www.upcatholic.org
THE U.P. CATHOLIC
March 12, 2021
5 Stop in for our Lenten Specials
SMOKED & FRESH FISH
Great Lakes Whitefish & Trout, Atlantic Salmon Perch---Walleye---Cod
Shrimp - Jumbo Scallops Lobster Tail - Fresh Oysters Jumbo - King Crab
Seafood Specials
Thill's Specialties
Fresh from the Smokehouse -
Whitefish, Trout & Herring Smoked Whitefish, Sausage Smoked Fish Spread, Herring & Trout Hours: M-F 8:00-5:30, Sat. 9-3
Visa & Master Card Accepted
On the Fish Dock in Marquette's Lower Harbor
THILL & SON'S FISH HOUSE
226-9851
1
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fast and abstinence. Abstinence is also to be observed on the Fridays of Lent.
2
Fasting is required of all the faithful in good health from the age of 18 to the beginning of their 60th year. Abstinence binds everyone over the age of 14.
3
Fasting usually is interpreted to mean one full meal and, if necessary, two other small meals. One should not eat between meals, but milk, fruit juices, and other liquids are permitted.
4
Abstinence means no meat should be eaten during the entire day.
5
Anyone unable to observe the fast or abstinence obligations because of health or other serious reasons should substitute another penance.
Season of Lent
Rules and Regulations
An Act of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven, and the pains of hell; but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.
From the police force to the priesthood
BY CAROL HOLLENBECK
THE U.P. CATHOLIC
Although the jump from law enforcement to parish priest seems like a big one, Father Benedetto (Ben) Paris says both callings allow him to serve people. Father Paris, currently assigned to St. Francis de Sales, Manistique, and Divine Infant of Prague, Gulliver, marked his Silver Jubilee as a priest on June 2, 2020. He was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., and attend- ed St. Mary's School and Lake Superior State University there. He earned a Bach- elor of Science degree in law enforcement. He worked for the Chippewa County Sheriff Department, security at Lake Superior State and for the Department of Corrections over the years. But Father Paris said he felt called to do more. "I was more and more involved in my church in 1988-89," he said. "I was a cantor and Eucharistic minister. I wanted to be- come a deacon, but at that time, I couldn't find a way to do that. Now, the Church has ways to help. I asked my priest if I should look into becoming a priest. He said it would be a lot easier." He entered Sacred Heart Seminary in Hales Corners, Wis., in 1991. "Some of my credits from Lake Superior State transferred, but I still had to do four years of theology school because my experience at LSSU didn't apply to that," he said. Father Paris was ordained on June 2, 1995, by Bishop James Garland at Marquette. Soon, he reconnected with his law enforce- ment background, when he was appointed to the Michigan State Police Chaplain Corps in 1996. "I've been a chaplain for 25 years, and the Michigan State Police are the best of the best," he said. "I spent a lot of time riding with them when I was at LSSU. There are a lot of really good people there." Father Paris continues to work as an emergency responder and firefighter with the Manistique Public Safety Department, and as a volunteer firefighter with Doyle Township and Gulliver fire departments. He also continues to play bass guitar, currently with the band Grand Design, although not as much as he once did. He said his earnings have helped reroof the rectory and church at St. Francis, and Divine Infant church. He is considering a project for this year, perhaps a new sidewalk at St. Francis. In 2000, Father Paris returned to school to study canon law for two years at the Univer- sity of St. Paul, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. He was appointed adjutant judicial vicar of the Diocese of Marquette Marriage Tribunal in 2002. "A canonist deals with church law," he explained. "There are 1,752 canons in the code, and we studied them all. My main thrust was to work in the mar- riage tribunal, and I'm still in that," he continued. "At the time, then-Father Alex Sample was the defender of the bond. He became bishop and I took over as defender of the bond in 2014, after I moved to Manis- tique." There are two main roles in the marriage tribunal: the judge who decides the merits of a case and the defender of the bond who defends the bond of marriage, whether or not a marriage was valid, in annulment cases. Father Paris says his role in the tribunal is similar to his work as a law enforcement offi- cer. "I read through cases, investigate to find out what happened. There's a lot to an an- nulment," he said. "We are told in canon law to always keep in mind that the salvation of souls is the most important thing, the guid- ing principal. If they are in another marriage, they can't receive the sacraments unless they get an annulment. As priests, we do our best to help them gain that annulment." Father Paris also enjoys traveling. "One of the most memorable times in my priesthood was in 2012, going to Israel," he said. "I was raised in the Soo and never got out of the area until I entered the seminary. I highly encourage any Catholic to go to Israel to see Capernaum, the Jordan, the Sea of Galilee. It's very powerful. Even though I went to St. Mary's School and studied our faith, it didn't really sink in until I went there. I celebrated Mass there for law enforcement. I had my Michigan State Police cap and a t-shirt from the Chocolay Township Fire Department, from when I served with them, that I wore." To anyone considering entering the reli- gious life, Father Paris advises, "Follow your heart and the prompting of the Holy Spirit. For anyone destined to follow the religious life, it may be difficult, but the Holy Spirit will find a path."
Celebrating Father Ben Paris's 25th Jubilee
COURTESY PHOTO
Father Ben Paris plays bass guitar with the band Grand Design.
Remember to pray for our clergy and religious
Previous Page