405-3791 for information or go to www.avemariahome.org to
register.
18
Ladies of Charity Mass, Meeting and Luncheon. 9:45 a.m., Church of
the Holy Spirit, 2300 Hickory Crest Drive. Please attend our monthly
Mass, meeting and luncheon. Rosary will begin at 9:45 a.m. with Mass
at 10 a.m. Information (901) 767-6553.
20
Immaculate Conception Catholic School Mercy Day Mass and
Hall of Fame Luncheon. Mass 9:30 a.m., luncheon/ceremony
11:30 a.m., Marian Hall. Honorees are Peggy Dowling Steffan,
Tom Sullivan, Sr. Jeannine Curley, RSM, Msgr. Merlin F. Kearney
(posthumously), Sr. Gabriella Webb, R.S.M. (posthumously),
Judge Carolyn Wade Blackett, Pam Gaia (posthumously), Rebecca Reno Conrad, and Debbie Ward Hunt. To RSVP or for more
information call Cathy Armstrong at 901-435-5344.
Ministry to the Sick Training. 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Catholic Center,
5825 Shelby Oaks Drive. Candidates are required to send completed registration form signed by the pastor or representative
by September 16th. Registration forms are available at your
parish office or online, http://www.cdom.org/commhealth/sick.
htm. For more information call the office of Pastoral Services at
373-1237.
21
21
21-22
22
23
26-29
28
All You Can Eat Spaghetti Dinner. 5-7 p.m., St. Paul Church, K
of C Hall, Spaghetti, slaw, bread, drink: $6/adults, $2.50/children
under 12.
St. Augustine Annual Family and Friends Mass Celebration.
5:30 p.m. Sat., and 8 a.m. and 11 a.m., Sunday. Family, friends,
co-workers and neighbors, invited for fellowship and to share
“the Good News of the gospel.” Located at 1169 Kerr Street, Rev.
Tony Clark, S.V.D. Pastor and can be reached at (901) 774-2297/
web (staugustinememphis.org.).
Legion of Mary discussion HOW TO EXPLAIN YOUR FAITH.
The series is designed to equip laity to explain and defend our
Catholic faith. 4 p.m., Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception,
1695 Central Avenue, Memphis. – “Catholics and Muslims: How
Can We Live Together?” presented by Mr. Jim Barnett and Deacon Henry Littleton.
Ave Maria Golf Tournament. 7 a.m., Quail Ridge Golf Club,
Bartlett. Golf scramble. $250/player, $1,000/4-person team. Call
405-3791 for more information or www.avemariahome.org to
register.
Women’s Cursillo. For more information go to www.memphiscursillo.com.
50th Jubilee Celebration for Sister Connie Tarallo, Sister of
Charity of Nazareth. 4 p.m. , Mass and celebration with reception to follow in school gym, St. Ann Church, 6529 Stage Road,
Bartlett. Free but ticket required. Tickets available at welcome
desk in Narthex or parish office. For more information call (901)
373-6011.
28
Fall Youth Gathering: Grace at the Trace. 10:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Natchez Trace State Park. All middle school and high school youth groups
(6th-12th grade) are invited to spend the day with teens from both the
Jackson Deanery and the Memphis Deanery. Contact your youth minister for more information and for required forms.
28
6th Annual St. Vincent de Paul Friends of the Poor® Walk/
Run. 10 a.m., early registration 9 a.m. at www.svdpmemphis.
org. Call Gloria Hyden at 901-552-7038 for more information.
Register online now to get a really cool looking “friends” T-shirt!
Calendar OCTOBER 2013
1
5
18-19
Ministry for Gay and Lesbian Persons Meeting. Share hospitality, potluck, prayer and education. 6:30 p.m., Marion Hall, the
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on the first Tuesday of
every month unless otherwise noted. All are welcome to share
in a meal and fellowship followed by a brief presentation. To
contact the ministry call the rectory at IC at (901) 725-2700.
St. Therese Live & Silent Auction. Mass 4:30 p.m. followed by
auction in Leppert Hall. Sonors and auction items wanted. RSVP
Contact [email protected] or call (901) 2761412. Facebook: St. Therese Little Flower Catholic Church and
School
Parish Social Ministry Regional Training. St. Benedict at Auburndale School, 8250 Varnavas Drive, Cordova. Training will be
led by Catholic Charities USA. Clock hours available for catechist
and social ministry certification. Professional credits available
through Catholic University of America. To register go to http://
bit.ly/1320eqC. The early-bird registration fee for this event is
$15 and will increase to $25 after September 15. To receive a
detailed workshop schedule, or for more information, contact
Therese Gustaitis at [email protected].
10 - The West Tennessee Catholic
Week Ending September 6, 2013
Support the Bishop’s Annual Appeal.
Visit www.cdom.org for more
information on how you can help.
Poverty, ‘ignorance’ blamed in destruction
of Egypt Christian churches
By Mark Pattison, Catholic News Service
Two Egyptian-born Christian
clergy, in separate telephone
interviews with Catholic News
Service, each blamed both poverty
and “ignorance” for the attacks on
Christian churches in Egypt.
Through Aug. 20, 38 Christian
churches were known to have been
destroyed, with attacks on another
23 houses of worship, according
to statistics compiled by a Coptic
Christian group in Egypt called the
Maspero Youth Union.
The attacks led by Islamist
extremists stem from the Egyptian’s
army deposing of President
Mohammed Morsi, a member of
the Muslim Brotherhood who was
elected Egypt’s president last year.
There is anger over what extremists
perceive as Christian support for
his ouster.
Egypt has been torn by violence
since Morsi was ousted, with more
than 1,000 dead after clashes
between protesters and police or
members of the army.
“These people are getting
money to do that (commit the
church violence),” charged Deacon
Medhat Hanna of Resurrection
Coptic Catholic Church in Brooklyn,
N.Y. “They are getting $500 a day
to do that. ... Money is given to
the poor people to vote.” Although
some irregularities were cited,
Morsi was generally considered to
be the first democratically elected
president of Egypt.
Deacon Hanna, who said he is
on the phone “all the time” with
friends and relations in his native
Egypt, cited “poverty, ignorance”
as what lies behind the church
destruction.
“This is not a coup. Is this a
coup, or do people reject the old
regime?” Deacon Hanna told CNS.
“As far as I know, the people got
fed up with the old regime and they
expressed their concern and their
feelings and they demonstrate, a
record worldwide for the number
of demonstrators. The number is in
the books, nobody can deny that.”
Morsi was deposed July 3,
barely a year after he was elected.
While Egypt has one of the largest
populations of Christians in the
Middle East, they still make up only
about 10 percent to 15 percent of
the populace of 82 million people,
the majority of whom are Sunni
Muslims.
Most of the country’s Christians
are Coptic Orthodox. Egypt has
200,000-300,000 Catholics, most
of the of the Eastern Coptic rite.
Father Marcos Daoud, assistant
pastor of St. Mary Coptic Orthodox
Church in the Chicago suburb of
Palatine, Ill., said it was possible
the country could tip over into
perpetual lawlessness.
“The only way to prevent this
from taking over, or not to continue,”
he said, is there “should be a longterm (plan) of development. That’s
the only way.” Father Daoud said
lslamists in Egypt “are able to have,
to gain members and followers
because of the poverty and the lack
of knowledge, the ignorance.”
A native of Alexandria, Egypt,
Father Daoud said the situation in
his hometown is “not that bad” but
is “much worse” in what he called
“upper Egypt,” where Cairo, the
capital, is located.
Of the Muslim Brotherhood proMorsi supporters, he said: “They
have weapons, they have followers,
they have people who are ready to
do anything in the name of God.”
He added, “Our parishioners are
very worried about their families
and the church. They are very
concerned. They don’t have too
much to do, but they always talking
about calling to Egypt, talking to
their families on an hourly basis.”
T h e M u s l i m B ro t h e r h o o d
party is trying to destroy Egypt
“everywhere from Alexandria to
Aswan,” said Moussa Tawadrous, a
Coptic Catholic living in Nashville,
Tenn.
“I hope our army is strong
enough to control” the violence,
said Tawadrous, a leader of a group
of 45 Coptic Catholic families
in Nashville. “But I hope all the
nations around the world support
the Egyptian army as well. They are
trying to save the country.”
He added, “I am surprised how
some of the other nations in the
West doesn’t understand this.”
Although the Egyptian
demonstrations against previous
President Hosni Mubarak were a
centerpiece of the Arab Spring two
years ago, which brought about
the election of Morsi, the actions
of Morsi and his ministers “were
way, way, way worse than the
Mubarak regime,” Tawadrous told
the Tennessee Register, newspaper
of the Diocese of Nashville. After
Morsi’s election, he added, Egypt
deteriorated, economically and
politically.
Most Egyptians want their
nation to be a modern country that
respects freedom of religion, he
said.
Tawadrous echoed comments
by Deacon Hanna that the army’s
action in July was not a coup.
“It is a situation to do the will of
the (the majority) Egyptians ... who
(objected to what) the Brotherhood
were doing in the country and
asking Morsi to step out. The army
was only supporting the will of the
Egyptian people,” he said. “The
coup was what the Brotherhood did
in one year.”
Tawadrous, who came to the
U.S. about five years ago from
is from the town of Abu Qurkas,
about 150 miles south of Cairo,
said he and the other members of
the Coptic Catholic community in
Nashville have been communicating
with friends and family in Egypt.
“It’s not easy,” he said. “We’re
trying to communicate with our
families every hour. And pray for
them for sure and pray for Egypt,
our country, to be more safe, to get
better.”
Contributing to this story was
Andy Telli, managing editor of the
Tennessee Register in Nashville.
Family Dentistry
Stephen C. Alsobrook, D.D.S.
280 German Oak Drive • Cordova, TN 38018
(901) 522-6640
We offer preventive, restorative and cosmetic dentistry.
We accept most dental insurance and credit cards.
The CareCredit® payment plan is also available.
New Patients are welcome. Office hours by appointment.
Near the Agricenter From Germantown Parkway, off Walnut Bend.
Serving the Memphis community for over 25 years.