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November 1, 2006
Presentation Ministries Newsletter
 PM youth and young adults on their mission trip to Tijuana, Mexico. |
Presentation Ministries' John Bosco Youth and Young Adult Volunteers Are a Sign of Hope to St Peter Claver
Guadalupe Bible College 2006 Graduation Ceremony at the PM Bible Institute
Meet the New Resident at 3228 McHenry Ave.
OBOB From East to West
Today's Society Needs a Faith Booster! GBC Answers the Need
A note from Nancy Kenny/Relics of Fr Al Lauer:
Media Ministries News
Top 10 Scriptures Referenced in OBOB
PM Youth and Young Adults Take a Mission Trip To Tijuana, Mexico
Ministry Center Rocks
Presentation Ministries' John Bosco Youth and Young Adult Volunteers Are a Sign of Hope to St Peter Claver
By Vivian L. Jansen, Principal at St. Peter Claver Latin School for Boys
The John Bosco Youth and Young Adults ministries of Presentation Ministries (PM) are fulfilling Pope John Paul II's prophecy that the movement of the Holy Spirit in the laity through small home based communities would be a great hope for the Church. The generous spirit of young people from PM has been a very strong support to the challenging inner city mission at St. Peter Claver Latin School for Boys (SPC) in the troubled neighborhood of Over the Rhine in Cincinnati.
At present the second phase of SPC's Fr. Lauer Annex has been renovated by an Eagle Scout project developed and carried out by David Mellon. The front room of 1210 Main Street will be used as a multipurpose room for the school. This project involved some very challenging cleaning, fixing and painting jobs. David's family has been actively involved in PM's John Bosco Youth Group and the Bible Institute youth plays over the years. His brother, Matt, completed his Eagle Scout project at SPC in 2004 and since then he has continued to volunteer once a week in the school's computer lab. Barb and Paul Mellon have encouraged and assisted their sons in carrying out these elaborate Eagle Scout projects for the benefit of SPC.
 SPC's Fr. Lauer Annex has been renovated by an Eagle Scout project developed and carried out by David Mellon. |
Recently, Aaron and Michael Willig have volunteered their services in the 1st and 2nd grade classroom with their brother, Jonathan, who courageously stepped in to teach at SPC when Mrs. Stevens and her family moved to Boston in February. Other members of the Willig family, Alicia, Jacob and Teresa volunteered to help with the mammoth job of organizing and moving the kindergarten and art classroom last spring. Their parents, David and Janet Willig, have served on the Board of Trustees for St. Peter Claver since 2003. They are the leaders of the Guadalupe Home Based Christian Community and other ministries of PM.
Lisa and Debbie Cappel, daughters of Mary and Jerry Cappel, also helped SPC through the years, including the big job of moving and organizing classrooms. The Cappels lead the Lumen Christi HBC as well as disciple their children and grandchildren. Jerry is a Director of PM, and is a member of the Board of Trustees for St. Peter Claver Latin School for Boys.
Musician, Matt Schroeder, volunteers his talent each week as Mrs. Sarah Wilke's assistant. He has given individual guitar lessons to students for the past few years. The students and teachers, literally "look up" to Matt, (who is over six feet tall) in both ways. His brother James (also very tall) has recently started assisting Mrs. Nancy Bitter with art projects. James' presence has been an encouragement to the art program. Like the Mellon family, the Schroeders have been affiliated with PM throughout the years.
John Egan worked as classroom aide for a few years and was invaluable in helping to set up the office computers. Mike Autenrieb was available for professional maintenance on office equipment. Many other PM youth have supported our school by helping with various projects.
These dedicated PM volunteers have blessed the school with the spiritual, physical, and intellectual gifts they received from God. They are truly showing themselves to be living lives "worthy of the call" they have received. They are a "great sign of hope" given to us through the communities and ministries founded by Father Al Lauer.
Please continue to pray for St Peter Claver Latin School For Boys.
Guadalupe Bible College 2006 Graduation Ceremony at the PM Bible Institute
by Bonnie Bobrowski
 Pictured left to right: Doris Keller, Janice Luebbe, Barbara Krause, Shelley Meade, Fr. Martin Mannion, and Joann Arendt. |
The 2006 graduates were Joann Arendt from Coldwater, MI, Frank Dzuibek from Terryville, CT, Doris Keller from Jefferson, NC Barbara Krause from Cincinnati, OH, and Father Martin Mannion from St. Louis, MO.
These students have participated in many of the programs within Presentation Ministries, including the Bible Institute program, the Paul Jansen Discipleship retreats, and GBC home-study courses. They have demonstrated a deep faith and commitment to follow Jesus and make disciples who transform society and permeate the secular culture with the Gospel.
Fr. Martin concelebrated the Mass which was a special blessing. At the conclusion of the ceremony he gave a stirring tribute to Presentation Ministries and the impact of the Bible College in his life by stating that in the seminary he came to know Jesus in his head and that through PM and its programs he now knows Jesus in his heart.
Meet the New Resident at 3228 McHenry Ave.
 David Menetrey |
Recently, David Menetrey, of Ft Thomas, KY has taken up residence in the living quarters above the Ministry Center in Cincinnati, OH. He felt it was a good time to move out of the family home and to live on his own. He found it a hard decision between the Ministry Center and an apartment which was very much nearer his workplace. He is employed full time at the Arvin Meritor plant in Erlanger, KY which distributes parts for semi trailers.
He is familiar with Presentation Ministries, first becoming acquainted with it while studying at Franciscan University in Steubenville, 1997-2001. David earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy. He had been in the pre-theologate program for four years, pursuing an interest in religious life or the priesthood.
David has twice visited the Maryknoll order in Juarez, Mexico, exploring their life-style while on retreat in December both in 2004 and 2005. Another opportunity to deepen his experience with them came as he participated in a Maryknoll Holy Week retreat in Guatemala City in April of 2006.
Respiratory therapy is an additional interest he is pursuing and has resumed schooling at Cincinnati State, to be trained in that field. His background includes working as a nurses' aid at a health care & rehab center, and also at a local nursing home.
Currently, a priority exists to pay off his student loans. While doing so, religious life or priesthood necessarily remains on hold.
He finds all the PM workers to be friendly and is happy to be at the Ministry Center. He does find the neighborhood noisier than what he had been used to, but also sees it as a good place to plant the seeds of faith.
Welcome, David Menetrey!
OBOB From East to West
An article appeared a year ago in the 2005 Fall issue entitled: "A Project of 'Fr. Al Magnitude.' " Perhaps Fr. Al, from heaven, saw and read it, and decided to intercede personally for this important endeavor.
At the onset, several co-workers tackled the work in earnest, but after three or four months bogged down with obstacles. Their's was an effort to promote One Bread, One Body on a national level. The strategy involved searching and verifying, via the Internet, the current addresses for all the churches in a particular diocese. Step number two: a couple of copies of One Bread, One Body with a concise cover letter about the booklet and the background of Presentation Ministries were sent to each parish. A very key step ensued with a follow-up call to each parish office, hopefully reaching the pastor himself.
Complete coverage of each parish in a diocese, and then each diocese in a state was the goal. In time, moving from state to state, the whole USA Catholic network would receive an invitation to order One Bread, One Body (OBOB).
 Ed Lekson |
This existing ministry which has been essentially a part-time effort at best, is now turning into more of a full-time job after Ed Lekson, a new co-worker, stepped into the picture.
Since June, Ed has systematically covered two states, Virginia and Idaho. He is currently contacting parishes in Missouri. Thanks to persistence and God's grace he can show significant advancement. "There have been many hills and valleys along the way," he says. "Anyone who has done prospecting by phone realizes that it is a challenge to get a positive response. It is actually a challenge just to get someone on the phone!"
Multiple calls and voice mails later, he can see much fruit from his work. One pastor in Virginia ordered 250 OBOBs for his two parishes. Another church ordered 300 copies for catechism classes (CCD) for youth. Several want to offer OBOB to the home-bound in their parish.
Recently, while Ed was at the Ministry Center, a call came from an individual who discovered OBOB in his church in Virginia! He loved it and wished to order a subscription right away. His church, Sacred Heart, happened to be one in which Ed had recently promoted One Bread, One Body.
A fabulous blessing came from the office of the Missouri diocese of Jefferson City. They agreed to send Ed's introductory email to all their priests, deacons, and religious sisters. "The results have been phenomenal," Ed remarked, "since the information came from their own office. It definitely increased the success rate. Some signed up right from that email."
Even though tedious at times, many encouragements are found along the way. "Many have wished us well and commended us for doing the Lord's work," said Ed. Fifty-plus new orders have been added in just the three or four months since he took up the baton.
Plenty of work remains. Is anyone available for this phone
ministry? If you can work during business hours, we are in need of others willing to make these important
follow-up calls. You will receive training and be given the necessary
lists. Contact Ed Lekson at 513-919-4883 or email .
Today's Society Needs a Faith Booster! GBC Answers the Need
by Bonnie Bobrowski
Our Lady of Guadalupe Bible College (GBC) is a faith booster. Jesus teaches us in Scripture that when faith is waning, we must teach the Word. The people in Nazareth would not listen to Jesus. Mark 6:5-6 says...he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith. He went around to the villages in the vicinity teaching. Jesus' power could not take effect because of their lack of faith. His response: go out and teach!
Faith wanes in a culture where the people are not hungry for spiritual things. Today our hunger is easily satisfied with material and worldly things: like making money, shopping, watching TV, secular entertainment, sports, etc. Fr. Al Lauer referred to this condition as "spiritual anorexia". The result of spiritual anorexia is a lack of faith which leaves us vulnerable to the enticements of the world.
Our society's condition mirrors the situation in Nazareth at the time of Jesus. People not hungry for truth look to other things rather than God for their sustenance. Again, teaching the Word is needed when faith is lacking. We see this in Paul's letter to the Romans, Thus faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ (Rom 10:17). So if we are experiencing a lack of faith we need to draw near to and abide in the Word of God. God's Word is truly a lamp to our feet. Lead me from the way of deceit; favor me with your teaching (Ps 119:20).
Your hands made me and fashioned me; give me insight to learn your commands (Ps 119:73). Only our Maker knows what we need, to be all that He created us to be. He has given us His Holy Word as our guide.
But there is a problem; who will teach? The Ethiopian eunuch was in need of a teacher and the Lord sent Philip. Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and said, "Do you understand what you are reading? "...He said to Philip, "How can I, unless someone instructs me" (Acts 8:30). So he invited Philip to get in and sit with him.
We have a lack of Philips in our Catholic Church today. Most Catholics are not schooled in God's Word, and not equipped to teach. However, there is a solution to that problem. Presentation Ministries has Our Lady of Guadalupe Bible College (GBC). This Bible college is open to all who want to know Jesus and to follow Him.
Students should be committed Christians, submissive to the teaching authority of the Catholic Church. Through the college they receive an organic, systematic, and comprehensive understanding of divine revelation as taught by the Catholic Church. They are discipled for Jesus and equipped to permeate this secular materialistic culture with the gospel, in turn making new disciples for Him. This catechetical movement will increase the faith of God's people and provide teachers who will bring the message of the Gospel to this hungry dying world.
GBC is a unique college. About 80% of the study can be done at home or in the class room setting. However, the students are expected to come at least once a year to Cincinnati or to a regional GBC seminar. This is required because Christian education and discipleship should occur in the context of Christian community. We want to model ourselves after the early Christians who in Acts, devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers (Acts 2:42).
This scripture from Acts, describing the followers of Jesus, has become a living word to some people in the Cleveland Diocese. Shortly after they heard the call to live their baptismal life in community, they made a covenant to God and one another to gather together. They chose St. Anthony as their name and soon after they discerned a call to provide Bible studies in the area churches. St. Anthony must have been interceding for them. In the time of St. Anthony there was a lack of faith, similar to Nazareth and in our world today. St. Anthony imitated Jesus and went about teaching. When the people wouldn't listen to him, he preached to the fish that came up out the water to listen. Eventually many thousands came to hear him teach.
The community of St. Anthony, a Presentation Ministries home based community, has been given the ministry to teach the Bible. The Holy Spirit can use them because they all devoted themselves to the Word and were equipped through their participation in GBC to live and teach the Bible. From hearing the Word, their faith has increased, now they are being called to bring the faith of Jesus Christ to many people through their growing number of Bible studies in the Cleveland area.
If you have experienced a lack of faith in your life, it is time to get a faith boost and join the Our Lady of Guadalupe Bible College.
Jesus was amazed at their lack of faith. He went around to the villages in the vicinity teaching. Philip was sent to teach the eunuch, who brought the faith to Ethiopia. St. Anthony of Padua brought thousands to faith through his teaching. The little community of St. Anthony HBC has brought the word to hundreds of people over the last eight years by providing Bible classes. How is the Lord calling you to teach His word?
A note from Nancy Kenny/Relics of Fr Al Lauer:
I have recently received into my possession one of Father Al's handkerchiefs. Many of those who knew Father Al personally, consider him a most saintly man. He made a great impact on my life. Praise God!
Instead of keeping this handkerchief for myself, I felt the Holy Spirit inspiring me to offer a piece of it to anyone interested. Fr. Al is
not declared Venerable or Blessed yet, but John Paul II, in his writings, encouraged us to pray for and with the saints that we knew personally. Research of Catholic teachings on relics, revealed that all relics should be blessed by a priest. Father McCarthy blessed the handkerchief for me during the Bible Institute this past Summer.
If you would like me to send you a little card (with the piece of the handkerchief attached) with following information printed on it, please contact me. Send an email to with a mailing address provided; or call 513-530-5511.
The following is the text printed on the card:
"So extraordinary were the mighty deeds God accomplished at the hands of Paul that when face cloths or aprons that touched his skin were applied to the sick, their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them" (Acts 19:11-12).
Attached is part of a handkerchief of Father Al Lauer, who died on Oct 13th 2002, after a very holy life lived entirely for Jesus.
May this blessed face cloth be used by Almighty God to heal your disease or affliction.
Media Ministries News
Fr. Lauer's Podcast A Winner On A Christian Website
by Dean Weber
"God Cast One Thousand" website, a podcast site for various denominations keeps a count of the popularity of the shows. Fr. Lauer's classic edition of "Daily Bread" won over all other Catholic and Protestant shows from around the nation.
We found this out when the Catholic News Service in Washington DC called to do an article on podcasting and Fr. Lauer's show, and informed us of this.
What is on the podcast is our regular Monday thru Friday 15-minute radio show.
Video Tapes
by Sue Weber
A Lutheran Pastor from Texas recently ordered four video tapes. Praise the Lord!
Radio Witness
Dear Presentation Ministries:
I support Catholic radio 89.1 with a monthly donation. I am on a very limited budget but enjoy Catholic radio so much; including Fr. Lauer's program.
I also enjoy your publication One Bread, One Body. I use it daily.
Thank you.
~Mary
Indiana
Audio Tape Witness
Dear Presentation Ministries:
I am very thankful for your ministry. The tapes and the readings are so helpful to me in my journey with the Lord. Father Lauer is so great I enjoy listening to him so much. Enclosed is my order for a few more tapes.
Thank you.
~Josie
Colorado
PM Website Audience Continues to Grow
by Chris Jasek
Usage of the PM website continues to increase monthly. There are currently about 50,000 visitors a month who view about 150,000 pages on our website. We also receive over 300 prayer requests each month. Over 5,000 people around the world receive the OBOB e-mail daily and about 25% of these are outside of the USA/Canada. Approximately 250 people listen to the Daily Bread radio program via our website each day. Our podcast of Daily Bread was even featured in a recent news article through the Catholic News Service (CNS). We praise God for what He is doing through our website and ask you to let others know about the wonderful teachings and other resources they can find on our website.
Radio Witness
(from a person who did not know Fr. Lauer is deceased)
Dear Fr. Lauer:
I do really love your programs. Been listening to you since May, 2006...[here he requested copies of several weeks of radio programs and some pamphlets]...You have a great voice, good speaker, teacher. You're great at what you do.
Thank you. God bless you and Presentation Ministries and their families.
~Farrell
Kentucky
One Bread, One Body Witness
I absolutely love One Bread, One Body. Your ministry is like Christ talking directly to me. Thank you for continuing to be our Lord's disciples.
~Connie
Kentucky
Top 10 Scriptures Referenced in OBOB
An analysis of the OBOB database on our website revealed the most referenced scriptures in the OBOB teachings over the past 10 years. These references have been inspired by the Holy Spirit so these most referenced scriptures may have a special meaning to PM. Perhaps the Holy Spirit will inspire you to memorize the top 10, use them more in teaching the Bible, or inspire some other action. A list of the top 100 referenced scriptures can be found on the PM website at: www.presentationministries.com/obob/top100.asp
1. Jn 14:6 (165 references)
Jesus said to him, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
2. Lk 9:23 (147 references)
Then he said to all, "If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."
3. 1 Jn 4:16 (134 references)
We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us. God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him.
4. Jn 11:25 (104 references)
Jesus told her, "I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live."
5. Mt 28:19 (100 references)
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit.
6. Acts 1:8 (99 references)
But you will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
7. Jn 15:5 (88 references)
I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.
8. 1 Jn 4:8 (86 references)
Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love.
9. Rm 5:5 (82 references)
And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us.
10. Gal 5:22 (79 references)
In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
PM Youth and Young Adults Take a Mission Trip To Tijuana, Mexico
Collaborative story by Teresa Willig & Marianne Lander
 PM youth spent two or three hours each day hand mixing cement, and digging with pick axes and shovels. |
When can sleeping directly on a tile floor actually feel good? "When one has had a long day of extreme physical activity." So says Teresa Willig, speaking about her summer mission trip to Tijuana, Mexico. Through the collaboration of Old St Mary's Youth Group, Presentation Ministries' John Bosco Youth Group and a few college-age young adults, twenty-two youth and adults volunteered with the Salesian Order for one week, July 24-31, 2006.
Two host Salesian volunteers of Los Embajadores (The Ambassadors) made them feel welcome and directed their prayer, work, and socializing throughout the week. They explained the five components of the mission trip: 1) Simple life-style, 2) Supportive community, 3) Spirituality, 4) Social justice, and 5) Direct Service. They were instrumental in focusing the young people's prayerful thoughts throughout the day, especially "offering up sufferings", seeing Christ in the children they met, explaining customs, organizing activity, offering valuable insights, and calming frustrations when all did not go as planned.
The day commenced with Mass followed by breakfast and a few cleaning chores. The group stayed at an oratory based on St. John Bosco's model. That particular oratory happened to be a sort of headquarters. Soon after, they split into two divisions and each bumped off along rough roads to another oratory where they performed the "direct service" portion of the five-component plan.
The Salesians Fathers' oratories were provided as safe and fun places for youth, inviting them off the streets, offering spiritual sustenance, as well as art and music activities, and plenty of physical sports, mainly soccer. The program was a Summer Bible Camp—but lasted all day long until the kids went home to eat their evening meal with their families. First graders to 16-year-olds participated. The older teens assisted with teaching the younger children. Classes were held for older teens to train them in working skills.
The oratories they visited in the daytime were still in the "building stage" even though already in use, and required much physical exertion. The two groups from Cincinnati alternated between hard labor and socializing with the children. They spent two or three hours hand mixing cement, and digging with pick axes and shovels. Then they would enter the oratory classroom and learn a song with the children in Spanish, and reciprocate, teaching an English song to them. Later in the afternoon, they might join in the soccer or basketball during the children's recess.
 Language did not seem much of a barrier between the youth of the Salesian Fathers' oratory and the visiting youth of Presentation Ministries. |
One deviation from this routine was a visit to a soup kitchen — more correctly a "breakfast kitchen" — where they served 400 people in a tiny space. Each table of guests prayed together before eating. The volunteers who ran the kitchen made amazing use of what others were throwing away. All who ate there were very grateful and the room resounded with "Que Dioste bendiga" (God bless you)" and other words of thankfulness.
Much was to be discovered about the social conditions and habitat of the Mexicans living in a border town, such as Tijuana. Even though U.S. factories were present and jobs available, the squalid and unregulated conglomeration of population moving in and setting up shanty housing of any sort was sobering. All the accompanying aspects of daily living: trash, sewage, problems with bad water and even lack of water exacerbates the situation.
The participants on the mission trip were encouraged to keep a journal during the week. Youth from other countries were also present and evening time, back at the base oratory, was spent both in reflection and making acquaintances. Language did not present too much of a barrier. Gestures and hand signals and accommodating spirits filled in where words left off. Each day a family from the town who were better able financially would provide a lunch for the Salesian volunteers.
Much was gained by all during this mission trip. Simple food and clothing, going without daily showers, hard work, daily prayer grounded in concrete activity, learning another's life-style and customs all served to open hearts and minds. They came away with gratitude for privileges they had been blessed with all their lives and concern and appreciation for other people God has placed along side us on this earth.
Ministry Center Rocks
by Mary Hennessey
 Friday Mourning band plays at "The Fest" in Cleveland. |
Recently, the rock band, Friday Mourning, visited the Ministry Center to lend a hand at One Bread, One Body book packing.
Friday Mourning consists of five current and former students of Franciscan University of Steubenville (FUS). They are Jim Wockenfuss, Steve Dalgetti, Jose Grajo, Ryan Walsh and Presentation's own Lucas Hennessey.
Lucas got his start in music ministry, singing and playing guitar with Presentation Ministries' (PM) youth Music Ministry. For years, on Friday evening, Lucas and other teens from PM gathered at the home of Dave and Janet Willig to pray, sing, worship and prepare to lead music at the monthly communities Mass. After formal practice was over, many stayed for a "jam session". Here, assisted by members Will and Johnny Egan, Jon and Jacob Willig and many others, Lucas discovered his gift for leading and writing music.
While attending FUS, Lucas lead his own music ministry and was exposed to many other like-minded musicians since he held the position of chief sound technician for the chapel. In 2004, Lucas joined Friday Mourning (FM) as bass player. These talented musicians, write and perform songs based on their lives as Catholic young men finding God's path in their lives. Their music is not necessarily a collection of worship songs, but they do address their faith lives. The Cleveland Plain Dealer recently published an extensive article about FM's expression of their faith in rock music (http://tinyurl.com/j3nfj). Also this summer, FM won a series of "Battle of the Bands" contests, including one at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This enabled them to "open" for Grammy Award winning Christian artist, Stephen Curtis Chapman, at the Diocese of Cleveland's annual "Fest" of Catholic culture. Here they played in front of 20,000 people. Singer Jim Wockenfuss introduced their pro-life song, "Where the Angels Sleep", by encouraging the audience to hug or call and thank their mothers for giving them life. He ended the song by reminding attendees to also thank their Heavenly Father. At that point he lead the crowd in a rock version of "Gloria in Excelsis Deo".
 From left to right: Jose Grajo, Jim Wockenfuss, Ivy Peppers, Timothy Hennessey (in front of Ivy), Brian Rosenthal (manager), John Paul Hennessey, and Steve Dalgetti. |
In July, while in town for an engagement at a local secular night club (where they remind patrons to think about God in their lives), band members graciously lent a hand to Ivy Peppers, Bob Tenkman, and the other regulars at book packing.
If you would like more information about Friday Mourning, or to contact them, please check out their website at: www.fridaymourning.com.