My Page - Opinion

Written by Students in the Diocese of Saint Cloud

Challenging ‘the way it is’

By Ashley Weinhandl
For The Visitor

One of my favorite songs is “The Way It Is” by Bruce Hornsby. Although this song was released before my time, its message has become more relevant over the years. Within our local and global communities, we need not look far to see both obvious and subtle inequalities that limit us from living with the complete dignity that God intended. Too often, we hear voices that echo lyrics of this song:
“That’s just the way it is. … Some things will never change…”

weinhandl

Upon hearing this, we may resign ourselves to believing we are powerless — that certain things will never change. However, with careful listening, we hear other voices singing the next line:
“That’s just the way it is … Oh, but don’t you believe them.”

With these words, we receive an unlikely blessing — one that might not bring comfort but instead offers something greater: a challenge. I have been fortunate to receive many unlikely blessings the past several years, allowing me to see issues and injustices previously unnoticed when I easily accepted “the way it is.”

The world’s deep needs

Experiencing a year of volunteering offered a graceful transformation

By Alicia Landale
For The Visitor
6-10-11

“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another” (Corinthians 3:18).

“Behold, I refined you, but not as silver; I tried you for my own sake, for my own sake I do it, for how should My name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another” (Isaiah 48:10-11).

I love these two biblical ideas of transformation. If God chooses to call us to him, what else can happen but a lifetime of change, a generation of being refined into Christ’s likeness? How can we encounter a living God and not be affected? My year in Franciscan Community Volunteers was a continuation of my rebirth as a new life in Christ, a sort of spiritual greenhouse for me.

When I left Minnesota last July at the end of my year of service, I knew I would miss the sunny sisters, my volunteer-mates, co-workers and friends. I would miss picturesque lakes, sing-song loons and bike-friendly neighborhoods, and more. So, I clung to every photograph, newsletter and trinket that either chronicled my time or reminded me of its precious moments. I vowed to keep everything so I might never forget.

landale Lessons learned

S.A.I.N.T.S. give back to community

By Derek Cross
For The Visitor
5-27-11

I’m 16 years old, and I received the sacrament of confirmation May 3. In preparation for confirmation, I became part of the S.A.I.N.T.S. Program — Serving Anyone In Need Together Selflessly, our youth group — four years ago. I attended home group sessions with eight other confirmation candidates every Wednesday night during the school year.

We discussed our faith and shared experiences where God has touched our lives. My favorite part was being able to support each other through our journey of faith. We became close friends, and our relationships will always be strong because of the time we shared.

S.A.I.N.T.S. make a difference

Students create fund for impoverished Tanzanian town

By Kelly Bechtold
For The Visitor
5-13-11

After trips to Tanzania, Africa, in different years, Kelly Bechtold, Emily Boettcher and Kayla Krippner all felt a need to assist the people there and were instrumental in developing the Village Fund. Bechtold, the director of the Village Fund, graduated from Cathedral High School in 2009 and currently is a sophomore at College of St. Benedict, St. Joseph, with a double major in peace studies and Hispanic studies and a minor in Latino/Latin American studies. Boettcher is treasurer of the fund. Those interested may contribute to the Village Fund by calling CHS at 320-251-3421 or emailing Bechtold at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The idea to take Cathedral High School students to Tanzania, Africa, came from social studies teacher Dick McMorrow.

In 2007, McMorrow had taken his own trip to Tanzania and, when he learned how extreme their poverty was, committed to working on behalf of the Tanzanian people. When he returned, he sought the assistance of CHS in setting up a student trip to expand education beyond the classroom — a great way for students to make a difference.

bechtold He said, “I realized Cathedral students could raise their awareness and begin to live the message of the Gospel in Tanzania. … Ultimately the trip is about awareness, compassion and service.”

Due to the overwhelming support of CHS and other members of the St. Cloud community, the 2008 trip became a reality. In 2008, along with nine other girls, I participated in the first Cathedral High School service trip to Tanzania.

A different world

Catholicism — a call to serve

By Jenny Fleegel
For The Visitor

Jenny Fleegel, Carolyn Gruenes and Hannah Deaton were winners in the 2011 Knights of Columbus essay contest on the topic “What is the responsibility of the Catholic citizen in a free society?” which drew about 120 entries. Fleegel, junior at Cathedral High School and member of St. Paul Parish in St. Cloud, earned first place. Gruenes and Deaton, whose entries are excerpted in My Thoughts, won second and third respectively.

fleegel “Love your neighbor as yourself” is a familiar phrase for Catholics. As Catholics, we are called to love our neighbors, but who our neighbors are and to what extent we must love them is often a question in our minds. A neighbor is defined as a person who lives near another, but what is near and what is far? We should look into the deeper meaning of the word. I believe loving our neighbors means acting upon the responsibility each baptized Catholic possesses to do all we can do to help others. I strongly believe we are called to serve our literal neighbors as well as our global neighbors.

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