Oh, Eliza, Little Liza Jane
(Written on Wednesday, Nov. 17)
Hi to all you bloggers,
I’m all excited about tonight’s activities for our teenagers: square dancing. I love to square dance. I grew up with it as part of family weddings and physical education in school. I also square-danced when I used to have a date or two (boy, has that been a while). I still call them for different functions, and now we have this activity as part of our religious education program.
You may ask, “How is square dancing related to religious education?” 
First of all, my cousin, Fr. Mel Lochtefeld, taught square dancing years ago. Much of our faith comes from tradition. I’m just continuing the tradition.
Next, our students are studying the Theology of the Body. So much is made of what is inappropriate. We thought of a way to teach what is appropriate. Just because you dance with someone of the opposite sex doesn’t mean that you are dating them.
My nieces and nephews have been square dancing with each other at weddings for years. They’ve been dancing since they’ve been in grade school. To be able to hold hands with boundaries and a purpose is a good thing. So much of what we teach in regards to the physical person is taught in response to fear or suspicion. Dancing gives an outlet for good fun and social appropriateness.
The Church says, in John Paul’s writings on The Theology of the Body, that the physical aspect of man is good. I believe that our square dancing lessons will bring out the good in our students and respect for the physical person.
If you’ve ever seen our students in sports, you know how physical they can be. Tonight, they can see how they can work together to dance with the stars. We need a name for our class. “Dancing with the Stars” is taken. Maybe someone can come up with a good name.
I’m off to practice my Li’l Liza Jane.
Fr. Mark
Jesus, the Eucharist
A while ago I heard an elderly person struggling with issue
s of old age say that in his life Jesus endured every kind of human suffering except old age. I thought how true, he was only 33 years old when he died. He could not have faced any challenges that we might experience as we grow older. However, I recently realized how wrong that statement was.
Consider Jesus today. It is really, truly Jesus in the Sacrament of the Eucharist – body, soul and divinity. All that was Jesus during his 33 years of life on Earth is all present as the Eucharist. Certainly for us as humans, the visual presence of Jesus has changed, but that does nothing to alter the fact that it is the same Jesus. With that in mind consider what he continues to endure in his “old age”.
Like a person confined to home or a health facility, Jesus waits for his brothers and sisters to come visit him, he can not go out to them without help. He sees that some come willingly, anxious to be with him. He sees those who come grudgingly, inattentive, sharing nothing with him. He sees those who are distracted, focused on something else. He sees those who smile and those who scowl. He witnesses the closeness of some and the distance of others. Perhaps most of all, he is painfully aware of those who did not come at all. Jesus knows exactly what it is like to be immobile and unable to communicate.
With that in mind, how are we responding to Jesus in his “old age”? Do we come willingly and openly to Mass? Do we participate and include everyone? Do we make time to share an extra visit with Jesus in addition to Sunday Mass? Do we take advantage of Eucharistic Adoration to gaze on him? Are we aware of his look of love toward us?
Som
etimes our worship as Catholics is picked apart because it is different from other religious denominations. It needs to be different. It can not be the same as a social gathering – the King of the Universe is in our midst. We can not receive the host without reverence – we hold the Savior of the World. The reverence of the priest and the people is the only way we have to outwardly communicate that Catholic worship is different because present physically in our gathering is God.
Why Some People Choose Eminem over Emmanuel
My nephew and his wife were on television this week. I told a lot of people to check out the show. They were on a show on Home and Garden
channel for first time house buyers.
I have to admit it was pretty neat to see my nephew on national television. His five minutes of fame gave me five minutes of fame.
I also have to let you know that it was my first time watching HG (Home and Garden) television. Real men don’t watch such shows.
Isn’t it funny what we brag about. I’ll associate myself with someone famous or on television but will distance myself from a perceived woman’s show. I thought it might make for a good discussion or thought provoker when it came to being a Christian.
We will associate with all kinds of music or activities but rarely will tell our friends or colleagues at work that we went to church over the weekend.
We’ll say that we went to a sports event but will shun going to a church retreat. What will others say or think? When did it become so unpopular to be good or go to church? When did everyone’s opinion sway me from doing what is right for me?
How Parents Can Take a Stand
This is a guest post by Connie Cleemput the Director of Religious Education.
Where do you stand on abortion, on underage drinking, on the death penalty? Where do you stand on taking time to pray as a family, on having a meal together or attending church on Sundays as a family? Where we stand, so stands our children. They mirror what we say and do as their parents, as their role models, as they people they look up to.
When practicing songs and prayers for Mass (after three weeks of practice) I mentioned to the First and Second graders to ask their moms and dads to take them to Mass on Sunday mornings or Saturday afternoon. I said “Your parents will say yes, just ask them.” I can not tell you how disheartened I was when a second grader told me that he had asked his parents and they said no.
Where do we stand? How can you, as parents, help your children be the best Catholic they can be? How can you help them form their consciences so they can make good, moral decisions?
As parents we have a moral obligation and a Catholic obligation to help 
form and support our children into whom God calls them to be. Yes, God calls all of us to take a stand. God has placed these children in our care, knowing and trusting we will do our best to raise them in our Catholic faith.
Take a stand. Take them to church, pray as a family around the dinner table at least once a day, tell them about God. Look in the mirror and you will see a reflection of your child. Listen to your voice and you will hear your child. Do you like what you see and hear? Take a stand.
Surviving Marriage and Locusts
It’s October and St. Michael’s always puts on a Pre-Cana to help couples get 
ready for living their marriage. Topics such as communication, finance,
in-laws and faith are covered in the day. Much time is spent putting on
a festive event. During our Pre-Cana time, we try to look at putting on a
festive life.
I love weddings. I have done over 900 weddings and love every one of them.
It is nice to share in the excitement, joy, fear and commitment of the couples and their guests. It is often at these heartfelt times, in the
depth humanity, God is found. I love weddings.
Some of my best priest stories happen around weddings. With over 900
weddings that I have witnessed as a priest, there have been some very human and very Godly times. Here are a couple of stories.
I had a wedding when the 17 year locust epidemic was in full bloom in
Virginia. As the bride made her way to the church, the locusts were
attracted by a white moving object. By the time she got in church, the
dress was a moving living brown outfit.
With 5 minutes before the ceremony, bride remembered to pick up her mom at the hotel which was 45 minutes away from the church.
I got to marry a couple in the hospital two days before the groom went to
his eternal reward.
I got to be the DJ at the reception when the hired help became intoxicated.
(There was a lot of “Brick House” (my favorite dance tune) being played that night.
I especially like to talk to couples in my office to hear their stories
first-hand. My job is to talk them out of getting married. If I can talk
them out of getting married they were probably not too ready in the first
place. (There is a movie starring Robin Williams which has the same story
line.) If a couple passes my interviews, I’m ready to celebrate their vows
with them.
We have a good time in the office and the questions are fun. The youngest couple to come in to get married was 14. The oldest person I married was 92. Marriage is a lifetime in which a couple picks each other to share in the fullness of life, to share in finding the Lord. They celebrate that God has called them to share in the fullness of life as a couple.
I have lots of weddings coming up including three family weddings. The best to all of you. The best to our Pre-Cana weekend.
What advice can you give our Pre-Cana couples this weekend?
Parents, It’s Time for You to Talk to Your Kids about the Three Letter Word
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Hi to everyone. Last week was supposed to be Catechetical Sunday in the
 parish, but I got sidelined. So it has been pushed back to this Sunday. So I’d like to put in a plug for teaching. Many people admit that it is a difficult time for children. They get so many messages out there. So much of our children’s time is spent with technology; television, phones and computers. Who or what is teaching our kids the important lessons of life. Believe it or not, children still learn from their parents. Parents are still the largest influence on their children. So on this catechetical weekend, here’s a salute to parents.
So have you had that talk with your kids yet? Fathers, have you had that talk with your sons? Moms, have you explained where life comes from to your daughters? Do they know about the birds and the bees and heard it from a reputable source? There is a lot of information out there and not all accurate. It is a subject that is difficult to talk about. How do you get started? Will it be embarassing to the kids? You would think that a discussion about a three letter word wouldn’t be so difficult. I still remember when my dad talked to me.
 Yes, I remember when my dad talked to me about “God”. What three letter word were you thinking of? Yes, it was my intention to trick you. In our society, we hear so much language about so many things including other three letter words. God language used to be part of our vocabulary and social gatherings and home life.
With children being so busy with their own social lives, where do they get to learn the real life lessons: that God is the source of all life? There is no substitute to the home. Religion classes and going to church are good complements to what is taught in the home. But speaking in religious language seems to be difficult to do. I was blessed to have parents that spoke about their faith and backed it up by going to church and practiced it in the home.
On this Catechetical Sunday, I challenge all families to claim their faith, to claim God. God has claimed us. Shouldn’t we do the same and do it for our families. If you aren’t praying in your homes at table or at bed time with your kids, make a start. God is everywhere. Shouldn’t He be in your home?
Sorry to have tricked you but wasn’t that easier to talk about than the other three letter word? Talk God this week.
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What’s the BEST part of Putnam County?
I talked to my travel agent this week to check on a return trip to New Zealand. It looks like there’s a spot for me in mid-January. I can’t wait to return. I’ll be away from Putnam County for ten days. Ten days goes
so fast so I want to do as many fun things as possible. The country has so much to offer like mountains, beaches, hiking and biking, wineries, cafes and cows. New Zealand is known for its natural beauty – I may not know where to start.
But I do know where to start, and that is with all the people I miss. As a parish priest of small parishes, you get to know people pretty quickly. I’m not going back just to see one of the world’s most beautiful countries. The warmth of the people is calling.
This weekend I’ll canoe with a group of high school seniors from our church. I had to check out the conditions of the river on Tuesday to make sure everything was good for the kids later in the week. On the trip down the mighty Blanchard River, we saw lots of birds (including a 
bald eagle), a raccoon and squirrels, fish jumping into our boat and just the calm of leaves falling from the trees above the river. We hope to offer the kids a day of beauty and calm away from texting and cell phones.
Putnam County has a lot to offer. Some refer to it as God’s Country.
Last weekend, people from all over came back to Kalida for Pioneer Days. It was a nice weekend, with tons of people coming back to Putnam County for all the best it has to offer. The parade route was filled, as was the downtown square. As I drove our church float, it was a nice feeling to see all the people joined on a glorious day.
People from New Zealand ask me what Putnam County offers. I could tell them about the eagle on The Blanchard, the rich heritage of the people and its beautiful churches and the flat, productive farmland, but I would rather tell them about what happens at Pioneer Days: people gathering for friendship.
During Pioneer Days, the offer of a hand of friendship was offered hundreds, maybe thousands of times. Many times the offer came with the offer of a beer – it seems the German thing to do. Ever since I was shot when I was eight years old, my stomach can’t do certain foods and beverages. I can’t do apple juice, Hawaiian punch, Sunkist Orange or beer . It is easy for me to say no to this offer of liquid hospitality and to be able to tell the difference between the offer of friendship and the offer of a beer.
It is not just a weak stomach that makes me say no to the beer, either. I do worry that sometimes our young people can’t distinguish between the offerings. Somehow beer, hospitality and friendship fused together in this community. With my stomach injury I said no to the one offer and yes to the other offer quite easily. But our young people and others who want to avoid alcohol may find it difficult becuase they don’t want to reject the offer of hospitality and friendship.
In New Zealand the offer of hospitality also included a drink: usually a hot beverage of tea, coffee, milo (hot chocolate) or hot water. In this German community the welcome comes out, “Want a beer?” Translation: “It’s good to see you, welcome to our home.”
This area offers so much. Just like New Zealand, the greatest gift is the gift of its people. The kindness, hospitality and friendship keep people coming back. When people from New Zealand ask what the area offers, I tell them to come and meet the people. They offer the best the world can give.
Living the Sweet Life
It’s Pioneer Days in Kalida and it will be a busy weekend. I’ll be working with the Bingo booth, Duck Races, flipping social burgers, calling square dances and most of all enjoying the food and atmosphere.
When I was young, church festivals and fairs were tough to attend because I did not have money for a lot of extras. That meant I had to be careful of how I spent my quarters, dimes and pennies(yes, I am old). I thought to myself of how neat it would be to run away with the circus, so to speak.
I’d be surrounded by cotton candy, taffy and parades all the time. I think I was secretly called to be a carnival person rather than a priest. As a young person I was looking for the sweet life, and that meant cotton candy. My mom always said that too much cotton candy would make my teeth fall out.
Either my mom was telling me stories, I didn’t eat enough to make my teeth fall out or there was a lesson my mom was trying to teach me. I’m banking on the latter. Life isn’t always a sweet carnival. There is real food that must be eaten sometime. Sweets are fine for short intervals but will I really grow without substance?
I believe this lesson goes not only for the body but for the whole person. To be a whole person there will be things on our plate that might not be the sweetest but may be
the best for us. Sacrifice and hard work are hard to swallow but may help us grow more than selfishness and laziness.
Mom always said our teeth would fall out if we had too many sweets. Mom made sure our teeth didn’t fall out due to proper eating habits at the table and in life. I am better for it and smile with my own teeth.
I believe we want a sweet life for our kids and for ourselves. Jesus came that we might have life and have it to the full. When I see the kids here I smile and want the best for them.
Today, I don’t think they have to run away to the circus to be filled with sweet things. The circus is here. As a nation and a community we have been blessed with many sweet things. The challenge for parents and our community is to help the kids keep their teeth and to smile because they have a full life.
And yes, I will have some cotton candy this weekend. I’ll also work the booths to keep our community strong.
In the spirit of Pioneer, what are you most looking forward to in this weekend’s festivities?
Mass-a comfort zone?
Hi to all you bloggers. After a week off, I’m ready to get back in the saddle. Last week, I kind of bucked and kicked a bit, but now I’m settled in again. After a tough week, sometimes it is nice to settle back into something comfortable and familiar, even on a spiritual nature.
For many people, the Sunday Mass is a comfort from life’s adventurous ride. The familiar prayers with familiar people praising a familiar God brings peace to the close of a hectic week, and begins the new week with the hope of promised blessings.
I love the Mass. Even though I get scared every time I have to preach,I enjoy the blessings of the Lord with great people. Even in a big church like St. Michael’s I see everyone and everything. I pray for families who have shared stories of life and death with me. I pray for parents with little ones who make it hard to pray. I pray with joy as I see newlyweds returning from honeymoons. Sometimes it is hard to pray because I’ve had a tough week, weekend or night, but the opportunity to celebrate Godly moments and God’s love with so many keeps me coming back.
In October, I will be talking about the Mass during the sermon time. I know that many people have questions about the Mass. If you could get those to me before I do my talks, I will try to answer some of them within the talks. It’s nice to be back in the saddle again.
2 Women in Toledo Choose Life
Jan Kahle received the following email last week from Ann Barrick, of the Pro Life Connection, about two girls who chose life after contemplating abortion (when approached at the Center for Choice, in Toledo, OH). Jan wanted as many people as possible to hear this story:
PRAISE GOD!! Two women chose life for their babies this evening!! I thought you might like to hear the stories… Enjoy!
A young couple passed by a sidewalk counselor as they went into the abortion center. The man took the information that the counselor offered but didn’t stop to talk, just looked at her strangely. Five minutes later, he walked out of the center right to her and stood there. She asked him if he wanted to talk. He said, “I just can’t stay inside that place! It’s so depressing!” The counselor talked to the man for awhile, and he 
kept trying to justify the abortion. Meanwhile, 3 teens, 1 pre-teen and a woman was praying on the sidewalk in front while another counselor was across the alley praying. God touched the man’s heart at some point in the conversation because he softened and eventually listened to the advice, “Go fight for your baby!” He said, “I’m going to go talk to her!”
Not much later, a girl and her mother came out and walked over to get rosaries from the counselor. They were there to schedule an abortion but told me that the plan had changed! The mother of the girl was in the room when the ultrasound was done, and when she saw on the screen her grandchild move, she said, “You’re not aborting my grandbaby!” Her daughter is 7 months along!! And that baby could be aborted!! Thanks be to God that the grandmother saw that ultrasound!!
As the girl was showing the ultrasound photo to the counselor, the young man mentioned earlier walked by so the counselor asked him to come look at the photo. After a few minutes of looking and talking, he told the counselor, “Go talk to her!” His girlfriend came over and talked to the counselor and told her that she wasn’t going to have an abortion. She said that her boyfriend had changed his mind after talking to the counselor and that helped her because she had seen “the children praying” and that made her not want to go through with it!!
PRAYER AND WITNESS!! The girl who’s mother saw the ultrasound—she was the recipient of prayers even if she never talked to anyone!! The same with the young woman—and the presence of those young people touched a chord. It is SO important that we never forget the power of prayer and witness!!
I also want to put a plug in for Heartbeat Pregnancy Center which is located across the alley from the Center for Choice. They, along with all pregnancy centers, are crucial in the pro-life movement. However, they particularly need our help since they ARE located near the abortion center! They need financial help to get an ultrasound machine and all the expenses that go along with it. Can you imagine if they had that and we could just walk someone over for an ultrasound?!? They also need more volunteers so they can be open longer hours, especially on Thursday evenings. Please let others know how important our local pregnancy centers are!!
Remember—40 Days for Life is coming and we need you prayer warriors! However, we are praying at the center year round. Visit the Stand & Pray page at ProLifeConnection.com for more information!
In Christ our Hope,
Ann
What Everyone Ought To Know About Heaven
Since none of us are getting out of this world alive, most of us have a huge fascination with the afterlife. It is comforting to know the details about where we will go and what we will do there. Despite the mystery we usually associate with it, we do have information that helps us to know what to expect; and we have someone who has been there and come back.
Jesus spent His earthly life sharing information about Heaven, namely God’s desire for us to be there and
specific directions about going. He told stories and gave details that help us visualize both Heaven and hell. Most importantly, His passion, death and resurrection make our journey to Heaven once again possible.
As the Book of Genesis tells us, we began our existence in Paradise, a lush and beautiful place, where our relationship with God was open and close. Through our own choice, we separated ourselves from God. Not His desire, but our choice to sin (and don’t blame this one on Adam or Eve, we have each chosen to do wrong in our own time). Fortunately, the story does not end there. God so loved us (even though we are the ones turning away from Him) that He sent His only Son to save us – making Paradise possible for us again.
So what will Heaven or hell be like? Well, Jesus shared the story of the poor, beggar Lazarus who died and was carried to Abraham in Heaven, so obviously we will enjoy the company of those who choose to follow the path to God. But when the rich man from the story died, Jesus said that he was in torment in the netherworld. Clearly, hell is a place of great sorrow, experiencing the absence of God. (Luke 16:19-31)
In another example, Jesus told his apostles that “In my Father’s house are many dwelling places” and that “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.” (John 14:2-3) This explanation obviously allows us to visualize a real dwelling, a place, a home. We will after all, like Jesus, rise from the dead – soul and body.
Jesus shared that the Kingdom of Heaven is like a wedding feast (Matthew 22). We are all invited to come to a wondrously, glorious event – who wouldn’t want to be part of that? But Jesus also said that it is better to pluck out an eye or cut off a hand rather than have it cause us to end up in hell. That picture is clearly foul and unpleasant. (Matthew 5:29-30)
As He was dying, Jesus promised the repentant thief “today you will be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43) The invitation is open to all who want to go home to Heaven. Our repentance and openness to forgiveness seem to be the needed key. The choice is ours and the options are unmistakable. As much as God wants us with Him, He places the decision in our hands.
Be sure to come back tomorrow to hear about Fr. Mark’s experience in Heaven.
–Jan
You’re wearing THAT to church?
What to wear, what to wear? Things sure were more simple years ago when we had three options: school clothes, work clothes and, what we in the Hoying family called, “Sunday, go to meeting clothes”, the best outfit in the closet.
What to wear in New Zealand was easier also as nearly every school had uniforms. From Monday through Friday the same outfit was worn. But now, it’s the weekend and what do you wear to church? There’s always something to do right after church, like a ballgame, a neighborhood gathering, a movie or other social events. And if you are like me, you hate to keep changing clothes. And it’s Summer. How much clothes do I have to wear to be considered dignified for church?
What to wear, what to wear? Even in workplaces, fashion has changed. Wearing of a tie and business suit is rare. What is the proper fashion for a church setting? When considering an outfit I always try to consider that going to church is a community gathering to give praise to God.
If my outfit distracts from the worship, I’m probably wearing the wrong clothes. If I were to wear a skirt to church in Fiji or Samoa it would not distract from worship. If I wore a skirt here, all the women would be jealous of my legs, and the prayer would be distracted (ha ha). Sometimes clothing or lack of clothing needs to be considered when determining what to wear to church. God will hear my prayers no matter what I wear, but if my outfit prevents others from praying, I’m probably not looking out for my neighbor as well as I should.
Top 5 Reasons to Attend Mass
It’s funny how our attendance at Mass has always been associated with the 10 Commandments, particularly to “Keep Holy the Lord’s Day,” when actually it is for our benefit not God’s. With that in mind, here are five motives to go to Church on Sunday:
- 1. To feed a spiritual life – We often hear “I can pray better at home or in the mountains or alone.” Prayer at anytime is wonderful and necessary, but prayer at Mass is unique. It is God’s children gathering to share a meal. One form is not ‘better’ than another but ‘as important’ as the other. We need both types of food to nourish us.
- 2. To draw on God’s support – Much like any meal, we are strengthened and renewed to continue our work when we have eaten. If we dine on a meal of foul language and rude behavior, much like junk food, it will have its effect. If we enjoy a meal of God’s Word and the Body & Blood of Christ, it also will have its effect. In the case of Sunday Mass, we are gathering the nourishment we need for eternal life.
- To develop community – Just like any family gathering, we need to come together to strengthen our bonds and ties to one another. Just consider how much closer you are to brothers, sisters, or parents whom you see more regularly, as opposed to cousins and grandparents that you might not.
- To strengthen one another – The whole reason for strengthening our bonds and ties through our gathering for Sunday Mass is to be able to support one another. How would I know you without gathering with you? And how can I reach out to you if I don’t know you? We are the physical presence of God in this world, so it’s important to be with one another to do His work.
- To worship God – When it comes right down to it, we are built for LOVE. We have an interior desire and pull toward God, who is Love. We often try to fill that desire with things or activities, but we always come away wanting more – that intangible something. St. Augustine said it best, “Our hearts are restless until they rest in You.”
Why should we go to Church on Sunday? For very selfish reasons, to bring about our own peace and joy. God knows that. He even made it a commandment for our sake.
What are your personal reasons for attending mass? Please share them in the comments below.
Kalida St. Michael's Blog 
