Year: 2010

By Sister Laura Goedken

Normally, a distribution from your IRA is taxed as ordinary income. However, if you are 70-1/2 or older, new federal tax legislation allows you — for the remainder of 2010 and throughout 2011 — to make a direct gift from your IRA to the Church through your parish, the Annual Appeal, the Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Davenport, a diocesan institution or other qualified charity without the distribution taxed as income to you.

The new law also provides that you may consider an IRA distribution made in January 2011 as made in 2010.

The IRA charitable rollover law may provide a very good charitable giving vehicle if you are age 70 ½ and take the standard deduction rather than itemize deductions on your tax return. The law may also reduce the tax impact on your Social Security benefits. Your IRA could be considered a special fund for distributions to the Church and charities without the normal consequences of reporting additional taxable income.

The distribution must be from your IRA, not a 401(k) or other retirement plan. However, consult with your financial or tax advisor about the possibility of transferring funds from one of these other plans to establish an IRA, with the distribution to charity coming from the newly established IRA.

The IRA distribution must be a direct charitable gift and not a distribution to a donor-advised fund, a charitable remainder trust or for a charitable gift annuity.

To take advantage of the IRA charitable rollover to support the Church, please review the following helpful tips on how to handle your charitable gift correctly: 

• Contact your IRA custodian or representative before making a gift to arrange for the proper transfer of funds from your IRA directly to the Church and other qualified charities. The check issued from the IRA must be made payable to the charity.

• If you have elected to have income tax withheld from your normal IRA distributions, advise your IRA administrator not to withhold taxes from distributions to charity.

 • While this topic is fresh on your mind, ask your attorney and financial advisor how to make the Church a beneficiary of your will or trust or IRA.

For more information about how you and the Church can benefit from an IRA charitable rollover, contact the parish office or the Diocese of Davenport’s Office of Development at (563) 888-4252.

These helpful tips are only for your information on this change in the IRA law and are not to be considered as legal, tax or financial advice. You should consult with your legal, tax and financial advisors to implement the benefits of the IRA charitable rollover law and related matters.

(Editor’s note: Father Edward Catich, a now-deceased priest of the Davenport Diocese, delivered this Christmas homily in 1966.)

When a child is born, parents are proud — they want all to know. They send out announcements — weight, height, eyes, hair, time of birth, etc. Even newspapers are happy to make announcements to those who have little interest.

When Christ was born God didn’t tell all. He sent only two announcements — one to shepherds watching in the fields, and the other to wisemen watching stars. It was almost a private affair. Of course Mary and Joseph knew, but they told no one — not even relatives. It is doubtful that the relatives knew that the Holy Family was in Bethlehem by the fact that they sought shelter in a hillside cave or stable.

There must have been others — besides shepherds and wisemen — who could have been told. What about the people who had been expecting the Messiah for centuries? Why were the shepherds and wisemen the only ones to hear the angels and to see the star? It is not difficult to understand. We make jokes about people not being able to see things under their nose. In the same manner, many people don’t want to see and hear the truth about it — not even in churches.

Only shepherds and wisemen hear it.

God chose two strangely different classes of people, these shepherds and wisemen, to send the announcement. And he did this for many reasons, the chief of which was to show that God’s coming was meant for all — to show that neither the world’s learning, nor possessions, nor high calling, nor power, nor fame — were needed to believe in God.

Let’s look at the shepherds for a moment — ignorant of political conditions, of history, learning, art and culture. Even their trade was the lowest of all, given over to the very young or the very old who were unable to do more complicated things. They were usually people who were either not strong enough, or had been weakened by old age — thus preventing them from doing a full day’s work in the field or farm. But they were the ones to whom the angels appeared on that night singing “Glory to God.” They didn’t question — they left their sheep and hurried to Bethlehem to worship God in a stable.

Look at the wisemen, who truly were wise. They were real scholars, searching for truth all their lives. They were so wise they dropped all when the star and its angel appeared to them, for they were able correctly to assess the true value of the star — the value of this life and eternity. They were able to see that God is the greatest possession of all; and they hastened to Bethlehem to adore the true God whom they had been searching for all their lives.

On the surface, shepherds and wisemen had nothing in common. They never met on the streets of Bethlehem; they came to the stable at different times, and chances are they did not even speak the same language. But, both came to the same place for the same reason — to adore God. There are many who never can find Bethlehem; never see God in a manger; they put things of this world ahead of things of the spirit.

There are even people now living who don’t want to hear the truth about Christmas. Perhaps some of these people are good souls who busy themselves with all the side dishes of Christmas so that they have little time left over for the main dish. They are either too proud to be shepherds, or too wise to be wisemen; too modern to listen to angels; too scientific to see the Christmas star. They won’t accept a God who smells of stable straw, whose parents are poor, and whose legal father is a lowly carpenter.

It is not necessary to be a lowly shepherd or a true wiseman to find God in Bethlehem. It is obvious that if you are at the top of a ladder of life or at the bottom you can have a real Christmas, too.

You only need to be small enough in humility to see the bigness of God in a manger.

God was born in a stable to save sinners like you and me. His manger is the first stop to the cross. He was born to die for us. Though God was rich, he became the poorest of men for our sakes, that through his poverty we might regain the riches which Adam lost for us in the Garden of Eden.

What does Christmas mean to you? Will you go to Bethlehem with the humility and faith of shepherds and wisemen; or as some others who, as you know, went there with a different purpose in mind — to kill Christ. Herod didn’t like the good news he heard. It was bad news to him; and the more he thought of it the more he wanted to be rid of this king. Innocents. Of course Herod is a case of extreme unbelief; but there are people who get rid of Christ just as effectively as if they had killed him, for they refuse to accept him as God. We must all go to Bethlehem, either as shepherds, wisemen or Herod.

He who is not with me is against me.

“Going to the chapel and we’re gonna get married…” The song by the Dixie Cups echoed in the hallway outside the chapel at Notre Dame High School on May 28, 2005. Inside Mary Jo Deuscher (class of ‘69) was being united in marriage to Mike Miller.

“Notre Dame had been a big part of my life, so it seemed only appropriate that I move on to this new chapter by celebrating this sacrament there,” Mary Jo recalls. She had been teaching there since 1974.

The beautiful chapel was built in 1956. Students have gathered there for silent reflection. Sports teams have gathered there for team Masses and send-offs. Faculty members have experienced solace and peace in its pews. It proved to be a vital part of the religion program at the high school for many years.

However, the use took its toll, and the chapel got a little run-down as the years passed. In 2002, friends and families of Notre Dame came through with a “chapel campaign.”

With Judy Schroeder at the helm, renovation began. The ceiling was changed to a vaulted ceiling, and the gray cinder-block walls were painted. New lights were installed. The altar and the pews were refurbished as well. Cushions were even made for the wooden pews. The chapel was beautiful once again.

Today students still use the chapel often. Classes gather to pray the rosary, reflect on the Stations of the Cross or have prayer services. Seniors in Nita Carlson’s religion class are responsible for their own prayer service once a month. With a partner, students decide on a theme, choose songs, select readings and write prayers. Tyler Waggener says, “It’s a reverent place where we show respect for God and pray.”

Rachel Hackenmiller agrees. “It’s a nice change of environment where our prayers seem more valuable.”

The chapel will continue to play an important role in Catholic education at Notre Dame. Paulina Coursey sums it up by saying, “The chapel completes the religious atmosphere at school!”

By Anne Marie Amacher

DAVENPORT — Christmas traditions came alive for students at John F. Kennedy Catholic School on Dec. 15. Kindergarten through eighth-grade classes had selected various countries to study, and then researched the customs and traditions and put together a presentation. Throughout the day, students toured the school to learn about traditions in Christmas Around the World.

Principal Chad Steimle encouraged students to learn from the experience and asked teachers to consider incorporating information gained from the daylong event into language/literature, social studies or religion classes.

Kindergarteners chose Mexico for study and presented the history of the poinsettia, sang “Feliz Navidad” in Spanish, had displays of authentic Mexican attire, food and clothing. The importance of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe was also introduced.

First-graders took students to Sweden. They displayed the Advent calendar and explained the tradition of St. Lucia, the patron saint of light, whose feast day is celebrated Dec. 13. Students learned Christmas trees often are decorated with paper mache apples, Swedish flags and baskets with candy. On the feast of the Epiphany the three wise men walk through the villages.

Second-graders displayed materials about the Philippines. A talk about the Philippines was made in front of a map showing the country’s location. The “Parol,” a star-shaped Christmas lantern, figured prominently in the presentation. The lanterns students made hung throughout the classroom. They are traditionally made of paper and bamboo and represent the Nativity star.

Third-graders took students to Germany. The traditions of tinsel and candles were explained, students sang “O’Tannenbaum” (“O’Christmas Tree”) and “Silent Night.” They also displayed gingerbread houses they made early in the morning.

Fourth-graders presented information about Ireland. They explained the religious meaning of the “Twelve Days of Christmas” song and told how the shamrock is used to explain the Holy Trinity. The group concluded with an Irish blessing and said “Merry Christmas” in Gaelic.

Fifth-graders presented Christmas in the Colonies. They displayed homemade decorations such as strings of popcorn and cranberries. They talked about and displayed candles on a Christmas tree and explained the use of pine/fir and other greenery available in December.

Sixth-graders focused on Brazil. They told of Papai Noel, the Brazilian version of Santa Claus who lives in Greenland and wears silk because of the heat when he visits Brazil. Dried fruits such as apricots, pineapples and bananas – staples for Christmas dinner — were served.

Seventh-graders made their presentation on Russia. Students talked about the Russian ballet, attire, Father Frost — Russians’  Santa — and the various parts of the 12 dishes served at Christmas. They had Russian tea and desserts on display.

Eighth-graders celebrated Christmas in France. They explained that the tradition of the Nativity is important to those in France. Students also had a display with various Christmas carols that were originally composed in French that have since been translated to English and other languages.

By Martha Popson

Earlier this week, I could not fall asleep. I have insomnia maybe twice a year and resist it mightily each time, resulting in only more prolonged sleeplessness. 

I moved from bed to front room; the clock kept watch with me, moving on to midnight, 1 a.m., 2 a.m., 3 a.m. Sparky wandered in to see who was up.  That good and faithful canine companion and I tried all sorts of soporific tricks. He fell asleep quickly.  Alas, none worked for me.

I did relaxation exercises, listened to music, even tried a few minutes of “The Christmas Story.” (Praise be to iPods, appreciated anew that dark night.  Further praise for my ear phones, enabling my husband Johnny to sleep on, oblivious to my plight.) The minutes, the hours slipped by, yet the arms of Morpheus did not beckon.

At last, in desperation, I remembered God. Once I let God into the quiet, sleep soon followed. Both dog and I sunk into a long winter’s nap, extending into midmorning.

Today, of my own volition, I got up at 4 a.m. The wee hours before dawn are my favorite part of the day.  Sparky and I have been sitting here in the recliner for a couple of hours now. I’ve had my tea and Sparky, sated with doggy treats, has drifted off again. This time we welcomed the presence of God, best found in the stillness. Good moments of contemplative union were shared. We have started the day.

God, I’m so glad we had this time together.  Amen.

By Kaitlyn O’Leary

iPods, UGGs and video games are at the top of many teens’ Christmas lists this year, but have parents been choosing what to buy their teens based on trends that will go out of style? Or a gift that has a long lasting effect on their teens’ faith and lives? A great gift to give your Catholic teen this Christmas is the opportunity to experience a weekend retreat.

The Diocese of Davenport offers a variety of retreats that high school Catholics can attend. Quest is a weekend retreat for freshmen and sophomores in high school that helps them to focus on loving themselves, loving others and loving God. It is a great opportunity to get away from their crazy lives, meet new teens in the diocese, talk about important issues and, most importantly, have a great time. The Quest retreats for youths in grades nine and 10 will be held Jan. 8-9 at Our Lady of Lourdes in Bettendorf and March 26-27 at St. Mary’s in Grinnell.

COR (Christ in Others Retreat) is for sophomores, juniors and seniors in high school. COR is a weekend full of personal reflection about relationships with family and other people in our lives. It is a faith-filled experience of fun and friendship. COR retreats will be held Jan. 21-23 at Our Lady of Victory in Davenport, March 11-13 at St. Joseph in DeWitt and March 25-27 at Holy Trinity Parish in Keota.

TEC (Teens Encounter Christ) is a weekend-long retreat in the summer that is offered to juniors and seniors in high school. This is an intense, faith-filled weekend that teens have a great time participating in. TEC this year will be held Feb. 19-21 at Assumption High School in Davenport.

When you are deciding whether to buy your teen a $50 pair of jeans or a video game, consider buying him/her a retreat instead. It is a long-lasting gift and a great way for your teen to express his or her faith in a fun way. If you have any further questions, log on to www.davenportyouth.org or contact your youth minister.

(O’Leary is a member of the Diocesan Youth Ministry Committee, or DYMC, and a member of St. Joseph Parish in DeWitt).

By Allan Ross

I recommend that columnist Tony Magliano turn out the lights when the last Christian flees Bethlehem. 

After all, Mr. Magliano (and he is not alone) is in deep denial about the major reasons behind the flight of Christians from Bethlehem and the economic challenges for those who remain. If the real problems cannot be identified, then they cannot be solved. And if they cannot be solved, then there will be no Christians left in Bethlehem within our lifetime.

In his column published Dec. 16 in the print edition of The Catholic Messenger, Mr. Magliano lays total blame for Bethlehem’s troubles on the Israelis, faulting the security barrier and the building of settlements and for causing stress and misery from the occupation. That’s the safe and easy answer – it’s all the fault of the Jews. 

But nowhere does Mr. Magliano mention where the real blame lies, which is living in dhimmi status under the corrupt, bigoted and inept Palestinian Authority. This is not such a safe or easy answer, and if mentioned at all, only in a fearful whisper.

Since the late Yasser Arafat and the Palestinian Authority regained administrative control of the Palestinian territories after the signing of the Oslo Accords in 1993, Christians in Bethlehem have suffered from the accelerating confiscation of their land, shakedowns by gangs, fire bombings of Christians stores, desecration of churches and Christian cemeteries, murders, beatings, death threats, sexual assaults, kidnapping and abuse of Christian women, forced marriages and employment discrimination. No wonder they are emigrating in large numbers. 

A prime example occurred in 2002 when heavily armed Palestinian terrorists fleeing Israeli soldiers commandeered the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, holding priests, monks and nuns hostage for 39 days, stealing church valuables, desecrating the building and using Bibles for toilet paper. Yet in the end, Israel was blamed for causing this. It reminds me of the abused spouse who refuses to fault the abuser. 

There is no doubt that the Israeli security barrier and check points have caused economic hardships for the Palestinians; they certainly have. But they have also prevented countless Israeli deaths and injuries from Palestinian suicide bombers and snipers targeting Israeli women and children. I pick economic hardship over dead and maimed Israelis every time.

Despite all the terrorism, wars and destruction thrust on Israel by the Palestinians and their Arab brethren, most Israelis — as well as most Americans — are already  committed to a two-state solution — a homeland for the Jewish people and a homeland for the Palestinian people.  However, it is the Palestinians, the Arab world and their anti-Israel allies that refuse to accept a Jewish homeland, and thus are to blame for keeping peace and justice so elusive. 

But I do agree with you Mr. Magliano; there are signs of goodness and hope. According to the Israeli Tourism Ministry, over 1.4 million tourists have visited Bethlehem this year — a record number.  And 90,000 Christian tourists and pilgrims are expected in Israel over the two-week Christmas period — with most of them going to Bethlehem where all the hotel rooms are booked solid. 

Extra efforts are being made to ensure their safe and quick passage from Israel to Bethlehem, and free shuttle transport for pilgrims is available to and from Bethlehem.  In addition, four more hotels are under construction to accommodate more tourists in the future. Even Samir Hazboun of the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce has said, “We believe that the economic situation in comparison to previous years is more stable and is improving.”  Good news all! 

I truly hope and pray that the Christian lights in Bethlehem shine brightly for years and years. But until Christian leaders are brave enough to confront the “real” problems and the “real” perpetrators, the “real” problems will never be resolved.  And until that happens, those Christian lights will continue to get dimmer every day.

(Allan Ross is executive director of the Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities. He can be reached at across@jfqc.org.)