Year: 2011

By Barb Arland-Fye

“Mom, is it true that Jesus Christ was born on Dec. 25? Some people say that’s not correct,” said my 24-year-old son Colin, who has autism.

He’d visited a planetarium and said he was told Jesus was born on Jan. 6. “But that’s not correct,” Colin insists. Dates mark safe passages in his life; to think that the birth of Christ may not have occurred on Dec. 25 seems unsettling.

“It doesn’t fit into his scheme of things,” my husband Steve said.

So what to tell Colin? Coincidentally, I have been assigned as part of my graduate studies to prepare a day of reflection on the Christmas season. The actual day of reflection won’t happen until next Christmas, but the assignment is due long before then.

Christ’s birth date isn’t mentioned in the Gospels, as theologian Adolf Adam points out in his book “The Liturgical Year.”

The origin of the feast day “is still quite obscure,” he noted. One hypothesis suggests the celebration may have been adapted from a pagan festival honoring the Unconquered Sun-God. Roman emperor Aurelian apparently hoped the feast, established in 274, would unite his empire.

According to this same hypothesis, the Church of Rome in 336 established the feast of Christ’s birth on Dec. 25 “to immunize Christians against the attraction of this pagan feast,” Adam says.

Another hypothesis has to do with calculating Christ’s birth. If John the Baptist was born at the summer solstice and Christ was conceived six months after John, Christ would have been born on the winter solstice, Dec. 25,  Adam says. Such a coincidence between the pagan and Christian feast days could have been seen as  the work of divine providence because Christians believe that only Christ could give light and salvation to the world.

Adam notes that during this same  era Christians were struggling with the Arian heresy (which held that Jesus was not fully divine, but was a creature somewhere between God and man).

“… [A] feast of Christ’s birth would give a suitable liturgical expression to the profession of faith drawn up at Nicea, the Council which condemned the Arian heresy in 325,” Adam said.

While the origin of the feast date is debatable, the Roman Catholic Church has been celebrating the birth of Christ on Dec. 25 for nearly 1,700 years. But I didn’t have this detailed information in front of me while my son waited for my response.

“It’s possible Jesus may have been born on another day, but what really matters is that we celebrate his birthday,” I told Colin. He seemed somewhat reassured, but the sliver of doubt means we’ll be discussing this issue for a long time to come.

The fact that Christmas matters to him brings me great joy. Before his younger brother, Patrick, was born 17 years ago, Colin seemed to fade into his own little world at Christmastime. Perhaps the stimulation of gift-giving, gathering with family, changes in routine and everything else that accompanies the holiday overwhelmed him.  At age 7, on medication for the first time, Colin went through the Christmas season with a blank stare.

But just as the incarnation of Christ brought hope and continues to bring hope to the world, the birth of our second son the month before Christmas 1994 brought hope and joy to our family. Through the eyes of his baby brother, Colin discovered the wonder of the season and has never let go.

By Msgr. Francis Henricksen

On arrival for the funeral celebration of Father William Dawson last Friday, we were confronted with the news of Father Theodore Borger’s death.  Fr. Ted was only 56 years old.

For one so young, his travel through life was broad and filled with the experiences of a priest much older.  It all began in the southwest corner of our diocese, his family finally settling in Ottumwa.  It was there he was received as a candidate for the priesthood for the Diocese of Davenport.  This was after his try at religious life with an Ohio group of Franciscan Brothers and his being received into the Catholic Church.

From St. Ambrose University to St. Paul Seminary, he was ordained in 1983.   Of his 28 years as a priest, his first four years were in pastoral ministry to parishioners of southeastern Iowa. His career change then was one of taking on the travels provided by the U.S. Navy Chaplain Corp.

From Camp Pendleton in California to Operation Desert Shield/Storm of the first Gulf War and back to San Diego filled in the space of 1987 to 1991.  His time in San Diego also gave him the experience of parish work again, receiving the faculties of Eastern Rites of the Catholic Church as well.

A single car accident in 1995 left him a paraplegic  and confined to a wheel- chair and added to the permanently disabled list of the Navy in 1997.  In 2006, his travel through life brought him to Verona, Wis., where he volunteered for pastoral ministry for surrounding parishes. His death was sudden, unexpected, but we pray not unprepared.

There is no way one can count the number of lives he touched in service to his God and country. We can only feel the loss of more by his early death. The commendations and promotions given him by the Navy are testimony of a successful career, but only the welcome of “well done good and faithful servant” by his Divine Master is the award that matters.

Obituary for Fr. Borger

Father Theodore Borger, 56, a retired Navy chaplain, died Dec. 16 at Veterans Hospital in Milwaukee.

A native of Ottumwa, he entered the Brothers of the Poor of St. Francis in Fayetteville, Ohio, and attended Chatfield College for Religious at Brown County Ursuline in St. Martin’s, Ohio. He left the friary in 1976, moved back to Ottumwa and entered studies for the Diocese of Davenport. He graduated from St. Ambrose College in Davenport and completed theological studies at St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, Minn.

He was ordained to the priesthood June 18, 1983, by Bishop Gerald O’Keefe at St. Patrick Church in Ottumwa. Fr. Borger served as an associate pastor at All Saints in Keokuk from 1983-85, and administrator of St. Mary in Nichols, St. Joseph in Columbus Junction and St. Malachy in Arden from 1985-87.

Fr. Borger was commissioned a lieutenant (junior grade) in the chaplain corps of the U.S. Naval Reserve in Iowa City in 1985 and assigned as chaplain for the 4th Medical Battalion at the Naval Reserve Center on the Rock Island Arsenal, Ill. He was promoted to lieutenant.

He was called to active duty in 1986 and assigned to the Naval Support Facility and Marine Barracks in  the British Indian Ocean Territories. From 1987-91 he served at Camp Pendleton, Calif., and was deployed during the first Gulf War.

Fr. Borger served at three parishes in San Diego and held faculties in the Carpatho-Ruthenian Rite and the Ukrainian Rite of the Eastern rites of the Catholic Church.

In April 1991 he was assigned as chaplain to the Support Battalion Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, and promoted to lieutenant commander. He also served as assistant regimental chaplain and deputy depot chaplain. In April 1994 he was assigned as senior Catholic chaplain and division officer at the Naval Station 32nd Street, San Diego.

Fr. Borger was involved in a car accident Sept. 10, 1995, and paralyzed from the waist down by complications associated with his injuries. He was honorably discharged by the Navy. In 1997 he began serving as Catholic chaplain for the Naval Amphibious Base, Coronado, Calif., until 2006. He also served as chaplain at a home for orphan girls in Mexico.

In 2006 he moved to Verona, Wis., serving in various parishes including St. Victor in Monroe.

Fr. Borger’s funeral was to be held Dec. 22 at St. Victor Church in Monroe, Wis. Burial is set for Dec. 23 at Shrine Memorial Cemetery in Ottumwa.

Memorials can be made to St. Victor School, 1416 20th Avenue, Monroe, WI 53566.

By Msgr. Francis Henricksen

A gentle soul, loved by all, with a goal of universal justice and peace, Father William Francis Dawson was called to another award ceremony last week.

All previous kudos were richly deserved, but none like the welcome award of citizenship in the kingdom of heaven. At 84, he gave 57 years of active ministry to the Church as priest in pastoral service and as a communicator of truth.

He became a legend in his own time, so that death cannot subtract one thing from the legacy he bequeathed to all who knew him. A cheerful smile and a joyful laugh were the parentheses to a depth of knowledge and a lived experience of justice and peace. The only anger that may ever have surfaced in his life would have to have happened on the golf course.

Like many who grew up in the years of the Great Depression, his life was limited by only possessing what was real in life and not distracted by material stuff. He lost his mother at an early age so that she was lost to his memory. Raised mostly by his older sisters — Mabel and Sister Beatrice, CHM, he never lost sight of what was of value and worthy of the effort to accomplish a goal.

However, he was human and considered his religious sister as “mean” at times. (Said with love, as most of us have accused our teachers of that trait.) Sr. Beatrice always claimed she had to take the summer off and spend it at Notre Dame, as he would never have gotten his doctorate if she didn’t go and type his dissertation for him.

Of course there will always be stories of how the title “Digger” was confirmed. In the course of nature, graves had to be dug and Fr. Bill shared some of that experience with his brother-in-law. It was an earned title. It will always be a title of endearment for those who have come to know and love him.

He will always be a part of the history of St. Ambrose University. That is summed up in the McMullen Award, so recently granted him: “in recognition of his embodiment of the University’s mission.” Those who for years have attended his celebration of the Eucharist and were moved by his preaching at St. Anthony Parish in Davenport will find something missing.

Each one of us — brother priests, students and former students, fellow faculty members, friends and family — will appreciate the touch of love of Fr. “Digger” Dawson that has made a difference in our lives. “Digger” has died, but the stories will go on.

So may his walk through life — his marches for peace in opposition to war and against all injustices, his love for life — continue to challenge us to struggle for that day when: “Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss.”  (Psalm 85:10)

Obituary for Fr. Dawson

Father William “Digger” Dawson, a retired professor and priest in the Diocese of Davenport, died Dec. 13 at Clarissa Cook Hospice House in Bettendorf. He was 84.

Born in Ottumwa, he attended Garfield and St. Mary and Catholic Central schools, all in Ottumwa.

Fr. Dawson attended an Army program at Wyoming University before enrolling and graduating from St. Ambrose College in Davenport. He completed his theology studies at St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, Minn.

On June 5, 1954, he was ordained by Bishop Ralph Hayes at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Davenport. Fr. Dawson’s first assignment was as an assistant at St. Patrick Parish in Iowa City from 1954-56. From 1956-61, he taught at St. Ambrose Academy which later become Assumption High School in Davenport.

Fr. Dawson served on faculty teaching philosophy at St. Ambrose College/University from 1961 until his retirement in 2005. He received his Ph.D. in 1968 from the University of Notre Dame. While at St. Ambrose, Fr. Dawson also served as student chaplain from 1968-74. During his years at St. Ambrose he earned Professor of the Year in 1968, 1970, 1988 and 1991.

In 1981 he began serving at St. Anthony Parish in Davenport.

In 1997 the Rev. William Dawson Social Justice Award was established in recognition of his commitment to social and economic justice and the promotion and advancement of human rights.

In 2006 St. Ambrose awarded him the Social Justice Award and in 2011 the McMullen award in recognition of his embodiment of the university’s mission.

In retirement Fr. Dawson stayed active within the SAU community and continued his ministry at St. Anthony Parish.

Fr. Dawson’s funeral was held Dec. 16 at Christ the King Chapel on the St. Ambrose University campus. Burial followed at Priest Circle in Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Davenport.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Peace and Justice Center at St. Ambrose University.

Raising Student Voice and Participation (RSVP) is a program designed to help high school students learn leadership skills while expressing opinions about and effecting change in their school.

Assumption started utilizing RSVP during the 2010-11 school year as another means to obtain student input while teaching organizational and problem solving skills to students.

Students are offered the opportunity to be a part of the RSVP team. The team goes into each classroom for a summit where students discuss things that are going well at Assumption, as well as things they would like to see changed. This information is collected by the RSVP team, and four or five changes are chosen to be addressed during the school year through presentations to the president, principal and school board. So far, students’ efforts have resulted in hallway clocks, longer passing time in between classes, and a more diverse lunch menu.

In half-day preschool, the students discussed the meaning behind a hypothesis. The class created balloon rockets and made a hypothesis on what would make the rocket go the farthest distance. Students then tested the hypothesis while observing what happened.

During an open house on Sept. 20, the families came in and made their own balloon rockets. The families were able to use different shapes and sizes of balloons and add different items to change the weight of the balloons. The families then tried to get their rocket clear across the room! It was a wonderful activity that the parents and kids really got involved in!

LITURGY/PRAYER

Clinton —  On each of the Sundays of Advent at 6 p.m. in the chapel of The Canticle, the Sisters of St. Francis will welcome people to Advent vespers — evening prayer. Vespers include Scripture readings of the Advent season, song, reflection and praying together. For more information, call (563) 242-7611.

Coralville – St. Thomas More Parish’s Stephen Ministry invites people  who are grieving or dealing with a family crisis to a Blue Christmas service on Thursday, Dec. 22 at 6 p.m.  The prayer service will offer a time to reflect on Scripture readings and solemn songs of hope and comfort. The church is located at 3000 12th Ave.  For more information, please call Meliza at (319) 210-9233.

Davenport – A healing Mass will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Cathedral Friday, Dec. 16. Confessions begin at 6 p.m., praise music at 6:30 p.m. and Mass at 7:15 p.m. All are welcome.

Iowa City — People meet to pray the rosary and receive Communion at 1 p.m. Wednesdays at Melrose Meadows Retirement Community. All Catholics are welcome.

Melrose — The Knights of Columbus of Albia sponsor a 24-hour adoration the first Friday of the month at St. Patrick Church in Melrose. Mass begins at 8 a.m., followed by 24 hours of adoration, and closes with benediction at 9:15 a.m. on Saturday. For more information or to sign up for an hour, call Tony Humeston at (641) 932-7709.

Oskaloosa – A healing Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary Church Friday, Dec. 30 at 7 p.m. There will be confessions before Mass and books in English and Spanish on prayer, healing, deliverance and exorcism. There will be a class the following morning on healing prayer.

MEETINGS

Bettendorf – A centering prayer support group meets at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month from 6:30-7:30 p.m. After centering prayer, participants will discuss the book “Taste of Silence.” For more information call Judy at (563) 355-0611.

Davenport — Discover the heritage of the Catholic Church with Father Robert Barron, the creator and host of “CATHOLICISM,” a 10-part documentary that explores the global culture of the Catholic Church. The journey covers the lands of the Bible, Europe, North America, Latin America, Africa and more. People may view this documentary at St. Paul the Apostle Parish beginning on Tuesday, Jan. 10 at 9:30 a.m. in Denning Hall. To register or get more information, contact John Muenster at (563) 343-1355 or jm1776@mchsi.com.  

RETREATS

Davenport – Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church and the Diocese of Davenport invite people to the Marriage Encounter Weekend Feb. 17-19, 2012. Married couples of all faiths are welcome to a weekend designed to revitalize, strengthen and enrich marriages. Cost is $95 per couple; financial assistance is available. To sign up and get more information, contact Tracy or Joe Ripslinger at (563) 388-0355 or tracy@ripslinger.com.           

SOCIALS

Davenport — St. Ambrose University will hold its 2011 Winter Commencement ceremony at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at the River Center, 136 E. Third St., Davenport. A total of 239 degree candidates includes 153 bachelor’s degree candidates, 57 master’s degree candidates and 29 doctoral degree candidates. Seating is open with no tickets required. Anyone needing special accommodations should call (563) 333-6275. St. Ambrose Professor of Social Work Brenda DuBois will deliver the commencement add-ress.

Davenport – The Sacred Heart Cathedral Choir Ensemble will be presenting a free Advent Concert in the cathedral on Sunday, Dec. 18, at 2 p.m. The concert will include solo, duet and trio performances, as well as choral pieces for Advent and Christmas. A reception will follow.  For more information, call (563) 940-3053.

Toronto —  St. James Parish will sponsor a community breakfast at the Toronto Fire Station from 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Dec. 18. Cost is $8 for adults, $4 for children 12 and younger and free for preschoolers.

By Celine Klosterman

Today, his blessings more than make up for those times. He said that thanks to God, he’s found new income, and most importantly, the 63-year-old is reaping the spiritual benefits of joining the Catholic Church.

Now a member of Sacred Heart Parish in Newton, McKinney wasn’t a religious man during the 30 years he spent working for Maytag. He’d worked his way up to a senior engineering position before losing his job in 2004, three years before the appliance company’s Newton plant closed.

“I lost prestige, income and friends. My house wasn’t paid for. I thought, ‘What am I going to do now?’”

He hadn’t been raised in a churchgoing family, but believed in God. So he turned to prayer. “I prayed as hard as I’d ever prayed — for help in the future, for peace.”

Then, McKinney’s fortune started to change. In addition to receiving pension payments, within a year he accepted two opportunities to serve as a Maytag consultant. “I believe that the Holy Spirit allowed me to see these blessings for what they were” — gifts from God, he said.

Wanting to thank the Lord, he considered joining his wife and two sons in the Catholic Church. He’d long felt a void in his life, but hadn’t pursued membership in a church community for various reasons. Among them: “I didn’t feel a sense of belonging because I had no faith background. I would be walking in as an outsider.”

But because of the blessings McKinney believed came from God, “I felt obligated to join regardless of personal insecurities.”

So he told his wife, Mary, he wanted to become Catholic. “I was really excited; I couldn’t believe it,” she said. “I had prayed for this for years.”

In 2008, he received the sacraments of baptism, Eucharist and confirmation. “Now, I feel a peace I never had before,” he said. He marvels daily at God’s creation, takes Communion to homebound Catholics and enjoys participating in a small study group at his parish. “I have met many new friends at Sacred Heart.”

Small-group participants immediately liked McKinney, said facilitator Greta Koppin. “He just added so much. He asked questions, gave his opinion and was very willing to learn about the Church.” As parishioners prepared for the new Roman Missal, he sent fellow group members the revised translation of the Nicene Creed with the changes clearly marked, she noted.

Mary said his questions about the faith make her think. His participation in the Church has gotten her more involved at Sacred Heart, she added. “It’s really nice.”

McKinney believes his blessings continue. Though the veteran has battled Ischemic heart disease following exposure to the herbicide Agent Orange in Vietnam, he has begun receiving compensation through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

And he looks forward to continuing to enjoy the gift of his family, including sons Mike (Gloria) and Troy (MaryBeth) and grandchildren Landon and Adelyn. Most importantly, he now feels prepared for the afterlife as he embraces his new faith. “I’m cramming for finals,” he joked.

He voiced thanks for the Sacred Heart Parish leaders and volunteers who have guided him on his journey of faith, including Director of Faith Formation Tammy Norcross, former pastor Father Ernie Braida, Koppin, current pastor Father Bill Reynolds and Deacon Dan Goetz.

“I am set for life,” McKinney said.