An Uncommon Hero (Part 1)

Early impressions....

It was a Saturday. October 23, 2010.  A typically beautiful Indian-Summer day filled with one last touch of sun and warmth to give a little joy and comfort before heading into the shorter, colder days of late autumn and winter.  It was also a day that would punch a big hole in my life leaving an unfillable void.  This was the day that I lost my best friend.  This was the day I lost my Dad. 

As I would learn, I was but one of many who had lost their “best friend.”   Dad’s passing deeply affected his family and his friends.  The quick and unexpected nature of his death left us all in a deep shock.  And since then we’ve been grappling with the selfish notion that this man whose life was defined by a stubborn work-ethic, generous heart, ornery pranks, and a quiet wisdom is no longer available for us.

My father was never politically connected.  You weren’t going to find him in newspaper headlines.  And you surely would never discover his name on some country club roster.  Dad was likely to be found under the hood of your car trying to diagnose what wasn’t working.  Or in front of your fuse box after finishing an electrical job at your house, apartment, garage, or business.  Or you could find him at the Court Street Steak & Shake with his other friends of Bill W. helping someone trying to achieve or maintain their sobriety.

That was my father.  As the nearly 700 people processed through the reception line at his funeral, so many unknown names and faces approached me with tears in their eyes stating how Dad had “saved my life.”  I always knew Dad’s willingness to help a person in need.  I just did not know the width and the depth of Dad’s influence. 

Dad was not a hero in the overused application that’s given to celebrities, athletes, political figures and the like.  After the first 25 years of my life, I finally figured things out about Dad and I began to fully appreciate him and his qualities as he did with me. I was extremely fortunate to get another 15 years with him, in our new-found understanding of each other.  It was during this time that I came to see the quiet, unassuming, genuine heroic qualities of my father.

October 27th was a much colder, darker day.  It may have been the weather, but it was more likely the feeling that came in knowing this was the day we’d say goodbye to Dad.   The responsibility of “telling Dad’s story” fell upon my brother and me.  There cannot be one person out there who’s been more affected by Dad’s passing than my younger brother, Chad.  And as difficult as it had to have been, Chad stood up there without a single note.  All he had were the memories and feelings in his heart and a little bit of moxy that likely came from Dad’s genetic makeup to get him through his eulogy.  A little light and a little warmth to combat the cold and the dark.

Chad and I are grateful for the kind words and consolation so many have offered and for the tears shared by so many others who feel the loss of Dale.  Dad left a legacy and we have a tall order in upholding that legacy. 

It is my hope that you shall see my father’s sense of generosity, justice, wisdom and humor in my future posts.

Jason

UP NEXT:   As I Saw Him in “An Uncommon Hero (Part 2)”

Back in the Saddle

Some things are actually better the second time around.

It’s been nearly a year since I’ve posted here on “Live Differently.” I spent a summer writing on my Cycling For Change blog.  There are a couple more posts I have to complete over at www.cyclingforchange.wordpress.com; however, all my mental meanderings can be found here at Live Differently.

Much has happened since last summer. Many changes in my life…Truly “life-changing” events.

So with a whole host of social/political topics out there, I once again have that desire to provoke thought and a healthy exchange of ideas.  With uprising in the Middle-East, a Federal Budget showdown, and Justin Bieber getting his hair cut ( OK, strike the last one) there are plenty of serious topics to keep us all busy.

To friends and those who followed my writings from last year’s ride, I thank you and I hope you’ll continue to follow and join in the discussion. 

Regards,

Jason

UP NEXT:    Paying tribute to an uncommon hero.

He’s Big Enough To Handle It… .

Perhaps the most spiritually stirring time of the liturgical year for me is Holy Week. While Easter Sunday is the ultimate celebration of our faith — Christ’s victory over sin and death — Good Friday shakes my soul like no other day.

Recovering from knee surgery earlier in the week, I hobbled my way to one of the benches in the back and rested my crutches against the wall. Standing for the reading of the Passion was…well, not easy. But seriously, am I going to complain? We’re reading about the Son of God who has just been condemned in what would be a mockery of judicial due process by today’s standards. He then proceeds to suffer an unbearably gruesome persecution and death. For me I’m grateful that my knee is the size of a large grapefruit and I can barely stand.

The time comes for the veneration of the cross. For those who wish, you could approach the cross to touch it, kneel before it, even kiss it if you so desire. As I work my way in line, the haunting hymn “Were You There?” surrounds the entire sanctuary. And it is true: “Sometimes, it causes me to tremble…tremble…tremble….” It’s not my bad knee, nor is it my crutches. It’s my trembling heart and soul and they are coming to grips with the fact that of all my sin and shame, this Man, has laid down His life for me.

I cry. Like a child. It hurts….But I am also liberated because I have gone beyond the basic, intellectual understanding that Christ died for my sins: I can feel it. I feel it just as much as I feel and smell the cedar of the cross that I have just kissed.

The distractions of regular life are gone from me. I’m not thinking about work that needs to be done or the taxes that have to be filed. I sure as heck am not thinking about those darn crutches. Even among the 800+ parishioners in the church, this is my moment alone with Christ.

As a convert to Catholicism, I’ve never really had an issue of taking for granted the real presence of the Blessed Sacrament; it’s the reason I sought the Church. And yet, I would receive the Eucharist later in the service and I was once again overcome with the power of God’s love for me by way of His son.

Powerful. Exhausting. Liberating. Filled with love. This was my Good Friday.

As the service concluded, parishioners made their way out of the sanctuary. It didn’t bother me much that no one was making way to give me a turn to leave. I was on my crutches and figured I’d just hold people up. It was ok; I was savoring the moment.

Just then a colleague whom I had not seen in months approached me. He greeted me kindly and softly asked what had happened. I responded that I just had knee surgery. At that moment one gentlemen “shushed” us giving us a very stern look. He then raised his arm as if to signal for us to keep our mouths shut. He held his arm for some time as he walked away.

Admittedly, I became angry at this man. I think I knew what he was trying to do: preserve the solemnity of the moment. It felt as though I was being scolded for desecrating the sacred space. As someone who has always taken measures to be reverential in the sanctuary — especially when the Blessed Sacrament is present — I felt wrongly accused.

And then I thought more about it.

Instead of ruining my own experience and giving this one person’s reaction power over me, I had to let it go. And I was reminded: Christ is big enough. He can handle it.

That night, we commemorated His persecution, His suffering and His death. In two days, we will have celebrated His resurrection.

I do not wish to be flip, but I’m guessing Jesus probably does not care that I responded to my friend’s inquiry inside the sanctuary. If anything, He might be pleased that someone cared enough to quietly ask. As for the person who admonished us, I’m guessing Jesus was thinking “Hey, thanks for looking out for me. But it’s o.k. I’m big enough. I can handle it.”

May the God, who is big enough, live in you always. Have a blessed, love-filled Easter.

Cycling for Change–The Ultimate Ride to Change America!

One in eight Americans lives below the poverty line and the number is increasing. Cycling for Change is a nationwide endeavor to reduce poverty in the United States. Teams of cyclists and community volunteers led by Fr. Matt Ruhl, SJ, a pastor of a vibrant urban Kansas City parish, which will include myself, are already making a difference through their involvement with Cycling for Change.

In 100 days from May to September of 2010, the team will cycle from Cape Flattery, Washington, to Key West, Florida – a total of more than 5000 miles – to advocate for the poor.

Catholic Charities USA, the nation’s largest network of social service organizations, serving persons of all faiths, has initiated a multi-faceted approach to reduce poverty in the United States. The CCUSA Campaign to Reduce Poverty has an ambitious goal to decrease the number of families at or below the poverty line by 50% by 2020. The campaign stresses the need for businesses, faith-based organizations, government and individuals to work together to strategically address the systemic causes of poverty in our nation.

“Independence from Poverty” Ride

In addition to the national Cycling for Change ride, Catholic Charities of Colorado Springs will be hosting our own “Independence from Poverty” ride, which will benefit those in our community who need help the most.

The local ride will take place over two days, originating at the Marian House in downtown Colorado Springs on July 7th, moving north to Castle Rock to meet the national team, then returning the next day, July 8th, to Colorado Springs with the National Cycling for Change team.

Additionally, there will be a family ride on day two, where families not up to the 80 mile round-trip journey can participate in a 2 – 5 mile family ride.

Local funds raised will be used for the vital services of Marian House where:

*more than 600 meals are served most days in the soup kitchen to families, seniors, veterans and disabled persons on a fixed income, the working poor and the homeless;

*more than 2,800 individuals are seen in Client Services, receiving case management services, given access to a clothing closet and receive help with getting IDs and birth certificates;

*more than 21,700 adults and children receive support from Life Support Services with items such as baby food, formula, diapers and clothing;

*more than 350 families receive help with furniture, small appliances, food boxes and rental and utility assistance.

Watch my blog for more details and weekly updates!

Stimulus Packages, Bailouts, & The Truth About Charity

by Jason D. Christensen

Last month leaders of the G-8 Nations gathered and at the top of their agenda was the global economy which stands fragile and in recession for most places.  Chief among their concerns was our domestic economy – which so many other nations are dependent upon its success. 

As governments like the United States take a Keynesian approach to stimulating their respective economies and bailing out various sectors of the market, Pope Benedict XVI’s issuance of his encyclical “Caritas in Veritate” (“Charity in Truth”) could not have been timelier.

The Holy Father cautioned that any approaches for economic recovery must genuinely serve the common good and not simply be for immediate relief at the expense of others.  He declared:

“The truth that God is the creator of human life, that every life is sacred…and that God has a plan for each person must be respected in development programs and in economic recovery efforts if they are to have real and lasting benefits….In the search for solutions to the current economic crisis, development aid…must be considered a valid means of creating wealth for all.”

Benedict is casting a vision that says the way we do things must go deeper and further than what we have done before.  There’s another message that is being sent to us as well; which he stated in his very first encyclical, “Deus Caritas Est.” He essentially says that we cannot abdicate to the state our responsibility to be charitable.  It falls upon all of us.  He’s also suggesting that we look beyond the causes of poverty.  We can easily identify them.  What we really should be doing, as author Michael Novak has proffered is to examine the “causes of wealth.”

Catholic Charities and other faith-based non-profits are proving that we have a far-better handle on people’s situations, needs and struggles rather than governments.  Hurricane Katrina exemplified that fact.  The efficacy of government was practically non-existent.  But who was there early in the crisis and who remains to this day?  Faith-based organizations.

Here at Catholic Charities and at our newly created Hanifen Center at Marian House we have developed our programs around a model of efficiency and by identifying all of the factors that keep people trapped in poverty.  Briefly stated, we’ve taken a holistic approach in the treatment of poverty among our consumers.  Those who access services can self-direct if they wish.  Others may not have the capacity.  Either way, everyone will have contact with a Catholic Charities’ employee who will provide love and accountability.

Love and accountability.  They’re not qualities often applied to government services and probably won’t be found in a bailout or stimulus package.  But, it’s something that is in abundance at Catholic Charities.  And it’s a far more worthy and cost-effective way to be charitable. 

It’s The Rage

A host of Academy Award nominees and A-List actors including Gary Sinise, Joan Allen, Andre Braugher, Jeff Daniels, and David Schwimmer to name a few came together in the 1999 drama/comedy “All The Rage.”

The story focuses on nine people whose lives are interwoven throughout the film and the relationship handguns have in their respective lives.

In one day last week – two national stories – gave us a mere glimpse of the impact gun violence has on our society.  In particular, these two incidents were disturbing because the acts appear to be politically motivated.  We in America have been experiencing our own real-life version of the movie “All the Rage.”

On Sunday, Scott Roeder walked into the Reformation Lutheran Church in Wichita, Kansas and gunned down Dr. George Tiller, a late-term abortion provider. Tiller’s wife, while performing in the church choir, watched the event unfold before her eyes.

That same day, Abdulahkim Mujahid Muhammad shot and killed Private William Long and wounded Private Quinton Ezeagwula at an Army-Navy recruiting office in Little Rock, Arkansas.  Don’t let the name of the assailant mislead you; his real name is Carlos Bledsoe and he is an American.  Muhammad’s actions were done for “political and religious reasons” in what he asserts as the US military’s treatment of Muslims.

How is it that we have a supposed “Pro-Lifer” and a convert to Islam – a religion whose main tenet is the advancement of peace –engaged in such horrific acts of violence? 

Perhaps one explanation is the growing absolutism in religious and political circles that polarizes their respective constituencies.  Look at the state of the Republican Party today and we find it in disarray and dwindling in relevance because its so-called leadership has set a standard for what constitutes a “True-Republican.”  They’ve almost become a “remnant” party.  The divide among Muslims is not much different.

The other explanation for such violence is our societal inabilities to communicate and act in healthy ways.  Heated rhetoric and public ostracizing of those with whom we disagree is far more prevalent than from our previously polite society.  And now, violence is quickly becoming the chosen the course of action.

Don’t get me wrong:  Violence has been with us since the beginning of mankind. But shouldn’t we be a more evolved society?

Stricter gun control laws will not remedy the present problems related to gun violence.  The bottom line is our culture lacks respect for life….We are, what John Paul II described as a “Culture of Death.”

Video games today measure success by the number of people killed and the manner in which they were killed.  We idolize characters like Al Pacino’s Tony Montoya in “Scarface” and celebrate the gangster lifestyle whose philosophy is to “get rich or die tryin’.”

The opening of “It’s the Rage” pulls up a quote from Al Capone who declared, “You can get a lot more done with a kind word and a gun, than with a kind word alone.”

Perhaps if we used more kind words, there wouldn’t be a need for guns and/or violence to get what we want.

Where God Left His Shoes: Poverty Is For Everyone

 

The apartment was ramshackle.  A tight kitchen accentuated by dirty dishes left in the sink. Non-perishables in the cupboard…perishing.  This depressing environment is only further accentuated by a broken light fixture. 

Equally discouraged and relieved, Frank Diaz spins the broken light fixture and says, “Well, it’s not exactly where God left his shoes…But it’ll work.”

That line becomes the title of a Salvatore Stabile’s indie-film Where God Left His Shoes.  It’s a film mixed with despair and hope.  It’s a film that also stings with an unspoken, ignored reality in our nation.

Frank Diaz, portrayed by John Leguizamo, is happy standing in this substandard apartment because it is much better than the homeless shelter where he and his family have been staying for the last two months.  In that same scene, he pulls his stepson to the kitchen window and excitedly points out Yankee Stadium and verbalizes his wishes for what the two of them will be doing on Opening Day.

Diaz is hopeful, but in a non-saccharin way.  He’s rooted in realism; he just wants what is best for his family.

His circumstance came about with the loss of work.  Like so many hanging by an economic thread, Frank Diaz’s family has been living paycheck-to-paycheck. It has now been a couple months without those paychecks.  The eviction notice arrives and they have two hours to gather their belongings.

After time in the shelter, Frank gets good news:  He and his family have cleared the waiting list and are now eligible for this apartment.  Frank’s relief and measured enthusiasm abruptly departs when it’s determined his work as an “off-the-books” day laborer don’t qualify him as being gainfully employed or having regular income — a requirement of all tenants.

This sets off a sequence of events that provide a glimpse into what it is like to live a life of poverty — a life perpetually on the edge.  I do not wish to give away important details of the story; however, Frank’s obstacles to getting his family out of their situation are palpable.  They are powerful examples that hard-work and determination are not a guaranteed escape from poverty.

Today in America, over 37 million people live at or below the poverty level.  It is estimated that by the end of 2010 the number will rise to 50 million.  This is not a collection of so-called “lazy people” lacking motivation.  As much as we don’t like to think this happens in our prosperous nation, those living in poverty are examples of the serious injustices in our economic and social structures.  Sadly, these injustices make casualties out of people like Frank Diaz and his family….As well as families and individuals in our own communities.

To better understand the impact of poverty — even upon the most-determined people — I highly recommend picking up a copy of Where God Left His Shoes.  Fret not that the film is one of despair.  As I mentioned, this is also a story of hope and there are shining examples of redemption that champion the human spirit in this film.

 For more information, you can also visit the Official Website 

When 900 Came Knocking….

It’s been a year now. 

Few, however, outside of the small town of Postville, Iowa may recall what transpired on May 12, 2008.

Nestled in the extreme northeast portion of Iowa, this town of 2,200 people was visited on that particular day by two helicopters of the federal government and 900 Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents — an amount that’s roughly 40% of the town’s entire population.

The purpose:  Round up nearly 400 suspected illegal immigrants at one of the town’s agri-processing plants.

It’s considered to have been the second largest workplace immigration raid in our nation’s history.  Cost to the taxpayers: $5.2 million.  That amount does not even account for the economic devastation experienced by the townspeople — documented or undocumented.  Suffice to say, this came at a high price.

These raids have more than an economic impact; there’s a societal impact when families are split apart.  And it’s not something exclusive to Postville, IA. It’s seen in places all across the U.S. from Greely, Colorado to Greenville, South Carolina.  Typically, the breadwinner of the family is detained, thus leaving the spouse — and children in many cases —  not knowing that person’s status or whereabouts.  Now what is a single parent to do?

I found myself in the midst of a conversation with a colleague who is very overt about his faith.  For a non-Catholic, he has been a very good supporter of Catholic Charities and our efforts to feed the hungry.  However, he took issue with me about “your church’s social teachings.”  I played along.

This colleague — and very well-intentioned Christian I would add — told me “The law is the law and it must be followed.”  I responded, “You mean, like Roe vs. Wade, correct?  Because that’s law now. Or are you talking about how under our Constitution African Americans were once considered 3/5ths human beings for voting purposes?”  He began to give thought to what I had said. That’s not to say that he wasn’t thinking before he formed his opinion, but there is something to be said about positions formed out of ignorance….They’re typically ignorant.

When I explained to this person that such raids split up families and in most cases forced mothers and children to rely upon government sources and private charity in order to live, his eyes opened up and it dawned on him:  For all of his “pro-family” rhetoric on other societal and political matters, his so-called hard-line approach to illegal immigration was now sounding quite “anti-family.”   It certainly wasn’t “pro-life.”

One of the unexpected heroes during the Postville raids was a rather unassuming Catholic priest. Fr. Paul Ouderkirk was a man looking forward to a quiet assignment as he approached retirement.  Instead, he found himself in the eye of a political storm.  Many of his parishioners at St. Bridget parish were either employees or relatives of employees who were picked up during the raid.  It was the pastor and the parishioners of St. Bridget’s that rallied to the aid of the families separated from their imprisoned spouses/parents.

Not everyone agreed with the actions taken by the faith community:  “I am disturbed that local religious leaders in Postville seem to think it is immoral to arrest people who violated federal laws,” said Roy Beck, president of NumbersUSA, a group that believes in limiting immigration.

Here’s the rub:  Why did these so-called “law-breakers” break federal law in the first place?  I have not heard a more succinct or reasoned explanation than what I heard from Fr. Dan Groody, CSC — a so-called “religious leader.”  Fr. Groody asks a very simple question:  “How can we expect people to obey Civil Law, yet ask them to disobey Natural Law?”  To further that point, how do people of faith reconcile their Gospel call to “Welcome the Stranger” by vociferously opposing the immigrant’s presence or right to migrate?

As the Director of Notre Dame’s Center for Latino Spirituality and Culture, Groody’s point is this:  Everyone has a right to migrate to support themselves and their families.  His position has authoritative backing in Blessed John XXIII who declared that while the state has a right to maintain its sovereignty and protect its borders, it simply cannot overlook the common good.  Is it any wonder why so many Mexicans who are struggling in abject poverty will risk their lives getting to the U.S. so that they may have a better life?

The economic downturn and the scarcity of jobs has somewhat quieted down the issue of immigration.  Nonetheless, we are still in need of comprehensive immigration reform.  One of the biggest proponents of such reform was President George W. Bush.  Unfortunately members of his own party managed to sabotage any legislation.  There is hope that President Obama will be able to accomplish something given the large majorities of his party in both houses of Congress.

We should not have to wait for another Postville incident — or anniversary of such an incident — that gets us sound immigration reform which protects our borders and simultaneously honors human dignity and looks out for the common good.

For more information and a genuine human perspective on the issue of migration, please check out the work of Fr. Dan Groody at the following:

> Dying To Live

> One Border One Body

Lessons Learned From Monsters

One of my daughters’ favorite movies is the Pixar modern-day classic Monsters, Inc. Admittedly, it’s one of my favorites as well.

In the movie, a “Monster” society generates its power by scaring children and capturing their screams as a source of energy.  Our main characters-Sulley (John Goodman) and Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal)-make this notion of acquiring screams entertaining.  It certainly gives reason to laugh at our own childhood fears of the Boogeyman lurking in our closets. 

But as the story unfolds, we see the desperate measures taken by Monsters, Inc. CEO, Mr. Henry J. Waternoose (James Coburn) to acquire more energy (screams) which has become more difficult to obtain as children have been desensitized to the “scary things.”  It concludes when the jokester Mike Wazowski discovers that far more energy is generated by capturing the laughter of children-and there’s no limit to the amount that can be collected.

 So what is to be learned? 

Let me take a step back before answering that question and state the following:  We take ourselves, and our issues, far too seriously and far too often; we become so self-absorbed in our own opinions and agendas that we fail to see the larger issues that surround us.

This, of course, is only exacerbated by our sense of being on the “right side” of things.  Our language and behavior becomes less civil.  We resort to factionalism and fear.  We try to scare not just our opponents, but those either ambivalent or undecided. 

And, I have to ask myself, “Is this approach limiting our ability to capture energy and sustain our society?”  And since Sulley and Mike Wazowski are merely fictional characters, how do we harness positive energy today?

Over the last 15 years, America has been a particularly polarized nation.  We’ve seen it divided into Red and Blue states.  But, polarization and factionalism is not something exclusive to American politics.  It’s global.  It’s seen between East and West.  It’s among the “haves” and the “have-nots.”  It’s inter-religious….And, it’s intra-religious.

As Americans, we are in challenging times and it appears it will be that way for a bit longer. It has been said that as the size of the pie grows smaller, so do the table manners. With our economy lagging, it’s easy to be worried.  But, do we let our own fears and interests blind us or make us insensitive to others?  Or worse, do we turn that fear against each other?

The Congress has been grappling with a stimulus package and a federal budget that, as proposed, has a $3.5 trillion deficit.  Yes, that was trillion with a “T.”  Debate likely will be divided sharply among party lines.  Additionally, this summer President Obama will nominate a new member of the Supreme Court to replace retiring Justice, David Souter.  My estimation is the polarizing forces will be out in full strength.

I pray that our processes are marked by reasoned dialogue and not divisiveness and fear.  It is far too idealistic to think that everybody will have a good Mike Wazowski-induced laugh about the many issues facing our nation at the present time.  After all, we ARE faced with a lot of serious issues.  But, that doesn’t mean we have to take our ball and go home if we don’t like it.

A debate about health care reform will take place.  There are some very strong sides on this subject and we’ve seen the language can be inflammatory.  Whether you believe in a Canadian-style Universal System or an unbridled free-market approach, it does not change the fact that at the end of the day 45 million Americans have no health insurance at all.

As it presently stands, 37 million Americans live in poverty — 9 million are children.  Estimates say that by the end of 2010, 50 million Americans will live at or below the poverty line.  How can the most prosperous nation in the world allow this to happen?  Are we too busy or do we just not care?

While proposed solutions to these problems will differ between the Left and the Right, there must be a common moral imperative to resolve these problems and address societal injustice. 

For that to happen….

We must ask ourselves, “Can I put aside my personal agenda for the common good?” 

We must ask ourselves, “Will I be an instrument of mercy, or an instrument of fear?”

We must ask ourselves, “Will I be life-giving, or life-taking.”

And when we go to bed at night, would we rather be laughing or screaming?

War on poverty: Who’s winning?

Catholic Charities USA president pushes forward bold plan to cut poverty in half by 2020.

Father Larry Snyder admits it’s a daunting challenge: start work to cut the U.S. poverty rate in half by 2020 at a time when thousands of Americans are drowning in debt and organizations that serve the poor are straining to meet their clients’ needs. But not only is Catholic Charities USA, which Father Snyder heads, committed to the goal, he and the organization are convinced that it’s vital for the country.

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