Year: 2010

By Tony Humeston

Christmas day in 1942 was cheerless. The casualty reports grew longer daily. The German general, Rommel, was racing across Africa; the Japanese tide in the Pacific seemed irresistible. 

Kids got wooden sleds for Christmas. One of my great-aunts had made orange-peel candy that even I couldn’t eat. Four of my uncles were in uniform, three of them in combat zones. My uncle Dan and my father were exempt: both had contracted tuberculosis from unpasteurized milk when they were boys.

We went to Mass Christmas morning and Father Heinen spoke of the terrible war and the bravery of our Pope Pius XII. He told us the pontiff’s Christmas Eve message had been a scathing denunciation of the Nazi treatment of the Jews, and that the pope had delivered this message while being in Rome surrounded by Nazis and Fascists.

After Mass, we filed out of the old St. Mary’s Church in Albia and stood in family clusters as Catholics always do, the December snow drifting down. An Italian parishioner had written the Holy Father a year before and got a perfunctory reply from a staff secretary, I suppose. She walked from group to group, the much-creased letter held high and said: “I gotta da letter from a da pope! We’re a gonna win now!”

The parishioners hid smiles behind gloves and scarves and nodded politely. Somehow, I knew at age seven that things were going to turn out all right.

The New York Times editorial for Christmas Day 1942 gave us further reason to smile. The editorial began: “No Christmas season reaches a larger congregation than the message Pope Pius XII addresses to the war-torn world at this season. This Christmas, more than ever, he is a lonely voice crying out in the silence of a continent …”

The Times praised Pius XII for taking a clear stand in condemning “as heresy the new form of national state which subordinates everything to itself” and for declaring that “whoever wants peace must protect against ‘arbitrary attacks’ the ‘juridical safety of individuals:’”

The pope’s Christmas message, the Times said, “assailed violent occupation of territory, the exile and persecution of human beings for no reason other than race or political opinion” and called for people to “fight for a just and decent peace, a ‘total peace.’”  The Times viewed the pope’s stance as an impartial judgment, like “a verdict in a high court of justice.”

The editorial said Pope Pius “expresses as passionately as any leader on our side of the war aims of the struggle for freedom when he says that those who aim at building a new world must fight for free choice of government and religious order.”

After the war Pope Pius XII was hailed as the inspired moral prophet of victory and enjoyed near-universal acclaim for aiding European Jews. Numerous Jewish leaders including Albert Einstein, Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir, and Moshe Sharett praised him as a “righteous gentile.”  Israeli historian Pinchas Lopide concluded that Pius XII saved at least 700,000 Jews, but probably 860,000 Jews from certain death at the “Nazi hands.”

Some say that Pope Pius XII did not do enough to save the Jews from the Holocaust, but as I reflect on his Christmas message of 1942, I believe this pope took a courageous, public stand on behalf of freedom and justice for all. It’s a message of hope that bears repeating in a troubled world today.

(Humeston is a member of St. Mary Parish in Albia.)

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).

Once again this fall, Notre Dame students experienced education beyond the classroom. For a third year in a row, a group journeyed to New York during the first week in November to see the sights and sounds of the big city — and learn something about history and culture while doing so.

Thanks to the organizational efforts of “tour guide” Mark Mayfield, the 28 young people were able to see almost everything there is to see in “The Big Apple” in just three days. The experience was intense, inspirational, invigorating and definitely “a wonderful opportunity for our Notre Dame students,” according to Principal Ron Glasgow.    

The tradition began in fall 2008, when Mayfield offered to organize and chaperone an educational trip for the seniors. At the time, Mayfield’s son Craig was a senior at Notre Dame. A world traveler himself, Mayfield created an itinerary that provided a view of the major points of interest in the New York area in a short amount of time.      

However, since the trip meant that the students would miss three days of school, Mayfield decided to hold them accountable for the educational part of the tour. He assigned various landmarks and locations about which students had to give a speech, and he recorded the presentations on-site. 

Part of the tour was focused on immigration. “We all have ancestors of foreign descent, mostly European,” Mayfield said. The story of their coming to America was enhanced with a visit to Ellis Island as well as a tour of the Statue of Liberty. 

Other highlights included the visits to the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, the United Nations headquarters, Times Square, The New York Stock Exchange, Columbia University, Central Park, Grand Central Terminal, Chinatown, Ground Zero, and much more. Students also saw two Broadway musicals and visited with 2002 Notre Dame graduate Sajni Patel, who lives and works in the city.

The students returned from the journey with understanding of their heritage and an appreciation of our nation’s history.  Mayfield stated, “They saw a broader spectrum of society than would be possible in Burlington, from the homeless to foreign-language-speaking immigrants to a place where people are gone but not forgotten —the World Trade Center site.”

Along with Mayfield, Notre Dame teachers Nita Carlson, Mary Jo Miller and Ryan Rump served as chaperones.

Next year there will be a break in the trip tradition. That’s because the Notre Dame choir is planning to go to Rome, just as the singers did in spring 2007. So that the juniors could still take part in the New York experience, they joined the seniors on the journey east this year.

No doubt Mayfield will continue to plan future trips for Notre Dame classes. “Mark Mayfield is a master at providing an educational experience at a very reasonable price,” Glasgow said. “We are very grateful to him for doing so.”

Funeral services and Mass of Christian Burial for Robert Charles Olson, MD, 83, a resident of Davenport (formerly Negaunee, Mich.; Milwaukee, Wis; Green Bay, Wis; and Menominee, Mich.) were held Dec. 21, 2010, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church,1506 Brown Street, Bettendorf, Iowa.

Dr. Olson passed away Saturday, Dec. 18, 2010, surrounded by his family at his residence in Davenport.

He was born on Dec. 7, 1927 in Crosby, Minn., the son of the late Frederick and Florence (Guimond) Olson. He was united in marriage to Patricia Regan on Dec. 26, 1951 in Negaunee, Michigan. She preceded him in death on May 8, 2009. They had been blessed with over 57 years of marriage.

Robert was a World War II veteran, having served in the U.S. Navy. Following his medical training at Marquette University (Milwaukee, Wis.) he entered into general practice in Menominee, Mich.; where he also served as president of the Chamber of Commerce. He later returned to Marquette University to specialize in Radiology. He relocated to Davenport where he was a partner in the Radiology Group, and had been an active member of the Scott County Medical Society.

Dr. Bob’s passions included teaching/mentoring University of Iowa Family Practice Residents resulting in lifelong friendships with many physicians, including his honorary children, Francis Kane, MD and his wife, Stacy, (Bettendorf, Iowa) and Steven Weise, MD (Albert Lea, Minn.). He was also enthusiastic about schooling the “kids” in racquetball and played daily at the Downtown Y for many years.

Travel with his beloved wife Patricia was chronicled in many of his own photographs. He often traveled to Canada to conduct genealogical research that culminated in his book entitled “The Saga of Louis Guimont.”

Robert was an active member of the former St. Joseph Parish and Holy Trinity Mission School (now known as Marquette Academy). He was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish. He also was a member of Marquette University’s President’s Club and a Zeit Fellow for the Medical College of Wisconsin

He is survived by his children Margaret “Peg” (Kate Petrie) Olson of Dedham, ME, Jane Olson of East Lansing, MI, and Stephen (Bev) Olson of Franklin, WI; grandchildren John Fitzgibbon III, Marianne (Corey) McGee, Jamie Piskura, Brian, Elizabeth, and Patricia Thornton; and four great-grandchildren; sister Nancy (Robert) Smith of McFarland, WI; brother Frederick (Sharon) Olson of Minneapolis, MN.

In addition to his wife Patricia (Regan); an infant son Patrick, and a daughter Mary (Olson) Thornton, 1991, and a brother, Craig Olson, also preceded him in death.

The family would like to extend sincere thanks to Heartland Hospice (Velvet, Lynn, Missy, Cindy and others), Guardian Family Services (Mae and Bobbie) and Bickford Cottage Staff (Travis, Rodney, Bianca, Barb and Niki) for their kindness, love and care.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made in his honor to Heartland Hospice. 

Online remembrances and condolences may be expressed by visiting Robert’s obituary at www.hmdfuneralhome.com.

 

Sister Mary Gabriel Wolf, 102, died Saturday, December 18, 2010, at Bishop Drumm Retirement Center, Johnston, Iowa.

Visitation at the Humility of Mary Center, Magnificat Chapel in Davenport, IA, will be on Wednesday, December 22, 4–7 p.m. with Rosary at 4:00 p.m. and Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass is set for 11 a.m. on Thursday, December 23, at the Humility of Mary Center. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Davenport.

Anna Wolf, (Sister Mary Gabriel) was born on February 4, 1908, in Vibank, Canada to Martin Wolf and Karolina Gartel Wolf.  The family later homesteaded near Fort Benton, Montana. On June 10, 1926, she entered the Congregation of the Humility of Mary in Great Falls, Montana, and professed vows in 1928. She studied at various Montana schools receiving a BA in Elementary Education from Great Falls College.  For 45 years Sister Gabriel taught at Catholic elementary schools in Great Falls, Lewistown, Sidney and Red Lodge, Montana.  She was a nurse’s aide and ward clerk at Los Banos Hospital in California.  Sister Gabriel volunteered for almost 20 years in the foster grandparent program at Roosevelt, Emerson and Morningside Schools in Great Falls.

Sister Gabriel was preceded in death by her parents and ten siblings.  She is survived by her sister, Rose Rowe, Fort Benton, MT, nieces and nephews and sisters and associates of her religious community.

Memorials may be made to the Sisters of Humility of Mary.  Online remembrances and condolences may be expressed by visiting Sister’s obituary at www.hmdfuneralhome.com.

Memorial services to celebrate the life of Jeffrey J. “Duke” Hayek, 53, a resident of Rock Island, will be Wednesday, December 22, 2010 at Halligan McCabe DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport.

His family will greet friends on Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home with a service to follow at 6:00 p.m. Honoring his wishes, cremation rites were accorded. Inurnment will take place privately at a later date. Jeff died Saturday, December 18, 2010 in Trinity Medical Center, Rock Island. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to his family.

Jeffery Joseph Hayek was born September 26, 1957 in Davenport, a son of James F. and Shirley (Huggins) Hayek. He was united in marriage to Connie Olson on August 21, 1999 at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Davenport.

Duke was a standout athlete at Davenport Central as a State Champion in the shot-put. He continued athletics at Mankato State University where he played football and later graduated. Prior to retiring for health reasons, Jeff had taught and coached in the Davenport School System and taught at Rock Island High School. His efforts to make learning science more enjoyable as the Putnam’s “Dr. Discovery” won him national recognition. Duke was also involved in coordinating outdoor activities for the YMCA’s former Summer Safari Program. He was an avid outdoorsman, who enjoyed fishing and deer hunting; but his greatest joy in life came from spending time with his family and friends, especially his wife, Connie.   

He is survived by his beloved wife Connie and his father, James F. Hayek, Latrobe, PA, his siblings and their spouses, two sisters, Joelyn and Bill Aukerman, Greensburg, PA; and Joany and Jeff Curtis of Westminster, MA; one brother, James and Eunice Hayek, Davenport; his mother and father-in-law, Dale and Betsy Olson, Woodstock, IL; his sister-in-law, Robyn and Steve Laufenberg, Belvidere, IL; and a brother-in-law, Dale Olson, Jr., Woodstock, IL; as well as numerous loving nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother and a sister, Julie Hayek.

Online remembrances and condolences may be expressed by visiting Jeff’s obituary at www.hmdfuneralhome.com.

 

Ruth Joan Schaffer, 92, a resident of Palmer Hills, Bettendorf and a former resident of Craig, Colorado, died Thursday, Dec. 16, 2010 at Genesis Medical Center East Rusholme, Davenport.

Ruth has lived in Bettendorf since 2004, moving here to be near her daughter and son-in-law, Joan and Joel Funk. 

Funeral services and a Mass of Christian Burial for Ruth will be 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 23, 2010 at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 4097 – 18th St., Bettendorf. Entombment will be Mt. Lindo Memorial Park Mausoleum, Morrison, Colo. The family will greet friends Thursday at the church from 9:30-10:45 a.m.

The Halligan McCabe DeVries Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Ruth Joan Steinbrecher was born March 5, 1918 in Chicago, a daughter of William F. and Gertrude Veronica (Mantz) Steinbrecher. She was united in marriage to Lester E. Schaffer on April 28, 1938 at St. Ambrose Cathedral, in Des Moines, Iowa.

Ruth was employed by Lakewood Printing in Lakewood, Colorado for 28 years, retiring in 1986. She was a member of the Professional Business Women’s Association, and Soroptimist Women’s Volunteer Organization.

Memorials can be made to St. John Vianney Church.

Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Joan and Joel Funk, Bettendorf; a son and daughter-in-law, David and Barbara Schaffer, Santa Rosa, California; six grandchildren, Rebecca (Casey) Johnson, Robert (Mary) Funk, Elizabeth (Jason) Smith, Erik Young, Todd Young, and Eric Loyd, and 10 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a daughter, Catherine Loyd, and a brother, William F. Steinbrecher, Jr. May they rest in peace. 

Online remembrances and condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting Ruth’s obituary at www.hmdfuneralhome.com.