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OCIA candidate from Sacred Heart Parish, shares her faith journey Elizabeth Welchel and her daughter Sophia at Sacred Heart Parish in Boise. (ICR Photo/Phil Janquart) By Philip A. Janquart ICR Assistant Editor It never occurred to her that she could become Catholic. Yet, on Thursday, March 27, Elizabeth Whelchel, 66, was among hundreds at the West Central Deanery Rite of Election held at Holy Apostles Church in Meridian. Catechumens and Candidates from Sacred Heart, St. Mark’s, and Holy Apostles gathered for a service marking the next step in their respective journeys toward full initiation into the Catholic Church. They entered the stage of preparation that directly precedes the reception of the Easter sacraments, known as the period of “Purification and Enlightenment.” Now a member of the “Elect,” Whelchel looks forward to being confirmed on Holy Saturday night at the Easter Vigil. Her five-year-old daughter, Sophia, will be baptized at the same Easter liturgy. The Rite of Election at Holy Apostles is one of six Bishop Peter F. Christensen conducts in each of the Diocese’s deaneries during the Lenten season. “The season of Lent; that’s when we do this,” the Bishop explained. “It’s kind of an interesting season to welcome people into the Church. It’s a season, as you know, of choices, so it fits. It’s also a season of sacrifices as we strive to grow closer to our Lord.” During the Rite of Election, parish catechists present the Book of the Elect to the bishop, who signs the page under the signatures of all the catechumens who will enter the Church that year. The symbolism is closely related to the Biblical idea of having one’s name written in the Book of Life (see Revelation 3:5, 20:12, 21:27, and Philippians 4:3). “Soon, you will be living the gifts God intends for you to receive: Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist,” he told the catechumens and candidates. “I always ask people, ‘What happened in your life that brought you here today?’ I trust your journeys have been interesting.” Bishop Peter F. Christensen signs the Sacred Heart Parish Book of the Elect at the Rite of Election on March 27 at Holy Apostles Parish in Meridian. (ICR Photo/Vero Gutiérrez) The Journey Little did she know at the time, but Whelchel’s particular journey to the Catholic faith began years earlier when she was a member of the Church of Christ. “I had a very profound experience,” she explained. “I don’t know if you’ve ever had this experience where you feel like your heart is going to blow up with love because the Holy Spirit comes into you. I had that experience, and it was pretty overwhelming. I realized I wanted Christ to be my savior. I was baptized after that.” She continued as a member of the Church of Christ for a time but left when she realized something was missing. She gave the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints a try but left not long after joining. “They were all good people, wonderful people, but there were so many things that didn’t feel quite right,” she said. Meanwhile, Whelchel struggled with two separate relationships that left her heartbroken. Elle Kaster from Sacred Heart Parish in Boise greets Bishop Peter at the Rite of Election on March 27. (ICR Photo/Vero Gutiérrez) The Struggle “I fell in love with a man after he had chased me for some time, but he left to be with someone else,” she said. “He was 28, and I was 25.” She later met someone else, but the relationship fell apart. Once the dust settled, she was left to fend for herself. With only three aging members of her immediate family still alive, she felt herself becoming more and more heartbroken and alone. “By this time, I was probably too old to have kids,” said Whelchel, who was 61 at the time. “Those two relationships really hurt me, and I thought I would try in vitro fertilization (IVF), which is not approved by the Church. That was before I knew anything about the Catholic Church.” To her surprise, the procedure worked, and she became pregnant, but the baby was premature and was delivered via Cesarean section. Whelchel almost died in the process. “When you come that close to death, it makes you think about whether you are living the kind of life God wants you to live, you know? Am I the kind of person I was born to be?” she explained. “I needed to make sure I was living the kind of life God wanted me to live because now I had a child,” she said. “I was never ‘bad,’ but I don’t think I was necessarily walking in step with God.” Whelchel explained that Sophia is her whole life now, and she views her as a special blessing from God, given the rarity and danger of having a child after the age of 60. “Everything started moving pretty fast after that.” A record number of Candidates and Catechumens throughout Idaho attended the Rite of Election this year. The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist was full on March 25. (ICR Photo/Emily Woodham) A Simple Call Whelchel still needed to find a church to call home. She took her first active step toward Catholicism when she visited a hair salon. “It all actually started because I was looking for a hairdresser,” she said. “At the time, I wanted a style that was feathered back, and I didn’t think anybody could still do a ‘70s or ‘80s hairstyle.” That’s when she walked into The Bushwhacker Salon in Boise, where she met stylist Gene Sanchez. “He is older and used to do the hair for the cheerleaders at Boise State (University),” Whelchel explained. “I noticed a Sacred Heart Parish calendar on the wall of his salon, and I asked if he was Catholic. We started talking about it, and he said I should check it out sometime. I called Sacred Heart, and Debbie Fisher answered the phone. I filled out the paperwork, and she enrolled me in the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA), and I started classes. “That’s how it all happened—by walking into a hair salon and seeing that calendar. It never occurred to me that I could become Catholic,” she recalled. Whelchel worked as a secretary for the Idaho National Guard at Gowen Field for 34 years and retired in 2019, the year she gave birth to Sophia. She says converting to Catholicism is one of the best moves she ever made, for both herself and her daughter. “It was the right choice because I’ve studied for six months, and I’ve learned a lot of things I didn’t learn anyplace else, plus there are so many Catholic resources,” she said, adding she particularly loves the Church’s teaching on the Holy Trinity, the Eucharist and Mary’s role within the Church. After signing the Book of the Elect, Bishop Peter shakes hands with Debbie Fischer, coordinator of Faith Formation for Adults and Children at Sacred Heart Parish in Boise. (ICR Photo/Vero Gutiérrez) Whelchel said a big part of the reason she is becoming Catholic is the Church’s 2,000-year history. “I like the part of Bishop Peter’s homily where he was talking about when the various churches were formed,” she noted. “They all broke off from Jesus’ Church, the Church He founded.” Whelchel said Jesus has been gently nudging her toward Catholicism for many years. “I’ve been through a lot, and I think God is getting me ready for the next stage in my life,” she said. “I wanted a place for Sophia that is biblically accurate, and God led me here. He wants to make sure my daughter is in the right place, and He wants me in the right place. I know this because He called me. “It’s as if my life has been leading up to this point,” Whelchel said. “I don’t know how much time I have left; nobody does, but He wants to get me to the point where I’m ready for whatever comes.” More people entering the Church at Easter At the Rite of Election at Holy Apostles, Bishop Christensen stated that the number of people entering the Church this Easter has significantly increased over his 10-year tenure as Idaho’s bishop. “Every year since I’ve been here, about a thousand people have come into the Church at Easter,” he said. “This year, there is more than that. I may be exaggerating, but I think it’s approaching 2,000. Something is going on. You feel it; I see it.”

Program helps participants gain control of their finances By Philip A. Janquart ICR Assistant Editor “Money will never make you happy, but financial stability will give you room to breathe so you can gain confidence in many other areas of life,” CCI Executive Director Eddie Trask told the Idaho Catholic Register ( ICR ). Catholic Charities of Idaho (CCI) will offer a well-known and successful program designed to help individuals and families take control of their finances. The nine-session financial literacy series, titled “Financial Peace University” (FPU),” implements Dave Ramsey’s acclaimed personal finance education model. The series is offered at a discounted rate, but enrollment is limited, so be sure to sign up now. The course begins Thursday, April 24, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at St. Mark’s Catholic Church, located at 7960 W. Northview St. in Boise. To register, call CCI’s Shea Symons at (208) 350-7480 or email ssymons@ccidaho.org .   Changing perspective Ramsey Solutions research revealed that 40% of Americans reported experiencing sleep loss in the past month due to their financial situation, said Trask, who will be teaching the series. The CCI director shared that he was part of that 40% years ago and that it resulted in a degree of instability in his personal life. That was before he participated in a course similar to the one he is launching. Many people have more debt than income, a situation Dave Ramsey experienced himself, which became the inspiration for his business and financial literacy course. “I took the course, and it dramatically shifted how we viewed money,” said Trask. “I realized that I didn’t know how to budget; I didn’t know anything, and that’s how we got into debt.” “The final session felt like a celebration,” he recalled. “The instructor said, ‘Does anyone want to share their testimony?’ and I just ran to the front of the room and said, ‘This is so amazing; I’m going to teach this class,’ and then I thought, ‘Why did I just say that?’ The instructor laughed and said, ‘Well, you just volunteered yourself.’” Trask explained that financial instability can have negative consequences, even in our spiritual lives. “Financial stability improves our relationships and takes away a distraction,” Trask said. “When we have lots of debt, we become preoccupied with it and we can feel like we are drowning because of the worry, fear and insecurity. We sink further within ourselves. We start to pity ourselves, and when we’re in that state, we’re often not looking up to God; instead, we’re looking elsewhere due to this distraction.”   Cut up the cards Part of Dave Ramsey’s financial philosophy is to avoid carrying too much plastic in your wallet. Credit cards are primarily responsible for burying people in debt. Ramsey said that today he only has four cards in his wallet: a personal debit card, a business debit card, a driver’s license and a concealed-carry permit. About half (48%) of those with credit cards don’t pay their statement balance in full every month, according to ramseysolutions.com . The average credit card interest rate reached an all-time high of 20.4% in 2021, with banks generating $106.7 billion in credit card interest and fees. “I got to see people come forward and cut up credit cards after they paid them off,” Trask said of his own educational experience. Not solely for Catholics The Dave Ramsey model, he said, is arguably the best course for gaining financial stability. “There are Catholic programs, but they are not like this,” he said. “In my experience, it works exceptionally well, and it gets people on the right track, encouraging them like you wouldn’t believe.” Participants do not need to be Catholic, Trask explained. However, his presentation of Ramsey’s material will be “relatable, understandable, and accessible to Catholics.”   Additional resources The course also provides other resources to supplement and strengthen the likeliness of success. “The goal is also for you to uncover things that may require additional inspection,” Trask said. “We all need examinations of conscience. As you go through these exercises, you can pinpoint what caused you to fall into debt. “What was the motivator?’” he added. “There are always different factors underlying financial issues, and we want to help people find additional support if they need it, which is to say that this is not just a financial class— it’s about the whole person. Catholic Charities want to support you.” Eddie and Ashley Trask with their kids Arlo, Eviana, Zion, Eila and Taavi. (Courtesy Photo/Eddie Trask)   Improving relationships Trask highly recommends that married couples take the course together. “When the wife is working hard to create savings and the husband goes out and spends a thousand dollars on his latest hobby, that’s ‘financial infidelity,’” said ICR  Editor Deacon Scott Pearhill during the interview with Trask. “But when the two partners work together … they deepen in unity and harmony.” Jay Wonacott, director of Marriage and Family Life for the Diocese of Boise, noted that “Studies have shown there is a significant link between financial disagreements and divorce. Couples who frequently argue about money are more likely to divorce than those who do not. Financial incompatibility, such as differing spending habits and levels of consumer debt, can lead to increased marital stress.” Wonacott added that communication plays a significant role in achieving financial stability, including regular discussions about finances in which spouses actively listen to each other. “Set time aside to talk about your financial situation, goals and concerns; transparency is key,” Wonacott said. “Also ensure both partners feel heard and understood. This helps in finding common ground and solutions.” Trask pointed out that other steps may include collaborating to create a budget that reflects both partners’ priorities and needs, as well as setting both short-term and long-term goals, such as saving for a home, retirement, or their children’s education. Deacon Pearhill said a big part of the equation is responsibly using what God gives us. “You want to get out of financial ‘purgatory,’ or ‘Dante’s Inferno of Finances!’ You want to get to ‘Paradiso,’” Pearhill said. “That doesn’t mean you have to become wealthy so that you never have to think about money again. It means you are responsibly managing the gifts God has given you, that you are a good steward, and finances no longer oppress you,” he added. “You don’t have to be a millionaire; you just don’t want to be a slave to money anymore,” Pearhill concluded.

The Exsultet proclaims the story of salvation on the ‘mother of all holy vigils’ The Easter Vigil begins with a new fire (above) that is blessed by the bishop or priest. The Paschal Candle is lit from the new fire. Tapers held by the assembly are lit from the Paschal Candle during the Service of Light (Lucernarium) that proceeds the singing of the Exsultet. (ICR Photos) By Emily Woodham Staff Writer The Exsultet is sung at no other Mass except the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night. Those who have never participated in the Easter Vigil, which begins after sundown on the night before Easter Sunday, may be unaware of the significance of the “Easter Proclamation,” as it is also known. The Exsultet, Latin for “Give praise” (or more literally, “Let (it) praise”), proclaims the history of salvation and its fulfillment in the mystery of Easter. Whenever possible, the Exsultet is sung by a deacon. If no deacon in the church can sing it, then a priest may sing it. However, if none of the parish clergy can sing the ancient chant, then a lay cantor may do so. A portion of the Exsultet must be omitted if it is sung by laity. “These rubrics are meant to be taken very seriously,” said Tish O’Hagan, director of the Office of Worship for the Diocese of Boise. The Exsultet is part of the Vigil’s introductory rites. It follows the “Lucernarium” or “Service of Light.” According to the Roman Missal and documents from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), the Vigil must be celebrated at night so the symbolism of a “blazing fire” outside the church (or suitable substitute as circumstances demand) is not diminished. The ritual of preparing and lighting the Paschal candle from a new fire blessed by the priest as the liturgy begins, which is then used to light tapers held by the faithful, manifests through these symbols the movement of the people of God from darkness to light. After the candlelight procession into the church and the placing of the Paschal Candle by the altar, the lights in the church are turned on while the faithful continue to hold their burning tapers. Only the altar candles remain unlit. The priest blesses incense, and the deacon who will chant the Exsultet incenses the missal and the Paschal Candle. Then he sings. (If a layperson is singing, the incensing of the candle and book are omitted.) The congregation continues to stand with their lighted tapers as the deacon chants. It is not until after the end of the Exsultet that the congregation extinguishes their candles and sits for the Liturgy of the Word. (The altar candles are not lit until the Gloria.) For centuries, the Exsultet has served as a liturgical jewel of unsurpassed beauty on this, the “mother of all holy vigils,” as St. Augustine aptly described the Easter Vigil. As the Exsultet exhorts us, ‘Be glad, let earth be glad, as glory floods her, ablaze with light from her eternal King, let all corners of the earth be glad, knowing an end to gloom and darkness’ (“Christ Our Light,” usccb.org ). There were various forms of the Exsultet by the ninth century. The one used today by the Catholic Church is believed to be from a text by St. Ambrose. It begins with an exhortation to praise, then leads into a history of salvation from Adam to Christ, and ends with an entreaty for blessings for the Paschal Candle so that its flame will continue through the night. For centuries, an extended portion of the Exsultet was dedicated to the praise of bees because they contributed wax for the Paschal Candle. The bees were also esteemed in the text as symbols of the Church and, in particular, the chaste fruitfulness of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In 1570, the portion about the bees was omitted. In 2011, in the new English translation of the Latin promulgated by Pope St. John Paul II, the praises of the bees and their work were readmitted, but only in two lines. The Exsultet is challenging for singers for many reasons. Cathryn Gardner, music director at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish in Boise, suggests that singers prepare well before the Easter Vigil. “The Exsultet is physically challenging because Easter Vigil Mass is so late. People are already tired from two days of celebrating the Triduum,” she said. “Another physical aspect is how long the Exsultet is. Sustaining singing for that long can be taxing on the voice, especially when you have been talking or singing already that day.” It is also mentally demanding because singers are so exposed, she added. “You are standing at the ambo in front of the entire congregation, often singing completely by yourself, with all eyes on you. It is taxing even for the most experienced singers, and the length mentioned earlier does not help. You are essentially singing the story of Easter and praises to God while everyone listens to only you.” It’s because of these difficulties that there is flexibility to have a trained musician, a cantor, sing instead of someone from the clergy, she explained. Although it is ideally sung a cappella, there is no prohibition against it being sung with an instrumental accompaniment. However, the accompaniment must be kept simple so that it does not detract from the message of the chant. For those preparing to sing the Exsultet, Gardner recommends a vocal care regimen that includes sufficient sleep, hydration and vocal warm-up before singing. “You don’t want to strain your voice from overuse or poor use. Some singers use tea, hot water with lemon, or a specific brand of cough drops to help their voice recover and last longer. Use this time we have before Easter to find a process that works for you so your voice stays healthy despite all the use it will get during Holy Week. Also, make sure to rest in between Triduum liturgies.” Cantors should consider the spiritual aspect of chanting the Exsultet. “I would highly encourage anyone preparing to sing this to really meditate on the words and allow them to speak to your heart as you prepare. Some themes present in the text are redemption, joy and hope. Use these themes to guide you and prepare your heart,” said Gardner. She noted that attending the entire Triduum helps a cantor better understand the Exsultet. “Observing all of Holy Week can help one gain a deeper understanding of each specific day, as you see them all linked together.” When it comes time to sing, she suggests that cantors be present in the moment and sing with joy. “The Easter Vigil is a joyous celebration of hope and renewal!”     "Be glad, let earth be glad, as glory floods her, ablaze with light from her eternal King, let all corners of the earth be glad, knowing an end to gloom and darkness.”                                                  — the Exsultet Cathryn Garnder, Director of Music, Our Lady of the Rosary, Boise.

Feast Day: April 7 By Emily Woodham Staff Writer When St. Jean-Baptiste de la Salle took on the care of schools and teachers in late 17th-century France, he thought he would merely supervise in a minimal way. He once said that if he had known how much sacrifice would be involved, he would have never begun. God led him, he said, “in an imperceptible way and over a long period of time so that one commitment led to another in a way that I did not foresee in the beginning.” This step-by-step, little-by-little trust in God’s providence, despite his personal feelings, defined St. Jean-Baptiste’s life. Jean-Baptiste de la Salle was born on April 30, 1651, in the illustrious city of Reims, France. He was the firstborn of 11 children (four of whom died in infancy). His family had connections to the nobility and was part of the growing upper middle class. When he was 10, he made a vow to become a priest, to the consternation of his father and joy of his mother. At the age of 16, he was appointed a canon at the Cathedral of Reims. (Canons were priests, or those studying to be priests, who helped the archbishop with various tasks at the cathedral.) In 1672, his parents died. As the oldest son, Jean-Baptiste, then 21, was responsible for his parents’ estate and served as the guardian of his three younger brothers, aged 13, 8, and 6. While caring for the estate and his brothers, Jean-Baptiste finished his seminary studies and was ordained on April 9, 1678. Father Jean-Baptiste’s responsibilities as a canon increased, and his life seemed set on a path of comfortable success at the cathedral. But three weeks after his ordination, a dear friend, Father Nicolas Roland, died. Father Jean-Baptiste agreed to temporarily oversee the needs of Father Nicolas’ small order of teaching Sisters. Because of his work with the Sisters, someone approached him about assisting with male teachers at a free school for boys. In 17th-century France, those deemed “poor” or “destitute” could attend the parish school for free, but still had to pay for books and equipment. Guilds provided education at a lower cost than most schools, but they were still too expensive for the truly impoverished. Because guilds viewed free schools as a source of competition for funds, they often pursued legal avenues to shut them down. This lack of stability for free schools made it difficult for them to find good teachers. When Father Jean-Baptiste agreed to help oversee a free school for boys in Reims, he intended to provide only occasional advice and spiritual direction. He assumed that the teachers who were so willing to help boys out of poverty had a sound secular and spiritual education themselves. In his mind, he thought he would help for a while and then focus on his vocation as a canon, enjoying a life of prayer and service at the cathedral. After visiting the classrooms in Reims, he realized how wrong his assumptions had been. The teachers often caved in when the boys didn’t want to do their studies; they wasted time playing games with their students. The teachers needed as much catechesis in Christian beliefs as the children. They also lacked manners and were unable to teach children how to behave in social situations, skills essential for obtaining and maintaining employment. Initially, Father Jean-Baptiste attempted to hold evening classes for the teachers. However, he became convinced that they needed more than just a few hours of training during the week. He invited the teachers to live with him in his home so that they could live out the Christian life and principles in community. He was convinced that teachers could not convey dignity to the children unless teachers themselves lived in the truth of their dignity. Little by little, he answered the call to give more of his time and attention to the teachers for the benefit of the children. Father Jean-Baptiste’s family was furious with the use of the family estate for a community of laity. He surrendered his home and rented another for the teachers and himself. However, as he preached about poverty to the teachers, they scoffed that he was still working as a canon at the cathedral. So, he left his esteemed position and gave all his inheritance to the poor during a famine, except for a monthly stipend that was equivalent to the small salary paid to teachers. As the community of teachers grew, they decided to become a true Religious community of Brothers. They took the name “Brothers of Christian Schools,” adopted a simple habit, and gradually developed a Rule of Life, which included time for prayer and reading Scripture. Father Jean-Baptiste tried several times to relinquish leadership of the community so that he could return to parochial life. However, circumstances arose from trouble with guilds and parishes over boundaries and financial issues that required Father Jean-Baptiste’s intervention. As news spread about the success of the students with the Brothers, parish schools began requesting the Brothers to come and teach. The Brothers also expanded their educational ministry to include schools for juvenile delinquents and prisoners. A few years before his death, Father Jean-Baptiste had more freedom to pray, study and give spiritual direction. He died peacefully on Good Friday, April 7, 1719, after years of suffering from rheumatism and asthma. St. Jean-Baptiste’s books on education, including one on manners, revolutionized the approach to classroom teaching. In the 19th century, the Brothers of Christian Schools began expanding globally. They now have schools in 79 countries. He was canonized in 1900 and declared the patron saint of teachers by Pope Pius XII in 1950. San Juan Bautista de la Salle Fiesta: 7 de abril Por Emily Woodham Colaboradora Cuando San Juan Bautista de la Salle asumió la responsabilidad de cuidar las escuelas y los maestros en la Francia de finales del siglo XVII, pensó que se limitaría a supervisar mínimamente. Una vez dijo que, de haber sabido cuánto sacrificio implicaría, nunca habría empezado. Dios le guió, dijo, “de un modo imperceptible y durante un largo periodo de tiempo, de modo que un compromiso llevó a otro de un modo que yo no preveía al principio”. Esta confianza paso a paso, poco a poco, en la providencia de Dios, a pesar de sus sentimientos personales, definió la vida de San Juan Bautista. Juan Bautista de la Salle nació el 30 de abril de 1651 en la ilustre ciudad de Reims, Francia. Era el primogénito de once hermanos (cuatro de los cuales murieron en la infancia). Su familia tenía conexiones con la nobleza y formaba parte de la creciente clase media alta. A los diez años, hizo voto de hacerse sacerdote, para consternación de su padre y alegría de su madre. A los 16 años fue nombrado canónigo de la Catedral de Reims. (Los canónigos eran sacerdotes, o personas que estudiaban para serlo, que ayudaban al arzobispo en diversas tareas de la catedral). En 1672 fallecen sus padres. Como hijo mayor, Juan Bautista, que entonces tenía 21 años, se hizo cargo de los bienes de sus padres y ejerció la tutela de sus tres hermanos menores, de 13, 8 y 6 años. Mientras se ocupaba de la hacienda y de sus hermanos, Juan Bautista terminó sus estudios en el seminario y fue ordenado sacerdote el 9 de abril de 1678. Las responsabilidades del Padre Juan Bautista como canónigo aumentaron, y su vida parecía encaminada hacia un cómodo éxito en la catedral. Pero tres semanas después de su ordenación, murió un querido amigo, el Padre Nicolas Roland. El Padre Juan Bautista aceptó ocuparse temporalmente de las necesidades de la pequeña orden de hermanas educadoras del Padre Nicolás. Debido a su trabajo con las Hermanas, alguien se le acercó para que ayudara con maestros varones en una escuela gratuita para niños. En la Francia del siglo XVII, los considerados “pobres” o “indigentes” podían asistir gratuitamente a la escuela parroquial, pero debían pagar los libros y el material. Los gremios proporcionaban educación a un costo inferior al de la mayoría de las escuelas, pero seguían siendo demasiado caros para los verdaderamente pobres. Como los gremios consideraban que las escuelas libres eran una fuente de competencia para obtener fondos, a menudo recurrían a vías legales para cerrarlas. Esta falta de estabilidad de las escuelas libres les dificultaba encontrar buenos profesores. Cuando el Padre Juan Bautista aceptó ayudar a supervisar una escuela gratuita para niños en Reims, su intención era proporcionar sólo consejos ocasionales y dirección espiritual. Suponía que los maestros, tan dispuestos a ayudar a los niños a salir de la pobreza, tenían una sólida formación laica y espiritual. En su mente, pensaba que ayudaría durante un tiempo y luego se centraría en su vocación de canónigo, disfrutando de una vida de oración y servicio en la catedral. Después de visitar las aulas de Reims, se dio cuenta de lo equivocadas que estaban sus suposiciones. Los profesores solían ceder cuando los chicos no querían estudiar y perdían el tiempo jugando con sus alumnos. Los maestros necesitaban tanta catequesis en las creencias cristianas como los niños. También carecían de modales y eran incapaces de enseñar a los niños a comportarse en situaciones sociales, habilidades esenciales para obtener y mantener un empleo. Al principio, el Padre Juan Bautista intentó dar clases nocturnas a los maestros. Sin embargo, se convenció de que necesitaban algo más que unas horas de formación durante la semana. Invitó a los maestros a vivir con él en su casa para que pudieran vivir la vida y los principios cristianos en comunidad. Estaba convencido de que los maestros no podían transmitir dignidad a los niños a menos que ellos mismos vivieran en la verdad de su dignidad. Poco a poco, respondió a la llamada de dedicar más tiempo y atención a los maestros en beneficio de los niños. La familia del Padre Juan Bautista se enfureció por el uso de la finca familiar para una comunidad de laicos. Renunció a su casa y alquiló otra para los maestros y para él. Sin embargo, mientras predicaba sobre la pobreza a los maestros, éstos se burlaban de que siguiera trabajando como canónigo en la catedral. Así que abandonó su estimado cargo y donó toda su herencia a los pobres durante una hambruna, excepto un estipendio mensual que equivalía al pequeño salario que se pagaba a los maestros. A medida que la comunidad de maestros crecía, decidieron convertirse en una verdadera comunidad religiosa de Hermanos. Tomaron el nombre de “Hermanos de las Escuelas Cristianas”, adoptaron un hábito sencillo y desarrollaron gradualmente una Regla de Vida, que incluía tiempo para la oración y la lectura de las Escrituras. El Padre Juan Bautista intentó varias veces renunciar a la dirección de la comunidad para poder volver a la vida parroquial. Sin embargo, surgieron problemas con gremios y parroquias por cuestiones de límites y financieras que requirieron su intervención. Al difundirse la noticia del éxito de los alumnos con los Hermanos, las escuelas parroquiales empezaron a solicitar que los Hermanos fueran a enseñar. Los Hermanos también ampliaron su ministerio educativo para incluir escuelas para delincuentes juveniles y presos. Unos años antes de su muerte, el Padre Juan Bautista tuvo más libertad para rezar, estudiar y dar dirección espiritual. Murió en paz el Viernes Santo, 7 de abril de 1719, tras años de sufrir reumatismo y asma. Los libros de San Juan Bautista sobre educación, incluido uno sobre modales, revolucionaron el enfoque de la enseñanza en las aulas. En el siglo XIX, los Hermanos de las Escuelas Cristianas comenzaron a expandirse por todo el mundo. Ahora tienen escuelas en 79 países. Fue canonizado en 1900 y declarado patrón de los maestros por el Papa Pío XII en 1950.

Joseph Catama summits life obstacles to find his vocation with Verbum Spei Brother John Jospeh Catama receives the habit he will wear as a Brother of the Verbum Spei Fraternity. He is kneeling before Father Wandrille Sverin, the Fraternity’s international superior, while Father Dominique Fauré, Prior of the Boise monastery, and Father Johannes Kamphuis assist during the Jan. 18 rite. (ICR Photo/Emily Woodham) By Emily Woodham Staff Writer When Brother John Joseph, baptized “Joseph Catama,” moved to Boise from Thousand Oaks, Calif. at the end of 2020, he was not taking his Catholic faith seriously. However, the change of location assisted his spiritual transformation. “I was 20 and had been working a lot in California. I loved rock climbing and competed in it. Climbing was like my “god” at the time. I took college classes off and on. In Boise, I had a lot more time while I looked for a job.” He relocated to Boise with his parents and three brothers. His devout family became parishioners at St. Mark’s Parish in Boise, but it was a few months before Brother John Joseph had a change of heart. “It was the Holy Spirit. All of a sudden, I just really wanted to go to Confession after a long time of not going,” he said. He examined his conscience for three days to prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. “Father Vitalis was the confessor,” he explained. (Father Vitalis Onyeama was the parochial vicar at St. Mark’s at that time and is now pastor at Holy Apostles.) “After Confession, all the weight of sin was off my shoulders. That was really the beginning of returning to the faith and choosing it for myself.” He decided to go on a wilderness retreat led by Father Nathan Dail, vocations director for the Diocese of Boise and chaplain at St. Paul’s Student Center at Boise State University. The retreat was in the Sawtooth Mountains. The experience was his first acquaintance with what Religious life might be like, Brother John Joseph explained. The retreat included Holy Hours (Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament) each day, daily Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours. “Father Nathan is a great father and friend. I came back from that on fire,” he said. As he delved into the Faith, Brother John Joseph stopped climbing for a time, but eventually started again at a climbing gym. “I became head coach, and I loved it, especially helping the teenagers in competitive climbing.” He also began taking classes at Boise State in the fall of 2021 and decided to pursue a degree in creative writing. “That semester, I began volunteering at St. Paul’s Student Center. I organized events. I became in charge of OCIA all while being a head coach and traveling with my team.” He also frequently visited the Verbum Spei Monastery of Our Lady of Ephesus in Boise, where he received spiritual direction from Father Dominique Fauré, the monastery’s prior. During finals in December of 2022, another shift came in Brother John Joseph’s life. Just as he needed to complete projects for his classes, a teenager on his team became suicidal. Although the teenager was able to get the help he needed, the stress of concern for the teen was overwhelming. “At that point, I had been going to the monastery daily. I told Father Dom about the situation and how I was going to flunk all of my classes. He said, ‘You stay here until you finish the finals.’ So I did. And then I never left.” Brother John Joseph lived with the Brothers while continuing to work, volunteer and attend classes. “I didn’t have plans of a Religious vocation at that time. They just gave me a place where I could live and have time to pray in the mornings, go to Adoration and Mass every day. It was a gratuitous love they shared with me.” However, over time, he began to discern his call to become a Brother. After graduating with his B.A. in Creative Writing in May of 2024, he wrapped up his work as head coach. “My team holds a special place in my heart. Although not all of them are Catholic, I taught them about Blessed Pier Frassati, who also loved to climb; so they all love him. They had a big competition in July, and it would have been a huge lack of charity to abandon them just before that event.” Father Dominique Fauré embraces Brother John Joseph after the Rite of Investiture at Our Lady of Ephesus Monastery in Boise. (ICR Photo/Emily Woodham) On July 25, 2024, he entered the novitiate. Six months later, on Jan. 18, 2025, he received the habit at the Rite of Investiture. “With an investiture, there’s the physical thing that’s happening, and then there’s the deep intimacy that it’s representing. Like a rosary or like a scapular— the clothing we wear is a sacramental. It’s a visible sign of something much deeper,” he said. For Verbum Spei, which means “Word of Hope,” the habit is a sign of hope. “It’s a sacramental of hope in that we have something greater to live for now; it’s not a hope that’s just in the future, in the next life.” Receiving the habit is also the time when Verbum Spei Brothers receive the Blessed Virgin Mary as their mother. Brother John Joseph explained that just as Mary dressed Jesus in swaddling clothes, so she clothes those who are consecrated to Religious life. She is the model of our consecration because she is the one who gave her fiat .” The novitiate typically lasts another six months following investiture, which marks the first public sign of living a consecrated life. His parents, Jerry and Mary Catama, and brothers, Jacob, Jeremy and Jimmy, attended the investiture with a chapel full of friends and members of the climbing gym. The Mass was concelebrated by Father Wandrille Sevin, superior of the international fraternity of Verbum Spei, with Father Dominique Fauré, Father Johannes Kamphuis, V.S., Father Nathan Dail, and retired Father Roger LaChance of the Diocese of Boise. Following the period of novitiate, first vows are made. If it is discerned that he should continue in the Verbum Spei Religious fraternity, he will then make final vows. More important than discerning a vocation, Brother John Joseph said, is fostering a relationship with God through Christ. “The vocation is important, but it’s secondary to relationship. My discernment to Verbum Spei was quite clear, but I had three good people who were leading me through it: Father Dominique, Father Nathan and Father Nelson Cintra (parochial vicar at Pope St. John Paul II Parish in Idaho Falls). But living a life with Christ—truly the Christian life—is what’s most important.”

Mental health awareness event brings needed information and experts to Northern Idaho Randal and Lisa Ormond on the beach in Florence, Ore. (Courtesy Photo/Lisa Ormond) By Lisa Ormond For the ICR When I noticed that the Diocese of Boise was hosting “Mental Health: The Catholic Perspective” on Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26, at St. Thomas Parish in Coeur d’ Alene, I knew I would attend. I’m a Catholic, I live in Northern Idaho and I am also a wife whose husband has a mental illness. My story is neither special nor particularly unique. I have friends who have loved ones with diagnosed mental disorders. A mental health crisis in your life is not something you choose. Often, it just happens, coming out of nowhere and toppling you to your knees. It can happen in any family, and its arrival leaves a lasting impact. My husband struggles daily to see the light in his life. I am an active member of the Coeur d’Alene National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Family Support Group. We meet twice a month in Post Falls. We share, we cry, we laugh and we support one another on the lifelong journey of choosing to stand by our loved ones who have mental illness. Like so many others in communities across this state, we silently but courageously carry a cross that is heavy and constant. The unseen grooves are deep in our shoulders and backs from the weight. It is a willing choice of the heart, a sacrifice. They hurt, we hurt and we need others in our communities to stand by us with understanding, empathy, and kindness. Why Care? According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI, nami.org ), mental illness can include anxiety disorders, mood disorders, psychotic disorders, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. The numbers are staggering:  1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year. 1 in 20 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year. 1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year. Half of U.S. adults report experiencing a severe mental health crisis in their families. At least 8.4 million people in the U.S. provide care to an adult with a mental or emotional health issue. Public awareness, stigma-busting, and advocating for better healthcare are a must. Mental Health Ministry comes to Idaho In late 2021, the Diocese of Boise received a grant from the National Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers. This led to the formation of the Catholic Mental Health Ministry Team, an eight-person group composed of diocesan leaders and mental health professionals. A portion of those grant funds will cover the costs of the two-day workshop in April in Coeur d’Alene. “I would encourage anyone who struggles with mental health or has a family member to attend,” said Jay Wonacott, Chair of the Diocesan Mental Health Committee. The Ministry Team hopes that parish staff and ministers will attend both sessions of this two-day event, which will plant seeds among local parishioners. “Our role as a diocese ministry is to help coach and encourage,” Wonacott said. “The real-life ministry happens at the parish level. We hope local parishes will develop their own parish-based mental health teams and provide faithful, practical care to their church communities.” To learn more about the Coeur d’Alene event, “Mental Health: The Catholic Perspective,” or to register, visit dioceseofboise.org/event . Making sense of the unknown Randal and I married in 1989. During our Catholic wedding, I felt as though the Holy Spirit had ignited a spiritual fire within us. When we married, I knew I was where I was meant to be: by his side. Over our 35 years of marriage, we have traversed tough trails like most couples—raising children, coping with deaths in our families from Alzheimer’s disease to cancer, the loss of jobs and security, relocation, etc. But nothing could have prepared us for these past years of coping with Randal’s crippling mental health disorders. Looking back, we agree his mental health hurdles began surfacing about eight years ago with mood changes, increased anxiety and anger and general depression. He sought medical care for his symptoms but was told he was fine. In May of 2023, Randal suffered his first severe panic attack and couldn’t breathe, causing an emergency room visit. Since then, we have been on a journey to find him comfort and wellness, discovering and uncovering the mysteries of the mind and body. He has been admitted to two different hospital psychiatric units, visited emergency rooms two more times for mental symptom support and attended intensive outpatient therapy for nearly three months. He has been under the care of nearly 10 different psychiatrists and 10 mental health therapists/counselors; the list of the prescribed medications he has taken since is too long to share here. Recently, we relocated from Moscow to the Coeur d’Alene area to gain access to more comprehensive medical and mental health care services. There are no clear answers, no agreement about diagnoses and confusion continues about what might be the ‘right’ path for him. We attempt to make sense of the information we read in books, online and from numerous medical professionals. We have learned to navigate the grey areas of the situation. There have been many nights when I have asked God for mercy and guidance. Faith matters In 2020, I returned to my Catholic roots, sensing I needed to reconnect with my faith and the Lord. I was raised Catholic by my father, Ron, who died around Christmas 2020 during the COVID pandemic. He had Alzheimer’s. I couldn’t attend his California funeral because I was immune compromised. We were close. I was desperate, alone and lost. I began to attend Mass by myself, even though I knew no one in my local parish. I began to read the Bible and felt a deepening sense of God’s presence in my life. It wasn’t long before I was able to return to the sacraments. I quickly discovered my faith was offering me a way to cope and embrace the unsettledness. I just wanted to sense peace and be at peace. I practiced Centering Prayer daily, fell to my knees before the Lord in Eucharistic Adoration, started writing, joined a church Bible study, and volunteered. I looked for the ‘angels’ in my life and began to experience joy. I was strengthened spiritually and mentally. I also found nature to be a place where I could find silence and a beautiful space to listen to the Lord. Transformation began to take place within me. I learned to trust instead of fear. I was making strides to surrender to His will. It changed everything for me. Inner peace and healing came to my soul. One day, after Mass, when tears welled up in my eyes, my parish priest offered me a simple piece of advice that I still hold dear: he pointed upward and said, “Just look up; God is there for you.” Finding hope Our journey is not over, and we realize it never will be. This wisdom allows our Lord to mercifully guide us in seeing and living with peace, freedom and acceptance. There can be light, hope and love despite pain and suffering. Jesus taught us this through His Passion and Resurrection. This is the Jubilee Year of Hope, and we are called to be pilgrims of hope. And as one Coeur d’Alene priest recently announced at the end of a Saturday Mass, “As Catholics, we never give up.” Mental illness is no longer an unknown adversary. We treat it like any medical condition that can unexpectedly strike a person or a couple. We face it with respect, patience and, most of all, love, knowing mental illness isn’t all we are. We still have so much love to offer one another, as well as to others. Healing can happen, and God is faithful if we are patient. I asked my husband, Randal, what he wanted  ICR readers to know. He said, “Tell them to seek help and not give up hope.” Mental Health: The Catholic Perspective Friday, April 25, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, April 26, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. St. Thomas Parish, Coeur d’Alene For more information and to register, scan the QR code or call: 208-664-9259 x 2

Head of medical team now acknowledges Pope faced near-death experience Massimiliano Strappetti, the nurse who is Pope Francis’ primary medical caregiver at the Vatican, adjusts a microphone for the Pope as he greets a crowd of well-wishers at Rome’s Gemelli hospital before returning to the Vatican March 23, 2025. (CNA photo/Pablo Esparza) By Philip A. Janquart ICR Assistant Editor Editor’s note: the following is an update concerning the medical condition of Pope Francis as of April 2, 2025. Pope Francis signaled his continued healing and recovery with a wave and a “thumbs-up” as he sat in a wheelchair on the balcony of his Gemelli Hospital room, acknowledging a crowd of hundreds that gathered outside his window on Sunday, March 23. He was later discharged after a 38-day stay due to pneumonia and other health issues. The 88-year-old pontiff was showing “improvements’ in both his breathing and speech as a result of the triple therapy he is receiving—pharmacological, respiratory and physical—according to a Friday, March 28, Vatican report, which states he will continue to receive those treatments in Santa Marta, the Vatican guest house where he lives. In a brief message during the midday Angelus on Sunday, March 30, the Pope shared that he is experiencing healing “in my soul and my body.” The pontiff’s condition has been guarded since being admitted to Gemelli Hospital on Feb. 14 to undergo testing and treatment for bronchitis. He later developed bilateral pneumonia and received oxygen and blood transfusions. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) noted that Pope Francis faced a near-death experience on Feb. 28 during his stay at Gemelli Hospital. The USCCB cited a Mar. 25 interview with Dr. Sergio Alfieri, the coordinator of the Pope’s medical team, who said, “We were all aware that the situation (on Feb. 28) had deteriorated further and there was a risk that he might not make it.” The Holy Father’s condition had “deteriorated to the point where doctors considered halting his treatment to allow him to die peacefully.” Dr. Alfieri said, “We had to make a choice between stopping and letting him go or pressing on and trying all the drugs and therapies we could, running the very high risk of damaging other organs. And in the end, we took that path.” The USCCB noted that Pope Francis had delegated healthcare decisions to Massimiliano Strappetti, his personal healthcare assistant. Strappetti directed the hospital’s medical team to “try everything; don’t give up.” “For days, we were risking damage to his kidneys and bone marrow, but we went ahead, and his body responded to the drugs, and his lung infection lessened,” Dr. Sergio Alfieri told media. The Holy Father was prescribed a further two months of home rest to fully recover. “I think that for the moment, only the most important issues will be submitted to the Pope, issues that require a decision on his part…so as not to tire him too much,” said Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state. “Then, as he recovers, we will return to the normal rhythm.” Pope Francis had been scheduled to celebrate Holy Mass at St. Peter’s Square for the Jubilee of the Sick and Health Care workers on April 6, followed by several Lenten season Masses, including Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Saturday Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday. He was also scheduled to celebrate Mass for the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis on April. 27.

Major renovation planned for 37-year-old facility An artist’s rendering of the future St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store at 6464 W. State Street in Boise. Slated for completion in Oct. 2026, the 24,000-square-foot facility will feature a complete redesign of the exterior facade, with a refreshed and reconfigured interior, as well as a new café that will enhance customers’ shopping experience. (Courtesy Photo/St. Vincent de Paul) By Philip A. Janquart ICR Assistant Editor Thursday, March 27, was a big day for St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) Southwest Idaho and its Executive Director Ralph May. “I’ll be signing the loan papers today,” said May. Time has taken a toll on the nonprofit organization’s 24,000-square-foot thrift store which was constructed in 1988 through the efforts of a passionate and committed group of local Vincentian volunteers. Located at 6464 W. State Street in Boise, it is set to undergo a $2 million renovation, bringing it into the 21st century. “We are expecting construction to be complete in October 2025; it’s going to be quite impressive,” May told the ICR . Only a genial smile betrayed his excited anticipation as he casually strolled through the now-empty retail area. The walls had been stripped of signage and decor, and rows of merchandise had been removed, exposing bare concrete. The current Spanish-style SVdP facade obscures the floor to ceiling windows. (Courtesy Photo/St. Vincent de Paul) Volunteers were busily sorting items in the warehouse area at the back of the facility where donations continue to be processed and trucks loaded for delivery. May said donation intake, processing and delivery will continue onsite throughout the renovation. In October 2024, most of the merchandise from the now empty retail area had already been transferred to an 11,000-square-foot space SVdP is leasing within the Collister Shopping Center, approximately 1.5 miles east of the thrift store at 4614 W. State Street. Once the renovation is complete, the Collister location will remain open and serve as SVdP’s home goods outlet. Customers can search for couches, side tables, chairs, coffee tables, bookshelves, lamps, footstools and home decor. “We still need to determine exactly what the split will be, but since the stores are only a mile and a half apart, we want them to be complementary,” May said. “It’s a quick trip between them, and we don’t want to be competing with ourselves.” Improvements A 14-page SVdP case statement provided to the ICR explains that the future viability of the 1988 building is at risk without renovation. Appraisals indicate that without a substantial investment, the declining property could become “ripe for redevelopment rather than continue to serve as a vital community resource. This underscores the urgency of our campaign,” the case statement said. Despite regular maintenance, exterior and interior painting, carpet removal, wall adjustments and other improvements over the decades, the structure is slowly becoming obsolete. SVdP Executive Director Ralph May describes how bicycles are repaired and tagged to be sold in the store or made available as voucher items. (Courtesy Photo/St. Vincent de Paul) Key components of the renovation include a fresh facade and entrance to attract more visitors and create a welcoming atmosphere. The facade has largely remained unchanged and is currently composed of grey stucco in an arched, Spanish-style architectural design that was popular at the time of construction. There will also be enhanced parking for shoppers and donors, with the interior retail space upgraded to “offer a brighter, more functional, and enjoyable shopping experience.” Modernized roadside signage will help “effectively communicate our mission and strengthen our community presence.” Finally, coffee drinkers will be pleased to learn that the renovation includes a new café space, which will be available for lease to an independent operator. “By embracing this transformation, we aim to attract more traffic and sales, increase awareness through rebranding and strengthen our ability to serve those in need, all while adapting to the dynamic changes in our neighborhood.” The project manager is Holy Apostles parishioner Nick Guho, owner of Guho Construction Co., headquartered in Eagle. “Nick is an outstanding member of the Catholic community,” May noted. “He has been a huge supporter of this project and is essentially shepherding us through it all. It makes our world so much better. It’s a big deal, and he’s looking out for us. He wants the project to be amazing.” ACHD Road Improvement The thrift store is located on the northwest corner of Pierce Park Lane and State Street, one of the state’s most traveled corridors. The Ada County Highway District recently began construction on its planned $11 million project to widen a section of the corridor to seven lanes. The Pierce Park intersection, which runs at a southwest angle, will become a four-way stop. The gas station on the northwest corner, adjacent to the thrift store, has already been demolished to accommodate the new street alignment. The 13-month-long project is fortuitous since it mandated the closure of the thrift store, giving SVdP the time needed to complete its own project. “We knew we would have to close the store during construction,” May said. “There’s no way to get customers in and out because the parking is going to be impacted. ACHD is going to tear out half of our parking lot and put in new.” Housing Units Additionally, a $250 million, 800-unit housing development is slated for construction on 60 acres of property across State Street. It was formerly owned by The River Club Golf Course, previously known as Plantation Country Club. May said the golf course was under financial strain and decided to sell some property to continue operating. The course itself will undergo reconfiguration. When the housing development is complete, the SVdP thrift store will be strategically located in one of the most prominent sections of State Street. May anticipates the revitalized SVdP thrift store will benefit from higher foot traffic at an already thriving store. The ACHD project has increased the store’s visibility. “The building was a little obscured because there were trees, bushes and a berm, but that’s all gone, along with the service station, which partially blocked your view from the street,” he said with a gleam in his eye. “And because of the way everything is shifting, all of a sudden, this is going to be one of the highest profile corners on all of State Street. We’ll have a lot of traffic through here for sure.” Bishop Sylvester Treinen, left, reviews plan for the SVdP Thrift along with Bob Donovin, Paul Mais and Bob Kleffner during a 1988 planning session. (Courtesy Photo/St. Vincent de Paul) -- St. Vincent de Paul’s Mission, Services St. Vincent de Paul Southwest Idaho defines itself as a “network of friends, inspired by Gospel values, working to prevent homelessness by providing fundamental needs and help to our neighbors.” Donations, grants and thrift store revenue allow SVdP to assist the local community through food pantries, home visits, reentry services provided to men and women exiting prison and seasonal programs. Home visits provide personalized assistance to individuals and families, which can be scheduled through the SVdP helpline. The nonprofit helps with housing instability, clothing needs and household items. Its voucher program allows recipients to shop at any Southwest Idaho SVdP thrift store. SVdP also assists those transitioning back into society after incarceration through Reentry Services and Career Development Programs. Working with the Idaho Department of Corrections (IDOC), SVdP provides pick-up from prison upon release and first-day-out services such as food, clothing vouchers, and bus passes. The nonprofit also helps those released from prison develop workplace skills and find jobs. Learn more about St. Vincent de Paul Southwest by visiting svdpid.org .

Lucas 8, 1-11 Quinto Domingo de Cuaresma La misericordia se encuentra en el corazón de la Cuaresma. Nuestro pasaje evangélico nos invita a renovarnos en la misericordia de Dios y nos prepara para recibir más plenamente la gracia de la Pascua que nos libera de toda esclavitud, no por nuestros méritos, sino por la abundancia del amor de Dios. Si somos capaces de imaginarnos valientemente como la mujer que va a ser apedreada, el salmo responsorial nos conmoverá profundamente: “Ten piedad de mí, Dios, según tu amor misericordioso; en tu abundante compasión borra mis transgresiones. Lava a fondo mi culpa; y de mi pecado límpiame”. (Sal 51,3-4). Ante tal despliegue de generosidad divina, nos preguntamos con el salmista: “¿Cómo podré pagar al Señor el gran bien que me ha hecho?”. (Sal 116,12). En el Evangelio de Juan, Jesús explica que el Padre envió al Hijo no “para condenar al mundo, sino para que el mundo se salve por Él” (Jn 3,17). Hoy vemos esta misericordia amorosa actualizada en una demostración de perdón y curación: “Yo tampoco te condeno. Vete y no peques más” (Jn 8,11). Con esta actitud, Jesús revela las características de su misericordia. Jesús no niega las prohibiciones legales de la Torá, sino que pone de relieve su dinámica interior de amor con su gesto de misericordia. Lo que es propio de la misericordia del Padre no está limitado por el legalismo. La ley y la justicia, estrictamente dadas, sin la bondad y la misericordia, son frías e inhumanas, incapaces de cambiar a nadie. El Papa Francisco nos recuerda que “la misericordia es la plenitud de la justicia y la manifestación más radiante de la verdad de Dios” (Amoris laetitia, 311). En su misericordia, Jesús sabe esperar, creyendo en la posibilidad de nuestro cambio y conversión. Jesús también desafía a sus discípulos a hacer lo que Él ha hecho. Debemos imitar al Señor en su misericordia: “No juzguen, para no ser juzgados. Porque con el criterio con que ustedes juzguen se los juzgará. Y la medida con que midan se usará para ustedes”. (Mt 7,1-2). Es parte de la auténtica conversión que busquemos vivir la caridad cristiana: “¡Ay de ustedes, escribas y fariseos, hipócritas! Que pagan el diezmo de la menta, del hinojo y del comino, y descuidan lo esencial de la Ley: el juicio, la misericordia y la fidelidad”. (Mt 23,23). Jesús afirma claramente que sus discípulos deben ser como su Maestro: “Les doy un mandamiento nuevo: ámense los unos a los otros. Así como yo los he amado, ámense también ustedes los unos a los otros. En esto todos reconocerán que ustedes son mis discípulos: en el amor que se tengan los unos a los otros”. (Jn 13,34-35). En este pasaje del Evangelio, Jesús reprende la actitud puramente legalista de los escribas y fariseos que reclamaban la autoridad de Dios para quitar una vida mientras malinterpretaban profundamente el corazón misericordioso de Dios. Jesús revela que estos jueces santurrones eran tan pecadores o más que la adúltera. En el bautismo, nos incorporamos a Cristo y recibimos corazones nuevos. El profeta Ezequiel dice: “Les daré un corazón nuevo y pondré en ustedes un espíritu nuevo; les arrancaré de su cuerpo el corazón de piedra y les daré un corazón de carne”. El Rito del Bautismo proclama que los bautizados son una “nueva creación”. Una vez más, la Cuaresma nos ha llevado a reflexionar sobre nuestro bautismo y el modo en que vivimos nuestra unidad con Cristo. Nos acercamos cada vez más a su Sagrado Corazón, donde escuchamos los latidos de su corazón. Oremos cada día: Señor, enséñanos a amar perdonando. This Lent, draw near to the heart of mercy Luke 8:1-11 Fifth Sunday of Lent Mercy is found at the heart of Lent. Our Gospel passage invites us to be renewed in God’s mercy and prepares us to receive more fully the grace of Easter that frees us from all bondage, not because of our merit, but because of the abundance of God’s love. If we can bravely imagine ourselves as the woman who will be stoned, the responsorial psalm will touch us deeply: “Have mercy on me, God, in accord with your merciful love; in your abundant compassion blot out my transgressions. Thoroughly wash away my guilt; and from my sin cleanse me” (Psalm 51:3-4). Before such a display of divine generosity, we ask ourselves with the Psalmist: “How can I repay the Lord for the great good done for me?” (Ps 116:12). Earlier in the Gospel of John, Jesus explains that the Father sent the Son not “to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him” (Jn 3:17). Today we see this loving mercy actualized in a demonstration of forgiveness and healing: “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more” (Jn 8:11). With this attitude, Jesus reveals the characteristics of His mercy. Jesus does not deny the legal proscriptions of the Torah, but, by His gesture of mercy, highlights its inner dynamic of love. When law and justice are applied without goodness and mercy, they are cold and inhuman, incapable of changing anyone. Pope Francis reminds us that “Mercy is the fullness of justice and the most radiant manifestation of God’s truth” ( Amoris Laetitia , 311). In his mercy, Jesus knows how to wait, believing in the possibility of our change and conversion. Jesus also challenges His disciples to do as He has done. We are to imitate the Lord in His mercy: “Stop judging, that you may not be judged. For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you” (Mt 7:1-2). It is part of authentic conversion that we seek to live Christian charity: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You pay tithes of mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier things of the law: judgment and mercy and faithfulness” (Mt 23:23). Jesus clearly states that His disciples must be like their Master: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (Jn 13:34-35). In this Gospel passage, Jesus rebukes the purely legalistic attitude of the scribes and Pharisees who claimed God’s authority to take a life while profoundly misunderstanding God’s merciful heart. Jesus reveals that these self-righteous judges were as sinful or more sinful than the adulteress. In baptism, we are incorporated into Christ and receive new hearts. The prophet Ezekiel says, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” The Rite of Baptism proclaims the baptized are a “new creation.” Once again, Lent has led us to reflect on our baptism and the way we live our unity with Christ. We are drawn ever closer to His Sacred Heart, where we listen for His heartbeat. Let us pray daily: Lord, teach us to love by forgiving!

New Vatican document published on the 30th anniversary of Evangelium Vitae Dear Brothers and Sisters, every human life, unique and unrepeatable, has value in and of itself; it is of inestimable value. This must always be proclaimed anew with the courage of the Word and the courage of actions. It calls us to solidarity and fraternal love for the great human family and for each of its members.   “Life is Always a Good: Initiating Processes for a Pastoral Care of Human Life” begins with these powerful words of Pope Francis, who was commenting on Pope St. John Paul II’s 1995 seminal pro-life encyclical Evangelium Vitae . The new document from the Vatican’s Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life is addressed to the Family and Life Offices of the Bishops’ Conferences and dioceses worldwide, serving as a framework for the pastoral care of human life. “Life is Always a Good” is organized into ten sections, each covered in a total of 33 pages. Unlike most Vatican documents, which are usually all text, this document utilizes images, flowcharts and step-by-step infographics to help the reader with the practical application of its content. Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell, prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, writes, “The pastoral framework does not aim to provide preset and ready-to-use ‘recipes.’ Instead, it aims to initiate ‘processes’ to develop a pastoral care of human life for all.” Cardinal Farrell explains, “To this end, I encourage every bishop, priest, religious man and woman, and lay person to read this pastoral framework and strive to develop an organic and structured Pastoral Care of Human Life, which can provide workers, educators, teachers, parents, young people and children the right formation to respect the value of life.” I encourage you to take some time with “Life is Always a Good,” especially if you advocate for the dignity of human life in the Diocese of Boise. Download a free copy. The document addresses many issues that surfaced during the Ad Limina Apostolorum visits of bishops worldwide who meet with Pope Francis every five years. The document presents an infographic that shows the top life issues discussed at these meetings with the Holy Father. The graphic includes abortion, contraception, IVF (invitro fertilization), sexual morality/gender, violence against women, human trafficking, euthanasia, assisted suicide and many more. Section 6, “Needed Aptitudes,” caught my attention as the document outlines the necessary skills for those seeking to be leaders in this important pastoral work. The document calls attention to six qualities that each pro-life leader should have:   Creative fidelity  refers to the ability to understand the richness of Church teaching and the aptitude to apply it to the present. Discernment  is a profound look at reality and oneself. The human being listens to a reality that surpasses him and through which the Holy Spirit speaks. This means allowing the Lord to illuminate our conscience with His Spirit, enabling us to discern what is good. Such discernment is experienced in prayer, listening to the Word, the Magisterium, and reading the signs of times. Discernment within a church community enables the faithful to listen to what “the Spirit says to the churches” (Revelation 2:7). Such listening allows parishes to avoid making decisions based solely on human criteria. Operational consistency  is the ability to harmonize the difference between the vision you would like to follow and the current reality. It enables us to develop potential strategies based on available resources. The mentality of abundance  enables members of a parish working on pro-life issues to see the diversity of its ideas as an opportunity rather than a limitation. The mentality of abundance enhances ecclesial communion and fosters greater sensitivity to cultural and historical differences. Generative accompaniment  is the virtue that invites dialogue with a high level of consideration for the other, resulting in the ability to listen, as well as a high level of courage in making proposals. The logic of synergic integration  considers the good of all, creating solutions that are better than the previous alternatives. Such integration brings forth new solutions rather than forcing compromises from one party or the other. It listens for the possibility of a “third” way.   As I reflect on the good work happening in many of our parishes in our Diocese, I believe our leaders possess many of these essential qualities. While all six aptitudes are rarely found in one person, larger teams working together toward a common goal often have all the qualities needed to be successful. It’s the old adage, “All of us together are smarter than any of us alone.” We are fortunate to have many solid and active parish-based Respect Life teams. From Bonners Ferry to Boise and from Boise to Preston, these dedicated groups accomplish a great deal of practical good. I am reminded of the educational and healing work of the leaders at St. Edward’s in Twin Falls, as well as the great work done with our youth at Our Lady of the Rosary’s Ignite for Life youth group. I applaud the human formation offered through the Treasure Valley Teens for Life or the Bishop Kelly Knights for Life. The St. Mark’s Respect Life leaders have been present for years, helping to bring the Gospel of life to both young and old. I must mention the healing work that our own diocesan Miscarriage Ministry is doing to help those who have suffered the loss of a child. This June, Holy Apostles in Meridian will launch Heart of a Child Ministry, dedicated to teaching youth about human development. Many positive developments are occurring throughout the Diocese, particularly in education and the formation of consciences on a range of life issues. For all those who do this vital work, please keep it up and be inspired by this new framework which may enrich your leadership and help make your efforts even more effective in upholding the dignity of each human person, all of whom are made in God’s image and likeness.   This pastoral framework emphasizes that “we cannot separate faith from the defense of dignity and human life . . . Dignity exists and can never be lost because the individual exists; it extends to the entire person, regardless of his abilities, in any conditions and situations they may be, from conception to natural death. Today, this truth must be explained, narrated, and proclaimed.”                                                   —Life is Always a Good

Father Ron Rolheiser There is an incident in the Gospels where the disciples of Jesus were unable to cast out a particular demon. When they asked Jesus why, he replied that some demons can only be cast out by prayer. The specific demon he was referring to in this instance had rendered a man deaf and mute. I want to mention another demon that seemingly cannot be cast out except through prayer, namely, the one that forever fractures our personal relationships, families, communities and churches through misunderstanding and division, making it challenging to be in a life-giving community with one another. What particular prayer is needed to cast out this demon? The prayer of a shared silence, akin to a Quaker Silence. What is a Quaker Silence? A brief bit of history first: Quakers are a historically Protestant Christian denomination whose members refer to each other as Friends, but are generally called Quakers due to a famous statement once made by their founder, George Fox (1624-1691). Legend has it that in the face of some authority figures who were trying to intimidate him, Fox held up his Bible and said: “This is the word of God, quake before it!” For the Quakers, particularly in the early days, their common prayer primarily consisted of sitting together in community in silence, waiting for God to speak to them. They would sit together in silence, waiting for God’s power to come and provide them something they could not give themselves: genuine community with one another beyond the divisions that separated them. Though they sat individually, their prayer was radically communal. They were sitting as one body, waiting together for God to provide them a unity they could not give themselves. Might this be a practice that Christians of every denomination could practice today in the light of the helplessness we feel in the face of division everywhere—in our families, in our churches and in our countries? Sitting together in silence, we would await God’s power to give us community that we are powerless to give ourselves. Practically, how might this be done? Here’s a suggestion: each day, set aside a time to sit in silence, alone or ideally with others, for a set period of time (fifteen to twenty minutes) where the intent, unlike in private meditation, is not first of all to nurture our personal intimacy with God, but rather to sit together in community with everyone inside the Body of Christ (and with all sincere persons everywhere) asking God to come and give us communion beyond division. This could also be a powerful ritual in marriage and family life. Perhaps one of the most healing therapies within marriage is for a couple to sit together regularly in silence, asking God to give them something they cannot give themselves: an understanding of each other beyond the tensions of everyday life. I remember praying the rosary together as a family each evening as a child, and that ritual having the effect of a Quaker Silence. It calmed the tensions that had built up during the day and left us feeling more peaceful as a family. I use the term Quaker Silence, but various forms of meditation and contemplation share the same intentionality. For example, the founder of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (the religious order to which I belong), Saint Eugene de Mazenod, left us a prayer practice he called Oraison. This is its intention: as Oblates, we are meant to live in community, but we are a worldwide congregation scattered across sixty countries worldwide. How can we maintain community with one another across such distances? Through the practice of Oraison. Saint Eugene asked us to set aside a half hour each day to sit in silence, a time when we are not just in communion with God but are also intentionally in communion with all Oblates around the world. Akin to Quaker Silence, Oraison is a prayer where each person sits alone in silence, yet in community, asking God to form one community across all distances and differences. When Jesus says some demons are only cast out by prayer, he means it. And perhaps the demon to which this most particularly refers is the demon of misunderstanding and division. We all know how powerless we are to cast it out. Sitting in a communal silence, asking God to do something for us beyond our powerlessness, can exorcise the demon of misunderstanding and division.

El Santísimo Sacramento estuvo expuesto en uno de los salones de la parroquia de Saint Nicholas, durante la adoración de 24 horas que incluyó la celebración de la Eucaristía, procesión, adoración y reconciliación. (Foto/ cortesía Padre Camilo García) 24 Horas con el Señor, es una iniciativa que inició el Papa Francisco hace 12 años y que se celebra cada año en todo el mundo en vísperas del cuarto domingo de Cuaresma con el objetivo de poner en el sacramento de la reconciliación en el centro de la vida de la pastoral de la Iglesia. Este Año Jubilar 2025 la parroquia de Saint Nicholas también se unió a esta iniciativa. Padre Camilo García, párroco de Saint Nicholas, afirmó que sumarse a las diócesis de todo el mundo en el Jubileo de la esperanza, ha sido una buena oportunidad este año. En Rupert, las 24 Horas con el Señor comenzaron con la Eucaristía, después hubo una procesión con el Santísimo Sacramento, por último, se llevó a cabo la jornada penitencial para que los fieles pudieran recibir el sacramento de la reconciliación. Para esta edición, dentro del Jubileo de 2025, dedicado particularmente a la esperanza, el lema elegido por el Santo Padre está tomado de las palabras del salmista: “Tú eres mi esperanza” (Sal 71,5). El Santo Padre llevó a cabo esta iniciativa por primera vez en 2014 y, en su mensaje inicial, destacó la importancia del sacramento de la reconciliación, que también debe situarse en el centro de nuestras comunidades, parroquias, y demás realidades eclesiales. Con estas palabras, el Papa Francisco hizo hincapié en el valor del sacramento de la reconciliación y del perdón recibido por Dios en la confesión. “La Misericordia de Dios, nos da la certeza de que, ante el Señor nadie encontrará un juez, sino que encontrará más bien un Padre que lo acoge, lo consuela y le indica también el camino para renovarse”. Desde hace 12 años, el Santo Padre ha venido promoviendo esta invitación. Cuando inició durante su homilia dijo: “por medio de la confesión pueden comunicar la alegría de recibir el perdón del Padre y de reencontrar la amistad plena con Él”. “Pueden decir que nuestro Padre nos espera, nuestro Padre nos perdona, es más, hace fiesta. Si tú vas a Él con toda tu vida, incluso con muchos pecados, en lugar de recriminarte hace fiesta: este es nuestro Padre”. “He aquí la diferencia entre la vida deformada por el pecado y la vida iluminada de la gracia. Del corazón del hombre renovado según Dios proceden los comportamientos buenos: hablar siempre con verdad y evitar toda mentira; no robar, sino más bien compartir lo que se posee con los demás, especialmente con quien pasa necesidad; no ceder a la ira, al rencor y a la venganza, sino ser dóciles, magnánimos y dispuestos al perdón; no caer en la murmuración que arruina la buena fama de las personas, sino mirar en mayor medida el lado positivo de cada uno. Se trata de revestirnos del hombre nuevo, con estas actitudes nuevas”. El Papa también comentó que estamos llamados a abandonar los comportamientos del pecado y fijar la mirada en lo esencial. “El hombre vale más por lo que es que por lo que tiene” (Gaudium et spes, 35).