Search

Vandal Catholic OCIA candidate shares her experience of SEEK25 Hayden and Grace Cassinelli enjoy a sunset on the Palouse. (Courtesy photo/gracecassinelliphotography.com) By Grace Cassinelli For the ICR If I could describe SEEK in one word, I would use the word ‘transformative.’ Jesus always seeks to transform us, and He will do so if we allow Him to. My name is Grace Cassinelli. I’m a young, married woman currently in OCIA, set to become Catholic alongside my husband, Hayden, come Easter. Beginning my conversion did not come easy to me. Hayden and I attended our first Mass in October of 2023, just about a month before we were set to be married. I found myself there only because my husband made a deep dive into Church history and continued finding himself more and more drawn to the Catholic faith. I felt utterly lost after leaving that chapel. I had no idea why Catholics did church the way they did. I thought to myself, “What’s with the kneeling? What are they doing with their hands? Why do they move so much?” THE BACKSTORY Hayden and I come from an Evangelical Protestant background. Before we decided we wanted to become Catholic, we were attending a non-denominational church. I had no idea what was going on at Mass. Not only did I not understand what was going on, but I also disliked it. Why? I didn’t have a good reason. The reason was, “I’m uncomfortable. This is not what I am used to.” From that point forward, I had my mind about the Catholic Church made up; She was the enemy. Of course, She was the enemy! She was taking my soon-to-be husband away from me; at least, that’s what I thought. I was sure I’d never step foot in a Catholic Church again. Still, my husband and I were married in November 2023 in a Baptist church, and the ‘Catholic issue’ was pushed under the rug. Underneath the surface, I felt I had just signed myself up for a marriage destined to fail. Those feelings were not invalid ones; our marriage went through many struggles. Hayden was so interested in the Catholic Church. I remember trying to reconcile on so many accounts; we would do Bible studies, pray and hope the Lord would bring us to mutual understanding. I wanted Hayden to stay a Protestant, yet he kept being more and more drawn into the Catholic faith. There were times when we’d have a hard conversation, and I would say, “Well, fine! I’ll just convert then!” I will never forget his response. He asked me not to convert unless I did it for God, not for him. With God’s grace and some time, I realized I had put up many walls. I knew I needed to examine my heart. My husband was willing to go to church with me, which I preferred, but I was unwilling to go with him. If my husband could extend such grace to me, why was I not extending that same grace to him? After this conviction hit me, I knew something needed to change. I came to Hayden and told him that I would go to Mass with him, and we decided upon a new Sunday routine: we would go to the church of my choice in the morning and Mass in the evening—every Sunday. I attended Mass for the first time with an open heart and mind in August 2024. I was nervous—profusely sweating, in fact. I kept thinking Catholics were perfect human beings, and I was a broken one who had no idea what she was doing at Mass. Regardless, I persisted, and Jesus did something incredibly profound in my heart. Eventually, I knew the Catholic Church was home, and I didn’t want anything else. There is no logical explanation for this. I surely didn’t suddenly understand everything about the Catholic faith, but something in me knew I had found exactly where I was supposed to be. 54 students from St. Augustine’s Catholic Student Center in Moscow gave up a week of Christmas break to spend time at SEEK25. (Courtesy photo/gracecassinelliphotography.com) SEEK25 Fast forward to January 2025. It was time to go to SEEK. The FOCUS missionaries at St. Augustine’s Catholic Student Center on the University of Idaho campus were rooting for me and wanted me to go. Without their incredible and generous support, I wouldn’t have found myself at SEEK. At this point, I was more versed in the Catholic faith through regular church attendance and being in OCIA. I was ready to embrace what SEEK had to offer, knowing that I would get what I put into the conference out of it. My husband and I, and 52 other students from St. Augustine’s decided to give up a week of our Christmas break to spend time with our Lord in fellowship, listening to speakers with hearts for God. Our time of fellowship began on the bus ride to Salt Lake City and did not end until everyone had gone home. One of the things we did together on the ride to SEEK was pray the Rosary. It was so impactful to hear so many young Catholics joining in prayer together. I remember feeling such peace and contentment after praying the Rosary among many of my friends. SEEK had much to offer. Seeing 17,000 young Catholics embracing the faith, going to Mass, singing hymns together, and being on fire for Jesus was incredibly inspiring. I had never experienced Mass on such a large scale before; I was shocked by the sheer number of people there for one purpose: to glorify Jesus. SEEK showed me just how full of life the Catholic faith is. I was amazed to see so many young people not just walking towards Jesus, but running towards Him. On the third night of SEEK, there was a special time for Adoration. This was by far the most impactful thing I experienced at SEEK. As a woman with a Protestant background, initially, I had no concept of what the Eucharist was to Catholics. I had previously believed it was merely a symbol of Christ’s Body and Blood. During OCIA, I learned much more and had already come to believe in Christ’s real presence in the Eucharist. But before SEEK, I had only attended Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament once before, for half an hour. For Grace Cassinelli, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament was the highlight of SEEK25. A priest processes with the Holy Eucharist on Jan. 3 at the conference in Salt Lake City.  (Courtesy photo/FOCUS) ADORATION On that third night of SEEK, a very large procession of priests came walking into the conference center, elevating our Lord in a beautiful monstrance. I was in awe of the procession and was quick to fall to my knees. When our Lord arrived upon the altar, I began to sob. I could feel my spirit being transformed, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation arose in my heart. As I am not yet officially Catholic, I have never been to Confession. Confession was one of the biggest obstacles when it came to my willingness to consider the Catholic Church. The thought of going to a priest and telling him my shortcomings felt incredibly intimidating, and I chose to cope with that by ignoring how I felt. However, when you are in the presence of Jesus, you can’t ignore how you feel, especially how you feel about your sin. You can’t hide anything. The weight of my sin came down heavily upon me during Adoration, and all I wanted to do was sprint to the confessional. Something that used to feel so terrifying suddenly sounded like an exceptional way to receive God’s grace and be healed and cleansed. Adoration is an excellent preparation for entering the Catholic Church. It heals and softens our hearts. I pray that you would allow the Eucharist to transform you and never let Him stop transforming you. Spend time with Jesus. Let him know you love Him, just as you would let your spouse, children, brothers or sisters know you love them. Spending time with Him is the best way to do this. He will never fail you when you come to worship Him. Sanctification happens when we are in the presence of our Lord. God is always creating and sustaining us. We just have to let Him in.

Mark Renick, Reentry Program Manager, received cookies when he was a resident at Idaho Maximum Security Institute. “This is a big deal to everyone,” said Renick, pictured above. (Courtesy Photos/Mareesa Rule) By Mareesa Rule St. Vincent de Paul Southwest Idaho Development Director for the ICR THANKSGIVING FOOD BOXES Julie Machakos, a long-time employee at St. Vincent de Paul Southwest Idaho’s Thrift Store, recounted her interaction with a gentleman who registered for a Thanksgiving food box. When asked how many people would join him for the celebration, the man responded, “Twenty.” Intrigued, Julie inquired further and learned he resides in a transitional facility with 19 other individuals. He explained that many of his fellow residents often spend their holidays alone, with no family nearby. This year, however, he saw an opportunity to bring everyone together to celebrate as a family. The St. Vincent de Paul Thanksgiving Food Box he received helped ensure a memorable gathering. Residents of the facility worked together to prepare the meal, turning their kitchen into a hub of activity and holiday cheer. The effort brought the group closer together. From cooking the stuffing and roasting the turkey to ensuring the dessert was ready on time, it was a reminder of what the holiday season is truly about—connection, laughter and gratitude. Thanks to the efforts of St. Vincent de Paul Southwest Idaho and the generosity of its supporters, 16,473 neighbors across the Treasure Valley sat down to a nourishing Thanksgiving meal this year. SVdP’s Thanksgiving Food Box Program united donors, volunteers, and neighbors in need, highlighting the power of compassion and collective action. The program, designed as a family-to-family outreach effort, connected local donors with neighbors facing food insecurity. Each food box contained all the essentials for a complete Thanksgiving feast: turkey, gravy, stuffing, potatoes, dinner rolls, vegetables and dessert. The demand for assistance was high, but thanks to the contributions of the Treasure Valley community, the program was a resounding success. The program’s success was made possible by 787 volunteers who collectively dedicated 2,503 hours of their time. These individuals packed, distributed and delivered boxes, ensuring that thousands of families received a meal and a sense of hope and belonging. Their efforts, coupled with the generosity of donors, created a ripple effect of kindness throughout the community. Father Ben Uhlenkott blessing Thanksgiving food boxes. CHRISTMAS TOY STORE This past December, 1,768 families registered to shop at Christmas Toy Store locations, providing gifts to 6,172 children. Over $153,000 worth of toys and gifts were distributed, ensuring that no child woke up on Christmas morning without something special to open. For one mother, the Christmas Toy Store was a lifeline during a challenging year. “I was worried about how I’d give my kids a Christmas at all,” she shared. “But walking into the store, I felt so much relief. The volunteers were so kind, and I found exactly what my kids would love. It really made me feel like everything was going to be okay.” The process begins with a personal touch: volunteers pre-register families over the phone and ensure that each household is given an appointment to shop without cost to them at one of the Christmas Toy Store locations. This thoughtful approach allows parents to browse and select the gifts that best suit their children’s interests and needs in a dignified and joyful environment. Each year, the Christmas Toy Store opens its doors in Ada and Canyon Counties, with “pop-up” locations in Mountain Home and Ontario, Ore. Families in need can find gifts for kids up to 18 years. Through the generosity of donors and the dedication of volunteers, the SVdP store transforms into a winter wonderland of toys, games and gifts, all waiting to bring smiles to young faces. “The Christmas Toy Store is one of our most heartwarming programs,” said Ralph May, Executive Director of St. Vincent de Paul Southwest Idaho. “It’s a reminder that the holidays are about giving, kindness and coming together as a community to support one another. Each gift chosen and wrapped represents a moment of joy for a child and peace of mind for a parent.” The Christmas Toy Store is made possible by the support of donors, local businesses and volunteers who give their time and resources to make it all happen. Volunteers embody the spirit of the season, sorting and organizing toys, assisting parents as they shop and ensuring that every family who walks through the doors feels welcomed and supported. COOKIES FOR CORRECTIONS Cookies for Corrections, organized by St. Vincent de Paul Southwest Idaho’s Reentry Program, brings hope and kindness to those often forgotten during the holiday season. “I personally received cookies when I spent time out there [Idaho Maximum Security Institute] many years ago. This is a big deal to everyone,” said Mark Renick, Reentry Program Manager. “With a simple ‘Merry Christmas, we’re thinking about you, God loves you,’ we can show compassion and care, reaching everyone, no matter their situation.” From Dec. 16 to Dec. 20, the team collected an astounding 250,000 cookies, which were delivered to residents at South Boise Women’s Correctional Center, Idaho State Correctional Institution, South Idaho Correctional Institution, Idaho Maximum Security Institution, Idaho State Correctional Center, and Mountain View Transformational Center. Six thousand inmates received cookies during this year’s campaign. This small yet meaningful gesture offers an opportunity to extend compassion, fellowship and community to incarcerated individuals in Idaho. For many residents, receiving Christmas cookies may be the only act of humanity and kindness they experience during the holiday season. It’s a reminder that even in challenging circumstances, they are not alone and are still valued members of the community. Cookies for Corrections is a powerful example of how small acts of kindness can have a profound impact. LEND A NEIGHBOR A HELPING HAND In 2024, St. Vincent de Paul Southwest Idaho helped over 166,000 neighbors in the Treasure Valley through direct financial assistance, food, Thrift Store vouchers and Re-entry and Career Development services. To get involved, offer support or learn more about St. Vincent de Paul Southwest Idaho, please visit svdpid.org .

Idaho Catholic Youth Conference is March 7-9 “God Squad” highschool students train for ICYC at a Jan 18-19 retreat. (ICR photo/Joe Egbert ) Andrew Furphy The goal of the Idaho Catholic Youth Conference (ICYC), March 7-9, is a deeper encounter and understanding of God and His Church. This year, we join the Holy Father in adopting the theme of Hope. God Squad, the high school leaders who volunteer to make ICYC so impactful, will help embody the hope of the Jubilee Year with their enthusiasm and passion for the Lord. This past weekend, God Squad gathered for a 24-hour retreat where they deepened their identity as witnesses of hope. The high school leaders came from the West and West Central Deaneries. To facilitate a deep impact with our Lord, ICYC helps youth break down barriers that prevent them from experiencing God’s mercy and love, leading to a more profound experience of hope. God Squad will assist our youth in the work of this important breakthrough. Our youth are full of energy. Sometimes, that energy is directed toward unhealthy or unwise worries and behaviors. It is our job to help direct that energy toward hope, helping our youth to feel the truth of the divine Jubilee that offers good news to those who feel spiritually impoverished, liberty to captives, recovery of sight to the spiritually blind, and freedom to those who feel oppressed (see Luke 4: 16-21). ICYC facilitates a deeper conversion to Christ and His Church, encouraging youth to create a more Christ-like world, the Kingdom of God, a life full of hope. It prepares our youth to be authentic witnesses of hope who can share the truth of life in Christ with those they encounter. This year’s conference will be high energy and deeply impactful, with amazing speakers and opportunities to participate in the sacraments. Registration closes in early February. Please get in touch with your parish Director of Youth Ministry for registration and cost information. To learn more about the speakers go to evangelizeidaho.com/icyc2025 .

On February 1, Catholic men from around the Diocese of Boise will gather at Holy Apostles Catholic Church in Meridian for the annual Idaho Catholic Men’s Conference. It is an opportunity for men of our diocese to gather in person at the conference or at watch parties to explore more fully what it means to be a Catholic man in today’s world. One spiritual fruit of last year’s conference was the opportunity to help form a small men’s group at the Diocese of Boise. Three of my fellow male co-workers and I have met every other Tuesday for a year to grow in our faith journey. In our conversations, we often discuss the key roles we play as husbands and fathers. It is great to have this small brotherhood to help me grow in my identity as a man. One of the dynamics that a small group affords is the ability to share the struggles of living out the Catholic faith in the context of one’s own vocation in the realities of marriage and family life. This year, I propose that part of a deeper understanding of what it means to be a man is to ponder the dignity and vocation of a woman. If I understand better who a woman is, more light will be shed on how I can complement, support and dignify the women in my life—starting with my wife, daughters, female family members, friends and co-workers. I draw inspiration from Pope St. John Paul II, who sheds light on the brokenness of male and female relationships in his apostolic letter, On the Dignity and Vocation of Women . In paragraph 10, St. John Paul II writes: “The biblical description in the Book of Genesis outlines the truth about the consequences of man’s sin, as shown by the disturbance of that original relationship between man and woman, which corresponds to their individual dignity as persons. A human being, whether male or female, is a person and, therefore, the only creature on earth that God willed for its own sake; at the same time, this unique and unrepeatable creature cannot fully find himself except through a sincere gift of self. Here begins the relationship of communion in which the unity of the two and the personal dignity of both man and woman find expression.” Healing the disturbance (some define it as domination) within the communion between men and women is absolutely crucial. Current-day identity confusion about the proper balance of roles is a significant source of disunity. Pope St. John Paul is keenly aware of the rupture: “This domination indicates the disturbance and loss of the stability of that fundamental equality which the man and the woman possess in the unity of the two.” Philosopher Dr. John Cuddeback reflects on the authentic meaning of communion between men and women, and particularly what it means to be a husband. In a blog post titled “Husbandry and Rethinking a Man’s Bond with his Wife,” Cuddeback writes, “When a man marries, the primary connection in his life should be to his wife. But this connection is part of a web of connections centered in a home they make together. Indeed, because a man binds himself to his wife, he also binds himself to their common home, their shared place in the world. If we unhinge the man from the broader web of connection, then we threaten the original, root connection.” Cuddeback notes that writer “Wendell Berry offers this characterization of husbandry: ‘It is the art of keeping tied all the strands in the living network that sustains us.’ This might seem abstract and a bit wide of the mark; rather, it goes to the heart of rediscovering and healing masculinity, or more to the point—to healing men, marriage, and the home.” Cuddeback beautifully states, “A husband, in the fullest sense, is a man who has fallen in love with a woman and then discovers that his love for her calls him to that vast enterprise, an enterprise calling for amazing, concrete applications. Imagine a world in which the concrete arts of life are driven by married love! It is always a matter of love, and love brings things together. A married man discovers that  his first  love does not narrow his life. Rather, by a deep magic, the maturation of that love expands his heart, his vision, and the work of his hands to encompass more than he could have imagined.” I agree wholeheartedly with Cuddeback’s observation that men need to be about the “concrete arts of life” focused on love and all this calling entails. I pray that men attending the Idaho Catholic Men’s Conference will fall more deeply into love with their vocation as brother, son, husband and father as they ponder the authentic meaning of their human relationships.

Father Sleeva Raju Madanu, pastor of St. George’s in Post Falls. By Margaret Scott for the ICR On Sunday, Dec. 8, the community of St. George’s Catholic Parish in Post Falls gathered to celebrate their community’s newest citizen, their pastor, Father Sleeva Raju Madanu. After living in the United States for 10 years, Father Sleeva became a citizen on Sept. 19. More than 150 people gathered at the Post Falls VFW Hall to celebrate Father Sleeva and enjoy a fundraiser soup luncheon. Over 20 soups were donated for the event, and parishioners voted on their top four choices. Funds from the event’s silent auction, bake sale, wine collection raffle and quilt raffle raised more than $20,000 for the new parish center, which is currently under construction. Father Sleeva said that the best part of the celebration was having the parishioners together in fellowship. “With the church property under construction, many activities were put on hold or transferred to our neighboring churches. This has left the community missing out on fellowship opportunities,” he said. For Father Sleeva, there was no better way to celebrate than to have all his flock together.  Originally from Kethepally, India, Father Sleeva first moved to the United States in June 2011. The Bishop of his Diocese in Nalgonda, India visited the Diocese of Superior, Wis. and asked Father Sleeva to take an assignment there. Though Father Sleeva wasn’t excited about moving to Superior, he agreed. The language barrier proved difficult for Father Sleeva. Though his seminary studies had been conducted in English, he hadn’t used the language regularly in India. His accent was also a challenge, making it difficult for people to understand him. Despite the difficulties, Father Sleeva developed an appreciation for Wisconsin, including its winters. “It was exciting when I saw the first snow falling,” he said. He took up ice fishing. “When I came, I never thought I would become a citizen,” he said, “but I started thinking I would want to work long-term in Superior.” After a year and a half, Father Sleeva applied for a green card which was issued in August 2013. Bishop Peter Christensen was the Bishop of the Diocese of Superior at the time, and Father Sleeva came to greatly appreciate his leadership. “He is so kind,” Father Sleeva said.  In 2016, Father Sleeva returned to the Diocese of Naglonda, but he and Bishop Peter, who was transferred to the Diocese of Boise in December 2014, continued to keep in touch. In January 2017 and again in 2018, Father Sleeva visited the Diocese of Boise at Bishop Peter’s invitation. He assisted Father Jerry Funke for six weeks at the St. John’s Cathedral during one of his visits. “It’s a beautiful place,” Father Sleeva said of his first impression of Idaho. “I never saw these big mountains before.” Father Sleeva moved back to the United States in May 2019. Over the course of two years, he served in varying capacities at St. Jerome’s Catholic Church in Jerome, Saints Peter and Paul Parish in Grangeville and St. Joseph Catholic Church in Sandpoint. In 2020, Father Sleeva’s brother, Father Arogyam Madanu, who is also a priest, was granted permission to work in the Diocese of Boise. With Father Timothy Ritchey’s retirement, Father Sleeva requested to be assigned to St. George’s along with Father Arogyam, who is the Parochial Vicar of St. Stanislaus and St. Joseph in Rathdrum and Spirit Lake. Knowing the difficulties of being a priest in a new country, Father Sleeva wanted to have his brother nearby. As his green card expiration date approached, he considered whether to renew it or apply for U.S. citizenship. As India does not allow dual citizenship, he had to evaluate the effect of losing his Indian citizenship. Father said it was an easy choice to become an American citizen. Bishop Peter agreed, and Father Sleeva applied for citizenship in June 2024. After the application documents were submitted, the United States embassy scheduled Father Sleeva’s citizenship interview and exam for Sept. 18. During the interview, he was required to correctly answer at least 6 of 10 randomly chosen questions out of a list of 100. “I answered six questions correctly, so there was no need for him to ask the seventh one,” Father Sleeva said. The following day, Father Sleeva took the oath of citizenship. “It was a happy moment,” he said. Father Sleeva was raised in a Catholic family that goes back at least five generations. In his village of around 30,000, there were 600 Catholic families in a predominantly Hindu society. The homes of the Catholic families surrounded the church. He remembers walking to daily Mass at 6:30 a.m. every morning and returning to the church at 5:30 p.m. to pray the rosary every evening, followed by another rosary in his family home led by his grandfather. “Every day, you could hear the church bells ring at 6 a.m., 12 p.m., and 6 p.m. for the Angelus,” Father Sleeva said. Father Sleeva grew up seeing priests and nuns in his everyday life. He attended a school run by Sisters who lived on the campus and would visit the families’ homes in the evenings. The church pastor was an Italian missionary who served the community for 27 years. He encouraged all the children to go to seminary. Father Sleeva attended the Apostolic Seminary at thirteen, from 8th through 12th grades. Father Sleeva never considered a vocation other than the priesthood. He was ordained at his home parish on May 10, 1995. His first assignment was as Associate Pastor at his home parish. He then served as the pastor at various parishes within the Diocese of Nalgonda. He was also the director of a boarding home for six years, which included taking care of the 100-acre property where he grew rice and vegetables to feed the students. Father enjoyed farming and has a special place in his heart for agriculture. What Father enjoys most about being a priest is his love for the Holy Eucharist. “Without it, we have no religion or any meaning to life,” he said. While the construction of St. George’s parish center has been challenging, Father Sleeva doesn’t worry. “As we all know, there are our plans, and then there are God’s plans,” he said. Father Sleeva trusts in the providence of God.

Ribbon-cutting day at St. Ignatius School. From left, Deacon David Shackley, Superintendent of Catholic Schools Tammy Emerich, Deacon Steve Rayburn, Father Vitalis Onyeama, SMMM, pastor of Holy Apostles Parish, Deacon Bill Bieker, School Principal Andi Kane, Parochial Vicar Father Emmanuel Chinedu, SMMM, Pastoral Council member Marlene Dodd, Project Coordinator Karen Mahoney. (ICR Photos/Emily Woodham) By Emily Woodham ICR Staff Writer MERIDIAN –-St. Ignatius Catholic School, the parish school for Holy Apostles Parish in Meridian, opened its new wing last month. The addition to the school building was phase two of the “Growing Together” capital campaign for Holy Apostles.  “When we started planning this project way back in 2023, there was a ‘best case scenario’ that we’d have the new space ready by January of 2025,” said Andi Kane, principal at St. Ignatius. “To be honest, I knew it was unlikely everything would go smoothly, but it did! It was really a smooth process thanks to all the good planning and the great people working on this project.” The new construction took eight months to complete. When the school was built in 2016, there was a designated art room and another for student support. However, the urgent need for preschool space prompted the addition of a third space. Preschool attendance has continued to grow, resulting in plans for a fourth room next year. The added wing provides a space for art, music, Spanish, and student support. St. Ignatius also added a middle school classroom and bathrooms accessible from the outside. “It had felt very full in our building. We are so excited to flow into these extra spaces,” Kane said. The design for the wing was a collaboration between Cushing Terrell, who designed the original building, and a team of school staff and parishioners. Because the open, collaborative and flexible learning spaces were such a success for students and teachers, they continued the design in the new areas. “The design has become such a huge part of who we are with our personalized and flexible learning model,” Kane added. “It was really important to us that this defining feature of our school was carried into the new spaces.” St. Ignatius based its designs on research for “optimal learning spaces” to improve learning. These spaces include flexible seating, varied learning environments, and natural light. Kane explained that classrooms have garage doors that allow space to open up, giving the learning environment texture and variety. “Students aren’t sitting in the same place, looking at the same thing all day long,” she said. “The doors allow for the passage of natural light, movement between spaces, and foster our small group, personalized learning model.” St. Ignatius reached peak enrollment within its first three years. The new space will allow increased enrollment for the early grades. However, their middle and upper grades are optimally sized.  Kane believes the most significant factor in the school’s growth comes from the support and community at Holy Apostles. “It’s really alive with a spirit of faith and community. I think that’s the biggest factor,” she said. “The growth in Meridian and surrounding areas is, of course, a huge factor as well. I know I’m biased, but St. Ignatius really has a special thing going on. The Holy Spirit is alive and well; people who spend time in our building can feel that. It makes you want to be a part of it.” The first phase of “Growing Together” was a rectory for its three priests, completed last year. The third and final phase is a new outreach community center. The outreach center will house an expanded food pantry and a secure space for donations. The parish has been working with Catholic Charities of Idaho to provide space at the outreach center that would allow the organization to provide counseling and other services on the west side of the Valley.  “Our hope is to meet people where they are, with whatever needs they have,” said Karen Mahoney, a Holy Apostles parish council member and volunteer project manager for the campaign. So far, about $1.25 million of the campaign’s $3 million goal has been raised. Although a date has not been set for the new outreach center, Mahoney said they hope to begin construction soon.  Kane is grateful for everyone who supported the expansion and Catholic schools in general. “I’m so heartened by the way our Catholic schools foster goodness and faith in our kids,” she said. “When I walk into our building each day, I know the future is bright.” For more information about the campaign and to donate, visit holyapostlesmeridian.net . BK students Braden Caldwell and Henry Warner, Holy Apostels parishioners who died in a tragic auto accident in June 2022, are featured in a mural at St. Ignatius School.

Father Ben Uhlenkott, pastor at Risen Christ Parish in Boise, anoints Ted Walker during the Rite of Confirmation on Dec. 22. (ICR Photos/Emily Woodham) By Emily Woodham Staff Writer BOISE —Ted Walker wanted to become Catholic for several years. “My biggest difficulty was just taking the first step in joining the program to become Catholic,” Walker said. “Once in, I was committed.” Nearly 10 years ago, Walker married a cradle Catholic. He attended Mass with her when they were dating, went through the marriage preparation program and continued to attend Mass with her after their church wedding. All three of their young children, ages 1 to 6, were baptized. However, he couldn’t find the right opportunity to become Catholic, until last summer, after he and his family joined Risen Christ Parish in Boise.  “After attending Mass at Risen Christ for some time, I had the opportunity to speak with Father Ben and expressed my interest in becoming Catholic. He made me feel very welcomed,” Walker said. Father Ben Uhlenkott, pastor at Risen Christ, connected Walker with Deacon Ted and Ludee Vermaas who lead the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) program at Risen Christ.  When Walker was ready to join, the Vermaases were beginning a new year-round OCIA program at Risen Christ. The first group was for Candidates who were already baptized Christians. The formation began in July, with the Sacrament of Confirmation scheduled for Dec. 22.  Deacon Ted and Ludee Vermaas organized the new program because of the tremendous growth at Risen Christ. “Only a few years ago, it seemed no one was interested in becoming Catholic,” Ludee Vermaas said. “Then, in 2023, we had about 18 adults and 17 children enter the Church. It was such a big jump in numbers for us.” Since 2022, when Father Uhlenkott was assigned to Risen Christ, the parish has grown from about 230 families to 775. “We found that people were coming at different parts of the year and from different backgrounds, wanting to know more about becoming Catholic. So we took our inspiration from Holy Apostles in Meridian and started our own year-round program,” Ludee Vermaas said. Walker, baptized in the Methodist Church, joined the July class with six others, including his brother-in-law, Austin Manning, who was baptized in a Congregational church. Candidates Deb Doyle and Amber Elliott were baptized and raised Lutheran. Three Candidates, Brady King, Amellaly Medina and Andres Aguirre, were baptized and raised Catholic but never received Confirmation.  Walker said that Risen Christ made OCIA visible and made the process accessible. “Prior to Risen Christ, we had attended other parishes where I looked into the OCIA process, but it didn’t seem as inviting for whatever reason. It seemed easier to get information about the OCIA program at Risen Christ. Father Ben, Deacon Ted and Ludee have all been great and made joining and sticking with the OCIA program very fulfilling.” The first part of the process is an inquiry phase, during which a person learns more about Catholicism in general. “That phase includes several sessions, so it goes into enough depth and lasts long enough for you to make a very well-informed decision about whether you would like to continue into the Catechumenate/Candidate phase,” Walker explained. (Catechumens need to be baptized, while Candidates are baptized Christians seeking full communion with the Catholic Church.) Walker found the experience of OCIA to be well worth the time. “I enjoyed learning more about the Catholic church, its teachings and positions. It sparked an interest in me to continue learning more about the Church, scripture, my faith, and prayer,” he said. “I feel like I learned so much from the course. I would discuss the materials with my wife, and she would learn things she didn’t know about the Church.” He most appreciated the discussions in the weekly classes. “I would say, if you think you might be interested, go attend a few sessions of the inquiry phase to learn more about it and see if that is really what you want. It’s very informative, and you will learn something new, even if you decide not to continue with the whole program.”  The second OCIA track at Risen Christ began in the fall with 22 participants. That track is for Catechumens. Another track for Candidates began this January. Each track will have its own retreat and classes that take place after receiving the Sacraments of Initiation during the phase of OCIA known as “Mystagogy,” which means “being guided through the mysteries.” Father Ben conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation on the July group members during the Dec. 22 vigil Mass on Saturday evening.  “I’m so glad I became Catholic,” Walker said. Before receiving Confirmation, he felt he couldn’t participate fully in the Mass. “Now I’m fully in.” He is thankful that he became Catholic while his children are still young so that he can set an example for them as they grow and begin sacramental preparation. Ludee Vermaas admitted that it was a lot of work to change the OCIA program from one track to separate tracks for Catechumens and Candidates, but the effort provides opportunities year-round. “It takes a lot of time, but it’s exciting,” she said. “It’s a great problem to have when a lot of people want to become Catholic!” For more information about becoming Catholic at Risen Christ, contact the parish office at office@risenchristboise.org or (208) 362-6584. Risen Christ instituted a year-round OCIA process. It’s latest Confirmandi are (from the left), Andres Aguirre, Deb Doyle, Amber Elliott, Ludee Vermaas, Father Ben Uhlenkott, Deacon Ted Vermaas, Brady King, Austin Manning, Ted Walker, and Amellaly Medina.

Sacred Heart parishioner building program for seminarians Mark Turner (back row, middle) is a member of the Lay Fraternities of Saint Dominic and teaches English to seminarians in Vietnam. Above, he is shown with children at an orphanage in Ta Nung, which received renovation funding from Boise-based Church Builders, a Catholic charity that raises money for projects worldwide. (Courtesy Photos/Mike Turner) By Philip A. Janquart ICR Assistant Editor BOISE —Sacred Heart parishioner Mike Turner is looking for volunteers to teach English to seminarians in Vietnam. Young men in the southeast Asian country seem especially called to serve the Lord as priests. Once ordained, they could be assigned anywhere in the world, which means they must be able to speak English, the international language of many nations. Turner, 70, would know. He has spent a part of his retirement as a lay Dominican teaching English to seminarians at the Dominican House of Studies in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and the Vincentians’ Durando Institute in Da Lat. He belongs to the Lay Fraternities of Saint Dominic, which trace their origins back to St. Dominic in the 13th century. The first and second orders consist of priests and nuns, respectively. The Vincentian community, associated with St. Vincent de Paul, includes the priests of the Congregation of the Mission. In the U.S., the Western province of the Congregation of the Mission is headquartered in St. Louis, Mo. (The Vincentian family also includes the Religious sisters of the Daughters of Charity and the St. Vincent de Paul Society, a lay organization with branches in most U.S. states, including Idaho.) Both the Dominicans and the Vincentians operate seminaries in Vietnam. The Vincentians ordain eight to 10 new priests annually. “The Church in Vietnam is interesting … there is no vocation shortage,” Turner told the Idaho Catholic Register . Turner’s first trip involved teaching Dominican seminarians and his second, the Vincentians. “The Vietnamese Vincentians still want to invite English teachers to come to teach at the seminary,” he said. “However, the Vietnamese Dominicans are not able to invite teachers at this time.” As a result, Turner has decided to build a program for the Vincentians, but he needs volunteers. “While working under the Dominican umbrella, there was a certain budget to work with, but now I am essentially starting from scratch,” he explained. Mike Turner at Sacred Heart parish in Boise (ICR Photo/Philip Janquart) WORLD TRAVELERS “Quite frankly, the teachers feel that many of these guys are going to be sent overseas; some of them to Pakistan, others to Australia or wherever,” Turner said of the Vincentian’s newly ordained priests. “They may be sent on a mission or simply need to go to an international conference, which could be in Thailand. And in Thailand, you may end up speaking English.” Turner noted that much of the theological literature seminarians study is printed in English. He explained that the ability to read and write is critical, but they must also pronounce words correctly. “You don’t need a good accent to read English,” he said. “But the ones that are going to be traveling need to have a certain comfort in spoken English and have good listening comprehension skills. Teachers must be willing to speak slowly and to listen attentively when thry try to speak English.” “The teachers have to be patient about it and be able to read facial expressions to know when the students understand and when they don’t,”said Turner. Volunteers are not required to hold an English as a Second Language degree but must have a working command of the English language. Teaching experience is helpful. Turner added that the most logical candidates are those who have the time and opportunity. “I imagine the sweet spot for volunteers would be newly retired people, but I have no interest in imposing that as a restriction on our volunteers,” he said. “Speaking for myself, I’m more serious about things now at 70 than I was at 26. So, we want the people who can go to Vietnam to be there for the service, for the mission, rather than for the adventure: ‘This is my opportunity to be of service to the Church and to teach seminarians who are going to be the next generation of priests.’ That, to me, is my motivation.” Turner’s ultimate goal is to have a big enough pool of teachers to prevent instructional gaps. The Vincentians provide teachers with room and board but not airfare. “They can’t help you with the airplane ticket. That is something we would need to provide; we would help the volunteers cover that expense,” he said. “So, we really need to come up with a pool of volunteers who want to teach, and people who are interested in administrative work. You know: ‘How do we raise money? How do we keep track of who is going and when?’ Those sorts of things.” Turner noted that although airline tickets can be expensive, raising a vast amount of funds is not necessary. “We don’t need to raise huge bundles of money,” he said. “I traveled there for twelve hundred bucks. You have to pay a little bit for visa fees and that kind of stuff, but we aren’t talking about gobs and gobs of money.” Those interested in learning more about the program can email Mike Turner at turnmike@gmail.com . If you enjoyed this story and would like to read more like it, please consider buying a subscription to the Idaho Catholic Register. Your $20 yearly subscription also supports the work of the Diocese of Boise Communications Department, which includes not only the newspaper, but this website, social media posts and videos. You can subscribe here ,  or through your parish, or send a check to 1501 S. Federal Way, Boise, ID, 83705: or call 208-350-7554 to leave a credit card payment. Thank you, and God bless you.

The holy year in Idaho begins with veneration of Jubilee Cross A liturgy opening the holy year was celebrated by Bishop Peter at the doors of the Cathedral on Dec 29. (ICR  photo/Vero Gutiérrez) By Tish O’Hagan For the ICR Jubilee 2025, themed “Pilgrims of Hope,” began in Idaho on Sunday, Dec. 29, when Bishop Peter Christensen opened the cathedral doors and invited the people to venerate and process behind the Jubilee Cross. It will remain in the cathedral sanctuary for the entire jubilee year so that the faithful may continue to venerate it as they mark this Year of Hope. It will serve as the symbol of our hope and a primary destination of our diocesan pilgrimages. One of the three theological virtues (faith, hope, and charity), hope is described in the Catechism of the Catholic Church  as “the theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ’s promises and relying not on our own strength, but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit” (CCC 1817). Hope recognizes that we will encounter trouble and confusion but does not despair because Christian hope is enabled by a trust in God’s gift of salvation, a gift we can receive because of the death and resurrection of God’s son and the further gift of the Holy Spirit. This is perhaps why Pope Francis asked the jubilee pilgrims to follow a Cross and why the Cross symbolizes this jubilee year of hope. The Cross is a paradox that is the essence of Christian hope—a symbol of apparent failure and glorious exaltation and the ultimate reminder of God’s infinite love. To realize this love, the Christian must confront the worldly view of the Cross that sees Jesus’ death as failure, and embrace the opposite view: rather than death, life; rather than failure, triumph. Faith enables hope; the happiness that hope engenders enables charity. Jesus tells his followers He is giving them a new commandment and asks them to “love [be in charity with] one another as I have loved you.” His commandment is new because the love He is speaking about is new, all-consuming and sacrificial, and Jesus will need to demonstrate it on the Cross for His followers to understand it. Without the crucifixion, they would never have grasped what Jesus asked them. Christians today have had millennia to comprehend this kind of love; we have made the cross our central symbol, a symbol of the hope we gain when we choose to lose all in order to gain all. As we journey on this pilgrimage of hope, encountering joy and sorrow, we may be guided by St. Teresa of Avila’s beautiful prayer: “Hope, O my soul, hope. You know neither the day nor the hour. Watch carefully, for everything passes quickly, even though your impatience makes doubtful what is certain, and turns a very short time into a long one. Dream that the more you struggle, the more you prove the love you bear your God, and the more you will rejoice one day with your Beloved, in a happiness and rapture that can never end.” As this year opens, Catholics may want to begin their own jubilee with further reflection on hope itself. More information about the Jubilee Year of Hope can be found on the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops website ( usccb.org/jubilee2025 ), on the Vatican website ( iubilaeum2025.va ), and on our diocesan website ( dioceseofboise.org/jubilee ). If you enjoyed this story and would like to read more like it, please consider buying a subscription to the Idaho Catholic Register. Your $20 yearly subscription also supports the work of the Diocese of Boise Communications Department, which includes not only the newspaper, but this website, social media posts and videos. You can subscribe here ,  or through your parish, or send a check to 1501 S. Federal Way, Boise, ID, 83705: or call 208-350-7554 to leave a credit card payment. Thank you, and God bless you.

‘Hope is born of love . . . springing from the pierced heart of Jesus upon the cross’ – Spes non confundit (Courtesy Photo/Colton Machado) By Jay Wonacott For the ICR On December 24, 2024, Pope Francis inaugurated the Jubilee Year by opening the Holy Doors at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The central theme of this year’s Jubilee Year is the virtue of hope. In May 2024, Pope Francis wrote “Spes non confundit” to proclaim the Jubilee of Hope in 2025. The document outlines the themes and goals of the Jubilee, emphasizing the importance of hope, reconciliation, and renewal. The document is fairly short as Vatican documents go, and it is a good read to ponder the ways you might enact hope in your concrete lived experiences this coming year. The first paragraph of “Spes non confundit” (“Hope does not disappoint”) speaks to the purpose of the Jubilee Year, which is to see Christ as our hope. “In the spirit of hope, the Apostle Paul addressed these words of encouragement (“Hope does not disappoint” Rom 5:5) to the Christian community of Rome… For everyone, may the Jubilee be a moment of genuine, personal encounter with the Lord Jesus, the ‘door’ (Jn 10:7-9) of our salvation, whom the Church is charged to proclaim always, everywhere and to all as ‘our hope’ (1 Tim 1:1)”. As Christians, we have this hope only in and through Jesus. The third paragraph of the papal document makes clear, “Hope is born of love and based on the love springing from the pierced heart of Jesus upon the cross: ‘For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by His life’ (Rom 5:19).” Forgiveness is a major theme of any Jubilee year. Biblical jubilees included the forgiveness of financial debt (see Leviticus 25). Spiritually, we should find ways to unburden others and forgive their spiritual indebtedness. We each hold resentments, grudges, or judgments about others that are unhealthy and continue to be harmful or hurtful to others. It also might be that we have done something to another person and need to reach out to seek forgiveness during this next year. Is there a spiritual debt that I owe or that is owed to me that needs to be forgiven during this upcoming year of hope? Recently, I had my own experience of offering forgiveness. I was approached after Mass by someone with whom I had a bit of a falling out some years ago over a situation that was bigger than either of us. For my part, I harbored no ill will against this person but had chosen, due to the past experiences, not to engage him. As I rose from my pew to walk toward the church doors, I heard this person call my name, asking for a moment to talk. He approached and asked for forgiveness for the part he had played in the falling out. I paused to consider the weight of this request. Thankfully for both of us, I had spiritually processed the past hurt and told him to be at peace and move on as well. I extended my forgiveness to him. Relief followed for both of us. In hindsight, I should have asked for his forgiveness in return, for negative thoughts or feelings I had harbored. As I have reflected on it, this was a moment of great hope for this person who needed the burden of this spiritual debt lifted. As Christians, we are commanded by Christ to love one another. Loving one another in Christ, which includes forgiving others, is hard to do, but necessary if we are to restore hope to others. “Spes non confundit” says it well: “This experience of full forgiveness cannot fail to open our hearts and minds to the need to forgive others in turn. Forgiveness does not change the past; it cannot change what happened in the past, yet it can allow us to change the future and to live different lives, free of anger, animosity and vindictiveness. Forgiveness makes possible a brighter future, which enables us to look at the past with different eyes, now more serene, albeit still bearing the trace of past tears” (23). Have a blessed Jubilee Year. If you enjoyed this story and would like to read more like it, please consider buying a subscription to the Idaho Catholic Register. Your $20 yearly subscription also supports the work of the Diocese of Boise Communications Department, which includes not only the newspaper, but this website, social media posts and videos. You can subscribe here ,  or through your parish, or send a check to 1501 S. Federal Way, Boise, ID, 83705: or call 208-350-7554 to leave a credit card payment. Thank you, and God bless you.

Cathedral Rector Father Germán Osorio (foreground) and Parochial Vicar Father Tim Segert carry the Jubilee cross into the Boise Cathedral during the entrance procession on Dec 29. (Courtesy Photo/Colton Machado)   By Emily Woodham Staff Writer BOISE —Bishop Peter F. Christensen opened the Jubilee Year for the Diocese of Boise on Dec. 29, on the Feast of the Holy Family. “Pilgrims of Hope” is the theme chosen by Pope Francis for Jubilee 2025. “The mystery of the Incarnation of our Savior Jesus Christ, fostered in the communion of love of the Holy Family of Nazareth, is for us the ground of deep joy and certain hope,” Bishop Peter said in the opening rite on the steps of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Boise. “In fellowship with the Universal Church, as we celebrate the love of the Father that reveals itself in the Flesh of the Word-made-Man and in the Sign of the Cross, the Anchor of Salvation, we solemnly open the Jubilee Year for the Church of the Diocese of Boise, throughout the State of Idaho.” Since 1300, the Church has celebrated jubilees at regular intervals, now occurring every 25 years. A special Holy Door is traditionally opened at local cathedrals at the start of a holy year. However, for the 2025 jubilee, the only Holy Doors opened are in Rome, at three papal basilicas and a prison. Pope Francis made this decision to encourage pilgrims to visit the See of St. Peter. The pope opened the first Holy Door for the jubilee year in Rome on Christmas Eve at St. Peter’s Basilica. Rome will also host special festivities throughout the year to celebrate different vocations in the Church. Jubilee 2025 officially began in the Diocese of Boise on Dec. 29. For the remainder of the holy year, pilgrims journeying to the Cathedral can venerate the special Jubilee Cross. (ICR photo/Vero Gutiérrez) Instead of a Holy Door, dioceses around the globe will venerate jubilee crosses. Pilgrims in the Diocese of Boise can venerate a hand-carved cross containing a relic of the True Cross. “This opening rite of the Jubilee Year is for us the prelude to a rich experience of grace and mercy,” Bishop Peter said. “We are always to respond to whomever asks for the reason for the hope that is in us, especially in this time of war, discord, agony, and suffering in our world. May Christ, our peace and our hope, be our companion on the journey in this year of grace and consolation. May the Holy Spirit, who today begins this work both in us and with us, bring it to completion on the day of Christ Jesus.” In his homily, Bishop Peter called attention to an ancient Christian symbol of hope: the anchor. Early Christians connected the anchor with the Cross. The anchor cross is one of the oldest Christian symbols, found on tombs in the ancient Roman catacombs, on gravestones and in Christian art. “As a sailor, you never leave home without an anchor,” said Bishop Peter, an avid sailor. “An anchor is really a fitting image for hope.” An anchor gives a sailor safety, comfort and security. Hope in Christ does the same for Christians,” said Bishop Peter, echoing the Letter to the Hebrews: “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure” (6:19). Bishop Peter explained that anchors are set to a ratio of seven feet of rope to one foot of depth. This is so that the rope has slack, making the anchor set itself deeply into the soil bed of the body of water. If the anchor were dropped directly beneath the boat, the anchor wouldn’t set correctly. The vessel should not hover directly over the anchor. “In the same way, give the Lord some slack. Sometimes, we call on the Lord and ask Him for what we want or think we need, but we don’t do it with an act of faith. We need to trust in the Lord to do His work. Place your hope in Him and let Him do His job.” To illustrate our need to refrain from hovering, Bishop Peter quoted from “The Surrender Novena,” one of his favorites. He explained that “Surrender to Me” does not mean to fret or to lose hope, nor does it mean offering God a worried prayer, asking Him to follow us and change our worries into worship. Such nervous petition is like the confusion children feel when they ask their mother for help, but then try to take care of those needs themselves so that their childlike efforts get in their mother’s way. “Surrender means to placidly close the eyes of the soul, turning away from thoughts of tribulation and putting yourself in Jesus’ care,” said Bishop Peter. The Jubilee cross contains a relic of the True Cross. (Courtesy Photo/Colton Machado). The rope of the anchor is called the “rode.” The last five to seven feet of the rode is made of chain to keep the anchor weighted down at the right level, absorb shock, and give more security against fraying. Bishop Peter explained, “The sturdy chain of our lives is our lived faith and certainly the Sacraments—the Eucharist being the most fundamental of all. It keeps our faith grounded. It takes the shock out of the storms of our life, keeping our focus more on the set anchor of hope than being worried about each wave and blast of wind that comes our way in life. It protects us, keeps us close to our Lord, and secures our relationship with Him so that our hope in Him is secure.” “He shows us the way home, and no storm can divert us from Him when we rely on Him, the anchor of our lives here on earth,” he said. Bishop Peter then quoted from the hymn, “How Can I Keep from Singing,” which has as its refrain: “No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that Rock I’m clinging; since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing?” After encouraging the faithful again to trust Jesus and surrender to Him, Bishop Peter concluded, “Let’s be Pilgrims of Hope this new year, knowing our Lord is right here with us, and that He asks us each to be a witness of hope to others.” If you enjoyed this story and would like to read more like it, please consider buying a subscription to the Idaho Catholic Register. Your $20 yearly subscription also supports the work of the Diocese of Boise Communications Department, which includes not only the newspaper, but this website, social media posts and videos. You can subscribe here ,  or through your parish, or send a check to 1501 S. Federal Way, Boise, ID, 83705: or call 208-350-7554 to leave a credit card payment. Thank you, and God bless you.

Español Deacons Bill Bieker, Jude Gary, Peter Lauder and Father Robert Irwin, with a group of hospital visitors at St. Alphonsus in Boise. (ICR Photo/Vero Gutiérrez) Vero Gutiérrez Assistant Editor Father Robert Irwin, current chaplain at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, said the U.S. Bishops have augmented their vision of hospital ministry. “The emphasis now is not only upon providing Communion to patients because many cannot receive it. But we who have received the Body of Christ are called to be Christ and to encounter Christ in the patients.” Father Irwin felt the call to care for the sick in hospitals at a very young age. His mother was a nurse, so he was surrounded by hospitals and caring for the sick from an early age. As a psychology student, he felt God’s call even more to help hospitalized patients. Father Irwin recalled a movie that undoubtedly influenced his desire to dedicate himself to visiting the sick in hospitals: “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” a 1975 film directed by Milos Forman based on the novel by Ken Kesey. He explained that this movie changed how people with behavioral problems were treated. After serving in various parishes in Idaho, most recently in Jerome from 2013 to 2016, Bishop Peter Christensen appointed Father Irwin five years ago to serve as chaplain at Saint Alphonsus. Irwin currently leads a group of nearly 40 Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion who visit the sick in the hospital. Twenty are already trained, and another 20 are in training. The hospital visitors come from the Treasure and Magic Valley parishes. “Our numbers were reduced prior to this past fall season,” Father Irwin said, “but thanks be to God who is loving and abundant, another request to parishes was made, and now 20 more have been added.” He explained that the Church in Idaho and around the world had a difficult journey during the COVID-19 epidemic. “It was a terrible and very difficult time; almost all the ministries in the Church were stopped, and there was little opportunity to participate in Mass,” he said. As a result, a pause in visitation at the hospital lasted nearly three years. He noted that because most patients are now hospitalized for a brief time, many cannot receive Holy Communion. “When my mother had her babies, she stayed in the hospital for a week; now, a mother is only there for 24 hours.” “Many of the patients are preparing for surgery or have a terminal illness and are unable to receive the Body of Christ for those reasons.” The U.S. Bishops’ new vision of visiting patients, which includes the witness of the visitors who are Christ’s Body, helps these Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion be more aware that “we are Christ meeting Christ in person,” affirmed Father Irwin. “Many patients are Catholic by birth, family heritage, and culture. While in the hospital, they may meet Christ for the first time, personally encounter Him, and undergo conversion.” That’s why this ministry is so essential, Father Irwin explained: patients and their families are at the worst time of their lives; family and friends wonder where God is when one of their loved ones is hospitalized. When a minister from the Church visits them, they feel the Church is with them. “Patients may notice the minister is someone who doesn’t know them but wants to visit them because of their faith, causing them to wonder about that faith. They may begin to feel our God is not distant, living only in heaven, but is present here and now.” Irwin said. Hospital ministers must be practicing Catholics who have a letter of recommendation from their parish priest. They must also have an interview with Father Irwin and attend a retreat. Finally, they must be approved by the hospital. Father Irwin explained that all service in the Body of Christ is preceded by a call from God (an impulse of the Holy Spirit to serve in the ministry) and a need in the Church. St. Alphonsus Hospital now has six chaplains, and at least one must be Catholic. Bishop Peter always appoints the Catholic chaplain who ministers to Catholics and non-Catholics. He said there are thousands of testimonies of patients whose lives have been changed thanks to hospital visitors. In one such case, a man was in critical condition when he received a visit from an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. Father Irwin recalled the man had been born Catholic but had fallen away from his faith as a teenager; he did not participate in the Church beyond having his children baptized. The man opened his heart to the hospital visitor, and the encounter caused him to think differently about his faith and life. He made a commitment to live as a holy person in the Church and received the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the Anointing of the Sick, and the Eucharist. His reversion to the Faith was profound, and after his hospital recovery, he began attending church. His children are in catechism, and the whole family has been transformed. Father Irwin invites all 40 hospital ministers to prepare for the next retreat to be held this month. Hospital ministers gather at the annual retreat at Saint Alphonsus Hospital in Boise. (ICR Photo/Vero Gutiérrez) He explained it is important to live these retreats because “We are here for Christ, to be Christ; He is the reason.” The retreat will include time for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. There will be theological study to learn more about the ministry of visiting the sick in the hospital and time for faith sharing. Father Irwin thanked Bishop Peter for having the vision to reopen ministries to those in prisons and hospitals without delay when it was safe to do so. “These ministries are important to the people with the greatest needs,” Irwin said. Los diáconos Bill Bieker, Jude Gary, Peter Lauder y el Padre Robert Irwin, con el grupo de ministros de la Eucaristía que le asisten para visitar enfermos hospitalizados en St. Alphonsus en Nampa y Boise.  (ICR Foto/Vero Gutiérrez) Cristo visitando a Cristo   Vero Gutiérrez ICR Editora Asistente BOISE —Los obispos estadounidenses han cambiado su perspectiva en los últimos años respecto al ministerio de ministros eucarísticos en los hospitales, afirmó el Padre Robert Irwin: «El enfoque ahora no es dar la comunión a todos los pacientes, porque muchos no pueden recibirla. Pero nosotros que hemos recibido el cuerpo de Cristo estamos llamados a ser Cristo y a encontrar a Cristo en los pacientes». El Padre Robert Irwin, actual capellán de Saint Alphonsus, sintió la vocación de atender a los enfermos en los hospitales desde muy joven. Su madre es enfermera, así que desde su infancia su entorno estuvo relacionado con los hospitales y el cuidado de los enfermos. Durante su etapa de estudiante de Psicología, sintió aún más claramente la llamada de Dios para ayudar a los pacientes hospitalizados.  El Padre Robert, recuerda con mucha claridad una película que sin duda también influyó en su deseo de dedicarse a visitar a los enfermos en los hospitales, “One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest”, esta cinta se estrenó el 19 de noviembre de 1975  del director  Milos Forman,  y basada en la novela de Ken Kesey. Explica que gracias a esta película cambiaron los tratamientos que se daba a las personas con problemas de conducta. Él, después de ver la película, también se sintió más atraído para ayudar a los enfermos como empleado de un hospital católico y posteriormente como sacerdote. Después de servir en diferentes parroquias de la Diócesis de Boise, la más reciente en Jerome en el periodo de 2013 a 2016.  Cinco años atrás el Padre Robert recibió la encomienda del Obispo Peter Christensen para asumir el cargo de Capellán en Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center en Boise. Actualmente, el Padre Irwin, dirige a un grupo de casi 40 personas ministros de la Eucaristía que también ofrecen este ministerio visitando a los enfermos del hospital. En este grupo de 40 ministros hay 20 que ya están capacitados y otros 20 que están en entrenamiento. El Padre Irwin, ha mantenido una buena colaboración con este grupo de ministros que vienen de las diferentes parroquias del Valle del Tesoro y Valle Magico. “Antes del otoño estábamos reducidos en el número de ministros”, añadió el Padre “gracias a Dios que es amoroso y abundante, se hizo la petición a las parroquias nuevamente y, por ello, ahora se han agregado los últimos 20 que también quieren colaborar en este ministerio”. Recordó que la Iglesia aquí y en el mundo en general sufrió una jornada difícil con la epidemia del COVID, “fue un tiempo terrible y muy difícil, se detuvieron casi todos los ministerios en la Iglesia y no hubo posibilidad de participar en la misa como sabemos”, dijo. Por consiguiente, también se hizo una pausa en el ministerio en el hospital. Fue un tiempo de pausa que duró tres años. Dos años por la pandemia y otro año para analizar cómo aplicar el ministerio en la nueva misión del hospital. Remarcó que debido a que ahora los pacientes están un tiempo muy corto muchos de ellos no tienen posibilidad de recibir la Sagrada Comunión. El Padre Irwin, aseguró que el personal del hospital trabaja en equipo para promover la recuperación de los pacientes y mejorar su salud física y ahora el tiempo de estancia en el hospital suele ser más breve que tiempo atrás. “Cuando mi mamá tuvo a sus bebés permanecía por una semana en el hospital, ahora una madre solo está 24 horas”. “Muchos de los pacientes se están preparando para alguna cirugía o tienen una enfermedad terminal y muchos que quieren no pueden recibir el cuerpo de Cristo por diferentes razones”. La nueva visión de los obispos respecto de visitar a los pacientes no solo para llevarles la comunión sino para llevarles el testimonio con la presencia de ministros que han recibido a Cristo, motiva a los actuales ministros de la Eucaristía de los hospitales para estar conscientes de que “somos Cristo encontrando a Cristo en la persona” afirmó el Padre. “Muchos pacientes si son católicos por nacimiento, por su herencia familiar, por cultura. En ese momento, muchos pueden encontrar a Cristo por primera vez, ellos pueden tener su encuentro personal con Él y vivir una conversión en el hospital”. Por eso, añadió el Padre, este ministerio es tan importante, ya que los pacientes y sus familias se encuentran en el peor momento de sus vidas. Las personas se preguntan ¿Dónde está Dios cuando una de nuestras personas amadas está en esta situación? Cuando un ministro de parte de la Iglesia los visita, ellos pueden sentir que la Iglesia les acompaña en ese terrible momento. «Ellos pueden pensar respecto del ministro que es una persona que no los conoce y aun así quiere visitarlos porque tiene fe, y se preguntarán ¿cuál fe tiene esta persona? Pueden observar o sentir que nuestro Dios no es un objeto lejano en el cielo, sino que está aquí presente a través de un ministro de la Eucaristía », puntualizó el Padre Irwin. Hay cuatro requisitos importantes para ser ministro en el hospital dijo el Padre, el primero es que deben ser buenos católicos; segundo, necesitan una carta de recomendación del párroco donde puede testificar que son personas que participan de los sacramentos; el tercero, tener una entrevista con el Padre Irwin y asistir a un retiro, y por último, tienen que recibir una acreditación como voluntarios en el hospital. El Padre Irwin, consideró que todas las vocaciones, incluida la de cuidado de los enfermos van en dos direcciones, que es una llamada por Dios cuando están en oración y sienten este impulso del Espíritu Santo para servir en este ministerio y el segundo que la Iglesia tiene la necesidad y quiere recibir a esta persona.  Ahora el hospital Saint Aphonsus cuenta con seis capellanes y siempre hay como mínimo uno que es católico. A partir de que fue nombrado por el Obispo Peter, ahora él es un sacerdote que se dedica a visitar a los pacientes hospitalizados y a sus familias. Atiende a católicos y no católicos. Afirmó que hay miles de testimonios de pacientes que han cambiado sus vidas gracias a este ministerio, colocando a Dios en el primer lugar. Uno de esos testimonios es de una persona que estaba en estado crítico en el hospital cuando recibió la visita del ministro de la Eucaristía. Esa persona recordó que había nacido católico, pero luego se había alejado de la fe cuando era adolescente, después bautizó a sus hijos, pero no permaneció en la Iglesia. Cuando el ministro lo visito abrió su corazón para pensar diferente y recordar la fe y la vida que tuvo. Asumió el compromiso de querer vivir como una persona santa en la Iglesia, recibió el sacramento de la reconciliación, la unción de los enfermos, la eucaristía y fue transformada. Tuvo una conversión profunda. Después de este tiempo en el hospital y de recuperar su salud, tiene una mejor vida; asiste a la iglesia, sus hijos están en clases de educación religiosa y toda la familia ha vivido una transformación. Reunión de los ministros extraordinarios de la Eucaristía de Nampa y Boise, durante el retiro anual en uno de los salones del hospital Saint Alphonsus de Boise. (ICR Foto/Vero Gutiérrez) Finalmente, el Padre Irwin invitó a todos los ministros de la Eucaristía a prepararse para participar del próximo retiro que se realizará en este mes. Explicó que es importante vivir estos retiros porque hay momentos de adoración con Jesús Eucaristía “Estamos aquí por Cristo para ser Cristo Él es nuestra razón”. Tenemos un tiempo de estudio teológico para aprender más sobre el ministerio de visita a los enfermos en el hospital, y también un tiempo de compartir la fe. El Padre Irwin agradeció al Obispo Peter por tener la visión para abrir estos ministerios por los que están en las cárceles y los que están en los hospitales. “Son importantes estos ministerios para las personas que tienen las mayores necesidades”. También, a gradeció el apoyo de los sacerdotes que creen en este ministerio, e invitan a sus fieles de sus parroquias para participar en él. Y a la estación de radio local Salt and Light por promoverlo. If you enjoyed this story and would like to read more like it, please consider buying a subscription to the Idaho Catholic Register. Your $20 yearly subscription also supports the work of the Diocese of Boise Communications Department, which includes not only the newspaper, but this website, social media posts and videos. You can subscribe here ,  or through your parish, or send a check to 1501 S. Federal Way, Boise, ID, 83705: or call 208-350-7554 to leave a credit card payment. Thank you, and God bless you.