Cardinal urges young adults to deepen their Catholic faith, share it

Church Approval Or Not, More Women Seeking Priesthood

CHICAGO (CBS) – For centuries, priesthood has been a sacred calling in the Roman Catholic Church; one only answered by men acting “in persona Christi” meaning “in the person of Christ.”

Eleven years ago, that gender barrier began to crack when the first women priests were ordained in secrecy. Since then, it’s grown into a movement, but it’s condemned by the church.

Still, since 2002, 122 women worldwide have been ordained bishops, priests or deacons; 92 of them in the United States, including two who are active in the Chicago area.

CBS 2′s Mai Martinez reports, at a Lakeview church on a recent Sunday, parishioners celebrated a Catholic Mass, presided over by Barbara Zeman.

But that mass and others like it are not recognized by the Roman Catholic Church. In fact, they’re condemned, because they’re led by women priests.

“There are no women priests in the Catholic Church, and there never will be,” explained Monica Mavric de Beltrami, a metropolitan tribunal judge with the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Mavric de Beltrami said the Vatican views the ordination of women priests as one of the highest crimes against the church.

“Rome has spoken and the case is closed,” she said.

Rome might have spoken, but Barbara Zeman isn’t listening. Ordained in 2008, she’s one of a growing number of Roman Catholic women priests.

“It’s not about me. I want to be clear. This is about women and affording people the dignity they deserve and the ability to answer the call,” said Zeman, who presides over Sunday mass for Dignity Chicago, an LGBT organization.

Many in the parish welcome Zeman.

“It increases the diversity,” explained parishioner Mike Cook.

“It was a dream of mine for many, many years that women could be priests,” added another parishioner, Marilyn O’Leary.

Video of the mass almost brought Mavric de Beltrami to tears.

“I want to cry,” she said after viewing the video. “Because it’s a mockery of the Catholic faith. It’s a mockery of the mass. That is not a mass.”

But some Catholics have said it’s time for the Roman Catholic church to open its doors to everyone. According to a New York Times/CBS News poll released just before Pope Francis was elected, 69 percent of Catholics said the next pope should support women becoming priests.

At Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago, there were differing opinions.

“It’s time to add the woman’s point of view,” said Dr. Rosemary McHugh.

But others say no.

“I’ve been invited to women masses, but I feel it’s disobedience,” said a parishioner who didn’t want to want her name used.

Mary Grace Crowley-Kock, ordained in 2010, said it’s not about disobedience, it’s about inclusion.

“Where ever it’s going to lead me, or whatever it’s going to cost me, I guess it will cost me. At least I die being true to myself,” explained Crowley-Kock.

She has the full support of the people who attend her mass, but they and all those who are facilitating the women priest movement risk excommunication.

“I’d like them to reconsider what they’re doing, and ask for forgiveness,” said Mavric de Beltrami.

The women priests said they have no plans to do that.

“We may never see an official welcome in to the church, but who was the biggest rebel of all? Jesus,” said Zeman.

Supporters of women priests add that allowing women to become priests could also help ease the current priest shortage in the United States.

So far, however, Pope Francis has shown no sign he’ll break with the church’s more than 2000-year-old tradition of male priests only.

African Catholics Conduct Mass at St. Mary’s Norfolk home to nation’s only …

     Of course, there was the colorful priest Father Thomas Quinlan, more popularly known as “T.Q.”  He was adored by most, while others gazed at him warily and askance.  Quinlan once wore a Superman costume in the pulpit.  Another time, he rode a motorcycle into the church sanctuary, a modern day take on Jesus entering Jerusalem for Passover, riding on a donkey.  Time magazine once reported that, some years earlier, Quinlan chastised a white parishioner for being “spiritual white trash who merely drop by church to fill up at God’s gas pump.”

     Yes, the Basilica of St. Mary has enjoyed a colorful, distinguished past.  But the church has never had a more resplendent celebration of the Eucharist, the Catholic Mass, than the special one held Saturday, April 27, at 9 a.m.  It was an African service that played host to priests, deacons, nuns, and singers from four different African countries: Ghana, Uganda, Kenya and Nigeria.  The visitors were mostly attired in radiant fabrics easily identified as a vibrant hallmark of African culture.  Prominent amongst them were endless patterns of flowing kinte cloth.

     Yet, courtesy of a choir that hailed from Northern Virginia’s Ghana Catholic Community, and the Arlington Catholic Diocese, the basilica’s ornate, cavernous sanctuary was frequently filled with inspired African rhythms and stellar voices raised in praise.  The group was formed only 10 years ago, with some 10 to 15 initial members.  However, since 2003, its membership has increased exponentially to some 300 members, chiefly parishioners of Queen of the Apostle and St. Anthony’s Catholic churches.  St. Anthony is home to the visiting choir.

     The spokesperson for the Ghana Catholic Community was a very stately and regal-looking Nana Adu-Gyamfi.  With skin beautifully painted the color of the darkest African night, Adu-Gyamfi was elegantly wrapped in a black and gold kinte cloth, accented by engaging sparkling eyes and a crisp baritone voice.  To have an audience with him was something akin to addressing a king.  And as kings go, he was unabashed in sharing his reasoned thoughts.

     When asked what was the inspiration for the foundation of the Ghana Catholic Community, Adu-Gyamfi first acknowledged the Catholic clergy that were also holding court, noting that he was speaking as a lay person.  That order of business addressed, he spoke his truth.

     He observed that, “Catholicism is one of the dominant religions in Ghana.”  But when he arrived in the United States in 1985 and was introduced to the traditional American Mass, he longed for the way the service was conducted back home.  “In Ghana,” he said, “the Mass was a celebration in all aspects.” He added that he found the American version to be “too slow and boring.” His fellow Ghanaians were of like mind and because of Adu-Gyamfi’s reputation as a community activist in Northern Virginia, they sought his guidance, expertise and leadership.  Much like the Gospel Mass at the Basilica of St, Mary of the Immaculate Conception reflects the strong influence of African-American culture, things began to change at St. Anthony’s and Queen of the Apostle, with a decidedly Ghanaian tradition.

     One of the most immediately recognizable influences was free, unencumbered worship.  The African djembe drum leads the opening procession and the call to praise.  Richly-adorned baskets, liberally decorated with fresh fruit, are raised high as basket bearers approach the altar during the offering.  And of course the choir’s rich, melodious vocal orchestrations, must surely summon the spirits of the ancestors to join in all the earnest praising.

     A particularly visual sign of praise is the tradition of spontaneously waving handkerchiefs.  This is most often seen during the Gloria and the Santos parts of the Mass, as well as the processional and recessional.  There is something about free-flowing handkerchiefs flying through the air that calls to mind dancing spirits and angels.  It is a simple act, but inspired.

    In addition to Monsignor Walter Barrett, the Episcopal Vicar for the Eastern Vicariate of the Richmond Diocese and a former pastor at St. Mary’s, and a Benedictine monk from Richmond’s Benedictine College Preparatory school, there were also two different orders of local Franciscan nuns that visited for this special Eucharistic celebration.  All natives of Kenyan, the were nuns from the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph, based at St. Matthews, Virginia Beach, and the Literal Sisters of St. Francis, based at St. Elizabeth Anne Seton’s.

     The celebrant for this Mass, the priest who led the service and blessed the Eucharist, was Father Anthony Mpungu and the priest who delivered the homily, the sermon, was Father Paul Kkonde.  An African baby was also baptized during this special service and another very colorful accent for this unique Mass were the sparkling white vestments worn by local deacons that were adorned with the West African dyenyame, a symbol, in this instance in iridescent bronze, that means “except God,” except by God is nothing ordained.  

     The emblem was one selected by Father Jim Curran, the rector, the pastor, of the Basilica of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, a white priest who had seen it on display at an annual Institute of Black Catholics, held at Xavier University.

     This African Mass was coordinated through the efforts of Pam Harris, the Virginia Office of Black Catholics, and Oretha Pretlow, the Basilica of St. Mary.  In a host of ways, it represents the completion of a glorious circle. Perhaps Deacon Calvin Bailey summed it up best.  “For many, many years,” he said, “we have been sending missionaries to Africa and Asia.  Now they are sending missionaries to us.”

Copyright laws cause problem for Catholic church plans to modernize

NEW PORT RICHEY – 

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in New Port Richey did away with its paper missalettes and in their place, two giant projector screens on either side of the alter.

“It’s a little more modern,” says parishioner Jimmy Barry.  “You don’t have all that paper turning and all the noise.”

Father Mike Lydon came up with the idea after seeing similar projectors in other churches.  With changes to the Catholic mass, he says he saw it as a way to help people follow along.

“We presented it to everyone and within about four months, we raised about $44,000,” Father Lydon says.

The screens quickly went up, but when it came time to find scriptures to project, the church found out they were off limits because they are copyrighted.

“I was really surprised. I had to even get a bible out to look myself to find that,” Father Lydon says.

It’s not the first time he’s dealt with copyrights.  Father Lydon says the church pays licensing fees for all the music it now projects, but when he asked the powers above for the same with the scriptures, he got a surprising answer.

“They just said no,” Father Lydon tells us.  “Because the readings are not supposed to be read.  They’re supposed to be proclaimed.”

In a letter to the church, the United States Conference of Bishops says projecting the scriptures would be a distraction.

Parishioners call that reasoning frustrating.

“It should be copyrighted by Jesus,” says Anthony DeFina.  “I think that’s a free copyright for everybody.”

Still, Father Lydon won’t admit defeat.  With or without scriptures, he says the projectors are bringing new energy to mass.

“They look up at the screen,” he says.  “Their heads are up and their voices sound so much fuller in the church.”

Copyright laws cause problem for Catholic church plans to modernize

NEW PORT RICHEY – 

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in New Port Richey did away with its paper missalettes and in their place, two giant projector screens on either side of the alter.

“It’s a little more modern,” says parishioner Jimmy Barry.  “You don’t have all that paper turning and all the noise.”

Father Mike Lydon came up with the idea after seeing similar projectors in other churches.  With changes to the Catholic mass, he says he saw it as a way to help people follow along.

“We presented it to everyone and within about four months, we raised about $44,000,” Father Lydon says.

The screens quickly went up, but when it came time to find scriptures to project, the church found out they were off limits because they are copyrighted.

“I was really surprised. I had to even get a bible out to look myself to find that,” Father Lydon says.

It’s not the first time he’s dealt with copyrights.  Father Lydon says the church pays licensing fees for all the music it now projects, but when he asked the powers above for the same with the scriptures, he got a surprising answer.

“They just said no,” Father Lydon tells us.  “Because the readings are not supposed to be read.  They’re supposed to be proclaimed.”

In a letter to the church, the United States Conference of Bishops says projecting the scriptures would be a distraction.

Parishioners call that reasoning frustrating.

“It should be copyrighted by Jesus,” says Anthony DeFina.  “I think that’s a free copyright for everybody.”

Still, Father Lydon won’t admit defeat.  With or without scriptures, he says the projectors are bringing new energy to mass.

“They look up at the screen,” he says.  “Their heads are up and their voices sound so much fuller in the church.”

All are welcome

Sam Chambers, left, plays a fishing game while Keegan Burns and CARE and Worship teacher Kristin Brokaw complete a puzzle as they get ready for their Sunday morning class to start at St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Leawood.

Faith needs of some very special kids at heart of parish program

Story by Jessica Langdon

LEAWOOD — Gerry Boeckmann marvels at how far his 11-year-old son Noah has come in just a few years every time he receives Communion at St. Michael the Archangel Parish here.
“He comes back and he kneels and he points up to the mural with the eye of God,” Boeckmann said of Noah, who has Down syndrome. “It’s incredible.”
He gives a lot of credit for Noah’s blossoming Catholic faith to the people behind a special Sunday-morning class at the parish.
Noah has attended the CARE and Worship program, which takes place during the 10:30 a.m. Mass, since it was created.
CARE and Worship — in which CARE stands for Catholic Alternative Religious Education — is teaching the basics of the faith each week to five students with special needs and preparing some of them for receiving the sacraments.
As it happens, all of the current students are boys and range from kindergarten through sixth grade in school.
Under the direction of parishioner Cari Hillyer and her devoted staff of teachers and helpers, the program delivers the liturgy in concrete ways that are individually tailored to each child’s abilities and needs.
“It turned into so much more than we thought it was going to be,” said Nancy Tjaden, mother of nine-year-old Luke, who has autism and has also attended CARE and Worship since it began.

Meaningful experience

Before this class was created, Luke’s family had a hard time taking him to Mass, which he had difficulty understanding, as well as sitting through. At the same time, he was aging out of the church’s Our Little Ones Worship program.
As a result, Tjaden and her husband Greg felt they were kept from fully participating in Mass as well, and that meant going separately — one of them taking Luke’s older brother Harry with them.
Hillyer sympathized with their situation.
An active parishioner and a mother herself of a young daughter with special needs, Hillyer was invited several years ago to serve on a special needs committee at St. Michael the Archangel.
When committee members learned of the need for some sort of program for children with special needs, the idea for CARE and Worship took off — with a lot of support from pastor Father Bill Porter and Denise Ogilvie, director of religious education and liturgy.
Instead of simply providing someone to watch the children while their families went to Mass, “we said this should be a meaningful experience for them at whatever level they are,” said Hillyer.
And it has turned into what Tjaden thinks of as a liturgy experience designed especially for Luke and his classmates — and she feels this has finally given Luke his own place in his church.
Each class combines cognitive and physical activities that engage the children in learning about their faith.
Since the program is organized around the liturgical year, Hillyer explained, “they’re hearing the same things that Mom and Dad are hearing in the Mass.
“And then we’re pulling out one little nugget for them to focus on, so then when Mom and Dad see them again, they can talk about the same thing.”

Making connections

When families first approach Hillyer about enrolling their children in the class, she often asks such technical questions that many people ask if she’s a nurse.
“No,” she answers, “I have a daughter with significant needs.”
Hillyer’s daughter Hannah died at age 10 in 2009, but many people in the parish still remember her bright smile and welcoming spirit, said Father Porter.
Hannah loved music and cherished going to Mass with her mom, her dad Chris and her brother William.
“People felt this connection with her,” Father Porter said.
And families find it easy to connect with Hillyer, as well.
Many friends see Hillyer’s presence every Sunday and dedication to this program as a way to honor Hannah.
Often, families hear her story and feel that she understands their experiences and concerns.
“They have a sense of ‘you’ve heard it all,’” said Hillyer. “There’s not anything new that’s going to surprise me or frighten me.”
She and one of the other teachers of the class, Kristin Brokaw, an occupational therapist, meet with new families first at home, so they can get to know the child and his or her abilities in a comfortable setting.
Each teacher and helper brings his or her own unique perspective and expertise to the classroom, and they maintain constant contact with the families to teach the children in the best ways they can.
Prepare ye the way

And it’s paying off.
“You say, ‘You’re going to church school,’ and once we hit those front doors, he’s gone,” said Heidi Burns of her seven-year-old son Keegan, who can’t wait to get to CARE and Worship. His two-year-old twin siblings tear after him, knowing he has fun there.
Keegan has a rare genetic condition called Angelman syndrome, which results in global delays; he is also a very happy child, another characteristic of the syndrome.
He “absolutely loves” music, said Burns, so the songs interspersed throughout the class are a hit.
“The very first thing we do is music,” explained Hillyer. “They all love music and that sort of gets the wiggles out.”
The group then settles down for prayer at the table, with teachers and adult and youth helpers working one-on-one with each student.
The class sings an alleluia, and then the leaders share a reading, which is usually the week’s Gospel, but sometimes might be the first or second reading if the Gospel is too abstract.
“We typically paraphrase it into a way that would engage them, that they would understand, and then we have some reflection questions that we ask,” said Hillyer.
Next, they bring out the “Bible bag,” which always holds some familiar object that relates to the main concept.
“We try to employ some visual and tactile elements into what we’re doing because it means more to them when they can touch it, feel it, see it,” said Hillyer.
When the kids studied St. John the Baptist announcing the coming of Jesus, for example, they used a megaphone.
Brokaw got chills seeing that lesson really click with Luke.
“He would take the megaphone and he was going around the room saying, ‘Jesus is coming! Jesus is coming!’” Brokaw said. “It’s neat. It makes your heart feel good.”
The kids know about the Old Testament and the New Testament, and about the four Gospel writers.
Most importantly, Brokaw said, they know God loves them.
Each class also gives the youngsters something to do — whether it’s making a craft or embarking on a scavenger hunt for crosses in the hallways.
Circle time emphasizes elements they would find on the altar — complete with a plush Mass kit. Soft, stuffed versions of the thurible (the censer in which incense is burned), a chalice and other elements of the Mass help the kids match the words with the objects.
And at the end, they say a five-finger prayer, with each finger representing people like family, friends, doctors, leaders and others for whom the children want to pray.

Preparing for sacraments

Two CARE and Worship students have now received the sacrament of reconciliation and have made their first Communion, and the program is working with more who are interested in sacramental preparation.
Teachers work with the kids on Sundays, and families do a lot of preparation at home, with the help of sacrament kits.
Noah insisted he wanted to receive both the body and the blood at his first Communion, so his dad — a fourth-                                        degree Knight of Columbus at the parish — researched the wine the church uses. Noah touched the cup to his lips at home ahead of time so he would be prepared for what he would taste at church.
It’s important, Hillyer said, for the kids who are preparing for the Eucharist to practice with unconsecrated hosts just like the hosts they will receive during Mass.
There weren’t many dry eyes when the big day arrived.
“I was bawling, of course,” said Hillyer.
Boeckmann’s mother watched as her grandson received his first Communion. It was an opportunity her brother, who had Down syndrome, didn’t have years ago, Boeckmann said. Noah waved to her as he walked back to his seat.
And soon he will start preparing for confirmation.
“It brings tears,” said Boeckmann. “It’s so enriching.”
Noah now attends the first half of CARE and Worship and then rejoins his family for the rest of Mass.
Noah’s mother, Kim Talbot, loves peeking in and seeing Noah helping his younger classmates.
“I think he’s very much more aware of what goes on in church,” Talbot said. “Cari’s just been a blessing for us because she wants everybody to get as much out of everything as they can.”
Tjaden agrees.
“They’re just fabulous people — so giving and loving,” she said.
“Cari” is Luke’s favorite word.

Enriching lives

The young volunteers — like 13-year-old Chloe Kallsen and 14-year-old Grace Gearon, who both worked with the class on a recent Sunday with their mothers — get as much from working with this program as they give to it.
And Father Porter sees the program truly filling a need in the parish.
“[The instructors] really, I think, understand how to teach in a way these children understand,” he said.
He knows from his own years in the priesthood that people who have special needs truly grasp the faith they’re learning. He has seen that in the confessional, and even during an emotional moment when Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann knelt in the aisle to confirm a young man. He sees God at work there.
“It’s also a nice thing,” he said, “for the parents to know they aren’t alone — that the church cares for them and there is opportunity for their children to be prepared for the sacraments.”
Every parish, he feels, could benefit from having a program like CARE and Worship — and St. Michael’s is happy to help where it can.
“My files are open to them if they want to take the lesson plans that we’ve done,” said Hillyer, noting that the parish has a curriculum for all three liturgical years.
“You could adapt these for whatever your specific needs are,” she added. “It’s an open door.”
It’s a door that parents of St. Michael’s CARE and Worship kids encourage others to walk through.
“I just feel like all children need the opportunity to experience God, regardless of what their abilities are,” agreed Burns. “And any way that we can reach them is only going to make us, as parents and educators, better people.”

Catherine Marlene Herbert

SAINT GEORGE — Catherine Marlene Herbert, 78, died April 5, 2013 from complications caused by arterial sclerosis.

Herbert was born in Troy, N. Y.’s Leonard Hospital, and was a longtime parishioner of St. Augustine and St. Patrick parishes in Troy, and was a graduate of St Augustine’s School, Catholic Central High School, and St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Amsterdam, N.Y. She was a devout Catholic who had the distinction of having attended Catholic Mass in all 50 states of the United States.

Herbert is survived by sisters Judith Patrick and Karen O’Donnell; brothers Kenneth Brown and Richard Brown; children Charles, Kevin, Cathy Morelli, Susan Herbert and Kristen Herbert; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

A funeral Mass was celebrated at Saint Paul’s Catholic Center.

From crisis to cross: One man’s journey to the Catholic faith

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March 27th, 2013

Editor’s note: A parishioner at St. Veronica Parish, South San Francisco, wrote the following article on his journey of conversion to the Catholic faith. Rich – he asked that his last name not be published – has been a catechumen in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults at St. Veronica, and will be received into the Catholic faith at the Easter Vigil at the parish, with baptism, first Communion and confirmation. His wife is Catholic and all three of his children were baptized Catholic as infants.

I guess the event that really made me aware that my eternal life was not going to be one of joy and shared with God and my loved ones was when I went in for surgery, nothing life threatening.

In the hour or so before they put me under I made my peace with God and all that goes with wanting to wake up from this. I was 43 at the time and had never been a religious person. I always believed in God and prayed sometimes, but found the organized version of religion not for me.

Just as they were putting me under, I started to panic as the mask was being placed over my mouth. I have had surgeries in the past so I had anesthesia before, but this was much different. I wanted to tear the mask away from my face but something inside me said “let this happen.” I was sure I wasn’t going to wake up.

As I was going under there was a defined period of blackness, not a color, but a sense, all around me, even inside me, this wasn’t the usual fade out, I was being given a message. I woke up in the recovery room, with my wife by my side and the next couple of weeks with all the medicine I wasn’t quite myself.

Over the next month I started to develop this debilitating fear: That blackness kept haunting me, always anxious, could not keep my hands steady, fear of failing my family. This was completely opposite of my normal personality. But the seed that had been planted was starting to develop. I sought the help of professionals, to no avail.

One evening when I was talking with my wife’s aunt, she suggested I might want to talk to a priest. I had been thinking about it anyway. I was pretty sure God had given me a message: I need to change my life, I need to be baptized.

As soon as I started thinking about my life in this way, everything started to make sense. I wanted to have a relationship with God; I wanted to be with my loved ones in the afterlife. So I made an appointment with Father Charles Puthota at St. Veronica Church, our family’s parish.

I explained to Father Charles my situation. He saw how much this event affected me because I used to not be able to tell the story without breaking into tears – my soul was damaged and I needed guidance. He said he thought I had been blessed with a calling and suggested I start the RCIA classes and learn about the Catholic faith.

I have learned so much from my experience in the RCIA program. I have gotten to know and learn a lot about people in the program; we have shared some of our most vulnerable thoughts and moments with each other. I would recommend this program to anyone interested in learning the Catholic faith. There is a lot more to this story I left out. A lot of it has to do with my childhood and growing up without a father, and understanding how God can love and forgive you no matter what, and also the constant battle with sin and the enemy who’s always waiting for your vulnerable moments to do what he does to us all.

From March 29, 2013 issue of Catholic San Francisco.

More Parishes   

Catholic Chapel renovations near completion

The historic St. Francis Xavier Catholic Chapel aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune stood through more than 60 years of conflicts, wars, storms, hurricanes and blizzards.

Throughout the last few years the church underwent renovations to fix decades of wear and tear, and soon the construction efforts will be complete.

Hundreds of church-goers were able to celebrate their first Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, in the facility since major construction began.

The parishioners spent months worshipping in a trailer, which now augments the church as it continues its renovations, and, briefly, in the protestant chapel.

The renovations primarily addressed the building’s affected structure, which included wood deterioration and decay to the framing of its stained-glass windows.

Standard windows were in place since the buildings inception, along with the facility’s doors were replaced with modern counterparts.

Concerns about the stained-glass windows began when leaks developed on the windows’ borders.  

“We’re in the hurricane belt, so if a good one came through, the glass was going to go,” said Leonard Quemuel, a parishioner who volunteered at the church for 13 years. “During a bad storm you could see water seep from the windows and onto the floors.”

The chapel’s stunning stained-glass windows depict warriors from scripture and history such as the archangel St. Michael, and St. Joan of Arc who fought for France during the Hundred Years War. The windows were paid for with contributions of Marines world-wide and were given to the church in 1948. They are dedicated to Marines and sailors who served in various units throughout World War II.

“It’s a historic church,” said Father John Lyle, a commander in the Navy who serves as the Catholic chaplain for Marine Corps Installations East – Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. “My hope is the renovations keep the building structurally sound so we can continue to worship here for another 70 years.

Throughout the last decade, floors were replaced with tile and carpet. A sound system was added as well as arches over the platform in the front of the facility representing the Holy Trinity.

The pews, which had damaged kneelers that sometimes squeaked or were unable to be opened were also repaired, and repairmen will follow up on the aged pews as problems arise.

Changes are still due in the future. There are plans to improve the lighting in the building and add new handicap accessible ramps to the facility.

While Lyle was not stationed aboard the base when plans began to fix the facility, he is happy to see the joy the renovations brought his parish.

“I think the people are very happy to be back in their own chapel especially some of the retirees who were here for a while,” said Lyle. “We have a vibrant community here.”

The church has religious education classes for children, religious introduction classes for adults, an adult catholic bible study, and a Knights of Columbus chapter along with its regular daily services.

They are held at 11:45 a.m.  Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays at a trailer in the parking lot of the church and its weekend services held Saturdays at 5 p.m. and Sundays at 8 a.m. and 12 p.m.  

“Prior to the renovations the parishioners had their gripes, water in the aisles, noisy pews, problems with the sound,” said Quemuel. “There was a host of reasons to look for improvements. Now there are almost zero complaints. I would say the congregation’s very happy.”

Steve Scauzillo: Catholics must ask: Should I stay or should I go?

On Thursday, Pope Benedict XVI took off his mitre for good.

It marks the first resignation of a pope in 600 years. The historical oddity reminds me of growing up at St. Raphael’s Catholic Church in East Meadow, N.Y. The timing of his resignation — shortly after Cardinal Roger Mahony was relieved of his public duties after we learned about numerous incidents of priests sexually abusing children under Mahony’s watch — prompts me to ask a question to all Catholics: What makes you stay?

For each and every parishioner, this is a personal decision. So while I won’t tell anyone what to do, I will, however, tell you my journey with the Catholic Church and the No. 1 lesson I’ve learned: Always ask questions.

No, I was never molested.

I made my First Communion and my Confirmation all the while taking Catechism classes. I attended St. Raphael’s school from first to third grade. Going to Mass was mandatory in my family — just as was dinner on Sundays at 1 p.m.

I can remember bringing home the Baltimore Catechism and memorizing the Ten Commandments. For instance, for “You Shall Not Steal,” it depicted two pre-teens at a store counter. One whispered to the other: “Let’s steal this candy bar while the clerk’s not looking.” The other responded: “No. That is a sin.”

A friend told me the church gave me a moral foundation.

But being in the Catholic Church during the late ’60s and early ’70s caused me to question things. I asked a priest during Catechism his opinion of the play “Jesus Christ, Superstar.” He read me the riot act for even asking the question. At my best friend’s house, a few parish priests sat imbibing Christmas spirits. My friend asked that same priest what book of the Bible he should read. “You shouldn’t read the Bible. Only priests can read the Holy Scriptures,” he said.

Though I wasn’t believing any of this stuff, that priest’s answers left me perturbed.

My mom challenged the church’s ban on contraception after she and my dad had two children in a year and a half. When the priest told her birth control is banned by the pope, she defied the church just like many American Catholics. Planned, I came along nearly six years later.

East Meadow loved the Rev. John Mott, known warmly as Father Mott. He served at St. Raphael’s from 1956-1969, then suddenly was transferred to another parish. My mom went to visit him there, and he confessed to having an affair with a woman.

The church never said anything about Father Mott. Then, in 1995, four women sued him and the church, alleging he had molested them while they were on the cheerleading squad. Two civil suits were filed and dismissed, according to USA Today. He told the media “he was a good priest” and passed away shortly thereafter in 1999.

According to the web site BishopAccountability.org, the church said he was fit to continue, even continue working with children after passing psychological tests.

Not all priests are bad. I very much respect Father Greg Boyle of East L.A.’s Homeboy Industries.

But I left the Catholic Church for a non-denominational one where there is no pope and where infallibility is a myth. Where pastors can marry and face adult issues in the same way as their parishioners.

I left the church to get closer to God. Maybe that’s the question you should be asking: What church or house of worship brings you closer to God? That’s the one you should join.

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