2015 healthy spirit, mind and body magazine

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HEALTHY SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY MAGAZINEHEALTHY SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY MAGAZINE

There is an appointed time for everything,and a time for every affair under the heavens.

A time to give birth, and a time to die;a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant.

A time to kill, and a time to heal;a time to tear down, and a time to build.

A time to weep, and a time to laugh;a time to mourn, and a time to dance ...

Ecclesiastes 3:1-4

Plus the Summer Festival and Golf Guide

2 Pittsburgh Catholic Magazine Healthy Spirit, Mind & Body 2015

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Healthy Spirit, Mind & Body 2015 Pittsburgh Catholic Magazine 3

“On human connectivity:“We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men; and among those fibers, as sympathetic threads, our actions run as causes, and they come back to us as effects.” - Herman Melville

“It really boils down to this: that all life is interrelated. We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied into a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one destiny, affects all indirectly.” - Martin Luther King Jr.

Cover design by Karen Hanlin

On the cover...

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Vol. 7, No. 1

Publisher | Bishop David A. Zubik

General Manager | Ann Rodgers

Editor | William Cone

Operations Manager | Carmella Weismantle

Healthy Spirit, Mind and Body Magazine Project Editor John Franko

Associate Editors Phil Taylor (Special Projects)

Chuck Moody (News)

Staff Writer | John W. Franko

Graphic Designers David Pagesh | Karen Hanlin

Advertising Director Carmella Weismantle

Account Executives Michael A. Check | Paul Crowe

Michael Wire

Circulation Mgr./Parish News Coord. Peggy Zezza

Administrative Assistant | Karen Hanlin

Office Assistant | Jean DeCarlo

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Inside this issue:

Advertising: [email protected] Editorial: [email protected]: www.pittsburghcatholic.org

Healthy Spirit, Mind and Body Magazine is a complimentary publication available at all 200 Catholic parishes in the Diocese of Pittsburgh from the Pittsburgh Catholic Publishing Associates, Inc. Paid first-class delivered subscriptions are available.

~Acceptance of an advertisement in the Pittsburgh Catholic Healthy Spirit, Mind and Body Magazine, while based on an assumption of integrity on the part of the advertiser, does not imply endorsement by the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh.Connecting globally | Art of listening

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CatholicFREE!

PITTSBURGHPITTSBURGH

HEALTHY SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY MAGAZINE

HEALTHY SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY MAGAZINE

There is an appointed time for everything,

and a time for every affair under the heavens.

A time to give birth, and a time to die;

a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant.

A time to kill, and a time to heal;

a time to tear down, and a time to build.

A time to weep, and a time to laugh;

a time to mourn, and a time to dance . . .

Ecclesiastes 3:1-4

Plus the Summer Festival and Golf Guide

17pg

MAGAZINE

4 | Seeking inner peace:Emotions run high as a Vietnam veteran returns to Hanoi.

6 | Living with MS:How an amateur musician and others are joining forces to help.

7 | A long run:A proud South Sider writes about her family’s connection to “Veronica’s Veil” passion play.

8 | Catholic roots:Several great quarterbacks from western Pennsylvania have something strongly in common.

10 | A real prince:A woman finds romance with her husband in a very unexpected way.

14 | Remarkable gift:For those battling depression, simply listening to them can be therapeutic.

17 | Cultural awakenings:A high school student and her family welcome a foreign exchange student.

18 | Raising awareness:A Duquesne University student works on water issues on two continents.


By DR. DENNIS WOYTEK

As I stepped off the plane in Hanoi, I could feel the heat, the humidity and the baking sun as we walked across the tarmac. It was just like 47 years ago, when this then 18-year-old from Erie, Pennsylvania, stepped onto the battlefields of Vietnam.

Remembering back, I was as prepared as I could be for that experience. In April, I also was prepared for an experience, however, there were no bullets flying, no rockets in the air, no hostile ground fire. I returned to a land that has recovered from the ravages of war.

This trip began as an idea 10 years ago when several Navy Seabees first talked about the chances of returning to Vietnam. Five years ago, again meeting in Washington, D.C., for Veterans Day, we decided to pursue this quest. One year ago, we said, “Let’s do it,” and so began an adventure with 11 Navy Seabees returning to the places where we were stationed.

I attended Catholic grade school in Erie. I was an altar boy, helped the nuns around the school and was raised in a middle-class American home. The thoughts of killing another human were totally against my faith beliefs. But, as is the case in war, the goal is to survive and do whatever it takes to accomplish that goal. We did what our country asked us to do and served our country to the best of our abilities.

I can honestly say while in Vietnam in 1968, many of us lost

touch with our faith. We could not elude the question, “How can God permit this?” Our deep beliefs and our attitudes are rooted in our faith. So at one point during an attack on our compound, we probably said a silent prayer asking that same God to protect us.

Going back to Vietnam, we knew our emotions and our memories were bound to surface. Many memories centered around our return from Vietnam. Coming back to a very unfriendly United States, many Vietnam veterans just hid their service and did their best to blend into society. We let our hair grow, not telling anyone that we served in Vietnam, and tried to resume our lives.

So here we are, 11 veterans returning to a land and people that we had hated. The memories of the war are still alive in some Vietnam veterans. I believe that the same holds true for all veterans who served during wartime. For us, this personal journey would take us through a range of emotions, some of which we were prepared to face, some not.

Stepping off that plane into the persistent heat of Hanoi, we discovered that the people of Vietnam, including those in the north, are very friendly, welcoming, inquisitive — and forgiving. I was wondering if we could be

as open and forgiving toward our former enemies. After all, more than 58,000 American troops died in Vietnam, many of them close friends.

Everywhere we went, former North and South Vietnamese soldiers wanted to take pictures with us. They wanted to talk about their lives, and they wanted to know about ours. We took the time to sit and talk through our interpreter, and expressed to many of them our surprise at the country’s recovery, noting that it is now a top tourist destination. It was good to see a country that had moved on, as I hope many Vietnam veterans have. A few on this trip would struggle over these few days to find the elusive inner peace they sought.

Many of the locations we visited were not recognizable after the passage of time. Where there were once military compounds and rural villages, now stood cities and houses and businesses. A few locations, like the radio-TV station our own unit built in Quang Tri, were recognizable even though none of the buildings were standing. A former North Vietnamese Army soldier took us to his backyard where I could see the remnants of what was once our armed forces radio station, AFVN Quang Tri.

A former officer of the North Vietnamese army (former enemy) welcomes the author back to his country. In the background is the city of Da Nang with its Dragon Bridge and other bright lights.

Returning Vietnam veteran breathes in spirit of reconciliation outside Hanoi

See Veteran, Page 12


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By MIKE ARNOLDRiding my bike two years ago on a

hot summer afternoon through central Pennsylvania in support of a cure formultiple sclerosis, a young woman rode up beside me and said, “Thank you.”

I asked, “Why are you thanking me?” She then informed me that she was

diagnosed with multiple sclerosis three years earlier, and said that she would be confined to a wheelchair within a year. Not accepting the news she decided to keep active and not allow this to happen.

She explained how important movement is to those living with multiple sclerosis, or MS as it is commonly known. And there she was participating in a 150-mile ride. We continued to talk for a short while but eventually I couldn’t keep up with her so we wished each other well.

Hearing this need to keep moving explained for me a bit more clearly as to why my sister is constantly in motion. You see more than 20 years ago, my sister, Dorothy Welsh, was diagnosed with MS. Dar (as she

is known by family) has been graciously living with MS ever since. Numbness in arms and legs, extreme exhaustion, bouts with trigeminal neuralgia (an extremely painful side effect) and many other debilitating and unusual occurrences challenge her daily.

Despite her ailments, I have never heard from her a word of complaint (except about the bureaucracy associated with the insurance and drug companies concerning her medical care.) Instead, Dar gives constantly of her time, treasure and talent as she takes care of her family and serves others in need. Twelve of her past 21 years were spent living in the Far East, which made the necessary medical attention even more

difficult. But again, never a complaint. Dar’s way of making grief beautiful

inspired my brother, John, and I to get involved. We began holding charity golf events to benefit those with MS shortly after my sister’s diagnosis in 1994. In 2013, along with amateur music promoter Tim Wolfson, we redirected fund-raising efforts and established the MuSic for MS “Roots Music Festival.”

The reason for “changing course” was to enable those with MS to enjoy events that did not require a great deal of physical activity (unlike runs, bike rides, golf outings, etc.). Some of those living with MS have restricted mobility, and this provided an alternative. In addition, I have a great appreciation for music and especially music that comes “from the ground” or “roots music” (folk, blues, Celtic, bluegrass and alternative country). I am an amateur musician, involved in two bands that perform consistently in the western Pennsylvania area and beyond. It was an obvious progression, and the early results have been extremely rewarding.

A board of directors was quickly formed and the charter for the group’s work was presented to the Pennsylvania Keystone Chapter of MS. The idea was embraced

by the chapter, which continues to provide tremendous support and input.

The inaugural MuSic for MS “Roots Music Festival” was held on the main stage of Hartwood Acres on Aug. 16, 2014. A crowd of more than 2,500 came out on a beautiful August day to enjoy music by six bands. Food and beverage vendors, information booths and VIP tents were visited throughout the day.

In the end $40,000 was donated to the local chapter. As we cleaned up the following morning in the rain, I remember feeling great about the outpouring of support and how the results would help, in some small way, those with MS, including my dear sister.

This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 15, again at the main stage of Hartwood Acres from 3-10 p.m. The lineup will feature national acts Humming House (Nashville), The Black Lillies (Knoxville) and The Mulligan Brothers (Mobile). Local acts will include The Tiger Maple Band, Maddie Arnold & Friends and the North Allegheny Fiddlers and Folk Choir.

The proceeds from the event go toward:• Wellness programs aimed at treating the

mind, body and spirit.• Physical-therapy sessions to manage MS

symptoms.• Engaging elected officials to make MS a

national priority.• Funds for researchers working toward a

cure.• Self-help groups for people affected by

MS.The MuSic for MS “Roots Music Festival”

is dedicated to growing its reach so that the proceeds can reach as many living with MS as possible and ensure that they can continue “Moving Forward Through The Power Of Music.”

For more information regarding MuSic For MS please visit www.MuSicForMS.org.

Arnold is chief facilities officer for the diocesan Dept. for Property, Planning and Development.

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By PATRICIA ELSTNER

Growing up on Pittsburgh’s South Side in the ’60s and ’70s was a real experience.

It was a real joy to belong to St. Michael Church. We had “Veronica’s Veil,” and it was an entire family experience from a young age and beyond.

I especially enjoyed the show starting at the age of 5, as a small Christian girl in the crowd. At the age of 14, I became an usherette and sorely missed the stage. I gratefully returned to the stage and carried on from there.

It surely was a “family affair” for us. My grandfather was a policeman and directed traffic every Saturday and Sunday, making sure all the big yellow school buses were parked along Pius Street and everyone arrived safely inside the auditorium.

All my aunts and uncles were actors. My mother and my sisters were also on stage, and my father was in charge of “lighting” and special effects for the different scenes.

In 1980, I tried out for the role of Rebecca, the wife of Caiaphas, the high priest. I got the part. My aunt, Marion Saunders, who had played the part for several years, retired in 1979.

My uncle, Brother Thomas Aul, C.P.,

portrayed Abenedar, the centurion, and also retired that year (he passed away in October of that year from cancer).

I was so proud to carry on the tradition of acting and in the last year of Veronica’s Veil in 2010, our last season. I had the honor of portraying Rebecca for 30 years!

I still remember the lines and terribly miss the show.

Every Lent, I reflect how much that show meant to me and my family and all the families involved. Those memories will be imbedded in my mind forever.

So when I say I’m from South Side that is one of the proudest accomplishments of my life. The South Side is much busier now, and there is a lot of night life, but we still have the great memory of “Veronica’s Veil, America’s Passion Play!”

Elstner is a lifelong resident of the South Side slopes and belonged to St. Michael Parish.

Stage production meant a lot to South Side girl

The author, center, with some of the other cast members of “Veronica’s Veil.”

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By JIM O’BRIEN

It’s hard to explain the phenomena of why Pittsburgh and western Pennsylvania have turned out so many great quarterbacks in college and pro football history.

Six of the 23 “modern era” quarterbacks who are enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame hail from a 60-mile radius of Pittsburgh. That’s more than one-fourth of the quarterbacks so honored.

That’s quite an anomaly. How did that happen?

Joe Montana, one of them, says it might be something in the water. Mike Ditka, another All-American and All-Pro and fellow Hall of Fame inductee, says it might be something in the Iron City Beer.

I believe it might be something in the holy water. I didn’t read it anywhere or find it in my exhaustive research and interviews of the six Hall of Fame entries, but in the end I realized that all six of them were raised in the Roman Catholic faith.

I told this to Pittsburgh Bishop David Zubik, whom I knew had read some of the books in my “Pittsburgh Proud” series, and he was pleased to offer an endorsement for my book “Golden Arms — Six Hall of Fame Quarterbacks from Western Pennsylvania.”

He provided a wonderful endorsement, and concluded it by writing, “This book has my blessing.” The Sisters of Charity who taught me at St. Stephen School in Pittsburgh’s Hazelwood neighborhood would be surprised by that development, and how far I had come from being a mischievous class entertainer from first to eighth grade back in the ‘50s.

The six quarterbacks are Johnny Unitas and Danny Marino of Pittsburgh, Montana of Monongahela, George Blanda of Youngwood, Jim Kelly of East Brady and Joe Namath of Beaver Falls.

Then, too, they were preceded by two College Football Hall of Fame quarterbacks, Johnny Lujack of Connellsville and Notre Dame, and Arnold “Pope” Galiffa of Donora and the U.S.

Military Academy. Some of the contemporaries of the

Super Six were Vito “Babe” Parilli of Rochester and Kentucky, Terry Hanratty of Butler and Notre Dame, Tommy Clements of McKees Rocks, Canevin and Notre Dame, Marc Bulger of Central Catholic and West Virginia University, Bernie Galiffa of Donora and West Virginia University, Fred Mazurek of Brownsville and Pitt, Scott Zolak of Ringgold High and the University of Maryland, Bernie Faloney of McKees Rocks and Maryland, Frank Gustine Jr. of Canevin and Pitt. They were all Catholics.

Unitas, who grew up in Pittsburgh’s Mount Washington neighborhood and starred at the former St. Justin High School, beat Dan Rooney of North Catholic High School, for the All-Catholic League All-Star quarterback position. Rooney, now president emeritus of the Pittsburgh Steelers, felt snubbed at the time. “Now I realize they got it right,” says Rooney.

John Unitas Jr., the son of the Baltimore Colts quarterback, has written his own book, “Me and Johnny U.” In an interview, the younger Unitas told me, “My father was a wonderful father. He was very much a disciplinarian. He wanted his children to be respectful of adults.

“He was very religious and went to church all the time. When he was on the road with the Colts, he always managed to attend Mass on Sunday morning. He made sure we all went to Mass on Sunday, and some days we weren’t so thrilled about that, but we went because my father demanded we go.

“We all went to Catholic schools. He gave every Pro Bowl check to the church.”

Joe Namath attended St. Mary School in Beaver Falls. At noon, he would leave

school to see his mother, Rose Namath, who worked at W.T. Grant, a 5&10 store in the business district. Some of my fondest memories of my childhood involved having lunch with my mother who was a clerk at the State Store on Second Avenue in Hazelwood.

When Montana was growing up in Monongahela, he was a big fan of Terry Hanratty and later Tommy Clements, both quarterbacks at Notre Dame. He was an only child and went to church with his parents on Sundays.

Danny Marino lived on Parkview Avenue in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood, directly across the street from St. Regis Church and school. He was the quarterback of the St. Regis School football team in the City Catholic Grade School League. They played their home games at Frazier Field near his home, overlooking the J&L Steel mill. That field is now called Marino Field, and Danny says it honors his dad, who taught him how to throw a football, as well as him.

Jim Kelly and his family attended St. Eusibius Church in East Brady on a regular basis. His mother is buried in St. Eusibius Cemetery.

Mike and Mary Blanda, both from a Slovak village in Europe, had 12 children. One of them, Edward, died at 6 months. “But God sent me a good baby nine months later,” recalled Mary Blanda, who had a Catholic Bible on display in her family room in Youngwood. “He gave me George Frederick.”

The six quarterbacks and their families were honored in a first-time-ever event at the Wyndham Grand Hotel on June 6. It was called Gridiron Gold. Art Rooney II, the president of the Steelers, was the honorary chairman of the event. Bishop Zubik also gave the event his blessing.

Sports author O’Brien has a new book, the 22nd in his Pittsburgh Proud series “Golden Arms -Six Hall of Fame Quarterbacks from Western Pennsylvania.” Reach him at his website www.jimobriensportsauthor.com or by contacting him at [email protected].

Great quarterbacks from area have Catholic roots in common


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By SANDY OZANICH

I have learned over the years that love comes in all kinds of packages. Most of us are familiar with the usual forms of love, you know — the warm, fuzzy all over, can’t keep your hands off each other and “lovey, dovey” kinds of words. All legit, all nice and warm and wonderful.

Sometimes love comes in ways we just don’t expect. I am married to a wonderful man who shows his love in unexpected ways. We have been

married for 39 years. Yet, to this day, I still have trouble understanding him. I have a sneaky suspicion that he finds it hard understanding me. It’s an ongoing problem between men and women — not such a big surprise to any couple out there.

There are many times he will do something around the house, like put up my bird feeders, do the laundry, fix something that was broken, etc. He just doesn’t tell me he’s done it. I think he thinks it’s more fun waiting for me to find what he has done.

I must admit that up until a short while ago, it used to annoy me that he wouldn’t tell me when he had done something wonderful instead of waiting for me to find it. Or, I would get annoyed and sometimes I still do when we spend the evening doing separate things and not speaking very much at all.

Personal conversations don’t happen very often, he probably doesn’t find it comfortable. I believe for some women it is a difficult thing not being able to talk to the man you love about your personal life or your love for one another. It doesn’t happen here. Of course, I used to get very sad about that, but now I just try to remember that for some people, it is a difficult thing to do.

For me, I came into adulthood and womanhood believing that words and romantic actions spelled love. I think after growing up hearing lovely fairytales of romance and the prince on the white horse, I expected the same. I believe I got something even better. You see roses die and words are just that words, but actions —now that’s what I’m talking about.

The other day there was a commercial on TV about Chef Boyardee canned ravioli. I told Tom that I used to love that ravioli and beefaroni in a can when I was a kid. When I came home from visiting one of my friends, I found to my delight that prince in a silver PT Cruiser brought home several cans of Chef Boyardee ravioli.

Love in a can of ravioli … I just love this man!

Ozanich is a Passionist Associate at St. Paul of the Cross Monastery on Pittsburgh’s South Side.

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Two members of our group survived the siege at the Khe Sanh base. In 1968 the U.S. lost over 1,400 sailors and Marines in that battle alone. We shared what was probably one of the most emotional parts of this trip as we walked across what was, at one time, a runway on that outpost high in the mountains. We all stood in that place, our souls bared. We cried and prayed for those who died on this hill, and for those who are buried on it. It’s in our spirit that we have meaning and purpose in life. Somehow those who died on the Khe Sanh base — and all the others who died in Vietnam — help give meaning to those of us who survived.

This trip brought us in touch with the inner reaches of our hearts, our minds and souls. I found myself digging deep into my belief in God as loving parent of us all, to see our basic relationship as brothers and sisters, sharing hopes and dreams, joys and sorrows. My faith instilled and nurtured by my family and my Catholic education, enabled me personally to experience

reconciliation I never thought possible.Woytek, is an assistant professor of journalism and

multimedia arts. He shares his expertise in producing award-winning documentaries with his students at

Duquesne University. He is creating a documentary about this return to Vietnam. Woytek’s work has taken him to Rome and Israel with Bishop David Zubik, as well as to Poland, Medjugorje and Chimbote, Peru.

The returning Navy Seabees at the Khe Sanh airstrip.

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By JACKIE SIMON

In March, the popular ABC sitcom “The Middle” aired an episode that follows Sue, a main character, as she encounters the nightmarish question that all young people eventually face: “What next?”

Sue, a high school senior whose eccentric nature is endearing to the television audience (although enervating to the show’s other characters), finds herself without a clear path to follow after graduation. She participates in the torturous spring frenzy of hurried discernment and uninformed commitment that we see at high schools and colleges nationwide each year. She engages in this struggle alongside her friends, until one-by-one, each one makes his or her weighty decision and falls temporarily from the ranks of liminality.

The episode features a pivotal conversation between Sue and her best friend, Brad, who shares that he has decided to “do a year of service” before he accepts his offer to attend NYU a year later. The ensuing conversation is one that anyone from the “service world” would recognize:

Brad: “I’m going to do a year of service!” Sue: “You’re joining the army?” Brad: “Oh no! I signed up for

AmeriCorps!” Sue: “Great! … what’s AmeriCorps?” Brad: “It’s like Peace Corps, but in

America! I’m not sure what I’ll be doing yet … teaching kids? Building houses? Maybe it will bring me closer to my dad — I can learn how to use a hammer!”

The humor of the scene’s dialogue derives from what is actually a quite sober reality, which is that engaging in meaningful service is simply not a priority in contemporary American society. It has become an after-thought, an extra-curricular activity, and, often, a “back-up plan.”

Just since 2013, a period when the job market has noticeably improved, Notre Dame — AmeriCorps alone has seen an approximate 25 percent decline in applicants.

Those of us who are active in National Service have not all been entirely innocent from the outset. Many of us entered into “service” not because it was our dream

to be AmeriCorps volunteers, but rather because we found ourselves wanting to do “good” in the world, but facing the same question that stumps Sue —“How?”

Committing to a year of National Service has become a fall-back plan for many Americans. We might not be proud to admit it, but it was just that for many of us who are now extraordinarily active in the service movement. That dedication has not come from lessons learned in school, or from social norms brought to you by the latest pop star; rather, it comes from the experience of engaging in meaningful, long-term service.

That experience is not only important to organizations that benefit from the help of a committed volunteer — it is an immensely formative time for the individual who is serving. Participants in National Service have a unique opportunity to test their own identities and values, but furthermore, they cultivate a real understanding of how our society’s systems work (and don’t work).

Without hesitation, individuals who participate in service will tell you that they receive more than they give. They grow to understand the importance of emphasizing service over self as a guiding principle, and they cultivate a hope that one day every person will reach that same understanding.

ServiceNation, in partnership with the Clinton Foundation, the Franklin Project and a variety of other organizations, is responding to that hope by seeking to reshape the idea of service in our culture.

This group recently set into motion the Serve A Year campaign, which seeks to bring together Hollywood, social impact organizations and major brands to not only emphasize the importance of committing to a year of National Service, but also to “popularize” the concept. Additionally, the campaign offers a platform for service organizations and interested individuals to connect in a streamlined way.

The Serve A Year movement draws on our common social platforms to lift “service language,” like “AmeriCorps,” into our everyday lexicon. The time to learn the meaning of words like “National Service,” or “City Year” or “NCCC” is not when a person is trying to filter through an overwhelming amount of information; these powerful community organizations should be household names, recognizable to us all from a very young age. The campaign is aiming to strengthen the exposure we give the service movement so that we can, as a culture, shift our perception of service from “fall-back plan” to “career path.”

The importance of collaborative efforts like Serve A Year to prioritize National Service cannot be overstated. Our country cannot afford to lose the immense impacts that volunteers have every day, but if we are to sustain this movement, we must shift our thinking so that each of us carries with us a goal to both serve and, perhaps most importantly, to help others to serve.

Simon is a staff member of the Notre Dame Americorps Natiional Office.

Reshaping the idea of service in our national culture


By SUSAN CABIN

“We are not primarily put on this earth to see through one another, but to see one another through.”

These words, by Peter De Vries, an American author and satirist, resonate with me.

A while back, I went through a period of

deep depression. I know we all have those days when we just don’t want to get up and would rather pull the covers up over our heads, but I felt that way for weeks and then months.

I always believed that I could survive

almost anything, but my depression was insidious. It grew daily. I could see no end in sight and had very little hope. I couldn’t work or do most of my usual activities, but I continued to go to church and pray.

My faith pulled me through some of the darkest moments of my life when doctors and therapists were not enough. Father John McKenna helped me to understand that God would always give me what I needed even in my darkest times, by quoting the Gospel of Matthew 25:35-36:

“For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you welcomed me; I was naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you visited me; I was in prison and you came to me.”

When someone has a baby, a heart attack, a stroke, cancer or a death in their family, people come out of the woodwork to help. They send cards, bring meals, offer prayers and other forms of assistance. But when someone has depression or another mental illness or behavioral health issue, people often do nothing because they don’t know what to do.

It’s not that they don’t want to help, it’s just that unless they can relate through experience — either their own or that of someone close to them — they may not know what to do or how to help.

What helped me the most were those friends and family members who did not forget about me or run away from me when things were bad. I believe that God provided me with exactly what I needed

The act of simply listening can be a remarkable gift

The author with Father John McKenna.

khanlin

Karen


when I needed it. Someone to listen to me — just to listen. Not to solve my problems or give advice, but to listen.

I needed to hear that I mattered to people. Just someone saying: “It’s good to see you today,” was sometimes all I needed. Just to be noticed. One of my best friends would call all the time, not asking, “Are you all right?” — a question I sometimes couldn’t answer — but, “What do you need?”

The best thing for me was to know that someone cared, that I mattered to someone. I did not expect my friends to fix me, but I needed them to be there for me. Sometimes it’s hard to just listen and not offer a solution. But just by being there for someone — letting them know you care and that you’re thinking about them — really can help.

If you haven’t seen someone in a while at church, reach out. Send a card or an e-mail just to say, “Hi.” It may seem overwhelming to get enmeshed in the life of someone who is very ill, but that’s not what I needed. I have doctors and therapists for that. I needed to know that someone cared about me. I want to be seen as a good mother, grandmother, sister, co-worker and friend who can handle life. That’s all.

We can all help to pull each other through even the worst times if we are just there for each other. The smallest gesture can help. If someone seems to not be himself, instead of asking, “What’s wrong?” instead try, “What do you need?”

But remember, just by being there and asking how you can help can be an incredible gift.

If you or someone you care about has a behavioral health issue and needs assistance, call Pittsburgh Mercy’s Care Center at 1-877-637-2924. Help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Pittsburgh Mercy is also an approved provider of mental health first-aid training for adults, youths and veterans. For information, call 412-320-2321.

Cabin is a peer support intern working in the Paths to Wellness Group at Mercy Behavioral Health, part of Pittsburgh Mercy Health System and Trinity Health, serving in the tradition of the Sisters of Mercy. She is a member of Epiphany Parish in Pittsburgh’s Uptown neighborhood.

By FRANK BALESTRIERI

To say the past year and a half has been a health nightmare could be an understatement. In mid-December 2013, I fell backward down our basement steps. This resulted in a broken right shoulder and 18 stitches to the back of my head.

Over the following months I healed but on Oct. 19, 2014, I lost vision in my left eye. I remember the date, because it happened on the day my mother-in-law, Barb Jones, passed away.

The following Sunday, Oct. 26, I made my

covenant with the Passionists of St. Paul of the Cross. It was the highlight of my 25-plus year relationship with the Passionists Community.

On Dec. 2, 2014, I had a cornea transplant for my left eye and the next day I regained my sight. About a week before Christmas I fell again on my lower back due to black ice.

Over the next few months my wife, Suanne, was my rock. She took over the running the household. When I got to the point of not driving, she got me to my many doctor appointments. She also took me to St. Paul of the Cross Retreat Center for my annual retreat

Faith, family and friends through a difficult time

See Faith, Page 22

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RULES/DISCLAIMER: To enter, complete the entry form here and mail it no later than Tuesday, August 25, 2015, to: KENNYWOOD TICKET CONTEST, PITTSBURGH CATHOLIC, 135 FIRST AVENUE, SUITE 200, PITTSBURGH PA 15222-1513; FAXES ACCEPTED AT 412-471-4228. Employees of the Pittsburgh Catholic Publishing Associates and Diocesan headquarters are not eligible. One entry per household.

Submit this coupon to be entered in a drawing for a chance to win 4 tickets to Kennywood

Name

Address

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WIN 4 TICKETS TO KENNYWOOD!

Congratulations to Gaylene Traggiai, Janine Solomond, Kay Lang, Sarah Armonti, winners of our Kennywood Ticket Contest (Senior Resource Guide 2015)!

Answers: 1) Leonardo da Vinci, 2) Claude Monet, 3) Pablo Picasso, 4) Vincent van Gogh, 5) Salvador Dali, 6) Norman Rockwell, 7) Georgia O’Keefe

There have been several famous painters. Fill in the blanks to name some of them.

1) L E O N __ R D O D A V __ N C __

2) C L A __ D E M O __ E T

3) P A __ __ O P I __ A S S O

4) V I __ C E N __ V A N G __ G H

5) S A __ V A __ D O R D A __ I

6) N __ R M A N R O __ __ W E L L

7) G __ O R __ I A O ’ K E E __ E

Name That

Painter

List 10 words that rhyme with “bark.”_

1. ____________ 2. _____________ 3. ____________

4. ____________ 5. ____________ 6. ____________

7. ____________ 8. ____________ 9. ___________

10. ___________

Some answers: arc, ark, dark, hark, lark, mark, park, shark, spark, stark

What Rhymes with…

Michelangelo was born in Italy in 1475, worked hard

and died in Italy in 1564. Many of Michelangelo’s works

remain today, including his sculpture of Mary and Jesus

called Pieta and his paintings in the Sistine Chapel in

Rome. Every year, people travel hundreds of miles to see

the artist’s works.

Michelangelo


By CHRISTINA HANLINHousing a foreign exchange student from

Japan was the best decision of my life. Not only did I make a new friend, I was also exposed to new ideas and experiences.

Yuka Hiyane is a huge sweetheart. While staying with us in Pittsburgh, she became part of our family. We still keep in touch to this day.

Waiting for her to arrive was nerve wracking, yet exciting. We cleaned our house until it looked like one of those picture-perfect homes you see in magazines. Thinking about all of the new experiences we would share made my head flow with ideas of what it would be like. Not only would there be magnificent little tours for her, there would be incredible adventures for me. The anticipation we all shared waiting for her to arrive was exhilarating.

The night she finally arrived in Pittsburgh was hectic. They arrived an hour later than expected, which only intensified the suspense. Part of me was concerned, because my knowledge of the Japanese language was at best mediocre. Also, I was aware that Japanese culture is more reserved than how we behave in the U.S., so I had this dwelling anxiety that the whole experience might result in some awkward moments.

However, when they finally rounded the corner of the hallway in the Shaler Area High School cafeteria where we were waiting, a wave of relief flooded everyone in the room. They came in whooping and hollering with their fists pumping in the air and smiles on their faces.

Yuka and I recognized each other immediately and exchanged a small wave. She had a smile that could brighten up any room. It was so sincere and frankly contagious, I couldn’t help but smile back.

The next day when we went to school, she was looking around and taking pictures. It was as if she was encountering the world for the first time. I felt like Aladdin taking Jasmine on a magic carpet ride. Little things such as the large number of students in our schools and riding public transportation seemed like such a big deal to her even though I had never given them a second thought.

We took her for a ride on the Duquesne Incline, something which we had not done before, so it was new for all of us. We thought it would be best to go at night so that we could see the reflection of the city’s lights on the water of the rivers.

Standing at the top of the viewing point we didn’t pay any mind to the March cold. We were in absolute awe at the beautiful sight. We felt like we were on top of the world as we watched the lights and passing cars.

At my house, Yuka insisted on making dinner for my family using things she had brought with her from Japan. She was going to make us Takoyaki, a common Japanese dish. We watched as she mixed the ingredients together. My mouth was watering just thinking about little fried dough balls.

She seemed to enjoy cooking it too as she hummed and chatted about all the different ways you can prepare it. She told us stories about her younger sister in Japan, and it was quite endearing to hear of their every day family practices.

In no time, she had the first plate of Takoyaki finished. She topped it off with soy sauce and dried tuna flakes, presenting it to us with a

broad smile from ear to ear. When we tried it we were pleasantly

surprised. It had a crunchy outside and soft inside with incredible flavor. The soy sauce was nothing like the kind of soy sauce you find in the U.S. The sauce she brought had this tangy, sweet taste and it complimented the dish exquisitely, as well as the dried tuna flakes.

When we finished eating she told us that she had one more surprise for us. We sat there, confused, what more could she possibly give us? She opened her arms, gesturing to all the things on the table that she used to make the dinner and said, “It’s all yours!”

I was overwhelmed with gratitude and thanked her in her native tongue. My parents and I couldn’t believe that she was willing to give us such an amazing gift. Her presence in our home was gift enough. I was left giddy for the next hour or so.

I got so much more out of our time together than just cool gifts. She and I would always share jokes and stories. It felt like I had known her for years. When she had to leave I was really disheartened. Every little memory played in my mind when we said our goodbyes. She hugged me the way you would hug your closest friend, and I felt her shoulders heave slightly. I knew she was crying. I didn’t want her to leave, in a short time she had become part of our family.

Even though she had to leave, she’s still here in a way. We message each other all the time, and constantly send photos back and forth to make it feel like we’re still in each other’s company. And every time I make Takoyaki, I can picture Yuka across the table, humming to herself and smiling as she sprinkles the final touches on that delectable Japanese snack.

Hanlin is a senior at Shaler Area High School.

An exciting exchangeAn exciting exchange

Yuka Hiyane, an exchange student from Tokyo, shared the magnificent view with the author from the lookout at the top of the Duquesne incline. Yuka later prepared Takoyaki filled with crab.


Note: During his undergraduate years at Duquesne University, Matt Burnett, a business major who will graduate in December, has been raising money and awareness for water projects around the world through his nonprofit, Pure Thirst. The first two projects made clean water more accessible in remote Honduras. This year, Burnett travels to Tanzania to scout the next project. Here is Matt Burnett’s story — and how the project has impacted his faith journey.

By MATT BURNETT

While walking through the city park in my hometown of DuBois, Pennsylvania, I often see children riding on their bicycles, stopping to get a drink at one of many water fountains. Baseball and softball are played on lush, green fields, and children splash at the city pool. Growing up, these sights and sounds seemed common all around the area — and I mistakenly assumed, the world.

Only when I was a senior at DuBois Central Catholic High School did I realized that this abundance of water was a luxury that many could only dream of.

One day, I came across a newspaper article about a foundation in my town that was implementing a water purification system in Honduras. Until then, the Hondurans were forced to walk an average of two miles to access water, and when they finally reached it, it was contaminated and often made the children deathly ill. This sparked my interest, considering I have never had a problem accessing pure water.

After learning more about the crisis, I felt that I had a responsibility to do something. I reached out to friends, local businesses and Rotary clubs around the region — and received phenomenal support.

During this time, I started the organization Pure Thirst to help raise awareness about this crisis and assist communities in gaining access to improved water services. In just nine months, we raised more than $30,000 for an improved water system in El Jaral, Honduras, and ultimately were given the amazing opportunity to travel to Honduras to help the community implement the chlorine-based purification system. I was amazed by the feedback, and I felt that I was being called to continue the project.

Shortly afterward, I began my business studies at Duquesne University. Over the next few years, several peers at Duquesne

and I decided to undertake a second project. By working through the Rotaract club on campus, we collaborated with a number of Rotary clubs in the area to raise money for the project. At our request and with backing of the dean, Dr. Stan Kabala, a professor in Duquesne’s Bayer School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, developed a class so that our group could gain a better understanding of the water crisis. Over several months, our group raised funds, and in March 2014, 17 of us traveled to Los Planes, Honduras, to install our second system.

After returning from our second trip, I realized that I was about to be a senior and knew that still more was to be done. I began collaborating with several departments and schools at Duquesne and, after months of planning, we formed a cross-disciplinary program within the university, housed in the Center for Community-Engaged Teaching and Research.

Because Duquesne has rich connections with the Spiritan congregation in Tanzania, we decided to expand our focus to include the Moshi and Arusha regions there. With a strong dedication to mission, Duquesne offers an outstanding home for the program. While students often go to a university to learn about a specific field, Duquesne helps students not only become better professionals, but also better community and global citizens.

It is because of this commitment from Duquesne that I feel very confident that Pure Thirst will help communities and students for years to come.

Duquesne student works on water issues on two continents

See Burnett, Page 22

Matt Burnett, left, joins a school girl and municipal water manager in the ribbon-cutting ceremony in Los Planes, Honduras.

A villager in Tanzania collects water from a borehole installed by the Chico, California, Rotary Club. Pure Thirst’s next project in Tanzania might look something like this.


Almanac will delight Catholic gardenersBy NANCY L. ROBERTS Catholic News Service

“A Catholic Gardener’s Spiritual Almanac” by Margaret Rose Realy. Ave Maria Press (Notre Dame, Indiana, 2015). 277 pp., $17.95.

Any Catholic who enjoys gardening will find much inspiration, both spiritual and practical, in this original compendium written by Margaret Rose Realy, a master gardener, retreat leader and Catholic blogger.

Each chapter highlights a particular month’s religious themes, traditions, feasts and special saints and offers unique gardening lore.

For instance, the author presents June as a month of “transformation and new life,” not

only for plants but for Christians given the gift of Christ’s love.

Thus during June we honor saints such as St. Boniface (also known as St. Winfrid), the patron of brewers, and St. Botulph of Ikenhoe, the patron of agricultural workers. And June 29 is the feast of the Solemnity of the Apostles, Saints Peter and Paul; but did you know that the martyrdom of these two great saints are traditionally symbolized by the checkered fritillary, a “nodding, blood-red flower”? This is the kind of detail that makes “A Catholic Gardener’s Spiritual Almanac” so engaging.

The June chapter closes with several practical tips on early summer gardening.

For the more ambitious, there’s even a

detailed plan for how to create a home garden with the theme of the Stations of the Cross. Realy’s suggestions of plants to use for each station are fascinating. For instance, for the “Jesus Is Condemned” station, lamb’s ear might be used to symbolize Christ’s meekness;or lily of the valley (“Our Lady’s tears”) could be planted, after the legend that when Mary wept at the plight of her son, this flower sprang from the spot where her tears fell on the ground.

It’s not surprising that Realy presents harvesting as the theme for the chapter focusing on the month of September. But her take on this is original. She begins with a consideration of the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows on Sept. 15, noting that “the fruit of Mary’s womb, Jesus, was harvested on the cross — the tree of life.”

Among the interesting lore in this chapter is the story of ladybugs, who Realy says were named for Mary and were earlier known as “Our Lady’s birds,” then as “Lady beetles.”

Ten remaining chapters complete this intriguing journey through the months and seasons. Each one offers an original perspective on the intersection of natural and liturgical seasons.

For instance, October’s theme is “Preparing for Winter,” a time of transition; so Realy’s suggested prayer focus for this month includes meditation on accepting inevitable changes in one’s life with gratitude and strength. November, the month of “dormancy and rest,” is an excellent time to contemplate devotional gardens and shrines to beloved saints such as St. Francis of Assisi, the patron of ecology, and St. Fiacre, the patron of gardens. Here, Realy includes a long list of saints and their traditional associated plants.

Consider a Marian garden, which she describes as the most popular type of Catholic garden, perhaps with a rose theme (e.g., red roses for Mary’s sorrows, white for her joys).

Four appendices enrich this thoughtful and absorbing book. One explains the various liturgical colors, such as white for the Christmas and Easter seasons, red for Pentecost, violet for the seasons of Advent and Lent, and green for ordinary time.

“A Catholic Gardener’s Spiritual Almanac” is a treasure trove of meditations, storytelling and practical horticultural advice that will interest anyone, but particularly gardeners, who appreciate the natural world as an eloquent manifestation of the divine.

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Below is a listing of parish festivals occurring throughout the diocese from August through October.

AUGUST 6-9 | St. Raphael, MorningsideThursday-Sunday, Aug. 6-9, 1154 Chislett St.

Begins with grand parade at 6 p.m. on Thursday. Highlights include games, amusements, flea market, kids’ zone, Chinese auction, bingo, August calendar raffle, live music and more. Food court open nightly, with spaghetti dinner on Sunday. Special St. Rocco feast day celebration on Sunday, beginning with Mass in Italian at 4 p.m., followed by neighborhood procession with St. Rocco statue and brass band. Live Italian music played in the evening. Festival closes with fireworks on Sunday. For more information, call 412-661-3100.

6-11 | St. Ferdinand, Cranberry Township

Friday, Aug. 7, 6-11 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 8, 5-11 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 9, 4-9 p.m. Highlights include craft booths, giant white elephant flea market, bingo, train rides on the “Spirit of St. Ferdinand,” kiddie land, grand $12,000 raffle, basket raffle and more. Food menu includes concession booths and dinners in air-conditioned Oldenski Hall. For more information, visit www.stferd.org.

9 | Holy Family, Creighton

Sunday, Aug. 9, Mass at 12:30 p.m., with event over at 8 p.m., Syria Mosque Pavilion, 1877 Shriners Way in Cheswick. Includes Chinese auction, bingo and other games. Offering all homemade food and dinners, with homemade bake goods (large nut, apricot and poppy seed rolls, cold dough cookies, lady locks) and more. Jack Tady Band will provide entertainment.

9 | Holy Sepulcher, Glade Mills

Sunday, Aug. 9, giant flea market open at 8 a.m., dinners from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., festival from 11 a.m.-8 p.m., 1304 E. Cruikshank Road. Highlights include giant flea market, huge Chinese auction with unbelievable items, bingo, big money raffles, games for all ages, farmer’s market and more. Featuring chicken barbecue/ham dinner served with farm-fresh corn on the cob, garden fresh vegetables, cole slaw, applesauce, rolls, drinks and choice of dessert, $10 for adults, $6 for child.

Takeout is available. Also, funnel cakes, apple dumplings and other carnival foods and bake sale. Featuring live entertainment throughout the day. Free golf cart shuttle service from parking area to festival grounds. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/HolySepulcherBazaar.

10-15 | Our Lady of Grace, Scott Township

Monday-Saturday, Aug. 10-15, 7-10:30 p.m. (dinners begin at 4 p.m.), 310 Kane Blvd. High-lights include bingo, rides, white elephant sale, bake sale, nightly dinners, food booths, games, raffles and more. Entertainment nightly, with magician T.J. Hill on Monday.

12-15 | Assumption Bellevue

Wednesday-Saturday, Aug. 12-15, starting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday and Friday, 5:30 p.m. Thursday and Saturday, 45 N. Sprague Ave. Highlights include bingo, $10,000 in raffle prizes and money, adult games, children rides and games, homemade bake goods and more. Dinner, Friday, Aug. 14, 4-7 p.m. in McGovern Hall. Nightly concession stand serves kielbasa, chili, french fries, haluski, pierogies, funnel cakes, snow cones, cotton candy and more. Disc jockey will play music nightly, with road race on Wednesday.

12-15 | Holy Wisdom, North Side

Wednesday-Saturday, Aug. 12-15. St. Boniface Church grounds, 225 East St. The parish also is sponsoring the 21st annual Corvette raffle. The prize is a 2012 Corvette Grand Sport Convertible (torch red exterior, ebony convertible top and ebony interior). The cost is $20 a ticket. The drawing is on Labor Day, Sept. 7. For more information on the festival and raffle, visit www.holywisdomparish.org.

13-15 | St. Irenaeus, OakmontThursday-Saturday, Aug. 13-15, 6-10 p.m.

(dinners served from 4-7 p.m.), 387 Maryland Ave. Features one of the area’s largest flea markets. Also, bingo, bake sale, games, dice and money wheels, nightly raffles, Chinese auction, balloon artist, face painting and more. Indoor dinners served nightly from 4-7 p.m., featuring famous “Friday Fish Fry.” Outdoor festival foods include homemade haluski,

pizza, walking tacos, hot sausage sandwiches, pierogies and meatball subs. Live entertainment, with Street Level band on Thursday and Stone Horse on Friday.

16 | St. Francis of Assisi, Finleyville

Parish picnic, Sunday, Aug. 16, 1 p.m.-dusk, 3609 Washington Ave. Featuring games for all ages, country store, craft and theme baskets, bingo and more. Food menu includes roast lamb, roast beef, barbecue chicken, haluski, kielbasa and sauerkraut, hot dogs and more. Event is open to the public.

16 | St. Wendelin, Butler

Sunday, Aug. 16, 210 St. Wendelin Road, Features bingo and bake sale. Food menu includes dinner with choice of chicken or ham, with potatoes and side dishes. Also features a car cruise.

16-22 | St. Sylvester, Brentwood

Spaghetti dinner and pre-sale flea market on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2-6 p.m., festival Monday-Sat-urday, Aug. 17-22, 7-10 p.m. (7-11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday), 3754 Brownsville Road. Highlights include rides, bake sale, bingo, face painting, games, flea market and more. Nightly dinner specials, with local bands providing entertainment.

SEPTEMBER3-6 | Good Samaritan, Ambridge

20th annual, Thursday, Sept. 3, 6-10 p.m.,. Friday, Sept. 4, 6-11 p.m., Saturday, Sept 5, noon-11 p.m. (booths open at 2 p.m.), Sunday, Sept. 6, 1-10 p.m., Eighth and Melrose avenues. Highlights include bingo, face painting, hourly 50/50 raffle, bake sale, huge silent auction, big money and other raffles and more. Homemade dinners: Thursday, 4-7 p.m., stuffed chicken breast; Friday, 4-7 p.m., “famous” fish fry; Saturday, 3-7 p.m., stuffed cabbage; Sunday, noon-7 p.m., “famous” spaghetti and meatballs. Also, variety of food and beer, and bar tent. Entertainment: Thursday, 6-10 p.m., Dancing Queen; Friday, 7-11 p.m., Lenny Gomulka and Chicago Push; Saturday, noon-5 p.m., Dick

Summer Festival & Golf Guide


Tady Orchestra, 8-8:50 p.m. and 9:30-10:20 p.m. Jimmy Ross and the Jaggerz; Sunday, 1-5 p.m. The Cavaliers, 6-7 p.m. Ambridge Steel Drum Band, 7-8 p.m. and 8:30-9:30 p.m. Johnny Angel and the Halos. Featuring dancing on a hardwood floor. Mass with polka music, 5:30 p.m.

13 | St. Alphonsus, Wexford

Harvest Home dinner and festival, Sunday, Sept. 13, 3-8 p.m., 201 Church Road. Featuring a dinner with a choice of fresh-grilled chicken or ham, and with side dishes of local-grown vegetables, including corn, green beans, fresh-prepared cucumber salad, cole slaw, tomato salad, homemade applesauce, dinner roll, drink and dessert. Also, a variety of festival foods, including hot dogs, funnel cakes, popcorn and cotton candy. Highlights include country store with crafts, fresh locally grown produce, baked goods and “Treasures in the Attic” unique flea market. Also, bonanza raffle with $4,000 grand prize and large Chinese auction with 50 baskets. Entertainment features live music while dining. Parish is celebrating its 175th anniversary and the school is celebrating its 125th anniversary.

13 | St. Joseph, Cabot

Sunday, Sept. 13, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., 315 Stoney Hollow Road. Highlights include money raffle, big basket raffle, bingo, old fashioned country store (with baked goods and flea market full of treasures), small games of chance, children’s games and much more. Dinner features choice of barbecue chicken cooked over an open pit or ham, served family style with all the trimmings in an air-conditioned hall. Cost is $10 for adults, $5 for children 10 and under. Takeout is available. Also featuring food booth. Musical entertainment provided throughout the day.

17-19 | St. Bartholomew, Penn Hills

Thursday-Saturday, Sept. 17-19, 5-10 p.m. 111 Erhardt Drive. Fun for people of all ages, with carnival rides and booths. For more information, call 412-242-3374.

26-27 | St. Michael, Butler

“Festa Italia,” Saturday, Sept. 26, noon-9 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 27, noon-6 p.m., school hall, 130 Glenn Ave. Highlights include Italian Village shops, bakery, ice cream parlor, rosary makers, activities for youth, vendors, theme basket raffle, parish raffle, wine tasting and sale, surprise gift bag sale, door prizes every hour and more. Saturday’s a’ la carte food menu includes wedding soup, chicken pastina soup, pasta e fagoli, tossed salad, caprese salad, lasagna, stuffed shells, beans and greens, meatball and hot sausage sandwiches, pizza, pasta

primavera, Italian love cake and more. Spaghetti and meatball dinner featured on Sunday. Entertain-ment: Saturday, 1:30 p.m. Miss Becky’s Dance Group; 4 p.m. Dean Martin impersonator Bob Morelli; 6 p.m. Mirella the Musician; Sunday, 1 p.m. John Gabriele on accordion, 2 p.m. dance group.

OCTOBER1-3 | St. Malachy, Kennedy Township

International food festival, Thursday, Oct. 1, 4-10 p.m., Friday, Oct. 2, 4-11 p.m., and Saturday, Oct. 3, 2-10 p.m., 343 Forest Grove Road. Features food, games and entertainment. Menu: Italian booth features pasta, meatballs, hot sausage; Slovak booth features, haluski and halupki; German booth features pork, potato pancakes and bratwurst; French booth offers crepes and quiche. Also, Mexican food, fish fry, pierogies, doughnuts, funnel cakes, wings, gyros and craft beer. Entertainment: Thursday, cheerleaders; Friday, Miller School of Dance; Saturday, disc jockey Ken Krall.

golfAugust Sunday, Aug. 9

“A Match Made in Heaven,” St. Cecilia Parish’s Annual Golf Outing, Beaver Valley Golf Club, 725 Sixth Ave., Beaver Falls. Shotgun start at 1 p.m. Cost is $80, and includes golf, lunch at the turn, dinner, T-shirt, cash skill prizes and door prizes. Proceeds benefit St. Cecilia Parish in Rochester. For more information and to register, call Rich Getch at 724-774-6167.

SEPTEMBERFriday, Sept. 11

15th annual St. Athanasius Golf Outing, Pittsburgh North Golf Club, 3800 Bakerstown Road, Bakerstown. Registration at 8 a.m., shotgun start at 9 a.m. Cost is $65 for early birds (before Aug. 1), $70 for regular registration (Aug. 21-Sept. 4), $75 for late registration (paid day of event), and includes a continental breakfast, a souvenir T-shirt, golf cart, dinner, on-course beverages, raffle and skill prizes. Sponsorship opportunities available. All proceeds benefit St. Athanasius Parish in West View. For more information and to register, call Patrice Mikec at 412-734-1787.

Saturday, Sept. 12

NAM School Golf Outing Scramble, Manor Valley Golf Course, 2095 Denmark Manor Road,

Export. Shotgun start at 1 p.m. Cost is $75, with proceeds benefitting the technology fund for North American Martyrs School in Monroeville. For more information and to register, call 412-372-8951 or 412-266-0848, or visit www.NAMcatholicchurch.org.

Our Lady of Fatima Golf Outing, The Club at Shadow Lakes, 2000 Beaver Lakes Blvd., Aliquippa. Registration at 8:30 a.m. Cost is $100 for individual golfer, $380 for a foursome. Proceeds benefit Our Lady of Fatima School in Hopewell Township. For more information and to register, call 724-462-6207, or e-mail [email protected].

Monday, Sept. 14

Seventh Annual Golf Classic, Longue Vue Golf Club, 400 Longue Vue Drive, Verona. Registra-tion begins at 9:30 a.m. Cost is $400 per single player. Sponsorships are available. Proceeds benefit Catholic Charities of Pittsburgh’s Free Health Care Center. For more information and to register, call 412-456-6695, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.freecarepgh.org.

Friday, Sept. 18

Assumption’s Annual Golf Outing and Dinner, Shannopin Country Club, 1 Windmere Road, Ben Avon. Registration is at 1 p.m. Proceeds benefit Assumption School in Bellevue. For more information and to register, e-mail Laura Sweeney at [email protected], or visit www.assumptionschool.org.

Sunday, Sept. 20

20th annual St. Wendelin Golf Tournament, Hiland Golf Course, 106 St. Wendelin Road, Butler. Cost is $75. Proceeds benefit St. Wendelin School in Carbon Center. For more information and to register, visit www.stwendelin.com. The registration deadline is Sept. 13.

OCTOBERMonday, Oct. 12 (Columbus Day)

Ninth annual St. Thomas A’ Becket Golf Out-ing, South Hills Country Club, 4305 Brownsville Road, Whitehall. Features golf, lunch, dinner, prizes and entertainment. Back by popular demand is Kimberly Richards (“That Funny Nun from City Theater”). Cost is $200 per person. Proceeds benefit the building fund for St. Thomas A’ Becket Parish in Jefferson Hills. For more information and to register, call Ben Huber at 412-650-1505, or visit www.saintthomasabecket.com.


BURNETTContinued from Page 18

Students in the program are called “project coordinators” and will be assigned to one of five focus areas: health, social science, business, journalism and multimedia arts, and science. This unique, new program enables students to use their areas of study to research the water crisis, collaborate with communities in Tanzania and empower these communities to access improved water services. Along with conducting research, students will attend seminars to help them better understand communities and their water needs.

This summer, Lauren Drumm, a Duquesne student, Jena Skelton, a Mercyhurst University student, and I will travel to Tanzania to conduct a five-week assessment with several communities, laying foundations for future projects. We are very much looking forward to this remarkable experience. It is our hope that the Spirit will guide us as we undertake this journey, and that our work will help improve the lives of those in need.

As I reflect on the past four-and-a-half years of the project, I can’t help but be in awe of the influence that God has had in my life, from attending a university that emphasizes opportunities for students to address injustice, to developing phenomenal partnerships with Rotary clubs around the world. It is unfathomable how everything was able to come together. While I questioned the project many times, I always seemed to receive the guidance that I

needed just when I needed it most. Before undertaking the project, I was

primarily a follower of Christ because of the strong faith of my family. However, after seeing the power of Christ through our projects and the love our community partners exhibited, I can truly feel the Spirit in action in my life. God’s will is powerful and often mysterious, but if we are open to the Spirit, remarkable things will happen.

The author invites readers to visit www.purethirst.org.

The Duquesne crew visiting Honduras in 2014 shares soccer balls donated by the Duquesne University women’s soccer team.

FAITHContinued from Page 15

Women walk to get water in a community in northeastern Tanzania. In many countries, the walk for water averages four miles a day.

as well as driving me to my Thursday night Men’s Fellowship meetings at Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish on Pittsburgh’s North Side.

In early March, after a four-hour doctor appointment, I was in extreme pain. I prayed that night for some help. The next day I received a call from the orthopedic surgeon’s office that I had been referred to that I needed neck surgery. I was devastated, but my prayers were answered.

My faith, family and friends really helped me. For the first time in my life, I missed Mass. It was the week before Palm Sunday. On Palm Sunday, my brother-in-law, Paul, and my wife got me to Mass. However afterward, to get back into my house, both my brother-in-laws, Rick and Paul, using my wheelchair now, had to lift me up step-by- step to our room.

The celebration of the triduum has always been very important to me. We decided that we would forego the Chrism Mass and a Holy Thursday Mass. Suanne did take me to Good Friday services at St. Paul of the Cross Monastery. Fathers Gerry Laba and Pat Geisinger both greeted me and told me the Passionists Community were all praying for me. Many friends came over to greet me including Mary Ann Laba, Sister Mary, Sister Alice and Palma Sunseri. I felt so good after leaving St. Paul.

Easter Sunday was the breakthrough. We attended Mass at our parish. My aunt, Dorothy Camarda, came by to see me after Mass and then told one of our priests, Father James Garvey, about my upcoming surgery, and he anointed me. I knew then that everything would be OK.

My surgery at Allegheny General Hospital went very well. After my surgery, I went to HealthSouth Harmarville Rehabilitation Center for three weeks of rehabilitation.

My mother and sisters, Mary, Rosalia and Chris, all visited along with my brother-in-laws, Jim and Greg. My aunt, Antoinette, came to visit along with other family members. I mention this because ALL these visits helped in my recovery.

Lastly, I need to thank Deacon Jack Miller from St. Theresa of Avilla Parish and the ministers from St. Francis Parish in Harmarville for bringing me the Eucharist.

I know that with my faith and the help of my family and friends I am on the road to a long recovery.

Balestrieri is a Passionist Associate at St. Paul of the Cross Monastery on Pittsburgh’s South Side.


• It’s a month of meals for your unemployed neighbor and his family.

• It’s new beds & furniture for a family of six who just lost their house in a fire.

• It’s clothing for 10 children living in poverty.

• It’s a dignified burial for an elderly woman who died alone in a nursing home.

• It’s a month’s worth of gas & electricity payments for a family trying to make ends meet.

The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul provides assistance to over 100,000 local people annually throughout the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Your tax deductible car donation enables us to serve our brothers and sisters in need.

It’s more than a piece of junk . . .

It’s easy! Just call 800.322.8284 or visit www.svdpusacars.org and we’ll take care of all the details.

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ARE YOU A FANATIC FOR SCREAMS?

Contact us at 412.461.0500

or email us at [email protected]

Phantom Fright Nights returns for its 14th annual

season starting Friday, October 2, 2015. Visit us each

Friday & Saturday (6pm-12am) through October 31,

including Sunday, October 11 (6pm-10pm).

With 7 terrifying mazes, 3 sinister scare

zones, and monsters lurking in the fog,

whatever you're scared of, it's here ...

$3OFF FULL PRICE ADMISSION

Present this coupon duringKennywood Phantom Fright Nightson Fridays & Saturdays starting 10/2/15-10/31/15. Coupon valid for 2015 Phantom Fright Nights Season. Foroperating calendar, visit kennywood.com

On select nights, receive early admission to the park, an all you can eat buffet meal, character visits, and early entrance into one of our haunts. For more

information, contact our group sales department at 412.464.9931 or email us at [email protected]. Hurry, space is limited!

SAVE GROUPDISCOUNTS

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Visit us each Friday & Saturday evening starting October 2

2015 healthy spirit, mind and body magazine

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