By Dan Sullivan
Catholic Herald

Performers share Catholic faith

LADYSMITH -- Tn here was a vaudeville act that hit northern Wisconsin on Saturday, April 17. In between their storytelling, juggling, thrilling acts and laughter, this duo had an important message for its young audience. Gene Monteraselli and Brad Farmer, better known as APeX Ministries, conveyed a message about their shared Catholic faith. It was all part of the the annual diocesan youth rally, held at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Ladysmith.

Over the last six years, APeX has worked with youth and adults alike in over 40 states, not only on the local and diocesan levels, but at national conferences. Included among the highlights of their ministry was an performance during Pope John Paul II visit to St. Louis in 1999.

During their opening, Monteraselli and Farmer had a number of youth participate in a skit, simply called "Fairy Tale." Although the performance had the makings of a classic tale, complete with a wol,f played by Nick Amys of St. Anthony Parish in Superior, and other characters, it had an underlying message.

"The moral of the story is that we should take care of God's people," Farmer said. "It is based on a story from the Bible." The tale came from the Gospel of John, Chapter 21, where Jesus asked his disciples if they loved him.

"Jesus asks the same question to each of us," Farmer said. "Jesus asks each of us if we love him? If you say yes, it has to be in action and not just words."

Later, Farmer shared how his sister Brittany was born with deformed feet and had to walk with braces. Growing up Farmer didn't think his sister had much to offer. "But my sister taught me more about unconditional love than anyone else," he said

Farmer told of how anytime a visitor came to his family home, no matter who it was, Brittany would greet them with a hug. "That's the way each one of us should live our life, with unconditional love," Farmer said.

He talked about how his sister developed health complications and was rushed to the hospital.

"I said a prayer for Brittany," Farmer said. "I poured myself out in that prayer."

While reciting the rosary for his sister, Farmer said, he saw visions of her running without difficulty. Although his sister died, Farmer said he shared the story for two reasons, the first being that the power of prayer is real.

"We can have a personal relationship with our creator," Farmer said.

Secondly, everyone has something to offer. "God has made you who you are for a reason," Farmer said. "You can take your circumstances and use them."

No matter who you are and what challenges you face, Farmer said, an individual can always do the most amazing things possible by the way they show love.

During the performance Monteraselli used an authentic straight jacket to demonstrate faith and as a way to discuss struggles with his own learning disabilities.

Levi Englebretson, of Immaculate Conception Parish in Hammond, assisted Monteraselli in buckling the straps of the restraining device.

"The jacket represents the obstacles in my life," Monteraselli said. "Struggles exists."

Twisting and turning, somehow managing to unbuckle the fasteners one at a time, Monteraselli worked his way out of the jacket. No matter what struggles a person may have, Monteraselli assured his young audience members, God unconditionally loves them.

"One by one, God will assist us to unbuckle the buckles of our personal straight jackets," he said.

In his homily at a Mass to close the day, Bishop Raphael M. Fliss shared some insight on faith with the youth. "Each one of us must come to our own personal belief in God and in Jesus," Fliss said. "We can't believe, just because our parents, family or friends believe."

Fliss told how he was raised in a wonderful home, with good parents. "The faith was strong and I am sure a lot of that came at me," he said.

Individuals need to come to grips with their own faith and take possession of it. "We have to come to our own personal faith," he said.

Although an individual is unable to take a time machine back to the first Easter or put their fingers in the wounds of Jesus that were exposed to Thomas, Fliss said there are things a person can do to help him or her believe.

"We can believe in God through the Gospels and Scriptures," he said. "We can believe in Christ. We can live our lives, aware of God's presence and what God has brought for us in beautiful sunsets, sunrises and springtime."

The bishop encouraged the young people to reach out to Jesus. "Ask for faith," Fliss said. "We can discover it from our own experience that Jesus has risen in our midst. He is ready to help us and is there for us."

Fliss shared with the young people how their peers of the world told Pope John Paul II not to worry about global problems. Fliss said that these young people assured the pope they would make the world a better place.

"I hope you are among that group that feels this way," Fliss said.

As a service component on the day, participants were asked to support the works of the CareNet Pregnancy Resource Center in Ladysmith.

"Thank you for thinking of us and pray for the people we serve," said Julie Schieber, director.

Throughout the day, APeX intertwined juggling into their performance, even offering lessons to participants and getting Fr. John Anderson, host pastor, into the act.

To close the day Anderson stood between Farmer and Monteraselli and they juggled numerous bowling pins on both sides of him.

"I didn't know that was going to be a part of the act," Anderson said.

Anderson added that the day served as a great way to bring young people from throughout the diocese together. "The message was outstanding and it was a good message for the young people," he said. "It was also uplifting for us adults to be a part of."

Christine Newkirk, assistant director of the Bishop Hammes Center for Religious Education and Youth Ministry in Haugen, called APeX talented. "But in addition, they help us grow in our faith," Newkirk said.

Sarah Krueger, an eighth grader from St. Francis Xavier Parish in Merrill, attended the event for the first time. Besides being amazed by the juggling acts, Krueger said she learned about her faith. "I learned that you can expand on your faith, because God is always going to be with you," she said.

Julianne Donlon, director of religious education at Immaculate Conception Parish in Rhinelander, said the day served many purposes.

"It gives youth a sense of community and it gives them renewed sense of purpose in the faith," Donlon said. "It also gives youth leaders a chance to learn from one another and see what the kids are really interested in."

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© Superior Catholic Herald, 2004