June 24, 2022 by Catholic News Herald

June 24, 2022

catholicnewsherald.com charlottediocese.org S E RV I N G C H R I ST A N D C O N N EC T I N G C AT H O L I C S I N W E ST E R N N O R T H C A R O L I N A

Chill to thrill: Get ready for summertime fun 8A

Prepárese para un verano divertido y emocionante 12A

FUNDED BY THE PARISHIONERS OF THE DIOCESE OF CHARLOTTE THANK YOU!

Two priests ordained Dos sacerdotes ordenados

2-9B

INSIDE: 2022 Vocations Spotlight: ‘Answering the Call’

Concord vibró con el festival Saint James 10A

Candid dialogue hallmark of final Synod listening session 5A

At a glance 2A

catholicnewsherald.com | June 24, 2022 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

June 24, 2022 Volume 31 • 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

INDEX

Contact us...................................2A Español.....................................10-12A Our Faith......................................3A Our diocese............................ 4-9A Scripture readings..............3A, 11A Arts & Entertainment............... 13A U.S. news...............................14-15A Viewpoints............................18-19A World news.......................... 16-17A

THE HEART IS THE CENTER: June 24 is the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a devotion with a long history in the Church. On this feast day, we can gain a plenary indulgence by making an Act of Reparation to the Sacred Heart. Find out more at www. catholicnewsherald. com/ourfaith.

Detail of a painting from Sacred Heart Church in Lille, France, featured on Dominican Friar Lawrence’s Flickr gallery “Lawrence OP”

EXPLORE THE SEVEN GIFTS: Father Matthew Buettner invites you to reflect on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Before Easter, he guided us through the deadly sins, but now we can bear good fruit by opening our minds and hearts to these precious gifts from above. Find the episodes on St. Joseph College Seminary’s Youtube channel.

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PRAY FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM: Religious Freedom Week 2022 is underway. Continue praying for “Life and Dignity for All” as we approach our nation’s Independence Day. Find themes to pray daily at www.usccb.org/ReligiousFreedomWeek.

STAFF EDITOR: Patricia L. Guilfoyle 704-370-3334, plguilfoyle@charlottediocese.org ADVERTISING MANAGER: Kevin Eagan 704-370-3332, keeagan@charlottediocese.org SENIOR REPORTER: SueAnn Howell 704-370-3354, sahowell@charlottediocese.org ONLINE REPORTER: Kimberly Bender 704-808-7341, kdbender@charlottediocese.org HISPANIC COMMUNICATIONS REPORTER: Cesar Hurtado, 704-370-3375, rchurtado@charlottediocese.org GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Tim Faragher 704-370-3331, tpfaragher@charlottediocese.org COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT/CIRCULATION: Erika Robinson, 704-370-3333, catholicnews@ 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: $15 per year for all registered parishioners of the Diocese of Charlotte and $23 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.

things you need to know this week

THERE’S A PATRON SAINT OF FIREWORKS: Before you set off fireworks for your July 4 celebrations, pray for the intervention of St. Barbara to assure all goes smoothly. St. Barbara, a third century martyr, is the patron saint of fireworks (as well as artillery and firefighters). This is because of events surrounding her death: She was beheaded by her father, Dioscorus, a pagan who was outraged by her conversion to Christianity. However, immediately after her execution, Dioscorus was struck by lightning.

FREE CONCERT AT THE WHITEWATER CENTER: Enjoy a delightful day of outdoor fun and summer-time music with local Catholics at the world’s largest man-made whitewater river at the U.S. National Whitewater Center. The

diocese has reserved the Whitewater Center’s conference center July 9 from 2 to 10 p.m. for privateaccess terrace views of the concert stage, where Latin fusion band UltimaNota will play tropical rhythms with a modern twist starting at 7 p.m. Read more on page 8A, and find out more at www. faithmorepreciousthangold.com.

Diocesan calendar of events PRAYER SERVICES & GROUPS PRAYERS TO THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY: 8 a.m. Every first Saturday of the month, St. Vincent de Paul Church, 6828 Old Reid Road, Charlotte. Pray to help bring about world peace and the salvation of souls. WOMEN’S 85TH CURSILLO WEEKEND: July 14-17, St. Ann Church, 3635 Park Road, Charlotte MEN’S 83RD CURSILLO WEEKEND: July 21-24, Sacred Heart Church, 375 Lumen Christi Lane, Salisbury PRO-LIFE ROSARY: After the 9 a.m. Mass, every third Sunday at the Mother Teresa Pro-Life Memorial, St. Vincent de Paul Church, 6828 Old Reid Road, Charlotte HOLY APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST LUKE MISSION OF THE UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC CHURCH: Divine Liturgy (Mass) is offered Sundays at 3 p.m. at St. Barnabas Church, 109 Crescent Hill Road, Arden. All are welcome. For info, email ucmcanton@gmail.com. SAFE ENVIRONMENT TRAINING PROTECTING CHILDREN: Protecting God’s Children (Protegiendo a los Niños de Dios) workshops educate parish volunteers to recognize and prevent child sexual abuse. For details, contact your parish office. To register for online training, go to www.virtus.org. Upcoming workshops: CANDLER: 9 a.m. Saturday, June 25, St. Joan of Arc Church, 768 Asbury Road HUNTERSVILLE: 10 a.m. Saturday, June 25, St. Mark Church (Parish Center Room 220), 14740 Stumptown Road WAYNESVILLE: 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 19, St. John Church, 234 Church St. SUPPORT GROUPS RACHEL’S VINEYARD: Are you or a loved one seeking healing from the effects of a past abortion? Rachel’s Vineyard weekend retreats are offered by Catholic Charities for men and women in the diocese. For details, contact Jessica Grabowski at 910-585-2460 or jrgrabowski@rcdoc.org, or Lorena Haynes at 828-585-0483.

Upcoming events for Bishop Peter J. Jugis: JUNE 27-30 Atlanta Province Meeting of Bishops Charleston, S.C. JULY 7 – 12:10 P.M. Rite of Admission to Candidacy for Holy Orders St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte

Our faith

June 24, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

‘I praise you, for I am wonderfully made.’ From Psalm 139:14

The Responsorial Psalm for the Mass on the Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist

Nativity of St. John the Baptist

Pope Francis

Strength can be found in frailty of old age

Feast day: June 23 John the Baptist spent his adult life preparing the way for Jesus, and proclaiming that “the Kingdom of Heaven is close at hand.” He was born to Zachary and Elizabeth, an elderly married couple. The Angel Gabriel had visited Zachary and told him that his wife would bear a child, even though she was already past the child-bearing age. Elizabeth was Mary’s cousin and Zachary was a priest of the Temple in Jerusalem. As a baby in the womb, John recognized Jesus’ presence in Mary’s womb when Mary visited Elizabeth soon after the Annunciation. Both women were pregnant at the same time. John was probably born at Ain-Karim, which is southwest of Jerusalem. As a young adult, he lived as a hermit in the desert of Judea until about A.D. 27. When he was 30, he began to preach on the banks of the Jordan, calling for repentance and baptizing people in the river waters. When Jesus came to John to be baptized, John recognized Jesus as the Messiah and baptized Him, saying: “It is I who need baptism from you.” John continued to preach after Jesus was baptized, but he was imprisoned not long after by Herod Antipas, after he denounced the king’s adulterous marriage with Herodias, wife of his half-brother Philip. John was beheaded at the request of Salome, daughter of Herodias. Many came to know Jesus through John, namely the Apostles Andrew and John. At the direction of the Vatican, the Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist is usually celebrated on June 24, but this year it is transferred this year to Thursday, June 23, and the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is celebrated on June 24. — Catholic News Agency

“The Infant Saint John with the Lamb” by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (c. 1660 to 1665), on display at the National Gallery in London

Daily Scripture readings JUNE 26-JULY 2

Sunday: 1 Kings 19:16b, 19-21, Galatians 5:1, 13-18, Luke 9:51-62; Monday (St. Cyril of Alexandria): Amos 2:6-10, 13-16, Matthew 8:18-22; Tuesday (St. Irenaeus): Amos 3:1-8, 4:11-12, Matthew 8:23-27; Wednesday (Sts. Peter and Paul): Acts 12:1-11, 2 Timothy 4:68, 17-18, Matthew 16:13-19; Thursday (The first Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church): Amos 7:10-17, Matthew 9:1-8; Friday: Amos 8:4-6, 9-12, Matthew 9:9-13; Saturday: Amos 9:11-15, Matthew 9:14-17

JULY 3-9

Sunday: Isaiah 66:10-14c, Galatians 6:14-18, Luke 10:1-12, 17-20; Monday (Independence Day): Hosea 2:16, 17c-18, 21-22, Matthew 9:18-26; Tuesday (St. Anthony Zaccaria, St. Elizabeth of Portugal): Hosea 8:4-7, 1113, Matthew 9:32-38; Wednesday (St. Maria Goretti): Hosea 10:1-3, 7-8, 12, Matthew 10:1-7; Thursday: Hosea 11:1-4, 8e-9, Matthew 10:715; Friday: Hosea 14:2-10, Matthew 10:16-23; Saturday (St. Augustine Zhao Rong and Companions): Isaiah 6:1-8, Matthew 10:24-33

JULY 10-16

Sunday: Deuteronomy 30:10-14, Colossians 1:15-20, Luke 10:25-37; Monday (St. Benedict): Isaiah 1:10-17, Matthew 10:34-11:1; Tuesday: Isaiah 7:1-9, Matthew 11:20-24; Wednesday (St. Henry): Isaiah 10:5-7, 13b-16, Matthew 11:25-27; Thursday (St. Kateri Tekakwitha): Isaiah 26:7-9, 12, 16-19, Matthew 11:28-30; Friday (St. Bonaventure): Isaiah 38:1-6, 21-22, Isaiah 38:10-12, 16, Matthew 12:1-8; Saturday (Our Lady of Mount Carmel): Micah 2:1-5, Matthew 12:14-21

lderly Christians are called to bear witness to the strength that comes from God, especially when moments of frailty and weakness make them dependent on others, Pope Francis said. “Our dependency grows with sickness, with old age, and we are no longer selfsufficient as before. Our dependence on others grows and even our faith matures; even there, Jesus is with us, even there that richness of a faith welllived along the path of life flows out,” the pope said June 22 during his weekly general audience. The pope continued his series of catecheses on old age and reflected on St. John’s account of Jesus’ warning to Peter that “when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus’ words to Peter, he explained, reveal an open, frank and direct relationship that is “truthful.” Often, Christians can be tempted to cover the Gospel message in a “cocoon of ‘sugarcoated’ revelation” that “distances us from the real Jesus, and even becomes the occasion for a very abstract, very self-referential, very worldly path of faith.” “Jesus is the Word of God made man, and He acts like a man, He speaks to us like a man, a God-man,” the pope said, departing from his prepared remarks. Jesus speaks “with this tenderness, with this friendship, with this closeness. Jesus is not like that sugar-coated image of the little pictures, no. Jesus is there, He is close to us.” The pope said Jesus’ conversation with Peter is a valuable lesson for all believers, especially the elderly, who can still bear witness to the Gospel, even with their lives are “entrusted to others.” However, in old age, some elderly men and women may find it difficult to accept frailty or the inevitability of death and hesitate to relinquish their role as “a protagonist” to younger generations. “We elderly should not be envious of young people who make their own way, who take our place, who outlast us,” the 85-year-old pope said. “Learning to take our leave: this is the wisdom of the elderly. But to leave well, with a smile.” Pope Francis said that the life of an elderly person is “a slow, yet joyful farewell” that allows them in their last moments to reflect on the beauty of the life they lived. “It is beautiful when an elderly person can say, ‘I have lived life, this is my family; I have lived life, I have been a sinner but also I have done good.’ And this peace that comes, this is the elderly person’s farewell,” the pope said.

Our diocese 4A

catholicnewsherald.com | June 24, 2022 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

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Celebrating Corpus Christi

In Brief

‘Life and Dignity for All’ is theme for June 22-29 commemoration CHARLOTTE — The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has announced that Religious Freedom Week 2022 – “Life and Dignity for All” is taking place June 22-29. The week began with the Feast of Sts. John Fisher and St. Thomas More, ends with the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, and includes the Feast of the Nativity of St John the Baptist. Through prayer, education and public action during Religious Freedom Week, the USCCB promotes the importance of preserving the essential right of religious freedom, for now and the future, for Catholics and for those of all faiths. Daily prayer and reflection resources for each day of Religious Freedom Week are available, in English and Spanish, at: www.usccb.org/ ReligiousFreedomWeek. — Joseph Purello

Diaz

Puthussery

Priest assignments announced CHARLOTTE — Bishop Peter Jugis announces the following religious order priest assignments: n Father Walner D. Diaz, C.M., will serve as parochial vicar at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Charlotte. Vincentian Father Diaz was ordained June 4 in Philadelphia by his order, the Eastern Province of the Congregation of the Mission. n Father Baiju Paul Puthussery, OSFS, will serve at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in High Point effective July 1. — Catholic News Herald

Two Hearts Vigil continues CHARLOTTE — The Vigil of the Two Hearts will be offered Friday-Saturday, July 1-2, at St. Patrick Cathedral. The celebrant for the 8 p.m. First Friday Mass will be Father Melchesideck Yumo. The Vigil of the Two Hearts unites devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, organized around First Friday and First Saturday Masses with overnight Eucharistic Adoration in between, to unite people in prayer and penance. For details, visit www.prolifecharlotte.org/two-hearts. — Mike FitzGerald, correspondent

Parishioners of Holy Cross Church in Kernersville took part in an outdoor Eucharistic Procession led by Father Noah Carter, pastor. JOHN BUNYEA | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Corpus Christi kicks off National Eucharistic Revival Renewed devotion to the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist is the aim of the National Eucharistic Revival – the U.S. Catholic Church’s three-year Eucharistic revival that is an invitation to the faithful from God to go on mission and be compelling witnesses of our faith, said Tim Glemkowski, the newly named executive director of the National Eucharistic Congress. “We the Church have to be clear about telling our story, getting to the core” of our faith, that “God is not just some distant someone who is not engaged,” he said. “He’s alive and real and can be encountered in the Eucharist, source and summit of the faith. ... This is where God is with us.” The National Eucharistic Revival began June 19, the feast of Corpus Christi, and will culminate with the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis in 2024. Along the way, there will be parish, diocesan and regional events to increase Catholics’ understanding of the Real Presence in the Eucharist. The Church has always taught that the Eucharist contains the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ under the appearance of bread and wine that has been consecrated at Mass. However, polls show that in recent years people’s faith and understanding of the Eucharistic Presence has declined, particularly among Catholics who do not attend Mass regularly. The first year will get underway at the parish and diocesan levels with initiatives such as Eucharistic Adoration and processions, the development of parish teams of revival leaders and conferences on the Eucharist. The following year there will be regional revival events, leading to the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis in 2024, the first to be held since one took place in 1976 in Philadelphia. Here in the Diocese of Charlotte, people celebrated the Feast of Corpus Christi June 19 with Eucharistic Adoration, public processions and prayer – often combined with prayer intentions for fathers as June 19 was also Father’s Day. — Catholic News Herald. Catholic News Service contributed.

ST. JAMES PARISH FACEBOOK PAGE

Members of St. James Parish in Concord gathered for a special outdoor Mass followed by “ReGatherBration,” a repeat of their successful fall 2021 event to encourage people back to Mass and parish life.

June 24, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

Candid dialogue hallmark of final Synod listening session SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — During a gathering June 11, Synod representatives from across the Diocese of Charlotte shared what they heard from over 7,000 people at 400 listening sessions earlier this year. The discussion was frank and sometimes uncomfortable, but overall profound and unifying, leaders noted. The listening session, held at St. Patrick Cathedral, was one of the last events in the diocese’s participation in a worldwide Synod of Bishops that Pope Francis has convened in 2023 to focus on “Communion, Participation, and Mission.” Representatives from parishes, ministries, lay groups and more – 82 in total – came from across western North Carolina to share their findings with Bishop Peter Jugis and Dr. Alessandro Rovati, the diocesan synod contact person. Bishop Jugis said the timing of this local phase of the worldwide synod – the Diocese of Charlotte’s 50th anniversary year – has been meaningful. “The synod truly has been useful to us in the Diocese of Charlotte in a very unique way, because of this juncture in our history that we are celebrating this year,” he noted in his opening remarks at the listening session. “Our diocese spans a large territory, our parishes are spread out among 46 counties, and because of this situation, there is a risk for some communities to feel isolated and disconnected from the rest of the diocese – it’s just a matter of fact because of our geographical extent.” “But,” he continued, “the synod has given us an occasion to bring us together and help bridge those distances. Here today at this listening session, the synod again is bringing us together – this time to share the fruits of all of those discussions that have been taking place across the length and breadth of the diocese.” The wide-ranging nature of the diocesan synod is evident in the numbers.

‘The Synod is the work of the Holy Spirit. It’s God’s work. It’s God’s Church and we are His humble collaborators.’ — Bishop Peter J. Jugis More than 80% of parishes and missions, 76, held synod sessions. Nearly all Diocese of Charlotte offices, ministries and groups also took part – including Catholic Charities, Family Life, Youth Ministry, Faith Formation, Hispanic Ministry, Vietnamese Ministry, Korean Ministry, Campus Ministry, the diocese’s Catholic Schools, the Permanent Diaconate, St. Joseph College Seminary in Mount Holly, 16 lay associations and apostolates, and two religious orders. Rovati said he has been amazed by the high level of participation across the diocese. “I kept checking my spreadsheet, thinking I had made a mistake in the formula,” he said. “There is no mistake, though. What touches me is not the mere number of people that engaged in the process, but the fact that the participation is a sign that there are so many who have a desire to grow in their faith, to participate more fully in the life of the Church, and to entrust to their community and the broader Church their joys and concerns.” Among them was Deacon Matthew Newsome, campus minister at Western Carolina University and the regional faith formation coordinator for the Smoky Mountain Vicariate. He participated in local, regional and diocesan synod conversations with people aged 18 to 80. “I am struck by how similar most of the conversations have gone,” Deacon

Newsome said. He noted that most people mentioned the sacraments as the primary way they feel the Lord’s presence in their lives. “In addition, the traditional prayers and devotions of the Church are often cited as sources of comfort, especially in times of trial. And most often people have felt God’s presence in the community, the ways their fellow Christians have made Christ’s love manifest in their lives,” he said. Deacon Newsome also facilitated the discussions at his table during June 11 event, sharing with Bishop Jugis what clergy and laity from the Asheville Vicariate had learned from their own local listening sessions. Representatives described the challenges facing the local Church in western North Carolina – particularly those brought on by the pandemic. Some parishioners – especially the elderly – have not yet returned to Mass and parish life due to ongoing health concerns. The drop-off means fewer people are volunteering for parish ministries. Families are facing economic hardships amid the rising cost of living, and they are not spending as much time at church or faith formation classes. Some have dropped ties to any parish community and stopped practicing their Catholic faith. Others expressed concerns about contemporary culture’s growing hostility to religion – which discourages some

clergy from preaching on controversial topics, and some people from openly practicing their faith to avoid ridicule or discrimination. Other participants brought out topics such as the need for a larger role for women in the Church, a need for more of a focus on social justice issues and assisting the poor, and for more transparency and clear statements from the bishops and the Vatican on issues of moral importance. Many said political interests have infected the Church with division and distrust. While some of the views brought out in the discussions may have been difficult to hear, both Rovati and Bishop Jugis listened attentively and expressed appreciation for the input. “The Synod is the work of the Holy Spirit. It’s God’s work. It’s God’s Church. And we are His humble collaborators,” Bishop Jugis said. Rovati agreed. “When we began this process, we took as a guide what Pope Francis said at the opening of the synod: the goal of the synod process is to engage the whole People of God to ‘journey together, in order to experience a Church that receives and lives this gift of unity and is open to the voice of the Spirit.’ Rovati noted, “People were very touched by the experience of profound dialogue and unity we had and were especially touched by Bishop Jugis’ presence and active listening to their contributions. We all came away filled with the desire to find ways to cultivate the seeds of friendship and collaboration that the Lord planted in our midst.” Rovati is now compiling a summary or “synthesis” of the diocesan-level synod that will be sent to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops by June 30.

For more information At www.charlottediocese.org/synod2023: Watch Bishop Peter Jugis’ opening remarks and Dr. Alessandro Rovati’s keynote address from the June 11 diocesan Synod listening session

HEATHER MARTIN; PHOTO BY ANGELA SHEA PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO PROVIDED BY LUCY TORRES

Catholic Homeschool Class of 2022 high school graduates St. Mark’s Homeschool is proud to announce the following students graduating this year from homeschooling programs in the Diocese of Charlotte: (from left) Jeremy Junjun Smith of Kolbe Academy; Anna Catherine Torres of Mother of Divine Grace School; Liam Colin Heidtman of Mary Immaculatae Homeschool; Meghan Ann Tropeano of Tropeano Classical School; Luke Edison Hamilton of Soaring Eagles Academy; Hannah Maria Martin of St. Patrick’s Academy; and Oscar Francis Shingledecker of Way of the Shepherd Home School.

St. Ann Homeschool Ministry graduation held May 21 CHARLOTTE — The Saint Ann Homeschool Ministry which meets at St. Ann Church proudly recognized thirteen graduates on May 21. Parents bestowed diplomas following a keynote address by Father Timothy Reid, pastor, who also prayed over each graduate individually. The graduates include (from left): Hannah Peetz, Hailee Gosart, Naysa Mathews, Robert DeSantis, Mary Margaret Lewis, Liam Heidtman, Charlie Ohlhaut, Katherine Elizabeth Ma, Hannah Martin, John Hetzel, Amy Siebert, and Nick Adderly. The graduates have lived their Catholic faith by participating in altar serving, choir, Fidelis, Fraternus, Life Teen and the EPIC youth pro-life group. They plan to pursue higher education at schools such as Belmont Abbey College, The Catholic University of America, High Point University, The University of North Carolina Charlotte and various community colleges.

catholicnewsherald.com | June 24, 2022 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Come enjoy fun and fellowship with the faithful, priests, seminarians, and religious of the Diocese of Charlotte!

JULY 9 FAMILY CONCERT: CHARLOTTE WHITEWATER CENTER

JULY 24

AUG. 5-6

CATHOLIC FAMILY DAY: CAROWINDS

EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS: CHARLOTTE Up CONVENTION CENTER

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CATHOLIC NIGHT: CHARLOTTE KNIGHTS STADIUM

For complete information please visit www.FaithMorePreciousThanGold.com/events

June 24, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

Father Kurt Fohn passes away aged 87 WINSTON-SALEM — Father Kurt Mathias Fohn, 87, of Lexington, N.C., passed away on June 6, 2022, in WinstonSalem after a short illness. During his last days, he was continuously surrounded by his family. The funeral liturgy was offered June 15, 2022, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Winston-Salem. Inurnment followed at the columbarium at the church. Father Fohn was born on April 12, 1935, in Gadeland in Neümunster, Germany, to Michael and Käthe Fohn. After surviving World War II, he had to survive growing up in post-war Germany. In his own words, “It was a time of devastation and utter Fohn confusion,” and God, religion and church were not part of his life. His main love and talent was soccer – but his mother pushed her sons to become educated and financially successful. Following in his older brother Gerhard’s footsteps, he studied chemical engineering at Textile Finishing School in Mönchengladbach, Germany. After graduation the brothers both went to work for BASF. He met his future wife Christel Eva Tausendfreund when he was 18. Christel and her family fled East Prussia at the end of the war and relocated to Neumünster, Germany. He said that he fell in love with her immediately. They were married Nov. 1, 1960, in a Lutheran church. Growing up, he caught a glimpse of the Catholic faith from his father Michael and rare visits with Michael’s family in Belgium. But it was through work, when he was 26, that he found himself in a “Philosophy of Life” discussion group. Wolfgang Stabel was the lone Catholic in this group. Stabel, along with friend Father Karl Bossung, ignited a desire for the faith with logical explanations of the Church’s teachings. He became Catholic in 1964. His wife entered the Church at the same time, and they had their marriage blessed. In 1966 he was offered a four-year assignment to Charlotte, N.C., and he moved there with his wife and their two young children, Steffen and Angela. Five years later they welcomed two more daughters, Christine and Jennifer, and made the United States their permanent home. They joined St. Vincent De Paul Church in Charlotte and became devout parishioners. In 1978 he decided he wanted to do more than sit on the sidelines of his faith and was accepted into the Diocese of Charlotte’s newly-established Permanent Diaconate Program. During his formation, BASF transferred him to New Jersey, so he finished his formation studies and was ordained for the Diocese of Paterson, N.J. He was assigned to serve at Our Lady of the Magnificat Parish in Kinnelon, N.J. In 1991, the family moved back to

Charlotte, where they rejoined St. Vincent de Paul Parish and he continued serving God and His Church as a deacon. In 1995, his wife died of cancer at the age of 58. Shortly thereafter, he retired after 37 years with BASF. In 1996 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. They gave him a bookbag and told him they wanted frequent reports on his grades. On June 2, 2001, he was ordained as a priest for the Diocese of Charlotte by Bishop William G. Curlin, during an ordination Mass at St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte. His first assignment was at St. Leo the Great Parish in Winston-Salem. Over the next 13 years, Father Fohn served the diocese in several parishes including St. Lucien in Spruce Pine, St. Bernadette in Linville, and St. Philip the Apostle in Statesville. He retired from St. Philip the Apostle Parish in 2013 at the age of 78 and moved in fulltime with his son Steffen and his family. Yet because no priest ever really retires, he went right back to work at nearby St. Leo the Great Parish – celebrating Mass, hearing confessions and visiting the sick. Father Fohn was a loving husband, Papi and Opa. He was a lifelong athlete – enjoying soccer, boxing, and running – accomplishing a sub-three-hour marathon. Up until a few days before his death, he was still committed to riding his stationary bike for one hour every day. He enjoyed classical music, working in the yard, teak and leather furniture, Chick-Fil-A, a nice glass of riesling, and praying the rosary. He also enjoyed numbers. He estimated that over a 10-year period he ran more than 25,000 miles (which equates to once around the globe), he donated 65 gallons of blood to the Red Cross, and he celebrated 10,000 Masses. He officiated at the marriages of all his children and baptized all his grandchildren. Through it all, God was always first and foremost in his life. Father Fohn believed in the power of love, humility, suffering and accepting the cross as Jesus Christ did. He looked forward to his death and called heaven “a bliss of forever happiness.” He is preceded in death by his wife Christel; his sister Karin Grüneberg; and infant son Stefan. He is survived by his children Deacon Steffen (Lori) Fohn of Lexington, Angela (William) Salmon of Raleigh, N.C., Christine Hinton of Crofton, Md., and Jennifer (Eric) Meyer of Downingtown, Pa.; his brother Gerhard Fohn of Kassel, Germany; his cousin Günther Schröder of Neumünster, Germany; his 13 grandchildren and two great-granddaughters. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial donation to one of Father Fohn’s favorite charities: Room At The Inn, www.roomin.org, or Cross Catholic Outreach, www.crosscatholic.org. — Catholic News Herald

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6406 Carmel Road, Suite 301 | Charlotte, North Carolina 28226

Please pray for the following deacons who died during the month of June Canio Codella 6/25/1991 Edward Morovich Hugo May Gerald Hickey John Parrish Eugene Gillis Ronald Steinkamp Thomas Kak

6/1/2000 6/23/2010 6/6/2011 6/6/2015 6/6/2017 6/10/2018 6/25/2021

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catholicnewsherald.com | June 24, 2022 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

PHOTOS PROVIDED

(Left) The sunset view from the conference center at the Whitewater Center, where you are invited to come out and enjoy a free concert by UltimaNota July 9. (Above) Enjoy a full day of rides, games and water park fun at Carowinds July 24, with discounted tickets to the park and an all-you-can-eat picnic lunch.

Marian Pilgrimage A specially commissioned statue of Mary, Mother of God is visiting more than 100 locations across the Diocese of Charlotte during the anniversary year. Upcoming visits include:

Chill to thrill: Get ready for summertime fun

DUC IN ALTUM VOCATION RETREAT Wednesday-Friday, June 29-July 1 Belmont Abbey College

ST. JOSEPH OF THE HILLS CATHOLIC CHURCH Friday-Tuesday, July 1-5 316 Boone Road, Eden, N.C. 27288

OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY CATHOLIC CHURCH Sunday-Wednesday, July 10-13 619 S Main St., Lexington, N.C. 27292

OUR LADY OF GRACE CATHOLIC CHURCH Wednesday-Sunday, July 13-17 201 S Chapman St., Greensboro, N.C. 27403

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CATHOLIC CHURCH

JULY 9: FAMILY FUN DAY & CONCERT

Want more of an adrenaline rush? Then you will not want to miss Catholic Family Day at Carowinds Sunday, July 24. The day will begin at 9 a.m. with Mass offered by Bishop Peter Jugis in the Carowinds Theater. After Mass there will be an opportunity to meet and greet the St. Joseph College seminarians before heading out to the park to enjoy the rides and games with other Catholic families. Take a break and fuel up with an all-you-can-eat picnic lunch in the Grove Picnic Pavilion from noon to 1 p.m. Tickets are on sale now and are discounted to $54 per person or $15 per person for Carowinds Season Pass Holders. To take advantage of this discount, go to the diocese’s 50th anniversary website’s Events page and click on “Catholic Family Day at Carowinds.” Please note that tickets are for purchase by Diocese of Charlotte parishioners only and not for public sale; resale, distribution or bartering of tickets purchased through this website is strictly prohibited. Carowinds is located at 14523 Carowinds Blvd., Charlotte, N.C. 28273. — Catholic News Herald E

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Also coming up

CIO P R1EPETER 1:7 US T GOLD

Festivities kick off Saturday, July 9, with a Family Fun Day and Concert at the Whitewater Center. Enjoy a delightful day of outdoor fun and chill out to some summer-time music with fellow Catholics at the world’s largest man-made whitewater river at the U.S. National Whitewater Center. The diocese has reserved the Whitewater Center’s conference center from 2 to 10 p.m. for private-access terrace views of the concert stage, where Latin fusion band UltimaNota will play tropical rhythms with a modern twist. Feeling adventurous? Invite fellow parishioners to brave the many outdoor activities the Whitewater Center has to offer. Relish the fun of rafting, kayaking, climbing, bike trails, a swing bridge, and more. Tickets for all activities can be purchased directly through the Whitewater Center on site. Get exclusive access to the air-conditioned conference center for a break from the heat, as well as catch a showing of the diocese’s commemorative 50th anniversary documentary video and a slideshow of historical photos featuring remarkable moments from the diocese’s history. The Whitewater Center is located at 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy., Charlotte, N.C. 28214. Outdoor activities open at 10 a.m., and the private-access conference center opens at 2 p.m. The free concert runs from 7 to 10 p.m. There’s no entry fee, but parking is $6 per vehicle. No outside food is allowed, so please plan to purchase food and drinks from

JULY 24: CATHOLIC FAMILY DAY

For more information about these pilgrimage stops, go to the Diocese of Charlotte’s 50th anniversary website, www.faithmorepreciousthangold.com.

CHARLOTTE — Heart-stirring music under the stars to heartstopping roller coaster rides – there’s something for everyone at the Diocese of Charlotte’s 50th anniversary summer celebrations:

on-site vendors. A cash bar will be available in the conference center during the concert. Don’t forget to bring refillable water bottles, hats and sunglasses, and a lawn blanket if you prefer to enjoy the evening concert on the lawn near the stage.

Monday-Thursday, July 18-21 862 Yadkinville Road, Mocksville, N.C. 27028

Free concert at the Whitewater Center; Catholic Day at Carowinds

Wednesday-Sunday, June 22-26 1042 Freeway Dr., Reidsville, N.C. 27320

FA I T H MO

HOLY INFANT CATHOLIC CHURCH

Upcoming 50th anniversary events also include the 2022 Diocese of Charlotte Eucharistic Congress Aug. 5-6, and Catholic Night at the Charlotte Knights Sept. 9. For details, see www. faithmorepreciousthangold.com.

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June 24, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

MARIAN ART SERIES

Prayer for the 50th anniversary

‘The Birth of the Virgin’

The 50th anniversary year will bear great spiritual fruit if we ask God for the graces we hope to receive. Please offer the 50th anniversary prayer daily for many graces to be poured on our diocese during this jubilee anniversary:

Giotto (c. 1300), Arena TRICIA KENT SPECIAL TO THE CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

In Padua, Italy, near an Augustinian monastery, a small church/museum known as the Arena or Scrovegni Chapel contains some of the earliest examples of a profound artistic shift that helped define Christian and Western art for centuries. A cycle of frescoes commissioned to the late medieval artist Florentine Giotto do Bondone cover the walls inside the chapel. Giotto, as he is known, was acclaimed even in his day as a master who drew “according to nature.” At its beginnings, much of Christian art took its style from Rome, but with the collapse of the empire, through war and iconoclasm Christian art was largely inspired from the East. For most of the first millennia Christian art was characterized by compositions that were generally flat and hierarchic, concentrating the viewer in prayer and veneration through contemplation of the divine portraiture of holy icons. Giotto’s works ushered in a new standard, a new technique, and a new focus on sacred tradition and what it tells us about the role of Our Lady. Giotto’s art was the art of fresco, a technique of mural painting usually done on wet plaster. This had been well known and popular among the Greeks and Romans, but persecution and portability had soon led Christians to a different approach. It isn’t until the dawn of the 14th century that we finally see the large-scale return of fresco. Giotto preferred fresco-secco painting on dry plaster using a binding medium – usually egg. It gave him more time and freedom than an entirely wet technique, allowing him to paint expressive faces full of human emotion. His works became a glimpse into moments in the historic narrative of salvation, replete with blue skies, trees, birds and all the earthly realities of the Incarnation of Our Savior. Among Giotto’s frescoes in Padua are a series of images depicting scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary – beginning with the non-scriptural narrative involving the tale of Mary’s parents, St. Anne and St. Joachim. These accounts had long been passed down in apocrypha and preserved as part of the deposit of our faith. Now, in a chapel dedicated to Mary, we see the historic story fully played out in time and space for perhaps the first time in a visual media. Long held Christian belief later proclaimed as

Heavenly Father, accept our humble prayer of praise and gratitude as we joyfully celebrate 50 years as the Diocese of Charlotte. Throughout our history the faithful of western North Carolina, under the watchful care of esteemed bishops and abbots, have been nurtured by Your providential hand. Confident that You invite Your children to implore Your constant blessings, we pray that You continue to pour forth Your heavenly grace upon us. With filial affection and devotion, we further ask that You look kindly upon the prayers we seek through the intercession of our venerable patroness, the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, who with motherly attention tends to the needs and concerns of the Church. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.

Prayers & Devotions The 50th anniversary theme, “Faith More Precious Than Gold” (1 Peter 1:7), encourages use of the Church’s tried-and-true prayers, devotions and sacramentals, which for centuries have brought people closer to God. Let us confidently ask for the graces we hope to receive from God as we celebrate the founding of the Diocese of Charlotte. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us!

June prayer intention

dogma is brought alive on a scale for all to see and understand. Mary, chosen from the beginning to be the Theotokos, the Mother of God, is immaculately conceived in the womb of St. Anne and born into the world – an event of historic significance celebrated from the earliest centuries. Presented in a polyscenic image, the frescoes show three moments in time: the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin, the New Eve whose “yes” will lead to the Word made flesh, and the salvation of humanity.

For vocations to the priesthood. May the Lord give courage and strength to those who are being called to the ministerial priesthood, and may those who are called respond generously and faithfully.

Saint of the Month St. Charles Lwanga Feast Date: June 3

TRICIA KENT is a parishioner of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte.

At www.faithmorepreciousthangold.com: Read more of the monthly art series curated by Tricia Kent

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At www.catholicnewsherald.com: Read more about St. Charles Lwanga and his companions, martyred for the faith

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catholicnewsherald.com | June 24, 2022 10A

Padre Julio Domínguez

Vocaciones “Fue una noche de luces y colorido, música y danzas, arte y fina programación para el deleite de niños, jóvenes y adultos”, dijo el Padre Fabio Marín, director del ministerio hispano parroquial y pastor de la Iglesia San José en Kannapolis, quien aparece en la foto central superior. Las damas de la parroquia realmente se lucieron con las delicias gastronómicas que presentaron.

urante el mes de Junio, es muy común que en muchas diócesis del mundo haya ordenaciones sacerdotales y es maravilloso ver cómo jóvenes se consagran a Dios en su total servicio, los cuales al ser consagrados se convierten como regalos para el pueblo de Dios. Les invito a que se tomen el tiempo de asistir a una ceremonia de ordenación o también a la primera Misa de ordenación. Siempre que vemos a las personas que se consagran, lo primero que pensamos es en las renuncias que tienen que hacer las personas consagradas. De hecho, muchas veces a nosotros los sacerdotes se nos dice: pobrecitos padres, no poder casarse. He tenido experiencias personales, pero también las he presenciado en otras familias, que en cuanto el hijo o hija hablan de consagrarse a Dios, los padres de familia se oponen completamente pues siempre piensan en que sus hijos no se van a casar o terminar alguna profesión. Hablemos mejor de las bendiciones que recibimos, y no solo de las renuncias que van implícitas. n El mismo llamamiento de Dios es ya una gracia. Entre los miles de hombres que hay en el mundo, Dios puso su mirada en la humildad de su siervo. Lo llama de entre los hermanos para darle toda la posibilidad de ser formado, entrenado, santificado. Y podemos poner una serie de adjetivos más que el Señor hará con aquel que ha llamado. n Nos hace caminar con Él, es decir, nos hace sus discípulos por varios años antes de enviarnos. La etapa de la formación de un sacerdote es hermosísima, llena de retos y cosas que cumplir en el orden humano y espiritual. n La gracia sacerdotal de la ordenación es algo inmenso. Primero que nada, es un sacramento, confiere la gracia de poder consagrar el pan y el vino en el Cuerpo y Sangre de Cristo, perdonar pecados, dar el bautismo a los niños, guiar y enseñar a los fieles y tantas otras cosas más. n Los consagrados son un don para la Iglesia. Cada uno de ellos va colaborando con Cristo, movidos por el Espíritu Santo, a la expansión del reino de los cielos. n La familia va recibiendo muchas gracias por la ordenación sacerdotal. Me refiero sobre todo en el orden de la fe, poco a poco la semilla de eternidad va germinando en el corazón de muchos parientes, sobre todo si el sacerdote es una persona que va dando testimonio de su alegría. n El sacerdote es un profesional en la vida espiritual, cada día sabe que se levanta siendo del Señor, va llevando su vida de acuerdo al Señor, tiene que preparar su homilía con la Palabra del Señor, lo cual le hace tener contacto con la palabra diariamente, celebra la Misa y en sus manos tiene a Dios, lo comulga diariamente, etc. Ojala que durante este mes de junio, podamos ver toda la grandeza del Sacramento del Orden Sacerdotal y promovamos las vocaciones en nuestras casas, hablándoles a nuestros jóvenes no solo de las renuncias sino sobre todo de las grandezas de este grandioso sacramento. EL PADRE JULIO CÉSAR DOMÍNGUEZ es vicario apostólico del Ministerio Hispano de la Diócesis de Charlotte.

CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Concord vibró con el festival Saint James CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO

CONCORD — Después de dos años de paralización por motivo de la pandemia de COVID-19, el pasado de 4 de junio retornó la alegría del festival Saint James a la parroquia Santiago el mayor, que registró una asistencia multitudinaria al congregar no solo a sus parroquianos sino a toda la comunidad del área. El Padre Fabio Marín, director del ministerio hispano parroquial y pastor de la Iglesia San José en Kannapolis, dijo que el exitoso festival fue producto del arduo trabajo del comité de actividades que, en conjunto con el grupo de arte parroquial, “inició con una anticipación de tres meses”, tomando en cuenta “hasta el más mínimo detalle”, logrando que el evento estuviera “a pedir de boca”. “Fue una noche de luces y colorido, música y danzas, arte y fina programación para el deleite de niños, jóvenes y adultos”, añadió. El festival, que dió inicio a las 7 de la tarde, contó con la participación de grupos de danza, musicales, la presencia de delegaciones promotoras de salud comunitaria, bomberos y policía, además de puestos de información comercial. “Sin lugar a duda la presencia de un gran público del Sur, Centro y Norte América hizo de esta actividad un gran encuentro multicultural en donde todos pudimos disfrutar de los diferentes platillos y antojitos de nuestras tierras, las tradicionales y modernas danzas internacionales y la música

de todos los tiempos que agradaron los oídos y alegraron los corazones de todos los participantes”, señaló el Padre Marín. No faltaron puestos de caritas pintadas, venta de obras de arte, juego de bingo y delicias en alimentos y bebidas de toda latinoamérica. La señora Roberta Hernández, actual reina del festival de Saint James, elegida hace dos años, ceñía la banda que se le entregó en 2019. “Estoy muy contenta de que se realice nuevamente el festival, lo extrañábamos, como comunidads lo necesitábamos”, dijo mientras atendía uno de los puestos de venta de comida. Un efectivo servicio de regulación de tránsito y asistencia para el estacionamiento de los coches facilitó la entrada y salida de los numerosos asistentes al evento. “Agradecemos a Dios el haber podido tener este agradable espacio de culturización, entretenimiento y recreación. Agradecemos a los animadores, cantantes, músicos, danzantes, en fin, a todos los que desde el amplio escenario participaron mostrando al público los dones con los que Dios nos ha enriquecido”, dijo el Padre Marín. Agradeció además, “a todas las personas que tuvieron la oportuna iniciativa de asistir al evento y de disfrutar de todo lo que con mucho amor prepararon los organizadores”, y adelantó una cordial invitación a toda la feligresía de la diócesis a la celebración del ‘Día internacional del tamal’, un festival culinario que esperan celebrar el próximo 5 de noviembre. Otra ocasión para marcar el calendario y que no debemos dejar pasar.

June 24, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

11A

Promotoras de Salud compartieron experiencias CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO

FOTOS CORTESÍA IBIS CENTENO Y SERGIO LÓPEZ

(Arriba) Integrantes de ‘Fe y Esperanza’, el coro ganador en el encuentro del Vicariato de Salisbury, al que acudieron más de 120 personas, entre integrantes de coros y sus familiares, y que se llevó a cabo en una finca de caballos generosamente cedida para el evento por la familia Díaz. (Abajo) Adelina Mendoza, Jazmín Martínez y Yaneidy Nava, del coro Sagrada Familia de Clemmons que se presentó en el encuentro del Vicariato de Winston-Salem realizado en la escuela Nuestra Señora de la Merced.

Tres vicarías eligieron a sus participantes para Encuentro Coral CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO

CHARLOTTE — En sendos encuentros, las Vicarías de Winston Salem, Hickory y Greensboro determinaron los coros que las representarán durante la gran final de encuentro de coros que se ha programado para el próximo mes de agosto, durante la realización del XVIII Congreso Eucarístico de la Diócesis de Charlotte.

WINSTON-SALEM

En Winston-Salem, el evento, el primero en su historia, se llevó a cabo en las instalaciones de la escuela Nuestra Señora de la Merced, abriendo el encuentro el Rev. Alfonso Gámez, vicario parroquial, quien presentó una charla sobre el canto en la liturgia. Muchos de los asistentes mencionaron que la exposición, “fue un momento también de formación, y aprendizaje, siempre se descubren cosas nuevas”. Cinco fueron los coros participantes: Coro de Jóvenes de NSM; Coro Cristo Vive, de Sagrada Familia; Coro Hosanna, de Divino Redentor; Coro Santa María; y Coro Peregrinos de San Benito, de San Benito El Moro. Andrés Hernández, director del Coro Peregrinos de San Benito, dijo estar contento de participar y que en sus 20 años de servicio “nunca habíamos tenido un encuentro de coros”, y “ojalá y se pueda repetir cada año” con la presencia de otros coros de las diferentes iglesias”. Los organizadores agradecieron la colaboración de los sacerdotes de la parroquia NSM, Rev. David McCanless y a su vicario Rev. Alfonso Gámez, quien permaneció durante todo el encuentro compartiendo, charlando y escuchando a los coros. Los cinco coros dieron una excelente muestra de sus dones. Más que una competencia, se trataba de compartir los dones que el Señor les ha regalado y disfrutar el momento interpretando los cantos que fueron escogidos por ellos mismos.

SALISBURY

El primer encuentro de coros de este vicariato se llevó a cabo en una finca de caballos, generosamente cedida para el evento por la familia Díaz en Cleveland, N.C. Al evento se presentaron cinco de siete coros

del vicariato, pero únicamente participaron tres: ‘Corazón de Jesús’, de Santa Teresa en Mooresville; ‘Pregoneros de la Paz’, de Santiago el Mayor en Concord; y los ganadores: ‘Fe y Esperanza’, de San José en Kannapolis. Los integrantes del coro ganador, donde participan 10 jóvenes adultos y 3 niños, son: Juan Ceballos, teclado; Dillon Ceballos, percusión; Inocencio Mendoza, bajo; Efraín Pérez, saxofón; Omar DonJuan, guitarra; José Ramírez, saxofón; René Velarde, piano, batería y director; Pedro Pineda, sonido; y las voces Sandra Ceballos, Maricela Mendoza, Edith DonJuan, Jackeline Avilés, Francisco Avilés, Silvia Alvarado, Janeth Pineda, Néstor Flores Alemán, Claudia Velarde y Eduardo Velarde. Ellos presentaron sus propios temas ‘Aumenta mi Fe’ y ‘Venimos a Celebrar’. Más de 120 personas, integrantes de coros y sus familias, fueron invitados al evento que contó con la colaboración de más de una docena de voluntarios. “Fue un evento para recordar. Todos estuvieron felices e hicieron comunión y, de ahora en adelante, prometieron compartir información y eventos”, dijo Ibis Centeno, parte del equipo organizador. El ganador en el evento organizado por la Vicaría de Hickory fue el Coro ‘Sagrado Corazón de Jesús’ de la parroquia de San Luis Gonzaga en Hickory. Para el encuentro final, los coros ganadores tendrán que componer un tema original alusivo al lema del 50 Aniversario de la Diócesis de Charlotte, ‘La fe es más preciosa que el oro’. — Información proporcionada por Sergio López e Ibis Centeno, coordinadores de los vicariatos de WinstonSalem y Salisbury

Más online

En www.facebook.com/CNHEspañol: Encontrará más fotografías y videos sobre estos encuentros corales.

Corazón y el Departamento de Salud del Condado Mecklenburg, que sirven en sus comunidades, principalmente de fe, y que conocen las necesidades de salud de sus comunidades”. “Han compartido experiencias, recursos de trabajo, capacitación y técnicas que les van a permitir extender su alcance y mejorar los beneficios de salud a las personas en

CHARLOTTE — La Pastoral de Salud del Vicariato de Charlotte acogió el primer encuentro de promotoras y promotores de salud de la Coalición de Fe y Salud, una organización ecuménica que agrupa a diferentes iglesias cristianas, entre ellas la Iglesia Católica representada por la Pastoral de Salud del Vicariato de Charlotte, con la finalidad de cumplir el mandato del Papa Francisco de abrir las puertas de la Iglesia y salir a la periferia en búsqueda de aquellos en necesidad espiritual y CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD El Diácono Eduardo Bernal, coordinador del Ministerio Hispano del Vicariato material. de Charlotte, estuvo presente en el encuentro de promotoras y promotores El evento tuvo lugar en las de salud de la Coalición de Fe y Salud. El Diácono Bernal, quien también se instalaciones del desempeña como vicepresidente de esa organización sin fines de lucro, dijo Centro Pastoral que las promotoras “son una bendición para la comunidad”. diocesano, que recibió a casi cuarenta promotoras y promotores en necesidad”, añadió. una jornada sabatina que culminó con El Diácono Bernal explicó que, en un renovado compromiso de servicio y el caso particular del Vicariato de colaboración mutua. Charlotte, “fue el pueblo de Dios el que El Pastor Victorio Leal, presidente pidió el apoyo de sus líderes de fe para de la coalición, dio la bienvenida a las que participaran en esta coalición”. participantes, señalando que, desde En la actualidad, dos son sacerdotes la fundación de la coalición en 2018, y un diácono del vicariato los que “nuestra obligación es el servicio”, trabajan activamente en las reuniones por lo que rogó a las promotoras de la coalición. y promotores que “transmitan la “La salud es una necesidad de la información recibida a sus líderes de evangelización. Mente sana, cuerpo fe en bien de lograr la empatía en su sano, espiritualidad sana. Eso es lo que servicio humanitario”. nosotros estamos tratando de cubrir”, Eduardo Bernal, coordinador del dijo el Diácono Bernal. Ministerio Hispano del Vicariato de La Coalición de Fe y Salud cubre Charlotte, diácono de la parroquia la zona metropolitana de Charlotte y Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe y condados adyacentes. Proyecta, en un vicepresidente de la coalición, calificó futuro próximo, extenderse a otros a las promotoras y promotores como condados circundantes. “una bendición para la comunidad”. De las doce parroquias del Vicariato Señaló que esta convocatoria de Charlotte, ocho de ellas tienen una para estuvo dirigida a promotores y gran presencia de la comunidad latina, promotoras de salud “certificadas por y solo cuatro desarrollan programas diferentes agencias como Novant Health, con promotoras de salud, informó el Atrium, la Asociación Americana del Diácono Bernal.

Lecturas Diarias JUNIO 25-JULIO 2

Domingo: 1 Reyes 19:16b, 19-21, Gálatas 5:1, 13-18, Lucas 9:51-62; Lunes: Amós 2:6-10, 13-16, Mateo 8:18-22; Martes (San Irineo): Amós 3:1-8, 4:11-12, Mateo 8:23-27; Miércoles (Solemnidad de San Pedro y San Pablo): Hechos 12:1-11, 2 Timoteo 4:6-8, 17-18, Mateo 16:13-19; Jueves: Amós 7:10-17, Mateo 9:1-8; Viernes: Amós 8:4-6, 9-12, Mateo 9:9-13; Sábado: Amós 9:11-15, Mateo 9:14-17

JULIO 3-9

Domingo: Isaías 66:10-14, Gálatas 6:14-18, Lucas 10:1-12, 17-20; Lunes: Osías 2:16, 17-18, 21-22, Mateo 9:18-26; Martes: Osías 8:4-7, 11-13, Mateo 9:32-38; Miércoles: Osías 10:1-3, 7-8, 12, Mateo 10:1-7; Jueves: Osías 11:1-4, 8-9, Mateo 10:7-15; Viernes: Osías 14:2-10, Mateo 10:1623; Sábado: Isaías 6:1-8, Mateo 10:24-33

JULIO 10-16

Domingo: Deuteronomio 30:10-14, Colosenses 1:1520, Lucas 10:25-37; Lunes (San Benito Abad): Isaías 1:10-17, Mateo 10:34–11:1; Martes: Isaías 7:1-9, Mateo 11:20-24; Miércoles: Isaías 10:5-7, 13-16, Mateo 11:25-27; Jueves (Santa Kateri Tekakwitha): Isaías 26:7-9, 12, 16-19, Mateo 11:28-30; Viernes (San Buenaventura): Isaías 38:1-6, 21-22, Mateo 12:1-8; Sábado: Miqueas 2:1-5, Mateo 12:14-21

catholicnewsherald.com | June 24, 2022 12A CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Oración Para el 50 Aniversario

FOTOS PROPORCIONADAS

(Izquierda) Vista del atardecer desde el centro de conferencias del Whitewater Center, donde está invitado a disfrutar de un concierto gratuito de ÚltimaNota el 9 de julio. (Arriba) Disfrute de un día completo de atracciones, juegos y diversión en el parque acuático Carowinds el 24 de julio, con entradas con descuento para el parque y un almuerzo de picnic tipo ‘all you can eat’.

Peregrinaje Mariano

IGLESIA CATÓLICA SANTO NIÑO Miércoles a domingo, 22 al 26 de junio 1042 Freeway Dr., Reidsville, N.C. 27320

RETIRO VOCACIONAL ‘DUC IN ALTUM’ Miércoles a viernes, 29 de junio al 1 de julio Belmont Abbey College

IGLESIA CATÓLICA SAN JOSÉ DE LAS MONTAÑAS Viernes a martes, 1 al 5 de julio 316 Boone Road, Eden, N.C. 27288

IGLESIA CATÓLICA NUESTRA SEÑORA DEL ROSARIO Domingo a miércoles, 10 al 13 de julio 619 S Main St., Lexington, N.C. 27292

IGLESIA CATÓLICA NUESTRA SEÑORA DE GRACIA Miércoles a domingo, 13 al 17 de julio 201 S Chapman St., Greensboro, N.C. 27403

IGLESIA CATÓLICA SAN FRANCISCO DE ASÍS Lunes a jueves, 18 al 21 de julio 862 Yadkinville Road, Mocksville, N.C. 27028

CHARLOTTE — Desde música bajo las estrellas hasta emocionantes paseos en la montaña rusa. Hay de todo para todos en las celebraciones veraniegas del 50 aniversario de la Diócesis de Charlotte.

9 DE JULIO: DÍA DE DIVERSIÓN FAMILIAR Y CONCIERTO

24 DE JULIO: DÍA DE LA FAMILIA CATÓLICA

¿Quiere más de una descarga de adrenalina? Entonces no querrá perderse el Día de la Familia Católica en Carowinds el domingo 24 de julio. El día comenzará a las 9 de la mañana con una Misa ofrecida por el Obispo Peter Jugis en el Teatro Carowinds. Después de la Misa, habrá una oportunidad de conocer y saludar a los seminaristas del Seminario Universitario San José, antes de ir al parque para disfrutar de las atracciones y juegos con otras familias católicas. Tome un descanso y recargue energías con un almuerzo tipo picnic, “all you can eat”, en Grove Picnic Pavilion desde el mediodía hasta la 1 p.m. Las entradas ya están a la venta y tienen un descuento de $54 o $15 por persona para los titulares de pases de temporada de Carowinds. Para aprovechar este descuento, vaya a la página de eventos del website del 50 aniversario de la diócesis y haga clic en “Catholic Family Day at Carowinds”. Tenga en cuenta que las entradas son únicamente para los feligreses de la Diócesis de Charlotte y no para la venta pública. Queda terminantemente prohibida la reventa, distribución o trueque de entradas compradas a través de este website. Carowinds está ubicado en 14523 Carowinds Blvd., Charlotte, N.C. 28273. — Catholic News Herald OSA E C IPEDRO 1:7 QUE PR 1

También viene... O RO

Las festividades comienzan el sábado 9 de julio con un día de diversión familiar y concierto en el Whitewater Center. Disfrute de un delicioso día de diversión al aire libre y relájese con música de verano con otros católicos en los rápidos artificiales más grandes del mundo en el U.S. National Whitewater Center. La diócesis ha reservado el centro de conferencias del Whitewater Center de 2 a 10 p. m. para el ingreso privado a la terraza con vista al escenario del concierto, donde la banda de fusión latina ÚltimaNota tocará ritmos tropicales con un toque moderno. ¿Se siente aventurero? Invite a otros feligreses a realizar las muchas actividades al aire libre que ofrece el Whitewater Center. Disfrute de la diversión del rafting, canotaje, escalada, senderos para bicicletas, un puente colgante y más. Los boletos para todas las actividades se pueden comprar directamente a través del Whitewater Center en el lugar. Obtenga acceso exclusivo al centro de conferencias con aire acondicionado para descansar del calor, así como para ver una proyección del video documental conmemorativo del 50 aniversario de la diócesis y una presentación de fotos históricas que muestran momentos notables de la historia de la diócesis. El Whitewater Center está ubicado en 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy., Charlotte, N.C. 28214. Las actividades al aire libre inician a las 10 de la mañana y el centro de conferencias de acceso privado abre a las 2 p. m. El concierto gratuito es de 7 a 10 p.m. El ingreso es gratuito, pero el estacionamiento tiene un costo de $ 6 por vehículo. No se permite el ingreso de comida, así que planee comprar alimentos y bebidas de los vendedores en el lugar. Una bar de pago estará disponible en el centro de conferencias durante el concierto. No olvide llevar botellas de agua recargables,

sombreros, lentes para sol, y una manta si prefiere disfrutar del concierto en el césped, cerca del escenario.

Para mayor información sobre las paradas de esta peregrinación, visite el website del 50 Aniversario de la Diócesis de Charlotte, www. faithmorepreciousthangold.com.

Prepárese para un verano divertido y emocionante

FE M ÁS

Una estatua de María, Madre de Dios, especialmente encargada para esta ocasión, está visitando más de cien locaciones en toda la Diócesis de Charlotte durante el año de aniversario. Las próximas visitas incluyen:

Los próximos eventos del 50 aniversario también incluyen el Congreso Eucarístico de la Diócesis de Charlotte 2022, del 5 al 6 de agosto, y la Noche Católica en los Charlotte Knights el 9 de septiembre. Para detalles, visite www.faithmorepreciousthangold. com.

Padre Celestial, acepta nuestra humilde oración de alabanza y gratitud mientras celebramos con alegría los cincuenta años de la Diócesis de Charlotte. A lo largo de nuestra historia, los fieles del oeste de Carolina del Norte, bajo el cuidado de estimados obispos y abades, han sido alimentados por tu mano providencial. Confiamos en que invitas a tus hijos a implorar tus constantes bendiciones, te pedimos que sigas derramando tu gracia celestial sobre nosotros. Con afecto y devoción filial, te pedimos además que veas con buenos ojos las oraciones que pedimos por la intercesión de nuestra venerable patrona, la Santísima Virgen María, que con atención maternal atiende las necesidades y preocupaciones de la Iglesia. Te lo pedimos por nuestro Señor Jesucristo, tu Hijo, que vive y reina contigo en la unidad del Espíritu Santo, Dios por los siglos de los siglos. Amén.

Oraciones y devociones El tema del 50 Aniversario, “La fe es más preciosa que el oro” (1 Pedro 1:7), alienta el uso de las oraciones, devociones y sacramentales probados y verdaderos de la Iglesia, que durante siglos han acercado a las personas a Dios. Pidamos con confianza las gracias que esperamos recibir de Dios al celebrar la fundación de la Diócesis de Charlotte. Santa María, Madre de Dios, ruega por nosotros.

Intención de oración de junio Por las vocaciones al sacerdocio. Que el Señor dé valor y fortaleza a los que están siendo llamados al ministerio sacerdotal, y que quienes son llamados respondan con generosidad y fidelidad.

Santo del mes San Carlos Lwanga Día de fiesta: 3 de junio

En www. catholicnewsherald.com: Lea más sobre San Carlos Lwanga y sus compañeros, martirizados por la fe

Arts & Entertainment

June 24, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

For the latest movie reviews: catholicnewsherald.com

On TV n Friday, June 24, 5 p.m. (EWTN) “Francis Xavier Seelos.” The life of Francis Xavier Seelos, a renowned confessor, spiritual director, and leader of missions throughout the United States in the early 19th century, and the promising new miracle being attributed to him.

In theaters

‘Jurassic World Dominion’ As the trio of scientists (Laura Dern, Sam Neill and Jeff Goldblum) at the heart of the original movie works to thwart the machinations of an evil biotech corporation (headed by Campbell Scott), the duo (Bryce Dallas Howard and Chris Pratt) central to the more recent adventures scrambles to rescue their adoptive daughter (Isabella Sermon), a genetically unique preteen kidnapped by the same conglomerate. Much stylized violence, some profanities and oaths, and an obscene gesture. n CNS: A-III (adults); MPAA: PG-13

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CNS | DEBBIE HILL

Ancient columns from Church of the Holy Sepulcher move to museum JERUSALEM — Restoration experts move a 4.7-ton piece of an ancient marble column that was once part of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher on June 10. The piece was carefully taken from the hermitage garden of the Church of Gethsemane to the Franciscan Terra Sancta Museum in Jerusalem’s Old City, followed by more segments from two pillars and two ornate column tops known as Corinthian capitals. It took a week to move all the pieces using a special forklift strong enough to carry the massive segments yet small enough to maneuver the narrow streets of the Old City. Sara Cibin, project manager of the Pro-Terra Sancta nongovernmental organization, and a team of Italian restoration experts from Restorers Without Borders led the effort. The museum is on the grounds of the Church of the Flagellation on the eastern side of the Via Dolorosa near the Lions’ Gate, also known as St. Stephen’s Gate.

n Saturday, June 25, 2 p.m. (EWTN) “Saint Margaret Mary and the Sacred Heart.” The remarkable life of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, a French Catholic nun whose devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus was officially recognized 75 years after her death. n Wednesday, June 29, 11 a.m. (EWTN) “Solemnity of the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul.” Pope Francis celebrates the Solemn Mass of Sts. Peter and Paul, two martyrs and pillars of the Catholic Church, and officiates at the imposition of the Pallium.

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Our nation

catholicnewsherald.com | June 24, 2022 14A CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Justice Department urged to address violent attacks on pro-life centers JULIE ASHER CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Biden administration’s “relative silence” over a growing number of attacks on churches, pregnancy resource centers and pro-life organizations over the abortion issue “endangers Americans even more,” said a coalition of pro-life and faith leaders. In a letter released June 16, the leaders called on the U.S. Department of Justice to publicly condemn the attacks, “commit to vigorous efforts to prevent them, and to investigate and prosecute them.” The letter to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke was signed by about 30 leaders “representing millions of Americans.” The pro-life leaders acknowledged the FBI was “assisting at least one affected religious organization on this matter” and they said they were aware “through media reports” the agency was “at least investigating the firebombing” of a pro-life center in Madison, Wis. “However, the severity of the situation calls for your leadership,” they wrote Garland and Clarke. “This

continued assault on religious and prolife groups because of their beliefs is a manifest injustice that requires prompt, comprehensive and public response.” They urged the Justice Department “to proactively engage with the affected faith communities to ensure their concerns and security needs are being met,” and they requested a meeting with Garland’s office as well as the department’s Civil Rights Division “to discuss what plans are in the likelihood these attacks will intensify.” A day before the pro-life coalition released its letter, more than 100 House Republicans sent a similar letter to Garland, calling on the Justice Department to investigate these incidents “as acts of domestic terrorism.” In a response to the lawmakers’ letter, the FBI issued a statement to news outlets June 16 saying the agency is investigating “a series of attacks and threats targeting pregnancy resource centers and faithbased organizations across the country.” “The FBI takes all threats seriously and we continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners and will remain vigilant to protect our communities,” a spokesperson for the FBI’s national press office told the Washington Examiner.

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The coalition of pro-life leaders who wrote to Garland and Clarke was organized by CatholicVote, a political advocacy group. Among the letter’s signatories were Greg Schleppenbach, associate director of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities; Jeanne Mancini, president of the March for Life Education and Defense Fund; Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life Action; and Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America. Citing a tally by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee for Religious Liberty, their letter noted that from May 2020 to October 2021, there were at least 100 incidents of arson, vandalism and other destruction at Catholic sites across the United States. “In December of last year, the Department of Justice was asked how it was investigating the repeated attacks on churches in the United States,” the letter said. “The attorney general was also asked to investigate those complaints and take appropriate action as is your duty. Since that request there has been public silence.” The pace of attacks has been stepped up to include pro-life centers as targets, it noted, since the May 2 publication of a leaked draft version of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito’s opinion in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Services case. The draft suggested the Supreme Court could overturn Roe v. Wade, the court’s 1973 decision which legalized abortion nationwide, in its ruling in the Dobbs case concerning a Mississippi ban on most abortions after six weeks. As of June 22, the final ruling had not yet been handed down, but one group in particular has declared “open season” on pro-life pregnancy centers: Jane’s Revenge, described as a “radical pro-abortion” organization. On June 13, the chairmen of the U.S. bishops’ religious liberty and pro-life committees pleaded for an end to attacks on pro-life centers and churches. In their June 16 letter, the coalition of pro-life leaders highlighted some of these recent attacks. Like the Wisconsin pro-life center, a Keizer, Ore., pro-life center has been firebombed “as well as a pregnancy care center in Buffalo, N.Y.,” they said. “Seventeen churches or prolife organizations have been vandalized with pro-abortion or anti-religious slogans.” “Among those, a tiny Black Baptist church in rural Mississippi was spraypainted with depictions of rape, and four churches in Olympia, Wash., were vandalized on the same day with phrases like ‘abort the church,’” it continued. “A recurring slogan has been: ‘If abortions aren’t safe, then neither are you.’” “Religious liberty is a foundational principle of enduring importance in America, enshrined in our Constitution and other sources of federal law,” the letter continued. “It is a precondition of a flourishing civil society where citizens of shared beliefs or convictions freely come together to meet their communities’ needs, as through the efforts of pregnancy help centers to support expecting moms. “And it has no more basic embodiment than the right to worship free from fear.”

Charter’s 20th anniversary calls for ‘continued vigilance,’ archbishop says CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The 20th anniversary of the U.S. bishops’ passage of the “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People” is “not a time of celebration, but a time of continued vigilance and determination,” said the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. “In these 20 years, we have greatly benefited from listening to and working with survivors of abuse. We are grateful for their courage in sharing their stories and for helping the Church strive to create a culture of protection and healing,” Los Angeles Archbishop José H. Gomez said in a June 9 statement. The witness of survivors “has led directly to meaningful reform in the Church and to a greater awareness of sexual abuse in the wider world. For past survivors and future children, it is imperative that we remain vigilant,” the archbishop said. The charter was originally approved by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in June 2002 during their spring assembly in Dallas. It is a comprehensive set of procedures for addressing allegations of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy. It includes guidelines for creating a safe environment for children and young people; healing and reconciliation for abuse survivors; making prompt and effective response to allegations; cooperating with civil authorities; disciplining offenders; and providing for accountability and the prevention of future acts. The charter, which was revised in 2005, 2011 and 2018, also created the USCCB’s Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection. Since the charter was first approved, the U.S. Catholic Church “has worked hard to fulfill our pledge to support the healing of those hurt by sexual abuse, along with their families,” Archbishop Gomez said. “We have also strived to be faithful to our promise to protect children and young people,” he continued. “Today, millions of children and adults have been trained to spot the signs of abusive behavior, allegations of sexual abuse are reported to local law enforcement, background checks are the norm, review boards comprised of lay experts meet to assess allegations, and victim assistance coordinators are in place to assist survivors in finding help.” At this 20-year mark, “we remain firm with Pope Francis’ commitment ‘that everything possible must be done to rid the Church of the scourge of the sexual abuse of minors and to open pathways of reconciliation and healing for those who were abused,’” Archbishop Gomez said.

Online At www.charlottediocese.org: Read the charter and learn more about the Diocese of Charlotte’s Safe Environment programs

June 24, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief Court: Tuition program excluding religious schools is unconstitutional WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a 6-3 ruling June 21, the Supreme Court said a Maine tuition aid program that excluded religious schools violated the Constitution’s free exercise clause. The opinion, written by Chief Justice John Roberts, said: “A state need not subsidize private education but once a state decides to do so, it cannot disqualify some private schools solely because they are religious.” He also said the court’s decision in Carson v. Makin stemmed from a principle in its two previous decisions, particularly the 2020 opinion in Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue. In that case, the court said the state of Montana could not exclude religious schools from receiving tax credit-funded scholarships under its school choice program. The Maine case went a step further by asking if the state can prevent students from using state funds to attend schools that provide religious instruction. Roberts stressed that a neutral benefit program that gives public funds to religious organizations through the independent choices of the recipients of those benefits does not violate the Constitution’s establishment clause. During oral arguments last December on this case, several of the justices found fault with the state’s decision process in determining just how religious a school was in order to decide if the school could participate or not in the program specifically for rural communities.

Archbishop praises senators’ efforts to address ‘plague of gun violence’ WASHINGTON, D.C. — The chairman of the U.S. bishops’ domestic policy committee June 14 praised a bipartisan Senate proposal “to help prevent senseless violence” that includes “reasonable gun safety measures.” “I am deeply grateful that members of Congress have undertaken bipartisan negotiations to address the plague of gun violence in our nation,” said Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development. “I encourage Congress to continue these important efforts which will help build a culture of life. It is imperative this Congress passes into law new protections for the American people,” he said. Archbishop Coakley made the remarks in response to a June 12 announcement by 20 senators who said they had reached agreement on a package of safety and gun-related measures narrowly focused on preventing future shootings similar to the one in Uvalde, Texas, where an 18-year-old gunman fatally shot 19 students and two teachers May 24. The senators’ proposal calls for funding to encourage states to pass and implement socalled “red flag” laws to take guns away from potentially dangerous people; funding for school safety and mental health resources; expanded background checks for gun purchases for people between ages 18 and 21; and penalties for illegal straw purchases by convicted criminals. The senators’ “willingness to engage in dialogue and commitment to the common good” illustrates “the ‘better kind of politics’ that Pope Francis champions” in “Fratelli Tutti,” Archbishop Coakley said, quoting from the pope’s 2020 encyclical. The USCCB has consistently called for laws to address gun violence. — Catholic News Service

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Our world

catholicnewsherald.com | June 24, 2022 16A CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Seek nourishment, satisfaction in Eucharist, pope says JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

CNS | STEFANO SPAZIANI, POOL VIA REUTERS

In this file photo from June 6, 2021, Pope Francis leads Benediction of the Eucharist during Mass on the feast of Corpus Christi in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. The pope did not lead public celebrations this year due to knee problems.

VATICAN CITY — When received with faith, the Eucharist not only nourishes and satisfies one’s hunger for consolation and love, but gives Christians the strength to nourish others, Pope Francis said. Addressing an estimated 20,000 people gathered in St. Peter’s Square for his Sunday Angelus address June 19, the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, the pope said that, through the Eucharist, “everyone can experience this loving and concrete attention of the Lord.” “Sometimes there is the risk of confining the Eucharist to a vague, distant dimension, perhaps bright and perfumed with incense, but rather distant from the challenges of everyday life. In reality, the Lord takes all our needs to heart, beginning with the most basic,” he said. The pope did not lead public celebrations this year for the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ – a celebration that was to have included Mass, a procession and Benediction – due to knee problems. Before praying the Angelus prayer with the pilgrims, the pope reflected on the feast day and the significance of the Eucharist in Christian life. Recalling the Sunday Gospel of St. Luke, which recounted the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, the pope said the miracle did “not happen in a spectacular way, but almost secretly” and that as the crowd eats, “they realize that Jesus is taking care of everything.” “This is the Lord present in the Eucharist. He calls us to be citizens of heaven, but at the same time He considers the journey we have to face here on earth,” he said. “If I have hardly any bread in my sack, He knows and takes care of it Himself.” Just as Jesus orders the disciples to help Him feed the crowd in the Gospel story, he said, Christians today must learn to take care of the needs of those around them who not only suffer physical hunger but also spiritual hunger. “There is hunger for food around us, but also of companionship; there is hunger for consolation, friendship, good humor; there is hunger for attention, there is hunger to be evangelized,” the pope said. In the Eucharist, he added, Christians find Jesus’ attention “to our needs and the invitation to do the same toward those who are beside us. We need to eat and feed others.” Pope Francis said that when receiving the Body and Blood of Christ, Christians receive the assurance of the presence of Jesus, “who makes Himself our traveling companion, He enters into our affairs, He visits us when we are lonely, giving us back a sense of enthusiasm.” Giving Himself in the Eucharist, “the Lord gives meaning to our lives, our obscurities, our doubts,” the pope said. “And this meaning that the Lord gives satisfies us. This gives us that ‘more’ that everyone is looking for, which is namely the presence of the Lord.”

Nigerian priest shielded parishioners ‘like chicks’ during massacre Funeral Mass held for victims of Owo church attack CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

OWO, Nigeria — Father Andrew Adeniyi Abayomi was in the sacristy of St. Francis Xavier Church after Mass when parishioners began running in different directions. “I stood there in shock, wondering what was going on, when someone ran to me, yelling, ‘Father, unknown gunmen!’” the associate pastor told churchinneed.org. The June 5 massacre left at least 50 people dead and dozens wounded. But Father Abayomi said that, at the time, he did not fear for his life, but was worried about how to protect his parishioners. “I urged people to move through the sanctuary into the sacristy,” the priest told churchinneed.org. “Some of the parishioners escaped through there. I remained in the inner part of the sacristy. I could not run as I was surrounded by children, while some adults clung to me, some even inside my chasuble. I shielded them just as a hen shields her chicks.” The priest said the attack lasted 20-25 minutes, and when they got word that the attackers were gone, they went into the church and discovered the dead and injured. “We left the dead bodies in church, while trying to save the wounded,” he said. Father Abayomi said the attackers did not speak, so it was hard to identify where they were from. “Some of the attackers disguised themselves as regular parishioners during Mass. They worshiped with us during Mass until the attack started,” he said.

CNS | TEMILADE ADELAJA, REUTERS

Caskets are pictured during a funeral service in the parish hall of St. Francis Xavier Church in Owo, Nigeria, June 17. The service was for at least 50 victims killed in a June 5 attack by gunmen during Mass at the church. The church has started pastoral care for survivors, but some physical care is needed, too. “Government as well as nongovernmental organizations, like the Red Cross, and other groups, even Muslim

groups, and imams, are coming to our aid practically and financially. The Red Cross has been the most active, pleading for blood donors and material support,” the priest said. He said many parishioners are afraid, but “we are determined to get them on their feet, to keep them strong in faith, and to comfort them by getting close to each one, not only those who were directly affected. The goal is to establish personal contact with them, strengthening them and reminding them that when we profess our faith in God, it means that we have given up our whole life. This life is just a passage to eternity – and eternity should be our focal point.” During a funeral Mass for the victims June 17, Bishop Emmanuel Badejo of Oyo said the people attending Mass at St. Francis Xavier Church on Pentecost did not know how much it would cost to participate in the suffering of Jesus. “How much do we understand when he says to us, ‘The time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is doing a holy service to God,’” Bishop Badejo said, quoting from the Gospel of St. John. “We had no idea perhaps til now what extreme form that could take.” Among those at the Mass in the St. Francis parish hall were Bishop Jude Arogundade of Ondo, the diocese in which Owo is located, as well as Ondo Gov. Arakunrin Akeredolu. Bishop Badejo named some of those killed in the massacre: Bridget Ozulumba, 85; Chukwuemeka Emmanuel Njoku, 2; and Mathilda Ogungbade, 3. “None of these did anything wrong, except that they came to worship God at the foot of the cross and altar on that day,” said Bishop Badejo. “There, sudden death was inflicted upon them, and deep sorrow upon their dear ones left behind. These dear ones died, and many others met with trouble while at the foot of the cross.”

June 24, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief Two Jesuits murdered defending person in Mexican parish MEXICO CITY — Two Jesuit priests were murdered in a rugged region of Mexico rife with violence as they provided refuge to a person being pursued by a gunman, according to the Society of Jesus and state officials. Jesuit Fathers Javier Campos Morales and Joaquín César Mora Salazar died defending their parish in the community of Cerocahui in the Copper Canyon of Chihuahua state, which serves the Indigenous Tarahumara population. The priests had opened the parish to an unidentified person June 20, according to the Jesuits, but an armed individual burst inside and killed that person along with Fathers Campos and Mora, according to a statement on social media by Jesuit Father Gerardo Moro Madrid, provincial in Mexico. “We condemn these violent acts and demand justice and the recovery of our brothers’ bodies, which were taken from the parish by armed persons,” the Jesuits’ Mexican province said June 21. “Acts like these are not isolated. The Sierra Tarahumara, like many other parts of the country, confronts conditions of violence and neglect which have not been reversed. Every day, men and women are arbitrarily deprived of life as our brothers were murdered.”

U.S. Maronite bishop: ‘I’ve never seen Lebanon like this before’

Pope: Christianity has answer for those yearning for love

BEIRUT — Two U.S. Maronite Catholic dioceses are sponsoring 450 families each month in Lebanon and have provided several hundred thousand dollars for hospitalization costs. “I’ve never seen Lebanon like this before,” Maronite Bishop A. Elias Zaidan of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles told Catholic News Service in mid-June. “What concerns me the most,” he said of his homeland, “is the dire need of the people. It’s a very, very sad situation.” Bishop Zaidan is a U.S. board member for Caritas, the church’s charitable aid agency in Lebanon, and the two U.S. Maronite dioceses work through Caritas Lebanon. Since late 2019, Lebanon has been in an unprecedented economic crisis, such that nearly 90% of the population is now living in poverty. “We need to save the Lebanese people,” said Bishop Zaidan. During his visit to Lebanon, the Los Angeles bishop met with Carmelite Father Michel Abboud, president of Caritas Lebanon, who said the organization is experiencing an increase in the number of families asking for support. The priest said the coming year is expected “to be a very difficult one” and thus is asking for more help. With the collapse of the Lebanese currency – its devaluation has reached 95% – Bishop Zaidan said that, now, even $50 “can go a long way” in helping a struggling family, and that $300$400 can nearly cover a Catholic school annual tuition.

VATICAN CITY — Christianity is not a set of rules and prohibitions designed to control people; it is a “life project capable of bringing fulfillment to every human heart,” Pope Francis told 70 young leaders of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church. The young leaders from communities outside India, the home of the Syro-Malabar Church, made a pilgrimage to Rome and met Pope Francis June 18. Pope Francis asked the young people to build their lives on the firm foundation of Christ’s love and to witness to Him with their peers, whether or not they are Catholic. “There is a common ground on which all young people can meet, and that is the desire for an authentic, beautiful and profound love,” the pope told them. “Please, do not be afraid of that kind of love,” he said. “It is the love that Jesus reveals to us, and that St. Paul describes as ‘patient and kind,’ that does not insist on its own way but rejoices in the truth.” — Catholic News Service

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catholicnewsherald.com | June 24, 2022 18A CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Brian Pusateri

Father Billy Swan

Two things you can do today

he recent news of the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, broke my heart. I experienced a rush of emotions. I was immediately overwhelmed by sadness and I prayed for everyone involved. Soon, my thoughts included frustration and confusion. Perhaps you experienced these same emotions. How can we stop these senseless killings, I wondered? I am sure none of us can truly comprehend the unimaginable pain of those families who lost loves ones. One minute they were kissing their loved one goodbye in the morning and wishing them a good day at school. The next minute, they are trying to come to grips with the reality that they will never see and hold them again. What is wrong with our society that tragedies like this continue to happen? The comprehensive answer to that short question would take a group of the world’s best psychologists years to answer. Christians are quick to point out that taking God out of our society is a major contributing factor. Others believe the cause is easy access to automatic weapons. Still others believe social media is to blame. Some believe it is the breakdown of the traditional family. I have no doubt each of these play some part and, of course, there are many other factors as well. Politicians will come forth with ideas to address this issue – providing more security in schools, arming more school resource officers, and stricter guns laws. Neither the government nor new legislation will fix this problem, however. These things will merely treat the symptoms. If we, as individual Christians, set forth through prayer to bring more Christ-like love, compassion and understanding into the environments in which we live, we could collectively bring an impact to the underlying issues of hate, anger and divisiveness that are destroying our world. Are you prepared to do your part? We must end the incessant vitriol, polarizing bitterness and nonstop anger with those with whom we disagree. God is love, and clearly the world needs more love and more prayer. I have nothing to add that Jesus and Scripture have not already said on this topic. In 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Paul tells us, “Pray without ceasing.” In Matthew 22: 37-39 Jesus says, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” With these words in mind, I ask you to do two things: First, pray! Pray for the souls of all victims of crime and violence. Pray for healing and peace for their families. Pray that one day they will, with God’s grace, find forgiveness in their hearts. Pray for an end to violence in our world. Pray for the mental wellness of our young people. Pray that we can bring God back into society. Pray that all people will do as Jesus instructed us to do: love God and our neighbor. Second, reach out without delay to those who are meaningful in your life, and tell them you love them. The uncertainty of life is demonstrated in the violence we see around us. Life is precious and fleeting, and we cannot say “I love you” too often. The world is starving for more love. God is love and love is of God – and our world needs more of both. My friends, our world is broken. You and I are called to make a difference. We are called to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world. Let’s brighten up the world today with the gift of love. BRIAN PUSATERI is the founder of Broken Door Ministries (www. brokendoorministries.com) and a member of Immaculate Conception Parish in Hendersonville.

To speak, first listen to God and others

here are many reasons for the concerning polarization unfolding in the Church and in our culture. Certainly, one of them is because groups on opposite sides of political, ideological and religious fences are not listening to each other. We are losing the art of listening. One of the first signs of disrespect toward those who are different from us is our refusal to truly listen and engage meaningfully with what they have to say. We either lack the patience and energy to do so or we have already made up our minds that they are simply wrong and have nothing to teach us. But it is not only on the horizontal level and inter-human level that the quality of our listening has diminished. If the quality of our listening is poor among ourselves, there is a good chance it is also poor in the arena of our prayer, where our first task is not to speak but to listen to what God has to say. “Listening with the Ear of the Heart” is the title of Pope Francis’ message for World Day of Social Communications, published for the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord a few weeks ago. The title is taken from the prologue of St. Benedict’s Rule, where the great monk places much emphasis and value on listening – not just as a physical act of sensing sound but as an engagement of the whole person with the heart and an act of love toward another. For Benedict, humble listening is a gift of respect and love. A refusal to listen is to allow the ego to dominate and impose itself on those around me. For St. Benedict and for Pope Francis, listening has a theology and spirituality found in the Scriptures. Israel’s first duty to God is to listen to Him: “Hear, O Israel” (Deut. 6:4). Though he was very young, King Solomon was blessed with wisdom beyond his years because he asked the Lord to grant him “a listening heart” (1 Kings 3:9). Samuel is the model for all people who engage in prayer when he said, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening” (1 Sam. 3:9). How many times in prayer do we begin with the opposite: “Listen, Lord, your servant is speaking”? In the New Testament, Jesus urges us to listen to His word: “Listen, anyone who has ears!” (Matt. 11:15). On Mt. Tabor, the voice of the Father spoke at the Transfiguration: “This is my beloved Son … listen to him” (Matt. 17:5; Mark 9:7; Luke 9:35). At the wedding at Cana, Mary urges the servants to listen to Jesus and “do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5). For St. Paul, faith comes through hearing and listening (Rom. 10:17). The opposite is also true. Refusing to listen is a refusal to believe, as we see with members of the Sanhedrin in the presence of St Stephen as he proclaimed the truth of Christ as Lord. They “covered their ears and turned on him at once” (Acts 7:57). Notice from the story of Stephen how a refusal to listen leads not only to rejection of others but, in short order, to violence against them. Later in the Bible, the Apostle James exhorts: “Let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak” (1:19). Like Benedict, St. Augustine encouraged a true listening that must be done with the heart and from the heart: “Do not have your heart in your ears, but your ears in your heart” (Sermon 380, 1). Taking Scripture and tradition as a whole, Pope Francis states in his message that “among the five senses, the one favored by God seems to be hearing, perhaps because it is less invasive, more discreet than sight and therefore leaves the human being more free.” This is because of God’s love for us and His respect for us as partners in dialogue. Out of love He speaks to us and “inclines His ear” to listen to us in return. The Holy Father then sheds light on what happens when listening breaks down and the reasons why. He alludes to the negative effects of social media and the hostility that can be found among groups online. He identifies the danger of “talking past one another” as we listen to

reply but not to understand. This happens when we lose sight of the person in front of us and focus instead on the audience, trying to impress them with soundbites and win the argument over our opponent. When this happens, ideological alignments are formed and listening disappears, leaving people polarized and alienated. True listening is not waiting for the other to finish speaking but a real moving out toward our brother and sister to meet them in truth and love. Therefore, true listening concerns itself with what is right and less about who is right. Pope Francis is particularly concerned about how the polarization that we see in society is also eating away at the bonds of communion that unite us in the Church. He wants the Church to model a life-giving alternative where the power of faith, love and truth can unite people. As an antidote to polarization, he says: “In the Church, too, there is a great need to listen to and hear one another. It is the most precious and life-giving gift we can offer each other... Communion is not the result of strategies and programs but is built on mutual listening between brothers and sisters.” For those of us dedicated to the mission of evangelization, this advice on listening is both challenging and enlightening. It is challenging because, at first glance, it seems to put the brakes on our strong impulse to proclaim Christ and to tell our story of how his love has touched our lives. Yet the message of Pope Francis is not about dampening our enthusiasm for mission. Rather, it is about our missionary efforts becoming more fruitful. This is what happens when we listen better – both to God and to others. When we listen with the ears of the heart, we communicate more effectively and increase the possibility of our message being received, heard and understood. We become attentive to the heart of the other, begin to empathize with them, and connect with them. Quoting Protestant theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Francis urges us to “listen with the ears of God that we may speak the Word of God.” One scriptural example where this takes place is on the road to Emmaus, where Jesus listened to the disciples on the way. He wanted to hear them speak: “What are these things you are discussing?” (Luke 24:17). Jesus listened before He opened up the Scriptures to them in a way that set their hearts on fire. For this reason, Francis claims that the most important task in pastoral activity is what he calls “the apostolate of the ear.” This means listening before speaking in a way that assures others that when we do speak, the joys, hopes, concerns and heartfelt needs of the other have been understood. If we fail to listen with the “ears of the heart,” we could end up speaking our own word instead of God’s Word and in a way that fails to connect with those we encounter. The motto chosen by St. John Henry Newman on his appointment as cardinal was “Cor ad cor loquitur,” “Heart speaks to heart.” It is significant that one of the greatest thinkers and apologists for the faith in the history of the Church understood how evangelization is not just about speaking and proclaiming but about listening in order to connect with the heart of others and above all to the heart of God. At a time of disquiet and polarization in the Church and in the world, may we take a step back from the positions that divide us, so as to rediscover the art of listening to others who think differently. FATHER BILLY SWAN is a priest of the Diocese of Ferns, Ireland. He served for four years as the director of seminary formation at the Pontifical Irish College in Rome. He is currently serving in County Wexford, Ireland. This commentary originally appeared on the Word on Fire blog, at www.wordonfire.org.

June 24, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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Kathryn Evans Heim

St. Peter and the storms of life

ne of my favorite scenes in the Bible is when Jesus walks on the water of the Sea of Galilee and calls St. Peter to come out to Him. And Peter does it. He steps out of the boat and onto the water, and he walks toward Our Lord. But then he notices the wind and the storm around him, and he begins to sink. It’s easy to imagine how his fear must have risen as he sank into the cold water. He had been a fisherman on that sea probably his whole life; he knew the dangers and treacheries of the sea during a storm. Perhaps he had seen men drown, or perhaps he simply knew of those who had gone out onto the water and never came back. He stepped out of that boat with such confidence when the Lord called to him,

“Saint Peter Attempting to Walk on Water” (1766) by François Boucher is the holy card artwork chosen for the 2022 Diocese of Charlotte Eucharistic Congress. just as he had already left behind his fishing nets and all that he had known when Jesus said, “Follow me.” Then, as soon as he perceived how the world raged around him, he lost heart and began to be pulled under. But that is not the end of the scene. In his fear and distress, Peter cried, “Save me, Lord!” As St. Matthew tells us, Jesus immediately reached out His hand and caught him. With only a slight reprimand about his lack of faith, Peter is once again safe in the boat and the storm is calmed. I love this scene because of how it illuminates the character of St. Peter, and perhaps because I relate to it more than I always care to admit. In his book “Life of Christ,” Blessed Archbishop Fulton Sheen says of St. Peter: “He was impulsive to an extreme degree, guided more by feeling than by reason. He wanted to walk on the waters and, given the power, became frightened and screamed in fear – he a man of the sea. … But through the power of his Divine Master this impetuous man, as fluid as water, was turned into the rock on which Christ built His Church.” Several years ago, I was blessed to be able to go on pilgrimage to the Holy Land and spent some of that time on the Sea of Galilee. While I was there, we had beautifully calm and clear weather,

thankfully. We were taken out on the water and given a demonstration of how the fishing was done in the time of the apostles. And we went to the shore where Jesus met the apostles after His Resurrection and cooked them fish over a charcoal fire, and where He asked Peter three times if he loved Him. As I stood at the water’s edge and tried to put myself in that moment, it was hard not to be overwhelmed by the emotions of it. Imagine the person that you love and respect most in the world, a person that you have sworn that you would do anything for, sacrifice all that you have for them. Perhaps it’s your best friend, or your spouse, or your child. Now imagine that you have just witnessed them experience the ultimate suffering and pain, and yet you did not stand by them. You failed in every promise you ever made to them, and you let them suffer alone and forsaken. You have betrayed every concept of love and loyalty. And yet, this person comes to you, offers complete forgiveness, not only accepting your love again but entrusting you with the love and care of others. That location on the Sea of Galilee where Jesus told St. Peter to feed His sheep and His lambs is called the Primacy of St. Peter. However, what strikes me about that scene is not just the great commission that Peter is given, but the great forgiveness. Peter is mentioned in the Gospels more than all the rest of the apostles combined, is the supreme leader of the Twelve, and yet is not even to be found at the foot of the Cross, unlike Our Lady, St. John and the other holy women. Peter denied Jesus three times in the worst hours, and yet redeems himself with true repentance and love. That scene of Peter’s attempt to walk on the water toward Our Lord is a model for us all, especially in the most difficult times of life. We often take that first step with the best of intentions and with complete faith in God. But then we look around and we start to notice the frantic winds around us, we hear the noise that overwhelms our peace, and we become frightened. It’s our fear that makes us sink. However, Jesus is still there; He doesn’t call us out of the boat just to let us drown. He wants us to have faith, He wants us to walk on our own with that faith, but He is still there to pull us up when we falter, if only we will call to Him. And if we are able to keep our eyes fixed on Him, so that we don’t even notice the winds of the world, perhaps we would not falter at all. St. Peter, like all the apostles and like all of us, was an ordinary and sinful man, by his own declaration. Yet he was redeemed and came to change the whole world by his love for Christ and Christ’s love for him, which is a gift and a path open to every one of us. Let us pray that when God calls us out of the safety of our own boats, we will have the faith to take that first step and to keep our eyes on the glory of Our Lord that we might remain with Him. KATHRYN EVANS HEIM is an author and wife living outside Salisbury, where she gardens, raises chickens, experiments with cooking and reads too many books. Find her work at www.evanswriting.com.

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‘To love means to welcome others, to be open to others, to make room for others, to make space to others.’ Pope Francis

From online story: “People are not islands, they need each other, pope says at Angelus” Through press time on June 22, 17,900 visitors to www.catholicnewsherald.com have viewed a total of 29,124 pages. The top 10 headlines in June have been: n Balkey, Huber ordained to the priesthood......................................................................................1,208 n San Luis Gonzaga: Conoce al santo protector de los jóvenes estudiantes............................ 1,016 n Father Kurt Fohn passes away aged 87............................................................................................. 894 n Mary, Mother of the Church...................................................................................................................825 n Seminarian summer assignments announced................................................................................ 688 n View the current print edition of the Catholic News Herald.........................................................675 n The start of a life of service.................................................................................................................. 638 n Vatican releases suggestions for lengthier, revamped marriage preparation....................... 603 n The resilient Class of 2022.....................................................................................................................319 n Former St. Leo finance director charged after audit found discrepancies...............................195

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Faith more precious than gold. — 1 Peter 1:7 fe más preciosa que el oro. — 1 Pedro 1:7 18th Eucharistic Congress

August 5 – 6, 2022 — Charlotte Convention Center Eucharistic Procession – Vespers – Holy Hour Confession – Sacred Music – Holy Mass

XVIII Congreso Eucarístico

O RO

Para información y voluntariado: www.GoEucharist.com

OSA E C1IPEDRO 1:7 QUE

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F E MÁ S

CIO P R1EPETER 1:7 US T

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Agosto 5 y 6, 2022— Centro de Convenciones de Charlotte

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Answering the call Respondiendo el llamado 10-13B ANNIVERSARIES

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catholicnewsherald.com | June 24, 2022 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

New priests Father Aaron Huber (left) and Father Darren Balkey flank Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, after their ordination Mass on June 18. PHOTOS BY JAMES SARKIS AND AMY BURGER | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Huber, Balkey ordained to the priesthood KIMBERLY BENDER CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

About the cover This year’s Vocations cover features the Diocese of Charlotte’s two newest priests: Father Darren Balkey and Father Aaron Huber. Balkey is the second priest of the diocese to also serve as a chaplain in the U.S. Navy. Father Aaron Huber is the first graduate of St. Joseph College Seminary to be ordained for the diocese. — Catholic News Herald

HUNTERSVILLE — “Your contribution will be priceless,” Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio told the two newest priests of the Diocese of the Charlotte, explaining all the ways they and their brother priests can nourish their communities. Darren Balkey and Aaron Huber were ordained priests for the Charlotte diocese during a special two-hour Mass at St. Mark Church June 18. Archbishop Broglio, who leads the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, celebrated Mass as Bishop Peter Jugis remains ill after recently contracting a series of non-coronavirus related viruses. He is working with his physicians to address a few lingering symptoms and expects to make a full recovery. Bishop Jugis led a Holy Hour and Prayer Vigil at St. Patrick Cathedral for the two men Friday night, on the eve of their ordination. Archbishop Broglio was already in town to concelebrate the ordination Mass because Father Balkey also has a commission as a military chaplain in the U.S. Navy with the rank of ensign. Father Balkey will be assigned to priestly ministry for three years in the Charlotte diocese, then he will be eligible for active-duty service as a U.S. Navy chaplain. “It is fortuitous that Archbishop Broglio was here to celebrate with us today,” Monsignor Patrick Winslow, vicar general and chancellor of the diocese, told the congregation before the ordination liturgy began. Archbishop Broglio said he has ordained many clergy, but these two men – Father Balkey and Father Huber – are only the fifth and sixth diocesan priests he has ordained so far in his episcopal ministry. He told the new priests that they would have many responsibilities and challenges during their priestly ministry, “but boredom will never be one of” them.

“Today we celebrate an amazing action by the Holy Spirit that will change Darren Balkey and Aaron Huber once and for all, and set them apart … for the mission given them by Jesus Christ,” Archbishop Broglio said during his homily. “We expect them to ignite a blaze of New Evangelization as they are ordained on the vigil of the opening of the Eucharistic Revival in our country.” The National Eucharistic Revival, launched on June 19, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, or Corpus Christi, has a mission to “renew the Church by enkindling a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist,” as stated on the initiative’s website. Sponsored by the U.S. bishops, it aims to inspire people to encounter Jesus in the Eucharist. God gives the grace to respond and ignite, Archbishop Broglio continued, and God gives the grace to speak the truth. “The truth is so important in our world today. You are charged to make sure that your brothers and sisters who will be entrusted to your pastoral care hear that message of truth among the many other voices that distract us in the world today.” Archbishop Broglio said, “It will be your privilege to be Jesus Christ for men and women hungering for His saving touch and participating in His life of grace. You will leave this church this morning new men – changed and empowered. There is no doubt your ministry is essential and needed in today’s world.” At the end of Mass, the newly ordained priests’ first assignments were announced by Monsignor Winslow: Father Balkey will serve as parochial vicar at St. Leo the Great Church in Winston-Salem, and Father Huber will serve as parochial vicar at St. Mark Church in Huntersville. — Catholic News Agency contributed.

More online At www.catholicnewsherald.com: See video highlights and more photos from the ordination Mass for Father Darren Balkey and Father Aaron Huber

June 24, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

Huber y Balkey ordenados al sacerdocio KIMBERLY BENDER CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

(Above) During the ordination rite, Archbishop Broglio asks the men a series of questions to express their willingness to be ordained priests and fulfill the responsibilities that come with priestly ministry. Then, one at a time, the men approach the archbishop, placing their hands in his to signify obedience to the Church. The Litany of Supplication follows, during which the men lay prostrate before the altar as Archbishop Broglio and everyone gathered at the Mass kneels in prayer and the Litany of the Saints is chanted.

(Left) Deacon Christopher Brock approaches the ambo to proclaim the Gospel during the Liturgy of the Word. He himself was ordained to the diaconate just two weeks prior at St. Mark Church. (Far left) The two ordinands stand before the altar at the start of the ordination rite.

HUNTERSVILLE — “Su contribución no tendrá precio”, dijo el Arzobispo Timothy P. Broglio a los nuevos sacerdotes de la Diócesis de Charlotte, explicando todas las formas en que ellos y sus hermanos sacerdotes pueden nutrir a sus comunidades”. Darren Balkey y Aaron Huber fueron ordenados sacerdotes para la Diócesis de Charlotte el 18 de junio, durante una Misa especial de dos horas de duración. El Arzobispo Broglio, quien dirige la Arquidiócesis de los Servicios Militares de Estados Unidos, celebró la Misa debido a que el Obispo Peter Jugis no se sentía bien. El Obispo Jugis continúa sintiéndose enfermo después de contraer recientemente una serie de virus no relacionados con el COVID-19. Está en tratamiento médico para abordar algunos síntomas persistentes y espera recuperarse pronto por completo. El Obispo Jugis condujo una Hora Santa y Vigilia de oración en la Catedral San Patricio para los dos hombres el viernes por la noche, en la víspera de su ordenación. El Arzobispo Broglio ya se encontraba en la ciudad para concelebrar la Misa de ordenación, ya que el Padre Balkey también tiene una comisión como capellán militar en la Marina de Estados Unidos con el rango de alférez. Será asignado al ministerio sacerdotal durante tres años en la diócesis de Charlotte, y luego será elegible para el servicio activo como capellán de la Marina de Estados Unidos. “Somos muy afortunados de que el Arzobispo Broglio estuviera aquí para celebrar con nosotros hoy”, dijo a la congregación Monseñor Patrick Winslow, vicario general y canciller de la diócesis, antes de que comenzara la liturgia. El Arzobispo Broglio dijo que ha ordenado a muchos religiosos, pero estos dos hombres, el Padre Balkey y el Padre Huber, son solo el quinto y sexto sacerdote diocesano que ha ordenado hasta ahora en su ministerio episcopal. Les dijo a los nuevos sacerdotes que tendrían muchas responsabilidades y retos durante su ministerio sacerdotal, “pero el aburrimiento nunca será uno de sus desafíos”. “Hoy celebramos una acción asombrosa del Espíritu Santo que cambiará a Darren Balkey y Aaron Huber de una vez por todas y los apartará para la misión que les dio Jesucristo”, dijo el Arzobispo Broglio durante su homilía. “Esperamos que aviven la llama de una nueva evangelización puesto que son ordenados en la vigilia de apertura del Avivamiento Eucarístico en nuestro país”. Dios da la gracia para responder y avivar, continuó, y Dios da la gracia para decir la verdad. “La verdad es muy importante en nuestro mundo de hoy. Están encargados de asegurarse que sus hermanos y hermanas que serán confiados a su cuidado pastoral escuchen ese mensaje de verdad entre las muchas otras voces que nos distraen en el mundo de hoy”. “Será su privilegio ser Jesucristo para los hombres y mujeres hambrientos de su toque salvador y participar en su vida de gracia”, dijo el Arzobispo Broglio. “Saldrán de esta iglesia esta mañana como hombres nuevos, cambiados y empoderados. No hay duda que su ministerio es esencial y necesario en el mundo de hoy”. Al final de la Misa, Monseñor Winslow anunció las primeras asignaciones de los sacerdotes recién ordenados. El Padre Balkey servirá como vicario parroquial en la Iglesia San Leo el Grande en Winston-Salem, y el Padre Huber servirá como vicario parroquial en la Iglesia San Marcos en Huntersville.

Más online En www.catholicnewsherald.com: Vea videos destacados y más fotos de las ordenaciones del Padre Darren Balkey y el Padre Aaron Huber

catholicnewsherald.com | June 24, 2022 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

It is a tradition for the ordinands’ mothers to receive a corsage before their son’s ordination Mass. Pinning the corsage on Sheryl Balkey and Tamara Huber is Lainie Lord of the diocesan Vocations Office.

During the most solemn moment of the ordination rite, the ordinands approach the archbishop, who lays his hands on their heads and prays silently for the Holy Spirit to descend upon them. Other priests at the Mass follow suit in a sign of priestly fraternity and unity. (Below) Father Matthew Kauth, rector of St. Joseph College Seminary in Mount Holly, and Benedictine Abbot Placid Solari of Belmont Abbey – two men who guided and inspired the new priests – lay their hands on the ordinands’ heads.

June 24, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

Archbishop Broglio gives the Sign of Peace to newly vested Father Aaron Huber.

Archbishop Broglio anoints the hands of Father Balkey with sacred chrism and then wraps them in a cloth called a maniturgium. The priest then uses it to cleanse his hands. According to tradition, a new priest gives the cloth to his mother at his first Mass of Thanksgiving. After she dies, she is buried holding the maniturgium so that on the day of judgment she can present it to Christ the Lord and say, “My son too shared in your priesthood.”

The archbishop presents the newly vested priests with symbols of their priesthood: a chalice containing the wine, mixed with water, and the paten holding the bread. These are the sacred vessels used at each Mass to hold the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist. During the vesting portion of the ordination rite, the men are vested by people who played meaningful roles in their journey to the priesthood. Father Balkey is vested by Father John Eckert, pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Salisbury, and Father Huber is vested by Father Matthew Buettner, spiritual director of St. Joseph College Seminary in Mount Holly.

catholicnewsherald.com | June 24, 2022 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

(Above) The parents of the two new priests present the gifts to Archbishop Broglio. (Left) Father Balkey and Father Huber stand with Archbishop Broglio during the start of the Eucharistic Prayer.

(Right) The archbishop elevates the consecrated Host during the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Pictured with him are the two new priests and Father Christopher Gober. (Far right) Father Huber kneels in reverence before receiving Holy Communion.

June 24, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

30th Anniversary of Priesthood The parishioners and the Knights of Columbus at Immaculate Conception wish to congratulate our pastor, Father Herbert Burke, on his 30th Anniversary of Ordination on June 6, 2022. We are grateful for the many hours that Fr. Burke and the artist, Lisa Autry, contributed toward designing and installing the artwork which is displayed throughout the church. We thank you for your many years of service to our parish. Your artwork and the church will always be a part of your legacy here at Forest City.

Stairway to Heaven Mural located in the Narthex

Father is Dedicated to spreading devotion to the rosary: “There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we cannot resolve by the prayer of the holy rosary.” – Servant of God Sister Lucia of Fatima Theophany of the Passion Mural located above the altar

June 6, 1992 Ordination at St. Matthew Cathedral Washington DC

catholicnewsherald.com | June 24, 2022 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

The new priests give their first blessings to Archbishop Broglio before the Mass concludes. After Mass, they give first blessings to their parents, then to wellwishers.

June 24, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

The new priests give first blessings to family and friends after their ordination Mass, using the kneelers they received as gifts from the Mary’s Sons apostolate. Learn more about this group that supports and prays for priest vocations online at www.maryssons.org.

catholicnewsherald.com | June 24, 2022 10B CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Meet our new priests Father Darren Balkey Home parish: Sacred Heart Church, Salisbury Birthplace: State College, Pa. Birthday: March 1, 1992 Balkey

Raised in: State College, Pa.

Family: Parents Steven and Sheryl Balkey; siblings Matthew and Seth College: Belmont Abbey College Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice Pre-Theology: Pontifical College Josephinum Theology: Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Cincinnati, Ohio Summer assignments in the diocese: St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Charlotte; St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte; St. John the Evangelist Church, Waynesville; and Queen of the Apostles Church, Belmont Interests/hobbies: Any sort of outdoor adventure – hiking, swimming, biking, climbing, paddling, etc. Also enjoys playing the trumpet and working with his hands in the woods or in a shop. SUEANN HOWELL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Father Aaron Huber

Answering the call

Home parish: St. John the Evangelist Church, Waynesville Birthplace: Mount Pleasant, S.C. Birthday: July 8, 1996 Raised in: Cruso, N.C.

Newly ordained Fathers Aaron Huber and Darren Balkey embark on priestly ministry

Family: Parents Eric and Tamara Huber; siblings Eric Jr., Joshua, Jessica, Sarah, Maria, Isaac, Noah and Benjamin Huber

College: St. Joseph College Seminary Degree: Bachelor of Philosophy, Belmont Abbey College Theology: Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Cincinnati, Ohio Summer assignments in the diocese: Sacred Heart Church, Salisbury; Our Lady of Grace Church, Greensboro; St. Elizabeth Church, Boone; St. Mark Church, Huntersville; and St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Charlotte Interests/hobbies: Skateboarding, basketball, ultimate Frisbee, reading literature, chess and piano

CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD STAFF

eyond the Roman collars they wear, Aaron Huber and Darren Balkey share strikingly similar backgrounds. Both have been active Catholics since they were kids. Both graduated from Belmont Abbey College. Both dated and considered marriage and a family. And on Saturday, both were ordained, called to serve God as priests. The two men heard a similar call to the priesthood, yet their paths to ordination day unfolded in unique ways and have inspired them to different ministries. COLLEGE SEMINARY’S ‘FIRST FRUITS’

Father Huber is the first priest ordained for the diocese who came through its St. Joseph College Seminary in Mount Holly. He was among the first group of men to be accepted into the seminary program when it began in 2016. The college seminary nurtures local vocations among the parishes and families in the diocese, close to home. Graduates go on to major seminaries out of state to complete their priestly formation, then return for ordination to serve in the diocese’s growing parishes. At 25, Huber embodies how the college seminary will boost priestly vocations for the diocese – a high priority for Bishop Peter Jugis. In five years since its founding, dozens of young men discerning the priesthood have attended the college seminary program, which in 2020 opened a permanent home in Mount Holly. “The program is a testament to the work and focus of the bishop and the priests involved,” Huber says. “Their perseverance and devotion to God’s will have really paid off, and we are just beginning to see the first fruits.” The support of parishioners, he says, also was critical: “I think

parishioners are pleased to know their kids will have priests that are being formed right here in the diocese. They know they had a role in forming their priests through their support of the program… It’s a unifying force.” Being part of the nascent program, Huber says he and the seven other seminarians became “just like a family, a brotherhood.” “We’ve got a good mix of people from different cultures and backgrounds. We’re all very different, but we are united by one thing: Serving our Lord and aspiring to be His instrument in the world.”

FAITH LAID A FIRM FOUNDATION

The college seminary wasn’t the first influence on Huber’s vocation. His Catholic faith was ingrained from his earliest memories of growing up in a large family – he’s the third of nine children – attending Mass, going to confession, altar serving, and living the faith with his family at home. Their parish, St. John the Evangelist in Waynesville, is small with a couple hundred families so everyone was expected to pitch in at church. “That consistent witness was really helpful in my vocation, because it became a foundation which to this day I greatly

June 24, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

appreciate,” he says. Huber also participated in the Diocesan Youth Advisory Council as a teen, and on one of its retreats, he felt the call of the Lord more profoundly. “Youth ministry with my peers was something that helped me with discernment and led me to where I am now,” he says. When Huber went to Belmont Abbey College, he briefly dated a fellow student he had met back in high school. Like most other young men, he assumed one day he would be married and have a family. “I was clarifying things (in my life) at the time. I imagined that I would really love having a wife and children, as we are hardwired that way, to have a family. Yet you make the choice to give up some things to do what you are called to do – and really experience the joy of giving your life to the Lord,” he explains.

A VISIT WITH BISHOP JUGIS

Huber kept coming back to the idea of becoming a priest. The concept had been planted in his mind as a child – and Huber distinctly remembers a visit with Bishop Jugis when he came to Huber’s Waynesville parish for confirmation, when Huber was about 12. “He would come every year. He remembered our names and he talked about vocations. He gave us rosaries and asked that we pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life,” Huber recalls. “He said, ‘Pray that God will tell you your vocation.’” Another moment came after he’d entered the college seminary program. At times, he found himself wondering about investing his talents and passion into other pursuits. “Father Patrick Winslow said something that really stuck with me. He said, ‘Isn’t it wonderful that you are so capable, that you could do so many things with your life, and that God is calling you here? That this is where you will put all those talents to work?” Now, the reality of being a priest means Huber can be more intimately connected to what he loves the most: “There’s one word for everything I love about the Catholic faith, and that’s the Eucharist. Everything is tied into that. It is ‘the source and summit’ (of our faith) for a reason. It is God Himself. Everything in the Catholic faith is found there.”

NAVY CHAPLAIN AND PRIEST

Huber isn’t the only remarkable vocation this year. Balkey is only the second priest ordained for the diocese who will also serve as a chaplain for the U.S. Navy. (The first was Father Michael Klepacki, who became a chaplain in 1988 for the Navy, Marines and Coast Guard 10 years after his ordination.) Balkey will serve here in the diocese for three years and then get an assignment through the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA. “I’m looking forward to this period of mentorship and exposure to more experienced priests of the diocese,” says Balkey, 30. “This training period tells the military, ‘We have confidence he can succeed.’” He will serve as a Navy chaplain for five years, then he can choose to continue serving, go into the Navy Reserve, or return to a parish assignment in the Charlotte diocese. Why pull the “double duty” – serving the Church and the country? Balkey says he has always wanted to be the kind of person who can be relied upon when times get tough. “I have a heart for service,” he explains. “I really couldn’t separate my heart for service for my neighbor and my service for God.” From a young age, he was encouraged to be independent and have a broad range of experiences. He grew up in State College, Pa., in a Catholic family, the second of

three boys, and attended both public schools and homeschooling. “It taught me to take initiative, to be a self-starter. It gave me a lot of training in looking for opportunities to learn.”

‘THE PRIEST IS HERE’

After graduating from Belmont Abbey College, Balkey worked for a couple of years to pay off student loans by working with troubled youth at a wilderness camp. Even before he could really see it within himself, the campers saw he had a vocation. “They did ask me there if I was going to be a priest,” he recalls. “They had reached the conclusion even before I was aware of it. I had a sense it might happen, but I didn’t have a when or a how.” Service called to him – but at first it was volunteering with the Locke Township Volunteer Fire Department in Salisbury. “Everybody loves a fire truck!” he says, laughing. “What was I looking for? I wanted a 24/7 community. I was looking for something that let me be the person people called. When you have a problem at 3 in the morning, who is going to show up? It was those people that appealed to me.” Balkey says he loved the feeling he had riding in the fire truck. “The priest and the firefighter are the same in this regard – people have no idea of all the things that you do, but they know exactly what you do in certain circumstances. When you show up in uniform, they trust you to do it right: ‘Solve my problem. Fix my life.’ “You show up in firefighting gear, people say, ‘Oh, the fire department is here.’ You show up in a black shirt and white collar, they say, ‘The priest is here. Let’s let him do his work.’” Like Huber, Balkey was an altar server, even into his college days. He was impressed by the Benedictine monks of Belmont Abbey, whose charism is prayer and work, “ora et labora.” “When I got to college and I was around the monks praying and interacting with students, I recognized, ‘Wow, this is guy doing this full-time.’ Their beliefs and convictions are their livelihood.” He realized that life as a priest could be an option for him, too. “I had been thinking I could be a Catholic in the military or I could be a priest,” he says. “Eventually I realized I could do both. There’s a natural match there. And you know you have found what you are meant to do when you don’t have to ask why.” “There are a lot of other things I could have studied, done or pursued, and they’d be great for what they are, but they don’t touch many areas of my life. It’s just a field that you go into. The Catholic faith is about the whole person and the whole of our lives, and I love that connection.”

LOOKING FORWARD

Both Huber and Balkey are excited about what God has in store for them. Says Huber, “One of the things I am most looking forward to is simply being a priest” – offering the sacraments, hearing confessions and being an instrument in the hands of God. “Having that configuration to Christ the High Priest, and then my life becoming a sacrifice... Not simply when I am offering the Mass am I laying down my life, but every day through my configuration through Christ the High Priest – my whole life becomes a sacrifice. I realize that who I am has changed, and it has changed forever.” Adds Balkey, “We are trying to save souls here. I will do anything I can to get you there.”

More online At www.catholicnewsherald.com: In two exclusive interviews, our newest priests talk about their vocation and what being a priest for the Diocese of Charlotte means to them

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

Fr. Darren Balkey

Fr. Aaron Huber

“If some of you hear the call to follow Christ more closely, to dedicate your entire heart to Him, like 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

Office of Vocations Diocese of Charlotte Father Christopher Gober Director of Vocations

(704) 370-3353 1123 South Church Street Charlotte, NC 28203-4003 vocationsmail@rcdoc.org

catholicnewsherald.com | June 24, 2022 12B CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Conoce a nuestros nuevos sacerdotes Padre Darren Balkey Parroquia: Sagrado Corazón, Salisbury. Lugar de nacimiento: State College, Pa. Fecha de nacimiento: 1 de marzo de 1992. Criado en: State College, Pa. Balkey

Familia: Padres Steven y Sheryl Balkey; hermanos Matthew y

Seth. Universidad: Belmont Abbey College. Grado: Bachiller en Artes, Justicia Criminal. Pre-Teología- Universidad Pontificia Josephinum. Teología: Seminario Mount St. Mary, Cincinnati, Ohio. Asignaciones de verano: Iglesia Santo Tomás de Aquino, Charlotte; Catedral San Patricio, Charlotte; Iglesia San Juan Evangelista, Waynesville; e Iglesia Reina de los Apóstoles, Belmont. Intereses/hobbies: Deportes de aventura como hiking, natación, ciclismo, escalada, canotaje, etc. Disfruta tocar trompeta y el trabajo manual con madera.

Padre Aaron Huber Parroquia: Iglesia San Juan Evangelista, Waynesville. Lugar de nacimiento: Mount Pleasant, S.C. Fecha de nacimiento: 8 de julio de 1996. Criado en: Cruso, N.C. Huber

Familoia: Padre Eric y Tamara Huber; hermanos Eric Jr., Joshua, Jessica, Sara, María, Isaac, Noé y Benjamín. Universidad: Seminario Universitario San José. Grado: Bachiller en Filosofía, Belmont Abbey College. Teología: Seminario Mount St. Mary, Cincinnati, Ohio.

SUEANN HOWELL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Respondiendo el llamado Los recién ordenados sacerdotes Aaron Huber y Darren Balkey se embarcan en el ministerio sacerdotal

Asignaciones de verano: Iglesia Sagrado Corazón, Salisbury; Iglesia Nuestra Señora de Gracia, Greensboro; Iglesia Santa Elizabeth, Boone; Iglesia San Marcos, Huntersville; e Iglesia Santo Tomás de Aquino, Charlotte. Intereses/hobbies: Skateboarding, baloncesto, frisbee, lectura, ajedrez y piano.

CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

ás allá de los cuellos clericales que usan, Aaron Huber y Darren Balkey comparten antecedentes muy similares. Ambos han sido católicos activos desde que eran niños. Ambos se graduaron de Belmont Abbey College. Ambos alguna vez consideraron el matrimonio y tener una familia. Y el sábado ambos fueron ordenados, llamados a servir a Dios como sacerdotes. Más allá de estas coincidencias, sus caminos hacia el día de la ordenación se desarrollaron de manera única y los han inspirado a diferentes ministerios. ‘PRIMEROS FRUTOS’ DEL SEMINARIO UNIVERSITARIO

El Padre Huber es el primer sacerdote ordenado para la diócesis que llegó a través del Seminario Universitario San José de la diócesis, ubicado en Mount Holly. Estuvo entre el primer grupo de hombres en ser aceptado en el programa del seminario cuando se inauguró en 2016.

El seminario universitario nutre las vocaciones locales entre las parroquias y familias de la diócesis, cerca a casa. Los graduados asisten a los seminarios mayores fuera del estado para completar su formación sacerdotal, luego regresan para su ordenación y servir en las crecientes parroquias de la diócesis. A la edad de 25 años, Huber personifica cómo el seminario

June 24, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

universitario impulsa las vocaciones sacerdotales para la diócesis, una prioridad para el Obispo Jugis. Desde su fundación hace cinco años, docenas de jóvenes que disciernen el sacerdocio han asistido al programa del seminario universitario, que en 2020 abrió un hogar permanente en Mount Holly. “El programa es un testimonio del trabajo y el enfoque del obispo y los sacerdotes involucrados”, dice Huber. “Su perseverancia y devoción a Dios realmente han valido la pena, y apenas estamos comenzando a ver sus primeros frutos”. El apoyo de los feligreses, dice, también fue crucial, “creo que a los feligreses les complace saber que sus hijos tendrán sacerdotes que se están formando aquí mismo en la diócesis. Ellos saben que tuvieron un papel en la formación de sus sacerdotes a través de su apoyo al programa… Es una fuerza unificadora”. Siendo parte del naciente programa, Huber dice que él y otros siete seminaristas se convirtieron como en “una familia, una hermandad”. “Tenemos una buena mezcla de personas de diferentes culturas y orígenes. Todos somos muy diferentes, pero algo nos une: servir al Señor y aspirar a ser Sus instrumentos en el mundo”.

LA FE PUSO UNA BASE SÓLIDA

El seminario universitario no fue la primera influencia en la vocación de Huber. Su fe católica está arraigada desde sus primeros recuerdos de crecimiento en una familia numerosa: es el tercero de nueve hijos, asistía a Misa, se confesaba, servía en el altar y vivía la fe con su familia en casa. Su parroquia, San Juan Evangelista en Waynesville, es pequeña, con un par de cientos de familias, por lo que se esperaba que todos colaboraran en la iglesia. “Ese testimonio constante fue de gran ayuda en mi vocación porque se convirtió en una base, lo que hasta el día de hoy aprecio mucho”, afirma. Durante su adolescencia, Huber participó en el Consejo Asesor Juvenil Diocesano, y sintió más profundamente el llamado del Señor. “La pastoral juvenil con mis compañeros fue algo que me ayudó con el discernimiento y me llevó a donde estoy ahora”, dice. Cuando Huber fue a Belmont Abbey College, salió brevemente con una compañera de estudios que había conocido en la escuela secundaria. Como la mayoría de los jóvenes, supuso que algún día se casaría y tendría una familia. “Estaba aclarando cosas (en mi vida) en ese momento. Me imaginé que realmente me encantaría tener una esposa y un hijo, ya que estamos programados de esa manera, para tener una familia. Sin embargo, tomas la decisión de renunciar a algunas cosas para hacer lo que estás llamado a hacer, y realmente experimentas la alegría de dar tu vida al Señor”, explica.

UNA VISITA CON EL OBISPO JUGIS

Huber tenía la persistente idea de convertirse en sacerdote. El concepto había sido plantado en su mente cuando era niño, y recuerda claramente una visita al Obispo Jugis cuando llegó a su parroquia en Waynesville para confirmarlo, cuando Huber tenía alrededor de 12 años. “Él venía todos los años. Recordó nuestros nombres y nos habló de vocaciones. Nos dio rosarios y pidió que rezáramos por las vocaciones al sacerdocio y a la vida religiosa”, recuerda Huber. “Él dijo: ‘Ora para que Dios te muestre tu vocación’”. Otro momento llegó después de haber ingresado al programa del seminario universitario. A veces, se preguntaba si valdría la pena invertir su talento y pasión en otras actividades. “El Padre Patrick Winslow dijo algo que realmente me quedó grabado. Él dijo: ‘¿No es maravilloso que seas tan capaz que puedas hacer tantas cosas con tu vida y que Dios te esté llamando aquí? ¿Que sea aquí donde pongas a trabajar todos esos talentos? Ahora, la realidad de ser sacerdote significa que Huber puede estar más íntimamente conectado con lo que más ama: “Hay una palabra para todo lo que amo de la fe católica, y esa es la Eucaristía. Todo está ligado a eso. Es ‘la fuente y cumbre’ (de nuestra fe) por una razón. Es Dios mismo. Todo en la fe católica se encuentra allí”.

una comunidad 24/7. Estaba buscando algo que me permitiera ser la persona a la que la gente llama. Si tienes un problema a las 3 de la mañana, ¿quién llega? Fueron esas personas las que me atrajeron”. Balkey dice que le encantó la sensación que tenía al viajar en el camión de bomberos. “El sacerdote y el bombero son iguales en ese sentido: la gente no tiene idea de todo lo que haces, pero saben exactamente lo que haces en ciertas circunstancias. Cuando te presentas con el uniforme, confían en que lo harás bien: ‘Resuelve mi problema. Arregla mi vida’”. “Te apareces con tu equipo de bombero y la gente dice, ‘el departamento de bomberos está aquí’. Te apareces con una camisa negra y cuello blanco y dicen, ‘el sacerdote está aquí. Dejémosle que haga su trabajo’”. Al igual que Huber, Balkey fue monaguillo, incluso en sus días universitarios. Quedó impresionado por los monjes benedictinos de la Abadía de Belmont, cuyo carisma es la oración y el trabajo, “ora et labora”. “Cuando llegué a la universidad y estaba rodeado de monjes rezando e interactuando con los estudiantes, reconocí: ‘Vaya, este es un tipo que trabaja a tiempo completo’. Sus creencias y convicciones son su sustento”. Se dio cuenta que la vida de sacerdote también podría ser una opción para él. “Había estado pensando que podría ser católico en el ejército o podría ser sacerdote”, dice. “Eventualmente me di cuenta de que podía hacer ambas cosas. Hay una coincidencia natural allí. Y sabes que encontraste lo que debes hacer cuando no tienes que preguntar por qué”. “Hay muchas otras cosas que podría haber estudiado, hecho o seguido, y serían geniales por lo que son, pero no tocan muchas áreas de mi vida. Es solo un campo en el que entras. La fe católica se trata de la persona en su totalidad y de la totalidad de nuestras vidas, y me encanta esa conexión”.

MIRANDO HACIA EL FUTURO

Tanto Huber como Balkey están entusiasmados con lo que Dios tiene reservado para ellos. Dice Huber, “una de las cosas que más anhelo es simplemente ser sacerdote”, ofrecer los sacramentos, escuchar confesiones y ser un instrumento en las manos de Dios. “Teniendo esa configuración con Cristo Sumo Sacerdote, y luego mi vida convirtiéndose en un sacrificio... No simplemente cuando ofrezco la Misa estoy entregando mi vida, sino cada día a través de mi configuración a través de Cristo Sumo Sacerdote – toda mi vida se convierte en un sacrificio. Me doy cuenta de que quien soy ha cambiado, y ha cambiado para siempre”. Balkey añade: “Estamos tratando de salvar almas aquí. Haré todo lo que pueda para llevarte allá”.

Más online En www.catholicnewsherald.com: En dos entrevistas exclusivas, nuestros nuevos sacerdotes hablan sobre sus vocaciones y lo que significa para ellos ser sacerdote de la Diócesis de Charlotte

CAPELLÁN NAVAL Y SACERDOTE

Huber no es solo una vocación a destacar este año. Balkey es solo el segundo sacerdote ordenado para la diócesis que también se desempeñará como capellán de la Marina de Estados Unidos (El primero fue el Padre Michael Klepacki, que se convirtió en capellán en 1988 para la Marina, Marines y Guardacosta 10 años después de su ordenación). Balkey servirá aquí en la diócesis durante tres años y luego obtendrá una asignación a través de la Arquidiócesis de los Servicios Militares de Estados Unidos. “Espero con ansias este período de tutoría y exposición a sacerdotes más experimentados de la diócesis”, dice Balkey, de 30 años de edad. “Este período de entrenamiento le dice a los militares: ‘Tenemos confianza en que puede tener éxito’”. Servirá como capellán de la Marina durante cinco años, luego puede optar por continuar sirviendo, ingresar a la Reserva de la Marina o regresar a una asignación parroquial en la diócesis de Charlotte. ¿Por qué realizar un “doble trabajo”, servir a la Iglesia y al país? Balkey dice que siempre ha querido ser el tipo de persona en la que se puede confiar cuando los tiempos se ponen difíciles. “Tengo corazón para el servicio”, explica. “Realmente no podía separar mi corazón para el servicio a mi prójimo y mi servicio a Dios”. Desde muy joven, se le animó a ser independiente y tener una amplia gama de experiencias. Creció en State College, Pensilvania, en una familia católica, el segundo de tres hijos, y estudió tanto en escuelas públicas como en casa. “Ello me enseñó a tomar la iniciativa, a ser emprendedor. Me entrenó mucho en la búsqueda de oportunidades para aprender”.

‘EL SACERDOTE ESTÁ AQUÍ’

Después de graduarse de Belmont Abbey College, trabajó durante un par de años con jóvenes con problemas para pagar sus préstamos de estudio. Incluso antes de que pudiera verlo realmente dentro de sí mismo, los jóvenes vieron que tenía una vocación. “Me preguntaron si iba a ser sacerdote”, recuerda. “Habían llegado a esa conclusión, incluso antes que yo me diera cuenta. Tenía la sensación de que podría suceder, pero no sabía cuándo ni cómo”. El servicio lo llamó, inicialmente fue voluntario en el departamento de bomberos voluntarios de Locke Township en Salisbury. “¡Todos aman los camiones de bomberos!” dice, riendo. “¿Qué estaba buscando? Quería

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Congratulations and Best Wishes Deacon Sidney Huff 45th Anniversary and Deacon Roland Geoffroy 20th Anniversary Thank you both for your work and dedication. From all of the faithful at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish

CATHOLIC N

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Celebrating our 2 10 YEARS

Priests

Father Jason Barone Father Matthew Codd Father Ernest Nebangongnjoh Father Peter Shaw

5 YEARS Father Peter Ascik Father Matthew Bean Father Brian Becker Father Christopher Bond Father Christian Cook

20 YEARS

Father Paul Asoh, M.S.P. Father Larry LoMonaco Father Peter Nouck Father Henry Tutuwan

Father W. Ra

45 YEARS

50 YEARS

65 YEARS

Father Roger Arnsparger Father Philip Scarcella

Father Charles Donovan, C.Ss.R.

Father Francis Forster, O.S.B.

20 YEARS

25 YEARS

35 YEARS

Deacon Roland Geoffroy Deacon Scott McNabb

Deacon James Gorman Deacon Matthew Reilly Deacon Ramon Tapia

Deacon J. Patrick Crosby

Women religious 25 YEARS Sister Jacquelyn Laster, R.S.M. Sister Ann Mary Pulimoottil, S.C.V.

50 YEARS Sister Soledad Aguilo, R.S.M. Sister Martha Elizabeth Hoyle, R.S.M. Sister Jill Katherine Weber, R.S.M.

NEWS HERALD

June 24, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.comiii

2022 Jubilarians 15 YEARS Father Patrick Cahill Father Patrick Hoare Father HyoSuk Lee Father Felix Nkafu Father Bernard Oleru, M.S.P. Father Frederick Werth

25 YEARS

30 YEARS

ay Williams Jr.

Father Herbert Burke Father George Byers Father Stephen Hoyt Father Andrew Latsko Father John Putnam

Deacons 10 YEARS

15 YEARS Deacon John Barone Deacon Serge Bernatchez Deacon John Riehl

Deacon Jose Vargas

40 YEARS

45 YEARS

50 YEARS

Deacon Anthony Marini

Deacon Sidney Huff Deacon Ronald Sherwood

Deacon Ralph Eckoff

60 YEARS

70 YEARS

Sister Mary Louise Yurik, R.S.M.

Sister Francis Jerome Cruz, R.S.M. Sister Monica Perez, R.S.M. Sister Mary Andrew Ray, R.S.M.

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catholicnewsherald.com | June 24, 2022 16B CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

In their own words: How their vocations evolved

En sus propias palabras: ¿Cómo evolucionaron sus vocaciones?

Father Darren Balkey

Father Aaron Huber

Padre Darren Balkey

Padre Aaron Huber

CNH: When did you first hear the call to a vocation to the priesthood? Father Balkey: My first sense of a priestly calling was when I started serving Mass, about 9 years old. It seemed natural to want to be near the Word of God and the altar during Holy Mass. Throughout the years, that desire to be near God and bring Him to others stuck around. CNH: Who did you first talk to about your vocation? Father Balkey: The priest who was my spiritual director at the time. CNH: What type of feedback or advice did you get from him? Father Balkey: He was very patient with me in college but challenging in the right way. When I finally let God start opening the door to a vocation, I sent him an email about what was going on in my prayer life and thoughts. He replied, “Well, it’s about time!” I laughed when I read it, and knew that my email had made him laugh, too. That was exactly what I needed, because my own expectations were so much smaller than God’s plan. CNH: How did you go about discerning where you felt called to explore your possible vocation? Father Balkey: My vocation grew alive during my studies at Belmont Abbey College. A lot of hours in the St. Joseph Adoration Chapel on campus and the Abbey basilica set a strong foundation. I also made retreats with Benedictine and Franciscan communities. Right after I graduated, I started working in a behavioral health facility. There, I worked in a role of guardianship, and probably a lot like humble St. Joseph, I felt very inadequate! The youth I served were very much in need of a true, loving father, such as only the Eternal Father can be. That experience cast priesthood into an amazing light. My hunger for the sacraments, prayer and Scripture became voracious. I knew that anything less than service of God would leave me empty. CNH: Tell us about the types of things you did during your discernment process and time in the seminary. Father Balkey: I have been praying the Angelus on a daily basis for a while now. The Incarnation is key for a Catholic, and I love pausing for that reflection in my day. The Liturgy of the Hours, which distributes the psalms throughout the daily routine of the Church, is an important root. Holy Mass is the gathering point for the Universal Church as well as the seminary community, and that helps me remember to gather and present all of my intentions, anxieties and priorities to the Lord. CNH: Looking back, what do you think has helped you the most to discern God’s will for your vocation to the priesthood? Father Balkey: First, time spent in silence. Second, true friendship with Jesus, the saints, many good priests and my brother seminarians has been key to my discernment. One moment, though, sticks out. I interviewed Father Tom Kessler (pastor of St. Philip the Apostle Church in Statesville) for a class assignment. He mentioned something that really cut me to the heart. Men, he explained, often go to seminary trying to get built up big and smart and holy enough to be a priest. He rocked my world when he challenged me to ask God the opposite: “Am I little enough, like the Blessed Mother, to say ‘yes’ and let Him make me His priest?”

CNH: When did you first hear the call to a vocation to the priesthood? Father Huber: I first heard the call to the priesthood when I was young, possibly 10 or 11. I remember talking to a friend of mine about what we wanted to be when we grew up, and both of us voiced our desire to be the pope! While my aspiration for the papacy has certainly changed, the desire to serve Our Lord as His priest never left. However, my attention to the call was sporadic. When I was a junior in high school, I had a profound conversion experience in which I felt the deepest peace at the thought of being a priest. It was not until the summer after my freshman year at Belmont Abbey College while serving as a Totus Tuus missionary that the Lord really revealed Himself to me in such a way that I knew I had to pursue Him. CNH: Who did you first talk to about your vocation? Father Huber: I first voiced my desire to be a priest to Father Matthew Buettner. My Totus Tuus team had been sent to St. Michael Church in Gastonia for the week, and it was there that the Lord placed the priesthood on my heart. Father Buettner was the pastor at the time, and what started out as a young man talking to a priest he barely knew turned into a long-lasting friendship. CNH: What advice did he give you? Father Huber: Father Buettner’s first piece of advice was to keep praying about my vocation. Further, since St. Michael Church is only 15 minutes from Belmont Abbey, he told me to get in touch with him after I returned for the fall semester so that he could put me on the altar server schedule. Serving at the altar and prayer, specifically Eucharistic Adoration, were the two things he always recommended. CNH: How did you go about discerning where to explore a vocation? Father Huber: My interest in the priesthood was certainly not limited to the diocesan life. After my experience in high school, I was definitely more inclined to some form of religious life. I researched a couple of Franciscan communities and even reached out to a couple of them. However, as my discernment progressed, I found that my attention had shifted to the diocesan priesthood. I exhausted the Charlotte diocese’s vocations webpage, then proceeded to look up any information I could on the diocesan priesthood. CNH: What practices or activities have you been doing since discerning your vocation? Father Huber: Daily prayer is a must. There have been times when mental prayer and devotional prayers were not easy, but through many successes and failures in discipline, I can say that prayer has been the surest way to navigate the challenges I have come across. Of course, by prayer, I also include the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and Eucharistic Adoration. Spiritual reading, disciplines and charitable works are a part of my daily life and are essential to it. However, I knew that if I was not falling in love with Jesus in those things, then all of it is as straw. The further I progressed in seminary, the more time I spent in silence in His presence, and it is in those moments that I felt most affirmed in my vocation. CNH: What has helped you the most to discern God’s will for your vocation? Father Huber: Our Lord in the Eucharist has helped me through many difficulties in my life. He continues to be the source of love, forgiveness, consolation and acceptance in my life. Nothing can ever replace Him! I am constantly reminded that Our Lord is truly the source of all goodness in my life, and He will always be. Further, our Mother Mary and her pure spouse St. Joseph work overtime for me. Finally, friendships with priests and seminarians were so vital to my time in seminary. Being able to go through the ups and downs with fathers and brothers who have supported me has been a huge blessing.

CNH: ¿Cuándo sentiste por primera vez el llamado al sacerdocio? Padre Balkey: Mi primera experiencia de sentir el llamado sacerdotal fue cuando comencé a servir en Misa, cuando tenía como 9 años. Parecía natural querer estar cerca de la Palabra de Dios y del altar durante la Santa Misa. A lo largo de los años, ese deseo de estar cerca de Dios y llevarlo a los demás se mantuvo. CNH: ¿Con quién hablaste por primera vez sobre tu vocación? Padre Balkey: Con el sacerdote que era mi director espiritual en ese momento. CNH: ¿Qué respuesta o consejo recibiste? Padre Balkey: Fue muy paciente conmigo en la universidad, pero me desafió de la manera correcta. Cuando finalmente dejé que Dios comenzara a abrir la puerta a una vocación, le envié un correo electrónico sobre lo que estaba pasando por mi mente y vida de oración. Él respondió: “Bueno, ¡ya era hora!”. Me reí cuando lo leí y supe que mi correo electrónico también lo había hecho reír. Eso era exactamente lo que necesitaba, porque mis propias expectativas eran mucho más pequeñas que el plan de Dios. CNH: ¿Cómo hiciste para discernir a dónde te sentías llamado a explorar tu posible vocación? Padre Balkey: Mi vocación cobró vida durante mis estudios en Belmont Abbey College. Muchas horas en la Capilla de Adoración de San José en el campus y en la basílica de la Abadía establecieron una base sólida. También realicé retiros con comunidades benedictinas y franciscanas. Inmediatamente después de graduarme, comencé a trabajar en un centro de salud del comportamiento. Allí, trabajé en un rol de tutela, y probablemente muy parecido al humilde San José, ¡me sentí muy incómodo! Los jóvenes a los que serví tenían mucha necesidad de un padre verdadero y amoroso, como solo el Padre Eterno puede serlo. Esa experiencia arrojó al sacerdocio a una luz asombrosa. Mi hambre por los sacramentos, la oración y la Escritura se volvió voraz. Sabía que cualquier cosa menos que el servicio a Dios me dejaría vacío. CNH: Cuéntanos sobre lo que hiciste durante tu proceso de discernimiento y tu tiempo en el seminario. Padre Balkey: He estado rezando el Ángelus a diario desde hace un tiempo. La Encarnación es clave para los católicos, y me gusta hacer una pausa para esa reflexión en mi día. La Liturgia de las Horas, que distribuye los salmos a lo largo de la rutina diaria de la Iglesia, es una raíz importante. La Santa Misa es el punto de reunión de la Iglesia Universal, así como de la comunidad del seminario, y eso me ayuda a recordar de reunir y presentar todas mis intenciones, ansiedades y prioridades al Señor. CNH: Mirando hacia atrás, ¿qué crees es lo que más te ha ayudado a discernir la voluntad de Dios en tu vocación al sacerdocio? Padre Balkey: Primero, el tiempo pasado en silencio. Segundo, la verdadera amistad con Jesús, los santos, muchos buenos sacerdotes y mis hermanos seminaristas, han sido clave en mi discernimiento. Un momento, sin embargo, sobresale. Entrevisté al Padre Tom Kessler (párroco de la Iglesia San Felipe Apóstol en Statesville) para una tarea. Mencionó algo que realmente me atravezó el corazón. Los hombres, explicó, a menudo van al seminario tratando de crecer lo suficiente para ser grandes, inteligentes y santos para ser sacerdotes. Él sacudió mi mundo cuando me desafió a pedirle a Dios lo contrario: “¿Soy lo suficientemente pequeño, como la Santísima Madre, para decir ‘sí’ y dejar que Él me haga Su

CNH: ¿Cuándo sentiste por primera vez el llamado al sacerdocio? Padre Huber: Escuché por primera vez el llamado al sacerdocio cuando era joven, posiblemente a los 10 u 11 años. Recuerdo haber hablado con un amigo sobre lo que queríamos ser cuando fuéramos grandes, ¡y los dos expresamos nuestro deseo de ser el Papa! Si bien mi aspiración por el papado ciertamente ha cambiado, el deseo de servir a Nuestro Señor como Su sacerdote nunca se ha ido. Sin embargo, mi atención al llamado fue momentáneo. Cuando estaba en el tercer año de la escuela secundaria, tuve una profunda experiencia de conversión en la que sentí la paz más profunda al pensar convertirme en sacerdote. Finalmente, no fue sino hasta el verano después de mi primer año en Belmont Abbey College, mientras servía como misionero de Totus Tuus, que el Señor realmente se me reveló de tal manera que supe que tenía que seguirlo. CNH: ¿Con quién hablaste por primera vez sobre tu vocación? Padre Huber: Primero expresé mi deseo de ser sacerdote al Padre Matthew Buettner. Mi equipo Totus Tuus había sido enviado a la Iglesia San Miguel en Gastonia por una semana, y fue allí donde el Señor colocó el sacerdocio en mi corazón. El Padre Buettner era el párroco en ese momento, y lo que comenzó como un joven que conversaba con un sacerdote que apenas conocía, se convirtió en una amistad duradera y valiosísima. CNH: ¿Qué respuesta o consejo recibiste? Padre Huber: El primer consejo del Padre Buettner fue seguir orando por mi vocación. Además, dado que la Iglesia San Miguel está a solo 15 minutos de la Abadía de Belmont, me dijo que me pusiera en contacto con él después que regresara para el semestre de otoño, para que pudiera programarme como monaguillo. El servicio en el altar y la oración, específicamente la Adoración Eucarística, eran las dos cosas que siempre recomendaba. CNH: ¿Qué prácticas o actividades has estado realizando desde que discerniste tu vocación al sacerdocio? Padre Huber: La oración diaria es imprescindible. Ha habido momentos en que la oración mental y las oraciones devocionales no fueron fáciles, pero a través de muchos éxitos y fracasos en la disciplina, puedo decir que la oración ha sido la forma más segura de superar los desafíos que he encontrado. Por supuesto, en la oración incluyo también el Santo Sacrificio de la Misa y la Adoración Eucarística. La lectura espiritual, la disciplina y las obras de caridad forman parte de mi vida diaria y son esenciales para ella. Sabía que si no me estaba enamorando de Jesús en esas cosas, todo sería solo como paja. Cuanto más avanzaba en el seminario, más tiempo pasaba en silencio en Su presencia, y es en esos momentos que me sentí más afirmado en mi vocación. CNH: Mirando hacia atrás, ¿qué crees es lo que más te ha ayudado a discernir la voluntad de Dios en tu vocación al sacerdocio? Padre Huber: Nuestro Señor en la Eucaristía me ha ayudado en muchas dificultades de mi vida. Él sigue siendo la fuente de amor, perdón, consuelo y aceptación en mi vida. ¡Nada podrá jamás reemplazarlo! Se me recuerda constantemente que Nuestro Señor es verdaderamente la fuente de toda bondad en mi vida, y siempre lo será. Además, nuestra Madre María y su casto esposo San José trabajan horas extras por mí. Me he dado cuenta de que nunca podré amarlos lo suficiente, ni podré agotar su amor por mí. Finalmente, la amistad con los sacerdotes y los seminaristas fue vital para mi estadía en el seminario. Poder pasar por altibajos con padres y hermanos que me han apoyado ha sido una gran bendición.

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June 24, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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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. This year’s retreats are already fully booked, but information about the 2022 retreats will be posted next spring online at www.charlottediocese.org/vocations. Overall, remember: Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask questions!

During a June 17 prayer service at St. Patrick Cathedral, Bishop Peter Jugis blesses the chalices for Darren Balkey (left) and Aaron Huber (right) on the eve of their ordination as priests. Assisting the bishop are new Deacons Peter Rusciolelli and Christopher Brock. JAMES SARKIS | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Learn more about the new priests’ vestments and chalices Father Balkey and Father Huber selected their first priestly vestments and chalices, which were blessed after Vespers and a Holy Hour June 17, the evening before their ordination, at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte. These treasures provide a tangible remembrance of their ordination to the priesthood. Here they tell us about their new vestments and chalices:

FATHER BALKEY My chasuble’s base fabric is from Fatima, Portugal, and is the same worn by our clergy at major diocesan liturgies. Naval chaplaincy will take me far from my brother priests of Charlotte, and I find being “cut from the same cloth” a fitting reminder of their fraternity. The galloon, or accent trim, comes from Zhytomyr, Ukraine. Petr Mykalchuk, owner of Church Vestments and Fabrics, made it and shipped it to me less than three months before Russian forces invaded his country. The embroidery was masterfully stitched by Brynne Beal, a parishioner at Sacred Heart Church in Salisbury. The front features the cross with the alpha and omega symbols, as inscribed on the Paschal candle. The back graphic was rendered by artist Emily Gross of Hamilton, Ohio. It merges the staurogram, the monogrammatic cross

(or tau-rho) with the anchor in a dual nod to Christian hope and naval heritage. Below, a scroll proclaims “Audemus exspectare” (“We dare to hope”), a phrase taken from Preface I of Advent. Tiffany Peoples, owner of Lily and Rose Vestments, supervised the design and executed the sewing and assembly. I selected the Roman pattern because it leaves my ribs vulnerable, as Our Lord’s own side was pierced: “Cuius latus perforatum, Vero fluxit et sanguine” (literally from the hymn “Ave Verum Corpus”: “from whose perforated side poured forth True blood”). My sacred vessels reflect how Belmont Abbey Monastery nourished my priestly vocation. While I attended college at the abbey, the Benedictine monks introduced me to the Liturgy of the Hours. Abbot Placid Solari and the community generously allowed me to select a chalice and paten from the monastery’s collection. I hope to express my gratitude for these precious gifts each time I offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The scale paten has a stunning St. Benedict Cross on the underside that echoes the monastic roots which have nourished both the diocese and my own priestly vocation. The chalice was given to the late Benedictine Father Charles Kastner by his mother on May 30, 1931, in recognition of his eighth anniversary of priesthood. It is a neo-

Gothic vessel cast from sterling silver, and the bowl’s interior is plated in gold. I love its crisp, balanced beauty.

FATHER HUBER The day of my first Mass of Thanksgiving is the Feast of Corpus Christi. Thus, my vestment is a white Roman chasuble with a red cross on the back and a red stripe down the front. Further, there is an emblem on the back of the Sacred Heart of Our Lord. The vestment was made by a member of our diocese, Tiffany Peoples, owner of Lily and Rose Vestments. I received my chalice as a gift from the monks of Belmont Abbey. The chalice was made in 1924 by the Benziger Bros. for Benedictine Father Robert Brennan, who died in 1964. The chalice is parcel gilt with three different precious metals: gold, silver and rose gold. The base has a cross on one panel and lilies on the others. My mother generously offered her wedding ring to be incorporated into the chalice, and that now constitutes most of the cross. I am grateful for the generosity of my mother and the monks of Belmont Abbey, and I am excited to offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass with this chalice for the glory of God and the sanctification of His people.

Conozca más sobre las nuevas vestimentas y cálices de los sacerdotes El Padre Balkey y el Padre Huber escogieron sus primeras vestiduras sacerdotales y cálices que fueron bendecidos después de las Vísperas y Hora Santa del 17 de junio en la Catedral San Patricio en Charlotte, la noche previa a su ordenación. Estos tesoros proporcionan un recuerdo tangible de su ordenación al sacerdocio. Aquí nos hablan de sus nuevas vestiduras y cálices:

PADRE BALKEY La tela de mi casulla es de Fátima, Portugal, la misma que usa nuestro clero en las principales liturgias diocesanas. La capellanía naval me llevará lejos de mis hermanos sacerdotes de Charlotte, y considero que estar “cortado por la misma tijera” es un recordatorio apropiado de su fraternidad. El galón o adorno decorativo proviene de Zhytomyr, Ucrania. Petr Mykalchuk, propietario de Church Vestments and Fabrics, lo hizo y me lo envió menos de tres meses antes que las fuerzas rusas invadieran su país. El bordado fue magistralmente realizado por Brynne Beal, feligresa de la Iglesia Sagrado Corazón en Salisbury. El frente presenta la cruz con los símbolos alfa y omega, tal como aparecen en el cirio pascual. El gráfico posterior fue realizado por la artista Emily Gross de Hamilton, OH. Fusiona el estaurograma, la cruz monogramática (o tau-rho) con el ancla

en un doble guiño a la esperanza cristiana y la herencia naval. Abajo, un pergamino proclama “Audemus exspectare” (“Nos atrevemos a tener esperanza”), frase tomada del Prefacio I de Adviento. Tiffany Peoples, propietaria de Lily and Rose Vestments, supervisó el diseño y ejecutó la costura y el ensamblaje. Elegí el modelo romano porque deja mis costillas vulnerables, como el propio costado de Nuestro Señor fue traspasado: “Cuius latus perforatum, Vero fluxit et sanguine” (literalmente del himno “Ave Verum Corpus”: “de cuyo costado perforado brotó verdadera sangre”). Mis vasos sagrados reflejan como el Monasterio de la Abadía de Belmont nutrió mi vocación sacerdotal. Mientras asistía a la universidad en la abadía, los monjes benedictinos me iniciaron en la Liturgia de las Horas. El Abad Placid Solari y la comunidad generosamente me permitieron seleccionar un cáliz y una patena de la colección del monasterio. Espero expresar mi gratitud por estos preciosos dones cada vez que ofrezca el Santo Sacrificio de la Misa. La patena tiene una impresionante Cruz de San Benito en la parte inferior, que hace eco de las raíces monásticas que han nutrido tanto a la diócesis como a mi propia vocación sacerdotal. El cáliz fue entregado al difunto Padre Benedictino Charles Kastner por su madre el 30 de mayo de 1931, en reconocimiento a su octavo aniversario de

sacerdocio. Es un vaso neogótico fundido en plata sterling, y el interior está enchapado en oro. Me encanta su belleza nítida y equilibrada.

PADRE HUBER El día de mi primera Misa de Acción de Gracias es la Fiesta de Corpus Christi. Así, mi vestidura es una casulla romana blanca con una cruz roja en la espalda y una franja roja en el frente. Además, hay un emblema en la parte posterior del Sagrado Corazón de Nuestro Señor. La vestimenta fue hecha por una miembro de nuestra diócesis, Tiffany Peoples, dueña de Lily and Rose Vestments. Recibí mi cáliz como un regalo de los monjes de la Abadía de Belmont. El cáliz fue confeccionado en 1924 por la compañía Benziger Bros. para el Padre Benedictino Robert Brennan, quien falleció en 1964. El cáliz is una pieza dorada con tres diferentes metales preciosos: oro, plata y oro rojo. La base tiene una cruz en un lado y lilas en los otros. Mi madre generosamente ofreció su aro de matrimonio para que sea incorporado en el cáliz, y ahora conforma la mayor parte de la cruz. Estoy muy agradecido por la generosidad de mi madre y los monjes de Belmont Abbey, y anhelo ofrecer el Santo Sacrificio de la Misa con este cáliz para la gloria de Dios y la santificación de Su pueblo.

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

catholicnewsherald.com | June 24, 2022 18B CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

The Ordination Rite explained What is the sacrament of holy orders? Holy orders is the sacrament of “apostolic ministry” – that is, how “the mission entrusted by Christ to His Apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time. …” (CCC 1536) The word “ordination” derives from the word “order,” which is the “appropriate disposition of things equal and unequal, by giving each its proper place” (St. Augustine, “City of God,” XIX.13). Order is used to signify not only the particular rank or general status of the clergy, but also the sacramental act by which they are raised to that status: ordination. Ordination to the priesthood takes place within the context of the Mass. The rite, most of which dates back many centuries, has several distinct parts, but the essential element is the laying on of hands on the head of the ordinand and the bishop’s consecratory prayer.

The rite of ordination n Calling of the Candidates: In the ordination rite, after the opening prayers of the Mass and the scripture readings, the presentation of the candidate takes place. The candidate responds, “Present,” (in Latin, “Adsum”) steps forward and makes a sign of reverence. n Presentation, Inquiry and Acceptance: The bishop then asks for testimony that the candidate has received proper training and is worthy of ordination. The diocesan vocation director attests that the candidate is prepared.

The bishop then says: “Relying on the help of the Lord God and our Savior Jesus Christ, we choose this man, our brother, for the Order of the Priesthood.” The people respond “Thanks be to God,” and also give their approval by a hearty round of applause. n Examination of the Candidate: After the homily, the candidate approaches the bishop, who asks him if he is willing to serve Christ and His Church as a faithful priest. The examination concludes with this exchange: Bishop, “Do you resolve to be united more closely every day to Christ the High Priest, who offered Himself for us to the Father as a perfect sacrifice, and with Him to consecrate yourself to God for the salvation of all?” Candidate, “I do, with the help of God.” n Promise of Obedience: The candidate then promises obedience to the authority of the Church and to his own religious superiors, as he kneels before the bishop. Why? The bishop is the head of the local Church. St. Ignatius of Antioch said the bishop is “typos tou Patros” – he is like the living image of God the Father. (CCC 1549) “The promise of obedience they make to the bishop at the moment of ordination and the kiss of peace from him at the end of the ordination liturgy mean that the bishop considers them his co-workers, his sons, his brothers and his friends, and that they in return owe him love and obedience.” (CCC 1567) n Prayer for the Candidates: The bishop kneels and invites all of those present to join in prayer for the candidate. This period of prayer includes the Litany of the Saints. The chanting of the Litany of the Saints is an especially moving and memorable moment in the ordination ritual. The candidate prostrates himself before the altar as the prayers of the Litany invoke God’s saving mercy and the intercession of all the saints to send down the Holy Spirit upon this man, soon to be a priest. The Litany of the Saints is an ancient prayer. The

Catholic Encyclopedia says, “It was used in the ‘Litania Septiformis’ of St. Gregory the Great, and in the procession of St. Mamertus. In the Eastern Church, litanies with the invocation of saints were employed in the days of St. Basil (d. 379) and of St. Gregory Thaumaturgus (d. about 270). It is not known when or by whom the litany was composed, but the order in which the Apostles are given, corresponding with that of the Canon of the Mass, proves its antiquity.” n Imposition of hands: This is an outward sign of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Just as Jesus conferred His priesthood on His Apostles, so too does the bishop and other priests lay hands upon the ordinand. It is the most ancient and universal outward ritual of the Church. “The laying on of hands by the bishop, with the consecratory prayer, constitutes the visible sign” of ordination. (CCC 1538) In this moment, as the bishop lays his hands upon the head of the kneeling ordinand, he prays silently for the invocation of the Holy Spirit. All the other priests who are present also join in the ordination ceremony. Each one in turn lays his hands silently upon the head of the candidate. This signifies that they all belong to, and participate in, the one priesthood of Jesus Christ. It is also a sign welcoming the newly ordained into the common brotherhood as priests. n Prayer of Consecration: The bishop prays: “Grant, we pray, Almighty Father, to this, your servant, the dignity of the priesthood; renew deep within him the Spirit of holiness; may he henceforth possess this office which comes from You, O God, and is next in rank to the office of Bishop; and by the example of his manner of life, may he instill right conduct. May he be a worthy coworker with our Order, so that by his preaching and through the grace of the Holy Spirit the words of the Gospel may bear fruit in human hearts and reach even to the ends of the earth.” n Vesting the New Priest: The newly-ordained priest now removes his deacon’s stole and is presented with the symbols of his new office in the Church: a priestly stole and chasuble. This is called the investiture. n Anointing of the Hands: The bishop anoints the palms of the new priest with sacred chrism, praying, “The Lord Jesus Christ, whom the Father anointed with the Holy Spirit and power, guard and preserve you that you may sanctify the Christian people and offer sacrifice to God.” After the anointing with the oil, the priest’s hands are wrapped with a linen cloth called a maniturgium. Anointing with sacred oil, or chrism, symbolizes the Holy Spirit. It is another ancient ritual that has Old Testament roots. n Presentation of the Gifts: After the gifts of bread and wine are brought to the altar, the bishop gives to the new priest a chalice containing the wine, mixed with water, and the paten holding the bread. These are the sacred vessels used at each Mass to hold the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist. As the priest receives the chalice and the paten, the bishop says: “Receive the oblation of the holy people, to be offered to God. Understand what you do, imitate what you celebrate, and conform your life to the mystery of the Lord’s cross.” n Sign of Peace: Lastly, the bishop gives the sign of peace to the new priest, saying: “Peace be with you.” The Mass continues as usual, with the new priest concelebrating fully in his first Eucharistic sacrifice, standing closest to Bishop Jugis in a place of honor before the altar. The new priest also helps distribute Holy Communion.

Happy Anniversary on your 15th Anniversary of Priestly Ordination,

Father Felix Nkafu. Thank you for your joyful commitment to Saint Leo!

Your Saint Leo Family

Why does the Church ordain priests? The rite of ordination is more than an “election” or “delegation” of someone as a priest. The sacrament “confers a gift of the Holy Spirit that permits the exercise of a ‘sacred power’ which can come only from Christ Himself through His Church.” (CCC 1538) The divine grace received through this rite sets these men apart – consecrates them, invests them – within the Church and gives them a unique mission among the People of God.

Why are only men ordained priests? Jesus chose 12 men as His Apostles, conferring upon them the mission to serve in His place on earth, and the Apostles did the same when they chose others to join and to succeed them. The Church is bound by the choice that Jesus Himself made, so it’s not possible for women to be ordained. Though in earlier times there were several semi-clerical ranks of women in the Church (called deaconesses), they were not admitted to orders properly so called and had no spiritual authority. They ministered to women in particular, in instances where customs called for men and women to remain separate.

An indelible mark Holy orders is one of three sacraments that have an indelible spiritual character – that is, they cannot be repeated or rescinded. The others are baptism and confirmation. From the moment of his ordination, a priest’s vocation and mission mark him permanently. (CCC 1583) Like the sacrament of marriage, in which men and women give themselves totally to each other and grow in holiness together, holy orders is directed toward the salvation of others through the gift of oneself. “They confer a particular mission in the Church and serve to build up the People of God. … Those who receive the sacrament of holy orders are consecrated in Christ’s name ‘to feed the Church by the word and grace of God.’” (CCC 1534-1535) A priest acts “in persona Christi” – that is, he acts with the authority of Christ, representing the person of Christ in administering the sacraments and shepherding the faithful – and “in nomine ecclesiae,” in the name of the Church. That doesn’t mean a priest is perfect! That just means that in administering the sacraments, the power of the Holy Spirit is assured.

‘The voice and hands of Christ’ In his 1990 address “On the Nature of the Priesthood,” then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (now Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI) said: “Jesus gave His power to the Apostles in such a way that He made their ministry, as it were, a continuation of His own mission. ‘He who receives you receives me,’ He Himself says to the Twelve (Mt 10:40; cf. Lk 10:16; Jn 13:10).” He added, “If Church usage calls ordination to the ministry of priesthood a ‘sacrament,’ the following is meant: This man is in no way performing functions for which he is highly qualified by his own natural ability nor is he doing the things that please him most and that are most profitable. On the contrary, the one who receives the sacrament is sent to give what he cannot give of his own strength; he is sent to act in the person of another, to be his living instrument. For this reason no human being can declare himself a priest; for this reason, too, no community can promote a person to this ministry by its own decree. Only from the sacrament, which belongs to God, can priesthood be received. Mission can only be received from the One who sends, from Christ in His sacrament, through which a person becomes the voice and the hands of Christ in the world.” — Patricia L. Guilfoyle, editor

More online At www.youtube.com/dioceseofcharlotte: Father Miguel Sanchez talks about the ordination rite

June 24, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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El Rito de la Ordenación Sacerdotal ¿Qué es el sacramento del orden sagrado? El orden sagrado es el sacramento del “ministerio apostólico”, así es como, “la misión encomendada por Cristo a sus Apóstoles se sigue ejerciendo en la Iglesia hasta el fin de los tiempos. …” (CIC 1536). La palabra “ordenación” deriva de la palabra “orden”, que es la “disposición adecuada de las cosas iguales y desiguales, dando a cada una el lugar que le corresponde” (San Agustín, “La Ciudad de Dios”, XIX.13). La palabra orden se usa para significar no solo el rango particular o el estado general del clero, sino también el acto sacramental por el cual los candidatos son elevados a ese estado: la ordenación. El Rito de la Ordenación al sacerdocio tiene lugar en el contexto de la Misa. Este rito data de hace muchos siglos y contiene varias partes distintivas, pero los elementos más esenciales son la imposición de manos sobre la cabeza del candidato y la oración consagratoria del obispo.

la invocación de los santos se emplearon en los días de San Basilio (alrededor del año 379) y de San Gregorio Taumaturgo (alrededor del año 270). No se sabe cuándo ni quién compuso la letanía, pero el orden en que se presentan los Apóstoles, en correspondencia con el del Canon de la Misa, prueba su antigüedad”. n Imposición de manos: Esta es una señal externa del derramamiento del Espíritu Santo. Así como Jesús confirió Su sacerdocio a Sus Apóstoles, así también el obispo y otros sacerdotes imponen las manos sobre el candidato. Es el ritual exterior más antiguo y universal de la Iglesia.

n Entrega de los Vasos Sagrados: Estos son los vasos que se utilizan en cada Misa para contener el Cuerpo y la Sangre de Cristo en la Eucaristía. Mientras el sacerdote recibe el cáliz y la patena, el obispo dice: “Recibe la ofrenda del pueblo santo para presentarla a Dios. Advierte bien lo que vas a realizar, imita lo que tendrás en tus manos y configura toda tu vida con el misterio de la cruz del Señor”.

rangos semi-clericales de mujeres en la Iglesia (llamadas diaconisas), no eran admitidas en las órdenes propiamente dichas y no tenían autoridad espiritual. Ayudaban a las mujeres en particular, en los casos en que las costumbres requerían que hombres y mujeres permanecieran separados.

n Beso de la Paz: Por último, el obispo da el beso de la paz al nuevo sacerdote, diciendo: “La paz sea contigo”. El resto de los sacerdotes se acercan a los recién ordenados

La marca indeleble

El rito de la ordenación n Llamamiento de los Candidatos: En el rito de ordenación, después de las oraciones de apertura de la Misa y las lecturas bíblicas, tiene lugar la presentación del candidato. A ella el candidato responde: “Presente” (en latín, “Adsum”) da un paso al frente y hace una señal de reverencia. n Presentación, interrogación y aceptación: El obispo pide testimonio o una ratificación fiel de que el candidato ha recibido la capacitación adecuada y es digno de la ordenación. El director diocesano de vocaciones da fe que el candidato está preparado. El obispo dice entonces: “Contando con la ayuda del Señor Dios y de nuestro Salvador Jesucristo, elegimos a este hombre, nuestro hermano, para el Orden del Sacerdocio”. El pueblo responde “Demos gracias a Dios”, al mismo tiempo que dan su aprobación con un caluroso aplauso. n Escrutinio del Candidato: Después de la homilía, el candidato se acerca al obispo, quien le pregunta si está dispuesto a servir a Cristo y a su Iglesia como sacerdote fiel. El examen concluye con este intercambio: El obispo pregunta: “¿Quieres unirte cada día más estrechamente a Cristo, sumo Sacerdote, que por nosotros se entregó al Padre como víctima santa, y consagrarte a Dios junto con Él para la salvación de los hombres? El candidato responde: “Sí, quiero con la gracia de Dios”. n Promesa de Obediencia: El candidato promete obediencia a la autoridad de la Iglesia representada por el obispo y a sus propios superiores religiosos, mientras se arrodilla ante el obispo. ¿Por qué? Porque el obispo es la cabeza de la Iglesia local. San Ignacio de Antioquía decía que el obispo es “typos tou Patros”, es como la imagen viva de Dios Padre (CCC 1549). “La promesa de obediencia que hacen al obispo en el momento de la ordenación y el beso de la paz del obispo al final de la liturgia de la ordenación significan que el obispo los considera como sus colaboradores, sus hijos, sus hermanos y sus amigos, y que a su vez ellos le deben amor y obediencia” (CCC 1567). n Oración por los Candidatos: En este momento el obispo se arrodilla e invita a todos los presentes a hacer lo mismo y a unirse en oración por el candidato. En este período de oración, el canto de la Letanía de los Santos trae un momento especialmente emotivo y memorable en el ritual de ordenación. El candidato se postra frente el altar mientras las oraciones de las letanías invocan la misericordia salvadora de Dios y la intercesión de todos los santos para que hagan descender el Espíritu Santo sobre este hombre, que pronto será sacerdote. La Letanía de los Santos es una oración antigua. La Enciclopedia Católica nos dice que: “Se usó en la ‘Litania Septiformis’ de San Gregorio Magno y en la procesión de San Mamerto. En la Iglesia Oriental, las letanías con

FILE | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

One especially poignant moment of the ordination rite is when the candidates prostrate themselves while the clergy and congregation pray for them, chanting the Litany of the Saints. Un momento especialmente conmovedor del rito de ordenación es cuando los candidatos se postran mientras el clero y la congregación oran por ellos, cantando La letanía de los Santos. “La imposición de manos por parte del obispo, junto con la oración consagratoria, constituyen el signo visible” de la ordenación (CCC 1538). Es en este momento, cuando el obispo pone sus manos sobre la cabeza del candidato arrodillado y ora en silencio por la invocación del Espíritu Santo. Como todo sacramento, éste se convierte en el signo visible de la gracia invisible que se derrama sobre la persona que recibe la ordenación. Cada uno de los sacerdotes presentes por turno impone sus manos en silencio sobre la cabeza del candidato. Esto significa que todos pertenecen y participan en el único sacerdocio de Jesucristo. Es también un signo visible de la acogida de los recién ordenados al sacerdocio común de Cristo. n Oración de Consagración: El obispo reza: “Te pedimos, Padre todopoderoso, que confieras a estos siervos tuyos la dignidad del presbiterado; renueva en sus corazones el Espíritu de Santidad; para que reciban de ti el segundo grado del ministerio sacerdotal y sean, con su conducta, ejemplo de vida. Sean honrados colaboradores del Orden de los Obispos, para que, por su predicación, y con la gracia del Espíritu Santo y la palabra del Evangelio, den fruto en el corazón de los hombres, y lleguen hasta los confines del orbe”. n Vestimenta del Nuevo Sacerdote: El sacerdote recién ordenado ahora se quita la estola de diácono y se le presentan los símbolos de su nuevo oficio en la Iglesia: una estola sacerdotal y una casulla. Esto se llama la investidura. n Unción de las manos: El obispo unge las palmas del nuevo sacerdote con el sagrado crisma, orando: “El Señor Jesucristo, a quien el Padre ungió con el Espíritu Santo y su poder te guarde para que puedas santificar al pueblo cristiano y ofrecer sacrificio a Dios”. Después de la unción con el sagrado crisma, se envuelven las manos del sacerdote con una tela llamada Manutergium. Esta unción con óleo sagrado, o sagrado crisma, simboliza el Espíritu Santo. Es otro ritual antiguo que tiene sus raíces en el Antiguo Testamento.

y hacen lo mismo para unirse en un signo de colaboración con el obispo, dando la bienvenida nuevamente a su hermano al sacerdocio. La Misa continúa como de costumbre, con el nuevo sacerdote concelebrando plenamente en su primer sacrificio eucarístico, posicionado cerca del obispo en un lugar de honor ante el altar. El nuevo sacerdote también ayuda a distribuir la Sagrada Comunión y al final se une a la procesión con el resto de los sacerdotes.

¿Por qué la Iglesia ordena sacerdotes? El rito de la ordenación es más que una “elección” o “delegación” de alguien como sacerdote. El sacramento “confiere el don del Espíritu Santo que permite a la persona ordenada ejercer un ‘poder sagrado’ que solo puede provenir de Cristo mismo a través de su Iglesia” (CCC 1538). La gracia divina recibida a través de este rito separa a estos hombres, los consagra, los enviste, dentro de la Iglesia y les da una misión única entre el Pueblo de Dios.

¿Por qué sólo los hombres son ordenados sacerdotes? Jesús escogió a 12 hombres como sus apóstoles, confiándoles la misión de servir en su lugar en la tierra, y los apóstoles hicieron lo mismo cuando escogieron a otros para unirse a la misión y sucederles. La Iglesia está ligada por la elección que hizo el mismo Jesús, por lo que no es posible que las mujeres sean ordenadas. Aunque en épocas anteriores había varios

El orden sagrado es uno de los tres sacramentos que tienen un carácter espiritual indeleble, es decir, no se pueden repetir ni rescindir. Los otros dos son el bautismo y la confirmación. Desde el momento de su ordenación, la vocación y la misión de un sacerdote lo marcan permanentemente (CCC 1583). Como el sacramento del matrimonio, en el que el hombre y la mujer se entregan totalmente el uno al otro y crecen juntos en la santidad, el sacramento del Orden Sacerdotal se dirige a la salvación de los demás mediante el don de sí mismo. “Confiere una misión particular en la Iglesia y sirve para la edificación del Pueblo de Dios. Quienes reciben el sacramento del orden sagrado son consagrados en el nombre de Cristo ‘para alimentar a la Iglesia por la palabra y la gracia de Dios’” (CIC 1534-1535). Un sacerdote actúa “in persona Christi”, es decir, actúa con la autoridad de Cristo, representando a la persona de Cristo en la administración de los sacramentos y el pastoreo de los fieles. También actúa “in nomine ecclesiae”, es decir; en nombre de la Iglesia. ¡Eso no significa que un sacerdote sea perfecto! Eso solo significa que, al administrar los sacramentos, el poder del Espíritu Santo está asegurado.

‘La voz y las manos de Cristo’ En su discurso de 1990, “Sobre la naturaleza del sacerdocio”, el entonces cardenal Joseph Ratzinger (ahora Papa emérito Benedicto XVI) dijo: “Jesús dio su poder a los apóstoles de tal manera que hizo de su ministerio, por así decirlo, una continuación de su propia misión. ‘El que los recibe a ustedes, me recibe a mí’, dice Él mismo a los doce” (Mateo 10:40; cf. Lucas 10:16; Juan 13:10). Agregó: “Si el lenguaje de la Iglesia llama a la ordenación al ministerio del sacerdocio un ‘sacramento’, esto quiere decir lo siguiente: este hombre de ninguna manera está realizando funciones para las cuales está altamente calificado por su propia habilidad natural, ni está haciendo las cosas que le agradan más y que puedan ser los más rentables. Al contrario, el que recibe el sacramento es enviado a dar lo que no puede dar por sus propias fuerzas; es enviado para actuar en la persona de otro, para ser su instrumento vivo. Por eso, ningún ser humano puede declararse sacerdote; por esto tampoco ninguna comunidad puede promover a una persona a este ministerio por su propio decreto. Sólo del sacramento, que pertenece a Dios, se puede recibir el sacerdocio. La misión sólo puede recibirse de Aquel que envía, de Cristo en su sacramento, por el cual la persona se convierte en la voz y las manos de Cristo en el mundo”. — Patricia L. Guilfoyle, editora

Más online En www.youtube.com/dioceseofcharlotte: El Padre Miguel Sánchez habla acerca del rito de ordenación

catholicnewsherald.com | June 24, 2022 20B CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Support our seminarians’ education and priests’ retirement Our seminarians’ education is possible thanks to the generosity of parishioners who give to the annual Diocesan Support Appeal, through a Seminarian Education second collection in November and a Seminarian Education second collection 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 $10.3 million: n The Msgr. Thomas Burke Seminarian Endowment Fund n Beatrice A. Chase 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 Seminarian 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

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 on establishing endowments for seminarian education or priests’ retirement, contact Jim Kelley, diocesan director of development, at 704-370-3301 or jkkelley@rcdoc.org. — Catholic News Herald

The start of a life of service Brock, Nnebe-Agumadu and Rusciolelli ordained deacons SUEANN HOWELL AND PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

HUNTERSVILLE — “This is a great day for the Church of Charlotte, and for the Church Universal,” said visiting Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer of the Archdiocese of Atlanta during a special Mass Saturday to ordain seminarians Christopher Brock, Chinonso NnebeAgumadu and Peter Rusciolelli as deacons for the Diocese of Charlotte. Archbishop Hartmayer presided over a June 4 ordination Mass at St. Mark Church in Huntersville in place of Bishop Peter Jugis, who was recovering from illness. During the start of the ordination rite, hundreds of people watched as the three men were called to stand before Archbishop Hartmayer at the steps of the altar. Father Christopher Gober, diocesan vocations director, attested to their preparedness for holy orders. During the two-hour Mass, Archbishop Hartmayer delivered a homily aimed at the three men, explaining the various parts of the ordination rite and giving them advice as they begin serving God and the Church as ordained ministers. “In sharing in the sacrament of orders, the deacon is authorized and empowered to order, direct and focus the attention of the people on their dignity as baptized members of the Body of Christ,” he said. “The deacon is called to help the people, and himself, to judge wisely the things of earth and measure them by the things of heaven. Our new deacons will do that not just through their preaching and teaching, but in their conduct of their lives. “Everything that you have done up to now in formation has been a preparation,” he told the three men. “Now there is going to be a firm commitment – that you will be a man of prayer, that you will be a man of service, that you will shape your life after the life of Christ Himself. There’s no longer an option, it’s a commitment.” Through their promises of celibacy and obedience, Archbishop Hartmayer explained, the men demonstrate their “total gift of self to God and His people” and to their “wholehearted faith and trust” in God. Becoming a deacon means embracing a life of service, he continued. “It takes some time and some discernment in our life as a deacon to understand what it means to serve,” he said. He encouraged them to proclaim the Gospel through their words and through their lives, remaining grounded in the truth found in the scriptures as they minister to others. “These are the commitments that you are making today. They are the foundation for more,” he told them. “So enjoy your diaconate, learn from your diaconal ministry, because there’s more coming. And unless you build a sound foundation as deacons, the burdens ahead, the will of God ahead, will become even more difficult to carry, if the foundation you are forming now as ordained deacons is not sturdy and solid.” During the ordination rite, the men arose and, one by one, approached the archbishop. He laid hands on each man’s head and prayed the prayer of ordination over them, thus consecrating them as deacons. The laying on of hands, the archbishop noted, “links you to the teaching and the ministry of the Apostles.” The men then lay prostrate before the

Newly ordained Deacons Christopher Brock (left), Chinonso Nnebe-Agumadu (right) and Peter Rusciolelli (not pictured) are vested with the stole and dalmatic. SUEANN HOWELL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

‘Enjoy your diaconate, learn from your diaconal ministry ... because there’s more coming.’ Archbishop Gregory Hartmayer, OFM Conv. More online At www.catholicnewsherald.com: Read more about each of our new deacons and see more photos from their ordination Mass

altar – “a gesture of abandonment and trust,” Archbishop Hartmayer described it. “That prostration is a gesture of selfemptying and a sign of humility, which must be a sign of your diaconal ministry,” he told the men. “It is more than a symbol. It’s a sign that leads to the kind of life and commitment you are making – a humble commitment, a trusting commitment. And you cannot put yourself in God’s trust unless you empty yourself and leave room for Him.” The newly ordained deacons were then vested with a stole – symbolizing the deacon’s office of service – and the dalmatic, the outer garment used in the liturgy. Deacon Christopher Brock was vested by Deacon Ruben Tamayo of his home parish of St. Vincent de Paul Church in Charlotte. Before Mass, he explained that he had asked Deacon Tamayo “because he was very supportive of me as I discerned the possibility of a vocation to the priesthood, and he often encouraged me to consider going to seminary, even when I went through a period of running away from the call. He played an important role in my discernment overall, and I thought having him vest me would be a beautiful way to say thank you.” Deacon Chinonso Nnebe-Agumadu was vested by transitional Deacon Darren Balkey of Sacred Heart Church in Salisbury. Before Mass, he said, “I chose him because he has been a good friend of mine since I entered seminary, and he has been an exemplary figure in his prayer life, care for his brother seminarians, and care for souls.”

Deacon Peter Rusciolelli was vested by Deacon Carlos Medina of his home parish of St. Patrick Cathedral. He said he asked Deacon Medina “because I have grown up serving with him at the cathedral my whole life. He was probably the first deacon I even knew.” The newly vested deacons then again approached the sanctuary one by one, receiving the Book of the Gospels from Archbishop Hartmayer and an acknowledgment from him, welcoming them to their new role in the Church. The three deacons will now be able to proclaim the Gospel at Mass, preach at the invitation of the priest, prepare the altar for the sacrifice of the Eucharist, distribute the Lord’s Body and Blood to the faithful, administer baptisms, officiate at marriages, bring Viaticum to the dying, conduct funeral rites, instruct believers and nonbelievers in Church doctrine, preside over public prayer and perform works of charity. The men are considered “transitional” deacons as compared to “permanent” deacons – a reflection that they intend to serve a year in pastoral, liturgical and educational preparation before they are considered for ordination to the priesthood in 2023. Deacons are one of three types of holy orders; the other two are priests and bishops. Deacon Brock will serve his summer assignment at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte. Deacon Nnebe-Agumadu will serve his summer assignment at St. Mark Church in Huntersville. Deacon Rusciolelli will serve his summer assignment at St. Ann Church in Charlotte.

June 24, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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El inicio de una vida de servicio Brock, Nnebe-Agumadu y Rusciolelli fueron ordenados diáconos SUEANN HOWELL Y PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

HUNTERSVILLE — “Este es un gran día para la Iglesia de Charlotte y para la Iglesia Universal”, dijo el Arzobispo Gregory J. Hartmayer, de la Arquidiócesis de Atlanta, durante una Misa especial realizada para ordenar a los seminaristas Christopher Brock, Chinonso Nnebe-Agumadu y Peter Rusciolelli como diáconos de la Diócesis de Charlotte. El Arzobispo Hartmayer presidió la Misa de ordenación del 4 de junio en la Iglesia San Marcos en Huntersville en reemplazo del Obispo Peter Jugis, quien se recupera de una enfermedad. Durante el inicio del rito de ordenación, cientos de personas vieron como los tres hombres eran llamados a presentarse ante el Arzobispo Hartmayer en los escalones del altar y el Padre Christopher Gober, director diocesano de vocaciones, atestiguaba su preparación para recibir las órdenes sagradas. Durante la Misa de dos horas, el Arzobispo Hartmayer pronunció una homilía dirigida a los tres hombres, explicando las diversas partes del rito de ordenación y brindándoles consejos para que comiencen a servir a Dios y a la Iglesia como ministros ordenados. “Al participar en el sacramento del orden sagrado, el diácono está autorizado y facultado para ordenar, dirigir y centrar la atención de las personas en su dignidad como miembros bautizados del Cuerpo de Cristo”, dijo. “El diácono está llamado a ayudar al pueblo y a sí mismo, a juzgar sabiamente las cosas de la tierra y medirlas con las cosas del cielo. Nuestros nuevos diáconos harán eso no solo a través de su predicación y enseñanza, sino también en la conducta de sus vidas”. “Todo lo que han hecho hasta ahora durante su formación ha sido una preparación”, les dijo a los tres hombres. “Ahora van a tomar un compromiso firme: que serán hombres de oración, que serán hombres de servicio, que moldearán su vida según la vida de Cristo mismo. Ya no hay una opción, es un compromiso”. A través de sus promesas de celibato y obediencia, explicó el Arzobispo Hartmayer, los hombres demuestran la “entrega total de sí mismos a Dios y a su pueblo” y su “fe y confianza de todo corazón” en Dios. Convertirse en diácono significa abrazar una vida de servicio, continuó. “Se necesita algo de tiempo y discernimiento en nuestra vida como diácono para comprender lo que significa servir”, dijo. Los animó a proclamar el Evangelio a través de sus palabras y vidas, manteniéndose cimentados en la verdad que se encuentra en las Escrituras, mientras realizan su ministerio de servicio a los demás. “Estos son los compromisos que están haciendo hoy. Son la base para más”, les dijo. “Así que disfruten su diaconado, aprendan de su ministerio diaconal, porque hay más por venir. Y, a menos que construyan una base sólida como diáconos, las cargas por delante, la voluntad de Dios por delante, se volverán aún más difíciles de llevar, si la base que están formando ahora como diáconos ordenados no es firme y sólida”. Durante el rito de ordenación, los hombres se pusieron de pie y, uno a uno, se acercaron al arzobispo, quien puso las manos sobre sus cabezas y rezó la oración

de ordenación sobre ellos, consagrándolos como diáconos. La imposición de manos, señaló el arzobispo, “los vincula con la enseñanza y el ministerio de los Apóstoles”. Luego, los hombres se postraron ante el altar, en “un gesto de abandono y confianza”, como lo describió el Arzobispo Hartmayer. “Esa postración es un gesto de anonadamiento y un signo de humildad, que debe ser un signo de vuestro ministerio diaconal”, dijo a los hombres. “Es más que un símbolo, es una señal que conduce al tipo de vida y compromiso que están haciendo: un compromiso humilde, un compromiso de confianza. Y no pueden ponerse en la confianza de Dios a menos que queden vacíos y dejen espacio para Él”. Los flamantes diáconos fueron entonces investidos con una estola, que simboliza el oficio de servicio del diácono, y la dalmática, la prenda exterior utilizada en la liturgia. El Diácono Christopher Brock fue investido por el Diácono Rubén Tamayo de su casa parroquial, San Vicente de Paúl en Charlotte. “Se lo pedí porque siempre me apoyó al discernir la posibilidad de vocación, y frecuentemente me alentaba a considerar el asistir al seminario, incluso cuando atravesé un período de alejamiento al llamado”, dijo el Diácono Brock. “Él jugó un rol muy importante en mi discernimiento, y creo que pedirle que lo haga es una bella manera de decirle gracias”. El Diácono Chinonso Nnebe-Agumadu fue investido por el Diácono transicional Darren Balkey de la Iglesia Sagrado Corazón en Salisbury. “Lo elegí porque ha sido un buen amigo desde que entré al seminario, y una figura ejemplar en su vida de oración, cuidado por sus hermanos seminaristas y sus almas”. El Diácono Peter Rusciolelli fue investido por el Diácono Carlos Medina de su parroquia, Catedral San Patricio. Dijo que seleccionó al Diácono Medina “porque he crecido sirviendo con él en la catedral toda mi vida. Probablemente fue el primer diácono que conocí”. Los diáconos recién investidos se acercaron nuevamente al santuario uno por uno, recibiendo el Libro de los Evangelios de manos del Arzobispo Hartmayer, quien los reconoció dándoles la bienvenida a su nuevo papel en la Iglesia. Los tres diáconos ahora podrán proclamar el Evangelio en la Misa, predicar por invitación del sacerdote, preparar el altar para el sacrificio de la Eucaristía, distribuir el Cuerpo y la Sangre del Señor a los fieles, administrar bautismos, oficiar matrimonios, llevar el Viático a los moribundos, realizar ritos funerarios, instruir a creyentes y no creyentes en la doctrina de la Iglesia, presidir la oración pública y realizar obras de caridad. Los hombres son considerados diáconos “transicionales” en comparación con los diáconos “permanentes”, un reflejo de que tienen la intención de servir un año en preparación pastoral, litúrgica y educativa antes de ser considerados para la ordenación al sacerdocio en 2023. Los diáconos son los primeros de tres tipos de órdenes sagradas; los otros dos son sacerdote y obispo. El Diácono Brock cumplirá su asignación de verano en la Iglesia Santo Tomás de Aquino en Charlotte. El Diácono NnebeAgumadu lo hará en la Iglesia San Marcos en Huntersville. El Diácono Rusciolelli cumplirá su asignación de verano en la Iglesia Santa Ana en Charlotte.

Los diáconos Peter Rusciolelli Christopher Brock y Chinonso Nnebe-Agumadu aparecen en la foto con el arzobispo Gregory Hartmayer después de su ordenación. SUEANN HOWELL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

‘Disfruten su diaconado, aprendan de su ministerio diaconal ... porque hay más por venir.’ Arzobispo Gregory Hartmayer, OFM Conv. Más online En www.catholicnewsherald.com: Lea más acerca de cada uno de nuestros nuevos diáconos y vea más fotos de su Misa de ordenación.

Rejoicing with you on this special occasion. Congratulations to all of our Priests, Deacons and Religious celebrating their Jubilee Anniversaries. ccdoc.org

catholicnewsherald.com | June 24, 2022 22B CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Touching hearts and souls St. Mark’s pastor grateful for gift of priestly vocation

Párroco de San Marcos agradecido por el don de su vocación sacerdotal

t seems strange to me that 30 years have gone by since my ordination in 1992. As I reflect back over that time, I can honestly say that the one word that comes to mind is gratitude. God can never be outdone in generosity. And even though there have certainly been struggles and difficulties along the way, all – in one way or another – have been a blessing. When I was in the seminary, an elderly priest told me “never underestimate how much impact you can have on multiple lives during the course of your priestly ministry.” He also noted my impact could be for good or ill, “so always keep that in mind.” I’ve never forgotten that. Whether preaching, celebrating Holy Mass, hearing confessions, anointing the sick, praying with the dying or celebrating marriages and ordinations, each and every one of these is a brief point through which God can touch hearts and souls through the imperfect ministry of His priests. When you think about it, it is really amazing. One of the special joys I have had over the years has been working with vocations, in one way or another. I’ve served on the diocese’s Vocations Board for many years now, and I have always seen the promotion of priestly and religious vocations as a joyful

Tocando corazones y almas

responsibility. When I was ordained, the attitude often voiced was that God wasn’t really calling many folks. There was a shortage, and that required new ideas and new approaches. I didn’t buy that thinking then, and I certainly don’t now. God has been, is now and will be calling people to serve Him in consecrated service. As a priest my task is to allow the Holy Spirit to work, show the joy that comes in this life, and then offer whatever help I can to nurture a vocation in someone else. As the famed 19th-century French preacher Father Henri-Dominique Lacordaire opined, “My God, what a life; and it is yours, O priest of Jesus Christ.” I give thanks for each of the past 30 years and pray the Lord will give me a few more to love and serve Him and His holy people. FATHER JOHN PUTNAM is the pastor of St. Mark Church in Huntersville. He also serves as the judicial vicar for the diocese, overseeing the Tribunal. He celebrated his 30th anniversary of ordination on May 30.

e parece raro que ya hayan pasado 30 años desde mi ordenación en 1992. Al reflexionar sobre ese tiempo, puedo decir honestamente que la única palabra que se me viene a la mente es gratitud. Dios nunca puede ser superado en generosidad. Y aunque ciertamente ha habido luchas y dificultades en el camino, todo, de una u otra manera, ha sido una bendición. Cuando estaba en el seminario, un sacerdote muy mayor me dijo: “nunca subestimes el impacto que puedes tener en múltiples vidas durante el transcurso de tu ministerio sacerdotal”. También señaló que mi impacto podría ser para bien o para mal, “así que tenlo siempre en cuenta”. Nunca lo he olvidado. Ya sea predicando, celebrando la Santa Misa, al escuchar confesiones, ungiendo a los enfermos, orando con los moribundos o celebrando matrimonios y ordenaciones, todos y cada uno de estos momentos son un breve punto a través del cual Dios puede tocar los corazones y almas a través del ministerio imperfecto de sus sacerdotes. Cuando lo piensas, es

realmente asombroso. Una de las especiales alegrías que he tenido a lo largo de los años ha sido trabajar, de una u otra forma, con vocaciones. He servido en la Junta de Vocaciones de la diócesis durante muchos años y siempre he visto la promoción de las vocaciones sacerdotales y religiosas como una responsabilidad gratificante. Cuando fui ordenado, se decía a menudo que Dios en realidad no estaba llamando a muchas personas. Había escasez, y eso requería nuevas ideas y enfoques. No sostuve ese pensamiento entonces, y ciertamente no lo hago ahora. Dios ha estado, está ahora y estará llamando a las personas a servirle en el servicio consagrado. Como sacerdote, mi tarea es permitir que el Espíritu Santo trabaje, mostrar la alegría que trae esta vida y luego ofrecer toda la ayuda que pueda para fomentar la vocación en otra persona. Como dijera el famoso predicador francés del siglo XIX, el Padre HenriDominique Lacordaire, “Dios mío, qué vida; y es tuya, oh sacerdote de Jesucristo”. Doy gracias por cada uno de los últimos 30 años, y oro para que el Señor me dé unos cuantos más para amarlo y servirlo a Él y a Su pueblo santo. EL PADRE JOHN PUTNAM es párroco de la Iglesia San Marcos en Huntersville. También sirve como vicario judicial para la diócesis, supervisando el Tribunal. Celebró su 30 aniversario de ordenación el 30 de mayo.

St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church Waynesville, NC Prayerful best wishes to our native son, Fr. Aaron Huber on his ordination to the Holy Priesthood. We also congratulate his fellow ordinand Fr. Darren Balkey. May God bless you both as you begin your ministry!

June 24, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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‘Where would our lives be without our faith?’ ‘¿Qué sería de nuestras vidas sin fe?’ Father Hoyt celebrates 30 years of priestly ministry

hen I was ordained, I was deeply grateful to God for receiving the ministerial priesthood. Since I had very good formation and an excellent education, l thought at the time that I proved worthy of this incredible gift. Now, after 30 years of service, l see things differently. While I know I have grown in so many ways in my vocation, I realize more clearly I am never worthy of this vocation. The Lord’s generosity of grace has revealed to me how to trust wholeheartedly in God in order to be faithful in this ministry. In particular, the pandemic that we all endured these past two years has made it clear to me how Our Lord operates a unique grace that has made it possible for all of us to not only make our way through this ordeal, but even flourish. What do l mean by that? Consider how we were tested in unfamiliar ways and had to exercise unnatural behaviors such as social distancing, remote learning, refraining from physical contact such as shaking hands, and not being able to see one another’s faces because of masking. While all of this was uncomfortable and inconvenient, it was also an invitation to grow in charity. Whether we felt personally vulnerable to the virus or not, we were constantly reminded that others

around us had real health concerns and we needed to look out for each other. Interacting in a charitable way towards others – loving our neighbors as ourselves – took on a whole new perspective. I have been quite inspired in how much I witnessed the mindfulness of parishioners to think of others and how to reach out in creative ways. While we celebrate our 50th anniversary as a diocese this year, recall the words of St. Peter about how precious our faith is. We have much to reflect upon in gratitude. What would our lives be without our faith? How has our faith transformed our struggles into renewal? My journey is united with so many others. When l look forward to continuing to serve, l believe if I keep my focus upon the Lord l will have more to celebrate – with blessings that truly are “more precious than gold.” FATHER STEPHEN M. HOYT, V.F., is the pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Lenoir. He also serves as vicar forane for the Hickory region. He will celebrate his 30th anniversary of ordination on Nov. 21.

El Padre Hoyt celebra 30 años de ministerio sacerdotal

uando fui ordenado, estaba profundamente agradecido a Dios por recibirme en el ministerio sacerdotal. Como tenía muy buena formación y una excelente educación, pensé en ese momento que era digno de este increíble regalo. Ahora, después de 30 años de servicio, veo las cosas de otra manera. Si bien sé que he crecido de muchas maneras en mi vocación, me doy cuenta más claramente de que nunca seré digno de ella. La generosidad de la gracia del Señor me ha revelado cómo confiar de todo corazón en Dios para ser fiel en este ministerio. En particular, la pandemia que todos soportamos durante estos últimos dos años me ha dejado claro cómo Nuestro Señor opera una gracia única que ha hecho posible que no solo superemos esta prueba, sino que incluso florezcamos. ¿Qué quiero decir con esto? Considere cómo fuimos probados de formas desconocidas y tuvimos que ejercer comportamientos antinaturales como el distanciamiento social, el

aprendizaje remoto, abstenernos del contacto físico como darnos la mano y no poder vernos las caras debido al uso de mascarillas. Si bien todo esto era incómodo e inconveniente, también era una invitación a crecer en la caridad. Ya sea que nos sintiéramos personalmente vulnerables al virus o no, se nos recordaba permanentemente que las personas que nos rodeaban tenían problemas reales de salud y que teníamos que cuidarnos unos a otros. El interactuar de manera caritativa con los demás, amando a nuestro prójimo como a nosotros mismos, adquirió una perspectiva completamente nueva. Me ha inspirado mucho el haber sido testigo de la preocupación de los feligreses por otros y cómo asistirlos de manera creativa. Este año, al celebrar nuestro 50 aniversario como diócesis, recordemos las palabras de San Pedro sobre cuán preciosa es nuestra fe, tenemos mucho para reflexionar con gratitud. ¿Qué sería de nuestras vidas sin fe? ¿Cómo ha transformado la fe nuestros conflictos en renovación? Mi camino está unido al de muchos otros. Espero continuar sirviendo, y creo que si mantengo mi enfoque en el Señor, tendré más para celebrar, con bendiciones que verdaderamente son “más preciosas que el oro”. EL PADRE STEPHEN M. HOYT es párroco de la Iglesia San Francisco de Asís en Lenoir. También sirve como vicario foráneo de la región de Hickory. Celebrará su 30 aniversario de ordenación el 21 de noviembre.

congratulations on receiving the

Sacrament of Holy Orders rev. Darren Balkey | rev. aaron huBer May God’s love and guidance be with you as you follow the calling He has given to you.

Congratulations to our Pastor, Fr. Brian Becker on his 5th Anniversary of Ordination and to Deacon Ralph Eckoff on his diaconate Golden Jubilee. The people of St. Margaret Mary’s parish are grateful for your service! 6616 Beechmont Ave | Cincinnati OH 45230 | 513.231.2223 | athenaeum.edu

catholicnewsherald.com | June 24, 2022 24B CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Consecrated religious jubilarians honored for decades of service SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — Twenty consecrated religious serving in the diocese are being honored this year for decades of service to the Church in western North Carolina. Religious sisters and brothers live in their respective communities, with apostolates that allow them to exercise their particular charism and enrich the local Church where their convents and monasteries are located. Consecrated religious are engaged in catechesis, health care, Catholic primary education, higher education, youth ministry and service to the poor – in other words, they give their lives in service to the Church. Bishop Peter Jugis acknowledged jubilarians celebrating a milestone anniversary of their profession of vows at a Mass offered on the World Day for Consecrated Life. He honored both the 2021 and 2022 jubilarians at the Feb. 5 Mass at St. Patrick Cathedral since pandemic restrictions last year caused the Mass to be canceled. “We thank God that we are able to come together in person this year to celebrate the World Day for Consecrated Life,” Bishop Jugis said at the beginning of his homily. “This year we are also celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Diocese of the Charlotte, and we praise God for blessing the diocese with many different charisms of religious life to enrich our witness to the presence of Christ’s kingdom. From the very beginning of the diocese, in fact, and even before the diocese was formed, some

of our religious communities were already here, making Christ known,” he added. Bishop Jugis told the more than 50 women and men religious who had gathered for Mass that their lives are a powerful witness in our local Church of the primacy of God in one’s life. “You say with Isaiah, ‘My God is the joy of my soul, I rejoice heartily in the Lord.’” He spoke of the demands of religious life, the self-denial and the carrying of one’s cross in service to the Lord. “Though the Lord does make great demands of those who follow Him, it is true, as we know, that His yoke is easy and His burden light,” Bishop Jugis said. He recounted that some years ago, someone said to him, “You certainly chose a hard life for yourself, becoming a priest.” Bishop Jugis stated that, “Rather than calling it hard, it actually is more accurate to say it is a constant companionship with Christ.” “The vocation of following Jesus, to make Jesus one’s life, does entail taking up the cross and sacrifice and self-denial, but the grace of vocation is humbling and fulfilling and enables one to say with Isaiah, ‘My God is the joy of my soul,’” he explained. The presence of men and women religious in the diocese enriches the life of the local Church and all its ministries, he said. “Consecrated religious can be found active in ministry to the poor, ministry to the sick and homebound, ministry to seniors, ministry to homeless pregnant women, ministry to battered women, ministry to those suffering with AIDS, health care ministry, ministry to disabled

Members of the Missionaries of Charity, who serve in Charlotte, were among the consecrated men and women religious honored earlier this year. FILE | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

children and adults, day care ministry to little children, ministry of contemplative prayer for the Church and the world, ministry to migrant populations, ministry of catechesis and faith formation and Catholic education at all levels, parish ministry and prison ministry,” he noted.

“May the Lord bestow His blessing on our religious sisters, our religious brothers and religious priests, and especially those who are celebrating special anniversaries of religious profession,” Bishop Jugis said at the conclusion of his homily.

June 24, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

‘Yes, Jesus, I will follow you’ The joyful witness of Dominican Sister Zeny Mofada SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — When she took her vows 34 years ago, Dominican Sister Zenaida (“Zeny”) Mofada never imagined she would serve the Church living halfway around the world from her home in the Philippines. Sister Zeny felt the tug of a religious vocation when she was 13, a freshman in high school in Surallah, South Cotabato. Her religious education teacher inspired her to ask life’s big questions: Who am I? What is my purpose in life? “He helped me understand that life is from God and what is important is our journey with (and back to) God,” she recalls. He helped her understand what he called the three paths to God – the priesthood, religious life or single life. “He said if we choose the path of religious life, it is just like taking a plane, and you will reach your destination (back to God) shortly and efficiently. He said in religious life you have all the means you need to be holy. Your life is characterized by prayer, the daily Eucharist, and all of your hours are with Jesus or with God. “I was convinced with that! I wanted to be in the religious life because I want to go back to God faster. I want to have that direct contact with God, to do what He wills.” She privately consecrated herself to God at that moment, and she began attending Mass more often, visiting a chapel for prayer every day, and cultivating a devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Our Mother of Perpetual Help. “I took all of those opportunities to be with Jesus. With that private consecration and with God’s grace, that love for the vocation to religious life was sustained.” Sister Zeny went on to college, earning a degree in education from Notre Dame of Marbel University in Cotabato City. But still, religious life was calling her. “During my time in college, God helped me discern what He wanted of me. I had a profound experience of Jesus’ presence one night while on a retreat, a vision of Jesus extending His hands, and He said, ‘Come, my child, follow me.’ “I found myself, when I was awakened, on my knees next to my bed. I said, ‘Yes, Jesus, I will follow you.’” After graduation from college, she decided to join the Dominican order. She entered the Congregation of Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine Siena, headquartered in Quezon City, Philippines,

and made her profession of vows in 1988. In 2015, her congregation sent her as a foreign missionary – traveling to the United States to serve as the religious education director at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte. “I was very happy to be sent here in 2015 to be part of the foreign mission in the Diocese of Charlotte,” Sister Zeny says. In 2020, she started assisting with the faith formation work at St. Mark Parish, and last year she became the pastoral associate for catechesis. Guiding religious education teachers, students and their families through virtual classes and isolation during the pandemic has been a big part of her leadership focus. For Sister Zeny, meeting the challenges head on has been just one more way she can serve God. “Serving here at St. Mark has been

The faculty, staff, and seminarians of St. Joseph College Seminary congratulates

Fr. Aaron Huber who is the first graduate from the college seminary to be ordained to the Sacred Priesthood. We also celebrate his fellow ordinand Fr. Darren Balkey.

Tu es sacerdos in aeternum secundum ordinem Melchisedech

PHOTO PROVIDED

another great experience for me to live (our community’s motto) to serve with compassion for truth and compassion for humanity, loving God and loving my neighbor through the Church, in my ministry.” The Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine Siena have ministered in the Diocese of Charlotte for 27 years, serving as faith formation educators. Sister Zeny believes that her order’s presence – their smiles, their prayers and work as teachers, even the habits they wear – encourage people in their own faith journey and show everyone how joyful it is to serve God no matter what one’s situation in life. The answers to life’s big questions, she believes, all point back to God. In October, she will wrap up her “foreign missionary” assignment here and return to the Philippines to continue her ministry of serving God and His people. Says Sister Zeny, “I am thankful to God for the gift of my vocation and for the grace of sustaining me 34 years.”

stjcs.org

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catholicnewsherald.com | June 24, 2022 26B CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

‘A ministry of presence’ Airport chaplains a source of peace for travelers, especially during pandemic SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

THE NORTH CAROLINA STATE COUNCIL KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS “IN SOLIDARITY WITH OUR PRIESTS”

CONGRATULATES Fr. Aaron Huber Fr. Darren Balkey

Fr. Aaron Huber

Fr. Darren Balkey

On their Ordination as Priests for the Diocese of Charlotte Special Congratulations to those Priests & Religious who are ccelebrating their continued service to the Faithful of the Diocese of Charlotte www.kofcnc.org

CHARLOTTE — Providing a listening ear, assisting confused travelers, counseling distressed employees and praying for intentions left in the airport chapel are all in a day’s work for permanent deacons who serve as airport chaplains at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Add a worldwide pandemic over the past 27 months, and the need for chaplains to provide a shoulder to cry on, a calming presence and an encouraging word has increased as the stress level of both airline employees and travelers has skyrocketed. Deacon David Reiser, executive director of the Inter-Faith Chaplaincy Program, has served in airport ministry for the past 11 years. He oversees the training and scheduling of the 23 other chaplains who serve with him at the nation’s sixth largest airport. “The last two years or so have been a roller coaster ride,” he says. “In the beginning of the pandemic, people were coming to the airport very anxious because of masking and social distancing. Airport employees were very stressed, especially at first when their kids were home from school and they needed childcare. They really needed our guidance in those times.” Deacon Reiser has noticed that with the advent of summer, the volume of travelers is starting to pick up. “The number of infrequent fliers is increasing, especially older adults and non-English speaking travelers. They experience anxiety in going through security and in not (having) enough time to check in or showing up too late. They find TSA lines are long, and they miss their flights. We try to lead them to a service counter and calm them down,” he explains. “We see people too who are just unprepared to travel, like moms with infants who don’t pack enough diapers to account for flight delays. They get stranded, and they only have one diaper because they didn’t plan on getting stuck. So we keep diapers in the chaplain’s office for those kinds of emergencies now,” he notes. A key component of airport chaplaincy ministry involves providing emotional support to the 17,000 airport employees. “We interact more with the cleaning crews, those working concessions, and in the restaurants – with all different types of people. We’re just a good listening ear for people to express themselves,” Deacon Reiser says. The chaplains are also there to counsel employees who have suffered trauma on the job or suffered the loss of colleagues, many of whom died of COVID-19. The chaplains continue to offer live-streamed memorial services at the airport for those who cannot attend the services due to illness or distance.

Deacon Kevin Williams has served as an airport chaplain for the past 16 years. He has noticed that as people have started coming back to the airport, employees are bearing the brunt of travelers’ frustrations and are experiencing stress because of the passengers who are acting out. “Employees are sharing how much more stressful their job has become,” he admits. “Flight attendants say that ‘the general public has no idea how stressed we are.’

PHOTO PROVIDED

That (stress) is the biggest change in what employees are saying that they are going through now.” Deacon Williams says that his time in the ministry and helping others get through difficulties has impacted his faith in a positive way. “The crux of it for me is to be the person who is there to help them when they’re in distress. The giving back to people who need some help is what is most important to me.” He likes wearing his clerics with his chaplain vest while on duty so that passengers and employees know “that it is someone wearing a collar that is helping people. I’m planting seeds by wearing a collar and just by being there.” He is reminded daily that there are a lot of people going through life stressed and need help. “It’s a reminder for me that I may be doing okay but others aren’t. I want to help them through the situation,” Deacon Williams says. Echoing his fellow chaplains, Deacon Jim Bozik notes that “our work is really grounded in ‘ministry of presence’ – of being present when someone is traveling (especially during the pandemic) for difficult reasons.” An airport chaplain for the past six years, he shares a couple of instances when travelers asked him to pray. “One time a woman stopped by at the end of the service asking for prayers, as she was hoping to arrive (to her destination) before her mother passed away. Another time earlier this year, a man asked for prayers as he was traveling to Ukraine. He was setting up a field hospital as the war was just beginning. “It was a reminder that often we are humbled by the witness and service of others.”

Learn more At www.cltairportchapel.org: Find out more information about the Airport Inter-Faith Chaplaincy Program

June 24, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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On the anniversary of your ordinations, we wish to congratulate and thank our priests and deacons for more than 100 years of service to the Church!

THE VERY REVEREND JOHN T. PUTNAM, PASTOR 30 years You are a priest of Jesus Christ forever. Thank you for giving your life in service to God, the Diocese and St. Mark. We are blessed to have you as our pastor. Parochial Vicar Fr. Matthew Bean 5 years, Deacon Ramon Tapia 25 years and Deacon Ronald Sherwood 45 years (l-r)

Congratulations to Fr. Darren Balkey and Fr. Aaron Huber on your Ordination to the Priesthood and to Deacon Christopher Brock, Deacon Chinonso Nnebe-Agumadu, and Deacon Peter Rusciolelli on your Ordination to the Diaconate.

catholicnewsherald.com | June 24, 2022 28B CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Called By God… Supported By You In the academic year just ended, we have been blessed to have 45 seminarians at the major seminary in Cincinnati and at St. Joseph College Seminary who are discerning God’s call to serve you as priests in the Diocese of Charlotte. Your financial assistance pays for a portion of their tuition, room and board. This will help assure the diocese of having priests to shepherd the growing Catholic population in western North Carolina for years to come.

Fr. Aaron Huber and Fr. Darren Balkey were ordained as priests for the Diocese of Charlotte on June 18, 2022

Please invest in the lives and ministry of our future priests.

Make Your Gift Today! DIOCESE

OF CHARLOTTE

Online: Donate securely online at: charlottediocese.org/donate, then click on Seminarian Education Campaign By Mail: Seminarian Education Campaign 1123 South Church Street Charlotte, NC 28203

June 24, 2022

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