June 23, 2023

At a glance

June 23, 2023

Volume 32 • NUMBER 19

1123 S. CHURCH ST. CHARLOTTE, N.C. 28203-4003 catholicnews@charlottediocese.org

704-370-3333

PUBLISHER

The Most Reverend Peter J. Jugis Bishop of Charlotte

Arts & Entertainment 13A Contact us 2A Español 10A-12A Our Diocese 3A-7A

5things you need to know this week

LET THE SACRED HEART TRANSFORM YOUR RELATIONSHIPS

Keep the Sacred Heart of Jesus close to yours in June and beyond with wisdom from Emily Jaminet, the author of the recent release from Ave Maria Press, “Holy Habits From the Sacred Heart.” Jaminet, the executive director of the Sacred Heart Enthronement Network, explores 10 habits and virtues that come from the Sacred Heart and how readers can intentionally practice these virtues to get closer to Jesus and strengthen the relationships that are most important to them. To order: www. avemariapress.com

LEARN FROM ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE

Best known for doubting the Resurrection of Jesus, St. Thomas the Apostle’s feast day is July 3. In a 2006 general audience, Pope Benedict XVI shared three things we can learn from the apostle’s initial unbelief: ”First, because it comforts us in our insecurity; second, because it shows us that every doubt can lead to an outcome brighter than any uncertainty; and, lastly, because the words that Jesus addressed to him remind us of the true meaning of mature faith and encourage us to persevere, despite the difficulty, along our journey of adhesion to Him.”

STAFF

EDITOR: Spencer K. M. Brown

704-808-4528, skmbrown@charlottediocese.org

ADVERTISING MANAGER: Kevin Eagan

704-370-3332, keeagan@charlottediocese.org

HISPANIC MEDIA MANAGER: César Hurtado

704-370-3375, rchurtado@charlottediocese.org

EDITORIAL TEAM: Kimberly Bender

704-370-3394, kdbender@charlottediocese.org

Annie Ferguson

704-370-3404, arferguson@charlottediocese.org

Troy C. Hull

704-370-3288, tchull@charlottediocese.org

GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Tim Faragher

704-370-3331, tpfaragher@charlottediocese.org

COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT/CIRCULATION: Erika Robinson

704-370-3333, catholicnews@charlottediocese.org

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR: Liz Chandler 704-370-3336, lchandler@charlottediocese.org

ASSISTANT COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR: Patricia L. Guilfoyle

704-370-3334, plguilfoyle@charlottediocese.org

THE CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD is published by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte 26 times a year.

NEWS: The Catholic News Herald welcomes your news and photos. Please e-mail information, attaching photos in JPG format with a recommended resolution of 150 dpi or higher, to catholicnews@charlottediocese.org. All submitted items become the property of the Catholic News Herald and are subject to reuse, in whole or in part, in print, electronic formats and archives.

ADVERTISING: Reach 165,000 Catholics across western North Carolina! For advertising rates and information, contact Advertising Manager Kevin Eagan at 704-370-3332 or keeagan@charlottediocese.org. The Catholic News Herald reserves the right to reject or cancel advertising for any reason, and does not recommend or guarantee any product, service or benefit claimed by our advertisers.

SUBSCRIPTIONS: $16.75 per year for registered families of the Diocese of Charlotte and $25 per year for all others

POSTMASTER: Periodicals Class postage (USPC 007-393) paid at Charlotte, N.C. Send address corrections to the Catholic News Herald, 1123 S. Church St., Charlotte, N.C. 28203.

TAKE A HIKE WITH THE ‘MAN OF EIGHT BEATITUDES’

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati (pictured right) was born into a wealthy family in Turin, Italy, and died of polio at the young age of 24. His feast day is July 4. Frassati was admired for his athleticism, political activism, serving the poor, and his everyday holiness, inspiring Pope John Paul II to dub him a “man of eight beatitudes.” He loved to talk about the faith and made many friends. He enjoyed hiking mountains and found many parallels between that and his faith. Discover these insights through your own hiking experience and by reading more at www.frassatiusa.org/frassati-biography

KEEP YOUR KITCHEN COOL THIS SUMMER

Want to avoid using the oven during the heat of summer? Try the Catholic Kitchen’s crockpot and Instant Pot recipes such as

Diocesan calendar of events

ESPAÑOL

HORA SANTA : 7-8 p.m. Todos los jueves del mes con excepción de los primeros jueves. En la Capilla del segundo piso, Family Life Center en St. Patrick, 1621 Dilworth Road East, Charlotte.

VIÑEDO DE RAQUEL: ¿Es usted o un ser querido que busca la curación de los efectos de un aborto anterior? Los retiros de fin de semana son ofrecidos por Caridades Católicas para hombres y mujeres en todas las regiones de la Diócesis de Charlotte. Para obtener información sobre los próximos retiros, comuníquese con Karina Hernández: 336267-1937 o karinahernandez@live.com.

VIGILIA DE ADORACIÓN: 6 p.m. los jueves, en la Catedral San Patricio, 1621 Dilworth Road East, Charlotte. Nos reunimos para una Vigilia de Adoración por la Paz y la Justiciaen Nicaragua, que en estos últimos meses están pasando por momentos turbulentos y ataques físicos contra la Iglesia Católica, sus templos, y sus Obispos. Todos son bienvenidos a unirse a la Adoración, rezar el Santo Rosario, la hora santa de reparación, y terminando con la oración de exorcismo de San Miguel Arcángel.

PRAYER SERVICES

ST. PEREGRINE HEALING PRAYER : 6-7 p.m. second Thursday of each month in the New Life Center Building adjacent to St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy., Charlotte. St. Peregrine healing prayer service includes a blessing with a relic of St. Peregrine. St. Peregrine has been called the wonder worker for his intercession on behalf of those living with serious illness. He is the patron saint of all who are afflicted by cancer, leg ailments or any life-threatening disease. He is also the patron saint of at-risk youth. All are welcome.

PRO-LIFE ROSARY: After the 9 a.m. Mass every third Sunday at Mother Teresa ProLife Memorial, St. Vincent de Paul Church, 6828 Old Reid Road, Charlotte HOLY APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST LUKE MISSION (UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC CHURCH) : Divine Liturgy (Mass) at 3 p.m. Sundays at St. Barnabas Church, 109 Crescent Hill Road, Arden. For details, email ucmcanton@gmail.com.

honey garlic chicken, tangy turkey meatballs, and taco pasta at www. thecatholickitchen.com

MAKE A FAITH-FILLED BUCKET LIST

Many families have more time to relax and plan fun activities in summer. Amid all the items on your warm-weather bucket list, be sure to include faith-related items such as learning about a saint, spending time in Eucharistic Adoration, making it to Confession more frequently, making dinner for a family in need, and hosting a movie night with “The Chosen” or another faith-based production. Find more ideas from CatholicMom.com at www.catholicmom.com/articles/asummer-bucket-list-for-catholic-families

— Annie Ferguson

SUPPORT GROUPS

RACHEL RETREAT: Are you or a loved one seeking healing from the effects of a past abortion? Rachel Retreat weekends are offered by the diocesan Office of Family Life a few times a year for men and women in both English and Spanish. For details, contact Jessica Grabowski: 704-370-3229 or jrgrabowski@rcdoc.org.

TALKS

10TH ANNUAL EAST MEETS WEST RETREAT: Friday-Saturday, June 23-24, St. Barnabas Church, 109 Crescent Hill Road, Arden. A program of Holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke Ukrainian Catholic Mission, the retreat will be led by Dr. Matthew K. Minerd, professor of philosophy and moral theology at Byzantine Catholic Seminary of Sts. Cyril and Methodius in Pittsburgh. He will present three talks based on his book “Made By God, Made For God: Catholic Morality, Explained.” No registration required. Offering suggested. For details, email Father Kevin Bezner at ucmcanton@gmail.com.

His Excellency, Bishop Peter J. Jugis, will participate in the following upcoming event:

JULY 6 – 12:10 P.M.

Rite of Admission to Candidacy for Holy Orders

St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte

Our diocese

2023 priest assignments announced

CHARLOTTE — Bishop Peter J. Jugis announces the following priest assignments, effective July 11 unless otherwise noted:

Father Darren Balkey, parochial vicar of St. Leo the Great Parish in Winston-Salem, will become parochial vicar of St. Matthew Parish in Charlotte.

Father Brian Becker, pastor of St. Margaret Mary Parish in Swannanoa, will become the new director of the Propaedeutic Stage of Formation at St. Joseph College Seminary in Mount Holly. He will continue serving as promoter of vocations for the Diocese of Charlotte.

Newly ordained Father Christopher Brock will become parochial vicar at Holy Cross Church in Kernersville.

Father Christian Cook, pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Hendersonville, will become pastor of St. Margaret Mary Parish in Swannanoa.

Father Alfonso Gamez, parochial vicar of Our Lady of Mercy Parish and Our Lady of Fatima Mission in Winston-Salem, will become parochial vicar of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Charlotte.

Father José Enrique Gonzalez Gaytán, parochial vicar of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Charlotte, will become pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Lenoir.

Father Andres F. Gutierrez, a new priest to the Diocese of Charlotte, will become pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Hendersonville.

Father Stephen Hoyt, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Lenoir, will become the chaplain to Maryfield

Daily Scripture readings

JUNE 25-JULY 1

Sunday: Jeremiah 20:10-13, Romans 5:12-15, Matthew

10:26-33; Monday: Genesis 12:1-9, Matthew 7:1-5; Tuesday (St. Cyril of Alexandria): Genesis 13:2, 5-18, Matthew 7:6, 12-14; Wednesday (St. Irenaeus): Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Matthew 7:15-20; Thursday (Sts. Peter & Paul): Acts 12:1-11, 2 Timothy

4:6-8, 17-18, Matthew 16:13-19; Friday (The First Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church): Genesis 17:1, 9-10, 15-22, Matthew

8:1-4; Saturday (St. Junipero Serra): Genesis 18:1-15, Luke

1:46-50, 53-55, Matthew 8:5-17

at Pennybyrn in High Point.

Father Aaron Huber, a parochial vicar at St. Mark Parish in Huntersville, will become the full-time chaplain at Christ the King Catholic High School in Huntersville while being in residence at the rectory at St. Mark Church.

Father Thomas J. Kessler, pastor of St. Philip the Apostle Parish in Statesville, will become parochial vicar of St. Matthew Parish in Charlotte.

Vincentian Father Bruce J. Krause is appointed parochial vicar of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Charlotte, effective June 29, 2023.

Father Jacob Mlakar, parochial vicar of Holy Cross Parish and assistant chaplain at Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School, will be assigned to full-time studies at the Angelicum in Rome to complete his degree in Spiritual Theology.

Father Felix Nkafu, parochial vicar of St. Leo the Great Parish in Winston-Salem, will return to the Diocese of Buea in Cameroon, effective Aug. 28, 2023.

Newly ordained Father Chinonso Nnebe-Agumadu will become a parochial vicar at St. Mark Parish in Huntersville.

Father Bernard Oleru, of the Missionaries of St. Paul of Nigeria, will become pastor of St. Philip the Apostle

Parish in Statesville. He served as parochial vicar at St. Therese Parish in Mooresville and most recently is returning to the Diocese of Charlotte from an extended Spanish immersion course.

Newly ordained Father Peter Rusciolelli will become parochial vicar at St. Leo the Great Parish in WinstonSalem.

Father Juan Miguel Sanchez, parochial vicar of St. Matthew Parish and part-time assistant chaplain at Charlotte Catholic High School in Charlotte, will become parochial vicar of Our Lady of Mercy Parish and Our Lady of Fatima Mission in Winston-Salem.

Father Jonathan Torres, a parochial vicar at St. Matthew Parish in Charlotte, will become the fulltime chaplain at Charlotte Catholic High School while being in residence at the rectory at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Charlotte.

Father Henry Tutuwan, pastor of St. Benedict the Moor Parish in Winston-Salem and Good Shepherd Mission in King, will return to the Diocese of Buea in Cameroon.

Father Melchesideck Yumo, a parochial vicar at St. Mark Parish in Huntersville, will become the parochial administrator for St. Benedict the Moor Parish in Winston-Salem and Good Shepherd Mission in King. — Catholic News Herald

JULY 2-8

Sunday: 2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16a, Romans 6:3-4, 8-11, Matthew 10:37-42; Monday (St. Thomas): Ephesians 2:19-22, John 20:24-29; Tuesday (Independence Day): Genesis 19:15-29, Matthew 8:23-27; Wednesday (St. Anthony Zaccaria, St. Elizabeth of Portugal): Genesis 21:5, 8-20a, Matthew 8:2834; Thursday (St. Maria Goretti): Genesis 22:1b-19, Matthew

Matthew

JULY 9-15

Sunday: Zechariah 9:9-10, Romans 8:9, 11-13, Matthew 11:25-30; Monday: Genesis 28:10-22a, Matthew 9:18-26;

Tuesday (St. Benedict): Genesis 32:23-33, Matthew 9:32-38;

Wednesday: Genesis 41:55-57, 42:5-7a, 17-24a, Matthew 10:17; Thursday (St. Henry): Genesis 44:18-21, 23b-29, 45:1-5, Matthew 10:7-15; Friday (St. Kateri Tekakwitha): Genesis 46:1-7, 28-30, Matthew 10:16-23; Saturday (St. Bonaventure): Genesis 49:29-32, 50:15-26a, Matthew 10:24-33

Balkey Gonzalez-Gaytán

Krause

Yumo

Nnebe-Agumadu Rusciolelli Sanchez Torres Tutuwan

Cook

Huber

Nkafu

Becker Brock

Gutierrez Mlakar

Gamez Kessler

Oleru

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

Catholic News Herald named best in class by Catholic Media Association

CHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte’s official newspaper, the Catholic News Herald, won several awards at the Catholic Media Association’s 2023 annual conference June 9 – including first place for “Best Non-weekly Newspaper.”

With members spanning the United States and Canada, the association’s top honor recognizes publications that showed consistent excellence in 2022. Judges evaluated newspapers’ selection of stories, originality, quality of writing and headlines, columns, editorials and letters to the editor, quality of art and graphics, and overall graphic design.

“We’re gratified to be recognized by our peers and even more grateful for all of the parishes, schools and ministries that make it possible for the Catholic News Herald to tell the stories of our diocese,” said Patricia Guilfoyle, who served as editor for more than a decade through October of 2022, when she was promoted to assistant communications director.

Replacing her as editor is Spencer Brown, who separately won third place in the association’s “Best Catholic Novel” category for his book “Hold Fast,” the tender story of how a father and son on the shores of Lake Superior find healing amid tragedy.

The Catholic News Herald also won (among all newspapers):

n First place for “Best Annual Report,” the diocese’s comprehensive accounting of financial performance and activities, a collaboration with the diocese’s CFO Matt Ferrante.

n Second place for “Best Use of Graphics” for the newspaper’s fall leaf spread, “Bask in the Beauty of God’s creation,” which offered the location and special details about the diocese’s churches along Western North Carolina’s leaf viewing routes.

n Third place for “Best Print Special Supplement,” for the newspaper’s annual Catholic funeral guide, “A Holy Death.”

The Catholic News Herald also won the top newspaper recognition in 2012, 2018 and 2019, and is part of a communications office devoted to the diocese’s mission of evangelization, to help spread the Kingdom of God.

Catholic News Herald nombrado el mejor del país por la Asociación Católica de Medios

CHARLOTTE — El periódico oficial de la Diócesis de Charlotte, Catholic News Herald, ganó varios premios en la conferencia anual el 9 de junio 2023 de la Asociación de Medios Católicos, incluido el primer lugar por “Mejor periódico no semanal”.

Con miembros en todo Estados Unidos y Canadá, el máximo honor de la asociación reconoce las publicaciones que mostraron una excelencia constante en 2022. Los jueces evaluaron la selección de historias, originalidad, calidad de la escritura y los titulares, columnas, editoriales y cartas al editor, la calidad del arte y los gráficos, y el diseño gráfico general.

“Estamos satisfechos de ser reconocidos por nuestros compañeros y aún más agradecidos por todas las parroquias, escuelas y ministerios que hacen posible que Catholic News Herald cuente las historias de nuestra diócesis”, dijo Patricia Guilfoyle, quien se desempeñó como editora durante más de una década hasta octubre de 2022, cuando fue ascendida a subdirectora de comunicaciones.

Reemplazando a ella como editora está Spencer Brown, quien ganó por separado el tercer lugar en la categoría de “Mejor novela católica” de la asociación por su libro “Hold Fast”, la tierna historia de cómo un padre y su hijo a orillas de Lake Superior encuentran sanación en medio de la tragedia.

Catholic News Herald también ganó (entre todos los periódicos):

n Primer lugar por “Mejor Informe Anual”, la contabilidad integral de la diócesis sobre el desempeño financiero y las actividades, una colaboración con el director financiero de la diócesis, Matt Ferrante.

n Segundo lugar para “Mejor uso de gráficos” por la hoja de otoño del periódico, “Disfruta de la belleza de la creación de Dios”, que ofrecía la ubicación y detalles especiales sobre las iglesias de la diócesis a lo largo de las rutas de observación del follaje de otoño del oeste de Carolina del Norte.

n Tercer lugar para “Mejor suplemento especial impreso”, por la guía funeraria católica anual del periódico, “Una muerte santa”.

Catholic News Herald, que también ganó el máximo reconocimiento periodístico en 2012, 2018 y 2019, es parte de la oficina de comunicaciones dedicada a la misión de evangelización de la diócesis, para ayudar a difundir el Reino de Dios.

the “Advocata,” which can be found at the Church of Santa Maria del Rosario in

Beautiful music in honor of Our Lady

St. Joseph College Seminary releases album in memory of music director Tom Savoy

ANNIE FERGUSON arferguson@charlottediocese.org

MOUNT HOLLY — One of Tom Savoy’s last acts of love this side of heaven was the recording and mastering of “Maria Mater Nostra: Music in Honor of Our Lady.”

The late music director or “magister capellae” of St. Joseph College Seminary in Mount Holly produced the album featuring the voices of the St. Joseph College Seminary Schola and the Daughters of the Virgin Mother, whom he so faithfully led in recent years, developing their vocal abilities and knowledge of sacred music.

Savoy completed the recording in August 2022 and began mastering the tracks, finishing production just before his sudden passing on Oct. 24, 2022.

The seminary released the album in February 2023, and access to the tracks is free on streaming services. However, donations may be made to St. Joseph College Seminary’s music program.

The 14 Marian chants selected for the album are inspired by Savoy’s love for Our Lady.

“Tom was devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary. He loved to pray the Angelus at work and to take a rosary walk with his wife, Deborah,” said Fredrik Akerblom, director of advancement at St. Joseph College Seminary.

Album tracks include “Ave Maria,” “Ave Maris Stella,” “Litany of Loreto,” “Salve Regina,” “Ave Verum Corpus” and “Regina Caeli.” The image chosen for the album cover is known as the “Advocata” and can be found in a small chapel in the Church of Santa Maria del Rosario in Rome.

“Tom loved that image of Mary, our advocate before her Son,” Akerblom noted.

Devout, joyful and fun to be around, Savoy brought more than 50 years of experience in sacred music to his role at St. Joseph College Seminary, having played his first Mass at just 12 years old.

A native of Albany, New York, he spent much of his career in sacred music there until he moved to Charlotte in 2012 and took a music director position at St. Thomas

Aquinas Parish. He started the Carolina Catholic Chorale and is known for leaving an indelible mark on the music program at St. Joseph College Seminary and in the hearts of the young men in formation there.

“Tom’s desire was that the music program at the seminary would form the men in such a way that when they became priests, they would know what to ask from their musicians and what sacred music to use in their parishes,” Akerblom said.

Explaining Savoy’s broader vision for the program, he added, “Ultimately, Tom wanted us to build a Catholic culture that was not disposable. He was convinced that the sacred music of the Church is eternal, and that the traditional music of the Church, whether it is plainchant or polyphony, is an integral part of the Holy Mass and the liturgical life of the Church. He helped design and establish our program on those convictions.”

Taking the lead as “magister capellae” going forward is Andrew Mahon. Mahon has decades of performing and teaching experience and has served as a director of music and liturgy in the Diocese of St. Cloud, Minnesota, overseeing the liturgical direction for eight parishes. Mahon has also worked as a professional singer all over the world, and lived in the United Kingdom for 12 years, working mostly as a liturgical musician. His area of expertise centers around sacred choral music and chant.

“Our rector, Father Matthew Kauth, and all the members of his team recognize Tom Savoy’s work to make sacred music in the Catholic tradition available to everyone in our diocese,” Akerblom said. “His legacy lives on in our seminarians and priests. We are excited to see Andrew Mahon carry the work forward and ask for everyone’s prayers for all involved in the formation of our future priests.”

Listen and show your support

Listeners can access the album by searching for “Maria Mater Nostra Music in Honor of Our Lady” or “St. Joseph College Seminary Schola” on their preferred music streaming platform. Help support St. Joseph College Seminary’s music program at www.stjcs.org/donation by selecting “Music Program” in the “My Donation Is For” field. Fredrik Akerblom can be reached at fakerblom@stjcs.org or 704-302-6386.

(Above) The cover for the seminary’s new album features an image of

Rome. (Left) Tom Savoy leads the seminarians and Daughters of the Virgin Mother at St. Joseph College Seminary.

PHOTOS PROVIDED

Savoy

Diocese celebrates Corpus Christi with Eucharistic Processions

Faithful across the Diocese of Charlotte joined their clergy in prayerful processions on the June 11 feast of Corpus Christi. Also known as the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, this holy feast honors the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. “Corpus Christi” is Latin for “Body of Christ.” In a tradition that dates back to the 11th century, parishioners took part in reverent yet festive Eucharistic processions after Mass.

A traditional prayer of Corpus Christi is the “Anima Christi” written by St. Ignatius of Loyola: “Soul of Christ, sanctify me. Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, inebriate me. Water from the side of Christ, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me. O good Jesus, hear me. Within Thy wounds, hide me. Separated from Thee let me never be. From the malignant enemy, defend me. At the hour of death, call me. And close to Thee, bid me. That with Thy saints I may be praising Thee, forever and ever. Amen.”

PHOTOS PROVIDED

PHOTOS PROVIDED

PHOTOS PROVIDED

(Right and below) The faithful at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Franklin made traditional colorful flower carpets for the path of the Eucharist procession.

(Left) Hundreds of parishioners at Divine Redeemer Parish in Booneville processed after Mass June 11.

(Below center) St. John Newman Church’s pastor Father John Starczewski raises the monstrance during Adoration.

(Below right) Father Lucas Rossi leads a Eucharistic procession at St. Michael Church in Gastonia.

(Center) St. Leo the Great parishioners held a Eucharist Procession. (Left) Our Lady of Lourdes parishioners in Monroe processed after Mass as part of the parish’s Eucharistic Triduum 2023.

Maryvale Sisters’ foundress passes away, aged 93

VALE — Mother Mary Louis, 93, foundress of the Maryvale Sisters, entered the arms of her heavenly Father on Thursday, June 8, 2023.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated June 15, 2023, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church with Father Edward Sheridan officiating. Burial followed in the Maryvale Sisters Cemetery in Vale.

Mother Mary Louis was born Sept. 12, 1929, in Middletown, Conn., to the late

Alexander and Rose Zampini Mangine. Mother Mary Louis was the foundress of the Maryvale Sisters in 1961 with Father Norman St. Martin. She was a faithful servant to the Lord and her religious community.

Survivors include the Maryvale Sisters: Sister Mary Michael, Sister Mary Clare and Sister Mary Francis; and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: The Mother Mary Louis/ Maryvale Sisters Outreach Projects, 2522 June Bug Road, Vale, N.C. 28168. Warlick Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

— Catholic News Herald

Decades of generosity

Couple donates $1 million to scholarship fund for Catholic education in the Triad

ANNIE FERGUSON arferguson@charlottediocese.org

WINSTON-SALEM — Over the course of 21 years, an anonymous couple has given $1 million to the Piedmont Triad Scholarship Fund, making a Catholic education possible for more than 800 students at St. Leo and Our Lady of Mercy Catholic schools in Winston-Salem.

For the fiscal year 2023-2024, the fund will provide $50,000 in need-based scholarships ranging from $500 to $2,000 per student in eligible single-parent and minority families. Families are awarded the scholarships in early May of each year.

For two decades, the donors’ generosity has made a world of difference to area families seeking a Catholic education for their children, who have in turn enriched the school communities, the principals of both schools noted.

“We have been blessed with the presence of students who may not have been able to attend our school if it hadn’t been for this scholarship fund,” said St. Joseph Sister Geri Rogers, principal of Our Lady of Mercy School. “I’ve seen such tremendous blessings and accomplishments in the lives of the families who have been awarded the scholarship over the years. Our school family would not be the same without them, and it’s all thanks to the generous hearts of these anonymous donors.”

School leaders also noted the lasting impact such gifts make as the students go out into the world and use their education to benefit others.

“We are humbled by the generosity of the donors who have given so freely of their resources for more than 20 years to

A new cross to crown St. Patrick Cathedral

CHARLOTTE — Renovations at St. Patrick Cathedral paused June 13 as Father Christopher Roux, pastor, blessed a new 1,250-pound cross and pedestal later placed atop the historic church. Workers joined in the blessing, which included prayers and a sprinkling of holy water.

The new cross stands more than four feet tall and is made of architectural precast concrete. It replaced one that had adorned the church throughout its 84 years but could not be reinstalled without risk of damage, so that one will be stored for potential future use.

Renovations to the cathedral began in 2022 and have included repairs to the roof and drainage system, modifications to landscaping, and work on the interior walls. Beautification work inside included fresh paint and additional artwork. Read about previous improvements and see more photos at www.catholicnewsherald.com

make a Catholic education possible for families in the Winston-Salem area,” said Gary Callus, principal of St. Leo School. “The good this fund has done and will do in the lives of these families will reach far into the future, and we are immensely grateful.”

Jim Kelley, development director for the Diocese of Charlotte, added,“We are having more individuals and couples make transformative gifts, either to capital projects, estate gifts or through significant gifts over a period of years like this couple has done. These particular gifts have changed the lives of these students as they learn to grow in knowledge and holiness and prepare themselves for lifelong service in their communities.”

Dr. Greg Monroe, superintendent of Catholic schools, agreed.

“Through the grace of the Piedmont Triad Scholarship Fund, the doors of St. Leo and Our Lady of Mercy Catholic schools swing wide open for families in need. We gratefully acknowledge our generous donors who are not merely funding education but investing in the creation of saintly scholars,” he said. “Their contributions are planting seeds of knowledge, virtue, service and ambition that blossom into our students’ lifelong journeys, empowering them to change the world for the better.”

Learn more

Interested in making transformative gifts like this one, whether it’s for a school, parish or other diocesan organization? Contact Jim Kelley, diocesan director of development, at 704-608-0359 or jkkelley@rcdoc.org.

Louis

PHOTO PROVIDED

Sharing the truth of the Eucharist in a digital age Diocesan youth invited to take part in Project Acutis

ANNIE FERGUSON arferguson@charlottediocese.org

CHARLOTTE — Young people throughout the Diocese of Charlotte have an opportunity to show their love for the Eucharist using their digital media skills in Project Acutis, a new faith-filled challenge sponsored by the offices of Catholic Schools and Youth Ministry.

“Project Acutis is a way for youth of our diocese, grades four through 12, to join with Catholics across the United States in the call to Eucharistic Revival by learning about, being inspired by and evangelizing through the many Eucharistic miracles that have taken place throughout the centuries,” said Paul Kotlowski, the diocese’s director of youth ministry.

Blessed Carlo Acutis, after whom this new youth project is named and dedicated, was an Italian teenager known for his piety, joy and service to others. Born with leukemia, he died in 2006 at age 15 and was buried in Assisi at his request because of his love for St. Francis. He has since captivated the world with his simple holiness. His example has shown youth and adults alike that holiness is possible no matter your age or state in life, even if you like to play video games and wear jeans and sneakers. He was devout as a young child and inspired a deep conversion in his mother. He ensured his family attended Mass daily, supported friends who were suffering through the divorce of their parents, and always stood up for children who were being bullied in school, especially disabled students.

Acutis was also a tech whiz and built a website cataloguing and promoting Eucharistic miracles, where he told people that “the more often we receive the Eucharist, the more we will become like

Jesus, so that on this earth we will have a foretaste of heaven.”

For Project Acutis, youth in the diocese choose one of the Eucharistic miracles on the site to use in a multimedia presentation, not to exceed 90 seconds. All youth in grades four to 12 are eligible, and prizes will be awarded to the top entries. Submissions are due Oct. 12, 2023. All submissions will be collected and shared for schools and parishes to enjoy.

Kotlowski encourages youth to look at the work compiled by Blessed Carlo Acutis and see what inspired him to dedicate himself to sharing these supernatural encounters with Jesus.

“It’s hard not to be drawn to Our Lord by these events as curiosity is awakened, and wonder and awe are fueled,” he added. “I pray that by learning about Eucharistic miracles, youth will come to know and believe in the Real Presence of Our Lord in the Eucharist.”

He also said the project is an excellent opportunity for the “young Church of western North Carolina to assist Bishop Peter Jugis in achieving his pastoral priority of becoming more adept in evangelizing in the digital age” as well as his priority for “all to renew and anchor their lives to the Most Holy Eucharist.”

Within his six pastoral priorities, Bishop Jugis noted, “Busy lives bombarded by distracting and worldly messages can only truly find the peace for which they yearn in the paschal mystery” and “We must learn to proclaim the faith in a digital age, that we may better evangelize a culture teeming with secular and contrary messages.”

By participating in Project Acutis, youth of the diocese can be a much-needed evangelizing voice as they express their love for Jesus in the Eucharist.

Join the challenge

At

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR 2023 GOLF SPONSORS WHO SUPPORTED MIRAVIA'S ANNUAL LINKS FORE LIFE GOLF TOURNAMENT PRESENTED BY DOLAN CAPITAL ADVISORS, INC ON JUNE 12!

J o e & M a r y E l l e n G u s t a i n i s P a t r i c k & M e r e d i t h H o e f l i n g J i m & S a n d r a K e f f e r

MiraVia, a Catholic, 501 (c)(3) non-profit, is a safe haven and s ource of hope for pregnant mothers and their children through its College Residenc e and Outreach Center programs. MiraVia has been serving the Charlotte community since 1994 To learn more or make a donation, please visit MiraVia org

PHOTOS PROVIDED Youth across the diocese are invited to join the Project Acutis challenge. Scan the QR code in this promotional poster for rules and details on how to join the challenge. Submissions are due Oct. 12.

Catholic Ministry Searches Out Hidden Poverty and Provides Relief to the ‘Invisible’ Poor

Anyone who has ever gone to the Caribbean on a cruise or beach vacation knows that the resort lifestyle found in many of those tourist destinations is a world unto itself. Venture out into the rural parts of those island nations and you typically find a completely different way of life.

The Dominican Republic is a case in point. While it has a reputation as a tropical paradise with pristine beaches, many of the country’s rural areas — especially those along its border with Haiti — are home to subsistence farmers struggling to survive. In those parts of the country, many families live on a few dollars a day and without any basic infrastructure, including access to running water. Some are barely able to provide their families with “daily bread.”

The life of Haitian migrant workers is even more challenging. They come from the other side of the island of Hispaniola seeking greater economic opportunities, but usually become mired in a different form of abject poverty — one that draws them into the Dominican Republic’s sugar industry, where they must cut cane under a broiling sun to survive. It’s a life with many hardships.

“I feel for poor Dominican farmers because they are often ‘out of sight, out of mind,’ but the Haitian migrant workers face an even crueler fate. Their families are effectively invisible. They are ignored in terms of social services and are isolated from any opportunity to improve their lives,” explained Jim Cavnar, CEO of Cross Catholic Outreach, a respected Catholic ministry known for its service to the poor around the globe. “Most of the Haitian families that cross into the Dominican Republic looking for work end up living in very poor communities called bateyes. They live in dirt-floor shacks

adjacent to the fields, where they labor from dawn until dusk cutting cane by hand with machetes. The reward for their efforts — the equivalent of a few dollars for a full day’s work.”

With little income, infrastructure or resources, many of these families can afford to eat just one meal a day, Cavnar said, and without adequate nutrition, their children fail to thrive. Their growth is stunted, they fall behind in school, they suffer frequent illness and eventually they lose hope of escaping poverty.

“At Cross Catholic Outreach, our goal has been to find hidden pockets of poverty and reach the ‘invisible’ families living in these terrible conditions,” Cavnar said. “Fortunately, we have a great in-country partner helping us locate and serve struggling families, and our Catholic donors in the U.S. have been very generous in supporting the outreaches we have established in the batey communities. We’ve been working to provide these families with everything from food to diapers for the babies. There’s so much need there.” (See the related story on opposite page.)

Ultimately, Cavnar believes his ministry’s efforts to help these families will give them hope.

“We want them to know God loves them,” he said. “They aren’t invisible or forgotten in the eyes of our Lord.”

Cavnar said he also believes this mission of mercy can serve as a powerful example of how the Catholic Church transforms lives and communities for the glory of God.

“I have seen Catholic missions succeed where government programs and secular efforts have failed,” he said. “I’m convinced the watching world is becoming more aware of this too, and as

they see Catholics come together to end suffering and solve problems, I believe they can be inspired to return to the faith and to be drawn back to the Church. I know our many donors feel inspired. As they become involved in works of mercy and see the wonderful fruit of their compassion and generosity, they want to do more. They want to have a positive impact on the world.”

Readers interested in supporting Cross Catholic Outreach’s ministries to

bless the poor can contribute through the brochure inserted in this issue or by sending a tax-deductible gift to: Cross Catholic Outreach, Dept. AC02560, PO Box 97168, Washington DC 200907168. The ministry has a special need for partners willing to make gifts on a monthly basis. Use the inserted brochure to become a Mission Partner or write “Monthly Mission Partner” on mailed checks to be contacted about setting up those arrangements.

Cross Catholic Outreach Endorsed by More Than 115 Bishops, Archbishops

Cross Catholic Outreach’s range of relief work to help the poor overseas is being recognized by a growing number of Catholic leaders in the U.S. and abroad.

“We’ve received more than 100 endorsements from bishops and archbishops,” explained Jim Cavnar, CEO of Cross Catholic Outreach. “They’re moved by the fact that we’ve launched outreaches in more than 90 countries and have undertaken more than 1,200 projects — everything from feeding the hungry and housing the homeless to supplying safe water and

Catholic education for the poorest of the poor. Church leaders have also been impressed by our direct and meaningful response to emergency situations, most recently by providing food, medicines and other resources to partners in Haiti, El Salvador and areas of Belize impacted by natural disasters.”

Archbishop Thomas Rodi of Mobile, Alabama, supports the ministry, writing, “It is a privilege for me to support Cross Catholic Outreach. This organization funds ministries to our neighbors in need in Africa, Asia, Central and South

America, and the Pacific. Through the generosity of so many, the love of God is made visible to many who are coping with the most difficult of daily living conditions.”

In addition to praising Cross Catholic Outreach’s accomplishments, many of the prelates are encouraged that Pontifical canonical status was conferred on the charity in 2015, granting it approval as an official Catholic organization. This designation allows Cross Catholic Outreach to participate in the mission of the Church and to give a concrete witness to Gospel

charity, in collaboration with the Holy Father.

“Your work with the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development is a strong endorsement of your partnership with the work of the Universal Church,” Archbishop Cordileone of San Francisco said. “By providing hope to the faithful overseas by feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, delivering medical relief to the sick and shelter to the homeless, and through self-help projects, you are embodying the papal encyclical Deus Caritas Est.”

On a recent trip to the Dominican Republic, Cross Catholic Outreach CEO Jim Cavnar and Father Mike Seis, who leads social efforts in the Diocese of San Juan de la Maguana, attended the ribbon cutting of a new cheese factory funded by Cross Catholic Outreach. This factory will be self-sustaining and managed by the community, providing a new economic opportunity for women in the diocese.

Generous Catholic Donors in the US Are Delivering Food and Other Vital Resources to Dominican Republic’s Poor

When Cross Catholic Outreach was launched nearly a quarter century ago, it had two groups of donors supporting its international ministries to the poor. The first group was individuals and families who had learned about its work from a visiting priest during a Mass or through a newspaper feature like this one, and they gave financial gifts to fund the charity’s efforts. The second set of donors was businesses — many run by Catholic entrepreneurs — and they donated useful resources such as food, medicines and building supplies.

In the past 22 years, both of these supportive groups have had an incredible impact on the lives of the poor, according to Jim Cavnar, CEO of Cross Catholic Outreach.

“Actually, these two donor groups are often connected in ways that increase the impact of our ministry. That’s because the financial contributions we receive from donors allow us to accept and ship the valuable material gifts we are offered by companies and other charities,” Cavnar explained. “Without the cash donations we receive, we wouldn’t be able to distribute those large allotments of food, medicines, hygiene items, school supplies and construction materials. We would have to refuse them, and that would have a terrible impact on Catholic ministries and the impoverished children and families they support.”

Cavnar used a donated container of baby diapers as an example. In some developing countries, poor women leave hospitals after giving birth with their infant sons and daughters wrapped in newspapers — a fact that appalls local Catholic leaders. There is also an extreme need for diapers and other hygiene items in the poor batey communities of the Dominican Republic. If Cross Catholic Outreach is offered a container of diapers to address needs like these, it can only accept the gift if it is able to ship the container from its U.S. source to the ministries overseas.

“The financial contributions we receive from U.S. Catholics provide the funds we need to accept and ship containers of donated goods to those who need them most,” Cavnar said. “The concerned donors in America want to help the poor, and so do the companies offering us the diapers or other material aid. When one gift makes the other possible, both donors are able to have a big impact and serve families in need. It’s a win-win situation.”

The Catholic outreaches Cavnar

described in the Dominican Republic are particularly important because more than 20% of that country’s people live below the national poverty line, according to the CIA World Factbook. Poverty is even more severe in the country’s 230 bateyes — communities built on plantations to house Haitian migrant sugarcane cutters. Those families also face an even higher risk of malnutrition and often lack basic daily needs, including food, diapers and other important hygiene items. (See related story on the opposite page.)

“Thank God for the Catholic donors in the U.S. who contribute either material aid like diapers and food or cash contributions to help us ship those items or purchase them locally,” Cavnar said. “If it wasn’t for their compassion and generosity, the Church ministries we work with in the Dominican Republic would struggle to address local needs and hundreds of poor families would suffer as a result. There’s still a lot of need in many communities — and we hope to be able to provide more resources to those areas soon — but what we have accomplished so far has been a godsend and an answer to prayer.”

Cavnar hopes the success of his ministry’s current appeals on behalf of the Dominican Republic’s poor will allow the ministry to bless even more needy families in the months ahead.

How to Help

Thanks to support from Catholics in the U.S., Cross Catholic Outreach has been able to address the needs of desperately poor families in the Dominican Republic.

Mi camino al sacerdocio

Al acercarse el tiempo de las ordenaciones no puedo más que sentirme un poco nostálgico al recordar mi propia ordenación al sacerdocio. Indudablemente Dios me ha guiado desde mis principios en mi hermoso pueblo de Ixtlahuacán del Rio, Jalisco, México hasta llegar a esta gran Diócesis de Charlotte. Mi vida ha sido una constante migración de lugar en lugar. Creo que Dios ya me estaba preparando para lo que sería parte de mi vida como sacerdote.

Aún recuerdo la primera vez que nos mudamos desde el rancho a la ciudad de Guadalajara.

Con el primer cambio vino el primer llamado, pues al llegar a la ciudad me comencé a preparar para la primera comunión e inmediatamente después me convertí en un monaguillo o acólito. Si bien, en ese momento, me dio miedo el pensar en ser sacerdote, el servicio en la iglesia se convirtió en algo que disfrutaba bastante y el cual me dejaba siempre con un sentimiento de paz y tranquilidad.

Antes que me diera cuenta, ya estaba celebrando mi confirmación y formando parte del grupo de adolescentes, siendo voluntario como lector y ayudando con las diferentes actividades en la iglesia. Un tiempo después, ya estaba participando en el grupo de jóvenes y siempre me encontraba pasando tiempo y conversando con los sacerdotes de mi parroquia.

La segunda migración fue a Estados Unidos y con ella llegó la búsqueda del Sueño Americano. Pero aún cuando me encontraba sumergido en mi trabajo, Dios no cesaba de poner la idea del sacerdocio en mi mente y corazón. Dios tiene sus maneras, y unos años después me encontré viviendo un retiro de Emaús y reflexionando en lo mucho que me había alejado del servicio a la iglesia. El retiro me trajo un sentimiento de plenitud que me movió nuevamente a la posibilidad de pensar otra vez en el sacerdocio. Después de conversar por un tiempo con el Padre Julio Domínguez, me animé a entrar al seminario. Ello me llevó a vivir a Columbus, Ohio, por cuatro años y a Roma, Italia, por otros cuatro. Tras esfuerzo y sacrificio, me encontré frente al altar dándole gracias a Dios por la grandiosa oportunidad de servirle como sacerdote. Siempre me sentí incapaz, indigno y sin los talentos necesarios. Con el tiempo me di cuenta que no tenía que ser perfecto para seguir a Dios y que incluso en mi imperfección Dios me daría lo necesario para lograr grandes cosas.

La ordenación fue un momento increíble del que todavía sigo saboreando sus frutos. Con fe en su Providencia he aceptado su llamado.

Como un sacerdote polluelo que apenas está saliendo del cascarón, sigo confiando y aprendiendo mucho para seguir mejorando en mi ministerio.

MIGUEL

Más de 25 líderes parroquiales laicos del vicariato de Charlotte vienen recibiendo entrenamiento para mejorar sus cualidades de liderazgo. Las sesiones que iniciaron este mes concluirán en septiembre próximo.

Dirigentes parroquiales latinos se forman en liderazgo pastoral

CÉSAR HURTADO rchurtado@charlottediocese.org

CHARLOTTE — Más de 25 dirigentes de movimientos eclesiales y pastorales de diferentes parroquias del Vicariato de Charlotte se encuentran en proceso de recibir entrenamiento en liderazgo pastoral, con el objetivo de adquirir destrezas que sirvan para fortalecer la unidad y coherencia de la pastoral hispana en todo el territorio del vicariato.

Las sesiones, que se realizan los sábados de 10 a.m. a 4 p.m. en el Centro Pastoral Diocesano, iniciaron el sábado 3 de junio y concluirán el 23 de septiembre, aunque durante los meses de julio, agosto y septiembre solo se ha previsto la presentación de una charla al mes.

El sábado 10, la hermana Juana Pearson, asistente de la oficina del ministerio hispano diocesano, abordó el tema ‘Psicología del líder’.

La hermana Pearson, graduada en psicología, expuso las características que un buen líder pastoral debe tener como individuo y manifestar en su relación con otras personas para desarrollar un trabajo efectivo en su parroquia. “No solo se trata de ser ‘cabeza’ de un comité, sino de que esa persona se convierta en un servidor que, con su labor eficaz, ayude a su comunidad parroquial. Ese crecimiento como persona implica un nivel de autoconocimiento, de autoconfianza. Y por eso estamos aquí, para proporcionarles esas herramientas”, dijo.

Más adelante explicó que una persona tímida puede ser líder en su parroquia, pero debe desarrollar las cualidades para ello. “Si no tienes el deseo de cambiar, de aprender, de crecer, veo difícil que puedas ser un líder. Y, aunque todos tenemos la aptitud para ello, a veces no tenemos la voluntad, porque crecer implica

Se anunciaron asignaciones sacerdotales 2023

CHARLOTTE — El Obispo Peter J. Jugis anunció las siguientes asignaciones sacerdotales que se harán efectivas el 11 de julio, a menos que se indique otra fecha:

El Padre Darren Balkey, vicario parroquial de la Parroquia San Leo el Grande en Winston-Salem, será vicario parroquial de la Iglesia San Mateo en Charlotte.

trabajar en uno mismo”. El Padre Julio Domínguez, quien presentó el tema del día, alentó a los participantes a trabajar como grupo, como una unidad, “un solo cuerpo”, para la diócesis. “Es importante que se conozcan y sepan que están llevando un papel muy importante, un rol capital dentro de la Iglesia. Cuando venimos a este tipo de cursos nos damos cuenta que no estamos trabajando solos, sino que somos eslabones importantes dentro de una cadena grande y fuerte que es la diócesis”.

Respecto a la importancia del Ministerio Hispano dijo que, “tenemos una realidad, y es que el Ministerio Hispano no se va acabar. Estamos creciendo más y más. Partiendo de ello, ¿qué vamos a hacer para enfrentarla?

Ahí podemos ver la importancia de contar con todos ustedes”.

“Estamos aquí para servir, para darnos, para morir por nuestro pueblo. Estamos aquí para demostrar que somos otros Cristos sobre la Tierra y debemos de caminar sirviendo”, resaltó.

Finalmente, debido a que nos encontramos en el año de avivamiento Eucarístico parroquial, pidió a los participantes que resalten ese tema en sus parroquias. “La Eucaristía es el centro de todo el misterio de la Iglesia. Entonces debemos nosotros de fomentar la adoración al Santísimo, la intimidad con Cristo en la Eucaristía y ‘arrastrar’ a ella a todos los que más podamos”.

Carlos Fuentes, de la Renovación Carismática en la parroquia San John Neumann, dijo que estaba llano a “aprender más para poner esos conocimientos al servicio de la parroquia”. Por su parte, Melissa Paz, catequista de la parroquia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, señaló que estas sesiones le “abren los ojos a temas que no pensaba que tenía que trabajar en mi liderazgo”.

El Padre Brian Becker, párroco de Santa Margarita María en Swannanoa, se convertirá en el nuevo director de la Etapa Propedéutica de Formación en el Seminario Universitario San José en Mount Holly. Continuará sirviendo como promotor de vocaciones para la Diócesis de Charlotte.

El recién ordenado Padre Christopher Brock será vicario parroquial de la Iglesia Holy Cross en Kernersville.

El Padre Christian Cook, párroco de la Parroquia Inmaculada Concepción en Hendersonville, se convertirá en párroco de la Iglesia Santa Margarita María en Swannanoa.

El Padre Alfonso Gámez, vicario parroquial de la Parroquia Nuestra Señora de la Merced y la Misión Nuestra Señora de Fátima en WinstonSalem, se convertirá en vicario parroquial de la Parroquia San Vicente de Paúl en Charlotte.

El Padre José Enrique González Gaytán , vicario parroquial de la Parroquia San Vicente de Paúl en Charlotte, se convertirá en párroco de la Parroquia San Francisco de Asís en Lenoir.

El Padre Andrés F. Gutiérrez, un nuevo sacerdote de la Diócesis de Charlotte, se convertirá en párroco de la Parroquia Inmaculada Concepción en Hendersonville.

El Padre Stephen Hoyt, párroco de la Parroquia San Francisco de Asís en Lenoir, será capellán de Maryfield en Pennybyrn en High Point.

El Padre Aaron Huber, vicario parroquial de la parroquia San Marcos en Huntersville, será capellán a tiempo completo en la escuela secundaria Christ the King en Huntersville, manteniendo su residencia en la rectoría de la Iglesia San Marcos.

El Padre Thomas J. Kessler, párroco de la Parroquia San Felipe Apóstol en Statesville, se convertirá en vicario parroquial de la Parroquia San Mateo en Charlotte.

El Padre Vicentino Bruce J. Krause ha sido nombrado vicario parroquial de la Parroquia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe en Charlotte, a partir

PADRE

SÁNCHEZ es vicario de la parroquia San Mateo en Charlotte.

Padre Juan Miguel Sánchez

CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

‘Cuerpo de Cristo, Sálvame’

Procesiones solemnes se realizaron para celebrar Corpus Christi

Los fieles de Diócesis de Charlotte se unieron a sus pastores en fervientes procesiones el 11 de junio, fiesta del Corpus Christi. También conocida como Solemnidad del Santísimo Cuerpo y Sangre de Cristo, esta fiesta solemne honra a Nuestro Señor celebrando la Presencia Real del Cuerpo, Sangre, Alma y Divinidad de Jesucristo en la Eucaristía.

Corpus Christi en latín significa “Cuerpo de Cristo”. En esta tradición que se remonta al siglo XI, los párrocos dirigían a los fieles en procesiones eucarísticas después de la Misa.

— Spencer K.M. Brown

del 29 de junio de 2023.

El Padre Jacob Mlakar, vicario parroquial de la Parroquia Holy Cross y capellán asistente en la Escuela Secundaria Católica Bishop McGuinness, será asignado a estudios de tiempo completo en el Angelicum en Roma para completar su título en Teología Espiritual.

El Padre Felix Nkafu, vicario parroquial de la Parroquia San Leo el Grande en Winston-Salem, regresará a la Diócesis de Buea en Camerún, a partir del 28 de agosto de 2023.

El recién ordenado Padre Chinonso Nnebe-Agumadu ha sido designado vicario parroquial en la Parroquia San Marcos en Huntersville.

El Padre Bernard Oleru, de los Misioneros de San Pablo de Nigeria, se convertirá en párroco de la Parroquia San Felipe Apóstol en Statesville. Se desempeñó como vicario parroquial en la Parroquia Santa Teresa en Mooresville y recientemente retornó a la Diócesis de Charlotte tras un curso extendido de inmersión en español.

El recién ordenado Padre Peter Rusciolelli será vicario parroquial en la Iglesia San Leo el Grande en Winston-Salem.

El Padre Juan Miguel Sánchez, vicario parroquial de la Parroquia San Mateo y capellán asistente de tiempo parcial en la escuela secundaria Charlotte Catholic en Charlotte, se convertirá en vicario parroquial de la Parroquia Nuestra Señora de la Misericordia y la Misión Nuestra Señora de Fátima en Winston-Salem.

El Padre Jonathan Torres, vicario parroquial en la Parroquia San Mateo en Charlotte será capellán a tiempo completo en la escuela secundaria Charlotte Catholic, manteniendo residencia en el rectorado de la Iglesia San Vicente de Paúl en Charlotte.

El Padre Henry Tutuwan, párroco de la Parroquia San Benito el Moro en Winston-Salem y la Misión del Buen Pastor en King, retornará a la Diócesis de Buea en Camerún.

El Padre Melchesideck Yumo, vicario parroquial en la Parroquia San Marcos en Huntersville, será administrador parroquial de la Iglesia San Benito el Moro en Winston-Salem y la Misión del Buen Pastor en King.

(De izquierda, abajo, en sentido horario): La parroquia San José en Asheboro recibió la visita de tres recién ordenados diáconos. Procesión Eucarística en la Iglesia San John Neumann en Charlotte. Maravillosas alfombras de flores se confeccionaron en San Francisco de Asís en Franklin. Una multitud siguió la procesión en la parroquia San Miguel en Gastonia. El Padre Jean Pierre Swamunu Lhoposo condujo la celebración en la parroquia Divino Redentor en Boonville.

Thank you.

e Catholic News Herald received four awards for its work in 2022 from the Catholic Media Association of the United States and Canada. is recognition would not have been possible without the generous support of our readers, advertisers and news contributors, as well as the clergy and religious of the Diocese of Charlotte.

ank you for supporting us in our mission to serve Christ and connect Catholics in Western North Carolina.

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Santo Tomás, el apóstol de la duda

Santo Tomás Apóstol era judío, pescador de oficio. Tuvo la bendición de seguir a Cristo, quien lo hizo apóstol el año 31.

Tomás, era llamado Dídimo, pues en esos tiempos muchas personas de Israel tenían dos nombres: uno en hebreo y otro en griego. Tomás, es nombre hebreo. En griego se dice “Dídimo”, que significa lo mismo: el gemelo.

De este apóstol narra el santo evangelio tres episodios.

El primero sucede cuando Jesús se dirige por última vez a Jerusalén, donde según lo anunciado, será atormentado y lo matarán.

IMAGEN CORTESÍA MUSEO DEL PRADO, MADRID

‘Santo Tomás’, óleo sobre tabla de Pedro Pablo Rubens (Siegen, Westfalia, 1577-Amberes, 1640). Santo Tomás se encuentra sumido en la lectura de su libro. Apoyado en su brazo lleva una lanza, símbolo del martirio al que fue sometido.

Cuenta San Juan (Juan 11:16) “Tomás, llamado Dídimo, dijo a los demás: Vayamos también nosotros y muramos con Él”. Aquí el apóstol demuestra su admirable valor. Un escritor llegó a decir que en esto Tomás no demostró solamente “una fe esperanzada, sino una desesperación leal”. O sea: él estaba seguro de una cosa: sucediera lo que sucediera, por grave y terrible que fuera, no quería abandonar a Jesús.

La segunda intervención sucedió en la Última Cena. Jesús les dijo a los apóstoles: “A donde Yo voy, ya sabéis el camino”. Y Tomás le respondió: “Señor: no sabemos a dónde vas, ¿cómo podemos saber el camino?” (Juan 14:15). Los apóstoles no lograban entender el camino por el cual debía transitar Jesús, porque ese camino era el de la Cruz. Y entre los apóstoles había uno que jamás podía decir que entendía algo que no lograba comprender, Tomás. Era demasiado sincero, de manera que le expresó a Jesús sus dudas y su incapacidad para entender aquello que Él les estaba diciendo.

Pero es la tercera intervención la que los creyentes recordamos siempre. Dice San Juan (Juan 20:24) “En la primera aparición de Jesús resucitado a sus apóstoles no estaba con ellos Tomás. Los discípulos le decían: “Hemos visto al Señor”. Él les contestó: “si no veo en sus manos los agujeros de los clavos, y si no meto mis dedos en los agujeros sus clavos, y no meto mi mano en la herida de su constado, no creeré”. Ocho días después estaban los discípulos reunidos y Tomás con ellos. Se presento Jesús y dijo a Tomás: “Acerca tu dedo: aquí tienes mis manos. Trae tu mano y métela en la herida de mi costado, y no seas incrédulo sino creyente”. Tomás le contestó: “Señor mío y Dios mío”. Jesús le dijo: “Has creído porque me has visto. Dichosos los que creen sin ver”. Parece que Tomás, quizás porque quería sufrir a solas la inmensa pena que experimentaba por la muerte de su amigo, se había retirado por un poco de tiempo del grupo. Nadie está peor informado que el que está ausente. Pero tenía una gran cualidad: se negaba a creer sin más ni más, sin estar convencido, y a decir que sí creía, lo que en realidad no creía. Tomás tenía otra virtud, que cuando se convencía de sus creencias las seguía hasta el final, con todas sus consecuencias. Por eso hizo es bellísima profesión de fe “Señor mío y Dios mío”, y por eso se fue después a propagar el evangelio, hasta morir martirizado por proclamar su fe en Jesucristo resucitado. Preciosas dudas de Tomás que obtuvieron de Jesús aquella bella noticia: “Dichosos serán los que crean sin ver”.

— Condensado de EWTN

Apóstoles de la Palabra recordaron a su fundador

SERGIO LÓPEZ selopez@charlottediocese.org

THOMASVILLE — A inicios de este mes, la parroquia Nuestra Señora de los Caminos conmemoró el quinto aniversario luctuoso del fundador de la Familia Misionera de los Apostoles de la Palabra, el Reverendo Padre Flaviano Amatulli Valente, FMAP.

El Padre Gabriel Carbajal, párroco y director espiritual del movimiento, ofició una Misa por el eterno descanso del Padre Amatullli. Durante su homilía, el P. Gabriel recordó que desde muy joven conoció al que fue su mentor y, junto con la hermana Julia Valencia, SMAP, se iniciaron en esta misión de evangelización en las zonas rurales del sur de México.

A la liturgia asistieron miembros de Clinton, Mount Olive e Ingold; así como de Sparta, Charlotte, Biscoe y Hamlet, de las Diócesis de Raleigh y Charlotte respectivamente.

También estuvo presente la hermana Julia Valencia, quien además de dirigir la misión en Mount Holly se desempeña como delegada asesora de las misiones en República Dominicana, Estados Unidos y México.

La celebración finalizó con un compartir en el salon parroquial, donde el P. Carbajal y la Sra. Rosa Gutiérrez interpretaron cantos del movimiento.

Aprovechando la celebración, el hermano Willie Pérez, subdirector nacional y director de la Region II del Sureste, realizó su promesa como misionero laico.

Perez dijo haber visto la necesidad de ir en búsqueda “de aquellos que no saben y fortalecer la fe de los que ya están en la parroquia pero que no conocen tanto de Dios”. Relató que en una ocasión la hermana Valencia lo invitó a que se una a algún ministerio, “para que pueda dar el cien por ciento lo que Dios tiene para usted”. Después, dijo, lo conversó con su esposa y decidió permanecer con los Apóstoles de la Palabra, siendo el Padre Carbajal su primer formador en 2011.

“Hoy hago mi promesa para toda la vida”, añadió, “dando gracias a mi esposa Adali y mis hijos que me apoyan sin límites”.

¿QUÉ ES APÓSTOLES DE LA PALABRA?

Es una familia misionera que tiene como objetivo reunir en una sola familia a todas las categorías de fieles, para ayudarles a vivir con mayor eficacia y plenitud su vocación cristiana en un espíritu eminentemente misionero.

Daily Scripture readings

JUNIO 25-JULIO 1

Domingo: Jeremías 20:10-13, Romanos 5:12-15, Mateo 10:26-33; Lunes: Génesis 12:1-9, Mateo 7:1-5; Martes: Génesis 13:2, 5-18, Mateo 7:6, 12-14; Miércoles (San Irineo): Génesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Mateo 7:15-20; Jueves (Solemnidad de San Pedro y San Pablo): Hechos 12:1-11, 2 Timoteo

4:6-8, 17-18, Mateo 8:1-4; Viernes: Génesis 17:1, 9-10, 15-22, Mateo 8:1-4; Sábado (San Junípero Serra): Génesis 18:1-15, Mateo 8:5-17

La parroquia Nuestra Señora de los Caminos en Thomasville realizó una Misa en memoria del quinto aniversario de fallecimiento del fundador del movimiento apostólico Apóstoles de la Palabra. El párroco, Padre Gabriel Carvajal, es el director espiritual del movimiento en la Diócesis de Charlotte.

Su apostolado se desarrolla en tres vertientes: Pastoral bíblica, Promoción y defensa de la fe, y Misiones parroquiales permanentes.

En la pastoral bíblica, promueven el conocimiento de la Biblia a nivel masivo mediante una serie de cursos muy sencillos.

Teniendo presente el fenómeno del pluralismo religioso y especialmente del proselitismo sectario, tratan de fortalecer la fe del católico aclarando su identidad y dando respuesta a los ataques de las sectas.

Finalmente, para enfrentar seriamente el problema de los alejados, que son la mayoría de nuestros hermanos católicos, tratan de favorecer el establecimiento de grupos ‘Misioneros parroquiales’, con la participación de voluntarios pertenecientes a distintos movimientos o asociaciones apostólicas, con miras a organizar un programa de visitas constantes que permitan un acercamiento a la Iglesia y evitar que nuestros hermanos sean fáciles víctimas de otras propuestas religiosas.

La familia de Apóstoles de la palabra está organizada por la Fraternidad, compuesta por sacerdotes, diáconos y seminaristas (FMAP); la Sociedad, que reúne a las hermana de vida consagrada (SMAP); y el Movimiento eclesial, laicos casados/ as, solteros/as, jóvenes y niños/as. Todos bajo un mismo carisma: espiritualidad y apostolado.

Más online

En www.apostolesdelapalabra.org : Encuentre más información sobre el movimiento apostólico. Si está interesado en cursos de formación, evangelización y misión, contacte al hermano Willie Pérez en perezwillie@aol.com o al teléfono 803-448-2206.

JULIO 2-8

Domingo: 2 Reyes 4:8-11, 14-16a, Romanos 6:3-4, 8-11, Mateo 10:37-42; Lunes (Santo Tomás Apóstol): Efesios 2:19-22, Juan 20:2429; Martes: Génesis 19:15-2, Mateo 8:23-27; Miércoles: Génesis 21:5, 8-20, Mateo

8:28-34; Jueves (Santa

María Goretti): Génesis

22:1-19, Mateo 9:1-8; Viernes: Gen 23:1-4, 19, 24:1-8, Mateo 9:9-13; Sábado: Génesis 27:15, 15-29, Mateo 9:14-17

JULIO 9-15

Domingo: Zacarías 9:9-10, Romanos 8:9, 11-13, Mateo 11:25-30; Lunes: Génesis 28:10-22, Mateo 9:18-26; Martes (San Benito Abad): Génesis 32:22-32, Mateo 9:32-38; Miércoles: Génesis

41:55-57, 42:5-7, 17-24, Mateo 10:1-7; Jueves (San Enrique): Génesis 44:18-21, 23-29, 45:1-5, Mateo 10:715; Viernes (Santa Kateri Tekakwitha): Génesis 46:1-7, 28-30, Mateo 10:16-23; Sábado (San Buenaventura Obispo): Génesis 49:29-32, 50:15-26, Mateo 10:24-33

FOTO POR SERGIO LÓPEZ

Arts & Entertainment

Johann Christian Bach: The Catholic Bach

CHRISTINA L. REITZ Special to the Catholic News Herald

Johann Sebastian Bach is undoubtedly one of the most famous composers in history. His contributions to Lutheran music have made the family name synonymous with that German sacred tradition. Once, when discussing music, my local priest at the time, told me Bach was the only good thing to come out of the Reformation. It made me laugh even though I’m not entirely sure he was joking.

Bach’s religious nature was not separate from his career – it was a critical aspect of who he was. At the top of his sacred compositions, he wrote the initials “J.J.” –an abbreviation of the Latin “Jesu Juva” (“Jesus help”) and at the end, “S.D.G.” for “Soli Deo Gloria” (“To God alone be the glory”).

Bach had many children from his first marriage, which ended with his wife’s death, and many more with his second wife. Several sons became professional musicians, the most famous being C.P.E. Bach (17141788). His youngest surviving son was Johann Christian Bach (1735-1782), affectionately nicknamed among musicians as the “London Bach.” J.C. Bach was born in Leipzig, where he received his musical training under his father’s teaching until the senior Bach’s death in 1750. From there, he moved to Berlin where his older half-brother, C.P.E., was working for Frederick the

music stemming from this period is primarily written for the Church while he was employed as an organist at the Milan Cathedral. His time in Italy also impacted a genre in which his famous father never composed: the Italian opera.

J.C. then moved to London and took on the more English-sounding name of John, eventually becoming music master to Queen Charlotte. Today we know of her as the namesake of Charlotte – the seat of our diocese.

London was one of the first European cities to offer public concerts, and J.C. performed one of the first solo concerts on the keyboard instrument becoming fashionable at the time: the pianoforte (or piano, as it is called today).

It was in London that another equally famous composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, met J.C., while on his extensive travels as a child musical prodigy. During their visits together, they reportedly played harpsichord duets. Mozart even arranged some of J.C.’s music from solo sonatas into piano concerti (music for piano and orchestra).

Like Mozart, J.C. lived a relatively short life, dying in poverty in 1782 after a long illness. Yet along with his famous family name, his musical legacy lives on.

Listen online

At www.catholicnewsherald.com : While J.C. Bach’s musical influence was primarily on instrumental works, his gift of lyricism

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Portrait of Johann Christian Bach, painted in London by Thomas Gainsborough, 1776.

Our nation

U.S. bishops advance pastoral initiatives to strengthen Church

PETER JESSERER SMITH & KATE SCANLON OSV News

ORLANDO — Meeting in Orlando for their spring assembly, the U.S. bishops moved ahead on some efforts to advance the church’s mission in the U.S., including new pastoral initiatives aimed at activating Catholics as missionary disciples. The gathering’s June 15-16 plenary sessions proved relatively smooth, but featured moments of vigorous discussion at a few points, particularly around the formation of priests.

Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services gave his first address as president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and presiding over the bishops’ plenary assembly. He covered a variety of issues of concern to Catholics, such as the need for Congress to pass a comprehensive immigration reform and for an end to Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. “We cannot fail to see the face of Christ in all of those who need our assistance, especially the poor and the vulnerable,”

Archbishop Broglio said.

The papal nuncio to the U.S., Archbishop Christophe Pierre, made his case to the bishops June 15 that synodality, oriented to Jesus Christ as their “true north,” unleashes missionary activity.

“The purpose of walking this synodal path is to make our evangelization more effective in the context of the precise challenges that we face today,” Archbishop Pierre told the bishops.

SAINTHOOD CAUSES ADVANCED

In other business, the bishops voiced their approval for the advancement of a cause to canonize five missionary priests from Brittany, France, known as the “Shreveport martyrs.”

“They demonstrated heroic charity during the third worst pandemic in U.S. history,” said Bishop Francis I. Malone of Shreveport, noting they were all young men who voluntarily sacrificed their own lives to journey with the dying and bring the Eucharist to the faithful.

The bishops also strongly condemned an execution that the state of Florida carried

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out June 15 in the evening following their meeting.

Bishop Andrew H. Cozzens of Crookston, Minn., presented an update about the ongoing National Eucharistic Revival, outlining how the “small group initiative” in the parish year could help deepen people’s relationship to Christ in the Eucharist.

Most votes taking place had near unanimous approval, such as the agenda items related to retranslating the Liturgy of the Hours into English, including having the future edition include some prayer texts in Latin.

The bishops approved the National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic Latino Ministry, with 167 in favor and two against and two abstentions.

The 62-page plan seeks to respond to the needs of about 30 million Hispanic/ Latino Catholics in the U.S. and strengthen Hispanic/Latino ministries at the national, local and parish levels.

FOSTERING VOCATIONS

The most contentious discussion took place regarding the proposed second edition of the “Basic Plan for the Ongoing Formation of Priests.” Some bishops took to the floor to object they had not had time to read the document, or that it was so lengthy priests would likely not read it and dismiss its contents.

Other bishops expressed concern that the discussion on “spiritual fatherhood” needed to be fleshed out, expressing concern that otherwise it could fuel the “narcissistic tendencies” and “hubris” of some priests.

Bishop Steven R. Biegler of Cheyenne, Wyo., said he appreciated the document’s beautiful description of the Christian relationship to God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

“What I find lacking is that communal relationship to the Body of Christ ... that puts us in solidarity with one another as brother and sister,” he said.

However, other bishops pushed back against delaying the document, noting the hard work that went into developing it, and that it was meant to be a guide adapted to the realities of local churches.

Bishop Juan Miguel Betancourt, an auxiliary for the Archdiocese of Hartford, Conn., said the term “spiritual fatherhood” is “actually a term that is more familiar and clear for those who are younger in the priesthood.”

Ultimately, the bishops approved the formation document with 144 voting in favor, 24 against, and eight abstentions. The discussion and vote on priorities for the 2025-’28 USCCB strategic plan were put on hold so that the bishops could reflect upon and, presumably, include some of the discussion from the synod conversations.

CARING FOR THE SICK AND FORGOTTEN

In a voice vote, the bishops approved beginning the process of consultation and revision of ethical directives for Catholic health care facilities to guide them in caring for people suffering from gender dysphoria and who identify as transgender.

The U.S. bishops also voiced approval for the USCCB’s Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth to move ahead on drafting a new pastoral statement for persons with disabilities.

“We do believe a new statement is needed to address disability concerns in the 21st century,” Bishop Robert E. Barron of Winona-Rochester, Minn., the committee’s chair, told the bishops June 16. The intended statement aims to emphasize the giftedness of persons with disabilities, eliminate outdated forms of referring to persons with disabilities, and would be inclusive of persons who have mental illnesses.

Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley of Boston noted the importance of Catholics being allied with the disability community against assisted suicide, and the cardinal asked for more attention to support parents of children with autism.

Before the bishops concluded their assembly, Bishop Earl A. Boyea of Lansing, Mich., chairman of the bishops’ Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations, discussed The Catholic Project’s 2022 study of 10,000 Catholic religious and diocesan priests that found most priests distrust their bishops – with only 24 percent saying they had confidence in bishops in general.

Bishop Boyea encouraged the bishops to help priests “feel kinship and fraternity with us” through better personal communication and better lines of communicating information to them.

“This is not the completion, but a beginning, to heal our relationship,” he said of the report.

At the conclusion of their assembly, recognizing it was the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, the bishops prayed together the Litany of the Sacred Heart, invoking Jesus’ heart repeatedly to “have mercy on us.”

Canio Codella 6/25/1991

Edward Morovich 6/1/2000

Hugo May 6/23/2010

Gerald Hickey 6/6/2011

John Parrish 6/6/2015

Eugene Gillis 6/6/2017

Ronald Steinkamp 6/10/2018

Thomas Kak 6/25/2021

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In Brief

Join faithful across the nation for Religious Freedom Week

Religious Freedom Week is taking place from June 22, the Memorial of Sts. Thomas More and John Fisher, through June 29, the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul. Join Catholics across the country to pray and act for the freedom to serve faithfully and with integrity. Learn more at www.usccb.org/ReligiousFreedomWeek.

Dobbs anniversary is ‘opportunity to continue to strengthen culture of life’

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The first anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s historic ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization is an “opportunity to continue to strengthen the culture of life,” Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, chair of the House Republican Conference, said June 20 at an event hosted by a pro-life group in the nation’s capital to mark the occasion. The Supreme Court issued its Dobbs ruling June 24, 2022, in a case involving a Mississippi law banning abortion after 15 weeks, in which the state directly challenged the high court’s previous abortion-related precedents in Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey. The Supreme Court ultimately overturned its own prior rulings, undoing nearly a half-century of its own precedent on abortion. In the year since that ruling, individual states have moved

to either restrict abortion or expand access to the procedure. Stefanik, the chamber’s No. 3 Republican, said at an event hosted by Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America that “this year’s anniversary of Dobbs is a moment to embrace how far we have come in this movement to protect the sanctity of life.”

U.S. bishops encourage Catholics to ‘read, pray and discuss’ Synod on Synodality working document

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A working document released June 20 on the upcoming worldwide Synod on Synodality “presents the People of God with a remarkable opportunity to reflect on what we have learned thus far about the nature of a synodal Church and how we might embrace that more fully,” said Bishop Daniel E. Flores

of Brownsville, Texas, in a same-day statement from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. It will form the basis for the discernment and discussion for the participants of the first session” in October at the Vatican, the USCCB statement explained. Read the document online at www.usccb.org/synod.

World Refugee Day, Salesian Missions highlight programs that aid refugees, internally displaced

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. — In a world where 103 million people are forcibly displaced, according to the United Nations Refugee Agency, Catholic missionaries are often first responders helping those in need of a new home. “Salesian missionaries live among the communities

they work in and are on the front lines of the refugee crisis. They provide support and services for refugees and internally displaced persons whose lives have been affected by war, persecution, famine, and natural disasters such as floods, droughts, and earthquakes,” said Father Timothy Ploch, interim director of Salesian Missions. UNHCR estimates that 53.2 million people are displaced within their own country and 32.5 million are refugees. More than 72% come from five countries, including Syria, Venezuela, Ukraine, Afghanistan and South Sudan. UNHCR expects the number to climb to 117.2 million people who will be forcibly displaced or stateless in 2023. June 20 is World Refugee Day, as designated by the United Nations.

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Our world

Adore Jesus’ real presence in the Eucharist, pope tells U.S. Catholics

CINDY WOODEN Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — Catholics need to recover a sense of awe and adoration before the Eucharist, knowing that it is “the real and loving presence of the Lord,” Pope Francis told members of the committees organizing the National Eucharistic Revival and the National Eucharistic Congress in the United States. Jesus spoke of Himself as “the living bread which came down from heaven, the true bread that gives life to the world,” the pope told the group June 19, just three days after leaving the hospital following abdominal surgery.

“This morning, while I was celebrating the Eucharist, I thought about this a lot because it is what gives us life,” the pope said. “Indeed, the Eucharist is God’s response to the deepest hunger of the human heart, the hunger for authentic life because in the Eucharist Christ Himself is truly in our midst to nourish, console and sustain us on our journey.”

Pope Francis blessed the four-foot-tall monstrance, paten and chalice that will be used during the Eucharistic congress in Indianapolis July 17-21, 2024.

The group was led by Bishop Andrew H. Cozzens of Crookston, Minn., chair of the U.S. bishops’ advisory group for the National Eucharistic Revival. Bishop

Cozzens said it was “an incredible privilege” to meet the pope and experience

“his love, his passion for the Eucharist and for the work that we’re about.”

Pope Francis told the group that, unfortunately, today many Catholics

“believe that the Eucharist is more a symbol than the reality of the Lord’s presence and love.” But, he said, “it is more than a symbol; it is the real and loving presence of the Lord.”

“It is my hope, then, that the Eucharistic congress will inspire Catholics throughout the country to discover anew the sense of wonder and awe at the Lord’s great gift of Himself,” he said, “and to spend time with Him in the celebration of the holy Mass and in personal prayer and adoration before the Blessed Sacrament.”

Pope Francis lamented that many people “have lost the sense of adoration. We need to regain the sense of adoring in silence, adoration. It is a prayer we have lost; few people know what this is, and you bishops need to catechize the faithful on the prayer of adoration,” he said, looking at Bishop Cozzens and Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Ind., who also accompanied the group.

The pope insisted on the link between celebrating Mass, Eucharistic adoration and sharing the Gospel with others.

“In the Eucharist, we encounter the One who gave everything for us, who

sacrificed Himself in order to give us life, who loved us to the end,” he said. “We become credible witnesses to the joy and transforming beautify of the Gospel only when we recognize that the love we celebrate in this sacrament cannot be kept to ourselves but demands to be shared with all.”

“This is the sense of mission: You go, you celebrate Mass, you take Communion,

you go to adoration – and afterward?” he asked. “Afterward you go out, you go out and evangelize; Jesus makes us this way.”

“The Eucharist impels us to a strong and committed love of neighbor,” he insisted.

“For we cannot truly understand or live the meaning of the Eucharist if our hearts are closed to our brothers and sisters, especially those who are poor, suffering, weary or may have gone astray in life.”

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In Brief

Pope meets Cuban president

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis had a 40-minute private meeting at the Vatican with Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel. Holding banners calling for the release of political prisoners and respect for human rights in Cuba, a dozen people rallied at the end of Via della Conciliazione, the main boulevard leading to St. Peter’s Square, as the pope was meeting Díaz-Canel in the studio of the Vatican audience hall June 20. The president also met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state. As has become customary, the Vatican press office released a statement about the cardinal’s meeting with Díaz-Canel but did not comment on what the pope and president discussed. “During the talks with the secretary of state,” it said, “they discussed the importance of the diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Cuba, evoking moreover the historic visit of St. John Paul II in 1998.” The two also spoke about life in Cuba today, “and the contribution that the Church offers, especially in the area of charity,” it said.

Tears are not signs of weakness but of love, says Canadian pastor after tragic bus crash

DAUPHIN, Manitoba — The compassion of Christ is what is needed now as the small Canadian community of Dauphin, Manitoba, comes to grips with the loss of 15 of its members in a tragic accident, said the pastor of the local

parish. In his homily June 18, three days after the crash that claimed 15 lives and saw 10 others injured, many critically, Father Michel Nault, pastor at St. Viator’s Parish in Dauphin alluded to the Gospel reading about Jesus showing benevolence to the crowds in His midst before charging the disciples with the power to drive out unclean spirits and cure all manners of disease and illness. “Jesus showed compassion for the people, and I really think it is important to show compassion on a day like this where we are all dealing with something really difficult,” said Father Nault. Canadians from coast to coast are mourning and seeking answers about the devastating crash between a transport truck and a minibus. The bus was carrying 24 seniors on a day trip from the Dauphin Active Living Center. The collision took place just before noon June 15.

Pope returns to Vatican, ‘better than before,’ surgeon says

ROME — Pope Francis has returned to the Vatican after a nine-day hospital stay and intends to go ahead with his planned trips abroad in August and September, according to his chief surgeon. “The pope is fine. He’s better than before,” said Dr. Sergio Alfieri, the chief surgeon who operated on the pope June 7 to repair a hernia; he also operated on the pope in 2021.

“The pope has confirmed all his trips,” the doctor told reporters outside Rome’s Gemelli hospital June 16, right after the pope was released. The pope was scheduled to attend World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal, Aug. 2-6, and to go to Mongolia Aug. 31-Sept. 4. “As a matter of fact,” Alfieri said, according to Vatican News, “he will be able to embark on them better than before because now he will no longer have the discomfort of his previous ailments. He will be a stronger pope.” When asked about the pope’s “convalescence” to fully heal from abdominal surgery, Alfieri said, “he doesn’t convalesce; he has already started working.” When the pope emerged from the

hospital in a wheelchair the morning of June 16, he greeted well-wishers who asked him how he was. “I’m still alive,” he said, smiling.

Anglican bishop becomes Catholic, says discernment is shaped by whisper of God’s voice

LIVERPOOL, England — A sixth former Anglican bishop has announced his decision to become a Catholic in just the last four years.

Bishop Richard Pain, who retired as bishop of Monmouth in 2019, is the first Anglican bishop from Wales to join the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham. He will be received into

the full communion at the church of St. Basil and St. Gwladys, Rogerstone Newport, Wales, on July 2, by Msgr. Keith Newton, the leader of the Ordinariate. Msgr. Newton said: “We are delighted that after much prayer Richard has asked to be received into the full communion of the Catholic Church.” Bishop Pain said in a June 12 statement that he decided to become a Catholic when reflecting on his future following his retirement. “The process of discernment continues throughout life and is constantly shaped by context but more importantly by the whisper of God’s voice,” he said. “The Benedictine understanding of obedience – hearing the Lord –has been significant to my personal formation.”

— OSV News

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Father Juan Miguel Sánchez

That’s how I love you!

A reflection on my journey to the priesthood

As ordination time has come and three new priests are welcomed into our diocese, I feel a little nostalgic as I recall my own ordination to the priesthood. As these days arrive, I also feel a strong gratitude to God for all the opportunities He has given me in my life and for allowing me to get to where I am today.

God has undoubtedly guided me from my beginnings in my beautiful town of Ixtlahuacán del Río, Jalisco, Mexico, to this great Diocese of Charlotte. My life has been a constant migration from place to place. I believe God was already preparing me for what would be part of my life as a priest.

I still remember the first time we moved from the ranch to the city of Guadalajara. With the first change came the first call, because when I arrived in the city, I began to prepare for first Communion, and immediately after that I became an altar boy. There the Lord began to put the idea of the priesthood in my heart. Although at that time I was afraid to think about becoming a priest, the service in the Church became something that I enjoyed a lot, and that always left me with a feeling of peace and tranquility.

Before I knew it, I was already celebrating my confirmation and being part of the teen group, volunteering as a reader and helping with the different activities in the Church. Some time later, I was participating in the youth group, spending time and talking with the priests of my parish.

The second migration was to the United States, and with it came the search for the American Dream. But even when I was immersed in my work, God kept putting the idea of the priesthood in my mind and heart. To which I immediately replied: Miguel, that’s no longer for you.

But God has His ways, and a few years later I found myself living an Emmaus retreat and reflecting on how far I had drifted away from Church service. The retreat brought me a feeling of fulfillment and great joy, which moved me again to seek service in the Church and the possibility of thinking about the priesthood again.

After talking for a while with Father Julio Domínguez, I was encouraged to enter the seminary. That led me to move to Columbus, Ohio, for four years and Rome, Italy, for another four years.

After much effort and sacrifice, I stood before the altar thanking God for the great opportunity to serve Him as a priest and to seek the salvation of souls. I always felt helpless and unworthy and without the necessary talents, but over time I realized that I didn’t have to be perfect to follow God and that even in my imperfection, God would give me what I needed to accomplish great things.

Ordination was an incredible moment that I still relish the fruits of. I do not quite understand how it is that God entrusts us with such an important mission. But with faith in His Providence, I have accepted His call, knowing that I am not alone in this mission. The grace of your prayers accompanies me every day. As a chick priest who is just hatching, I continue to trust and learn a lot to keep improving in my ministry.

May God bless you!

What will the Holy Spirit conceive in you?

How full of grace and worthy Mary was to be chosen as the most beloved spouse of the Holy Spirit. Within her womb the Spirit conceived our Savior, the Savior of the world, the King of the Universe.

Mary – immaculately conceived, pure, a perfect spouse for the Holy Spirit to continue its saving work in humanity – is the new Eve, not blemished by the temptation and deception of sin, but bringing forth the One who would forever conquer sin and death.

We may not feel worthy for the Holy Spirit to work in us. We may feel constantly inadequate or sinful. What we often fail to realize is that the Holy Spirit can still work in similar ways in our own lives to bring us to newness, to wash us clean so that we too might conceive something much greater than ourselves.

Before His departure from this world, Jesus told his apostles that He must leave so that the Holy Spirit, the Counselor, may come. Through the Holy Spirit, all will be made new and even greater works will be accomplished. “Truly, truly I say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater work than these will he do, because I go to the Father” (John 14:12).

Sister Renee Yann of the Sisters of Mercy writes that it can be dangerous to call on the Holy Spirit. “‘Come, Holy Spirit’ is a dangerous prayer! Don’t say it if you don’t want to be shaken out of your routine, blown off course, and ignited with a grace that refuses half-heartedness” (“A Dangerous Prayer,” Sisters of Mercy Communications, May 2023).

Receiving the Holy Spirit can put you in the ranks with Joshua and Caleb as they led Israel into the Promised Land, or mighty King David as he bravely fought from his youth, or John the Baptist as he passionately paved the way for Jesus, or the chosen apostles who went to the far corners of the earth to spread the good news, or even Paul being blasted off his horse and transformed into one of the greatest evangelists of Christ. As we grapple with our feelings of uncertainty about being ranked with these phenomenal warriors of the faith, we fail to realize that we are already there!

Rest assured, you have all you need to walk in their shoes. In fact, you have been endowed with the Holy Spirit more than once in your life: first at baptism and then again at confirmation. At baptism, the seed is planted that blooms into gifts

given by God; the buds are ready to begin to open at certain stages in our life. The gifts of the Holy Spirit then become an arsenal, a tool belt for defense and cultivation of your works of faith.

Although each gift is unique and should be protected and guarded well, it should not be hidden. We must use these gifts in works of faith. As St. James states, “Faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.” (James 2:17) Not only should we call upon the Holy Spirit and use the gifts of the Spirit to cultivate our faith, we should also pass them on.

At the recent Confirmation Mass at St. Pius X Church in Greensboro, Benedictine Abbot Placid Solari of Belmont Abbey encouraged families and confirmation candidates to not only receive the Holy Spirit but to pass it on. He spoke to the parents about being the very first catechist in their child’s life and how through them their child came to know the Holy Spirit.

At the end of this beautiful Mass, when my parents congratulated my husband and me on raising such a fine daughter, I reminded them it was their spiritual formation and the spiritual formation of my husband’s parents that put the fruits of our parenthood into motion – and their parents before them, and so on back throughout history.

When passing the Holy Spirit from one generation to the next, words must be put into action. This new digital generation is also a heavily visual generation. Therefore, our actions essentially send the breath of the Holy Spirit into those we raise, who watch us intently as models of their adult life.

Not ready to do great things? Don’t worry. You have all you need. God has been carefully planting and weeding and fertilizing special unique gifts of the Spirit inside of you for years. Simply ask the Holy Spirit for the gifts you need at the time.

Will it be wisdom, or understanding, or counsel, or fortitude, or piety, or maybe fear of the Lord?

Whatever you need to do, your great works are only a breath away. Be brave! Pray “Come Holy Spirit” and then wait. Abbot Placid reminded us to keep an open mind, for the gifts may emerge differently than what you expect. Be watchful. The answer to prayer comes when we least expect it. Then, with purity of mind, justice of heart, and above all love of God, be ready to receive the Holy Spirit and get to work!

FATHER JUAN MIGUEL SÁNCHEZ is parochial vicar at St. Matthew Parish in Charlotte.

APRIL PARKER is a member of St. Pius X Parish in Greensboro and a teacher at St. Pius X School.

April Parker

Will Peterson

This is the way: The Eucharistic pilgrimage of the Mass

In June, we celebrate the Solemnity of Corpus Christi. This weighty feast day, which fell this year on June 8, gives us the opportunity to give thanks for the Body of Christ as we launch into the National Eucharistic Revival.

First and foremost, we give thanks for the real presence of Christ’s Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Eucharist. Christ himself makes it abundantly clear what it is, or rather, Who it is, that we receive in the Blessed Sacrament:

“I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” (Jn 6:51)

We have the Bread of Life. What more could we desire?

Learn more

At www.eucharisticrevival.org : Find Church resources, videos, educational materials, prayers and more at the National Eucharistic Revival movement’s website – designed to restore understanding and devotion to the Eucharist

And yet, our Lord presented this supreme gift to a community of apostles, so we also give thanks for the body of Christ that is the community of the Church. In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul writes, “And He (God) put all things beneath Christ’s feet and gave Him as head over all things to the Church, which is His body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.” (Eph 1:22-23)

Our Church is the community in which, to quote St. Augustine, “we become what we receive.” Thus, there is nowhere more fitting for us to express our gratitude for the body of Christ than at Mass,

MY FAVORITE PILGRIMAGE

As someone who leads an apostolate for Catholic pilgrimages, I often get asked which one pilgrimage journey is my favorite. Easy answers recount long, arduous pilgrimages between California missions, or through the Wisconsin farmland that leads us to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion, where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to a local girl.

My favorite pilgrimage, however, is the one I make each time I attend Mass.

The pilgrimage is not only spiritual but a true physical pilgrimage toward Christ. As I walk up from my pew to participate in

Communion, I pray with my whole being. I give praise with each step I take, for God made me, body and soul. I come forward, publicly demonstrating my belief in the Real Presence. During the brief journey from my pew, I lift my intentions, my struggles, my desires to God. God receives them and lifts His Son before me, allowing me to receive the Eucharist, the Bread of angels, the Bread of Life. That movement is crucial. As the 20th-century Trappist and spiritual writer Thomas Merton once wrote, “The geographic pilgrimage is the symbolic acting out of an inner journey. … One can have the one without the other. It is best to have both.” Our physical journey to receive Christ during the Mass teaches and prepares us to spiritually journey toward the heavenly Jerusalem.

MANY WAYS TO BEAR SPIRITUAL FRUIT

Do I believe that a long, arduous pilgrimage tracing the steps of St. Junipero Serra between the missions in California, or a pilgrimage in Philadelphia between the tombs of St. John Neumann and St. Katharine Drexel – two canonized saints entombed mere miles from one another – will bear much spiritual fruit? Indeed, I do. Anytime we can step away from the everyday to seek the intercession of the saints at a holy site, the Church and the world benefit.

Yet, I pray first and foremost that in this time of National Eucharistic Revival, and especially in this month of the solemnity of Corpus Christi, we all might mindfully make the crucial pilgrimage of thanks and praise to receive the Eucharistic Christ at Mass.

We then go out into the world, becoming what we have received.

WILL PETERSON is the director of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage and founder and president of Modern Catholic Pilgrim, a nonprofit organization established to deepen faith and build community across the U.S. through walking pilgrimages in the Catholic tradition.

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‘The good news of God’s closeness should fill people with trust because if the God of heaven is close, we are not alone on earth.’

‘My favorite pilgrimage, however, is the one I make each time I attend Mass.’

About the cover

This year’s cover image, photographed by Troy Hull, features the Diocese of Charlotte’s three newest priests, Father Christopher Brock, Father Chinonso NnebeAgumadu and Father Peter Rusciolelli, inside St. Patrick Cathedral, which has undergone significant renovations this year.

‘The Lord has chosen you to make a difference’

Three men ordained priests for the Diocese of Charlotte

HUNTERSVILLE — “Love, joy, friendship and choice: four fundamental words for discipleship, four indispensable words for priesthood.”

These four words, Atlanta Archbishop Gregory Hartmayer said, describe the call to ministry for Christopher Brock, Chinonso Nnebe-Agumadu and Peter Rusciolelli, who were ordained to the priesthood June 17.

More than a thousand people filled St. Mark Church in Huntersville for the ordination Mass. Archbishop Hartmayer, OFM Conv., celebrated the Mass at the request of Charlotte Bishop Peter Jugis, who is experiencing health issues which prevented his attendance. Archbishop Hartmayer used Bishop Jugis’ crozier at the Mass in a sign of unity between the bishops, and he offered a prayer for strength and healing for Bishop Jugis as the Mass began.

Archbishop Hartmayer also entrusted the three men being ordained to Mary, Mother of Priests, and to her Immaculate Heart, the feast celebrated on the day of their

ordination. “Today, stay close to her, seek her intercession and be inspired by her example. Imitate the actions of Mary and ponder these things in your heart every day,” he said.

The ordination rite began with Brock, Nnebe-Agumadu and Rusciolelli coming forward to the altar and expressing their willingness to be ordained and promising to take on the responsibilities of the priesthood. Then Archbishop Hartmayer directed his homily to them.

“The Lord loves you. He rejoices in you. He is your friend, and He has chosen you,” the archbishop told them.

“The Lord wants you to be His priests. Be certain of the Lord’s love for you and be sure of the Lord’s call to you.”

At the end of the ordination Mass, the three new priests’ assignments were announced by Monsignor Patrick Winslow, vicar general and chancellor of the Diocese of Charlotte.

Starting July 11, Father Brock will serve as parochial vicar of Holy Cross Parish in Kernersville, Father NnebeAgumadu will serve as parochial vicar of St. Mark Parish in Huntersville, and Father Rusciolelli will serve as parochial vicar of St. Leo the Great Parish in Winston-Salem.

‘LOVE, JOY, FRIENDSHIP, CHOICE’

In his homily, Archbishop Hartmayer told the three men, “Love: your priesthood must be characterized by a love modeled on Christ. You are called to love often in the simplest ways – through kindness, courtesy and patience, overflowing from a heart united to Christ, the heart of a shepherd.”

“Joy: joy is the echo of God’s life within us,” he added. “Today you are configured to Christ. By a special grace of the Holy Spirit, He will make your joy complete.”

“In your priestly ministry evangelize, preach, teach, witness and announce the joyful Gospel of salvation and Good News to everyone – without exception. We need to hear the Good News. We need to hear it from you. We need to hear you proclaim it. We need to see you live it.”

Friendship with Christ, Archbishop Hartmayer continued, is a vital part of a priest’s ministry. “A new and permanent intimacy with Christ begins through the laying on of hands and the prayer of consecration. Ordination shapes your being into the likeness of Christ the priest,

CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD STAFF

(From left) Newly ordained Fathers Chinonso NnebeAgumadu, Christopher Brock and Peter Rusciolelli.

PHOTOS BY AMY BURGER, TRAVIS BURTON, LIZ CHANDLER AND TROY HULL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

More than a thousand people from across western North Carolina fill St. Mark Church in Huntersville to pray and celebrate the ordination of three new priests for the Diocese of Charlotte. Carrying Bishop Peter Jugis’ crozier, Atlanta Archbishop Gregory Hartmayer, OFM Conv., (far left) celebrates the June 17 ordination Mass.

Christ the teacher, Christ the shepherd. Allow this interior change to expand your friendship with Christ through the daily celebration of the Eucharist, the Liturgy of the Hours, and the prayerful devotional nurturing of your inner life.”

“Finally, choice: Your priesthood flows from Christ’s choice of you. Before you ever thought of Him, He had already chosen you,” Archbishop Hartmayer said. “The Lord has chosen you to make a difference.”

“His love and joy are yours. In friendship He chose you to be His priest, and in friendship you said yes,” he added.

“You have a lot to do as a priest, and you have a lot to give as priests,” Archbishop Hartmayer smiled as he continued sharing his advice to the three ordinands. “Moved by His example… enter fully into the fabric of society, sharing the lives of all, listening to their concerns, helping them materially and spiritually in their needs, rejoicing with those who rejoice, and weeping with those who weep, arm and arm with others.”

LAYING ON OF HANDS, VESTING AND ANOINTING

After the archbishop’s homily the Litany of Supplication followed, during which the men lay prostrate before the altar as Archbishop Hartmayer and everyone gathered at the Mass knelt in prayer as the Litany of the Saints was chanted by the congregation and choir.

Then they arose and approached the archbishop, who laid his hands on their heads. During this most solemn moment of the ordination rite, Archbishop Hartmayer

prayed silently over them for the Holy Spirit to descend upon them. Dozens of priests in attendance at the ordination Mass then followed suit, laying hands on the three men in a sign of priestly fraternity and unity. During the vesting portion of the ordination rite, the men were vested by people who played meaningful roles in their journey to the priesthood. Father Brock was vested by Father Joshua Voitus, Father Nnebe-Agumadu was vested by Father Bernard Oleru, M.S.P., and Father Rusciolelli was vested by Father Christopher Roux. The three new priests’ hands were anointed with sacred chrism, and the archbishop presented them with chalices and patens to signify their authority to celebrate the Eucharist. After the kiss of peace, the new priests joined the archbishop and other clergy o the altar to concelebrate the Liturgy of the Eucharist for their first time.

GIVING THANKS FOR THEIR FORMATION

At the end of Mass, Monsignor Winslow thanked Archbishop Hartmayer and all who have helped form the new priests, including Father Christopher Gober, diocesan vocations director; Father Anthony Brausch, rector of Mount St. Mary’s Seminary & School of Theology in Ohio; and Father Matthew Kauth, rector of St. Joseph College Seminary in Mount Holly.

“Throughout their formation these men have been shaped by you, the very people they serve. Your support and encouragement have played an invaluable role in bringing them to this moment and like all priests called

to serve, they will continue to rely on your prayers, your guidance, your expertise and, yes, even sometimes your patience,” Monsignor Winslow said. “Finally, all of us want to thank the parents of these young men as the first and primary formators. You should be proud.”

As rector of the local college seminary, Father Kauth shared insights into the men’s formation in comments after Mass.

“The process is long but necessary because the man has to be examined in every way possible, tried in every way possible, because the way that he takes on the priesthood needs to have a very solid structure from which to sit,” Father Kauth said.

Though he played a leadership role in the men’s formation, Father Kauth also noted a sense of solidarity and camaraderie with the newly ordained.

“When the new priests get here, for the rest of us team members, they’re all like ‘All Stars.’ The load is less (burdensome) when everyone else is carrying it with you,” he said. “I can’t express to you how much you feel strengthened by each one who comes through, especially when you know them to be the men of character that they are.”

More online

At www.catholicnewsherald.com : See full coverage from the ordination Mass, including more photos, video highlights, profiles of each of the three new priests, and much more.

The most solemn

of

moment

the ordination Mass is the laying on of hands by the archbishop, invoking the Holy Spirit to consecrate the men as priests.

(Above) In turn, each of the priests of the diocese lay hands on the three ordinands.

(Right) At the beginning of the Mass, the ordinands kneel before the archbishop and make their priestly promises. Pictured here is Peter Rusciolelli.

(Far right) Archbishop Hartmayer elevates the Host during the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

Father NnebeAgumadu gives his family members a first blessing after his ordination.

Following their ordination, the new priests are vested and take their place beside Archbishop Hartmayer on the altar to concelebrate the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The mothers of the new priests bring up the offertory gifts. At the end of Mass, the priests give their first blessings to Archbishop Hartmayer. Then they give first blessings to their parents, then to well-wishers. (Below) People enjoy a spontaneous musical celebration featuring African drums in honor of Father Nnebe-Agumadu’s ordination.

El momento más solemne de la Misa de ordenación fue la imposición de manos del arzobispo, seguido de los sacerdotes de la diócesis.

PHOTOS POR AMY BURGER, TRAVIS BURTON, LIZ CHANDLER Y TROY HULL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

‘El Señor los ha elegido para hacer una diferencia’

Tres hombres ordenados sacerdotes para la Diócesis de Charlotte

HUNTERSVILLE — “Amor, gozo, amistad y elección: cuatro palabras fundamentales para el discipulado, cuatro palabras indispensables para el sacerdocio”. Estas cuatro palabras, dijo el Arzobispo de Atlanta, Gregory Hartmayer, describen el llamado al ministerio de Christopher Brock, Chinonso Nnebe-Agumadu y Peter Rusciolelli, quienes fueron ordenados sacerdotes el 17 de junio.

Más de mil personas repletaron la Iglesia San Marcos en Huntersville para ser testigos de la Misa de ordenación. El Arzobispo Hartmayer, OFM Conv., celebró la Misa a petición del Obispo de Charlotte, Peter Jugis, quien está experimentando problemas de salud que impidieron su asistencia. El Arzobispo Hartmayer usó el báculo del Obispo Jugis durante la Misa, en un signo de unidad entre los obispos, y ofreció una oración pidiendo fortaleza y sanación para el Obispo Jugis.

En la portada

La imagen de la portada de la edición de Vocaciones de este año, tomada por Troy Hull, presenta a los tres nuevos sacerdotes de la Diócesis de Charlotte, el Padre Christopher Brock, el Padre Chinonso NnebeAgumadu y el Padre Peter Rusciolelli, dentro de la Catedral San Patricio, que ha estado en remodelación durante este año.

El Arzobispo Hartmayer también confió a los tres hombres ordenados a María, Madre de los Sacerdotes, y a su Inmaculado Corazón, por la fiesta celebrada el día de la ordenación. “Hoy, permanezcan cerca de ella, busquen su intercesión e inspírense en su ejemplo. Imiten las acciones de María y mediten estas cosas en sus corazones todos los días”, dijo.

El rito de ordenación comenzó con Brock, Nnebe-Agumadu y Rusciolelli acercándose al altar y expresando su voluntad de ser ordenados y prometiendo asumir las responsabilidades del sacerdocio. Luego, el Arzobispo Hartmayer les dirigió su homilía.

“El Señor los ama. Él se regocija en ustedes. Él es su amigo, y los ha elegido”, les dijo el arzobispo. “El Señor quiere que sean sus sacerdotes. Estén seguros del amor y del llamado del Señor hacia ustedes”.

Al final de la Misa de ordenación, las asignaciones de los tres nuevos sacerdotes fueron anunciadas por Monseñor Patrick Winslow, vicario general y canciller de la Diócesis de Charlotte. El Padre Brock servirá como vicario parroquial de la Iglesia Holy Cross en Kernersville, el Padre Nnebe-Agumadu servirá como vicario parroquial de la Iglesia San Marcos en Huntersville, y el Padre Rusciolelli servirá como vicario parroquial de la Iglesia San Leo el Grande en Winston-Salem.

‘AMOR, ALEGRÍA, AMISTAD, ELECCIÓN’

En su homilía, el Arzobispo Hartmayer dijo a los tres hombres: “Amor: su sacerdocio debe caracterizarse por un amor modelado en Cristo. Están llamados a amar a menudo de las maneras más sencillas: a través de la bondad, la cortesía y la paciencia desbordada de un corazón unido a Cristo, el corazón de un pastor”.

“Alegría: la alegría es eleco de la vida de Dios dentro de nosotros”, agregó. “Hoy son configurados para Cristo. Por una gracia especial del Espíritu Santo, Él completará su gozo. En su ministerio sacerdotal, evangelicen, prediquen, enseñen, testimonien y anuncien a todos el gozoso Evangelio de la salvación y la Buena Nueva a todos, sin excepción. Necesitamos escuchar las Buenas Nuevas. Necesitamos escucharlo de ustedes. Necesitamos oírlos proclamarlo. Necesitamos verlos viviéndolo”.

La amistad con Cristo, continuó el Arzobispo Hartmayer, es una parte vital del ministerio de un sacerdote. “Una intimidad nueva y permanente con Cristo comienza a través de la imposición de manos y la oración de consagración. La ordenación moldea tu ser a semejanza de Cristo el sacerdote, Cristo el maestro, Cristo el pastor. Permite que este cambio interior amplíe tu amistad con

CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Fieles de la toda la diócesis repletaron la Iglesia San Marcos el 17 de junio para orar y celebrar la ordenación de tres nuevos sacerdotes.

Cristo a través de la celebración diaria de la Eucaristía, la Liturgia de las Horas y el cuidado devocional orante de tu vida interior”.

“Finalmente, elección. Vuestro sacerdocio fluye de la elección que Cristo hizo de ustedes. Antes de que pensaras en Él, Él ya los había elegido”, dijo el Arzobispo Hartmayer. “El Señor los ha elegido para hacer una diferencia”.

“Su amor y alegría son vuestros. En amistad, Él los eligió para ser Su sacerdote, y en amistad dijeron sí”, agregó.

“Ustedes tienen mucho que hacer como sacerdotes, y tienen mucho que dar como sacerdotes”, sonrió el Arzobispo Hartmayer mientras continuaba compartiendo sus consejos a los tres ordenandos. “Conmovido por Su ejemplo... entren plenamente en el tejido de la sociedad, compartiendo la vida de todos, escuchando sus preocupaciones, ayudándoles material y espiritualmente en sus necesidades, regocijándose con los que se regocijan y llorando con los que lloran, hombro a hombro con los demás”.

IMPOSICIÓN DE MANOS, OTORGAMIENTO Y UNCIÓN

Después de la homilía del arzobispo, siguió la Letanía de las Súplicas, durante la cual los hombres yacían postrados ante el altar mientras el Arzobispo Hartmayer y todos los reunidos en la Misa se arrodillaban en oración y se cantaba la Letanía de los Santos.

Luego se levantaron y acercaron al arzobispo, quien puso sus manos sobre sus cabezas. Durante este solemne

momento, el Arzobispo Hartmayer oró en silencio para que el Espíritu Santo descienda sobre ellos. Decenas de sacerdotes que asistieron a la Misa de ordenación siguieron su ejemplo, imponiendo las manos sobre los tres hombres en un signo de unidad y fraternidad sacerdotal. Luego, los hombres fueron investidos por personas que desempeñaron papeles significativos en su camino al sacerdocio. El Padre Brock fue investido por el Padre Joshua Voitus, el Padre Nnebe-Agumadu fue investido por el Padre Bernard Oleru, M.S.P., y el Padre Rusciolelli fue investido por el Padre Christopher Roux.

Las manos de los tres nuevos sacerdotes fueron ungidas con el crisma sagrado, y el arzobispo les presentó cálices y patenas para significar su autoridad para celebrar la Eucaristía. Después del beso de la paz, los nuevos sacerdotes se unieron al arzobispo y otros clérigos del altar para concelebrar la Liturgia de la Eucaristía por primera vez.

DANDO GRACIAS POR SU FORMACIÓN

Al final de la Misa, Monseñor Winslow agradeció al Arzobispo Hartmayer y a todos los que ayudaron en la formación de los nuevos sacerdotes, incluido el Padre Christopher Gober, director diocesano de vocaciones; Padre Anthony Brausch, rector del Mount St. Mary’s Seminary & School of Theology en Ohio; y el Padre Matthew Kauth, rector del Seminario Universitario San José en Mount Holly.

“A lo largo de su formación, estos hombres han sido moldeados por ustedes, las mismas personas a las que

sirven. Su apoyo y aliento han jugado un papel invaluable para llevarlos a este momento y, como todos los sacerdotes llamados a servir, continuarán confiando en sus oraciones, su guía, su experiencia y, sí, incluso a veces su paciencia”, dijo Monseñor Winslow. “Finalmente, todos queremos agradecer a los padres de estos jóvenes como primeros y principales formadores. Deberían de estar orgullosos”.

Como rector del seminario universitario local, el Padre Kauth compartió algunas ideas sobre la formación de los hombres en comentarios después de la Misa.

“El proceso es largo pero necesario porque el hombre tiene que ser examinado de todas las maneras posibles, probado de todas las maneras posibles, porque la forma en que asume el sacerdocio debe tener una estructura muy sólida en la que asentarse”, dijo el Padre Kauth.

Aunque desempeñó un papel de liderazgo en la formación de los hombres, el Padre Kauth también demostró un sentido de solidaridad y camaradería con los recién ordenados.

“Cuando los nuevos sacerdotes llegan aquí, para el resto de los miembros del equipo, todos son como ‘All Stars’. La carga es menor cuando todos los demás la llevan contigo”, dijo. “Es difícil expresar cuán fortalecido te sientes por cada uno de ellos que sale adelante, especialmente cuando conoces los hombres de carácter que son”.

(Arriba) Momentos solemnes de la Misa de Ordenación incluyeron la imposición de manos por el arzobispo.

(Abajo) Los nuevos sacerdotes dan su primera bendición al Arzobispo Hartmayer antes que la Misa concluyera. Después, dieron su primera bendición a sus padres, luego a sus simpatizantes.

(Arriba) El Padre Christopher Roux viste al nuevo sacerdote, Padre Rusciolelli.

(Izquierda) Familiares y amigos del Padre NnebeAgumadu asistieron para celebrar su ordenación.

Drawn to the priesthood from a young age, Father Christopher Brock was born in Woodstock, Va., in 1997.

“Being a priest was something I was attracted to ever since I was a boy,” he said. “However, it was in high school that I began to really take the possibility of a vocation seriously.”

He credits the Quo Vadis Days retreat, a discernment camp in the diocese, and being an altar server for playing major roles in his discernment.

The son of Steve and Susan Brock, Father Brock grew up in Charlotte with his seven siblings: Mary, Michael, Isaac, Sebastian, Felicity, Peter and Timothy. His home parish is St. Vincent de Paul Church in Charlotte. He was homeschooled through grade 12 and graduated from St. Joseph College Seminary before earning his Master of Divinity at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary & School of Theology.

In the days leading up to his ordination, he said there was a lot of excitement.

“When I entered seminary six years ago, I did so because I believed God was calling me to be a priest, and so seeing my ordination day just around the corner is very joyful and exciting. The thing I am looking forward to the most is saying Mass,” Father Brock said. “I see the Mass as being at the center of what it is to be a priest, and I am so looking forward to offering sacrifice to God on behalf of His people, the Church.”

He added that he is also looking forward to hearing confessions, and all the other ways that the priest gets to bring Christ into people’s lives.

“When people seek out the priest, they are truly seeking out an encounter with Jesus, and I hope to bring the presence of Christ into the lives of the people I meet to the best of my poor ability, and with the help of God’s grace.”

Born in Washington, D.C., in 1995, Father Chinonso NnebeAgumadu spent many of his formative years in Nigeria. He and his family returned to the United States when Father NnebeAgumadu was a sophomore in high school. They moved to the Charlotte area, and he attended Gaston Christian School in Gastonia until graduation. His home parish is St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte.

The son of Uche Nnebe-Agumadu and the late Samuel Nnebe-Agumadu, he has five siblings: Arize, Ijeamaka, Munachi, Tobenna and Chukwuma. He said he first became interested in the priesthood when he was in the fourth grade, the same year he received his first Holy Communion and became an altar server.

“I was always excited to see what the priest was doing at Mass,” he recalled. “It was, however, the summer before my senior year in high school that I had a profound experience that really got me to take the thought of being a priest more seriously.”

He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in biology at North Carolina A&T State University. When he decided to enter the seminary, his first step was earning a pre-theology degree at Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio. He recently earned a Master of Arts in Theology and Master of Divinity from Mount St. Mary’s Seminary & School of Theology in Cincinnati.

As his June 17 ordination to the priesthood approached, Father Nnebe-Agumadu said he was nervous but more excited than anything else. “I’m nervous because this is not an easy task, but I’m excited to see how God will use me as His priest in the mission of giving Him glory and drawing souls to Him,” he said.

Recalling his path to the priesthood, he added, “As this great day approaches, I can’t help but look back at the formation I have received these past six years and trust that they have prepared me well for the life ahead. And in those six years, I have been aided by the prayers and support of many of the faithful, and so I can’t wait to give my life for them.”

ANNIE FERGUSON arferguson@charlottediocese.org

Born in 1997, Father Peter Rusciolelli grew up in Waxhaw with his eight siblings: Sister Therese Marie (formerly Molly), Nathanael, Abigail, William, John Paul, Noah, Bridget and Celeste. The son of William and Deborah Rusciolelli, he enjoyed an active, faith-filled childhood. He was homeschooled until he entered college and said his discernment process was gradual, beginning at age 15.

By the time he was 18, he had decided to enter St. Joseph College Seminary where he earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy.

He recently earned his Master of Arts in Theology and Master of Divinity from Mount St. Mary’s Seminary & School of Theology in Cincinnati, Ohio, and his home parish is St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte.

Because he was born and raised in the Diocese of Charlotte, Father Rusciolelli said he is looking forward to serving the faithful who have given him so much.

As his June 17 ordination to the priesthood drew near, he reflected on this pivotal moment in his life.

“I am very excited for my ordination day, as it is something I have been anticipating, thinking and praying about for a long time,” he said. “I am extremely grateful for the graces Our Lord has given me to follow His holy will, as well as for all those who have supported me in so many ways during these years.”

‘When people seek out the priest, they are truly seeking out an encounter with Jesus.’

ANNIE FERGUSON arferguson@charlottediocese.org

‘I have been aided by the prayers and support of many ... and so I can’t wait to give my life for them.’

ANNIE FERGUSON arferguson@charlottediocese.org

‘What shall I render to the Lord for all His bounty to me?’

Brock Nnebe-Agumadu

Rusciolelli

Atraído al the sacerdocio desde muy corta edad, el Padre Christopher Brock nació en Woodstock, Virginia, en 1997.

“Ser sacerdote fue algo que me atrajo desde que era un niño”, dijo. “Sin embargo, fue en la escuela secundaria cuando comencé a tomar realmente en serio la posibilidad de una vocación”.

Le da crédito al retiro de los Días de Quo Vadis, un campamento de discernimiento en la diócesis, y al haber sido monaguillo, como elementos importantes en su discernimiento.

Hijo de Steve y Susan Brock, el Padre Brock creció en Charlotte con sus siete hermanos: Mary, Michael, Isaac, Sebastian, Felicity, Peter y Timothy. Su parroquia natal es San Vicente de Paúl en Charlotte. Fue educado en casa hasta el grado 12 y se graduó del Seminario Universitario San José antes de obtener su Maestría en Divinidad en Mount St. Mary’s Seminary & School of Theology.

Los días previos a su ordenación, dijo, son muy emocionantes.

“Cuando entré al seminario hace seis años, lo hice porque creía que Dios me estaba llamando a ser sacerdote, por lo que ver el día de mi ordenación a la vuelta de la esquina es muy alegre y emocionante. Lo que más anhelo es decir Misa”, dijo el Padre Brock. “Veo la Misa como el centro de lo que es ser un sacerdote, y estoy ansioso por ofrecer sacrificio a Dios en nombre de Su pueblo, la Iglesia”.

Agregó que también espera escuchar confesiones y todas las otras formas en que el sacerdote puede llevar a Cristo a la vida de las personas.

“Cuando las personas buscan al sacerdote, realmente están buscando un encuentro con Jesús, y espero llevar la presencia de Cristo a la vida de las personas que conozco lo mejor que pueda, y con la ayuda de la gracia de Dios. .”

Nacido en Washington, D.C., en 1995, el Padre Chinonso Nnebe-Agumadu pasó muchos de sus años de formación en Nigeria.

Él y su familia regresaron a Estados Unidos cuando el Padre Nnebe-Agumadu estaba en segundo año de secundaria. Se mudaron al área de Charlotte y asistió a Gaston Christian School en Gastonia hasta que se graduó. Su parroquia de origen es Santo Tomás de Aquino en Charlotte.

Hijo de Samuel (fallecido) y Uche Nnebe-Agumadu, tiene cinco hermanos: Arize, Ijeamaka, Munachi, Tobenna y Chukwuma. Dijo que se interesó por primera vez en el sacerdocio cuando cursaba cuarto grado, el mismo año en que recibió su Primera Comunión y se convirtió en monaguillo.

“Siempre me emocionaba ver lo que hacía el sacerdote en la Misa”, recordó. “Sin embargo, fue durante el verano antes de mi último año en la escuela secundaria cuando tuve una experiencia profunda que realmente me hizo tomar más en serio la idea de ser sacerdote”.

Obtuvo una licenciatura en biología en la Universidad Estatal A&T de Carolina del Norte. Cuando decidió ingresar al seminario, su primer paso fue obtener un título de preteología en Pontifical College Josephinum en Columbus, Ohio.

Recientemente obtuvo una Maestría en Artes en Teología y una Maestría en Divinidad del Seminario y Escuela de Teología de Mount St. Mary en Cincinnati.

A medida que se acercaba su ordenación sacerdotal el 17 de junio, el Padre NnebeAgumadu dijo que estaba nervioso, pero más emocionado que cualquier otra cosa.

“Estoy nervioso porque esta no es una tarea fácil, pero emocionado de ver cómo Dios me usará como Su sacerdote en la misión de darle gloria y atraer almas hacia Él”, dijo. Recordando su camino hacia el sacerdocio, agregó: “A medida que se acerca este gran día, no puedo evitar mirar hacia atrás a la formación que he recibido en los últimos seis años y confío en que me han preparado bien para la vida que tengo por delante. Y en esos seis años, he recibido la ayuda de las oraciones y el apoyo de muchos de los fieles, por lo que no veo la hora de dar mi vida por ellos”.

ANNIE FERGUSON arferguson@charlottediocese.org

Nacido en 1997, el Padre Peter Rusciolelli creció en Waxhaw con sus ocho hermanos: la hermana Therese Marie (antes Molly), Nathanael, Abigail, William, John Paul, Noah, Bridget y Celeste.

Hijo de William y Deborah Rusciolelli, disfrutó de una infancia activa y llena de fe. Recibió educación en el hogar hasta que ingresó a la universidad y dijo que su proceso de discernimiento fue gradual, comenzando a los 15 años. Cuando cumplió los 18, decidió ingresar al Seminario Universitario San José, donde obtuvo una licenciatura en Filosofía.

Recientemente obtuvo su Maestría en Artes en Teología y Maestría en Divinidad del Seminario y Escuela de Teología de Mount St. Mary en Cincinnati, Ohio, y su parroquia natal es la Catedral San Patricio en Charlotte.

Debido a que nació y se crió en la Diócesis de Charlotte, el Padre Rusciolelli dijo que espera servir a los fieles que le han dado tanto.

A medida que se acercaba su ordenación sacerdotal el 17 de junio, reflexionó sobre este momento crucial de su vida.

“Estoy muy emocionado por el día de mi ordenación, ya que es algo que he estado anticipando, pensando y rezando durante mucho tiempo”, dijo. “Estoy supremamente agradecido por las gracias que Nuestro Señor me ha dado para seguir Su santa voluntad, así como por todos aquellos que me han apoyado de tantas maneras durante estos años”.

congratulations on receiving the

Sacrament of Holy Orders

“Cuando las personas buscan un sacerdote, realmente están buscando un encuentro con Jesús”

ANNIE FERGUSON arferguson@charlottediocese.org

“He recibido la ayuda de las oraciones y el apoyo de muchos de los fieles, por lo que no veo la hora de dar mi vida por ellos”

ANNIE FERGUSON arferguson@charlottediocese.org

“¿Cómo pagaré al Señor por toda Su generosidad para conmigo?”

Rev. Christopher Brock

nneBe-agumadu Rev. Peter rusciolelli

TROY HULL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

(Desde la izquierda) Los padres recién ordenados Peter Rusciolelli, Christopher Brock y Chinonso NnebeAgumadu.

CHALICE AND VESTMENTS

The set of vestments Father Brock used for his Mass of Thanksgiving features the colors of gold, in celebration of the joyful occasion of his ordination, and blue in honor of the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, which was observed on his ordination day.

When it comes to his chalice, Father Brock chose one he found particularly beautiful from a collection of chalices available for graduates of the seminary in Ohio. However, his chosen chalice was not in pristine condition, so he had it restored.

“On the bottom of the chalice there was an inscription commemorating the parish in Cincinnati where the chalice was used, and I had my own name and ordination date engraved on the bottom as well,” he said. “I love the idea of keeping this old and storied chalice in use, and I hope that future generations of priests will be able to put their names on the bottom of it as well after I am gone.”

are needed right away,’ Bishop Jugis tells the three men at pre-ordination Holy Hour

PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE plguilfoyle@charlottediocese.org

CHARLOTTE — The three men ordained priests on June 17 should expect to start their ministry “right away,” Bishop Peter Jugis said following a special prayer service for them at St. Patrick Cathedral prior to their ordination.

“The Church cannot wait for you to be ordained as priests, and the Church here in the Diocese of Charlotte cannot wait for you to be ordained as priests,” Bishop Jugis told then-ordinands Christopher Brock, Chinonso Nnebe-Agumadu and Peter Rusciolelli.

Family and friends gathered with them at the cathedral June 15 for a prayer vigil and a Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration – a pre-ordination tradition that also included the bishop blessing the men’s priestly vestments and personal chalices.

“In fact, the Church is so in need of priests and knows the value of the ministry of priests for the salvation of the world that she even makes you start working in your priestly ministry before your ordination Mass is over,” the bishop told them. “You are put to work right away, because you already are concelebrating the Mass (of ordination) with the bishop … offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for the salvation of the world.”

He continued, “Even at the end of Mass, the Church will mob you to ask you for your first priestly blessing, so much does the Church – the People of God – desire the ministry of the priest. You are needed right away! There is not a moment to waste.

“So I hope you are ready for the hundreds of people who will come for their first blessings from your consecrated hands on the day of your ordination on Saturday.”

And, the bishop advised them, be prepared to offer the sacrament of reconciliation, as people might approach them immediately after the ordination Mass to hear their confessions.

“It has happened in the past,” he said, then looked at them with a knowing smile. “So I hope you have memorized … the words of absolution.”

The joyful reception the men are receiving upon the occasion of their ordination is a sign “of how valuable, how necessary and needed is the priestly ministry for the salvation of the world, for the salvation of the People of God,” Bishop Jugis said.

“Know that the Lord will continue to bless you” with the support of the entire diocese, he told them. “May the Lord bless you and keep you, and may His face shine upon you.”

CHALICE AND VESTMENTS

Father Nnebe-Agumadu’s chalice comes from Mexico, the body of which is Gothic-styled, gold-plated alloy made of European bronze casting. At the base of the chalice are events from the life of Jesus such as the Annunciation, the Nativity, the Last Supper and the Ascension.

The vestments he designed to use at his first Mass is a Marian set in ivory with light blue accents. The ivory fabric has a crown motif that pays homage to Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth. He said he chose to honor the Blessed Mother because she played a “huge part” in his vocation.

“Also on this vestment is a memorial to my dad who passed away in my first year of seminary,” he said. “It will be such a blessing to remember him every time I don the vestment.”

CHALICE AND VESTMENTS

Father Rusciolelli’s chalice and vestments are rich with symbolism and meaning.

The Benedictine Sisters of Mary made his chasuble. Father Rusciolelli designed it so that each element is a symbol of the priesthood and honors the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Both feasts were celebrated during his ordination weekend.

His chalice is an antique and includes images honoring Our Lady, St. Joseph and other holy figures as well as Psalm 116:12, which is the prayer traditionally prayed by the priest right before receiving the Precious Blood from the chalice: “Quid retribuam Domino pro omnibus quae retribuit mihi,” or “What shall I render to the Lord for all His bounty to me?”

‘You

With gratitude from the clergy, staff, and parishioners of Holy Family in Clemmons

Congratulations and Best Wishes on your Ordination to the Holy Priesthood

Fr. Chinonso A. Nnebe-Agumadu

On behalf of Fr. Matthew, Fr. Raymond and your parish family St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church Charlotte, NC

“In Solidarity With Our Priests”

The North Carolina State Council Knights of Columbus

Offers congratulations on your ordination to the Holy Priesthood

FR. CHRISTOPHER BROCK FR. CHINONSO NNEBE-AGUMADU FR. PETER RUSCIOLELLI

We also extend special congratulations to all priests, deacons and religious who are celebrating the anniversary of their continued service to the Diocese of Charlotte.

www.kofcnc.orgww

Father Michael Buttner 45 Years

Deacon Steffen Fohn 5 Years

New priests’ parents reflect on their son’s call to the priesthood

STEVE AND SUSAN BROCK: FATHER CHRISTOPHER BROCK’S PARENTS

We noticed Christopher’s calling when he was a very young child. When he was 2 or 3, he had a white plastic cookie he kept in his pocket. Christopher called it his “Body of Christ.” One day he offered it to a neighbor. In addition, he has always said he wanted to become a priest. The various talents – intelligence, personality, willingness to serve, sacrificial spirit – that God gifted him with were all compatible with that desire.

The most important thing we did to nurture his faith besides living a Catholic family life, was that we homeschooled him. Keeping our kids out of the mainstream culture influences, and focusing their studies based on traditional Catholic teaching, has been a lifeline to keeping our kids rooted in the faith.

As a family, we prayed the rosary and attended daily Mass, assisted with the needs of the Church. There was no television. We looked for opportunities to share our faith with those of other religions. We made an effort to live our Catholic faith with 100 percent fidelity. This included standing up for what we believe and boycotting companies that support immorality even if that meant our lives would be more difficult. We didn’t put a lot of value in material things, and we focused on helping those in need.

In the days leading up to his ordination, our thoughts have been centered in gratitude as we see our son answering God’s call. The path Christopher has chosen will be challenging because the devil tries harder to win over those who have chosen to follow Christ more closely. However, it is comforting knowing that he has chosen to focus his life on heavenly things and will be surrounded by Christ’s grace in his efforts to be holy. We are in awe and find it difficult to put into words our thoughts and feelings as our son becomes an “alter Christus.” We hope that anyone who reads this will say a prayer for him.

UCHE NNEBE-AGUMADU: FATHER CHINONSO NNEBE-AGUMADU’S MOTHER

I was not aware of Chinonso’s call to the priesthood until he was in college, when he occasionally he would talk about it.

While in high school, he was an altar server at Queen of the Apostles Church in Belmont. On one occasion, an unknown elderly woman walked up to the music director and told her about Chinonso’s intended call to the priesthood. She said she saw a light halo on his head throughout the Mass which, according to her, is a sign of priesthood.

I believe strongly in family stability as a foundation for spiritual and self-development. I worked hard to have a stable, loving and supportive family that was a home for all in our African context. We, the parents, tried to make our Christianity as practical as possible through everyday charitable deeds and commitment to our Catholic values. Praying together as a family was paramount.

The rosary, nonetheless, remains my favorite personal devotion which I do at my own time, and together with the Divine Mercy Chaplet, I offer prayers for Chinonso.

As his ordination neared, I had mixed feelings of joy, gratitude, and occasional sadness. Sometimes, I feel like I am losing him to the Church. I am also conscious of the fact that his dad, who supported him so much on this journey, will not be there to witness his ordination.

My predominant state of mind is, nevertheless, joyful. I am proud of his determination and resilience and his willingness to push on even when his twin brother didn’t want to join him in the seminary. I pray for him to remain joyful and be at peace as we walk toward his ordination.

WILLIAM AND DEBORAH RUSCIOLELLI:

FATHER PETER RUSCIOLELLI’S

PARENTS

As a child, Peter and his brothers and sisters would “play Mass,” and he would often be the priest. Later as a teenager and as an altar server, Peter eagerly volunteered to serve Mass as often as possible.

Not only was he very serious about his responsibilities but he also carefully observed and absorbed the roles and responsibilities of the priest, the deacons and the parts of the Mass.

Looking back, putting importance on family unity may have been a big influence on his vocation. As a family, we did our best to attend Mass together and have daily prayer time and dinners together. We would discuss our faith and try to recognize how our beliefs are demonstrated in our day-to-day activities.

Chinonso’s dad was an ardent devotee to Our Lady and the rosary as well as the Precious Blood devotions, and we all joined him on this path. Chinonso and his siblings grew up saying a daily rosary, sometimes reluctantly. I was often a part of this reluctance!

As we approached ordination day, we reflected on how very proud we are of his hard work and devotion over the past seven years to his studies in seminary and his faith.

We don’t know where God will lead him in this vocation, but for now, we are excited that he has finally made it to where his heart has been leading him: to be consecrated for the Lord.

‘Praying together as a family was paramount’ ... ‘As a family, we did our best to attend Mass together’ ... ‘We made an effort to live our Catholic faith’

With heartfelt gratitude to all of our priests, deacons, seminarians, and Religious Women and Men for your gift of ministry to The Church.

ccdoc org

Called By God… Supported By

In the academic year just ended, we have been blessed to have 49 seminarians in both major seminaries and at St. Joseph College Seminary – who are discerning God’s call to serve you as priests in the Diocese of Charlotte. Your prayers and financial assistance pay for a portion of tuition, room & board that will help assure the diocese of having priests to shepherd the Catholic population in western North Carolina for years to come.

Fr. Peter Rusciolelli, Fr. Chinonso Nnebe-Agumadu and Fr. Christopher Brock were ordained as priests for the Diocese of Charlotte on June 17, 2023

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25 YEARS

Father Dean E. Cesa

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Celebrating our

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Father Binoy Davis

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30 YEARS

Father Eric Kowalski

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Thomas McMahon Deacon John Panzica

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Father Thomas P. Norris, O.S.F.S. Deacon Quang Deacon Deacon Martin Deacon Francis Deacon Deacon Deacon Jack

Deacon Matthew Newsome

40 YEARS

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Vigliotta

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45 YEARS

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35 YEARS Deacon

Women Religious

60 YEARS

Father Dominguez reflects on 20 years of priesthood

It is incredible how time goes by so fast, and how God arranges everything according to His Will in order to carry out His plans.

At the age of 18, I entered the House Formation of the Missionaries of Christ and studied and served with them for 10 years. The moment came when God made me see in various circumstances that my path was more for the diocesan life, and although I applied to a diocese in Mexico and was accepted, for mysterious reasons God had another plan for my life.

Seminary formation was very expensive so, not wanting to burden my parents with these costs, I decided to come to the United States to work for a few months to raise the money I needed to finish my theology degree and be ordained.

I had cousins in Gastonia, and they kindly offered me their house and even a job to help me.

I arrived with all the spirit in the world, knowing what my plan was and with the idea of saving as much money as possible to be able to return to the seminary.

I remember going to St. Michael Church in Gastonia for Mass. The Hispanic community was still very small at that time. The Mass was celebrated by Father John Allen, who at that time was in charge of vocations for the Diocese of Charlotte. I had been invited to be a lector at that Mass, and to my surprise at the end of the Mass a young man came to tell me that Father Allen wanted to talk to me.

When I introduced myself to him, the first thing he asked me was if I had ever thought of becoming a priest. When I confirmed that I was in my last year of theology and that I would soon be returning to my studies in Mexico, Father Allen almost jumped with joy! He was very enthusiastic and told me that the Charlotte diocese needed Spanish-speaking priests. He wanted to introduce me immediately to then Bishop William Curlin and to Father Fidel Melo, who ministered to the diocese’s Hispanic community. Those who know Father Allen know that he is spontaneous and quick-acting, and when he sets his mind to something, it happens, no matter how crazy it might at first seem to others. On Tuesday of that same week, I was taken to meet with Bishop Curlin.

They explained to me the great need for priests in the Charlotte diocese, and I remember reminding Father Allen at that moment that my plan was to return to Mexico.

Later that evening, I called my mother to tell her what was going on. With her characteristic wisdom and calmness, she told me: “Son, it is not by chance that you are there. You have to see God’s plan, not yours.”

To be honest, at that time I did not feel any attraction to staying in the diocese, and yet I felt my conscience telling me: “Listen to your mother.”

And so I entered the seminary here in the United States. It was a bit difficult, as I was only given a three-month English course before starting theology classes. It was also a dramatic time, as it was the year of the September 11 attacks on New York City and I was in Pennsylvania at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.

In the seminary, thanks be to God, some of the professors spoke Italian and Spanish, so I was able to take my exams. To my surprise, I finished my studies with summa cum laude honors.

I was soon ordained by Bishop Curlin, but everything felt like it was happening

so fast that I don’t really remember many details of my ordination.

I was sent to Sacred Heart Parish in Salisbury and had the good fortune to share three years with Father John Putnam, who was a great mentor in my early days of ministry and whom I love, admire and respect very much as a person.

In the same year I was ordained, Bishop Peter Jugis was also consecrated and installed as our bishop. The following year, he invited me to be a part of the Eucharistic Congress committee, then to be part of the diocese’s Presbyteral Council and the vocations committee. I have been serving these committees with great pleasure ever since.

At Sacred Heart Parish, I had very good experiences, and the truth is that whenever I go back there, I feel at home.

From there I was sent to St. Aloysius Parish in Hickory, where I served for three years.

I always remember the words of my seminary rector, later ordained as Bishop Michael Burbidge: “Julio, you have an advantage in your favor for your priesthood that you can always use.” I asked him what that was, and he told me, ”You are going to be loved by everyone.”

I carry those words in my heart and, thanks be to God, I have always seen Him in the parishes and ministries where I serve. Sometimes people nickname me the “angry father” because of my seriouslooking face, but I get along well with the faithful I have been privileged to serve.

After Hickory I was transferred to St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Lenoir. The first two years were a little stressful for me as I adjusted to being a pastor for the first time. But then came the awakening of the whole community and it became a parish that felt like family: joyful, committed 100 percent to the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, spiritual retreats, formation, and a lot of unity. Thanks be to God, two priestly vocations flourished during that time, and those priests serve today in our diocese.

After that, in agreement with Bishop Peter Jugis, I became part of the Diocesan Hispanic Ministry Team. I have been growing in this ministry and I am really passionate about it.

My goal in the Hispanic ministry is to achieve the same reaction as in my former Lenoir parish: a people prostrated at the feet of the Blessed Sacrament, a team of well-formed catechists and pastoral leaders who know how to explain the faith and help in evangelization. I envision a diocesan family united by the bond of love; a diocese that produces many priestly and religious vocations because we have many young people in the Hispanic community; a diocese inclusive of different cultures, but called by the same God even with the difference of languages and cultural customs; and a Church in which we look not so much at differences, but at the richness of the Catholic culture that makes us go beyond ourselves to embrace the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ and truly unite us in Christ our Lord.

I thank God for every moment of my priestly vocation. If I were to be born again and asked what I want to do with my life, I would certainly ask to be a priest, because the riches of grace that God bestows, especially in deep intimacy with Him, are truly incredible. I entrust myself to your prayers.

Padre Domínguez: Mi 20 Aniversario

Es increíble como pasa el tiempo tan rápido y como Dios va acomodando todo según su voluntad para poder realizar sus planes.

Entré a los 18 años al convento de los Misioneros de Cristo y por 10 años estuve con ellos. Llegó el momento en el cual Dios me hizo ver por diversas circunstancias que mi camino iba más por la vida diocesana, y aunque apliqué en una diócesis de México y fui aceptado, por razones misteriosas Dios tenía otro plan para mi vida.

Debido a que la formación del seminario era muy costosa y no queriendo agravar con esos gastos a mis padres, decidí viajar a Estados Unidos a trabajar unos meses y juntar el dinero para el año que me faltaba para terminar la Teología y ser ordenado.

Tenía a mis primos en Gastonia y ellos amablemente me ofrecieron su casa y hasta trabajo para poder llegar.

Llegué con todo el ánimo del mundo, sabiendo cual era mi plan y con idea de ahorrar lo más posible para poderme regresar al seminario.

Recuerdo que fui a la Iglesia San Miguel en Gastonia para la Misa; la comunidad hispana todavía era muy pequeña en ese entonces. Celebraba la Misa el Padre John Allen, que era en ese tiempo el encargado de vocaciones. Yo había sido invitado a ser lector en esa Misa y, para mi sorpresa, al final de esta vino un joven a decirme que el sacerdote quería hablar conmigo.

Al presentarme ante él, lo primero que me dijo es que si nunca había pensado en ser sacerdote. Cuando le confirme que estaba en mi último año de Teología y que sólo estaría un tiempo para regresar a mis estudios, ese hombre casi saltaba de gusto, se le notaba un gran entusiasmo, y me dijo que en la diócesis necesitaban sacerdotes de habla hispana y que quería presentarme inmediatamente al obispo y al Padre Fidel Melo que trabajaba en la diócesis.

Quien conoce al Padre John sabe que es impetuoso y que cuando se propone algo pasa en poco tiempo por loco que esto parezca. El martes de esa misma semana me llevaron con el Obispo William Curlin y yo no tenía ni idea de lo que estaba pasando tan rápido.

Me explicaron la gran necesidad de sacerdotes que había en la diócesis y me acuerdo que le recordé en ese momento al Padre John que mi plan era volverme a México.

Esa misma noche le llamé a mi madre para decirle lo que pasaba. Ella con su sabiduría y calma me dijo: hijo, no es casualidad que tú estés allá, tienes que ver el plan de Dios, no el tuyo.

Para ser honesto no sentía ninguna atracción por quedarme en la diócesis en ese momento, y sin embargo sentí el imperativo de mi consciencia que me decía que escuchara lo que mi madre me estaba diciendo.

Entré al seminario aquí en Estados Unidos. Fue un poco difícil pues me dieron solo un curso de 3 meses de inglés antes de entrar a las clases de Teología. Fue también un momento dramático, pues fue el año del ataque del 11 de septiembre a Nueva York y yo estaba en Pensilvania, en el Seminario San Carlos Borromeo.

En el seminario, gracias a Dios, algunos de los profesores hablaban italiano y español. Así que mis exámenes pude hacerlos en esa lengua y para sorpresa mía terminé mis estudios con Suma Cum Laudem, que era un reconocimiento por los buenos resultados de mis estudios.

Fui ordenado por el Obispo William Curlin. Todo iba sucediendo tan rapido que realmente no recuerdo tantos detalles de mi ordenación.

Gracias a Dios fui enviado a la Parroquia Sagrado Corazón en Salisbury y tuve la fortuna de compartir 3 años con el P. John Putnam, que fue un gran mentor en mis inicios, a quien quiero, admiro y respeto mucho por su calidad de persona.

En el mismo año que yo fui ordenado también consagraron al Obispo Peter Jugis. Al año siguiente me invitó a ser parte del comité del Congreso Eucarístico, después a ser parte del Consejo Presbiteral y del Comité de Vocaciones. Lo que he venido haciendo con mucho gusto desde entonces.

En la parroquia Sagrado Corazón tuve muy buenas experiencias y la verdad es que hasta la fecha regreso allí y me siento en casa.

De allí me mandaron a la parroquia de Hickory, en la cual estuve 3 años y que gracias a Dios también disfrute muchísimo.

Siempre recuerdo la palabras de mi rector, el Obispo Michael Burbigde, en el seminario de Filadelfia que me dijo: “Julio, tú tienes una ventaja en tu favor para tu sacerdocio que podrás utilizarla siempre”. Y cuando le pregunté cuál era me dijo, “tú vas a ser muy querido por todos”.

Esas palabras las llevo en mi corazón y gracias a Dios siempre lo he visto en las parroquias y ministerios. Me dicen el padre enojón, creo que por mi cara de seriedad, pero me entiendo bien con los fieles. Después de Hickory me dieron la parroquia San Francisco en Lenoir. Los primeros dos años fueron un poco estresantes en esa parroquia, pero después vino el despertar de toda la comunidad y se volvió una parroquia familiar, alegre, comprometida al cien por ciento con la adoración al Santísimo, retiros espirituales, formación y mucha unidad. Gracias a Dios en ese tiempo florecieron dos vocaciones sacerdotales que todavía siguen en nuestra diócesis.

Después de eso, en acuerdo con el Obispo Peter Jugis, me hice parte del Ministerio Hispano. Gracias a Dios he ido creciendo en este ministerio que realmente me apasiona. Desafortunadamente se nos vino la época del COVID, pero gracias a Dios ya es parte del pasado. Ahora veo a una Iglesia que resurge de la cenizas del dolor e incertidumbre y se eleva con gran entusiasmo.

Mi meta en el Ministerio Hispano es lograr la misma reacción que hubo en la parroquia de San Francisco, una diócesis postrada a los pies del Santísimo Sacramento; un equipo de catequistas bien formado que sepa dar razón de su fe y ayude en la evangelización; una familia diocesana unida por el vínculo del amor; una diócesis que produzca muchas vocaciones sacerdotales y religiosas, pues tenemos muchos jóvenes en la comunidad hispana; una diócesis inclusiva a las diferentes culturas, pero llamada por el mismo Dios, aún con la diferencia de idiomas y costumbres culturales; una Iglesia en la cual no miremos tanto las diferencias, sino la riqueza de la cultura católica que nos hace ir más allá de nosotros mismos para abrazar la buena nueva de nuestro Señor Jesucristo y verdaderamente nos hace unirnos en Cristo nuestro Señor.

Le agradezco a Dios por cada momento de mi vocación sacerdotal. Si volviera a nacer y me preguntaran qué quiero ser, nuevamente, sin duda pediría ser sacerdote, pues las riquezas de gracia que Dios concede, sobre todo en la profunda intimidad con Él, son verdaderamente increíbles.

Me encomiendo en sus oraciones.

FATHER JULIO C. DOMINGUEZ is the diocese’s Episcopal Vicar for Hispanic Ministry.

PADRE JULIO C. DOMÍNGUEZ es Vicario Episcopal del Ministerio Hispano de la Diócesis de Charlotte.

Celebramos con toda la comunidad hispana de nuestra diócesis de Charlotte los 20 años de Sacerdocio del Padre Julio Domínguez. A lo largo de estos años ha llevado muchas almas y familias a Dios.

Es un sacerdote que con su testimonio y ejemplo ayuda a las comunidades para que crezcan en la Fe en la Santa Eucaristía y la Adoración al Santísimo Sacramento del Altar.

¡Felicidades Padre Julio Domínguez!

A celebration for the generations

IHM, Pennybyrn community come together for High Point priest’s 50th anniversary

SPENCER K.M. BROWN skmbrown@charlottediocese.org

HIGH POINT — When Immaculate Heart of Mary School’s leaders proposed an anniversary bash to commemorate their chaplain Father Tom Norris’s 50th year as a priest, he hesitated. He didn’t like the idea of being in the spotlight.

Instead, Father Norris suggested a celebration for the entire IHM Parish community where he serves, inviting residents from the nearby Pennybyrn retirement community to bring together young and old.

So plans were made. Invitations went out. And when the day came, May 4, the celebration at IHM School was exactly what Father Norris hoped for – a blending of generations and sharing of community spirit.

“He told us he simply wanted to throw a ‘senior luncheon’ for residents of Pennybyrn,” said Maryann Leonard, IHM’s principal. “But as people began asking what the luncheon was for, Father Tom finally had to tell them.”

More than 200 people turned out for the occasion –including IHM students and residents of Pennybyrn, where Father Norris also loves to serve.

“I’ve always wanted to bring a sense of community to everyone here,” Father Norris explained. “Loneliness can be so hard on the heart and soul. Just to have everyone here – not to celebrate me or a silly anniversary – but to be together, for the kids to see this older generation and connect, that’s just wonderful.”

Since the pandemic, it has been difficult for many in the community to come together and join in fellowship. Father Norris has worked hard to do just that.

The celebration spanned generations, from 4-year-olds

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales Father Tom Norris celebrated his 50th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood by throwing a party for the people – young and old – he ministers to, including students at Immaculate Heart of Mary School and Pennybyrn retirement community in High Point.

in the pre-kindergarten class to a Pennybyrn resident who just turned 102 and still attends daily Mass. The occasion also celebrated Immaculate Heart’s graduating eighthgrade class, who volunteered to serve the luncheon.

“Father Tom’s impact on the school and parish have been so incredible,” Leonard said. “He truly embodies the virtue of humility and is a true teacher at heart. He knows how to teach in his sermons, and he really reaches the kids.”

After the meal, the school’s music director had a surprise performance for everyone. Students in prekindergarten, kindergarten, first and second grades took the stage, filling the banquet hall with Bible songs. Then IHM student Rohan D’Souza performed a violin solo, followed by fellow eighth-grader Jiseung Ha playing the piano to accompany a group of eighth-grade singers.

Father Norris was nearly in tears as the students gifted him with “prayer bouquets,” potted flowers with prayer intentions for him from each class at the school. Despite his best efforts to put the spotlight on others, the community spirit took on a life of its own and became a celebration of Father Norris, too.

Looking around the room full of friends and students, Father Norris couldn’t help but reminisce on his time as a priest.

“It’s hard to believe, 50 years,” he said. “It began all those years ago in Philadelphia. In June of 1973, there were six of us to be ordained. But the auxiliary bishop who was scheduled to ordain us was sick. We all were wondering, even that morning, if he would show up. What would happen if he didn’t? He did, of course, fighting sickness.” Ordination day “was one of the happiest days of my life.”

He was ordained a priest with the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, a religious order known for its teaching in parish schools. His ministry eventually led to his assignment at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish and School in 1989.

He grew up going to Catholic schools and had relatives who were in religious life. The priesthood was something he was always interested in.

“I always thought it was something wonderful to aspire to: a life of service. And when the Oblates came to our high school, it sort of clicked for me. These were men who served God and taught school, the two things I was most interested in, and that’s when I knew I would be a priest.”

He entered seminary when he was 17, much to the doubt of family and friends. “My aunts all took bets, saying I wouldn’t make it to Christmas as a seminarian that first year,” Father Norris remembered, smiling. “Back then I just took it one day at a time, and that’s what I’ve always done. One day, one year at a time, and this is where God has led me.

“I’ve always tried to tell these students over the years that the temptations of many careers will arrive, but they don’t always reward you how you hoped. Religious vocations take a lot of sacrifice, but you must take it one day at a time and it will be worth it. Because in a life of service to others, the rewards are immeasurable.”

FILE | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

We Congratulate Our Alumni

Rev. Christopher A. Brock

Rev. Peter M. Rusciolelli and

Rev. Chinonso A. Nnebe-Agumadu

On the Occasion of their Ordination to the Sacred Priesthood of Jesus Christ

Tu es sacerdos in aeternum

‘The one constant’

Reflections on 30 years of priesthood

It has always seemed like a cliché to me when older folks would tell me, “Time flies much faster when you’re older.” And yet, how right they are! This realization was brought home recently when I received a very gracious invitation from the Catholic News Herald to write a reflection on the priesthood as I celebrate my 30th anniversary of ordination this month. Thirty years! It certainly doesn’t seem possible, and yet, it’s here! In fact – and with a sense of humor and love that only God could have – this anniversary really did sneak up on me. (My thanks to the eagle eyes of my parish staff for making sure it didn’t go by unobserved.)

heart is full of joy’

Reflections on 20th anniversary as a priest

Iam often asked, especially by my college students, why I became a priest. I’d usually say: to serve and to save! And they’d say, “What?”

I guess you could say it’s easy to lose sight of dates on the calendar, as important as those milestones are, when your eyes and heart are focused on the Lord – my relationship with Him, as well as the day-to-day effort to live the faith as a parish family, with the myriad of experiences and encounters each day brings).

Thirty years ago, I was privileged to have been ordained and to offer my first Mass of Thanksgiving in New Jersey. In the intervening years, there have been changes in parish assignments, and even a change in state (goodbye, New Jersey!). Those years have seen tremendous joys, blessings, laughter and even some adventures along the way, along with a share of challenges, sorrows and loss. I have witnessed many changes in the world around us as we face new situations and challenges – both inside and outside the Church. Through it all, there has remained one constant: the Lord. I am tremendously thankful to Him and to all those who have sacrificed and prayed for me since that Ordination Day 30 years ago. Oremus pro invicem.

So I’d explain further: To serve God and to help save souls for the Kingdom! As easy as that sounds, it is quite deep and tough. When I look back and remember how my priestly journey began in Lagos, Nigeria having worked briefly at a parish before becoming the Secretary to the Cardinal and the Archdiocesan Master of Ceremonies, I never imagined in my wildest dreams that someday I’d be ministering to parishioners and college students on the other side of the Atlantic, approximately 5,500 miles away from home. I guess it is part of the calling to serve and to save!

After my ordination and first Mass, the only thing that I could think about was how blessed I am. Yes indeed, God has been so good to me, and I am continually amazed at how the Lord has continued to bless me in ways that I never thought possible. Over the past few days, I have had the opportunity to look back and reflect on what this past twenty years have been like. I keep coming back to the sentence: “My heart is full of joy.”

Celebrating the sacraments with the people and for the people has been a cause of great joy

for me. While working temporarily at a parish in the Archdiocese of New York while I did my graduate studies at Fordham University, and now journeying with college students in my current assignment, has been an immense blessing for me as I am continually energized when I see my young friends who are trying to work through a very difficult stage in life. There is a great zeal and heart in these students as they wrestle with life’s big questions and challenges and figure out how they can reflect Christ to the whole world. I am so Impressed and amazed with all they do on these campuses and for themselves. Again, my heart is full of joy. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen wrote, “A priest is not his own.” This phrase does not merely give reference to the ministerial life of a priest but to the joys and sorrows of his whole life. A priest is a public person and thus needs to be aware that a certain vulnerability is necessary for the life of the people to shape him and to help him grow as the man of God our Lord called him to be. I thank my students for helping to shape me into a better priest so I can continue to serve and to save!

Finally, thank you all for your prayers, your support, your sacrifice, and your love as you continue to inspire me to be the best priest that God has called me to be. Know that you reflect the love of Christ and for that, my heart is full of joy.

FATHER ERIC KOWALSKI is pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Mocksville.

‘My

FATHER MARCEL AMADI is director of campus ministry at Wake Forest University.

Diocese of C harlotte

Amadi

‘Through it all, there has remained one constant: the Lord.’

Kowalski

‘As a deacon, I have received many blessings’

During my first five years as a deacon, I have received many blessings, and I wish to share a few now.

Proclaiming the Gospel at Mass has been a highlight of my vocation. What a beautiful privilege it is at each Mass to proclaim the words of Jesus. Serving at the altar has brought me closer to our Lord. At each Mass I am transported to the Last Supper as I kneel from the epiclesis through the consecration. Leading Benediction regularly has drawn me closer to our Lord as I can now adore Him in a more intimate way than I had before.

Being a deacon has also allowed me to participate in the sacraments of marriage and baptism regularly. Working with engaged couples preparing for marriage or married couples preparing to have their child baptized has allowed me to share my vocations as a husband, father and deacon with those involved. When I perform baptisms or witness marriages, I feel a special joy to be able to participate in the delivery of these beautiful sacraments.

As a deacon, I have also enjoyed my role in speaking at Bible studies and providing spiritual direction to the Cursillo group in our parish and diocese.

I have also been blessed with the privilege of serving Jesus in the disguise of the poor, the sick, and the prisoner. I have enjoyed volunteering monthly at the homeless shelter and leading devotionals. I have been blessed to deliver Meals on Wheels every Thursday for more than a decade. And last year, I became a participant and leader in our Jail and Prison ministries, visiting and ministering to men on a regular basis. Each of these ministries have helped me to see our Lord in the many diverse faces of those around me.

Finally, as a deacon, I have grown to love praying the liturgy of the hours (morning and evening prayers) daily with my wife Carey. Through the love and support of Bishop Peter Jugis, former pastor Father Brian Cook and current pastor Christopher Gober, my family, my wife Carey, and Our Lord, I have been able to live my vocation as a deacon, and I am truly thankful to all of them for this.

Prayerful best wishes on the occasion of your ordination to the Holy Priesthood

Being a deacon ‘has led me into a deeper relationship with Christ’

Ifirst heard the call to the diaconate in 2004 when I was serving as a catechist in our parish RCIA program. At the time I was too young to pursue ordination. When I was able to apply in 2008, I was not accepted for formation due to life circumstances. I had just started a new job in campus ministry, and all our children were still very young. Our family life was chaotic enough without adding the demands of formation.

When I re-applied for the next formation class our family was in a much more stable position. And when I was ordained in 2018 I had 10 years of professional lay ministry under my belt. That was very good for my discernment process, because I knew that I didn’t need to be ordained in order to serve the Church.

Ever since I discovered the beauty and truth of the Catholic faith in college, I have felt a desire to give back to the Church. But the call to ordained ministry is deeper than that. It is a call for “kenosis” (emptying of self), to enter into the servant mystery of Jesus Christ and allow Him to work through you to draw others toward Himself. Diaconal ministry is very humbling and involves both offering your best in the service of Christ and also getting out of the way to let Jesus do the heavy lifting.

Five years after ordination, I’m still doing the same job in campus ministry, but there is a different spirit animating the work that I do, and I feel a strength and assurance that I did not have before. Being a deacon has led me into a deeper relationship with Christ and I couldn’t imagine being anything else at this point.

“If some of you hear the call to follow Christ more closely, to dedicate your entire heart to Him, lik e the Apostles John and Paul...

be generous, do not be afraid,

...because you have nothing to fear when the prize that you await is God Himself, for Whom, sometimes without ever knowing it, all young people are searching.”

-Saint John Paul II

Father Christopher Gober Director of Vocations

(704)370-3353

1123 South Church Street Charlotte, NC 28203-4003

vocationsmail@rcdoc.org

DEACON RALPH D’AGOSTINO JR. serves at St. Leo the Great Parish in Winston-Salem.

DEACON MATTHEW NEWSOME is the Catholic campus minister at Western Carolina University and the regional faith formation coordinator for the Smoky Mountain Vicariate. He is the author of “The Devout Life: A Modern Guide to Practical Holiness with St. Francis de Sales,” available from Sophia Institute Press.

‘Diaconal ministry is very humbling and involves both offering your best in the service of Christ and also getting out of the way to let Jesus do the heavy lifting.’

FR. CHRISTOPHER BROCK

FR. CHINONSO NNEBE-AGUMADU

FR. PETER RUSCIOLELLI

D’Agostino

Newsome

Religious group takes next step in Church recognition

SUEANN HOWELL sahowell@charlottediocese.org

CHARLOTTE — The Daughters of the Virgin Mother, a Gastonia-based group of religious sisters committed to supporting the priesthood and vocations in the Diocese of Charlotte, is one step closer to formal recognition as a religious community of the Catholic Church.

Earlier this year, Bishop Peter Jugis presented a decree declaring the group a “Private Association of the Christian Faithful,” moving the Daughters along in the Church’s process of becoming a fully recognized religious community.

Bishop Jugis presented the decree to the group’s founder, Sister Mary Raphael of the Divine Physician, Jan. 12 at the closing Mass of the diocese’s 50th anniversary year in Charlotte.

Formed in 2015, the Daughters of the Virgin Mother tend to practical and spiritual needs of men preparing for the priesthood, as well as those already ordained. They serve in local parishes, assist pastors, prepare meals, and maintain the household for 21 seminarians and their formation leaders at St. Joseph College Seminary in Mount Holly.

The group also helps the diocese’s Vocations Office in organizing the “Duc In Altum” summer vocation discernment camp for young women at Belmont Abbey College. They encourage, advocate and pray for religious vocations throughout the diocese, and they teach and share the faith with young women each month at Belmont Abbey College and St. Ann Parish in Charlotte. In presenting the decree, Bishop Jugis

noted, “After some discernment that it might possibly be the work of the Holy Spirit, we have granted her (Sister Mary Raphael’s) request that they be elevated to the next level, a Private Association of the Faithful, that grants special recognition in canon law.”

Bishop Jugis commended Sister Mary Raphael for discerning the will of the Holy Spirit in everything related to the group’s work, and he noted that other women have been attracted to that same mission.

“It’s been an experiment – you feel that. We knew we were in the experimental stage,” Sister Mary Raphael said. “Receiving the decree from the bishop, it felt like our father was saying, ‘I give you my blessing’ and the Church looks upon this now. She recognizes his daughters.”

The Daughters of the Virgin Mother have eight women in various stages of formation: one postulant, two novices and four who have taken temporary vows. Only Sister Mary Raphael has made final vows, giving her life in service to the Church as a Daughter of the Virgin Mother.

“The distinctive mission of the Daughters of the Virgin Mother…is to actively serve Christ the High Priest through His ordained priests, and those aspiring to it, by assisting in their spiritual and practical needs with an evangelical availability animated by a life of contemplative prayer in the image of Our Lady,” Sister Mary Raphael said.

Father Matthew Kauth, rector of St. Joseph College Seminary, serves as the Daughters’ spiritual advisor. He applauds the “joyful, balanced atmosphere that is created by the presence of the sisters”

amid the flourishing seminarian program.

With its membership increasing, the Daughters of the Virgin Mother has outgrown its Loreto Convent in Gastonia, prompting the purchase of a second property in Belmont, called the Bethany Convent. Renovations are under way so that all of the members can live in community under one roof.

The Daughters’ growth, the bishop’s decree and the future convent have inspired the sisters to pray even more fervently for the diocese and for an increase in priestly and religious vocations, Sister Mary Raphael said.

Bishop Peter Jugis presented a decree Jan. 12 declaring the Daughters of the Virgin Mother a “Private Association of the Christian Faithful,” in the temporary chapel in the Family Life Center at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte. Founder, Sister Mary Raphael (at right of Bishop Jugis), and the sisters are pictured with him and their spiritual advisor, Father Matthew Kauth, rector of St. Joseph College Seminary in Mount Holly, after Mass.

TROY HULL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

As for the next step – petitioning Rome to become a religious community – that is up to the Holy Spirit, she said, and not on any specific timeline. “I will be docile to the Holy Spirit. I will be patient, always working in collaboration with our bishop, listening to his advice.”

Learn more

At www.daughtersofthevirginmother.com : Find out more about the Daughters of the Virgin Mother and their work

Holy Spirit is alive and well in the Diocese of Charlotte’

Bishop gives thanks for consecrated men and women

SUEANN HOWELL sahowell@charlottediocese.org

CHARLOTTE — Consecrated religious who serve in the Diocese of Charlotte as religious order priests, brothers and sisters were honored during a special celebration earlier this year.

Bishop Peter Jugis celebrated the annual Mass for the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life Feb. 4 at St. Vincent de Paul Church – held in conjunction with the Church’s worldwide celebration – to recognize the men and women who serve the Church in the Diocese of Charlotte as consecrated religious.

More than 50 religious sisters ranging in age from the mid-20s to late 80s were present, representing nine religious orders that serve in the diocese. Among them were two 2023 jubilarians: Trappist Sister Genevieve Durcan (Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance) and Franciscan Sister Jane Russell (Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis), who are both celebrating 60 years of professed religious life this year. They currently live with the Sisters of Mercy in Belmont.

Bishop Jugis gave thanks for the gift of their religious vocation and their service to the Church in the diocese.

“It demonstrates to me, and to everyone whom you encounter, that the Holy Spirit is alive and well in the Diocese of Charlotte,” he told them. “The Holy Spirit is inspiring

men and women to a total gift of self to God, following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ.”

The whole body of the Church gives witness to Christ, the bishop said, yet “nothing can substitute for the special witness that you religious give both to those inside the Church and those outside the Church – a witness to the holiness of the kingdom of Christ, a witness to the holiness of the Church.”

Referring to the day’s Gospel passage from Matthew 16:24-27, the bishop reflected on Christ’s words to His followers: “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.”

“This is a saying of Jesus that is meant for all Christians regardless of their vocations,” he explained. “Deny oneself, put Christ first, and then follow Him. It’s true for Christian marriage, it’s true for the Christian single life.”

Yet, he added, those who consecrate their lives through religious vows and promises provide a special and powerful witness.

“It’s the way you gain the whole world and finding one’s life in the process,” he said. “The Lord has given you that very special grace of a vocation of leaving everything and following Christ, witnessing to a kingdom that ‘is in the world but not of the world.’”

Established by then-Pope John Paul II in 1997, the World Day for Consecrated Life is held in conjunction with the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, also known as Candlemas, commemorating the coming of Christ, the Light of the World, through the symbolic lighting of candles. The worldwide Church commemorated the day on Feb. 2.

In a statement, Bishop Earl Boyea of

Fr. Ken was assigned to our church in 1992, and we have been blessed to have him as our pastor for 31 years. He has watched the St. Charles Borromeo Church community grow from 200 families to over 700 families.With his extensive musical background, Fr. Ken revitalized the English Choir’s repertoire, expanded the use of Hispanic choirs, and encouraged Hmong music at the Sunday noon Mass.

Father Ken has enriched our church through his teaching, the joyful celebration of the Mass, and his dedication to our multicultural communities: English, Hmong, and Spanish.

Thank you, Father Ken, for your service, your kindness, and the love shown to all of us here at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church.

Lansing, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations, said the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life provides a special opportunity for Catholics to give thanks to God for people who choose a consecrated vocation.

“We give thanks to God today for continuing to call men and women to serve Him as consecrated persons in the Church. May each of us be inspired by their example to love God above all things and serve Him in all that we do,” he said.

‘The

The parishioners at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Morganton would like to congratulate Reverend Kenneth L. Whittington on the 35th anniversary of his ordination as a priest in the Diocese of Charlotte.

SUEANN HOWELL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Pictured Feb. 4 with Bishop Peter Jugis, Trappist Sister Genevieve Durcan (left) and Franciscan Sister Jane Russell (right) are both celebrating 60 years of professed religious life this year.

The Parish of St. John the Baptist offers prayerful congratulations to our pastor Father Jason Christian

On the occasion of his 10th Anniversary of Ordination

Thank you for your dedication and service.

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church –Tryon, NC

FR. BRANDON JONES DEACON PETER TONON

Please pray for the repose of the souls of these priests, deacons and religious who have died in 2023:

Benedictine Father Francis Phillip Forster: a monk and priest of Belmont Abbey, died peacefully in the Lord on May 11, 2023. He was 90. Father Francis served for 51 years in the faculty and administration of Belmont Abbey College, from 1958 to 2009.

Father James P. Cahill: served in the Diocese of Charlotte for several years, first at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte from 1986 to 1991, and then as pastor of St. Mary Mother of God Parish in Sylva from 1991 until his retirement in 2002. He passed away April 19, 2023, at his home, aged 93.

Father Joseph C. Ayathupadam: a retired priest of the Diocese of Charlotte, passed away April 8, 2023, in India, aged 89. In 1990, he was incardinated in the Charlotte diocese, where he continued to serve in various parishes before retiring in 2006.

Father Thomas Paul Clements: one of the longest-serving priests in North Carolina who was known for his kindness, passed away peacefully Feb. 24, 2023, at Pennybyrn retirement community in High Point. He was 94.

Father Andrew J. Latsko: passed away peacefully Dec. 29, 2022, at Hickory House Nursing Home. He was 89. He served for more than 20 years, first as an associate pastor at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte and then pastor of St. Margaret Mary Parish in Swannanoa. In 2003, he retired from the Charlotte diocese and returned to Pennsylvania, where he served as a pastor from 2008 until 2019.

Father Wilbur Thomas: a trailblazing priest who served God and His people for 50 years as the Diocese of Charlotte’s first African American priest, passed away peacefully Dec. 6, 2022, in Asheville, surrounded by family and friends. He was 75. Father Thomas was ordained to the priesthood on March 26, 1973, by Bishop Vincent Waters

for the Diocese of Raleigh and shortly after his ordination, he transferred to the newly formed Diocese of Charlotte as its first black Catholic priest. His tireless work as a priest encompassed parish ministry, youth and college ministry, the Catholic Charismatic Movement, Black Catholic ministry, and ecumenical outreach – laying the foundations for many of the ministries and programs in which tens of thousands of Catholics throughout western North Carolina now participate.

Father Christopher Michael Riehl: passed away Nov. 10, 2022, from medical complications related to diabetes. He had just celebrated his 45th birthday on Nov. 7, 2022, and he was a week shy of his 13th anniversary of priestly ordination. He spent several years in ministry in the Diocese of Charlotte, including as administrator and later pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Waynesville and Immaculate Conception Mission in Canton.

Father James F. Scherer: passed away Sept. 15, 2022, at AuthoraCare Collective/Beacon Place in Greensboro. He was 85. During his ministry, he served in the Greensboro area as a marriage and family therapist and certified social worker, and since the 1970s he regularly assisted with offering Masses at St. Pius X Church and other Greensboro area parishes.

Father Kurt Mathias Fohn: passed away June 6, 2022, in Winston-Salem after a short illness. He was 87. In 1978 he was accepted into the Diocese of Charlotte’s newlyestablished Permanent Diaconate Program. In 1996, following his wife’s death, he surprised his family with his application and acceptance into the Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, Mass. His children were supportive of their 62-year-old father answering the call to the priesthood. On June 2, 2001, he was ordained as a priest by Bishop William G. Curlin. His first assignment was at St. Leo the Great Parish in Winston-Salem.

Deacon Luis A. Velasquez Flores: passed away Feb. 1, 2023, after a long illness at age 62. He was ordained by Bishop William Murphy for the Diocese of Rockville Centre, N.Y., on May 17, 2003, and served in N.Y., until 2007, when he moved to North Carolina. After settling in Charlotte, he was granted faculties to serve as a deacon for the Diocese of Charlotte on Sept. 20, 2007, and was assigned to Our Lady of the Assumption Parish.

Deacon Joseph C. Denzler: who formerly served at St. John Neumann Parish in Charlotte, passed away Dec. 7, 2022, in Texas. In the Brooklyn diocese, he served at Lady of Lourdes Parish in Queens Village, and in the Diocese of Charlotte, he served at St. John Neumann Parish for nine years (2013-2022) before his retirement and move to Texas.

Deacon Timothy F. Rohan: passed away peacefully at his home Nov. 22, 2022, surrounded by his family. He was 87. He was ordained a permanent deacon for the Diocese of Charlotte on June 18, 1988 and served here for more than 30 years.

Deacon Ronald Timothy Ritchey: passed away peacefully Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022. He was 75. He was ordained in 1989 for the Archdiocese of Denver, where he served until moving to the Diocese of Charlotte in 2004. He had the great honor of assisting at the World Youth Day Mass in Colorado with former Pope St. John Paul II.

Deacon Bernard Wenning Jr.: passed away May 16, 2023. He was 87. On June 18, 1988, he was ordained a permanent deacon for the Diocese of Charlotte at St. Gabriel Church, and it was at that parish that he began his ministry as a deacon. He served in that calling for 22 years.

Mother Mary Louis: foundress of the Maryvale Sisters, located in Vale, entered the arms of her heavenly Father on Thursday, June 8, 2023, at age 93.

Vocations resources

If you or someone you know is contemplating a vocation to the priesthood, diaconate or religious life, check out the following general resources online.

Talk with your pastor, reach out to the diocese’s vocations promoter, read up on consecrated life and the various religious communities that exist, and contact communities that interest you. Many offer “come and see” days or retreats that are good opportunities to learn more and meet others who have already accepted God’s call to religious life.

For young men and women, there are also summer discernment retreats offered by the Diocese of Charlotte and hosted at Belmont Abbey College: Quo Vadis Days for young men, and Duc In Altum for young women. Information about the 2024 retreats will be posted next spring online at www.charlottediocese.org/vocations

Overall, remember: Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask questions!

Diocesan Vocations Office

n Father Christopher Gober, Vocations Director: vocationsmail@rcdoc.org

n Father Brian Becker, Vocations Promoter: bjbecker@rcdoc.org

General information

n www.foryourvocation.org: Set up by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, dedicated to the promotion of vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life for both men and women. They are also on Facebook and YouTube. There are resources for parents and teachers, questions to ask yourself if you feel God is calling you, videos of vocation stories from priests and religious all over the U.S., and more.

n www.religiouslife.com: The Institute for Religious Life’s website, with plenty of resources for both men and women interested in a vocation or those who wish to support religious life.

n Not sure what religious communities are out there that might be a good fit for you? Check out www.religiousministries.com. Search this database to find a men’s or women’s religious community, whether you wish to become a priest, nun, brother or lay missioner, or just want to find out more about living a religious life.

n www.cloisteredlife.com: Aims to bring to attention the gift of cloistered and monastic life in the Church, sponsored by the Institute for Religious Life.

Religious communities for men

n www.cmsm.org: The Conference of Major Superiors of Men serves the leadership of the Catholic orders and congregations of the more than 17,000 vowed religious priests and brothers in the U.S. n www.religiousbrotherhood.com: Sponsored by the Institute for Religious Life specifically to increase awareness of the specific charism of religious brotherhood in the U.S.

Religious communities for women

n www.cmswr.org: The Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious (CMSWR) is a canonically approved organization, founded in 1992, to promote religious life in the U.S.

n www.lcwr.org: The Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) is an association of the leaders of congregations of Catholic women religious in the U.S.

Interested in becoming a permanent deacon?

If you would like to know more about deacons and their ministry or feel you may have a calling, please contact Deacon Bill Schreiber, director of formation, at cwschreiber@rcdoc.org or Deacon David Faunce, assistant director of formation, at dmfaunce@rcdoc.org. Details are online at www.charlottediocese.org/permanent-diaconate.

— Catholic News Herald

Support seminarians’ education, priests’ retirement

Our seminarians’ education is possible thanks to the generosity of parishioners who give to the annual Diocesan Support Appeal, through Seminarian Education second collections in November and on Easter Sunday, distributions from seminarian endowments in the diocesan foundation, and those who contribute gifts to the Seminarian Education Campaign. The Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte has 24 endowments designated for seminarian education, totaling over $20.7 million:

n The Msgr. Thomas Burke Seminarian Endowment Fund

n The Conklin Endowment Fund

n The A. Loraine Cox and C. Richard Cox

Seminarians Education Endowment Fund

n Doris & Walter Dietrich Endowment Fund

n The Mr. A. Steven and Dr. Donna S. Ellington Endowment Fund (benefiting St. Joseph College seminarians)

n The Fabrey Endowment Fund

n FFHL Vocation and Seminarian Endowment Fund

n Dick Kelly Fund

n Seminarian Michael G. Kitson Memorial Endowment Fund

n The Lee Endowment Fund

n Don and Teresa Meanor Endowment Fund

n William and Rosalie Rabil Family Endowment Fund

n The Reverend Timothy S. Reid Endowment Fund

n Eugene & Carmen Rossitch Seminarian Fund

n The Matthew Scheible Endowment Fund

n Dr. Marvin L. Schrum and Paula B. Schrum Education Endowment Fund

n The Seminarians Education Endowment Fund

n The Abdou J. and Edna S. Showfety Seminarian Endowment Fund

n Stephen D. Showfety Endowment Fund

n The St. Lawrence Council (#1695) RSVP Endowment Fund

n St. Lucien Seminarian Scholarship Fund

n The Valentine Family Seminarian Education Endowment Fund

n Vocations Endowment Fund

n James and Elizabeth Hedgecock Seminarian Endowment Fund

Each year, people also have the opportunity to celebrate the faithful service of our retired diocesan priests, as well as show gratitude to the priests currently serving in the diocese, by contributing to the diocese’s Priests’ Retirement and Benefits second collection.

For information about establishing an endowment for seminarian education or priests’ retirement, contact Jim Kelley, diocesan director of development, at 704-370-3301 or jkkelley@rcdoc.org.

— Catholic News Herald

Knights