St. Alphonsus Rodriguez was born in Segovia, Spain, on July 25, 1532 and died October 31, 1617. He was the son of a wealthy wool merchant who took over the family business after his father’s death.  He married Maria Suarez when he was 26. The couple had a daughter and two sons, but Alphonsus was a widower by the age 31 with only a three-year-old son still living. By the time he was 40, he suffered further loss with the death of his own mother and his son. These losses helped him recognize the Lord was calling him to a different vocation — religious life among the Jesuits, who had instructed him for a short time in his youth before his father died.

Because he lacked an education, the Jesuits initially turned Alphonsus away, twice. However, the Provincial finally accepted him, but as a lay brother rather than as a candidate for the priesthood because of his age and ill health.

Alphonsus began his term of probation at either Valencia or Gandia — and after six months was sent to the recently-founded college at Majorca, where he remained as a doorkeeper for forty-six years. He made his final vows at Majorca in 1585 at the age of 54.

St. Alphonsus is well-known for his saintly obedience to his superiors. In his obedience, he wrote many manuscripts, some of which have been published as “Obras Espirituales del B. Alonso Rodriguez” (Barcelona, 1885, 3 vols., octavo, complete edition, 8 vols. in quarto). His writings exhibit extraordinary correctness and soundness in doctrine, particularly in light of his limited education.

The position of doorkeeper afforded St. Alphonsus the opportunity to influence many, including St. Peter Claver, who was a student at Majorca. St. Alphonsus advised him to ask for the missions of South America. The two saints were canonized together in 1888 Pope Leo XIII. St. Alphonsus Rodriguez is the patron of Majorca where his remains are enshrined.

Other Saints We Remember Today

St. Marcellus the Centurion (309), Martyr

Maria’s father died when she was just nine, so she assumed many of the household responsibilities while her mother worked in the fields. She cared for her siblings and the Serenellis, all in perfect charity. Her cheerful nature was well-known in Pontine, where most children her age would play in the dusty streets. Though unable to read and write, Maria knew and loved Jesus and Mary, and one of the most important events of her life was her First Holy Communion, for which she diligently prepared.

Because Allesandro had worked with sailors on the waterfront of Ancona, he was very worldly. His worldly outlook led to many inappropriate comments to Maria, as well as a sinful desire to be with her physically, though she was only eleven years old. On July 5, 1902, Maria was alone at the house. Allesandro propositioned her once more, and Maria bravely told him, “No! It is a sin! God does not want it!” and pleaded, for his salvation, that he would let her go. In his rage, Allesandro instead stabbed Maria 14 times. She lived for 20 hours in great pain, forgiving her attacker before she breathed her last.

Allesandro was sentenced to 30 years in prison. During his prison sentence, he fully repented of the crime after seeing a vision of Maria surrounded by lilies and forgiving him.

Allesandro and Maria’s mother, Assunta, were together almost fifty years later on June 24, 1950, when Pope Pius XII pronounced Maria Goretti a Saint and Martyr of the Universal Church to half a million people at St. Peter’s in Rome. He proposed her as the Patroness of Modern Youth and set July 6th as her feast Day, making her the youngest officially canonized Roman Catholic saint.

Lessons

When Allesandro was released from prison, he went to live in the Capuchin convent of Macerata. He left the following testimony , dated May 5, 1961, which bears witness to the importance of avoiding pornography and the negative impact of much of the media, so prevalent in our times:

I’m nearly 80 years old. I’m about to depart.

Looking back at my past, I can see that in my early youth, I chose a bad path which led me to ruin myself.

My behavior was influenced by print, mass-media and bad examples which are followed by the majority of young people without even thinking. And I did the same. I was not worried.

There were a lot of generous and devoted people who surrounded me, but I paid no attention to them because a violent force blinded me and pushed me toward a wrong way of life.

When I was 20 years-old, I committed a crime of passion. Now, that memory represents something horrible for me. Maria Goretti, now a Saint, was my good Angel, sent to me through Providence to guide and save me. I still have impressed upon my heart her words of rebuke and of pardon. She prayed for me, she interceded for her murderer. Thirty years of prison followed.

If I had been of age, I would have spent all my life in prison. I accepted to be condemned because it was my own fault.

Little Maria was really my light, my protectress; with her help, I behaved well during the 27 years of prison and tried to live honestly when I was again accepted among the members of society. The Brothers of St. Francis, Capuchins from Marche, welcomed me with angelic charity into their monastery as a brother, not as a servant. I’ve been living with their community for 24 years, and now I am serenely waiting to witness the vision of God, to hug my loved ones again, and to be next to my Guardian Angel and her dear mother, Assunta.

I hope this letter that I wrote can teach others the happy lesson of avoiding evil and of always following the right path, like little children. I feel that religion with its precepts is not something we can live without, but rather it is the real comfort, the real strength in life and the only safe way in every circumstance, even the most painful ones of life.

Signature,

Alessandro Serenelli

Other Saints We Remember Today

St. Godleva (1070), Martyr

One means to reform was his founding of the Clerks Regular of St. Paul, commonly known as the Barnabites. This Religious Order was the first named after Paul the Apostle. Through his order, St. Anthony promoted a reformation program involving the combined strengths and experiences of Priests — The Clerics Regular of St. Paul, Uncloistered nuns — The Angelics of St. Paul, and Married people — The Marrieds of St. Paul (laity). Though the Laity of St. Paul diminished after St. Anthony’s death, the order experienced resurgence in the 1990s.

St. Anthony’s reforms included special devotion to the Eucharist and Christ Crucified. According to the Barnabite’s website ,

To promote devotion to Christ Crucified Anthony Mary instituted the practice of the tolling of church bells at 3 p.m. every Friday in remembrance of Christ’s death on the cross.

He also advised people to make the cross of Christ the object of constant meditation, reflecting often on “the book that records the sweet memory of the cross of Christ ” (Letter XI ).

Anthony Mary promoted devotion to the Eucharistic Christ in the form of the Forty Hours devotion, public and solemn adoration of the Blessed Sacrament by turn in various city churches, which he first celebrated in Milan in 1537. He also promoted frequent Holy Communion.

Severe voluntary penances and continual labors of charity took their toll, and St. Anthony died at age 37. His body was found incorrupt 27 years after his death in 1539; however, due to changes in the canonization process, his solemn canonization was delayed until 1897 when Pope Leo XIII canonized him in St. Peter’s in Rome.

Lessons

Like St. Francis of Assisi, St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria recognized the importance and ability of all people, religious and laity, to build up the Body of Christ. Let each of us strive to follow Christ, like St. Paul, St. Barnabas, and St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria, while recognizing our need for continual reform and renewal.

Other Saints We Remember Today

St. Anthanasius the Anthonite (1003), Abbot

From her youth, Elizabeth was a devout child who attended daily mass, prayed regularly, and fasted. These practices of piety and devotion equipped her with the strength and fortitude she would need when she was married at age 12 to Denis, King of Portugal. Though Denis was fond of his young wife, he did not share her piety and often strayed into sin, resulting in several illegitimate children. These children were lovingly cared for by Elizabeth along with her own two children, her daughter Constantia and son Affonso. This fact caused strife when Affonso felt slighted for the illegitimate children. Elizabeth served as peacemaker between her son and husband, resulting in their ultimate reconciliation.

This mediation was just one of many times Elizabeth was called upon for her ability to help feuding parties come to peace and resolution. The final time would be when her son, now king, headed for a battle he should not wage. The target of Affonso’s wrath this time was his own son-in-law. Elizabeth successfully reconciled the two parties, but as she was aged and suffering illness, the exertion took its toll on her physically. She died peacefully in 1336, urging her son to love holiness and peace.

Lessons

One miraculous event in St. Elizabeth’s life involved gossip and two pages. The first page was jealous of the second, so he lied to the king and accused the latter of having a relationship with the queen. King Denis was infuriated, and ordered the death of the innocent page. The king instructed the lime-burner to throw into his furnace the first page that came to him. The innocent page was sent to the lime-burner, but he regularly attended daily mass and stopped for mass along the way. However, he arrived late, so stayed on for the next mass. When the king sent the dishonest page to confirm the death of the innocent page, he was instead the first to arrive, and was thrown into the furnace. Denis realized the err in his judgment, sought his wife’s forgiveness, and began a new life of holiness before his death.

Both the page and St. Elizabeth attended daily mass, and their constant devotion to Our Lord protected and sustained them in their respective stations in life. We, too, should try to attend mass as frequently as possible, since closeness to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament will give us the strength we need in our stations in life.

Other Saints We Remember Today

Commemoration of All Holy Popes

Our Lady of Refuge

St. Theodore (310), Bishop, Martyr

In John’s Gospel, we learn more about Thomas’ character than we do about most of the other Twelve Apostles. Through Thomas’ outspoken nature, much is revealed about him, and about Our Lord. First, when Jesus announced His intention of returning to Judea to visit Lazarus, “Thomas” who is called Didymus [the twin], said to his fellow disciples: “Let us also go, that we may die with him” (John 11:16).

During the conversation before the Last Supper, St. Thomas raised an objection: Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?”

Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” (John 14:5-7)

These words of Jesus, first directed to Thomas, are a major tenet of the Catholic Faith.

St. Thomas is most often associated with his skepticism when the other Apostles announced Christ’s Resurrection to him.

But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.”

Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.”

Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” (John 20:24-29).

St. Thomas is also recognized as the apostle who baptized the Magi. After the Magi held the Holy Infant, the Blessed Mother gave them some of His baby clothes to bring back to the East as relics. The Magi returned to the East, to Persia, and in the year 40 A.D., were baptized there by Saint Thomas the Apostle. All three Magi, Saint Gaspar, Saint Melchior and Saint Balthasar, were martyred for the Catholic Faith.

St. Thomas, too, died as a martyr, stabbed with a spear in India, 72 A.D. He is the patron of architects; blind people; construction workers; Ceylon; East Indies; geometricians; India; masons; Pakistan; Sri Lanka; stone masons; stonecutters; surveyors; theologians; and against doubt.

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ,

Let our prayer today be that of St. Thomas, upon seeing you truly present in our midst in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar, may we proclaim in our hearts and on our lips, “My Lord and my God.”

Amen.

Other Saints We Remember Today

St. Irenaeus (203), Bishop, Martyr

St. Leo II (683), Pope

I gave up sugar in my coffee for Lent.  I like my coffee with half-and-half (not plain milk) plus 1½ teaspoons of sugar.  To me, no sugar meant genuine sacrifice.  My immediate family knows I’ve given up sugar, but I made a concerted effort not to blab about it to everyone I know—the whole “don’t let the right hand know what the left hand is doing” philosophy.  My hope was that this little sacrifice would have more impact if I didn’t tell everyone.  The unsweetened coffee would be a daily reminder to offer my day for Christ and to love others more genuinely—in essence, to be sweeter.  However, I still yelled at the children instead of calmly disciplining them.  I still grumbled when other drivers on the road offended me.  I still complained about people who failed to meet my expectations.  This week has reminded me that my expectations for others are inconsequential and that my personal goals must be rooted in Christ.

Running and sweetened coffee are my two indulgences.  I love to run.  I am not fast and will never win any races, but the time out in nature feels so good to me.  Also, my husband and daughter are both runners, so it’s an activity we discuss and revel in together.  Recently, I ran my first five-miler and I was stoked!  I just knew I could do the 10K race I was training to run a few weeks later.  However, my enthusiasm got me in trouble.  I tried to do too much too soon, and the five-miler was my last real run.  Now I’m trying to rehab a knee injury.  My aching knee reminds me that I can do nothing on my own, but “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Yesterday, I went to confession in preparation for Holy Week and Easter.  The Franciscan Friar, acting In Persona Christi, reminded me that Jesus is my best friend.  Jesus spoke to me directly through the priest.  He said that I must go to Him with all of the good and all of the bad.  As a best friend, I realize, this week especially, I must walk with Him on the road to Calvary.

As I sit on the couch, elevating and icing my knee while sipping unsweetened coffee, I ponder my Lenten journey.  The Passion, like my coffee, is bitter.  My body, like our Lord’s, is broken.  In my very tiny sufferings, I must strive not to wallow and complain, but to triumph.  I may not run races this spring, but I must still endeavor to love those around me more deeply.  When I look at Jesus’ outstretched arms on the Cross, I realize how He wants me to love others — like they are He, my best friend.

We finally settled in Massachusetts five years ago. For the first couple years here, our older children attended our parish school. The first year, I was pretty active with school activities and started to feel like part of the community. Then, we bought a house on the other side of town, and had a new baby over the summer. The children started riding the bus to school that fall. The feeling of “being connected” evaporated like a summer rain. Between bus and school time, my first and third graders were gone 8 hours a day. I didn’t see the other parents in the parking lot, and I no longer had time for fundraisers. At the end of the long day, the kids would come home with homework. Many afternoons were filled with crankiness. The next year, my third child joined the ranks of school-aged children, so now we had children in grades K, 2, and 4. More cranky afternoons. The baby and I had time together, but our family wasn’t the happy, nurturing environment it should be. I started to seriously consider homeschooling. I had homeschooled the oldest child when he was in first grade — a year that saw us move from West Virginia to Michigan and finally to Massachusetts. My skeptical extended family saw wisdom in my decision (Divine Inspiration in my mind!) by the end of the year. But now, we had Mike’s family here. My mother-in-law taught at the school and my niece and nephew attended there, too. If I pulled the children, would they be offended? I offered the question to God in prayer.

The baby and I went to weekday Mass in the late spring of 2007, and I saw a mom with two junior high students. I approached her after mass with a shy, ”Do you homeschool? Are the laws strict here? Do any other Catholics around Western Massachusetts homeschool?” This gracious mom answered my questions and invited me to First Friday Mass with the group. I saw this connection to the group as a sign that God wanted me to homeschool, and our extended family has been supportive of our decision.

The Western Massachusetts Catholic Homeschoolers offered more than I had imagined. We joined the group that fall and started attending the monthly First Friday Mass and luncheon. There, the children and I all found new friends. Once a month, we looked forward to worshipping together at Mass and Eucharistic Adoration, then fellowship afterward. However, as winter set in, that feeling of isolation set in too. When I read through our Catholic Cantor newsletter, I noticed an event listing that included a Mom’s Bible Study. I called the Mom who was hosting that week to find out more. She told me about the group—moms pray while the kids play. They met weekly and were just starting a new book by Kimberly Hahn, Chosen and Cherished. I couldn’t wait to go! This group was exactly what I needed. The first time I went to Bible Study, the kids went off to play, and the baby stayed on my lap. The moms had tea and conversation until the children had all settled in. The hostess started the opening prayer, asking our heavenly Father to bless our time together, to bless our husbands in their work, and to help our children establish good friendships. As we prayed, I felt warmth and peace—the Holy Spirit filled that room.

At Bible Study, some of the moms mentioned Co-Op. I was curious—What did they do? How did it work? When I found out that French, sign language, and science were some of the subjects the students could study, I thought it would be a great opportunity for my children for the new school year. At Co-op we met more families. I never imagined how many Catholic homeschoolers there were in Western Massachusetts!

Through Co-op, Bible Study, and First Fridays, the Western Massachusetts Catholic Homeschoolers provides weekly and monthly support to area Catholic homeschoolers. The group will take that support to the next level by hosting the New England Catholic Homeschool conference, scheduled for Saturday, June 6, in Chicopee Massachusetts (just north of Springfield). The conference has commitments from 17 vendors to date (see full list at WMCH.stblogs.com), including Seton Home Study School, Bethlehem Books, and Scepter Publishers as well as registrations from homeschoolers in all six New England states, as well as some from New York and Quebec.

The agenda for the day includes two dynamic speakers and four innovative workshops to help homeschoolers plan for next fall:

Speakers

Fighting the Good Fight:

The Homeschooling Family and the Church Militant: Cynthia Montanaro

Cindy, a lifelong Catholic, is a mother and grandmother, retired after a 25 year homeschooling career. She pursued a liberal arts education at Thomas Aquinas College in California and has continued this interest in the classical method and the Great Books. She has written for Catholic magazines and newspapers, taught in various capacities at the parish level and has recently completed a memoir of her youngest son Tim, entitled Diary of a Country Mother. Cynthia is a secular Carmelite, happily married for 32 years to Andrew and lives in rural Blandford, Massachusetts.

Accepting God’s Call with Grace: Jean Golden-Tevald, D. O., FCP, CFCMC

Jean’s life includes Medical school, private practice and missionary work, marriage, children, adoption, and homeschooling. She tells us, “I took a sabbatical from practice in 1997 to homeschool our daughter (then 11 and in 6th grade), middle son (then 8 and in 2nd grade) and youngest son (then 6 and in 1st grade). In September 1999, we went to Russia and brought home two daughters (10 ½ and 9) and a son (7). I homeschooled all of them for the first year, then we started the round robins of trying to meet the educational needs of them all. We went back to Russia for one more girl (at age 10) in 2003. The 4 Russian children are full siblings. I homeschooled through 2005, by that September, everyone had returned to school in one form or another. Our biggest challenges were meeting the special needs of the children, from very gifted to severely learning disabled (not to mention learning a new language!). I learned a lot!” She runs MorningStar Family Health Center where she is a certified FertiltyCare practitioner offering Family care, Creighton NFP and NaPro Technology.

Workshops:

#1 Magdalen College answers questions about Catholic Higher Education

#2 TORCH Leaders from Traditions of Roman Catholic Homes will facilitate a discussion among support group leaders throughout New England covering topics such as organization, communication, pitfalls and of course how membership in TORCH can help. We expect Carmen Ana Klosterman, Regional Director for the East Coast and Jeanette and Bob Cohen, Associate Directors of the National organization. Bios are available at the TORCH website.

#3 Art History Museum: Need a quiet break? Stop to see these prints received by a member as a Picturing America grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

#4 Nick Morganelli, Meteorologist and homeschool dad, will present ideas for making science fun at home and in the co-op classroom. Nick, realizing his boyhood dream of becoming a meteorologist, graduated from Lyndon State College, VT with a B.S. in Meteorology in 1991. A member of the American Meteorological Society, Nick holds their Seal of Approval for Broadcasting Excellence. His love of science stems from his middle school science teachers: turning bookwork into hands-on fun and excitement!

For registration information, please visit WMCH.stblogs.com.

We hope to meet you at the conference!

Yet, she will not despair in this difficult situation. Unlike Our Blessed Mother, who found no room in the inn where travelers lodged, who gave birth to Our Lord under the most humble conditions, this young mother has a place to turn. Like many women in the Bethlehem region, this mother knows she will find help through the "beacon of hope," Holy Family Hospital.

According to the Holy Family Hospital of Bethlehem Foundation's website, Holy Family Hospital, an obstetrical/gynecological facility just 500 yards from the traditional site of Jesus' birth, is the only hospital in the region that can handle the complicated medical conditions of women living in extreme poverty and under the shadow of political strife which stalks the birthplace of the "Prince of Peace." The Foundation, located in Washington, D.C., was organized in 1997, exclusively to generate and distribute funds for the operating expenses of Holy Family Hospital. Holy Family Hospital serves everyone who comes in seeking care, says Colleen Marotta, Executive Director of the Foundation, and "has room at the inn for everyone, regardless of religion, race, or financial status." This open policy means merely 33% of the cost of operations is paid by patients. The rest comes from the generosity of individuals, parishes and foundations.

The current facility has a rich history — for nearly a century the French Daughters of Charity ran a General Hospital, but in 1985 were forced to close because of insufficient funding. In 1990, the Order of Malta refurbished a portion of the old General Hospital and converted the facility into a modern, well-equipped maternity unit that meets Western standards of care. His Holiness Pope John Paul II named Holy Family Hospital a top priority for the new millennium, a testament to the importance of a Christian presence in the Holy Land, caring for God's "little ones".

In the United States, we can barely imagine the difficulty expectant mothers in the Holy Land face as they bring new life into the world. We think of difficult travel through the desert in Biblical times, but overlook the even greater challenge this troubled region imposes on its citizens today. A trip that would take 20 minutes in the U.S. might require over four hours for a woman walking and talking her way through check points or waiting through curfews. Regular pre-natal care would certainly present a challenge. And active labor? I shudder to think of the trip to the hospital.

The young mother described above is likely to know about Holy Family Hospital by word of mouth. She would also know of Holy Family Hospital through their educational outreach and mobile outreach clinic. In a culture with no social welfare system, extreme poverty, and astronomical unemployment levels, mere day-to-day survival is a challenge. Consequently, people receive little education about health care. Holy Family Hospital airs educational programs on local television networks about childbirth, nutrition, and childcare. These programs are often the first exposure residents have had to this information.

Their reputation, state of the art facilities and, above all, personalized, compassionate care, draws 60% of expectant mothers in the Bethlehem region to choose to have their babies there. A more troubling statistic, Marotta notes, is 60% of Holy Family Hospital's maternity patients come to the hospital in active labor, without having received any pre-natal care and suffering from malnutrition. The lack of care comes at a price — 15% of the babies are born prematurely and require extended hospital care in the neo-natal intensive care unit — the only one the region.

To combat these health-care problems, Holy Family Hospital takes the hospital to its patients in the form of a mobile outreach clinic. Every week, the van goes out into the desert. Patients climb over hilltops to receive medicine and see healthcare providers.

In addition, Marotta describes services at the hospital which go beyond basic maternity care. Hospital professionals are native residents of Bethlehem, so they know and are sensitive to cultural and religious issues of those under their care. "The level of love and care doctors and nurses are providing" is unparalleled in the region, she says. Services are expanding to include early screening for breast cancer, simple health instruction, and training for women to better understand their bodies.

The young mother from a refugee camp would be welcomed at Holy Family Hospital. A social worker from the hospital would sit with her and discuss her personal and economic situation to determine whether she qualifies for the "Poor Case Fund" to cover some or all of her healthcare expenses. In an otherwise chaotic and troubled world, she would know her baby would be delivered in a safe, clean, caring environment.

Marotta sees the hospital as a beacon of hope for the expectant mothers and fathers, "Like Mary and Joseph, these families are on journey to find a place of refuge, a place of promise, a place where their babies can be delivered safely. In all of the Bethlehem region, only one place is their destination — Holy Family Hospital".

The Holy Family Hospital of Bethlehem Foundation is U.S.-based and serves as a modern day Magi bringing this gift of life to the poor women and infants of the West Bank by raising the needed funds to meet the operational expenses of the hospital. This year the foundation has disbursed $550,000 to the hospital, ensuring care for the poor and vulnerable in the birthplace of the Prince of Peace. For more information about The Holy Family Hospital of Bethlehem Foundation, please visit their website www.birthplaceofhope.org.

In Bethlehem, a baby boy will be born to a young mother on Christmas under the tender care of the Holy Family at Holy Family Hospital. For her and her precious infant, there will be room in the inn.

When I first read the back cover of St. Fidelis Parish in College Point, NY: The First Seventy-Five Years 1856-1931, A History (Gateway Press, 2006), by James E. Haas, the detail I honed in on was "its founding as a German-American parish in 1856." Pre-Civil War through early 20th Century history is a topic which intrigues me, though I've not had much opportunity to study that era. Instead of the steel mills of my youth, in College Point the reader learns of the rubber factories which employed many of its residents. Also, anything ethic in nature is interesting for me: my husband and I both have some German ancestry. The book surpassed my expectations for learning a bit more about the time period. Reading it, I found myself immersed in the culture and life of the hamlet in the northern part of Queens in the Diocese of Brooklyn.

James E. Haas is a fifth generation College Pointer and this is his third book on the history of College Point. Through his extensive research and artful weaving of the tale, Haas gives a taste of the parish life of the German and later Irish immigrants who called St. Fidelis Parish home. The book begins with Fr. Joseph Huber, the founding pastor of St. Fidelis Church and his immigration to the United States from Austria. The reader will follow Huber's life, across the Atlantic through parish life, including many baptisms, funerals, and confirmations, as well as the construction of church and school buildings. Haas developed the story of St. Fidelis by using facts interspersed with speculation about some of the details — "was anyone there to meet the young immigrant?" — bringing this historical data to life.

St. Fidelis' next pastor, Fr. (later Monsignor) Ambrose Schumack, joined Fr. Huber at the parish, and eventually led his flock through the trying times of World War I, prohibition, and the 1920s. Also born in Austria, he faced during the World War the unsettling fact that his adopted country was at war with his homeland. Both Fr. Huber and Fr. Schumack encouraged and helped maintain the German identity of their parishioners by keeping the German language active and alive during Mass and at the parish school, though during and after World War I, the German identity was not so strongly and openly supported.

Details of Charles Dockendorf and Ellen Hanfley's marriage, the author's great-grandparents, are interspersed throughout the book. The couple had ten children, seven dying in infancy or at very tender ages. The role of Fr. Huber and Fr. Schumack, as baptizer and comforter to this couple and many others was poignant. This book gave me a new appreciation for the important role a pastor plays in family life — from birth to death.

In addition to these two notable pastors, many other College Pointers' histories add to the depth of this book, making it a history of College Point as well as St. Fidelis Parish. In fact, it seems a history of College Point would be incomplete without details from St. Fidelis Parish. Many noteworthy, and some simply interesting folks called College Point home or had some connection to St. Fidelis. Among them, the Ridders (Knight-Ridder newspapers) and Fleishmans (Fleishman Yeast Company), Sisters of St. Dominic, architects and rubber workers.

Two other special matters Haas addresses are life insurance and education. For families who lost their breadwinner prematurely, an unfortunately common experience in the first 75 years of St. Fidelis Parish, this matter was highly important. Catholic education, the formation of youth, was also a high priority — many of the fundraising efforts and interesting quotes in the book relate to the parish schools.

This book, though not long in pages (just 140, including notes and content-rich appendices), is substantial in interesting, informative content. The details give this book catholic appeal (in the universal sense). Even if you aren't German and don't hail from New York, St. Fidelis Parish has a fascinating history to share. The book gives 21st Century Americans a peek into the past — a time when German and Irish immigrants were often looked upon as outcasts — and shows the timeless role of the Church as mother to us during our journey on earth.

Champions of Faith is an evangelization mission of Catholic Exchange which explores the intersection of sports and faith through the experiences of some of the most accomplished and devout figures in sports, both on and off the field.

The Champions of Faith Awards Reception and Benefit's VIP guest list includes its host, Patrick McCaskey; former Chicago Cubs and current Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star center fielder Juan Pierre; His Eminence Cardinal Francis Eugene George, O.M.I., Archbishop of Chicago; and former Chicago sportscaster and current radio host of Catholic Exchange Today John Morales. Pierre will speak and receive the first-ever Champion of Faith Award. Cardinal George will offer the invocation while Morales will serve as master of ceremonies.

In our culture, sports define much of what makes us American. For the past century, athletes — especially baseball players — have served as heroes and role models for our youth. Sports dominate television programming most weekends. Practices and games for youth sports often determine a family's schedule. But how are sports relevant to spirituality and faith in God?

The Champions of Faith Project seeks to highlight that very connection through its first documentary film, Champions of Faith Baseball Edition, a high definition DVD produced with the cooperation and assistance of Major League Baseball. The film highlights the lives and careers of some of the leading players, coaches, and managers in Major League Baseball, including Mike Piazza, Jeff Suppan, Jack McKeon, David Eckstein, Sandy Alomar Sr., and Mike Scioscia. The DVD is set to be released next month with the opening of spring training (order advance copies here).

Along with Juan Pierre, Jack McKeon will also be honored as a Champion of Faith award recipient. McKeon, who came out of retirement during the 2003 season, led the Florida Marlins to a dramatic World Series victory over the New York Yankees a few months later. By doing so, he became the oldest manager ever to win the World Series. During his 50-plus years in the game, McKeon has always kept his Catholic faith at the center of his life.

During an October interview with John Morales just before the 2006 World Series, McKeon shared how his professional baseball career was delayed by his father's insistence that his son receive a college education.  Though he was sought after by baseball scouts, he obeyed his father's wishes and went to college at Holy Cross.  He recounts how every day he stopped to pray for about 15 minutes near a grotto of Our Lady on the campus.  During these visits, he asked Mary's intercession with the Lord regarding his future in baseball.  At Christmas, his father had a slight change of heart — he still insisted McKeon finish college, but he would not stand in the way of him playing major league baseball.

Again, when he was in retirement, McKeon believed his baseball career wasn't over. He sought Mary's aid once more, as well as the prayers and intercession of St. Thérèse of Liseux, to help him discern whether to return to the game he loved for another season. The outcome was the World Series victory in 2003.

McKeon and the other Champions of Faith who are highlighted on the film, put Christ first in their lives. He says it's "his job as manager to teach players to live a good, Christian life." To that end, he ensures the Catholic players know the local Mass schedule when they are on the road.  He personally attends daily Mass and hopes his example will bring others to the Faith.

Champions of Faith Baseball Edition give an exclusive look at the effects of faith, family, teamwork, sacrifice, leadership, humility on some of the biggest names in baseball.  These champions also discuss the many virtues and spiritual lessons they have learned from our national pastime.

Champions of Faith hopes to bring this monumental film to every diocese, parish, and Catholic school in America as well as to Catholic sports teams from little league through college, a goal that will be helped by the success of the Chicago Benefit.

The afternoon will kick off at 1 p.m. with an hour-long VIP Reception where ticket holders meet and greet award recipients and other special guests. The General Reception follows from 2-4 p.m. with light snacks, a sports memorabilia auction, and a dynamic 12-minute sneak preview of the film, Champions of Faith Baseball Edition.

Tickets for the General Reception will be available at the door, but VIP Reception tickets must be purchased in advance. If you will be in Chicago on February 11, you don't want to miss this landmark event.