April 24, 2008

Surgeries Moved to Accommodate Papal Trip

Dr. Kathy Schanzer often spends her Wednesdays catching up on patients for whom she does surgeries on Tuesdays. But two weeks ago on Wednesday she had to rearrange all that in order to fly to Washington to be part of the Papal Mass, and with husband, Tom Lewis, be among the members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre who greeted the Pope as he passed by the steps of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington during his five day trip to the US.

"It was a crazy day on Tuesday to get here on Wednesday," said Dr. Schanzer, " I had to rearrange some patients, but it was OK." She also said that being at the Mass was, "almost indescribable. It really does make me want to study my faith more. It's fabulous." Tom and Kathy's seats were in the last section on the left hand side of the stadium, and she said, "Even though its' a baseball field, we'll have Eucharist. And the crowd is so respectful."

Tom said that he was impressed by the feeling of community that was present in the stadium. He noted that people came from all over the country and from the city and suburbs of Virginia, Maryland and DC. "You know there's a pall hanging over our country right now, but the Pope just lifts us all up. It's a new beginning."

When Pope Benedict came to Nationals Park he entered the stadium riding in the popemobile. "There was an adrenaline rush when he arrived," Tom said. "That was cool." He spoke about the times he had seen the Pope in his journeys to other countries particularly in Sierra Leone, but somehow it was different in Washington because the Pope was in the United States. Tom had driven the family motor home to DC, and he and Kathy were staying in a motor court nearby. Like all the other participants in the Mass, Tom and Kathy had to wait more than two hours in the stands for the Pope to arrive, but there were lots of activities during that time, Dr. Schanzer noted, including the Dominicans leading a rosary prior to the Pope's arrival.

Inzer Elected To National Service Committee

In the Fall of 2007, the National Service Committee (NSC) for the USA Catholic Charismatic Renewal sent Nomination Ballots to the Liaisons of the Charismatic Renewal in the USA.

Deacon Werner Rose, Liaison for the Catholic Charismatic Renewal of the Memphis Diocese (CCRMD), submitted the ballot with the name of Carlene Inzer, Assistant Liaison for the CCRMD. She and nine others were selected to serve on the NSC for a three-year term. In addition to their national meeting, the members will keep in contact by email to work on accessing the needs of the Renewal in the USA and make appropriate goals and directions.

Inzer has been in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal since 1971 and has been an active leader in the Renewal in Texas and Memphis, TN. While at the House of the Lord in Memphis, Carlene led spiritual direction workshops, directed retreats, organized conferences and served on the CCRMD Core Group.

For further information about the Catholic Charismatic Renewal of the Memphis Diocese, please visit our website at www.catholicstuff.org. - - Submitted by Jan Courtney, Communications Chair, Catholic Charismatic Renewal of the Memphis Diocese

Good Shepherd Sunday Celebrated April 13

The Good Shepherd community of Memphis gathered on April 13 at the Church of the Ascension to celebrate "Good Shepherd Sunday." During Mass, Sister Nora Pat O'Flannigan, R.G.S. and Sister Lakshmie Napagoda, R.G.S. renewed their vows as Sisters of the Good Shepherd, the religious community founded by St. Mary Euphrasia and has served Memphis for more than 130 years.

Sister Nora Pat is the director of Casa Maria del Pueblo Vecino, a community outreach of the diocese for the Hispanic population.

Sister Lakshmie, the director of DeNeuville Learning Center, had an additional reason to celebrate. On Good Shepherd Sunday, DeNeuville also celebrated its tenth anniversary. The Center's mission is to assist women of all backgrounds and cultures in learning the skills needed to make positive choices for themselves and their families.

The sisters were joined in their commitment of service by the Good Shepherd Associates, women from various parishes who assist the mission and ministry of the sisters with their support and their prayers.

Rotary Club Honors Catholic Youth at Annual Luncheon

Each year the Memphis Central Rotary Club recognizes four Catholic school students in the 8th, 9th, and 10th grades who have achieved success despite significant obstacles in their lives. Principals, teachers and guidance counselors are asked to nominate deserving students from their schools. The students and their families, principals and the nominating teacher are invited to a special Rotary luncheon during which the students are presented with a $1,000 check, an engraved plaque and certificates honoring both the student and their schools. This years winners are David Hughes, 10th grade at St. Benedict, Gabriella Carvalho, 8th grade at St. Michael, Aubri Jobes, 10th grade at St. Benedict, and Johnas Venzant, 8th grade, Holy Rosary.