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Spiritual retreat leads Father Francisco Godínez to make some major life choices The following story appeared in the February 11 Idaho Catholic Register. By Vero Gutierrez Staff Writer FRUITLAND – In the first hours after arriving at a retreat to which a friend had invited him, Francisco Godínez thought to himself, “Someone get me out of here!” Although he says he initially wanted to run from the retreat as the hours progressed, he realized that something was transforming inside him. Francisco was about 17 at the time and, he said, would never have even thought of being a priest. His goal 25 years ago was to be an accounting auditor. Midway through his accounting studies, one of his female classmates who was attracted to him invited him to the retreat. His family was astonished to learn that he had agreed to participate in the spiritual retreat because when he went to Mass it was only to please his mother. Religion was not on his list of priorities. As the retreat began, he was deter-mined not to participate, not to go to confession nor to Eucharist because he had been away from the sacraments for a long time. “It’s funny because it wasn’t even the end of the first day of the retreat, and I already wanted to run away from that place,” said Father Godínez. “However, I had an unhealthy motivation that helped me stay there.” That motivation, he said, was the delicious food and spontaneous fun with friends. However, he recalls being impressed by the powerful prayer to bless the food. “I had never done anything like this before in my family,” he said, “but I found so much meaning in giving thanks to God because He has given us food to feed us. That definitely ap-pealed to me. It was the first time I felt like giving thanks to God.” He also recalled experiencing a real conversion during a Mass on this retreat, which was called, “Journey of the Christian Life.” “When I received Communion, it was the first time that I experienced what it means to be at peace with God,” he said “They asked us to write a letter, which I still keep. I didn’t know it at the time, but that letter marked a change in me that would last the rest of my life.” Reading the Bible, sometime after the retreat, Father Godínez came across Matthew 10:37: “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me.” “I was trying to discern what was happening, because that biblical passage was disturbing,” said Father Godínez because he knew he might have to make a choice of his faith or his family. “I spoke with a friend who told me, ‘Maybe God is calling you to something else.’ ” No longer able to concentrate on his classes at the university, he decided to do a discernment retreat at Morelia Seminary in his native Mexico. He found that he was happy at the seminary. His life had indeed changed. He was no longer criticizing priests but was instead defending them. After a few setbacks at the seminary in Morelia, a friend invited him to join him in the United States. Father Godínez first came to Idaho in September 2002. Before he could resume his seminary studies, he studied English full-time with classes in the morning at Boise State University and personal tutoring in the afternoon. Having already completed his Philosophy studies at Conception Seminary in Mexico, he completed his Theology courses at Mount Angel Seminary in Oregon. Diocese of Boise Bishop Michael Driscoll allowed him to be ordained a deacon by Bishop Carlos Suárez Cáza-rez, in his hometown of La Piedad, Michoacán. He was ordained a priest a year later, on June 10, 2010, by Bishop Driscoll at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. Since his ordination, Father Godínez, many times affectionally referred to as “Father Pako,” has served at St. Pius X in Coeur d’Alene, St. Nicholas in Rupert and currently at Corpus Christi in Fruitland. At St. Pius X in Coeur d’Alene, he worked to unite the Anglo and Latino communities by starting the Virgin of Guadalupe festivities and the international food festival so that parishioners could enjoy the cultural richness of different countries. At St. Nicholas in Rupert, he helped create new groups and ministries such as the Daughters of the Sacred Heart, Nocturnal Adoration, and the Guadalupanas, a group dedicated to caring for the sick. While at St. Nicholas, he left for two years to study Canon Law at St. Paul University in Ottawa, Canada. His degree in canon law has been helpful in processing annulment cases for the Latino community in the Diocese of Boise, especially those who are not fluent in reading or writing English. “Before issuing a verdict as a judge, I ask the Holy Spirit for His intervention so that He is the one who makes the final decision (in an annulment case),” Father Godínez said. “I trust that under His inspiration, His will and not mine will be done.” Father Godínez stressed that in his vocation he has learned to work in humility and that God can do great things if we allow Him to do so. If you enjoyed this story and would like to read more like it, please consider buying a subscription to the Idaho Catholic Register. Your $20 yearly subscription also supports the work of the Diocese of Boise Communications Department, which includes not only the newspaper, but this website, social media posts and videos. You can subscribe here , or through your parish, or send a check to 1501 S. Federal Way, Boise, ID, 83705: or call 208-350-7554 to leave a credit card payment. Thank you, and God bless you.

The following story appeared in the January 27 Idaho Catholic Register. By Emily Woodham Staff Writer Saint Hyacintha (in Italian, “Giacinta”) Marescotti (some spell this, “Mariscotti”) is among the Counter-Reformation saints, despite the fact that she was not a theologian or an academic. She was born 22 years after the final session of the Council of Trent, which implemented the reforms for the Church’s response to the heresies and challenges of the Protestant Reformation. The devotion to Eucharistic Adoration made popular by St. Philip Neri and St. Francis de Sales became a hallmark of her ministry. Pope Benedict XVI said her encouragement of Eucharistic Adoration “gave life to institutions and projects for prisoners and social outcasts.” She was born to a noble family on March 6, 1585 and baptized Clarice at a castle at Vignanello, Italy, near the city of Viterbo. She was the second of three daughters and the most free-spirited. Although she seemed to have a love for Jesus and the Church when she was a young child, as she grew older, she became more and more self-indulgent. Her parents sent her and her sisters to a convent for their education. Clarice muddled through the convent training, obeying the rules outwardly, but her longing was go to go back to life at court. It was recorded that when she was 17 her life was miraculously spared in an accident. Despite this providential intervention, Clarice preferred to live life with nominal faith. How-ever, her older sister decided to become a nun. When she was 20, she became infatuated with a handsome young nobleman. He had great wealth and influence; whoever married him would be guaranteed an opulent life. However, he did not want to marry Clarice. Instead, he fell in love with Clarice’s younger sister. When her younger sister married the nobleman, Clarice was furious. She became petulant, moody, demanding and impossible to live with. Her parents decided to place her in a Franciscan convent, but as a Third Order layperson, not a Religious Sister. Clarice escaped back to her home, begging to stay. Seeing that she had no change of heart, her father took her back. However, he gave her a generous allowance and showered her with gifts to encourage her to stay at the convent. For at least 10 years, Clarice (who, at her tertiary vows took the name “Hyacintha,” most likely after St. Hyacinth of Poland) lived as a noble-woman among the religious. Her quarters were two large rooms, comfortably furnished and suitable for entertaining guests. Without seeking permission, she visited friends. A servant brought her food to supplement the strict Franciscan diet so that she would not be hungry and could enjoy the delicacies made for nobility. Her only acts of obedience were to pray and eat with the community when she was at the convent. When her Confessor, taking Communion to her on a day that she was mildly ill, saw the luxurious state of her quarters and all the food she kept stored, he told her she needed to repent and that her disobedient presence at the convent was helping only the devil. Clarice agreed to repent, but grudgingly. Not keeping to her word to obey the Franciscan Rule, Sister Hyacintha soon became gravely ill. During her suffering, she had a true conversion of heart. She begged St. Catherine of Siena to help her be holy. After a thorough Confession, she professed her sins to the other Sisters. After that, Sister Hyacintha committed herself to living a holy life of service. Her love of Jesus in the Eucharist fueled her passion to love others and help the sick, the incarcerated, the poor and the outcasts. Through her encouragement, devotion to Eucharistic Adoration spread, especially in the practice of “40 Hours Devotion,” which is perpetual Adoration for 40 hours, usually celebrated before the start of Ash Wednesday, but can be celebrated at any time as a part of spiritual revival. During a plague outbreak, she courageously tended to the sick. She also created charitable groups (“confraternities”) for laity. Members of these groups were officially called, “Oblates of Mary,” but the townsfolk called them “Sacconi,” for the large sacks they used to collect funds and items for prisoners and the poor. She died at 54, on Jan. 30, 1640. Locally, she was known as a saint, but she was not canonized until 1807. At her canonization, it was said that more souls were converted by her than many of the popular preachers of her time. She has no official patronage. If you enjoyed this story and would like to read more like it, please consider buying a subscription to the Idaho Catholic Register. Your $20 yearly subscription also supports the work of the Diocese of Boise Communications Department, which includes not only the newspaper, but this website, social media posts and videos. You can subscribe here , or through your parish, or send a check to 1501 S. Federal Way, Boise, ID, 83705: or call 208-350-7554 to leave a credit card payment. Thank you, and God bless you.

The following story appeared in the January 13 Idaho Catholic Register. By Emily Woodham Staff Writer Although St. Timothy never wrote anything that we know of and was not known for any theological insights, his example of humble and loving leadership has been an inspiration since the first century. In Philippians 2:20-22, St. Paul said of Timothy, “For I have no one comparable to him for genuine interest in whatever concerns you. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know his worth, how as a child with a father he served along with me in the cause of the gospel.” Despite this honor given to St. Timothy, his life’s story is known only through piecing together scripture and tradition. It is believed Timothy (whose name means “honoring God”) was born around 17 A.D. His mother, Eunice, was Jewish. His father (whose name we don’t know) was Greek. It is not known whether his father died early in his life or abandoned the family. Despite not being circumcised according to Jewish law, Timothy was raised in the Jewish scriptures (most likely the Greek Septuagint), and Paul mentions that his mother and grandmother, Lois, shared their faith with him. Traditionally, Paul met Timothy and his family during his first missionary journey to Lystra (now a part of Turkey) in about the year 48. Because Paul called Timothy his “child in the faith” and his “beloved child,” some scholars agree with the tradition that Timothy, with his mother and grandmother, converted during Paul’s first visit. However, Acts does not mention Timothy joining in Paul’s ministry until Paul’s second visit to Lystra, three years later (Acts 16:1-3). Before Timothy accompanied Paul in his missionary work, Paul insisted that Timothy be circumcised. Although Paul condemned circumcision as being unnecessary to the Christian faith in several of his epistles, he did not object to circumcision for Jews. Paul had Timothy circumcised, not as a requirement for salvation but to help Jewish audiences be more open to Timothy’s testimony since he was well-known for having a Jewish mother. Timothy worked with Paul for 17 years. He is mentioned as a co-sender of six of Paul’s epistles: 2 Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians and Philemon. Timothy accompanied Paul frequently including to Ephesus, Macedonia, Corinth, and Asia Minor. He also worked with Silas at Beroea and Thessalonica. He was sent by Paul on pastoral visits to the Corinthians, Philippians and Thessalonians. Timothy was with Paul at Jerusalem, but after Paul’s imprisonment, he went to Ephesus. At Paul’s request (2 Tim. 4:21), Timothy visited Paul in Rome, while he was in prison. We don’t know when Timothy was ordained “by the laying on of hands” by Paul (1 Tim. 4:14, 2 Tim. 1:6). However, scholars interpret the epistles of Paul to convey that Timothy had great compassion and concern for those under his pastoral care. Timothy was ordained the first Bishop of Ephesus, most likely before Paul’s death in 65 A.D., since the letters to Timothy are addressed to him while he was in Ephesus. (Although there is scholarly debate about the authorship of the epistles to Timothy, some scholars side with tradition that Paul is their original author due to the letters’ personal nature.) Timothy himself was imprisoned and released, though it is uncertain when or where (Hebrews 13:23). Traditionally, it is believed that he was shy by nature, which is why Paul told the Corinthians to be sure Timothy was “put at ease” (1 Cor. 16:10). He also needed the exhortation from Paul, “Let no one have contempt for your youth” (1Tim. 4:12). Timothy had stomach problems and was frequently ill, for which Paul recommended drinking some wine (1 Tim. 5:23). Despite being intro-verted and suffering from poor health, Timothy persevered in his call to missionary work and ministry. In 97 A.D., he was martyred when he tried to stop a pagan celebration of the goddess Diana. In the fourth century, his relics were transferred to Constantinople (now Istanbul). St. Timothy is the patron saint of those with stomach ailments. If you enjoyed this story and would like to read more like it, please consider buying a subscription to the Idaho Catholic Register. Your $20 yearly subscription also supports the work of the Diocese of Boise Communications Department, which includes not only the newspaper, but this website, social media posts and videos. You can subscribe here , or through your parish, or send a check to 1501 S. Federal Way, Boise, ID, 83705: or call 208-350-7554 to leave a credit card payment. Thank you, and God bless you.

The following story appeared in the December 3 Idaho Catholic Register. By Emily Woodham Staff Writer We live in the most secular time in history. In his new book, Light from Light: A Theological Reflection on the Nicene Creed (Word on Fire Academic, 2021), Bishop Robert Barron writes that Western Civilization stands out in history with its blatant denial of the existence of God. Until the Enlightenment, it was assumed in every culture that man was accountable to some sort of deity or spiritual law other than himself. There are numerous reasons for this disbelief, but Bishop Barron said that the legacy of the Enlightenment has presented three problems with evangelization in recent years: the culture of self-invention, the continuing influence of the New Atheism, and the “dumbing down” over the last 50 years of catechesis in the Catholic Church. How can Catholics evangelize a culture that has abandoned objective truth? In his book, Bishop Barron equips Catholics to evangelize by explaining the key beliefs of the faith stated in the Nicene Creed. The more we understand why we believe the Gospel as handed down through the holy and apostolic Catholic Church, the better we are able to share our Good News with others. His book only touches on the history of the Creed in order to give context to some of its language and form. The Council of Nicaea was called in 325 A.D., mainly to debate the heresy of Arianism, which denied the full divinity of Christ. The followers of Arius lost the debate, and the truth that Jesus Christ is fully God was upheld. Along with the Incarnation, the Creed declares the tenets of the Christian faith, as defined and clarified from the Scriptures and the Church Fathers. “Catholicism is a smart religion, and I make no apologies for it,” Bishop Barron said in his preface, and his book supports this claim. Light from Light is 224 pages and is divided into six chapters: “I Believe,” “The Father,” “The Son,” “The Holy Spirit,” The Church,” and “The World to Come.” Bishop Barron helps the reader examine the statements of the Creed in detail. He is focused on the theological aspects, which involve philosophical and metaphysical explanations. However, he refrains from being laborious. There is continuity and movement in his writing that keeps the reader from getting stuck. The longest chapter is “The Son,” and it is divided into several subheadings. This is also the most thought-provoking chapters of the book, which is not to say that the other chapters are light reading. I appreciated his explanation of the Incarnation in this chapter, and all the different facets of Christian belief tied to it. I did not expect him to expound on the role of Satan and demonic activity in this chapter, but it was a surprisingly fitting and enlightening look at the war that rages against being in right relationship with God and one another. In his chapters on the Holy Spirit and the Church, I appreciated his applications of the faith being lived out through social justice and different personalities and charisms. Our faith is not merely belief or an intellectual exercise, there is a practical component that must not be ignored. He also brings out that our faith is not meant to be rigid, but it is dynamic. I decided to review this book in time for Advent, hoping the book would provide encouragement to a weary Church that has been assailed from within and without. I was not disappointed. Bishop Barron is an honest man, who does not shy away from difficulty, and he presents clear theological arguments for the existence of God, the Trinity, humanity’s need for Jesus and salvation, and our need for unity and one another in the Church. He also addresses the inconsistency that occurs between the holy mission of the Church and the reality of the fallibility of Christians, including their leaders. If a reader does not have a lot of background in theology or philosophy, I recommend trying to find a group or a mentor with whom to read the book. Word on Fire Catholic Ministries has released a video series on the Nicene Creed, called “Creed,” which can be used along with the book to provide further insight. A study of this book would be especially beneficial for Catholic college students. Bishop Barron understands the conundrums Catholics face in academic settings. He cuts through the arguments against faith and provides an undergirding to Catholic belief, without being rigid. One of my favorite points made was on the value of true ecumenism – acknowledging the truth in other beliefs without negating orthodoxy. Light from Light, to borrow from St. Paul’s language, is not milk for infants. It is a hearty, juicy steak presented at the Great Intellectual Table, where ideas have been presented through the ages, across cultures. Many Catholics think they don’t belong at that table, but Bishop Barron’s book makes it accessible. Although the content requires intellectual work, it is not so lofty or full of technical language that it is un-approachable. If Catholics don’t show up and partake, then who will be the Church’s voice in the Great Discussion? Referring to theologian Karl Barth, Barron said, “Every generation has to tell the story again, as though for the first time.” The only way we can tell the story to our generation is if we know the story well and by heart. If you enjoyed this story and would like to read more like it, please consider buying a subscription to the Idaho Catholic Register. Your $20 yearly subscription also supports the work of the Diocese of Boise Communications Department, which includes not only the newspaper, but this website, social media posts and videos. You can subscribe here , or through your parish, or send a check to 1501 S. Federal Way, Boise, ID, 83705: or call 208-350-7554 to leave a credit card payment. Thank you, and God bless you.

The following story appeared in the December 3 Idaho Catholic Register. In front Father Ángel Alfredo Castro and Roberto Amieva, manager from Salt and Light Radio Spanish with people who attended the seminar. (ICR photo/Vero Gutiérrez) By Vero Gutierrez Staff Writer CALDWELL – Using both science and faith, Idaho Catholics from throughout the state gathered at Our Lady of the Valley in Caldwell to gain a better understanding about the development of the whole person, and the proper roles of men, women, families and children in a culture that seems to have lost its way in understanding fundamental truths. The day-long seminar, “Learn to Love,” was presented to about 200 Hispanic Catholics by Father Ángel Alfredo Castro of the Missionary Servants of the Word. Father Ángel is also serves as the parish vicar at Holy Redeemer in Odessa, Texas. The event was sponsored by Salt & Light Radio. Learn to Love is an educational, Latin American science project that began more than 23 years ago with the cooperation of more than 80 scientists. It has been presented in many countries including Ecuador, Argentina, Costa Rica, Uruguay, Brazil, Mexico and the United States. The project was originally designed as a school subject for pre-school to high school students, but the richness of its content led to it being expanded to include catechism groups, formation of priests, and for families in parish settings. Father Ángel said the course material helps people understand the entire person: physically, sociologically and emotionally. With the help of the Missionary Servants of the Word now based in Idaho, he hopes that the course content will spread through the state and eventually be translated into English to share with English-speaking communities. Father Ángel, who has received more than 60 hours of study with the project, in the Missionary Servants of the Word seminary where he is an instructor. “Because it is based on science, the course content is universally applicable. Regardless of the cultural traits of each country, the results are the same.” The content of the program is gradual, progressing from biological and anatomical truths, the science of sexual differences, and then advancing to ethics and philosophy. Participants are taught how to relate within society, denying the modern philosophy of absolute freedom and the importance of respecting norms and rules. In countries like Costa Rica and Guatemala where “Learn to Love” began 23 years ago at the preschool level, the result has been more young people committed to helping spread the project’s message, some of them consecrated to religious life or dedicated to social work. The issue of sexual abuse in minors is addressed. Professional educators have collaborated with the project, giving safety tools to children so that they can be equipped to report sexual abuse. In Mexico, the results of the course have been gratifying, Father Ángel said. In schools where the course is taught officials have reported a decline in teen pregnancy and drug and alcohol use. “The wonder of the project is that it is designed for children 3 years and older,” Father Ángel said. “The course is adapted for adolescents, parents and mothers, but paying special attention to men.” Father Ángel said it is vitally important to rescue the male from the ideologies of the 1960s and 70s that left the male very damaged due to a disconnection from their masculinity, causing them to grow up with fears and acting irresponsibly, which is contrary to authentic masculine nature. The result has been that husbands and fathers who for generation were the supported their families and educated and set boundaries for their children, have instead become “more fragile and shy” and more promiscuous. In Latin American countries, traditional roles of masculinity have been attacked by feminists who express resentment toward men. “Unfortunately, fewer and fewer men offer security,” to their families, Father Ángel said. “They are more and more vulnerable. Biolologically they may be 30 or 40 years old, but they often have the perceptions of a 6- or 8-year-old child.” The Learn to Love project works to rescue the values of authentic masculinity and femininity, Father Ángel said. The seminar is divided into four subject areas. In the first section, participants learn that each one is unique and unrepeatable creation of God and has dignity that cannot be taken from them. In later sessions, participants are taught basic truths that have to do with the family life, such as the principles of reconciliation toward parents. Participants are taught that fathers and mothers are essential to the family structure. “It seems an absurd question, but there are those who deny the importance of the presence of the father in the family,” Father Ángel said. He said that even adults can have unresolved situations with their parents, but emphasizes also the importance of not unfairly judging parents and the role forgiveness can play in healing. Youth are provided the tools necessary to assist them in making a life plan, developing lasting relationships, and persevering in the projects they choose. “This generation tries but often does not succeed,” Father Ángel said. “The drama of those born in the last four decades is that they were blessed intellectually but are lacking in will.” For this reason, the project focuses on working on the importance of developing virtues. “There is no age limit to learning virtue,” Father Ángel said. “Virtue is something that can be learned and developed at any stage of our life.” If you enjoyed this story and would like to read more like it, please consider buying a subscription to the Idaho Catholic Register. Your $20 yearly subscription also supports the work of the Diocese of Boise Communications Department, which includes not only the newspaper, but this website, social media posts and videos. You can subscribe here , or through your parish, or send a check to 1501 S. Federal Way, Boise, ID, 83705: or call 208-350-7554 to leave a credit card payment. Thank you, and God bless you.

The following story appeared in the December 3 Idaho Catholic Register. By Emily Woodham Staff Writer At the end of summer of 1591, Father Edmund Gennings and his friend, Father Ploydore Plasden, secretly returned to England in the shroud of night. The English citizens had been in France, where they could study and be ordained to the Catholic priesthood in safety. To be a Catholic priest in England during the reign of Elizabeth I (1558-1603) was an act of treason, punishable by a death of torture and humiliation. But Father Edmund and Father Polydore refused to ignore their call to bring the sacraments and comfort to the persecuted Catholics of England. Their clandestine arrival was only the beginning of a series of events that would ultimately lead to their martyrdom for the Church and its sacraments. Father Edmund Gennings was born in 1566 in Lichfield, England. Most likely, his family converted to Anglicanism during the bloody reign of Henry VIII (1509-1547), who, in the 1530s, defied the pope and the Catholic Church by naming himself, and any heir to the throne, head of the Church of England. During Henry’s reign, Lichfield suffered great losses due to the dissolution of monasteries, convents and shrines. Many Catholics converted to Protestantism to save their families from starvation, imprisonment and death. Edmund was a serious student, who did well at school. Because he was so intelligent, when he was 16, he was sent to be a page for Sir Richard Sherwood. The Sherwood family received heavy fines for their Catholicism, and members of the family were in and out of jail on false charges. Despite the persecutions, they frequently had secret Masses in their home and hid priests from soldiers. Edmund was impressed by the Sherwood family’s integrity and faith. He would spend hours with Sir Richard discussing the scriptures and Church Fathers. He was secretly received into the Church in the summer of 1583. Soon after, he went to France to study for the priesthood. A year after his ordination, Father Edmund Gennings returned to England to begin his ministry with a friend, Father Polydore Plasden, a native of London. Edmund went to Lichfield to see his fam-ily, in hopes of evangelizing them. He found that all his family had died, except for his youngest brother, John, who was living in London. When Edmund finally found John and told him that he was a Catholic priest, John was disappointed and afraid. Edmund was able to calm his brother before they parted, promising that he would return to London in about a month so that they could talk more. Edmund rejoined Polydore on his way back to London. The two decided to go to the house of a schoolmaster, Swithun Wells, to rest for the night and have Mass before parting ways again. (Swithun was beloved among Catholics for hiding priests and hosting secret Masses.) It was at the end of the Octave of All Saints (no longer celebrated on the Church calendar). Swithun had to leave on business in the morning, but his wife stayed and welcomed at least six more guests to the Mass. They used a room on the second floor, hoping to avoid detection from the outside. But just as the prayers for the Consecration began, a huge crash was heard below as soldiers burst through the front door. John Mason, a layman, rushed to the room’s door to stop the intruders. (Once Consecration begins at Mass, it is required to proceed to the end, so that the Blessed Sacrament will not be desecrated.) When he opened the door, Mason saw the infamous Richard Topcliffe, the “priest hunter” for the Queen. Mason leaped at Topcliffe, and the two tumbled down the stairs, severely injuring Topcliffe’s head. Topcliffe regained his footing and rallied his soldiers behind him. Before he could reach the room, Father Polydore called out to them. They would peacefully surrender, he said, if Topcliffe would let them finish Mass. Perhaps because he was so injured, Topcliffe agreed. Once the Mass was finished, the Catholics allowed the soldiers to take them away. When Swithun returned from business, he went to the prison to demand that they release his wife. They refused to let her free and sentenced him to hanging. For nearly a month, the captured Catholics endured terrible conditions in prison, severe torture and trials without justice. Father Polydore and three other men were sent to an official execution site. On December 10, 1591, Father Edmund and Swithun Wells were taken to gallows that were built in front of Swithun’s house, as a warning to any Catholic sympathizers. Father Edmund quoted the last words of St. Andrew the Apostle, as he was taken to the gallows and the noose was put around his neck. Topcliffe was enraged by Edmund’s prayer. He demanded that Edmund repent and recant his Catholic faith. Instead, Father Edmund professed all the more his joy in being a Catholic priest and in choosing to obey God rather than man. This infuriated Topcliffe. Before Edmund could finish praying the Our Father, he made the hangman kick the ladder beneath Edmund’s feet. Then in seconds, Topcliffe cut the rope with his sword, so that Edmund would be fully conscious as he was disemboweled and his heart was ripped from his chest. In agony, Edmund’s last words were, “St. Gregory, pray for me.” On hearing Edmund’s prayer, his executioner called him an “egregious Papist.” When his brother, John, first heard of Edmund’s death, John was relieved that his brother could not persuade him to become Catholic. However, 10 days later he had a change of heart, repented and converted. He became a Franciscan priest, helping to restore the Franciscan Order in England. He wrote Edmund’s biography in 1614. St. Edmund Gennings is among the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. Several of those who attended his last Mass are also saints and blesseds. He has no official patronage. His feast day is December 10. If you enjoyed this story and would like to read more like it, please consider buying a subscription to the Idaho Catholic Register. Your $20 yearly subscription also supports the work of the Diocese of Boise Communications Department, which includes not only the newspaper, but this website, social media posts and videos. You can subscribe here , or through your parish, or send a check to 1501 S. Federal Way, Boise, ID, 83705: or call 208-350-7554 to leave a credit card payment. Thank you, and God bless you.

The Coming Home Network The Coming Home Network was established to help non-Catholic Christians, clergy and laity, discover the truth and beauty of Catholicism and to make the journey home to full communion with the Catholic Church. Learn more at CHNetwork.org . Even during his time away from the Catholic Church, as a restaurant owner, Deacon Lou Aaron knew that the practice of eating in community and showing hospitality through food were important parts of the human experience. When he finally returned to his faith, Deacon Lou was able to see more clearly the role of food in the ministry of Jesus, culminating in the Last Supper when He gave His apostles His own Body and Blood in the Holy Eucharist. Watch Deacon Lou's video. The following story appeared in the November 5 Idaho Catholic Register. Deacon Lou Aaron featured on EWTN Deacon Lou Aaron, administrator at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish in Boise, is the featured guest on EWTN’s “Journey Home,” program on Monday, Nov. 22, at 6 p.m. MST. The episode will re-air at 11 p.m. later that same night and again at noon on Thursday, Nov. 25 (Thanksgiving Day). The episode, titled, “A Recovery from Alcoholism and a Return to the Sacraments,” is a story of Deacon Aaron’s reversion to the Church and his eventual ordination as a deacon. If you enjoyed this story and would like to read more like it, please consider buying a subscription to the Idaho Catholic Register. Your $20 yearly subscription also supports the work of the Diocese of Boise Communications Department, which includes not only the newspaper, but this website, social media posts and videos. You can subscribe here , or through your parish, or send a check to 1501 S. Federal Way, Boise, ID, 83705: or call 208-350-7554 to leave a credit card payment. Thank you, and God bless you.

The following story appeared in the October 22 Idaho Catholic Register. Members of Bishop Kelly’s Knights for Life demonstrated on the Capitol steps in Boise for the Idaho Heartbeat Bill earlier this year. From left, Andrew Herrera, Nicole Graefe, Lily Jones, Stephany Herrera, Gabby Rinker and Tyler Stoker. “I am proud of their leadership and what they do,” said Stephany Herrera, moderator for the group and BK’s vice principal of academic affairs. (Photo courtesy of Stephany Herrera) by Emily Woodham Staff Writer When Nicole Graefe told her parents what she wanted for her ninth birthday, she asked for donations to Stanton Healthcare, which provides free medical care and support for women and their babies. “I’ve always been passionate about the topic,” said Graefe, now a senior and president of Bishop Kelly High School’s pro-life group, Knights for Life. Graefe’s parents, Roger and Linda Graefe, who have been active in ministry at Sacred Heart Parish in Boise for 30 years, told Nicole about the needs of women in crisis pregnancies when she was 9. That led to her decision to ask that her birthday gifts become gifts for women and their babies. “It was really cool for me, at that age, to see people who were involved and who were doing really good stuff for pro-life causes,” she said. Ever since then, Nicole has wanted to help mothers keep and care for their babies. Nicole joined Knights for Life during her freshman year at BK. The Knights for Life of Bishop Kelly High School in Boise had plans to grow and be more active in 2020. But when restrictions were implemented to protect human life from the COVID-19 virus, the pro-life group adapted its plans. With innovation and persistence, Knights for Life continued to spread its message about the sanctity of life. The organization’s resilience paid off, and it is now one of the most active clubs at the diocesan high school, said Stephany Herrera, vice principal of academic affairs for Bishop Kelly and a moderator for the group. Tyler Stoker, vice president for Knights for Life, is also a senior who joined his freshman year. His cousin was president at the time and encouraged him to participate. “Growing up Catholic, being pro-life has been super important to me,” he said. He and his family are parishioners of St. Mark’s Parish in Boise. His parents, Kevin and Nicole Stoker, have faithfully supported the pro-life message. Last year, Tyler went with his mother to the National March for Life in Washington, D.C., to help with their family fundraising business and to participate in the March. “It was just an amazing experience,” he said. Knights for Life was started with the class of 2014, with a few founding members and tremendous support from the Catholic Community, said Herrera. The coordinator for Students for Life, a national organization which supports pro-life clubs and groups in schools, and Treasure Valley Teens for Life, founded in 2015 by home-school students, helped give the founding members of the Knights for Life information and guidance. The club funding account started with $25 from a bake sale, Herrera said. Knights of Columbus councils from Sacred Heart, St. Mark’s, and St. Mary’s, along with families from the Treasure Valley and the Diocese of Boise made donations to the club in the early years of 2014 to 2015. The community partnership continues with support from Right to Life Idaho, Knights of Columbus, and other pro-life organizations in the Treasure Val-ley. “Many thanks to Bishop Peter’s ‘I Give Half’ campaign, as that brought additional donors to Knights for Life,” Herrera said. Prayer is an important aspect for the club. To help spread the message of the sanctity of life, the Knights for Life host a rosary each Tuesday in the BK chapel. They pray for different pro-life intentions, not just for an end to abortion. They have included intentions for those suffering from COVID, the dead, healthcare workers and the recent violence in Afghanistan. Through their fundraisers, the club donated a 20-votive candle stand for the chapel in BK, which was blessed by Father Greg Vance, SJ, chaplain for the school. Before the pandemic, their Parish in Boise. His parents, Kevin and Nicole Stoker, have faithfully supported the pro-life message. Last year, Tyler went with his mother to the National March for Life in Washington, D.C., to help with their family fundraising business and to participate in the March. “It was just an amazing experience,” he said. “It’s definitely making a difference, especially here at school,” Tyler said. The group has grown from three members at the end of 2020 to 15. As many as 20 students join them for their Tuesday rosaries. The influence of Knights for Life is reaching across state lines. Father Vance told friends about the growing work of the Knights for Life. This led to a collaboration with another Catholic school in Washington, which wants to start a similar club for its school. Nicole and Tyler plan to continue being a part of a pro-life group or club after they graduate. “I’m definitely going to continue, whether in college or the community,” Nicole said. “I’m really hoping that there is some sort of opportunity like this in college. I think that Knights for Life has had a really good impact on me and in strengthening my faith in high school. I’d love to continue it into college,” Tyler said. If you enjoyed this story and would like to read more like it, please consider buying a subscription to the Idaho Catholic Register. Your $20 yearly subscription also supports the work of the Diocese of Boise Communications Department, which includes not only the newspaper, but this website, social media posts and videos. You can subscribe here , or through your parish, or send a check to 1501 S. Federal Way, Boise, ID, 83705: or call 208-350-7554 to leave a credit card payment. Thank you, and God bless you.

The following story appeared in the September 24 Idaho Catholic Register. From left, Bea Bonney, Bobbi Dominick, Diocese of Boise Bishop Michael Driscoll, Deacon Tom Dominick and Deacon Rick Bonney at Deacon Dominick’s ordaination on the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, Oct. 7, 2001 at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Boise. Deacon Bonney served as an acolyte during the ordination. (Photo courtesy Bobbi Dominick) By Emily Woodham Staff Writer As Deacon Tom Dominick approaches his 20th anniversary in the diaconate, he has not lost his love for visiting the sick, helping the poor, or serving at the altar. The diaconal call to a ministry of service has included, for him, many experiences of helping people through both tragedy and celebration. Like all deacons and priests, some of his most heartbreaking experiences have been at the burials of children or of those who completed suicide. Some of his most joyous have been presiding at baptisms and weddings. Whether visiting the sick at the hospital or helping those in need through St. Vincent de Paul, his passion for bringing Jesus’ love to others continues. He now has more years of continuous service than any non-retired deacon in the Diocese of Boise. The second oldest of six children, he was born into a strong Catholic family in Pocatello. He spent his childhood attending St. Anthony Parish there before moving to Boise with his family when he was in the seventh grade. He had always felt close to God, until he was in college. At 19, he started to explore other religions and doubted transubstantiation, the Catholic teaching that the consecrated bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ. However, after reading the Church Fathers, he decided that the Catholic Church was right about the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. His faith revived, he began to feel called to the priesthood, but his priest, while not discouraging the priesthood, told him he should also pray about serving the Church in other ways. He finished his undergraduate degree from Boise State and then went to University of Idaho in Moscow for his law degree. In 1982, he began his career as an attorney and married Bobbi, who is also an attorney. Their wedding was at St. Mary’s Church in Boise, witnessed by Father Don Riffle. Then they moved to Boise’s North End and became parishioners at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, where they have stayed for 39 years. “I was extremely ambitious,” Deacon Dominick said. “But I felt like something was missing in my life, that I should be doing something else.” Despite his successful career in law, which led to positions in the Department of Labor and as a deputy attorney general, he continued to feel a pull to ministry. He considered the diaconate in the early 1990s, but Bishop Sylvester Treinen (1962-1988) had suspended the permanent diaconate program in the Diocese. Although he could not enter an official program, Dominick studied on his own with a priest. “I really didn’t understand a lot of what was said about scripture, but I learned to love Jesus even more,” he said. He decided to pursue an environmental law degree from George Washington University. While working on his degree, he was an intern at the White House for the natural resources director in the Clinton-Gore administration. Even after he finished his master’s in environmental law, he still had a desire to be a deacon. By then, Bishop Tod Brown had reopened the diaconate program in 1996. “When Tom first told me he was feeling a call to the diaconate, I did not even really know what that meant,” his wife, Bobbi, said. “Luckily, several years passed before the formation program started again, so during that time I was able to understand more, and pray about it. By the time the program started, I was fully supportive of his calling. I knew that he felt it deeply, and that he needed to follow that call wherever it might lead,” she said. He applied along with about 50 others. 36 were accepted. Of those, only 16 were ordained. The program instituted by Bishop Brown required that everyone with a bachelor’s degree obtain a master’s degree in pastoral studies through Loyola University in New Orleans. While studying for his master’s, Dominick also continued his full-time job as an attorney. He obtained his master’s from Loyola and was ordained on the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, October 7, 2001, at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. “I finally found what was missing when I was ordained,” he said. “When I was ordained, I think I was one of the youngest deacons (age 45 at the time) in Idaho,” he said. “Everybody else who was ordained with me is no longer in Idaho or is retired,” he said. A favorite part of his ministry is making hospital visits, especially when he can bring communion. One of his most amusing days in ministry came when he visited a hospital before privacy laws for-bade religious affiliation lists of patients. He would go at least once a week to visit all the Catholics that were on the hospital list. But during one visit, not a single person agreed to receive communion. He looked at his list again and realized at the top was written, “LDS.” Deacon Dominick also loves serving people through the St. Vincent de Paul Society. He does home visits for SVdP, assessing how best to help people who call for help and then providing whatever aid they can give. He is currently an ombudsman for the Diocese of Boise to St. Vincent de Paul and to Catholic Charities. “Tom’s diaconal ministry has truly enriched our lives in many ways that I could not have imagined. We have had many powerful experiences over the years that we would not have had,” Bobbi Dominick said. “He truly has a heart for ministry, and it has been powerful for me to watch him work as a deacon. I am inspired by him every day.” “The discernment and study actually led me to feel a call to deepen my own understanding of the Catholic faith,” she said. Having that support from a wife is important to those considering the diaconate, Deacon Dominick said. He also finds support in his strong friendships with his fellow deacons. Through the years he and his wife have been on pilgrimages around the world with their friends. He has travelled to the Holy Land and throughout Europe. One of his favorite visits was to Ireland, where he is a dual citizen. (His maternal grandfather was born in Ireland.) “The trips have been fun, but have always had a very strong spiritual component,” said Deacon Tom Mannschreck, a longtime friend who serves with Deacon Dominick at the Cathedral. “We were part of the group at Mass when the Blessed Virgin Mary with Jesus appeared in the recently consecrated host,” Deacon Mannschreck said. Their group also narrowly escaped violent demonstrators in Jerusalem. They were able to get out of harms’ way because Deacon Dominick listened to the guide when he said to drive over sidewalks to get out as fast as possible. “Deacon Tom and his wife Bobbi have been most encouraging and supportive on my spiritual growth journey,” Deacon Mannschreck said. Deacon Dominick helped Deacon Mannschreck in discerning the diaconate and through the process to ordination, he said. Although he is 65, Deacon Dominick has no plans of retiring from the diaconate any time soon. (Deacons reach retired status at age 70, but many continue to serve, at the discretion of their pastor and the bishop.) Amidst all the joys and heartaches in ministry, Deacon Dominick has found his time as a deacon to be rewarding and fulfilling. “My heart didn’t rest until I went through the deacon formation program,” he said, recalling the famous quote by St. Augustine of Hippo that the heart doesn’t rest until it finds itself in God. “If you are called to do something, you need to do it.” If you enjoyed this story and would like to read more like it, please consider buying a subscription to the Idaho Catholic Register. Your $20 yearly subscription also supports the work of the Diocese of Boise Communications Department, which includes not only the newspaper, but this website, social media posts and videos. You can subscribe here , or through your parish, or send a check to 1501 S. Federal Way, Boise, ID, 83705: or call 208-350-7554 to leave a credit card payment. Thank you, and God bless you.

Start With Jesus | Comenzar con Jesús The in-person portion of the Catholic Educators’ Conference scheduled for Oct. 1-2 at Bishop Kelly High School has been canceled, but there will be a virtual version of some of the conference sessions streamed online to all those who have registered. Also canceled is the Mass that was scheduled to launch the conference on Thursday evening, Sept. 30, at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. The in-person event is canceled due to increasing COVID-related concerns. Registrants will be emailed information in the next few days about the schedule for the online conference, said Sarah Quilici, superintendent of Idaho Catholic Schools. The conference hotel, the Hyatt Place Boise Town Square, has a cancellation policy in place through this week. Those who encounter difficulties in getting hotel or travel arrangements canceled can contact Quilici at squilici@rcdb.org . Refunds for the portion of the registration fee intended for the in-person event will be sent to registrants next month.

Father Germán to begin preparation to become U.S. military chaplain The following story appeared in the June 25 Idaho Catholic Register. In April, Father Germán Osorio takes the oath from Air Guard Wing Chaplain Ian Howarth to become part of the U.S. Air Force. (ICR photo/Vero Gutiérrez) by Vero Gutierrez Staff Writer MOUNTAIN HOME – It is true that Catholic priests routinely change residences to attend to the spiritual needs of families. However, the situation is just the opposite for Father Germán Osorio, pastor at Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Mountain Home, who will soon be ministering to families always on the move when he becomes a military chaplain to men and women and their families in the National Guard at Mountain Home Air Force Base. Father Germán said his becoming a chaplain “is a way of giving back to this country that welcomed me as a citizen.” Father Germán who has been a priest for 11 years was born in Pácora, Colombia. He will continue to serve as pastor at Our Lady of Good Counsel while he is serving as a chaplain at the Air Force base, which is about 15 miles southwest of Mountain Home. Father Germán, the youngest of three children in a Catholic family, felt the call to the priesthood when he was very young, attributing his call to the witness provided by his parish priest, Father Fabio Isaza. When he asked his parents for permission to enter a minor seminary, his mother took him to Father Isaza who encouraged him to become an altar server. Later he served his parish as a catechist and then joined the choir. “This time of preparation was very important to me, because it helped me discern my vocation and make the final decision to become a priest,” Father Germán said. After high school, he entered the seminary in 1997, studying philosophy for three years. Later, while studying theology, he was invited by the vocations director for the Diocese of Boise to consider continuing his studies in this Diocese. In 2003, he arrived in the United States. In addition to his seminary studies, he took English courses at Boise State University. However, after a year here, circumstances warranted a return to Colombia before he returned to the United States to stay permanently. After being ordained a deacon, he was assigned to St. Edward Parish in Twin Falls with Father Michael St. Marie. “My service as a deacon in St. Edward’s was a very important stage in my formation,” he said. Bishop Michael Discroll ordained him a priest on June 10, 2010, and his first assignment was parochial vicar at St. Paul’s Parish in Nampa with Father Gerald Funke. In 2013, he left St. Paul’s to serve as vicar at Good Shepherd Parish in Soda Springs with Father John Worster. Later, Bishop Peter Christensen appointed him as pastor there. In 2017, he was assigned to Our Lady of Good Counsel at Mountain Home. In 2018, he became a citizen of the United States. The idea of becoming a military chaplain began to take shape after he was invited by Technical Sergeant Anthony Bean to a Clergy Appreciation Day in June of 2019, attended by ministers of many faiths in the Mountain Home area. On that day, Father Mario Rosario, at that time the Catholic chaplain at Mountain Home Air Force Base, personally invited Father Germán to consider chaplaincy ministry. Bishop Peter Christensen consented, but the COVID pandemic forced him to delay his preparation. On April 9, 2021, Father Germán took the oath to become part of the U.S. Air Force after an extensive back-ground check by the U.S. government. The arrival of Father Onyema Okorie to serve at the chapel at Mountain Home Air Force Base, allowed Father Germán to begin his training earlier than anticipated. His first stage of training will be Officer Training School for eight weeks at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Ala., likely in October. In the meantime, Father Germán has been participating in training at Gowen Field during his Drill Weekends one weekend a month. Father Germân Osorio has been pastor at Our Lady of Good Counsel since 2017. He will continue at the parish while also serving as a chaplain at Mountain Home Air Force Base. (ICR photo/Vero Gutiérrez) “To become a military chaplain requires physical training and studying the military environment,” Father Germán said. “I understand and respect the military environment. It is a demanding ministry, as it is for someone who serves as a chaplain at a hospital. However, here you work with soldiers of different religions who may seek counseling. We have to have training so that we can serve them in the best way.” Father Germán says he is excited to be part of the Air Force team. “My main expectation as a priest is to be able to serve and as a human, to be able to learn more.” “The military chaplains who have experience say that this is a ‘vocation within the vocation,’ ” Father Father Germán said. “My goal as a military chaplain is to extend my priesthood. If there is a place where spiritual accompaniment is needed, I want to be there,” he said. “It is a demanding environment of many orders,” he said, adding that chaplains need to help service members “unload” with spiritual counseling and, for Catholics, providing the sacraments. While Father Germán will continue to serve in the Diocese of Boise, he will also become a priest of the Archdiocese for the United States Military Services, founded in 1985 by Pope John Paul II. Father Germán said being immersed in the military environment is extremely rewarding, not only at the Air Force base but in his ministry to the many retired military personnel who live in Mountain Home. Working with adults is one of the activities he enjoys most in his ministry, he said, noting that “God always surrounds you with people with more gifts and abilities for a more suitable service in the Church.” If you enjoyed this story and would like to read more like it, please consider buying a subscription to the Idaho Catholic Register. Your $20 yearly subscription also supports the work of the Diocese of Boise Communications Department, which includes not only the newspaper, but this website, social media posts and videos. You can subscribe here , or through your parish, or send a check to 1501 S. Federal Way, Boise, ID, 83705: or call 208-350-7554 to leave a credit card payment. Thank you, and God bless you.

The following story appeared in the June 25 Idaho Catholic Register. Jeff McDonnell with 300 cards from students of St. Ignatius Catholic School in Meridian, where he is a custodian. One child wrote, “Mr. McDonnell, I prayed for you every night.” (Courtesy photo/ Jeff McDonnell) By Emily Woodham Staff Writer Jeff McDonnell’s decision to play his guitar for Meredith Dressler’s second grade class at St. Ignatius School in Meridian was a decision that would save his life. McDonnell, a custodian for the school who is also a musician, finished sharing his music with the students and then collapsed just as he was leaving the class. If he had been at home, he likely would have died. “He was completely unconscious and his color started changing, as if he wasn’t getting oxygen,” Dressler said. She knew from her training that all faculty and staff receive, to tilt his head to check his airway and check his pulse, which she could not detect. Dressler yelled for someone to call 911 and began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Amy Caldwell, who is a teacher’s aide to Dressler, called 911 and raced to the school nurse’s office. Sheri Placido, a certified nursing assistant with Saint Alphonsus Health System, heard Caldwell running and knew something was wrong. As soon as Caldwell yelled that they needed the AED (Automated External Defibrillator), Placido grabbed the device, which set off an alarm alerting administrators that there was a life-threatening emergency. When Placido arrived at the classroom, Dressler was still giving McDonnell CPR. Placido attached the AED to McDonnell to shock his heart into beating again. While waiting for the ambulance, the AED, which automatically senses when the heart needs needs to be restarted with an electric shock. Jeff McDonnell returned to St. Ignatius School to thank his heroes. He is pictured with Sheri Placido, the school nurse who used an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) to restart his heart. Paramedics arrived in less than 10 minutes and placed McDonnell on a stretcher. By this time, he had regained consciousness. After surgery, a lengthy hospital stay and heart rehabilitation therapy, McDonnell is doing well. His father died from a heart attack when McDonnell was in the fourth grade. Other family members also died from heart attacks. “Normally I would have been at home during that time,” McDonnell said. “If I had been at home alone, it would have been disaster.” McDonnell, his wife and five children are grateful that he was in the right place, at the right time. McDonnell, Placido, Caldwell and Dressler, all agree that the training, AED and teamwork made all the difference in saving his life. All staff members at St. Ignatius have CPR and emergency First Aid training each August before school starts. A part of their training is using the Automated External Defibrillator. According to the American Heart Association, immediate CPR and use of an AED during a heart attack doubles the chance of survival for a heart patient. Left, Merrideth Dressler, the teacher who performed CPR on McDonnell. Right, Amy Caldwell, who called 911 and ran to get Placido and the AED. (Courtesy photos) Placido has worked as a school nurse for 22 years, but this was a first for her. “Everyone hopes they’ll never need to use the AED,” she said. Being prepared, however, saved McDonnell’s life. Caldwell. St. Ignatius students are also prepared for how to act in an emergency. The students in the classroom stayed calm, and listened to and followed all instructions. They were removed from the classroom within minutes, and a school counselor spoke with the students to help them process the emergency. The staff at St. Ignatius also expressed a profound gratefulness for life. “Life is fragile. We’re not guaranteed tomorrow, so we should appreciate each other and be grateful for each day,” Dressler said. Prayer also helped. Placido, who is a parishioner of Risen Christ parish in Boise, prayed as she rushed to Mc-Donnell’s side. Dressler and Caldwell, parishioners of Holy Apostles in Meridian, also mentioned the impact of prayer. “It was God’s plan and God’s work that it all worked out,” said If you enjoyed this story and would like to read more like it, please consider buying a subscription to the Idaho Catholic Register. Your $20 yearly subscription also supports the work of the Diocese of Boise Communications Department, which includes not only the newspaper, but this website, social media posts and videos. You can subscribe here , or through your parish, or send a check to 1501 S. Federal Way, Boise, ID, 83705: or call 208-350-7554 to leave a credit card payment. Thank you, and God bless you.