The process of reinvention

All my life, I knew that God called me to two things: motherhood and writing. What I didn't expect was that neither would continue, and as I grew into the second half of 50, I would need to reinvent myself.

Never did I mind shelving my college career to stay home and raise my five children, and to home school them. I relished every moment of baking with them, playing, wiping noses, discovering bugs in the woods and reading bedtime stories. Along the way, it paved the opportunity to care for my parents and grandparents--all precious moments in time, etched in all eternity.

But as the children grew the need for me has dissipated; and as the newspaper and magazine business has changed, my services are no longer utilized as they once were. Gone are the ten story a week paychecks, and what services I do provide are both under-appreciated and a monetary disappointment.

These monumental changes often leave me wondering, what next? Am I finished? Has my usefulness run out? Is there still an ultimate plan for me?


With unwavering emphasis, I do believe God has something wonderful up His sleeve, but for now, he has not made me privy to His secrets.


As I try to remain obedient, prayerful, and do my part to serve as wife, caretaker, mother, grandmother and occasional writer, I am reluctantly exploring other options to increase our fiscal survival.


So this is day one of the journey. As the job market is scarce, and the need for a freelance writer is probably not a valued commodity for most jobs, my applications have so far taken the path of Starbucks, Walgreens and McDonald's.  I giggle to myself (perhaps giggle is not the appropriate term) when I think of myself working alongside high school students with more retail experience than I have, and wonder if a manager will take the chance on a middle aged woman just trying to pay the bills.


Stay tuned--I refuse to give up.

Blessed Trinity to merge with St. Catherine

Written by Karen Mahoney and Maryangela Layman Román Catholic Herald Staff Thursday, 23 June 2011 11:07

School Sister of St. Francis Regina Maibusch, left, and Mary Ann Moore carry the Blessed Trinity Parish mission statement during the recessional of the final Mass celebrated in the Milwaukee church on Sunday, June 19. (Catholic Herald photo by Ernie Mastroianni)MILWAUKEE — The parish that never closed its doors on anyone, is preparing for the day the locksmith arrives. By July 1, someone else may hold the keys to Blessed Trinity Parish, 4717 N. 38th St. The final Mass was celebrated on Trinity Sunday, June 19, and for the first time, no Catholic church will be present in the immediate neighborhood.
Inside Blessed Trinity, the signs of a working parish are vanishing. On the walls of the foyer, sanctuary and small chapel, ghostly outlines mark the places where religious artwork had hung. The candlesticks, statuary, monstrance and other sacramentals have been donated or taken down and boxed up.
Hoped to remain open until 2012
Despite the aging and dwindling membership of the parish, Blessed Trinity hoped to remain open until July 2012, but less than two months ago, parish staff learned it would merge with St. Catherine Parish, 5101 W. Center St., explained Barb Wardius, office manager of Blessed Trinity.
“The information was shared with our parishioners from our pastor, Fr. Mike Barrett, as well as from our parish council,” she said. “It felt, and still feels to me, like a death, and while not unexpected, we didn’t realize it would be so soon. It was very sad in that we celebrated many ‘lasts,’ such as last Christmas, Lent and Easter without even knowing they were our last. We were not, in my opinion, given sufficient time to prepare and now to mourn our loss.”
St. Catherine and Blessed Trinity are included in the 2009 plan to merge 80 of 208 parishes in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and to address the issues of declining enrollments, the priest shortage and financial setbacks.
Potential buyer sped up process
While the parish’s original plan was to merge the parish with a neighboring one in June 2012, the process was fast-forwarded, according to Mark Kemmeter, director of the archdiocesan Parish Mission Office, because a buyer stepped forward to purchase the entire parish complex immediately.
According to Kemmeter, the prospective buyer, Resurrection Ministries, had been leasing the school.
“It’s not uncommon. We’ve seen this in other parishes that lease their school; part of the lease agreement says if the buildings ever go up for sale, the lessee would have the first right to purchase. That’s not uncommon. What is uncommon is that the same group was also interested in the church building. Very often the church buildings are the hardest to sell. This was just an unusual sale and an opportunity for the community that was planning to merge in 2012; it just speeded up the purchase.”
The sale is not going through as we had hoped, noted Fr. Michael Barrett, but he stressed that the parish is a “very motivated seller. The sale committee is very motivated to get the campus sold. We have no reason to hold onto the place at this point.”
Making the decision to sell was not easy, stressed Fr. Barrett, yet the timing of the buyer coming forward coincided with the fact that the priest’s six-year term at the parish was ending. That, along with the shortage of priests in the archdiocese, made the timing right for the merger.
During the final Mass at Blessed Trinity Parish, Milwaukee, Sunday, June 19, Fr. Michael Barrett, pastor, presents longtime parishioners, John and Dolores Melzer, who were celebrating their 65th anniversary. (Catholic Herald photo by Ernie Mastroianni)Membership had dropped, aged
Parish membership had dropped considerably in the last 20 years, according to figures kept by the Parish Mission Office. Kemmeter lists 350 members in 2009, down from nearly 1,700 in the early 1990s, and nearly 700 in 2000.
According to Fr. Barrett, recent membership was closer to 180 people, he said, noting it was the smallest parish in the archdiocese.
Blessed Trinity is an older and aging parish and, according to Wardius, the archdiocese has a rule that a parish cannot receive more than 50 percent of its income from rental sources – which it does.
“Our convent has been leased for more than 15 years to the AIDS Resource Center of Milwaukee and our school building has housed many different schools over the years,” she said. “It was determined that we could not continue on this path.”
The decision to meld the two parishes is not unfamiliar to Blessed Trinity members. In 1991, the parish was formed following a merger with St. Albert, St. Nicholas and Holy Redeemer parishes.
Mood is somber
While Wardius and nine other employees will lose their jobs at the end of the month, the deepest loss is in losing their close-knit parish family, where children were baptized, couples were married and the funerals of loved ones were celebrated.
“The overall mood in the parish is of extreme sadness,” said Wardius. “We, as a church community and family, have certainly been depending upon each other for strength and for someone else to vent to during these past couple of months. When the first merger happened, many mistakes were made by the archdiocese and a great number of parishioners were lost to other parishes or they simply stopped attending Mass. Folks that were here at that time still remember how badly it was handled and now we are suffering again.”
Grief is natural
The grieving is natural, agree Fr. Barrett and Kemmeter.
“The important thing to realize is the grief is real,” said Kemmeter. “Most of the mergers we’ve done — there’s been such good preparation and it’s been done gradually and there tends to be less a sense of loss. But in this particular case, where the church is going to be sold, and the parish is already a product of a merger of three parishes, there is going to be a sense of loss.
He added that healing would come in time.
‘Smile because it happened’
As Fr. Barrett copes with his own emotions during this transition, he said he is comforted by a quote from Dr. Seuss illustrated by former Milwaukee Journal Sentinel editorial cartoonist, Stuart Carlson, “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”
And he does smile when he looks back on the Milwaukee parish he’s called home for six years.
Describing the parish as comprised of hard working, good people with a Vatican II vision of where the church needs to go, he said the parishioners, most of whom commuted to the church, had a “can-do attitude.”
“Our only weakness was a lack and loss of numbers,” he said.
As plans for the sale of the buildings progressed, the parish council weighed the merging options. After considering nearby Our Lady of Good Hope Parish and St. Catherine, the council felt that St. Catherine was a better fit.
St. Catherine is ‘good fit’
It’s not geographically the closest, noted Kemmeter, but he said they selected it because the parish “shares their vision of an urban community committed to the neighborhood, and it’s also a parish where they felt liturgically at home.”
Fr. Barrett said the council felt that it’s is a good fit, “theologically, liturgically and ecclesialogically for our parishioners to be with the people at St. Catherine, and Fr. Jack Kern, (pastor of St. Catherine) has managed and overseen a number of mergers.
“This is the best case scenario,” concluded Fr. Barrett. “While this is not easy for any of us to make that change or to move off that site and spot where we’ve worshipped and prayed and grieved and held hands and hugged, it’s not easy to move away from that. But I think the best case scenario for all involved was to merge with St. Catherine.”
Sacristan has lived through merger
Since she was 2 years old, Josetta Berg attended Holy Redeemer parish and school with her siblings. She stayed on as an adult and made it through the tumultuous days when the parish merged into Blessed Trinity. This time, she isn’t sure she will stick it out – and at 72, it’s just too painful to think about doing it again.
“I’ll go to St. Catherine’s on June 26 for the welcoming Mass, but I’m not sure if I will stay – it just feels like the death of a whole family, you know? We were a small parish and if someone wasn’t there at Mass, we knew it and worried about them until we found out if they were OK,” she said. “I will miss the people and the closeness we shared together.”
As a sacristan and member of the prayer and worship committee, Berg worries about the religious artifacts that mean as much to her as the friendships she cherishes. Like her friends, she wonders where they will go, and if the items will be appreciated.
“We are in the process of finding homes for all of these sacred objects,” she said. “After all, we just can’t put them out for a garage sale.”
Outreach efforts to continue
Additionally, Berg worries about the community she loves. She wonders what will happen to those who have come to depend on the parish for the food pantry, the St. Vincent de Paul ministry, the AIDS Center, the Urban Center for Sustainability to promote environmentally sustainable practices to help residents learn about weatherization, and energy assistance programs, as well as the Reach program for the area’s youth.
“The Reach program is wonderful and we have sponsored field trips at least six times during the summer, ball games, horseback riding, and water park visits for the kids,” she said. “The things our parish does for the community just runs the gamut and, despite being so small, it was our mission to reach out to all. It has always been a working class parish for all the years I remember.”
Her initial reaction to the merger was anger, but Berg has shelved that and is concentrating her efforts on praying for all who are affected by the changes.
“We have had so many wonderful priests at our parish, and I have wonderful memories growing up here – Blessed Trinity has exceeded my expectations because of the people and our priests,” she said. “I am over the anger, but I am still very sad. I am hoping that the new community will be as welcoming to our community as ours was when we merged. Time will tell.”
Hopes to maintain Catholic presence
Choking back tears, School Sister of St. Francis Regina Maibusch had hoped and prayed for at least another year to serve the parish she loves, but since the news, she has been scrambling to find a way to maintain a Catholic presence in the neighborhood.
“This area is very needy and one of the biggest conferences for St. Vincent de Paul,” she said. “We will continue to serve them through St. Catherine because the ministry cannot operate without a parish.”
She would like to see the food pantry continue as so many have come to rely on it to get through the month, and for the free blood pressure screenings that Sr. Maibusch performed twice a month.
“There were a number of people who came here to work who are not of our parish,” she said. “It was a good crowd and we would like to keep the pantry here if possible. We have an attorney who volunteers here who is hoping to find a way to keep it going if the new owners will allow it. It is so needed here.”
The parish was once served by more than 25 School Sisters of St. Francis who ran the elementary school.
“I wasn’t there because I was a nurse and took a position at St. Michael Hospital,” she said. “But I have enjoyed all of my years at Blessed Trinity and will miss it very much. It is so hard; for the past couple of weeks, we saw all the Catholic things in the chapel being taken down and it was difficult to attend daily Mass when you didn’t know what would be gone the next day.”
According to Fr. Barrett, proceeds from the sale of the parish will be used to continue outreach efforts to the neighboring community through organizations such as the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
Thankful for ‘good farewell’
Since 1959, Norm Steinacker helped in the food pantry, served as acolyte for funerals and helped wherever needed. At 86, he finds the thought of relocating to another parish difficult, especially since he and his wife, Terri, rely on others for transportation.
“I have enjoyed being part of this community and volunteering my time,” he said. “We have been very fortunate here to have excellent pastors and a caring community.”
With no Catholic presence in the neighborhood, Steinacker is also concerned about the poor who have come to rely on them for help.
“It wasn’t totally unexpected that we were going to close,” he said. “We are a small parish, people are getting older and dying – but I do hope we can still have something in place to help those who need food each month.”
Although quickly organized, Sr. Maibusch was pleased that Blessed Trinity hosted a farewell party at the Radisson Hotel in Glendale a couple of weeks ago, as it gave the members some closure.
“The overall feeling is like a death,” she cried. “But the parish paid for us to have a wonderful dinner and there were 200 of us who came. Members of each of the parish committees spoke; some of it was funny, and we gave thanks to a lot of people. We had former pastors come – and I was surprised at how many came. They must have really liked our parish. So, it was our chance to have a very good farewell.”

The AT&T Insurance runaround

 
Wow AT&T, thanks so much for the generous rewards of years of using your phone service. Two weeks ago, I purchased the do-it-all Motorola Atrix 4G for $150 and included with it, was an additional two year contract with your company. Granted, it is a $500 phone, but add in the required contract, all the bells and whistles and that phone is more than paid for.  After your 'caring' sales people convinced me, I went ahead and purchased the insurance policy. Stupid me, didn't read all the fine print in the contract, because let me tell you that you are better off putting the $4.99 away in your bank each month than paying for this worthless Asurion policy. And let me tell you why.

  
This past Monday, my new phone was dropped in the water, and of course, since it is a computer, nothing worked after trying to dry it out. However, I breathed a sigh of relief when I recalled my own 'brilliance' on purchasing the insurance. For a mere $50 deductible, I knew that soon I would be the proud owner of a new Atrix.  So, I picked up my land line and  called AT&T just minutes after my phone was ruined, to get a claim started.

This was the beginning of the nightmare--not only did it take 45 minutes on the phone           navigating the computerized call system to find a human being to speak with, but the person assigned to my case was probably a 12-year-old with an attitude.  

Adding to the frustration of losing the use of my phone was the new knowledge that on top of the $4.99 per month spent on this policy, I would have to pay $150 deductible rather than $50 that I thought I'd be spending. But of course, that was, again, my own stupidity for thinking that $50 would apply to all phones. The worst jolt to my senses was in learning that the phone I would be receiving would be a refurbished one. Yes, you heard me, refurbished--you know, like the ones I could get on ebay for about that same price? 

Unbelievably, the policy does not include new phones--nope! You get someone else's trashed phone that has been fixed up and given to you and then, get this, you send your trashed phone back and they fix it up to send to someone else. What a nice gig for Asurian. 


So, I called and wrote to AT&T and dealt with the same circle of incongruity--they say they have no control over the insurance company and--yet they do, they choose what company represents AT&T and for whatever reason, they choose an unscrupulous company to represent what they deem AT&T quality. 


That's ok AT&T, you won this round, but in two years when the contract is up--don't expect me signing up for another stint.
         

My thoughts on Social Justice

As Catholics, we speak frequently of social justice issues: helping the poor, the sick, the dying, and the marginalized. We reach out with our time, our pocketbooks, helping in food pantries, supporting the sanctity of  life, and spending hours on our knees in prayer with the hope we can institute change.

Giving money to those who are suffering, praying for those who are ill, bringing Holy Communion, and empathetically listening to those who suffer, give me the sense that I am part of the solution, rather than the problem--and it makes me feel good.

Often though, I wonder why social justice often falls short of helping fellow Catholics, especially in the workforce. Why is it that we spend so much of our time reaching out to those outside the Faith, that we fail to see those working tirelessly and for little pay because they love God and want to help the overall mission of the Church?

If we as Roman Catholics want to encourage Catholics to Come Home, then I think we need to do a better job of encouraging the ones we have to stay here! Time and time again, I witness burnout due to the lack of respect of Catholic bosses, the inability to see past the mission and the failure to realize that the employees are doing a great job in not only working for less pay, but evangelizing the faith through their work. Most Catholic employees could take a better paying job, but choose to work for the Church because they believe in the value of what they do--a value that surpasses the bottom line.

Unfortunately, the poor treatment of their own in many aspects; such as lack of respect, lack of approval, and lack of consideration are the very stones that will eventually come tumbling down and the employee will not only burnout, but may quit and could eventually leave the faith.

What good is evangelizing our faith when we kill those who are the mainstay and the backbone of that evangelization?

Would it be so difficult to encourage those Catholic employees, treat them with a bit of respect and perhaps apply that Golden Rule?--Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 7:12).


We cannot just preach social justice--we need to live it in our homes, our parishes and in our workplace.

Special students taken under wing of ‘special’ woman

As Deacon Jim Banack blesses ARISE director Susie Fieder Kelly, students, parents and catechists join in at St. Gregory the Great Church, Milwaukee, on Monday, May 2. After 30 years, Kelly is retiring from the program. With Kelly are, from left, student Emma Corneliuson, 11; student Alvaro Aranda, 9; Daniel Stanke, 13 (getting a kiss from Susie); student Lucas Barnes, 9, and catechist Logan Jensen. More photos of Kelly and the ARISE students can be viewed and purchased at http://photos.chnonline.org. (Catholic Herald photo by Ernie Mastroianni)Who could blame Susie Fieder Kelly for not recognizing God’s voice calling her through the 1981 parish bulletin? After all, she was a brand spankin’ new member of St. Gregory the Great parish and had little experience with “God speak.” Besides, she had just finished her master’s degree in special education: learning disabilities, from Cardinal Stritch College  her life was suddenly less hectic, and besides, she just found a comfortable spot in the pew.
“I didn’t grow up in this parish so I was not one of the frozen chosen,” she said, laughing. “No one knew me, and I didn’t know them and it was just fine with me.”
The first time it happened, Kelly was sitting in her pew and reading the Sunday bulletin. Like a magnet, her eye caught an ad that said, “Help needed with special religious education program.” As soon as she returned home, she tossed the bulletin in the trash, convinced that this ad was designed to somehow taunt her.
“I felt very personal with that,” she joked. “The next Sunday it was in the bulletin again and of course, I threw it away again.”
After the ad made it to the bulletin for the third time, Kelly began to identify with Samuel and nearly felt inclined to respond, “Speak Lord for your servant is listening.” Instead, she phoned the church and inquired about the job.
The position entailed assisting the woman who ran the special religious ed program in existence since 1957. Classes met Saturday mornings and Kelly’s job was to help the coordinator/teacher work with the four to five special needs students.
Susie Fieder KellyWhile the teacher did a great job with the students, Kelly’s experience was that not all students learned at the same pace, especially in a more abstract subject as religion. She was also interested in reaching out to special needs adults who had not been instructed in Catholicism or received the sacraments. The following summer she took a class in special religious education curriculum to learn more about teaching methods, and suddenly another path unfolded that would absorb 30 years of her life.
“The coordinator decided to retire and I interviewed for her position,” said Kelly. “I explained what I would do differently and she offered me the job. At first I wanted to scream that I didn’t know anything about this, but then as I worked to individualize the program for kids, teens and adults, and a parent support group, the program began to fall into place.”
Using traditional materials and adapting each to the personal needs of the students, Kelly designed the program to rely on volunteer catechists to work with students on a one-to-one basis. Rather than focusing on the student’s disability, catechists learned to look for the strengths of each student and adapt materials for individual learning. The program was so successful that other parishes wanted to enroll their students in the St. Gregory the Great program.
“At first, St. Gregory paid for everything, and then in 1992, we decided to collaborate with other parishes to financially support the program as well as to help in supplying volunteers for the program,” she said. “We renamed the program ARISE, which stands for Association for Religious Instruction Special Education and includes St. Rita, Our Lady of Lourdes, St. James, Holy Assumption, St. Augustine and St. Alphonsus parishes.”
The mission of the ARISE program is to provide quality religious education for parish children, teens and adults who are challenged with disabilities. ARISE serves students with varying degrees of learning disabilities, cognitive disabilities, and emotional disabilities, including but not limited to Down syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome, Autism Spectrum and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
Classes meet on Monday nights from October through May, with individualized instruction for children and teens. Adults meet in a small group setting taking courses similar to a college setting; it is another way Kelly goes out of her way to ensure each individual is treated with dignity.
“I wanted to set this up so the adults didn’t feel like they were going to class like the children, so they begin classes a little later on Monday evenings,” she explained. “I sent out fliers with a choice of three course offerings. They pick out the one they want for each semester. It works very well. We also have some involved in the RCIA program, and that has been very successful.”
After 30 years of juggling the ARISE program with her vocation as a wife to husband Jack, mother of three children, and working fulltime for Milwaukee Public Schools as a substitute teacher, and the School to Work Transition Program, Kelly retired May 2, from her position at St. Gregory the Great.
Mandi Bottomley, a member of St. Catherine Parish, Milwaukee, has been hired to coordinate the ARISE program.
“I have been thinking about this for a couple of years,” Kelly admitted. “I knew I didn’t want to do this until I was very old. I am in my 50s now – I just have the desire to do something else, try another area of ministry, and while it is very hard to let go of this program, it is time for me to work in the background and let someone else be in charge.”
Despite her decision, leaving the ARISE program is difficult for Kelly, who has written countless grants to fund educational materials, worked side-by-side with long-term catechists, and, of course, the many special needs students ingrained on her heart.
“The volunteers have been fantastic over the years,” she said. “I respect them completely. It is a big commitment to be there every Monday night and some have been with me more than 15 years. I have grown very attached to the families and the students and will miss not seeing them every week. Of course, I will probably pop my head in there now and then to see if they need any help – I’m not sure if I can stay completely away.”
Kelly’s hard work was rewarded each year through the shining eyes of students making their first reconciliation, first Communion and confirmation.
“Seeing their faces and how happy they are brings tears to my eyes,” she said. “Some of these parents thought their child would never have the sacraments and we may have helped it happen. You can really see the face of Jesus in our ARISE students’ faces. Now we know what God looks like as we are all created in the image and likeness of Christ.”
For St. Gregory the Great parishioners Cheryl and Kevin Stanke, having a program for their 14-year-old son, Daniel, who has Down syndrome, has brought him closer to God than they ever thought possible.
“I cannot say enough about the program or Susie,” said Cheryl. “She is so compassionate, kind and caring and goes out of her way to organize and arrange things to fit our schedules and whatever we want or need – she makes it happen.”
In April, Daniel made his first reconciliation after four years in the program.
“She accomplishes amazing things and has a calling from God for them – everything is always for the kids,” she said. “Daniel loves her so much; we had a closing program on May 2, and the deacon asked us to raise our right hands to bless Susie. Daniel stood right by her side; he adores her, she is just a fantastic person.”
While St. Gregory the Great parishioners Kathy and John Konetz are confident the next ARISE coordinator will do a wonderful job, it is too soon to think of Kelly’s replacement without shedding a few tears. Their son Andrew, 14, has attended the program for the past eight years and has thrived with the one-on-one attention from the catechist who has been with him from the beginning.
“Andrew is autistic; we are a Catholic family and have two other kids who have gone through the sacraments and we wanted him to learn about God and the sacraments. Because of the program, he has been able to receive the sacraments of holy Communion and reconciliation.”
Thanks to the compassionate and gentle guidance of Kelly and the volunteers, Andrew knows how to make the sign of the cross, has learned his prayers and is able to participate in Mass more often.
“This program has been super for him,” said Kathy, choking back tears. “She has such dedication, is compassionate, kind, and most of all patient. The kids all love her and shower her with hugs when they see her. Susie will be greatly missed and I think she will miss all of the kids too.”

Terry McMillan -Getting to Happy

When Getting to Happy arrived in the mail, I could not wait to read it. After all, Terry McMillan's first book, "Waiting to Exhale" was a blockbuster hit, later made into a movie. Getting to Happy was a bit different than the first, for details on what I thought, check out http://www.blogher.com/getting-happy-could-use-little-more-happy

'Hoodwinked Too' director aims for legacy pleasing to God

Written by Karen Mahoney, Special to your Catholic HeraldThursday, 09 June 2011 08:42

Though he was raised on Chicago’s South Side, Hollywood film director Mike Disa insists he is no tough guy, but his tough Irish Catholic roots have helped him persevere through an aggressive profession.

“I never forget where I came from, because I haven’t really gotten anywhere,” joked Disa. “I am in a very non-glamorous profession, and live in an ordinary subdivision, attend Mass and school events with my kids, and volunteer as a Cub Scout pack leader – all ordinary stuff.”

Perhaps, but with more than 20 years in the animated film industry, Disa’s accomplishments are impressive, and include four feature-length projects. “Hoodwinked Too: Hood vs. Evil,” is his latest endeavor. The 3D film stars the voices of Glenn Close, Joan Cusack, Patrick Warburton and Hayden Panettiere, and is the sequel to the original “Hoodwinked,” a 2005 release.

The sequel, released April 29, finds the heroine, Red, training with a mysterious covert group called the Sisters of the Hood. But Red is forced to cut her training short when she gets an urgent call from Nicky Flippers, who returns as head of the super-secret Happily Ever After Agency.

A wicked witch has abducted two innocent children, Hansel and Gretel, and Nicky needs Red for the search and rescue mission.

“The overall message in this film is that you can never fail unless you give up, and Red learns this lesson a few times,” said Disa. “She tries to live up to the legacy of her grandma several times and wants to be a superhero like Grandma. She tries to do things herself and screws up; but when she is about to quit trying, her grandma takes her and tells her that she hasn’t failed or lost unless she gives up. There is also another subplot in the film that is a little like the Prodigal Son story in that there is always a place for you at home if you can let go of the hatred and pain and can ask for forgiveness.”

Rather than expose children to animated films with inappropriate innuendos, trash talk and birds that “wiggle and fart” in front of the camera, Disa considers his role to be that of temporary guardian for the minds and souls of youth. He takes that role very seriously.

“I have such great memories of my dad taking us to see ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,’ ‘Mysterious Island’ and ‘The Wizard of Oz’ – it was part of our family language,” he said. “Those are the types of films I desperately want to make. It is a matter of faith for me. I was called by the Lord into the arts, and I feel a responsibility to make the most of that and not just make a living. I was influenced by the nuns in Catholic school, and learned about devotions and callings and what we were put on the earth to do. I think my kids will be more proud of me if I had less and did more.”

Animated characters Gretel, voiced by Amy Poehler, and Hansel, voiced by Bill Hader, appear in the movie “Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil.” (CNS photo/The Weinstein Company)Part of his desire to set an example for his wife Laura and their children Maggie, 11, Michael, 9, and Ben, 6, is to look for projects that are worthy of a legacy and combine them with the duties of an American artist. He does not look merely to thrill, but to make his audience laugh, and to entertain and take care of them.

“I want to direct movies that appeal to all ages with clever lines, surprises and action sequences,” he said. “I want to reach beyond the usual animation audience and not have my movies be simply a babysitter for the kids. If a family goes to the effort of seeing this film, they will be rewarded with scenes that Mom and Dad can enjoy, too. A lot of times, parents tolerate films and their kids like it. I hope that parents who come to see ‘Hoodwinked Too’ will be pleasantly surprised. If you make the effort to attend animated films, you should be getting a good story about real people that is funny, smart and respectful.”

For Disa, success is all about leaving a legacy that is pleasing to God and his children. He looks for stories that highlight overcoming difficulties, perseverance and reconciliation.

“I love the stories of saints, of Jesus, of living the great American spirit in the Midwest and overcoming tremendous odds and obstacles,” he said. “It is important to share stories where characters admit they have gone wrong, change directions and follow the right path.”

A graduate of Northern Illinois University, Disa was raised in a large family of nuns and priests; his great uncle, Fr. Peter Joyce, was the pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Chicago.

“I still do hold the record as the altar boy to serve the most continuous Easter Masses in a row,” he said. “Well, that was really because I lived a block away from the church and my Uncle Pete called me whenever the other boys didn’t show up to serve Mass. It was funny; all the kids in the neighborhood would be playing ball on Sunday mornings, but there I was serving Masses, actually quite a few Masses. My family thought I would be a priest, or a fireman like one of my other uncles, but my mom joked that I would be a convict like one of my other uncles.”

His sense of humor and faith sustain Disa through the good times and the difficult times. Like most middle income Americans, he struggles with juggling family, work, faith and finances. He and his family belong to Blessed Kateri Catholic Church in Santa Clarita, Calif., where he struggles with paying Catholic school tuition costs in a sagging economy.

“We have two of the kids attend Blessed Kateri, but it is tough to come up with the tuition money,” he said. “We do have a wonderful CCD program at our parish, and some good public schools in the area, so I think we might have to make some difficult decisions soon. My oldest daughter sings in our church choir and she really enjoys that.”

Disa credits his dad for bestowing him with the love of film and painting. After he graduated college, he left for Hollywood with his portfolio, his grandfather’s beat up Delta 88, and the conviction that digital filmmaking was the future of art.

“While I am not supremely popular or wealthy, I am left with a couple of things that make me appreciate where I am today,” he said. “First, I have the security of knowing that my kids will be well fed, have insurance, school and a home, and as an artist and someone who is a filmmaker, I had better not make it about that stuff. In the end, it is all about my faith and answering to God.”

NOVENA PRAYER TO SAINT PHILOMENA

We beseech Thee, O Lord, to grant us the pardon of our sins by the intercession of Saint , virgin and martyr, who was always pleasing in Thy sight by her eminent chastity and by the profession of every virtue. Amen.

Illustrious virgin and martyr, Saint Philomena, behold me prostrate before the throne whereupon it has pleased the Most Holy Trinity to place thee. Full of confidence in thy protection, I entreat thee to intercede for me with God, from the heights of Heaven deign to cast a glance upon thy humble client! Spouse of Christ, sustain me in suffering, fortify me in temptation, protect me in the dangers surrounding me, obtain for me the graces necessary to me, and in particular
(Here specify your petition).
Above all, assist me at the hour of my death. Saint Philomena, powerful with God, pray for us. Amen.

O God, Most Holy Trinity, we thank Thee for the graces Thou didst bestow upon the Blessed Virgin Mary, and upon Thy handmaid Philomena, through whose intercession we implore Thy Mercy. Amen.

Thanks Mary Kay

Wow, got a really cool surprise in the mail the other day and finally took a few moments in between my NON-interviews to have a look at it. Yeah, the non-interviews are another story and a great amount of frustration for someone who depends upon people calling her back to make a living as a writer.

So, I knew I was picked to test the products, but wasn't sure what to expect when I learned that the folks at Mary Kay were going to send me some make up to try. I figured it would be a few microscopic samples in little round bubbles with a tiny applicator--no idea that they were planning to send me an actual, usable compact filled with eye and cheek product.

It's been a long time since Mary Kay makeup has touched this face and admittedly, I was quite impressed with the changes.

In my box was a plastic compact with two sections and a mirror, three types of eye shadow and blush, and two applicators.

The best part besides being awesome makeup? The top compartment is a magnet and all of the make up components pop right in and stay put.

The products go on smooth, blend easily, look great and pop right in my purse! Trying Mary Kay again makes me dream of owning my own Pink Cadillac, think it could happen?

Kenosha's Theology on Tap back for another great summer

Here is a great opportunity to socialize, have some free food and drinks, and learn more about the Catholic Faith. For those who are 18-35, this is a perfect night out!



Theology on Tap is BACK for Young Adults!

Theology-on-Tap is a four week summer speaker series for all single and married young
adults ages 19-39. This is an opportunity to meet and talk with other young adults about
God, faith, spirituality, theology and life in a fun, laid back, social atmosphere. Mark
your calendars for Tuesday evenings, July 12, 19, 26 and August 2nd at the Boathouse
Pub and Eatery downtown Kenosha. All sessions begin at 7:00 PM. There is no cost to
attend and registration is not required. Appetizers and refreshments will be provided!
Questions, call Jane Delfield at 262-694-6018 x 136 or Eric Antrim at 262-498-9028 or
check us out on facebook at “KYAC”.


Theology on Tap- All Young Adults welcome!

Theology-on-Tap is a four week summer speaker series for all single and married young
adults ages 19-39. This is an opportunity to meet and talk with other young adults about
God, faith, spirituality, theology and life in a fun, laid back, social atmosphere. Sessions
begin at 7pm and take place at the Boathouse Pub in downtown Kenosha.
July 12- “Spiritual Carpentry”; Building Blocks for Healthy Spirituality- Fr. Jim Lobacz
July 19- Theology of the Body- Fr. Javier Bustos
July 26- “Scripture for Dummies”; An Introduction to the Bible- Dr. Dan Scholz
August 2- “A Change in Mass is Gonna Come!”; Dean Daniels
Come joins us for one, some or all these nights. Questions, contact Eric Antrim at
262-498-9028 or check us out on facebook at “KYAC”.

Circle of Friends help neighbors in need

Written by Karen Mahoney,

Special to your Catholic Herald

Wednesday, 01 June 2011 11:00

Karen and John Czajkowski, left to right, and Peggy Bolhuis sort donations from the Circle of Friends recently at the home of Annette Loper. Since it began in February 2009, the Circle of Friends has helped about 17 struggling families. (Catholic Herald photo by Juan C. Medina) “Lean on me, when you’re not strong
And I’ll be your friend/. I’ll help you carry on.
For it won’t be long. ‘Til I’m gonna need..
Somebody to lean on….”
– Lyrics from ”Lean on Me”

A hard worker, Mark (last name withheld for privacy) prided himself on earning a decent income, purchasing food, clothing and a new home for his wife and four children. While they weren’t rich, the close-knit family had a little money in the bank, appreciated an occasional night out and enjoyed their involvement in their parish, community and Little League. They were living the American Dream.

One day, Mark got sick with a terminal illness and everything changed.

“I lost my job and the bills began to pile up,” he said. “I’ve been trying to get Social Security Disability, but they keep denying me so now I have to get a lawyer to help us through that maze, and there is so much paperwork.”

On the verge of losing their home, the family struggles each month to pay the necessary bills and buy groceries. They have contacted another attorney to begin bankruptcy proceedings. For Mark, being able to provide for his family was integral to his role as a Catholic man and head of his household. Weakened from his illness, and depressed, he wondered each day how he would get through to the next one without losing his family’s respect.

Mark needed a friend, and God provided a whole circle of them.

“I got a call from someone from a group called the Circle of Friends who heard that I was in need and they asked if they could help me. I said, ‘Sure,’” he explained. “They give me groceries, laundry soap and things we need like cereal, canned goods – about four to five grocery bags full each month. They also give me a couple of hundred dollars in cash or a gift certificate for more shopping and groceries.”

While it isn’t enough to solve the family’s financial problems, it is enough for Mark to feel better about himself, and it has boosted his faith, which he admits has taken a beating the past few months.

“I was having a lot of trouble with my faith,” he said. “I began to get angry with God and wondered where he was. I know we are going to lose everything – but these angels have helped us get from one day to the next without giving up and for whatever reason, we are still living in our house. I thought we would have lost it long ago.”

In addition to the groceries and the little spending money, Mark appreciates the encouragement given to him by the volunteers, and the ability to, once again, feel like a human being.

“They listen to me talk all the time, and sometimes guide me toward places I can go for help, such as getting the Social Security attorney,” he said. “But for me, I have a couple of dollars in my pocket now and if I need some parts for something that breaks down, I can pay for them.  Sometimes I want a soda or the kids want gum, and I can get that for them. I can feel like their dad again because of these angels.”

During their regular visits in church after Mass, or at local coffee shops, Annette Loper, Peggy Bolhuis and several friends began discussing the economy and how it has affected so many families in the area.

For more information on the Circle of Friends: Contact: Annette Loper (414) 764-2720 or Peggy Bolhuis (414) 762-1416

“We started thinking that it was silly to sit there and talk and not do something,” said Loper, a member of Divine Mercy Parish, South Milwaukee. “Most of us were retired and have income coming in each month that provides us with security. But those who are unemployed don’t have that security and we decided to do something about it.”

With the goal of keeping the program anonymous and simple, Loper, the Circle of Friends coordinator, set up clusters of 10-14 individuals. Currently, more than 70 members comprise seven clusters. Each month, members donate between $10-$20, or whatever they can manage, as well as some non-perishable items. Of those funds, $150 is used to purchase gift cards for grocery stores and the remainder is in cash.

Although a spreadsheet is passed out to each member giving them a non-perishable item to purchase for the month, members are generous and often provide far more than asked. Some months, Loper finds bags of fresh fruit, vegetables and cheese at her door in addition to the requested items. Once the donations are collected at the cluster leader’s home, the items are either picked up or delivered to the family.

“We adopt an unemployed family and/or a family having severe medical issues causing a financial strain,” explained Loper, who added that only she and the cluster leader know the name of the family. “We adopt them for six months and each month give them money and the collected items. After six months, we evaluate their situation and if they are still struggling, we continue with them.”

Since its inception in February 2009, the Circle of Friends is assisting its 17th family, and is working with seven families struggling with a variety of devastating circumstances. The interdenominational group, not affiliated with any church, learns of needy families through word of mouth, and volunteers are primarily in the Milwaukee area.

“However, we have one volunteer with relatives from other states,” said Loper. “They wanted to hear more about it, so we sent them a brochure and they started a group in their own community.”

While there are many families who are referred to the Circle of Friends for help, often they are a bit embarrassed when Loper calls.

“We sometimes have to talk them into it,” she admitted. “We keep their names anonymous to maintain their dignity, and go from there.”

The amount of money and food products are not enough to cure the financial burdens or divert the inevitable, but enough to reduce financial pressure and help the family survive as a unit.

“Almost all the families have said that this gets them through the month and helps them mentally survive to the next month,” said Loper. “In fact, there is such a sense of pride that if a family member finds a job, they will contact us and tell us to use the money for another family in need. We always ask if they could use our help for a couple more months to get on their feet, but they usually refuse.”

Offering hope to so many people is humbling to each member of the Circle of Friends who insist that the faith of the families they help is edifying and spiritually, they receive more than they give.

“They have such tremendous faith and are able to endure sometimes horrendous situations, but they still remain strong and positive to keep their families together,” said Loper. “Despite all their difficulties, we are inspired by their strength and never cease to be amazed at that.”
She noted that with one exception, the help from Circle of Friends has allowed the recipients ­­­­­to keep their homes.

After graduating from the program, some of the families offer to join the Circle of Friends desiring to give back, but they are encouraged, instead, to focus on getting their finances in order, heal from the pain of loss and enjoy each other.

“We know that they will still be struggling and we don’t want any pressure on them to give back,” said Loper. “We are happy we can help and hope they are able to get back on their feet.”

The Circle of Friends concept has grown and often Loper is asked to share their information with different communities and church groups across the country. She isn’t sure how many have adopted the plan, but is encouraged that the interest continues.

“One thing that concerns me is that some people don’t realize how bad the unemployment problem is,” she said. “We don’t want to become apathetic to this and that is the danger. We don’t want people getting used to the unemployment and let their guard down – we need to be about helping each other. That is what God calls us to do.”

Patron Saint of Catholic Novelists-Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman

God has created me to do him some definite service; He has committed some work to me which he has not committed to another. I have my mission; I never may know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. I have a part in a great work; I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons. He has not created me for naught. I shall do good, I shall do His work; I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place, while not intending it, if I do but keep His commandments and serve Him in my calling.
— John Henry Cardinal Newman


Eternal Father, You led John Henry Newman to follow the kindly light of Truth, and he obediently responded to your heavenly calls at any cost. As writer, preacher, counselor and educator, as pastor, Oratorian, and servant of the poor he labored to build up your Kingdom.

Grant that through your Vicar on Earth we may hear the words, ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter into the company of the canonized saints.’

May you manifest your Servant’s power of intercession by even extraordinary answers to the prayers of the faithful throughout the world. We pray particularly for our intentions [name your intentions] in his name and in the name of Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.