Chapter News
Faith in Action

CUF
From the Jul/Aug 2003 Issue of Lay Witness Magazine

Prescott, AZ. We are pleased to announce the formation of another new CUF chapter, Sacred Heart Chapter, with William G. Gagnon as its chairman. The officers recently met to discuss and plan potential activities, share ideas on fundraising, and develop a Chapter website. This chapter was recently visited by Michael Mohr, chairman of the St. Bernadette Chapter in Tucson, who has actively promoted CUF in Arizona.

Indianapolis, IN. CUF also welcomes the newly formed Abba, Father Chapter. The chairman is Aaron Hartman, the vicechairman is Douglas Allen, the secretary is Carol Lyvers, the treasurer is Lourdes Padilla, and the spiritual advisor is Sr. Diane Carollo, S.G.L.

Essexville, MI. Secretary Bonnie Harmon of our Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapter writes that members honored Sally Havercamp—on the occasion of her retirement—for her many years of service to CUF. Congratulatory messages from CUF President Leon Suprenant and CUF President Emeritus James Likoudis were read at a special event commemorating Sally’s years of dedication to the CUF apostolate. In her last edition of the CUF Michigan Bulletin , which she has edited since 1973, Sally noted that “I will be 80 my next birthday, and consequently, the duties of the Michigan regional office will now be placed in younger hands. I will be continuing with the Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapter and will be in touch in one way or another as time goes on.” Her many friends will continue to enjoy her wise counsel and to be strengthened in their own love of the faith by the example of this remarkable woman. Marge Renck will now coordinate regional CUF activities and Leslie Spiller will edit the CUF Michigan Bulletin .

Fly Creek, NY. Martha Wenner, chairman of St. Francis of Assisi Chapter, continues to provide to readers of the chapter newsletter a list of “spiritual opportunities” for attending Masses, evening vespers and benediction, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and Oratory prayer meetings inspired by the teachings of Fr. Benedict Groeschel—all of which can be found in the area.

Newark, DE. The newsletter of Our Lady of Peace Chapter notes the social and economic consequences of widespread divorce, contraception, abortion, and population control measures. It quotes The New York Times ’ Rome correspondent, Frank Bruni, who “detailed in a report demographic statistics showing that the birth rates in several European countries portend national extinction before the end of the 21st century.”

San Jose, CA. Chairman Elizabeth Lam of Guardian of the Redeemer Chapter writes that members heard Fr. Michael Hendrickson speak on the eighth chapter of Vatican II’s Lumen Gentium , which deals with Our Blessed Mother. He explained the proper meaning of the title Coredemptrix. “Co” means “with,” not “equal” to Christ in the redemption of the human race. Secretary Gabrielle LeBlanc notes that members of this chapter renewed their St. Louis Grignon de Montfort consecration to Our Lady.

Santa Rosa, CA. Our Blessed Sacrament Chapter has published several advertisements for CUF in the religion and ethics page of the Press Democrat . The newsletter of this chapter, dedicated to adoration of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, plans to highlight further in future issues the main themes of Pope John Paul II’s new encyclical on the Holy Eucharist, Ecclesia De Eucharistia .

Milwaukee, WI. Members of St. Gregory VII Chapter were privileged to sponsor an address by Fr. Tadeusz Pacholczyk on “The Science and Ethics of Stem Cells and Cloning.” Fr. Pacholczyk is parochial vicar at St. Patrick’s Church in Falmouth, Massachusetts. He received a Ph.D. in neuroscience from Yale University and worked as a molecular biologist. Fr. Pacholczyk also studied for five years in Rome, where he did advanced work in dogmatic theology and bioethics, focusing on the question of the ensoulment of the human embryo.

Green Bay, WI. Secretary Carole L. Hummel writes that members of Our Lady of Good Help Chapter also heard Rev. Dr. Tadeusz Pacholczyk speak on cloning, stem cell research, and bioethics. Chairman Ed Hummel reported that the event was the greatest monthly meeting in the 31-year history of the chapter. Fr. Pacholczyk’s “PowerPoint” presentation fascinated all those in attendance.

St. Paul, MN. Members of our St. Thomas More Chapter recently heard Marlene Reid, president emeritus of Human Life Alliance, speak on “The Latest Pro-Life News” and CUF President Leon Suprenant speak on “The Rosary: Prayer for Holy Families.” The chapter newsletter helped promote the annual diocesan Rosary held at the cathedral and its columnist, Andrew Livingston, wrote on the familiar “Titles of Mary” used in the Church to honor the Ever-Virgin Mother of God.

Phoenix, AZ. Members of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Chapter joined fellow CUF members of the Tucson Chapter for the “Holy Family Conference, 2003: the Year of the Rosary” that was held in Tucson. They also raised money to assist two charities, which the chapter supports each month. The chapter newsletter highlighted the need for praying the Rosary in our troubled times.

Covington, KY. Colleen Kunath, editor of the newsletter of St. Francis of Assisi Chapter, continues to give its readers perceptive Catholic commentary on important issues of concern to the laity via such interesting inserts as “A Church Musician’s Lament” (from The Catholic World Report , April 2003) and the article “Nice Catholicism” by Fr. Kenneth Baker, S.J. (from Homiletic and Pastoral Review , February 2003). In the latter editorial, Fr. Baker observed: “After a homily I delivered, a woman who was pleased with my remarks said that she never hears such things in her parish church or in other churches she attends while traveling. The tough truths of the faith are not mentioned so the people will not be upset. Catholicism there, she said, is all very ‘nice.’”

Aztec, NM. The impressive newsletter, SWORD, of our new Light of Truth Chapter, contains an excellent article on the Sacrament of Confirmation, the meaning of which is explored and shown to be especially relevant as the Church is faced with such movements as the New Age Movement, Wicca, and bizarre involvement with the Enneagram. Articles dealing with each of the latter are also provided, which explain the spiritual dangers they pose to Catholics.

Tucson, AZ. Members of St. Bernadette Chapter held their first Holy Family Conference, co-sponsored by the Southern Arizona Life Team (SALT). Bishop Gerald Kicanas of Tucson welcomed guests at the evening banquet, with the conference featuring such speakers as CUF President Leon Suprenant, canon lawyer Pete Vere, and Fr. Edmund McCaffrey, founder and spiritual director of Eternal Life in Bardstown, Kentucky (see p. 18-19).

Toledo, OH. CUF members in the area mourn the loss of Joseph A. Tursich, who for many years was chairman of our Servants of Mary Chapter. Joe was indefatigable in his efforts for CUF in Ohio. Those who knew Joe appreciated his great love of the Church and his concern to spread the truth of Catholic doctrine to all. Requiescat in pace . May Our Lady welcome her humble servant into the joy of all the angels and saints!

Rochester, NY. Secretary Margaret Nolan of St. Pius X Chapter writes that members heard CUF board member James Likoudis speak regarding a local diocesan priest’s adult education lecture. The priest’s lecture featured criticism of the Church’s discipline on celibacy and issued a plea for former priests to return to priestly ministry as full-time or part-time “sacramental ministers.”

Dallas, TX. Chairman Kirk Kuykendall of our St. Stephen the Martyr Chapter prepared another schedule of fine speakers for the year. Among them were Fr. Frank Fasare of the Fathers of Mercy who conducted a mission, William Saunders of the Family Research Council who dealt with the subject of cloning, and CUF staff mamber Tom Nash who gave a talk on Maximilian Kolbe, the Saint of Auschwitz.

Faribault, MN. Drawing from Scripture and the Catechism, members of our St. Peter the Rock Chapter have been studying the topic of Christian love, observing that “growing in authentic love of God and neighbor is central to our lives of faith, and it is Christ who gives us necessary guidance in that love.”

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