OPUS.LaytonSC

 (Title) Opus Dei stresses need to bring faith into daily living.


  (The Catholic Herald recently completed a five-part series on Opus
Dei, an international Catholic organization.  The stories by NC News
Service originated in Rome.  In this article, a look is taken at Opus
Dei in the Milwaukee archdiocese.)

    By Pat Windsor, Catholic Herald Staff


 The cover page includes three photographs taken by James Pearson with
 the following captions:

 (Upper left) Mille Budiono, left, a UWM student who lives at the Opus
 Dei-run Petawa residence for women, talks to director Irene Dorgan,
 right. (Lower left) Christopher Wolfe, Opus Dei member and professor
 of political science at Marquette University, talks to college students
 during an evening of conversation at Layton Study Center. (Right)
 Kathy Kailing, a supporter of Opus Dei but not a member, takes a
 break during a busy day as a stockbroker at Robert W. Baird and Co.

                                                  
    MILWAUKEE - To Milwaukee Catholics who belong, Opus Dei, the
international organization which was named a personal prelature by Pope
John Paul II in 1982, represents an indispensable factor in their
spiritual lives.

    That's not to say that the organization, noted for its doctrinal
conservatism and strict regimen of spiritual activities has been without
criticism or controversy - both here and abroad.

    But members, attracted by the very characteristics which keep some
other Catholics away, contend that Opus Dei's role in their lives is
basic - to help them integrate their Christian faith with their daily
lives.

    As Joseph Billmeier, director of Layton Study Center for men in
Brookfield, put it, the message is simple: "for you and I, ordinary
people - be it doctors, mechanics, newspaper reporters or stockbrokers,
to see God in what we do every day."

    Petawa Residence, 1331 N. Astor St., has the same function for women
members of Opus Dei as Layton does men.


Layton Center

    The Layton Study Center at 12900 W. North Ave., Brookfield, was
built in 1975.  Opus Dei was invited to the archdiocese in 1956 by
Archbishop Albert G. Meyer and occupied a house on Layton Blvd. until
the move to Brookfield.  According to a brochure, the center "assists
families and schools in developing the potential of Milwaukee-area boys
and young men."

     Billmeier and eight other "numeraries" - single, celibate men -
staff Layton.  Those who hold outside jobs contribute most of their
earnings to Opus Dei, the specific percentage determined by the
individual.

    "No one comes to Opus Dei because of the liturgy,
     or because they can practice self-mortification;
     they come because of the ideal that they can practice
     their faith in everyday work."
                          - Joseph Billmeier

    Although numeraries do not take a vow of celibacy, they do "commit"
themselves to remain single.  Billmeier said they choose this option
"only because of the responsibilities we have to help give formation to
others."

    He stressed that celibate numeraries are only a small percentage
of Opus Dei's presence in Milwaukee.  There are also some 100
supernumeraries - married or single men - he said.

    These, along with "supporters" - who do not officially belong but
agree with the philosophy - use the center for spiritual formation,
according the Billmeier.  Much of that formation is directed by two Opus
Dei priests who live at Layton.

    Additionally, a variety of programs are available to boys and young
men. These are open to any one interested.

    Included in the Orion Club for junior high school boys, which offers
projects in computers and electronics, as well as sports activities and
a summer camp.  The purpose, Billmeier said, is to teach values such as
perseverance, paying attention to details, and getting along with
others.

    For high school students, Layton provides college orientation
courses, study weekends and cultural trips to nearby cities and
universities.

    College-age men can attend evenings of conversation with business
and professional leaders besides how-to-study courses.  For young working
men, seminars on professional growth are offered.

    Billmeier said the programs were not perceived as a recruiting tool.

    Some 4,000 young men have come to the center in the past 25 years
he said, and Opus Dei currently has 100 members - "I guess we're doing a
pretty lousy job (at recruitment)," Billmeier quipped.

    "Our main goal," he emphasized, "is to teach people human values,
virtues, leadership and scholarship skills." He agreed, however, that
Opus Dei would like to grow because, like any organization, it has
concerns about the future.


Sanctifying everyday life

    Billmeier stressed that Layton's activities, spiritual and temporal,
are secondary to the primary focus of Opus Dei, which is to help people
understand the value of sanctifying work.

    Billmeier criticized press reports which he claimed give the
impression that a member "basically goes to Mass everyday, does some
prayer and confession, and that's it...as if that's all there is to Opus
Dei.

    "Yes, we do those things, but we do them because we want to live our
faith...to exercise it, to bring it into everything we do every day.
That's what Opus Dei is all about."

    One of the spiritual practices is self-mortification, which
Billmeier called "a necessary part of life in terms of what a Christian
tries to live...seeing the value of denying ourselves of ordinary things
in the course of our day."

    Some of the best mortifications, he continued, are relatively
simple, like smiling when a person doesn't feel like it.

    However, Billmeier acknowledged that some members do mortification
that inflicts some amount of pain. These serve as a reminder of the much
more intense life of mortification lived by Jesus, he said.

    But he emphasized that such practices are not an essential part of
Opus Dei.

    "No one comes to Opus Dei because of the liturgy, or because they
can practice self-mortification; they come because of the ideal that
they can practice their faith in every day work," he said.


Members praise Opus Dei

    Several members interviewed agreed that Opus Dei has had a positive
effect on their lives - whether at home, at a local parish, or at work.

    Bob Gunderson, a graduate engineer who owns a manufacturing
business, considers his involvement as a supernumerary (non-celibate
member) "a vocation."

    Gunderson, who is married and has eight children, said he first came
in contact with Opus Dei at a retreat in 1971.  The organization
"impressed me very deeply. . .things were consistent and it was very
doctrinal," he recalled.

    To him, one of its purposes "is to make a person realize what
they're here for."

    Speaking personally, Gunderson said he found that offering his
labors to God gives his work a greater dimension. There also has been a
drawing together of the family resulting in his wife and two of their
sons also becoming members.  The other children participate in activities
at the center, he said.

    Gunderson follows certain "norms," such as daily Mass, mental
prayer, and saying the rosary.  These activities, he said, complement his
parish life at St. Charles Borromeo, Milwaukee.

    Dave Zimmerman, also a supernumerary, reported that involvement
"gives you an overall perspective. . .helps you realize your role as
father and husband, and your responsibilities to your parish."

    Married and the father of eight children, he works at Blue
Cross/Blue Shield Insurance Co. He was introduced to Opus Dei by a
patient at St. Mary Hospital, where he had been employed previously.

    Zimmerman credits Opus Dei with assisting him in achieving a
well-balanced life in which his priorities are God, family, and work.

    A member of St. Mary Parish, Hales Corners, Zimmerman agreed that
Opus Dei has added to his parish life, explaining that the
organization's "main thrust" is to "form members to be salt wherever
they are."

    Another perspective came from Opus Dei cooperator Chuck Kustner, a
former vice president and general manager at Eaton Corp., who is
currently unemployed.

    Kustner said the spiritual support he has received from Opus Dei has
helped during his current transition period.

    "I've been out of work for several months, and I haven't found
myself depressed - I see it as part of God's plan. Without my faith, it
could be pretty devastating," he said.

    Opus Dei, Kustner continued, "reminds us that suffering, when
offered up to God, has greater merit."

    As a cooperator, Kustner participates in activities similar to those
followed by members, but on a more limited basis.

    The Kustners, who have three children, belong to St. Mary Parish,
Elm Grove.

    Kustner said criticisms of Opus Dei stem from misunderstandings.
"I wouldn't suggest for a moment that (Opus Dei) helps everyone.  But it
certainly does help a lot of people."

    "(Opus Dei) impressed me very deeply...things
     were consistent and it was very doctrinal."

                      - Bob Gunderson, member

 The third page includes a photograph taken by James Pearson with
 the following caption:
  
   Robert James, left, and Stephen Lerch, center, members of the Opus
   Dei-sponsored Orion Club for boys, learned astronomy from instructor
   Ed Carroll.


Where do women fit in?

    Women who belong to Opus Dei participate in activities
similar to, yet distinct from, the men's branch.

    "The spirit of the work is exactly the same," Billmeier said, adding
that the founder of Opus Dei (Msgr. Jose Maria Escriva) saw that God
wanted the sexes separated for the purpose of giving formation.

    "Certainly Opus Dei is not saying this is necessarily the only way
to give spiritual formation, but it does seem to work for Opus Dei," he
said.

    Women, Billmeier explained, have their own apostolates, both at home
and in the professional world.

    Besides these, however, they are engaged in another one - doing
housekeeping not only at the women's residence but for the Layton
Center.

    The arrangement does not place women in an inferior position,
Billmeier said, "because that is a professional work as much as being a
lawyer, a mechanic, a teacher, or whatever."

    And, he continued, women "have the knack, the aptitude, the talents
to do those sorts of jobs better than men."

    Irene Dorgan, director of Petawa Residence, said separation of
activities is more conducive to learning because the more homogenous a
group is, the more specific can be its aims.

    In fact, she considers Opus Dei's attitude toward women quite
progressive.

    At Petawa, she pointed out, single women are encouraged to develop
all of their capacities, including professional aspirations.

    But, Dorgan said, Opus Dei would stress to a married woman that her
marriage is top priority and her profession second.

    Currently, of the 15 women living at Petawa, six are college
students and nine are members of Opus Dei.

    Dorgan said Petawa seeks to serve ordinary people - from eight to 80
- who feel an inclination to know their faith better but don't feel
they're supposed to become a Religious.

    Although Opus Dei does not encourage members to change their
lifestyles or influence political structures, the organization is loyal
to what the church teaches and asks that its members live out that
teaching daily, Dorgan said.

    Petawa offer programs to its college-age residents, as well as talks
for married and single women and high school girls.

    Daily Mass, either at Petawa or St. John Cathedral and frequent
confession to an Opus Dei priest, are recommended but not mandatory for
resident members. Women who visit Petawa may choose to receive spiritual
direction from an Opus Dei priest. Student residents are not required to
participate in any activities.

    On weekdays, the house is normally locked at 10 p.m., and on
weekends at 1 a.m., although students can stay out later if given
advance permission.

    Basically, Dorgan said, the house is run in a manner which allows
for friends to be entertained while keeping school work in mind. Most
students who live at Petawa say their grades have gone up, Dorgan
reported.

    Resident Mille Budiono, a 20-year-old UWM student from Indonesia,
agreed.

    "I'm a person who likes to have fun all the time," Budiono said, but
rules require that the library be kept quiet.  She finds this helpful
when the need to concentrate arises.

    A linguistics major, Budiono was tipped off to Petawa by another
foreign student from UWM.

    Budiono has never felt pressured to participate in Opus Dei
activities, although she sometimes takes advantage of the opportunities
to go to confession and attend Mass.

    Budiono said there is some discipline at Petawa - like having to be
home at 10 p.m. weeknights, but "I think it's good for me."


Women members live variety of lifestyles

    Women in Opus Dei lead a variety of lifestyles, as reflected in the
diversity of members interviewed.

    Linda Pryor, a supernumerary who is married and the mother of two
children, holds a part-time tutoring job. She has found Opus Dei
advantageous.

    "I've become a lot happier," Pryor said. "I've accomplished more
without getting wrapped up in successes/failures. I have a lot more
peace because I know I'm pleasing God."

    Pleasing God, she said, is at the heart of Opus Dei. Whether married
or single, homemakers or professionals, women do their work with a "real
enthusiasm and joy," she said.

    She and her husband, a cooperator in Opus Dei, belong to St. Mary
Parish in Elm Grove, where she goes for Mass and sacraments, while using
Opus Dei for her more personal spiritual needs.

    While acknowledging that the spiritual life demanded by Opus Dei is
rigorous, Pryor said it was chosen freely by herself and others.

    Kathy Kailing, 34 and single, works as a stockbroker at Robert W.
Baird & Co. and is a supporter of Opus Dei.

    "I realized that my desk is my altar, so that each
     day I use my talents to the best of my ability, for
     the financial benefit of my clients and for the glory
     of God."
                    - Kathy Kailing, cooperator

    For her, the association helps individuals build a strong base of
faith in God which can permeate every segment of their lives.

    As a stockbroker, Kailing said Opus Dei has influenced her career
positively.

    "I realized that my desk is my altar, so that each day I use my
talents to the best of my ability, for the financial benefit of my
clients and for the glory of God."

    Priscilla Zito, who joined Opus Dei five years ago, is married and
has five children, ranging in age from 15 to 20. She also works as an
account executive at a temporary services business.

    When she first encountered Opus Dei, Zito recalled being impressed
by the women who belonged, especially their peace and serenity.

    She feels that belonging has improved her personality and has been a
positive experience in her family life.

    A member of St. Monica Parish, Whitefish Bay, Zito stressed that the
purpose of Opus Dei is simple. "It just helps you be the best at what
you are. . .you do it for the love of God."

    "Anyone who comes around here, whether a mem-
     ber of the Work or a friend, is very much involved
     in parish activities."

                         - Joseph Billmeier


Criticisms of Opus Dei

    In recent years, Opus Dei has been criticized by some Catholics as a
"church within a church" for an elite group.

    Billmeier contended that on the contrary, it exists to serve the
church by giving members the strength they need to contribute to parish
life.

    "Anyone who comes around here, whether a member of the Work or a
friend, is very much involved in parish activities," he said, pointing
to RENEW groups, CCD, parish councils and school boards as areas where
Opus Dei members typically become involved.

    Opus Dei has also been called "a place for people who have nowhere
else to go in the church," according to Billmeier, who responded that
"we are right in step with the church."

    Devotion to prayer, the rosary, and confession does not take members
out of the world, but helps get them more involved, he said.

    "Opus Dei is very much part of the world; very interested in solving
the problems of this world and trying to combine the supernatural
realities of faith with honest to goodness hard work in many different
fields and professions," he said.

    Some have complained that the organization caters to upper-middle
class Catholics while focusing on personal piety rather than social
concerns.

    In rebuttal, Billmeier referred to the Opus Dei-run Midtown Center
in Chicago, which aims to deal with blacks, Hispanics and other
inner-city people, and helps boys get into good high schools and
colleges.

    He also took issue with the "conservative" label often attached to
Opus Dei.

    "We try to live and obey the doctrine of the church," he said, "and
to simply say that's conservative is misleading. Whatever the church
asks Catholics to believe, members of Opus Dei believe."


The role of Opus Dei priests

    Fr. Michael Curtin, an Opus Dei priest, agreed that lay members are
responsible for the most important work - bringing Christ into the
marketplace.

    A former physicist, Curtin, along with Fr. John Kubeck lives at
Layton and ministers to the spiritual needs of both the men's and
women's branches.

    Introduced to Opus Dei as an undergraduate at Harvard University,
Curtin recalled that he was initially drawn to the ideal of dedicating
his career as a physicist to God.

    But after becoming a numerary, he began to feel a need to increase
his knowledge of theology.  After studying in Rome, "I told Msgr. Escriva
(founder of Opus Dei), that if it were needed, I was willing to become a
priest."

    He was ordained in 1961.  Like all Opus Dei priests, he was a member
before deciding to study for the priesthood.

    Asked how Opus Dei can justify ordaining priests to serve relatively
few people, while priest shortages develop throughout the church, Curtin
replied that "there isn't anybody ordained a priest of Opus Dei unless
there's a crying need for it."

    Whenever the opportunity arises, Curtin said he encourages vocations
to the diocesan priesthood.  He also assists at parishes occasionally,
although he considers his Opus Dei apostolate full-time pastoral work.

    To him, the ideal of Opus Dei is service.

    We need to service a part of people's lives that is intense -
dedicating their work and their workplace to God and evangelizing
through their workplace." he said.


The above is a Layton Study Center Reprint (1984)
    from THE MILWAUKEE CATHOLIC HERALD