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News & Herald
[Serving Catholics in
Western North Carolina
Volume 2 Number 5 • October
in the Diocese of Charlotte
Respect Dear Friends
Life
2,
1992
Sunday
in Christ:
Old Testament book of Isaiah, we read, "Thus says the Lord, who created you 1 ) To be called by name by our Creator places us in a very personal relationship with God. The unique design imprinted on each In the
I
...
have called you by name: you are mine." (Is. 43
we have
person assures us that
On
individual worth.
Respect Life Sunday throughout the United States,
this
wonderful
:
gift
we call "LIFE." The erosion of values and
we
on the
reflect
lack of regard for the dignity
human Ufe have been on a downward spiral since 1973, when the Supreme Court opened the floodgates of abortion with the Roe vs. Wade decision. Since that time, the pervasive disregard for our weaker brothers and sisters has invaded our society. of
We are a country richly
blessed with a cultural and ethnic diversity. However, a
country founded as a haven to offer protection from persecution seems to have taken on
a "search and destroy" mission toward the elderly, the handicapped and the unborn. Catholic Christians, the problems
we
face regarding
issues are very real
life
—
As
aging,
unplanned pregnancies,
life-altering injuries and illness. But, our response to these issues must be a faith response. Though we live in the world, we are called to live above it. Because we are faith filled people, our response is different. We should be viewed
differently
by those who do not believe in the life-giving message of Jesus Christ, fruits of the Holy Spirit. faced with adversity, one may question whether God cares for him or her, Does God understand the feelings of a 17-year-old student, unmarried and a 79-year-old man, widowed and facing death alone a 36-year-old woman
manifested by the
When personally.
pregnant
...
...
confined to a wheelchair? The reality of the heartache cannot be underestimated, hope-filled
yet, the
message delivered to all by One who shared our humanity must be our guide.
Jesus experienced rejection, fear, pain, verbal and physical abuse. But, His mission,
was not restricted by any physical limitations that you may have life He experienced. The truth remains constant: God is the Author of Life. Everyone who respects human life as a God-given gift must work and pray that laws
"I
have come
that restrict or negate Ufe are
changed so
conception are protected and nourished.
moral
test
those
who
of government
is
how
are in the twilight of
it
that all
from the first moment of Humphrey once said, "The in the dawn of life, the children;
human
treats those
who are
the aged;
and those
life,
lives
Senator Hubert
who are
in the
shadows of life,
the sick, the needy, the handicapped."
During this important election year, I call upon you to exercise your duty as American citizens to make your voice heard at the polls, but begin by being educated on the issues and candidates. While casting our vote is a privilege, it is also a responsibility. Voting affords us the opportunity to impact government policy and direction, not only on the quality of life but life itself. With an assurance of prayers and with every cordial best wish, I am Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend John
Photo by
Guatemala: A Land Of The following
is the first in a series of about the indigenous Indians of uatemala, their remarkable faith in God
wd
the liberating love of Christian mis-
who work
nonaries
\mprove basic
with the people to
Hope, Love And Political Murders — group of and community. newspaper we were shoved noble and CFCA — Foundation back and Aging Faith,
qualities that the Chris-
for Children
tapped lift
these
up
into, that the
is
has
organization seeks to
to the world, nourish
CFCA
living conditions.
movement
attempts to improve the condition of poor
Associate Editor
children and aging throughout the world.
nachetes to clear and work small plots of
on sponsorships for funding, and the good will and labors of 98 volunteers who serve in 20 foreign countries. Hundreds more do volunteer work with immigrants and homeless people in and around CFCA's home base in Kansas City,
and.
Kan.
— As the rooster crows, Indian men and |x>ys tramp along dusty roads into fields of
x>m and beans rhey rely on ;
that
CAROL HAZARD
SAN ANDRES ITZAPA, Guatemala
This
is
to harvest
their
food for the day.
backs for labor and their
a tough
life,
a daily struggle for
It
relies
In foreign outposts,
nalists, priests,
sentatives
CFCA
owns no
sponsors
— have been
—
the
Mayan Indi-
killed in the last
two
pecades. Yet, in the midst of toil and turbulence,
here
is
extraordinary hope rooted in faith,
liberating love," said co-founder
Bob
Hentzen.
As American
immersed in a foreign land, we wondered among ourselves what Hentzen meant. There we were
they have learned.
Most
do.
Many
are
killed.
Over
taken by
the next four days,
we would
between American volunteers and sponsors
religious order called the
Christian Brothers and supported in part
by
CFCA.
with the native people of Guatemala.
would
All of the students are poor and Indian.
random massacres, the victims of a war "not between two armies but between
tered in
and everything
they need us and
We
would witness Hentzen 's love for "They have done so much for and I want to share them with you," he
me
said.
was a
the Apostles. This
picture of a
who had been martyred. One boy,
We
why we
the people.
"This
In each classroom
why
in their path," said
Hentzen. graduate
learn
need them.
are orphaned; their parents slaugh-
soldiers visitors
will take the skills
hope" run by a
Many
ms
The hope is that they
back into their communities, and share what
come to understand the delicate relationship
esteem and leadership
ligenous Gautemalans
we were
ies.
bus to a boy's school, "a school of great
groups such as the
"We are a tranquil presence reflecting a
masonry, weavand baking. They make
learn carpentry,
business decisions and form governing bod-
the indigenous Indians of Guatemala.
programs sponsored mostly by parishes. The programs are designed to build self skills.
91 percent
Our mission was to experience this land and culture. As it turned out, we were in for much more. Ourrealities were shaken. Our faith restored. Our perceptions changed
a country noted for having the
on human rights. The innocent target of military insurgency operations, tens of thousands of in-
They
ing, pig raising
"ustory, in
worst record
taught academics one week and industry the next.
land or
blends into existing
67
under age 25, 72
electricity,
Fresh off the plane,
by a grenade
Yet, here at Institute Indigena Santiago
82 percent have no have no plumbing.
by
killed
mouth.
were the underpinnings for a brighter future The boys, ranging in age from 1 1 to 22. are
in
seemed.
is
had been
percent of the homes have no running water,
a land with a violent and bloody
It
told,
in his
In a country the size of Maine,
percent of the population
fturvival in
facilities.
it
jour-
repre-
time a
transported
century or more, or so
and support.
a grassroots
founded by two Catholic missionaries
By
21 Catholic
a
It is
tian
Donoghue
CAROL HAZARD
love
articles
F.
Bishop of Charlotte
vlayan Indian carries his harvest on his back in rural Guatemala.
is
the spot to rewrite the Acts of is
the spot to evangelize
See
CFCA,
Page
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