March 2, 2012 by Catholic News Herald

March 2, 2012

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

40 Days for Life spring campaign underway Asheville, Charlotte, WinstonSalem begin daily vigils at abortion mills,

Asheville basilica eyes city land deal Parishioners concerned about impact of proposed 7-story hotel next to historic church,

INDEX Contact us.......................... 4 Events calendar................. 4 Our Parishes................. 3-11 Our Faith............................. 2 Schools......................... 14-15 Scripture readings............ 2 TV & Movies.......................16 U.S. news...........................19 Viewpoints.................. 22-23 World news.................. 20-21

‘Charlie’s Scars’

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Documentary about St. Matthew parishioner and Project2Heal, his canine ministry, ‘renews hope for humanity,’ 16

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The chapel that love built

More than 700 attend Charlotte Catholic men’s conference St. Mark school chapel renovated by volunteers,

Second-annual event yields encouragement to ‘Be a True Catholic Man,’ 3

Our faith 2

catholicnewsherald.com | March 2, 2012 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

A saintly life

St. John of God lived life of repentance Feast day: March 8 Benjamin Mann Catholic News Agency

The Church will celebrate the extraordinary life of St. John of God on Thursday, March 8. The saint lived through decades of sin and suffering before a profound conversion that led him to embrace poverty, humility and charity. John was born in Portugal in 1495 to middleclass parents. Tragically, at the age of 8, he was kidnapped by a stranger and was later abandoned to homelessness in a remote part of Spain. He worked as a shepherd until age 22, when the opportunity came along for him to join the army of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. This apparent stroke of fortune, however, eventually led John into greater misery. For the next 18 years, John lived and fought among the emperor’s foot soldiers, first against the French and later the Turks. His morals began to decline, as he completely abandoned the piety of his earliest youth for a greedy and brutal way of life. John’s conscience was occasionally troubled, particularly by the memories of his early years before he was taken from his parents. And despite falling into a lifestyle of violence and plundering, he had a certain weakness for those who were poor or in extreme distress, and would give alms to them. He was narrowly saved on two occasions from what seemed like certain death – once after instinctively uttering a prayer to the Virgin Mary after falling wounded in enemy territory; and again, when he was falsely suspected of theft and nearly executed but for another soldier’s intervention. Events such as these weighed heavily upon him, and when his regiment was disbanded he decided to amend his life – beginning with a pilgrimage to Spain’s Santiago de Compostela Cathedral along the “Way of St. James.” There, he confessed his sins and committed himself to living a life of repentance. He returned to Portugal and discovered what had become of his parents. His mother had died, brokenhearted, after the loss of her son, after which his father had become a Franciscan monk. At age 42, John returned to Spain and picked up nearly where he had left off 20 years before, working again as a shepherd. This time, however, he was committed to living out his rediscovered faith in God. He traveled briefly to North Africa, seeking to help Christians there who had been enslaved by Muslims. Eventually, however, he returned to Spain and settled for a time in the occupation of selling religious books and other goods, always encouraging his customers to live their faith sincerely. Later, however, he felt compelled to give himself entirely to the service of the poor, sick and vulnerable. He opened his house to them – allowing it to become a combined hospital, homeless shelter, and halfway-house, run entirely by John himself.

“La caída de San Juan de Dios” by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (1672’74) When he was not bandaging occupants’ wounded or breaking up fights between them, he went out begging on their behalf. The Bishop of Granada approved his work, giving him the name “John of God.” A group of volunteers came to accompany him in his work, many of whom had first come to him while in dire need themselves. Others, who resented his work, assaulted John’s reputation by focusing on his past sins – but John, unfazed in his humility, would acknowledge the truth of what was said, as a testament to God’s grace in his life. He once offered to pay a woman to tell the entire city what she had been saying about him in private. John served the sick and poor for 15 years, before meeting his death through an act of charity. He jumped into a freezing river and managed to save a drowning man, but came home shivering and weakened. He lay down in one of his own hospital beds, where his condition further declined. The Bishop of Granada came to administer last

rites. As the bishop prepared him for death, John expressed a number of anxieties: “There are three things that make me uneasy,” he said. “The first is that I have received so many graces from God, and have not recognized them, and have repaid them with so little of my own. The second is that after I am dead, I fear lest the poor women I have rescued, and the poor sinners I have reclaimed, may be treated badly. The third is that those who have trusted me with money, and whom I have not fully repaid, may suffer loss on my account.” The bishop, however, assured him that he had nothing to fear. John then asked to be alone, and summoned his last strength to rise from bed and kneel before a crucifix. He died in prayer, with his face pressed against the figure of Christ, on the night of March 7, 1550. He was 55. St. John of God was canonized in 1690, and has become the patron saint of hospitals, the sick, firefighters, alcoholics and booksellers.

Your daily Scripture readings SCRIPTURE FOR THE WEEK OF MAR. 4 - MAR. 10

Sunday (Second Sunday of Lent), Genesis 22:1-2, 9-13, 15-18, Romans 8:31-34, Mark 9:2-10; Monday, Daniel 9:4-10, Luke 6:3638; Tuesday, Isaiah 1:10, 16-20, Matthew 23:1-12; Wednesday (Sts. Perpetua and Felicity), Jeremiah 18:18-20, Matthew 20:17-28; Thursday (St. John of God), Jeremiah 17:5-10, Luke 16:19-31; Friday (St. Frances of Rome), Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13, 17-28, Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46; Saturday, Micah 7:14-15, 18-20, Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

SCRIPTURE FOR THE WEEK OF MAR. 11 - MAR. 17

Sunday (Third Sunday of Lent), Exodus 20:1-17, 1 Corinthians 1:22-25, John 2:13-25; Monday, 2 Kings 5:1-15, Luke 4:24-30; Tuesday, Daniel 3:25, 34-43, Matthew 18:21-35; Wednesday, Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9, Matthew 5:17-19; Thursday, Jeremiah 7:23-28, Luke 11:14-23; Friday, Hosea 14:2-10, Mark 12:28-34; Saturday (St. Patrick), Hosea 6:1-6, Luke 18:9-14

SCRIPTURE FOR THE WEEK OF MAR. 18 - MAR. 24

Sunday (Fourth Sunday of Lent), 2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23, Ephesians 2:4-10, John 3:14-21; Monday (St. Joseph), 2 Samuel 7:4-5, 12-14, 16, Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22, Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24; Tuesday, Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12, John 5:1-16; Wednesday, Isaiah 49:8-15, John 5:17-30; Thursday, Exodus 32:7-14, John 5:31-47; Friday (St. Toribio de Mogrovejo), Wisdom 2:1, 12-22, John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30; Saturday, Jeremiah 11:18-20, John 7:40-53

Our parishes

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In Brief St. Patrick’s Day Mass set at old St. Joseph Church MOUNT HOLLY — On St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, the three divisions of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians in the Charlotte area will once again be honoring their Irish heritage and their Catholic faith with Mass at old St. Joseph Church in Mount Holly. Old St. Joseph Church was built in 1843 by Irish immigrants and the first pastor was Father T.J. Cronin, who was also Irish born and is buried at the church. The ceremony to honor Father Cronin will begin at 7:45 a.m. and Mass will follow at 8 a.m. Father Joshua Voitus, parochial vicar of St. Vincent de Paul Church and the chaplain of the Mecklenburg County board of the AOH, will be the celebrant. The public is welcome to attend both the ceremony and the Mass. — Joseph Dougherty

CCWG retreat explores ‘The Interior Castle’ CHARLOTTE — Sister Gertrude Gillette, OSB, shared the secrets of St. Teresa of Avila’s writings on “The Interior Castle” with more than 80 women at a Charlotte Catholic Women’s Group Lenten retreat Feb. 25 at St. Ann Church. The day began with Mass celebrated by Father Timothy Reid, pastor, and also featured a Holy Hour and time for confession besides the two talks by Sister Gertrude, a Benedictine who has recently moved to the diocese. — SueAnn Howell

More than 700 attend Charlotte Catholic men’s conference Second-annual event yields encouragement to ‘Be a True Catholic Man’ Mary B. Worthington Correspondent

CHARLOTTE — “Priests are afraid that the people don’t want to hear hell, fire and brimstone, so now they are scared and are just shooting the people with whipped cream! “However, in order to be truly Catholic, we must be ever more united to the heart and mind of the Church.” Those remarks were by Father Glenn Sudano, CFR, the keynote speaker at the second-annual Charlotte Catholic Men’s Conference Feb. 18 at St. Matthew Church in Charlotte. The day-long retreat for men of all ages attracted about 740 people – about 50 percent more than last year, organizers said. “Father Sudano had a nice blend of comedic,” said Peter Poehailos, member of St. Leo Church in Winston-Salem, “but he was also straightforward to a guy who can be so thick-skulled!” Ted Koval, member of St. Matthew Church, attended the conference at the bidding of his wife. “She likes to say that the most important job she has is to get me and the kids to heaven!” Koval said of the “best Christmas present I received this year.” “As men, we have many roles,” Koval noted. “We have to remember we are first and foremost Catholics. We should tend to our spiritual life just as we tend to all of those other things, too.” The conference included Mass celebrated by Bishop Peter J. Jugis and a holy halfhour with a reflection by Bishop Emeritus William G. Curlin. Bishop Emeritus Curlin and 11 other priests of the diocese were on hand to hear confessions, a powerful part

Photo by Michael Boggs Photography LLC, Greensboro, N.C.

More than 700 men of all ages from the Diocese of Charlotte gathered at St. Matthew Church in Charlotte Feb. 18 for the second-annual men’s conference, featuring guest speakers, Mass and prayer, fellowship and the sacrament of reconciliation. of the day’s events. In his homily, Bishop Jugis spoke about the controversial federal contraception mandate that has the U.S. bishops and Catholics nationwide concerned about the threat to religious liberty.

Talks were also given by guest speaker Hector Molina, Conor Gallagher of St. Benedict Press/TAN Books, diocesan director of communication David Hains, CONFERENCE, SEE page 11

‘You don’t just feel better, you are better’ St. Gabriel couple celebrates 65 years of marriage CHARLOTTE — Marie and Clarence Malveaux, parishioners of St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte, renewed their wedding vows Feb. 11 at a special ceremony at the church. The couple will celebrate their 65th anniversary on June 28.

Rome pilgrimage planned with ad limina visit CHARLOTTE — A pilgrimage to Rome and surrounding areas is planned for May 2-12 in conjunction with Bishop Peter Jugis’ ad limina visit with Pope Benedict XVI. The 11-day pilgrimage includes trips to Assisi, Siena and Orvieto, besides the pope’s general Wednesday audience in St. Peter’s Square. Early reservations are encouraged. For details, go online to www.catholicnewsherald.com.

Excerpts from Father Glenn Sudano’s talk on confession Mary B. Worthington Correspondent

CHARLOTTE — “Do you think that blood makes the doctor sick?” said Father Glenn Sudano, CFR. “No, it is the blood that turns him on; he rolls up his sleeves and gets to work. “There is no condemnation because of the wound – though he may give Bob some advice about cutting the watermelon next time,” he added with a laugh. During his talks at the second annual Charlotte Catholic Men’s Conference at St. Matthew Church on Feb. 18, Father Sudano drew this and several other analogies to drive home some well-received encouragement for Catholics to receive the sacrament of confession. “In confession, Christ’s heart is turned toward the sin to heal the sin,” Father Sudano said. “It is Christ who heals and forgives

when the priest says, ‘I absolve you…’” He explained how penance in the early Church was taken so seriously that sinners had to stand at the doors of the church and beg – sometimes for as long as a year – for prayers from fellow Catholics before being readmitted to Holy Mass. “I have learned from women who have had abortions the importance of penance. When a woman says, ‘I have already confessed this sin (abortion), but I want to confess it again,’ I ask her if she remembers the penance she was given the first time she confessed the sin. Ten Hail Marys seems like a joke to a woman whose heart is aching after the sin of abortion. “I cannot give absolution or penance again,” Father Sudano continued, “but I urge them to do penance in the name of that wrong thing, that sin, not as a punishment. You don’t just feel better, you are better. “If you do your penance by participating

in the pro-life work of the Church,” Father Sudano said he urges such penitents, “you will meet souls in heaven that you saved. One life was lost, but so many souls saved” through prayer and evangelization. “And don’t think the Sudano priest thinks less of you if you march in there and tell it like it is!” Father Sudano told the men at the conference. “In fact, he thinks more of you, and this urges him to be a better priest.” Immediately after his talk, there was a “stampede to the confessional,” said Jeff Zitel, member of St. Ann Church in Charlotte, as he stood willingly in a line of more than 50 men. Eleven priests of the diocese plus Bishop Emeritus William G. Curlin heard confessions throughout the day.

catholicnewsherald.com | March 2, 2012 OUR PARISHES

Diocesan calendar of events BELMONT

Lenten Activities

belmont abbey college, 100 belmont-mt. holly road — Arts at the Abbey: Silverwood Duo — Sam Stowe and Vikki Husband, flute duo, 8 p.m. March 15. Visit www. carolinapromusica.org.

Bishop Peter J. Jugis Bishop Peter J. Jugis will participate in the following events over the next two weeks: March 3 – 11 a.m. Rite of Election St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Charlotte

CHARLOTTE SPIRITUALITY CENTER, 5300 OLD DOWD ROAD — “The Church’s Great Mystics,” with Lay Cistercian and author Carl McColman, 7-8:30 p.m. March 9. Register at www.charlottespirituality.org. pastoral center, 1123 s. church st.

March 4 – 2 p.m. Rite of Election St. Lawrence Basilica, Asheville

— Entrenamiento de Catequista en español, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 24 de marzo y 28 de abril — Catechist training in Spanish, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. March 24 and April 28

March 8 – 6 p.m. Friend to Seminarians Dinner Graylyn International Conference Center, Winston-Salem

ST. gabriel CHURCH, 3016 providence road

March 9 – 6:30 p.m. Cause for Father Thomas Frederick Price Sacred Heart Cathedral, Raleigh March 13 – 11 a.m. Presbyteral Council Meeting Pastoral Center, Charlotte

CHARLOTTE

— Hispanic Catholic Men’s Support Group, 7-9 p.m. March 20, and April 3 and 17 — Grupo de Apoyo para Hombres Católicos Hispanos, 7-9 p.m. 20 de marzo, y 3 y 17 de abril ST. MATTHEW CHURCH, 8015 BALLANTYNE COMMONS PKWY. — “Called to be Mom,” supports the vocation of motherhood, NLC 239/240, 10 a.m.-noon, March 15 and 19, April 18, and May 2. Childcare available by calling 704-543-7677, ext. 1011, 48 hours in advance. Contact Kerry Long at klong003@carolina.rr.com or 704-243-6319. — St. Peregrine Healing Prayer Service, 7:30 p.m. March 22. Contact 704-543-7677. — Mass in Polish, 3 p.m. April 1. Reconciliation available at 2 p.m. Contact Elizabeth Spytkowski at 704-948-1678. ST. PATRICK cATHEDRAL, 1621 DILWORTH ROAD EAST — Scripture Study Program: “Jesus’ Passion – The Story of Redemptive Suffering,” 1-2:30 p.m. Tuesdays (through March 27) and “The Epistle of St. James,” 10-11 a.m. Sundays (through May 6). Contact Michelle Rahilly at rahillyhome@carolina.rr.com or Margaret Gustafson at jmgusto@bellsouth.net. ST. VINCENT DE PAUL CHURCH, 6828 Old Reid Road — Charlotte Catholic Women’s Group (CCWG) Reflection with Capuchin Father Remo DiSalvatore, 9 a.m. March 5. Reconciliation available. Contact Mary Catherine Surface at mcsurface@gmail.com or 704-651-5860. — Hispanic Catholic Men’s Support Group, 7-9 p.m. March 12 and 26, and April 9 and 23 — Grupo de Apoyo para Hombres Católicos Hispanos, 7-9 p.m. 12 y 26 de marzo, y 9 y 23 de abril

OUR LADY OF GRACE CHURCH, 2205 W. Market St., Greensboro — Stations of the Cross, noon and 6:30 p.m. Fridays. QUEEN OF THE APOSTLES CHURCH, 503 N. Main St., Belmont — Soup and substance, Family Life Center, 6:30 p.m. March 7 — Stations of the Cross, 1 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. March 9 — RCIA Retreat with Father Frank Cancro: “The Sacraments of the Church,” 10 a.m. March 10 ST. ANN CHURCH, 3635 Park Road, Charlotte — Lenten Meditations with Father Reid, 7 p.m. Fridays beginning March 9 ST. barnabas CHURCH, 109 Crescent Hill Dr., Arden — Women’s Lenten Program: “The Book of Ruth – A portrayal of faith, loyalty and trust,” 9:30 a.m.-2:15 p.m. March 24. Stations of the Cross, 8:15 a.m. and 9 a.m. Lunch provided. Contact Marcia Torres at johnandmarciatorres@yahoo.com or 828-697-1235. — Programa de Cuaresma para Mujeres: “El Libro de Ruth – Un retrato de la fe, la lealtad y la confianza,” 9:30 am-2: 15 pm 24 de marzo. Estaciones de la Cruz, a las 8:15 a.m. y 9 a.m. Almuerzo incluido. Comuníquese con Marcia Torres al 828-697-1235 o johnandmarciatorres@yahoo.com. ST. BENEDICT THE MOOR CHURCH, 1625 E. 12th St., Winston-Salem — Scriptural reflection and Stations of the Cross, 5:30 p.m. March 7 and 21, and April 4. ST. GABRIEL CHURCH, 3016 Providence Road, Charlotte — Parish Mission: “Recognizing God,” with Monsignor John Philip O’Connor from the Archdiocese of Newark, N.J., 11 a.m. (followed by lunch) and 7 p.m. (childcare available, with advance notice) March 5-7. Contact Cathy Esposito at cesposito@stgabrielchurch.org. — Lenten Retreat: “Out of Darkness,” 6:30-8 p.m. March 13, 20 and 27. Contact Cathy Esposito at

Volume 21 • Number 9

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

ST. MARGARET MARY CHURCH, 102 Andrew Place, Swannanoa — Lenten Prayer Service followed by soup and bread meal, 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays. ST. MATTHEW CHURCH, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy., Charlotte — “This is my Beloved Son: Do you see Him?” 9:45 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. March 12 — “This is my Beloved Son: Do you hear Him?” 9:45 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. March 13 — “This is my Beloved Son: Do you embrace Him?” 9:45 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. March 14 ST. patrick cathedral, 1621 Dilworth Road East, Charlotte — 40 Hours Devotion, 9 p.m. March 15-March 17. Contact 704-334-2283 or register at www. signupgenius.com/go/20F0C44AFAD2CA20-40hours. — Lenten meal, Fridays, followed by Stations of the Cross, 6:30 p.m. — Stations of the Cross, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Fridays — Lenten Vespers, 6 p.m. Sundays — Sacrament of Penance, 4-5:30 p.m. Saturdays, 7-9 p.m. Wednesdays, 10-11 a.m. Sundays ST. PIUS X CHURCH, 2210 N. Elm St., Greensboro — Stations of the Cross, 7 p.m. Fridays ST. WILLIAM church, 765 Andrews Road, Murphy — Lenten worship service, noon-12:30 p.m. Wednesdays, followed by soup and sandwiches — Stations of the Cross, following 5 p.m. Mass, Fridays in March Note: This is a limited list. Check with your local parish for more information.

HUNTERSVILLE

st. pius x CHURCH, 2210 n. elm st.

ST. MARK CHURCH, 14740 STUMPTOWN ROAD

— Walking with Purpose (for women), 8-10:30 a.m. March 17, followed by brunch and Lenten reflection with Father John Eckert. Contact Patty Disney at 336-3822558. Visit www.walkingwithpurpose.com. — Seasons of Hope Grief Ministry, Kloster Center, 2-4 p.m. March 18 and 25, April 1, 15, 22 and 29. Register at 336-272-4681.

ST. ALOYSIUS CHURCH, 921 sECOND sT. ne — Natural Family Planning introduction and full course, 1-5 p.m. March 10. RSVP required to Batrice Adcock, MSN, RN at cssnfp@charlottediocese.org or 704-370-3230.

EDITOR: Patricia L. Guilfoyle 704-370-3334, plguilfoyle@charlottediocese.org COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT/CIRCULATION: Denise Onativia 704-370-3333, catholicnews@charlottediocese.org ADVERTISING MANAGER: Kevin Eagan 704-370-3332, keeagan@charlottediocese.org STAFF WRITER: SueAnn Howell 704-370-3354, sahowell@charlottediocese.org GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Tim Faragher 704-370-3331, tpfaragher@charlottediocese.org Online reporter: Kimberly Bender 704-808-7341, kdbender@charlottediocese.org

ST. MARK CHURCH, 14740 Stumptown Road, Huntersville — Parish Mission: “Taste and See,” 7-8 p.m. March 4-6. Contact Donna Smith at 704-948-1306. — Children’s Mission, parish hall, 7-8 p.m. March 4-6. Contact Donna Smith at 704-948-1306.

GREENSBORO

HICKORY

March 2, 2012

cesposito@stgabrielchurch.org.

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— Natural Family Planning introduction and full course, 1-5 p.m. March 24. RSVP required to Batrice Adcock, MSN, RN at cssnfp@charlottediocese.org or 704-3703230. Is your parish or school hosting a free event open to the public? Deadline for all submissions for the Diocesan Calendar is 10 days prior to desired publication date. Submit in writing to catholicnews@charlottediocese.org or fax to 704-370-3382.

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March 2, 2012 | catholicnewsherald.com

Basilica, developer eye city land for sale

Kimberly Bender Online reporter

LAND, SEE page 11

Tim P. Faragher | Catholic News Herald

The red-shaded areas above are the land parcels the City of Asheville wants to sell, either to a hotel developer or to the diocese.

Marriage amendment profile rises

Parishioners concerned about proposed hotel’s impact on historic church ASHEVILLE — The Diocese of Charlotte has increased a $2 million proposal to buy a piece of land, located adjacent to the historically significant Basilica of St. Lawrence, which the City of Asheville is hoping to sell. In an amended letter of intent sent to the City of Asheville Feb. 15, the diocese is offering $2 million for the city-owned property on Haywood Street, directly across the street from the basilica. The letter also offers to pay up to $600,000 to demolish unused buildings on the 0.77acre site. The diocese proposes initially putting in a surface parking lot of 80-100 spaces on the site, with future plans for a plaza of “architectural relevance” to the surrounding area. The parking lot would be for public use, as are two other parking lots the basilica already owns. The diocese’s letter of intent is the latest move in a long-running planning and bidding process involving the city, the basilica and a hotel developer. The hotel developer, McKibbon Hotel Group of Gainesville, Ga., offered $2.3 million for the site in 2008 to build a $30 million, seven-story hotel with 130 rooms and 9,000 square feet of retail space, but the proposal idled while the developer focused on another project in Asheville. After the diocese expressed its interest in the land in December by means of a letter of intent, McKibbon renewed its offer, saying it was ready to proceed with its bid since the other hotel project was nearing completion. The diocese’s initial letter of intent was considered by the city council Jan. 10 and referred to the city’s Planning and Economic Development Committee.

OUR PARISHESI

Annette Tenny | Catholic News Herald

Toni Messina, a recent Catholic Social Services Disaster Response trainee, stands in front of the Catholic Social Service agency’s van in Winston-Salem. She is wearing some of the “Mobile Visibility” items provided by Catholic Charities USA and used by emergency responders to identify themselves during a crisis. Messina also serves as a parent educator for the Winston-Salem-based Hand to Hand program, partly funded by Catholic Social Services.

CSS, local parish continue to help struggling Davidson tornado victims Annette Tenny Correspondent

DAVIDSON COUNTY — Three months after a deadly tornado tore through rural Davidson County, many of the families hurt by the storm continue struggling to recover. Of the 50 families directly affected by the EF2 twister – which left a trail of destruction about 12 miles long and killed two people in the area Nov. 17, 2011 – 30 families have been served by the Catholic Social Services office in Winston-Salem. Of those cases, 14 remain open with the staff of Catholic Social Services, a member affiliate agency of Catholic Charities USA. Catholic Social Services received a $10,000 grant from Catholic Charities USA last November to help fund this emergency response effort in the tornado’s aftermath. “Some families may have only met with us for a week or two, other families need long-term help,” said Diane Bullard, director of the Winston-Salem Catholic Social Services office. “Some of them just lost everything, others were dealing with life challenges before the storm and have simply been overwhelmed.” These families, Bullard explained, are being helped through “phase two” of the recovery effort. During “phase one” of their emergency response effort, the Catholic Social Services staff helped people find new housing, medicines and household supplies. They also helped families apply for financial aid and services such as unemployment insurance and food stamps. Agency staff also partnered with Our Lady of the Rosary Church nearby in Lexington, which offered space in the church for the agency’s mental health

counselor to use. This has enabled the tornado victims to seek help without having to travel to Winston-Salem, easily an hour’s drive from the hardest-hit areas. For the families whose cases are still open, “phase two” recovery deals with shortterm and long-term aid, Bullard noted. Some victims might need help buying work To contribute clothes or shoes, to the Disaster while others might Recovery program need assistance of Catholic Social paying a utility Services, mail bill or rent. Some donations to: might have a place Catholic Social to live but still need Services, P.O. Box essential furniture 20185, Winstonitems such as a Salem, NC 27120. kitchen table. Please put Often “Disaster Relief” transportation and in the memo communication section of the issues have a check. large impact on other challenges. Cell phones bills are frequently one of the last things to be paid or simply ignored when budgets are stretched to the limit, for example – yet this creates a lag time between need and contact with the agency. Many people lost their vehicles during the storm and have not been able to replace them. Given the rural area, that makes traveling to a grocery store or food pantry extremely

How can you help?

TORNADO, SEE page 11

As the May 8 referendum date draws near, the constitutional amendment to protect marriage is becoming a hot topic of discussion in parishes around the diocese and in the media. Two Charlotte parishes are holding discussion forums in April, and the diocese will take to the public airwaves during March. Parish forums are scheduled for April 17 at 7 p.m. at St. Peter Church in uptown Charlotte, and April 18 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Gabriel Church, also in Charlotte. The forums are being held to explain Church teaching as it relates to the marriage amendment and to answer questions from those in attendance. Susan Krasniewski, director of faith formation and adult education at St. Gabriel Church, said the forum was the idea of pastor Father Frank O’Rourke. “Father wants people to understand what the marriage amendment is, as well as what it is not.” The Church teaches that marriage was created by God as the expression of love and unity between a man and a woman that brings new life into the world. It is a sacrament exclusively for between one man and one woman. The constitutional amendment defines marriage as being only between one man and one woman. It elevates what is existing state law into the constitution, where it would be protected from political or judicially mandated changes. Besides the parish forums, on March 8 diocesan director of communication David Hains will represent both Bishop Peter Jugis and Bishop Michael Burbidge of Raleigh on the WFAE morning public radio program “Charlotte Talks.” The program airs at 9 a.m. (rebroadcast at 9 p.m.) in the metro Charlotte area and online. Other supporters of the marriage amendment will join Hains on the broadcast. — Catholic News Herald

Learn more SET UP A PUBLIC FORUM: Diocesan communication director David Hains is available to speak at parish forums about the marriage amendment. Contact him at DWHains@ Charlottediocese.org or 704-370-3336. Follow the latest NEWS: Go to www.CatholicVoiceNC.org and www.catholicnewsherald.com. WATCH THE BISHOPS’ VIDEOS: North Carolina’s bishops are producing a series of four videos explaining Church teaching about marriage. View the first two videos now on the Diocese of Charlotte’s YouTube channel.

catholicnewsherald.com | March 2, 2012 OUR PARISHES

40 Days for Life spring campaign under way CHARLOTTE — On Feb. 22, the 40 Days for Life spring campaign began, featuring prayer and fasting, community outreach, and 40-day prayer vigils in cities across the U.S. until April 1. Participating communities in the Diocese of Charlotte are Asheville, Charlotte and Winston-Salem. n In Asheville, the 40-day prayer vigil will be held outside the abortion mill Femcare at 62 Orange St., the only western North Carolina clinic that performs medical as well as surgical abortions. The vigils will be held daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. n In Charlotte, prayer vigils will be held daily outside two abortion mills in the metropolitan area: A Preferred Women’s Health Center at 3220 Latrobe Drive and Family Reproductive Health at 700 E. Hebron St. The vigils will be held daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. n In Winston-Salem, the 40-day prayer vigil will be held daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. outside Planned Parenthood Health Systems, 3000 Maplewood Avenue. 40 Days for Life is an intensive pro-life initiative that focuses on 40 days of prayer and fasting, 40 days of peaceful vigil at abortion facilities, and 40 days of grassroots educational outreach. “40 Days for Life has generated proven lifesaving results since its beginning in 2004 in Bryan/ College Station, Texas,” said David Bereit, national director of 40 Days for Life. “During nine previous coordinated campaigns, more than 422 cities across 50 states and 13 countries have participated in this effort. More than 500,000 people – representing some 14,000 churches – have committed to pray and fast. And we know of at least 5,045 unborn children whose

Get more information To learn more about the 40 Days for Life campaign, visit www.40daysforlife.com. Click on any of the city names – Asheville, Charlotte or Winston-Salem – for specific details about the campaign and local contact information. In Charlotte, you can also get details online at www. charlottecoalitionforlife.com.

lives were spared from abortion during 40 Days for Life campaigns.” Andrea Hines, co-director of the Charlotte 40 Days for Life campaign, said, “The Charlotte campaign is doubling its efforts this spring, holding vigils at two abortion facilities. We are calling people to action to sign-up via the website 40daysforlifecharlotte.com/ charlotte, to join with the local Charlotte Christian community in prayer, fasting and peaceful presence for an end to abortion in Charlotte specifically, and in all hearts, generally.” The Charlotte campaign is also forming a new organization called Charlotte Coalition for Life, fashioned after what other cities have done/are doing, to put an official effort around the 40 Days for Life campaign locally. Its mission is to bring the Christian community together to peacefully, prayerfully put an end to abortion in Charlotte. — Catholic News Herald

Abortion Facilities within the Diocese of Charlotte

Femcare, 62 Orange St., Asheville A Preferred Women's Health Center, 3220 Latrobe Dr., Charlotte Carolina Center for Women, 421 N. Wendover Road, Charlotte Family Reproductive Health, 700 E. Hebron St., Charlotte A Woman's Choice of North Carolina, 201-E Pomona Drive, Greensboro Piedmont Carolina Medical Clinic, 2425 Randleman Road, Greensboro Carolina Womancare PA/Abortion Medical Services, 712 N. Elm St., High Point Planned Parenthood/Winston-Salem Health Center, 3000 Maplewood Ave., Suite 112, Winston-Salem Tim P. Faragher | Catholic News Herald

Catholic OB-GYN opened ‘pro-life’ practice March 1 SueAnn Howell Staff writer

WINSTON-SALEM — Obstetrician and gynecologist Dr. Lewis Lipscomb has felt called to make some substantial changes in how he practices medicine since his conversion to Catholicism in 2004. Armed with his newfound faith, Lipscomb sought to practice medicine according to the Church’s comprehensive understanding of human sexuality, including “Humanae Vitae,” Pope Paul VI’s encyclical affirming the Church’s teaching on marital love, contraception and sterilization. Following medical training from the Pope Paul VI Institute in Omaha, Neb., Lipscomb stopped prescribing artificial birth control last year, and now he’s taking it a step further this month by starting his own “pro-life” practice in Winston-Salem, specializing in Natural Family Planning for his patients. “Since I converted to Catholicism in 2004, I have struggled with the Church’s teaching on contraception and sterilization,” Lipscomb said. “‘Safe sex’ in our culture is defined as ‘contracepted’ and ‘covered up.’ As an obstetrician-gynecologist, I was called on every day to provide effective means for women to avoid pregnancy. “Over the past several years, I began to seek out the truth about human sexuality, and found that our own Catholic Church was really the Lipscomb only entity willing to articulate these truths.” His new practice, Triad Obstetrics & Gynecology, is a Novant Medical Group practice with a staff of four – and one of the only pro-life OB-GYN practices in North Carolina. His patients appreciate his Catholic approach to women’s health. “To practice NFP is to follow God’s loving design for marriage and to live in communion with the doctrine laid out by our Holy Mother Church,” said Leslie Smith. “Having practiced NFP for over 10 years, I feel so blessed now to have an OB-GYN who understands charting. There is no longer a ‘language barrier.’ I look forward to walking into Dr. Lipscomb’s new practice and not encountering advertisements for contraceptives, morning-after pills and sterilizations.” Katie Knickrehm, another of Lipscomb’s patients, shared her excitement about the new practice: “The Triad is extremely fortunate to have a pro-life OB-GYN practice that supports Natural Family Planning. Catholics practicing their faith now have somewhere to turn in their own backyard. Personally, NFP has strengthened my own faith and marriage. It is such a blessing that Dr. Lipscomb has made himself available to the pro-life community.” Lipscomb admits this is a big step and a leap of faith for him and his family, but he is confident about his new practice. “My objective now is to offer a non-contraceptive approach to women’s health. The tendency of most OB-GYNs is to use contraceptives to treat just about any problem that women suffer. Unfortunately, this approach only masks the symptoms of underlying disease. Women deserve better. “Using the skills that I learned at the Pope Paul VI Institute, I will, as an NFP Medical Consultant, offer true diagnosis of underlying organic and hormonal abnormalities, and treatments that work cooperatively with a woman’s physiology to truly treat her disease, rather than mask the symptoms,” he added. Father Lucas Rossi, parochial vicar at St. Leo Church in Winston-Salem, is proud of Lipscomb’s stance. “Dr. Lipscomb is truly committed to helping women…to giving them the care that so many physicians do not provide – care that reverences a woman’s fertility instead of treating it as disease,” Father Rossi said. “He is an inspiration to all Catholic men, especially to us priests, who have given our lives to serve the Church. I am so thankful that there is a physician who can provide women with sound medical care while at the same time offering them other fertility options that are not sinful or contraceptive in nature. I pray many more physicians and nurses, Catholic and non-Catholic, will be inspired by Dr. Lipscomb’s witness. He is going to need help, since countless women are looking for a physician who is grounded in the Gospel of Life.” Triad Obstetrics & Gynecology is located at 1900 Hawthorne Road, Suite 614, in Winston-Salem. For details, call 336-277-0340.

March 2, 2012 | catholicnewsherald.com

Medjugorje visionary coming to Charlotte March 16 SueAnn Howell Staff writer

CHARLOTTE — One of the six visionaries of Medjugorje, a site in BosniaHerzegovina that is under investigation for its possible Marian apparitions, will speak at Quail Hollow Presbyterian Church on Friday, March 16. Ivan Dragicevic, a Catholic, will describe his account of the apparitions of the Virgin Mary that have been occurring in Medjugorje since June 24, 1981. For more than 30 years he has been witness to daily Marian apparitions, in which Our Lady reportedly shares messages of a heightened awareness of prayer, fasting, receiving the Eucharist, reading Sacred Scripture, monthly confession and worship. This is the first time Dragicevic has ever spoken at a Protestant church, and his second visit to Charlotte. In March of 2010, the Vatican announced it was forming a commission to investigate

the phenomena in Medjugorje under the authority of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith. The commission is made up of cardinals, bishops, specialists and experts who will give their input privately to the dicastery upon completion of their investigation. While the investigation remains open, the Church has not officially pronounced the Medjugorje apparitions Dragicevic worthy of belief. Rev. Gus Succop, pastor of Quail Hollow Presbyterian Church on Park Road in south Charlotte, is looking forward to Dragicevic’s visit. He first became acquainted with the Blessed Virgin Mary in the late 1960s when he babysat for some Catholic neighbors one night and watched a movie on TV about Our Lady of Fatima. He has made two pilgrimages to the small

town in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Dragicevic recently told Rev. Succop that Our Lady desires him to visit Charlotte and receive his daily apparition at 6:40 p.m. at the church. Doors will open at 5 p.m. The event begins at 6 p.m. with a welcome and introductions followed by the recitation of the rosary and Dragicevic’s testimony. For details, call the church at 704-554-5715.

Follow Our Lady’s Messages Go to www.medjugorje.org to read Our Lady of Medjugorje’s messages, send prayer petitions, and learn more about the site in Bosnia-Herzegovina where six visionaries claim to have seen apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary since 1981.

Charlotte diocese to host Catholic Charities USA parish social ministry training session April 20-21 SueAnn Howell Staff writer

CHARLOTTE — Representatives from Catholic Charities USA will be coming to Charlotte in April for training on parish social ministry. Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Charlotte will host the two-day regional meeting April 20-21 at St. Peter Church for parishioners and staff from Catholic Charities USA affiliate agencies from the Dioceses of Charlotte, Raleigh, Richmond and Charleston and the Atlanta Archdiocese. Bishop Peter J. Jugis will open the public event with prayer on Friday evening, followed by a talk by Father Larry Snyder, president of Catholic Charities USA.

Joe Purello, director of the diocesan Office of Justice and Peace, said he is looking forward to his agency hosting this training – the first of its kind to be offered in the diocese in the 11-plus years he has worked for Catholic Social Services, the local affiliate of Catholic Charities USA. “We’re doing this in Snyder partnership with Catholic Charities USA, who asked us if we would like to host one of these trainings,” Purello said. Parish social ministry trainings are weekend conferences designed to help

attendees explore in-depth the Catholic social mission and discover effective strategies to respond to needs and injustices in their communities through parish action. The meetings also provide the opportunity to renew one’s sense of a personal and collective call to follow Christ’s example. During Saturday’s workshops, diocesan Catholic Social Services staff members and other presenters are expected to share their experiences and insights. Plenary speakers on Saturday will include Lucreda Cobbs of Catholic Charities USA, Loretta Fleming of the National Committee for a Human Life Amendment, and Rachel Lustig of Catholic Charities USA. For details, go to www.cssnc.org or www. catholiccharitiesusa.org.

St. Patrick Cathedral to host 40 Hours Devotion March 15-17 SueAnn Howell Staff writer

CHARLOTTE — Catholics in the Diocese of Charlotte are encouraged to follow the Lenten call to increased prayer by participating in the 40 Hours Devotion at St. Patrick Cathedral March 15-17. Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament will begin at 9 p.m. Thursday and continue through Saturday at 5 p.m., the feast of St. Patrick. The 40 Hours Devotion is a special 40hour period of continuous prayer, recalling the significance of the number 40 itself in

the Bible, as being a sacred period of time. Anita Veyera, coordinator of the devotion at the cathedral, explains the importance of this event. “For the parish family of the Cathedral of St. Patrick, this is a way to unite us in prayer, sacrifice, humility and love – not only for our God, but also for each other. Functioning as a family takes work. And this is a good way to ensure unity and charity within our family.” Traditionally, three special dimensions surround the 40 Hours Devotion: the protection from evil and temptation; reparation for our own sins and for the

souls in purgatory; and deliverance from political, material or spiritual calamities. “What we hope to accomplish in this devotion is, as I said, an increase in unity and charity – but also an awareness ... Jesus is not a far-away concept or a cold statue in a church. He is real – Flesh and Blood – and He cares about us more than we could ever imagine. If more people draw closer to Him through this devotion, then we will have achieved our goal,” Veyera said. For details, go to www.signupgenius. com/go/20F0C44AFAD2CA20-40hours or contact the parish at 704-334-2283.

Rally set for March 23 Concerned citizens are encouraged to demonstrate publicly against the federal Health and Human Services mandate during the nationwide grassroots campaign “Stand Up for Religious Freedom Rally” outside federal courthouses at noon on Friday, March 23. In the Diocese of Charlotte, the rally will be held in two cities: Charlotte and Winston-Salem.

In Charlotte, the rally will be held in front of the Charles R. Jonas Federal Building on West Trade Street. In Winston-Salem, the rally will be held at the Hiram H. Ward Federal Building on North Main Street. For details, go online to www.standupforreligiousfreedom.com.

OUR PARISHESI

catholicnewsherald.com | March 2, 2012 OUR PARISHES

Ash Wednesday 2012:

(Above) Children at St. Mark School in Huntersville receive ashes from Monsignor Richard Bellow, pastor of St. Mark Church, during Ash Wednesday Mass Feb. 22. (Below left) Parishioners and students at Sacred Heart Church and School in Salisbury line up to receive ashes from pastor Father John Putnam and parochial vicar Father Benjamin Roberts. (Below right) Monsignor Bellow distributes ashes to parishioners at St. Mark Church.

(Right) Deacon Gene Gillis gives ashes to Holy Cross member Ed Beiles at a Lenten service at the Paul J. Ceiner Botanical Garden in Kernersville. (Far right) Father Richard DeClue, parochial vicar, distributes ashes to parishioners at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte.

March 2, 2012 | catholicnewsherald.com

OUR PARISHESI

‘Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned’ Photos by John Bunyea, Mike Faith, Patricia Guilfoyle, David Hains, SueAnn Howell, Doreen Sugierski, Bill Washington

(Left) Gabriel Femenella and his mother Juliane Femenella, holding George Femenella, receive ashes from Father Timothy Reid, pastor of St. Ann Church in Charlotte. (Above) Bowls of ashes are ready for distribution at Holy Spirit Church in Denver.

See more photos For more photos from Ash Wednesday services, go to the Diocese of Charlotte’s YouTube channel.

(Left) Father Deacon Matthew Hanes of St. Basil Eastern Catholic Mission in Charlotte intones prayers during Forgiveness Vespers, marking the start of Great Lent in the Byzantine-rite church tradition. (Below left) Ashes were distributed at a crowded St. Peter Church in Charlotte during noon Mass on Ash Wednesday. (Below middle) Father Carmen Malacari, pastor, gives ashes to parishioners at Holy Spirit Church in Denver. (Below) Father Christopher Gober, pastor of St. Bernadette Church in Linville, gives parishioners ashes during Mass on Ash Wednesday.

catholicnewsherald.com | March 2, 2012 OUR PARISHES

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief

and district levels and earned the top award in the Forestry and Wildlife category at each competition. McAnulty, 15, has been actively involved with Catawba County 4-H for four years. — Jean McAnulty

Candler parish holds retreat CANDLER — A bilingual Mass on Feb. 16 concluded “The Family of Christ” bilingual Lenten retreat held over five days at St. Joan of Arc Church in Candler. The Mass was celebrated by Redemptorist Father Tom Deely and Redemptorist Father Alex Ortiz, who led the mission. A parish reception followed. — Jenny Evans

Knights support Gastonia area groups GASTONIA — Pictured here are representatives of groups that were recent recipients of Knights of Columbus Council 6700’s L.A.M.B. (Least Among My Brothers) donations for 2011, with L.A.M.B. Director Roger Shepard (far left). The groups are: Holy Angels, Gaston Skills, Special Olympics, Pilot Club, Camp Sertoma, ARC of Gastonia, North Belmont Elementary School and Webb Street School. Each group received a check for their organization and was treated to dinner at the annual L.A.M.B. Give-A-Way held Jan. 21 at St. Michael Church in Gastonia. The total amount distributed this year was $4,373.20. — John (Sean) F. O’Daly

40 Hours Devotion planned at cathedral CHARLOTTE — St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte will offer a 40 Hours Devotion to our Lord beginning Thursday, March 15, at 9 p.m. until Saturday, March 17. The devotion is a special 40-hour period of continuous prayer made before the Blessed Sacrament in solemn exposition. To participate, contact the parish office at 704-334-2283 or go to the online signup form found at www.signupgenius.com/ go/20F0C44AFAD2CA20-40hours.

McAnulty wins 4-H award

McAnulty

HICKORY — Barbara McAnulty, a parishioner at St. Aloysius Church in Hickory, received a 4-H State Gold award for her oral presentation on “Feeding Backyard Birds.” Before advancing to the state competition in Raleigh, McAnulty competed on the local

St. Matthew Parish Mission to feature homilist Fr. Ken Paulli CHARLOTTE — Deepen your experience of Lent by attending the St. Matthew Parish Mission March 10-14. Father Ken Paulli, a Franciscan priest of the Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and professor and chief of staff at Siena College in New York, will be the guest homilist at Masses the weekend of March 10-11. He will also celebrate the 9 a.m. Masses on the following Monday and Tuesday. Paulli Father Paulli will present three talks during the week: Monday, March 12, at 9:45 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. “This is my Beloved Son: Do You See Him?; Tuesday, March 13, at 9:45 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. “This is my Beloved Son: Do You Hear Him?”; and Wednesday, March 14, at 9:45 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. “This is my Beloved Son: Do you Embrace Him?” — Jenny Cox

Institute for Black Catholic Studies registration continues The Institute for Black Catholic Studies, a school of ministry for clergy, religious and laypersons working in the black community and Catholic Church that convenes each summer at Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans, offers a Master’s Program consisting of a threeweek course of pastoral theology studies. The 2012 session dates are June 22-July 14. Early registration continues through March 15. Go online to www.xula.edu/ibcs or call 504-5207691. — Glenda A. Brown We welcome your parish’s news. E-mail items to Editor Patricia Guilfoyle at plguilfoyle@charlottediocese.org.

March 2, 2012 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

TORNADO:

LAND:

FROM PAGE 5

difficult. Catholic Social Services helps these families with food and gas vouchers but often turns to local parishes for help in providing volunteer transportation and with keeping the clients connected and in contact with the agency’s support staff. Volunteers from the local parishes are a great help, Bullard emphasized. “We reach out to them, let them know what a client needs, that we might not be able to provide directly, and they put the word out,” she said. More often than not, the people of those parishes come through – for Catholic Social Services and for the families who depend so much on their help. The local disaster response arm of Catholic Social Services that responds with staff assistance and other resources when a disaster strikes is a relatively new initiative in the Charlotte diocese. Diane Bullard and her Catholic Social Services colleague Joseph Purello had attended a week-long disaster response training offered by Catholic Charities USA last fall. They had barely returned from this training when the mid-November tornado struck in the Piedmont-Triad region. Just two months later, on Jan. 11, another tornado touched down in Rutherford and Burke counties. The following morning, Catholic Social Services staff contacted the nearby parishes to check on damage reports, offer assistance if needed, and share news of possible resources to help parishes assist any affected households.

Despite the diocese’s latest expression of interest, city officials said they are continuing to discuss a development agreement between the city and McKibbon. “The direction we have from (city) council at this time is to continue on with the McKibbon Group through the process they started, drafting a development agreement,” said city spokeswoman Dawa Hitch. City officials have said the property’s use should fit within its downtown master plan, create jobs and add to the tax base, among other goals. The city acquired the land in 2002 and 2003, when it and the diocese had plans to build a parking deck nearby. That idea dissipated after plans for the parking deck were changed. The city council signaled support for the hotel plan in 2008 and again in January, but has not formally approved any sale offer. The diocese’s proposal would involve a private sale of the land by the city to the diocese. A private sale to a non-profit like the diocese is allowable under state law in cases where the property “is significant for its architectural, archeological, artistic, cultural or historical associations, or significant for its relationship to other” such significant property, especially if the non-profit is involved with preservation and conservation efforts. Father Wilbur Thomas, rector and pastor of St. Lawrence Basilica, said he does not want to comment while negotiations are under way with the city, but he said he is encouraging interested parishioners to call or write city council members and urge them to take a look at the diocese’s proposal. He added that he hopes a meeting between city officials and basilica representatives may be scheduled soon. Some parishioners have expressed concern

that construction of a hotel nearby could cause irreparable damage to the historic basilica, perhaps aggravating a crack that exists in its dome – the largest freestanding tiled dome in the U.S. The signature architectural feature caps the basilica, built in 1909 by Rafael Guastavino, the architect of Asheville’s famed Biltmore Estate. Some also worry that the proposed hotel could overshadow the designated “nationally significant” building on the National Register of Historic Places. The basilica, one of the oldest buildings in Asheville, welcomes more than 150,000 visitors annually. Asheville native Jasper Dunlap Sr. said his main objection to a hotel is concern about the “rumblings” of constructing potentially damaging the basilica. “That is the only church that I feel I can have a real relationship with the Lord,” said Dunlap, who has been attending St. Lawrence for more than 35 years. “I forget everyone is there but me and the Lord. I love that particular church more than I can imagine. “The only thing holding the dome up is the dome itself. I would hate for something to happen to St. Lawrence. That church is really a part of Asheville.” In a Jan. 13 letter to the city, McKibbon assured city building officials that it would address concerns about construction and protecting the basilica’s structural integrity. Paying for demolition of the buildings on the land is a bargaining chip that parishioner Anne Fitzgerald Smith said she hopes may help persuade city leaders to favorably consider the diocese’s expression of interest. “I love the basilica. It’s on the top of the hill – you can see the basilica coming up the street. It’s beautiful. I remember the first time I saw it walking. I stopped and thought ‘wow,’” said Smith, a member of the parish who has been active in seeking its preservation. “We have to protect the architectural treasure it is.”

CONFERENCE: FROM PAGE 3

and others. Hains urged men to vote for the May 8 state constitutional amendment to protect marriage. “Why does marriage matter so much? Children. Children need a mother and a father,” he said as the men burst into thunderous applause. Father John Eckert, who was ordained in 2010 and now serves as associate pastor at Our Lady of Grace Church in Greensboro, spoke of his priestly vocation. “This little girl came up to me on the playground when I was 3 and said, ‘Johnny, I’m gonna kiss you!’ and I said, ‘No, you’re not, because I’m going to be a priest!” He encouraged the dads in the crowd to encourage priestly vocations in their families. “Father John Eckert’s talk was my favorite,” said Chris Hamilton, a student at Belmont Abbey College who attended the conference with friend Craig Mehlenbeck. The two former Marines also said they would like to see more college students and young men at the conference in coming years. “Just being surrounded by all of this is fantastic!” said Bernard Gerstemeier, member of St. Francis Church in Mocksville. Added Koval, “We need to encourage one another to be good Catholic men. I want to be surrounded by others because I can’t do this alone.”

Read more Read a reflection about the men’s conference by Rico De Silva on page 22.

catholicnewsherald.com | March 2, 2012 12

Photo provided by Jorge Gomiz

Jorge Gomiz:

Coordinador del Ministerio Hispano de la Vicaría de Charlotte

Hispanic Ministries Coordinator for the Charlotte Vicariate

Christopher Lux Correspondent

CHARLOTTE — Jorge Gomiz llegó a los Estados Unidos de Cuba en CHARLOTTE — Jorge Gomiz came to the U.S. from Cuba in the 1960s. los 60. Él, con su madre soltera, se enfrentó con los muchos desafíos que He and his single mother faced the many challenges that are typical of tipifican la vida en un país extranjero – aprender un nuevo idioma y living in a foreign country – such as learning a new language and being entrar en una cultura diferente. Sin embargo, él recuerda que también thrown into a different culture. However, he recalls, he also faced problems se enfrentaba con problemas en una iglesia donde “los Hispanos se les in a church where “Hispanics were silenced. They were not given power.” silenciaban. No se les daba poder.” Gomiz has worked in the medical field as a medical instructor, and also Gomiz ha trabajado en el sector médico, y también en el de negocios. in the business world. He worked for 13 years with New Life Ministry, Esta es una parte Trabajó trece años con el Ministerio Nueva Vida, “evangelizando y “evangelizing and providing pastoral care and support for people with de una serie ocasional ofreciendo atención pastoral y apoyo a las personas con problemas de substance abuse problems.” de entregas en la que abuso de sustancias.” Among his many struggles, he “was a substance user,” he says. “That’s estaremos conociendo más Entre sus numerosas luchas, dice “recibí sanación del abuso de when I had my encounter with Christ.” At a charismatic weekend he was acerca de nuestra diócesis, sustancias.” Además “Fue entonces cuando tuve mi encuentro con “healed instantaneously.” He recalls seeing other people on the retreat su territorio, sus líderes y Cristo.” En un carismático fin de semana, fue “sanado de manera who were also full of pain and suffering because of their drug addictions. la forma que se organiza instantánea.” Él recuerda que durante el retiro vio a otros que también “From one day to another I was healed. I had no withdrawal, no desire. It el Ministerio Hispano estaban llenos de dolor y sufrimiento debido a su drogadicción. was as if I had never used in my life. And I saw other gentlemen that went diocesano. “De un día a otro fui curado. No tuve ningún deseo de embriagarme, through the same thing and even with tougher substances.” ni sentí ningún malestar. Era como si yo nunca había usado en mi vida. Since that weekend, he says, “I’m always in awe of God’s power.” Y conocí a otros señores que experimentaron lo mismo, e incluso con Gomiz feels he has “always had a call in my heart to work for the sustancias más duras.” Church.” Now, he serves as the coordinator of Hispanic Ministries for the Charlotte Desde entonces, Gomiz dice que ha estado siempre “asombrado del poder de Dios.” vicariate, a ministry funded by the Diocesan Support Appeal. He has overcome many Se siente que siempre “tenía un llamado en mi corazón para trabajar por la Iglesia.” struggles in his life, and he is now prepared to take on the “obstacles” he currently sees Ahora trabaja como coordinador del Ministerio Hispano de la vicaría de Charlotte. before him: “My job is to facilitate (the Hispanic community’s) needs: their pastoral “Mi trabajo es el de facilitar a la comunidad hispana sus necesidades – las necesidades needs and their social needs. Pastorally there’s still a lot of work to be done,” he says. pastorales y sus necesidades sociales. Pastoralmente todavía hay mucho trabajo que He recognizes “there are some parishes out there doing very good work.” He sees hacer.” priests who have “experienced a Hispanic experience (and) gotten to know the people.” Gomiz reconoce que “hay varias parroquias haciendo muy buen trabajo.” Ve a He sees parishes that have implemented programs where faith formation is done in the

Una serie ocasional

GOMIZ, SEE page 18

Aqui

estamos!

Grupo de Apoyo para Hombres Católicos Hispanos, 7-9 p.m. 12 y 26 de marzo, y 9 y 23 de abril, Iglesia St. Vincent de Paul, Charlotte y 7-9 p.m. 20 de marzo, y 3 y 17 de abril, Iglesia St. Gabriel, Charlotte.

MINISTRY, SEE page 18

Entrenamiento de Catequista en español, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 24 de marzo y 28 de abril. Centro Pastoral, 1123 S. Church St., Charlotte.

Programa de Ministerio Laico en español, Iglesia St. Ann, las fechas serán anunciadas, Require compromiso de un año. El costo es $30 por persona.

March 2, 2012 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

Celebrating40years!

DioceseofCharlotte

Who runs the diocese? Archbishop John F. Donoghue: A reflection by Charlotte’s second bishop

Charlotte’s bishops

Bishop Michael J. Begley 1972-1984

Bishop John F. Donoghue 1984-1993

Bishop William G. Curlin 1994-2002

Bishop Peter J. Jugis 2003-present

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Diocese of Charlotte was founded on Jan. 12, 1972. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the diocese and the history of the Church in Western North Carolina, we are publishing a year-long series spotlighting the people who built up the Church, the major developments over the past 40 years, and what changes could be in store for the future.

from home – in my new home. Very soon, I discovered that whatever skills I had attained over the years, the responsibilities now before me were daunting – even overwhelming. I can remember feverishly thinking to myself, “What can I do, what will I do, and how can I get it all done?” The Church in Charlotte and western hen I first came North Carolina was on to Charlotte from the verge of explosive Washington, D.C., growth – conversions, it was after 20 years of people coming to live working for some of here from throughout the best and strongest our country and men ever to be named from abroad, and the bishop in the United Photos provided by Diocese of Charlotte Archives natural growth of our States – Cardinal O’Boyle, and Catholic News Herald archive indigenous population Cardinal Baum and – things were ready to Cardinal Hickey. As those Bishop Peter J. Jugis poses with Archbishop John F. Donoghue and happen, they needed a years passed, I truly Bishop Emeritus William G. Curlin following his episcopal ordination manager, and I was it. believed that I would in 2003. But all I could do was spend my life serving the worry and wonder – Church out of the offices traits not uncommon in a new bishop. of the Archdiocese of Washington – and I was not Then one day, unhappy believing this. not too long after But then, in 1984, our late and beloved Holy Father, I arrived, Bishop Pope John Paul II sent word that he wanted me to Michael Begley, move to Charlotte, in North Carolina, and become the first bishop a bishop of the Church in that diocese – only the of Charlotte, and second bishop in the history of the Charlotte diocese. the man who had It was a major change – for my entire life until then ordained me to be had been passed the second bishop, in and around dropped by the Washington. My Catholic Center. family was there, He saw me in my my friends and office, came in and associates, and sat down for a visit. all those sights Bishop Jugis celebrates Mass. All who knew him and sounds remember what a and welcome humble but strong familiarities that man of God Bishop define the place we Begley was. His call home, where appearance was we work to live in what one might peace in an often Bishop Donoghue reviews plans for describe as the troubled world. the Catholic Conference Center with typical “country But I believe in diocesan staff. priest.” There was the Holy Spirit, and nothing false about that through the him, and vanity Holy Father, the never found even Spirit was telling me what His will for the smallest crack in his character me would be. Now wherein to reside. I was to accept this I suppose that day great change, and Bishop Begley go and serve Him saw in my face the in Charlotte. I came worries assaulting to the beautiful and me, for he looked gracious city, the me straight in jewel of western the eye and said: North Carolina, “Young man,” - I in December of Bishop Curlin greets well-wishers was 56 at the time 1984, and prepared following his episcopal ordination. to spend my first Bishop Michael J. Begley visits quarry Christmas away workers in Appalachia. ANNIVERSARY, SEE page 18

Bishop Begley looked me straight in the eye and said, ‘Young man, what you have to realize is that you don’t run the Church – the Holy Spirit runs the Church. Now, what you have to do is step aside and let Him get on with it.’

Our schools 14

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In Brief St. Mark School eighthgraders Brooke Martel (left) and Faith Morgan spend time in Adoration in the Sacred Heart Chapel on Feb. 15.

New CCHS debate team competes in regional tourney CHARLOTTE — Nine members of the newly formed debate and speech team at Charlotte Catholic High School recently competed in their third tournament in Greenville, S.C., against more than 500 students from across the Southeast. Frankie Pray placed sixth in Varsity Congress and Brett Heinz placed fifth in Novice Congress. The team, part of the Catholic Forensic League and the National Forensic League, continues to recruit members. For details, contact Coach Mary Morales at annettemorales@carolina.rr.com. — Mary Morales

Photos provided by Jeannie DeSena

The chapel that love built: St. Mark school chapel renovated SueAnn Howell Staff writer

Geography bee winner named GASTONIA — Students at St. Michael School in Gastonia recently competed in a school-wide geography bee. Pictured are (from left) Ryan Martin, runner-up; Jacob Younan, winner; and Houston Tolbert; (standing from left) Noah Murray and Henry Taylor. — Pat Burr

IHM spelling bee winner named HIGH POINT — Immaculate Heart of Mary School seventh-grader William Ladka recently took first place in a school-wide spelling bee among the top spellers in the third- through seventh-grade classes. Runner-up was fifthgrader Madison Moore. — Mendy Yarborough We welcome your school’s news. Please e-mail photos and story suggestions to Editor Patricia Guilfoyle at plguilfoyle@charlottediocese.org.

HUNTERSVILLE — St. Mark School opened nearly 10 years ago in what was then a rural community outside Charlotte. The schools’ walls were all white and ripe for transformation. All they awaited was the vision of the parents, children and a church community that would build Catholic culture at the new K-8 school. One of the dreams that had been in the minds and the hearts of the St. Mark School community from the beginning recently came to fruition on Feb. 15, the day after Valentine’s Day, when the Sacred Heart Chapel that sits at the heart of the school was rededicated by Monsignor Richard Bellow, pastor of St. Mark Church, after a four-week renovation. “Prior to the renovation, the chapel was just a room in the school…nothing pointed to it. Now the outside, as well as the inside, draws the kids into God’s house,” Monsignor Bellow said. All the work was done by volunteers so the complete transformation cost just $3,000 for paint, renovation and construction supplies, according to Gail Ferraro, the president of the St. Mark PTO, who has been at the school from the beginning and whose fifth child will graduate from St. Mark next year. “This has truly been a vision that started more than nine years ago,” Ferraro said. “The vision was always there to make the chapel beautiful, from the inside out. It was a labor of love.” All of the items in the chapel have been donated over the years, and it meant a great deal to the school community to keep what had already been given in love and incorporate them into the renovation. The furnishings came from Charlotte Catholic High School, the altar had been built by St. Mark parishioners Tom and Nancy McGahey, the votive lamp had been dedicated in honor of Susan Ford, a beloved teacher who passed away, and the handcrafted stained glass windows had been commissioned by the Women of Joy Bible study group at the church and designed by artist Greg Stump, whose children have attended the school. Debbie Butler, principal of St. Mark School, commented on the close connection of the St. Mark community: “The chapel connects St. Mark Church to the school: the Women of Joy meet here, RCIA uses the chapel, children and parents can pray Adoration here, and Mass is held here. It is a special connection that brings us closer to the Church.” Susan and Lee Newman, parishioners at St. Mark whose older daughter attended St. Mark and whose son is now in the seventh grade, were instrumental in the design of the renovations. The Newmans were married in a beautiful chapel in Susan’s hometown of Pittsburgh, and they had their children baptized

Members of the renovation team are pictured with Monsignor Richard Bellow, pastor of St. Mark Church, and Debbie Butler, principal of St. Mark School, on Feb. 15. Pictured (from left) are: Greg Stump (artist), Monsignor Bellow, Stacey Harvey, Nicole Seeling, Susan Newman, Butler, Lee Newman, Gail Ferraro (PTO president), and Marion White. there as well. Arches and woodwork around the windows and doors of the St. Mark chapel all reflect the beauty of that chapel from her native city. Many volunteers worked four to five hours a day over the four weeks to complete the faux-stone painting on the walls, refurbish the chapel furnishings, and install the new Stations of the Cross. “We had no idea how important the chapel was to the kids,” Ferraro said. “They would genuflect in the hallway even though they weren’t sure if Jesus was in the chapel. The kids were so cute. They gave us their opinions, too. “We all wanted this renovation, and we could have done it sooner, but there is something to be said for waiting. Good things come in time. We had a vision and we never strayed from that.” Said Monsignor Bellow, “The chapel is the centerpiece of St. Mark Catholic School… it is such a wonderful happening that the children know that the Lord is present in the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle. The children can walk by the chapel and whisper a prayer to the Lord.” And what is the biggest lesson they learned from the chapel renovation? Said Ferraro, “Faith is important to these kids.”

March 2, 2012 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

Photo provided by Mendy Yarborough

IHM students take time to write letters to new friends overseas HIGH POINT â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Students at Immaculate Heart of Mary School in High Point have been learning about Japanese school life from a teacher with local ties who teaches students in Japan. Each IHM student in grades 6-8 has started communicating with a Japanese pen-pal, and other students, like the kindergartners pictured above, have been part of the learning experience, too. The idea started when Cynthia Herendeen, former IHM student and daughter of first-grade teacher Susan Herendeen, went to Japan to teach English. She suggested the idea as a way for her students to practice their English. IHM students wrote letters to her Japanese students â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and they received much more than letters in return. During a visit home for the holidays, Herendeen brought a little bit of Japan back to the students at IHM. She shared slides, pictures, cultural items, snack foods and more about day-to-day school life in Japan. The middle school students were excited to see who was receiving their letters and read about their lives in Japan. They recently sent their second letters to Japan and are awaiting replies. IHM students are also preparing to work on podcasts that will enable them to share information about their day at a Catholic school. Students are gaining much more than practice in the lost art of letter writing. They are getting lessons in language and culture through reading and writing, as well as connections to world issues and geography.

Mix 16

catholicnewsherald.com | March 2, 2012 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

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On TV n Sunday, March 4, 10-11 p.m. (EWTN) “The Path of Repentance.” Franciscan Father Michael Scanlan examines the role of repentance, confession, and acts of penance.

In theaters

n Monday, Mar. 5, 5:30 a.m. and Friday, March 9, 9 p.m (EWTN) “Reality Check: The Four Last Things Death, Judgement, Heaven, Hell, Part 1.” Father Wade Menezes gives a brief overview as to why we should study the Four Last Things.

‘The Secret World of Arrietty’ Poignant animated fable, based on Mary Norton’s 1952 novel “The Borrowers,” in which a sickly 14-year-old boy accidentally discovers a family of miniature people living unobserved in the secluded country house to which he has been sent to prepare for a risky operation. Brief mild peril. CNS: A-I (general patronage), MPAA: G

‘Act of Valor’ Earnest but graphically violent dramatization of the work of the Navy’s SEALs unit. Pervasive violence, including torture. CNS: L (limited adult audience), MPAA: R

‘Gone’ Painfully inept thriller in which a Portland, Ore., waitress goes in search of her missing sister, fearing that the same serial killer who abducted her a year previously has returned to kidnap her sibling. Vigilantism, brief, shadowy partial nudity, and an incidental gay situation. CNS: A-III (adults), MPAA: PG-13

‘Tyler Perry’s Good Deeds’

photos provided by charlie petrizzo

Project2Heal founder Charlie Petrizzo is pictured with his dog Roger at his home in Waxhaw. Petrizzo hopes to expand the training facility to provide more companion dogs, free of charge, for children with special needs.

Documentary about former St. Matthew parishioner ‘renews hope for humanity’

Less heavy-handed than the eponymous writer and director’s other morality plays but considerably slower in pace, this romance, of sorts, focuses on a single relationship, and carries a steady reminder that the wealthy and powerful have to work much harder than the less privileged to approach the kingdom of Heaven. An implied premarital relationship and sexual banter. CNS: A-III (adults), MPAA: PG-13

SueAnn Howell Staff Writer

HARLOTTE — Charlie Petrizzo is blessed to be alive. And now, with the help of Episode 11 Studios in Charlotte, his amazing story of survival and healing is being shared with the world in a unique documentary entitled “Charlie’s Scars.” The film made its debut at the Asheville Film Festival in November, winning the Jury Award for Best Documentary, and it will be shown at the sixth annual Charlotte Film Festival on Tuesday, March 13.

‘Charlie Petrizzo knows about hurt and the scars it can leave. He also knows about healing. What he never suspected is how little he knew about forgiveness.’ — 2012 Charlotte Film Festival

“Hollywood itself could not have written a better script with what happened with this documentary,” Petrizzo says. “Charlie’s Scars” chronicles how Petrizzo was hit by a car just before his fifth birthday. It left him in a coma, paralyzed. He recovered following complex brain surgery. Then, 10 years later, the 15-year-old Petrizzo was accidentally electrocuted by 36,000 volts of electricity while he was on a ladder – leaving more than 70 percent of his body badly burned. Both traumas left his body broken and scarred, but by the grace of God and the love of a canine companion, he healed over the course of time. Petrizzo’s journey of healing and faith features these events and his work with a ministry the former St. Matthew parishioner founded called Project2Heal, which breeds and trains Labrador Retrievers to work as skilled companion dogs for children with special needs. In the documentary, Petrizzo’s work with ICAN (Indiana Canine Assistance Network for training) takes him inside a prison, where inmates train some of his dogs. After realizing that his ministry is giving a second chance to a murderer, he is presented with challenges to his faith and the virtue of forgiveness that he and all Christians are called to – on a level he never imagined. “Charlie’s Scars” is the first documentary produced by Episode 11 Studios, which specializes in corporate videos. But when the producers were HOPE, SEE page 17

n Wednesday, March 7, 3 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. (EWTN) “Hermits Of Bethlehem.” This documentary explores the radical lifestyle of the Hermits of Bethlehem. n Wednesday, March 7, 1 p.m. and Saturday, March 10, 8 p.m. (EWTN) “The Soldier Saint Loyola.” Follow the life of Ignatius. n Thursday, March 8, 3 a.m and 6:30 p.m. (EWTN) “Turning The Tide: Dignity, Compassion, & Euthanasia.” This documentary looks at the heated debate over the legalization of Euthanasia. n Friday, March 9, 10-11 p.m. (EWTN) “River of Light.” First episode of a four-part series exploring the history of Catholicism in Spain and in the Spanish Empire in the Americas. n Sunday, March 11, 1:30-2:30 p.m. (EWTN) “Dana Sings: Ireland’s Classic Melodies.” Dana blends the breathtaking scenery of her homeland, with familiar melodies that celebrate Ireland, the Irish people and their traditionally deep faith. n Monday, March 12, 6:30-7 p.m. (EWTN) “Catholic Action Insight: Bishop Salvatore Cordileone.” Thomas McKenna, interviews Bishop Salvatore J. Cordileone.

March 2, 2012 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

Check it out “Charlie’s Scars” will be shown at 8:45 p.m. March 13 at the Epicentre in uptown Charlotte. For more about the Charlotte Film Festival and how to buy tickets to the screening of “Charlie’s Scars,” go to www. charlottefilmfestival.org.

Charlie Petrizzo visits Webb Street School in Gastonia with one of his dogs last year. His skilled companion dogs provide comfort and joy to children with special needs.

HOPE: FROM PAGE 16

originally approached to work on some dog training videos for Project2Heal, they immediately knew there was an incredible story that needed to be told. With just a director, an editor and a parttime sound technician, the studio set out with a budget of only $26,000 to make the documentary. Proceeds from the film will be donated to Project2Heal Ministries in hopes of buying more property in Waxhaw and expanding its training facility. “Charlie’s story in itself is inspiring,” says Beth Sowell, the film’s editor. “Charlie has a

View the “Charlie’s Scars” trailer at www. charliesscars.com/trailer1. html.

great story, but when we went into the prison and saw what was happening there .... We almost never hear about any rehabilitation or remorse or the progress people make while they’re in there. It restored my faith in humanity. “People can change – and they do.” Randy Davis, who directed “Charlie’s Scars,” has also been impacted by Petrizzo’s story. “It caused me to be less judgmental,” Davis says. “It caused me to question why I believe what I believe and my outlook on other people’s behavior. It gave me a new sense of what being human is all about, what we’re all capable of – good and bad. Through the process we made friends with people I never would ever have associated with. We also saw lots of healing of people who were involved in this story, on both sides of the fence, and it renewed my hope for humanity.”

For more information about bringing a screening of the film to your parish, contact Charlie Petrizzo at 704-2564055 or email ak9nose@gmail. com. Learn more about Project2Heal at www.project2heal. org. It also has a channel on YouTube at www.youtube.com/ user/Project2Heal/feed. PETRIZZO’s book, “7 Lessons For Healing The Hurt,” is now available at Amazon.com.

Our Lady of Mercy parishioner presents solo exhibit WINSTON-SALEM — Betti PettinattiLongionotti, S.F.O., a parishioner of Our Lady of Mercy Church in Winston-Salem, has an exhibit of stained-glass art on display in the Mary Davis Holt Gallery at the Salem Fine Arts Center, on the campus of Salem College in WinstonSalem. The exhibit, entitled “She-roes,” is a mix of oil paintings and glass compositions celebrating women artists who have contributed to the canon of Western art. Pettinatti-Longionotti has been a working artist for more than 30 years, and her stained glass work can be found in churches, temples and private homes in Winston-Salem and beyond. — Annette Tenny

catholicnewsherald.com | March 2, 2012 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

ANNIVERSARY: FROM PAGE 13

– “Young man, what you have to realize is that you don’t run the Church – the Holy Spirit runs the Church. Now, what you have to do is step aside and let Him get on with it.” I took Bishop Begley’s advice – I never forgot it, and I still live by those words. It didn’t mean less work – in fact, it meant more. For after that talk I no longer thought of myself as a boss, but as a first assistant. And soon, to my relief, I learned that here in this wonderful and beautiful state of North Carolina, and here in this warm and hospitable local Church we call the Diocese of Charlotte, I would discover a wealth of support, and a richness of friends – priests, sisters, deacons, lay men and women, all dedicated to the message of Christ, the Holy Gospel, as it is lived every day by our beloved Catholic Church. They were all to become my fellow assistants, and though my hand was on the helm, and theirs manning the tackle and sails, it was the Holy Spirit who provided the wind and determined the course we would sail together. For 10 years, I did the joyous work of being Bishop of Charlotte. I was so happy doing it that when the apostolic nuncio called me in 1993 to tell me that the Holy Father wanted me to go to Atlanta, my immediate and innocent response was, “What for?” I had never thought I would ever leave Charlotte, and to this day, there is in me a degree of regret that it became necessary. But I did leave, and left my beloved North Carolina diocese in the hands of a man

GOMIZ: FROM PAGE 12

curas “que han vivido una experiencia Hispana y han llegado a conocer a la gente, mas su cultura.” Él, junto con los demás coordinadores de ministerios Hispanos de la diócesis, ayuda a la población Hispana con transporte, alojamiento, comida e interpretación. Gomiz ve a “muchos de los hispanos (que) no están recibiendo asistencia tanto pastoral y social aunque tienen un dado derecho. Además de la idea de que debemos hacerlo porque somos Cristianos, por amor a tu hermano, es un derecho básico que protege la dignidad de la persona.” Gomiz está trabajando para desarrollar

MINISTRY: FROM PAGE 12

parishioners’ native language. And Gomiz, along with other coordinators of Hispanic ministries in the diocese, helps the Hispanic population with transportation, rent, food and interpreting. However, Gomiz sees “a lot of the Hispanics (that) are not receiving the assistance both pastorally and socially that they have a right to,” he says. “Besides the thought that we should do it because we are Christians out of love for one’s brother, they have a right as human beings.” And that evangelization effort should go beyond offering Mass in Spanish, he believes.

whom I could trust to carry on – Bishop William Curlin, a long-time friend and fellow priest from Washington. It was my pleasure over the next eight years, until his retirement, to work closely with Bishop Curlin as an associate Bishop of the Southeastern Province, and to see, under his care, what I had done in Charlotte and my hopes for the diocese grow even further, and her people advance in spiritual stature. Then, in 2003, I had the great honor and pleasure to ordain the fourth Bishop of Charlotte – a native son, and one of the finest priests I have ever known, Bishop Peter Jugis. I remember that at Bishop Jugis’ installation, I saluted him with these words: “You are a man for the times and for the place. Your heart, your soul, your roots are here in the hills and plains of North Carolina.” On that day, Bishop Jugis was all of 46 years old – 10 years younger than I was when I came to Charlotte – and now I was 75, the age when bishops send the Holy Father their resignation, in obedience to the law of the Church, and in obedience to the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. It had all come full circle – and woven together in ways too special to be random, too holy to be unplanned. Begley to Donoghue to Curlin to Jugis – priests of Washington, priests of North Carolina, but each a man of his time and place, and all, whether born or adopted, loving servants of God’s People and His Church on earth – and especially that place on earth so dear to us all – the hills and plains of North Carolina, and the Diocese of Charlotte. Archbishop John F. Donoghue served as Bishop of Charlotte from 1984 to 1993. This reflection is from “Voices and Places of The People of God” by David Hains, published for the 35th anniversary of the Diocese of Charlotte. Archbishop Donoghue passed away Nov. 11, 2011.

un programa de formación de catequesis para los hispanos. “Vamos a necesitar maestros hispanos. Hay muy poco aquí en Charlotte.” Un día, le gustaría ver lo que, según Gomiz, sería “el modelo perfecto” para una parroquia: “Vivimos en una casa. Todos podemos ser una iglesia (pero) se reúnen, pasan el tiempo y aprenden en diferentes habitaciones. Finalmente, todos terminan en la misma sala en la que compartimos. Usted comienza con eventos sociales, a continuación, hacer servicio a la comunidad en conjunto, y luego se llega a tener una verdadera Iglesia.” Gomiz reconoce que eso será difícil y que los recursos son limitados. “Habrán pequeñas arrugas pero que pueden quedar resueltas. Es una cuestión de entrar en la mentalidad del respeto, de no imponerme a usted, o usted a mí. Y todo lo demás fluirá.”

Gomiz is currently working to develop an intensive catechesis training program for Hispanics. “We are going to need Hispanic teachers. There are very little here in Charlotte.” He said he would like to have 40 to 50 Spanish-speaking teachers who can lead faith formation in the parishes of the Charlotte vicariate. One day, Gomiz said, he would like to see what he calls “the perfect model” for a parish: “We live under one house. We can all be one Church (but) meet, hang out and learn in different rooms. Then, ultimately, we all end up in the same living room where we share.” Resources are limited, and there will be “little wrinkles,” he acknowledges, “but they can get ironed out. It’s a matter of getting into the mindset of respect, of me not imposing myself on you, or you on me. And everything else will flow.”

Our nation

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In Brief Md. leaders pledge to put samesex ‘marriage’ issue on ballot BALTIMORE — The Maryland Catholic Conference’s executive director, vowing to work with others to bring the measure to a referendum, said the people of the state “will be outraged” at how quickly the bill to legalize same-sex “marriage” made it through the legislature to final passage. The state senate approved it 25-22 the evening of Feb. 23 after deliberating just 48 hours. The House of Delegates had already approved the bill Feb. 17, and Gov. Martin J. O’Malley, the bill’s sponsor, pledged to sign it quickly into law. “I expect that the people of Maryland will be outraged at the manner in which this legislation has been rammed through the legislature, and they will be all the more inspired to do everything necessary to ensure the opportunity to vote in support of traditional marriage,” said Mary Ellen Russell of the Catholic conference, the public policy arm of the bishops serving Maryland Catholics from the Washington and Baltimore archdioceses and the Diocese of Wilmington, Del.

Gov. Christie vetoes same-sex ‘marriage’ bill TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie Feb. 17 made good on his pledge to veto a bill legalizing same-sex “marriage” passed by the state Legislature but at the same time said he might name an ombudsman to make sure the state’s current law recognizing civil unions is respected. The state assembly passed the bill Feb. 16 with a 42-33 vote. The state senate approved it 24-16 Feb. 13. When the bill reached his desk and he vetoed it, Christie said in a statement that “samesex couples in a civil union deserve the very same rights and benefits enjoyed by married couples – as well as the strict enforcement of those rights and benefits. Discrimination should not be tolerated and any complaint alleging a violation of a citizen’s right should be investigated and, if appropriate, remedied,” the Republican governor said, suggesting an ombudsman be appointed. As the same-sex “marriage” measure moved through the legislature, Christie, a Catholic, said legalizing marriage for same-sex couples should be put on the November ballot for voters to decide the issue. — Catholic News Service

States, women, senators join fight against HHS contraceptive mandate Nancy Frazier O’Brien Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Seven states have filed suit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ mandate that nearly all health insurance plans cover contraceptives free of charge, saying that it violates religious freedom and leaves “countless additional religious freedoms vulnerable to government intrusion.” Joining the attorneys general of Nebraska, South Carolina, Michigan, Texas, Florida, Ohio and Oklahoma in the lawsuit were a Catholic nun, a lay missionary working with the Fellowship of Catholic University Students, Pius X Catholic High School in Lincoln, Neb., and the Omaha-based Catholic Mutual Group, a self-insurance fund that covers more than 125 dioceses or archdioceses and 200 Catholic religious congregations in the U.S. and Canada. The latest lawsuit was filed as protests against the HHS mandate have continued to mount. More than 4,500 women signed a letter calling on President Barack Obama, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Congress “to allow religious institutions and individuals to continue to witness to their faiths in all their fullness.” In addition, 18 U.S. senators asked Obama to rescind the mandate. The latest legal action follows lawsuits filed earlier by Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, Colorado Christian University in Denver and Ave Maria University in Naples, Fla., as well as the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN). The mandate requires no-cost coverage of all contraceptives approved by Food and Drug Administration, including some that can cause an abortion, as well as sterilizations, as part of preventive health services for women. A narrow religious exemption applies only to those employed by houses of worship. In a revision announced Feb. 10, Obama said religious employers could decline to cover contraceptives if they were morally opposed to them, but the health insurers that provide their health plans would be required to offer contraceptives free of charge to women who requested such coverage. He also announced a one-year delay on enforcement of the mandate. “The First Amendment has, for centuries, served as a rampart against government interference with religious liberty,” says the brief filed with the

THE HHS CONTRACEPTIVE MANDATE has stirred controversy. Among those who have heard about it, Catholics and evangelical Protestants support a religious exemption more than other groups do. percentage of those in support of a religious exemption 48%

ALL AMERICANS WHITE CATHOLICS

55%

CATHOLIC WEEKLY CHURCHGOERS

63% 68%

WHITE EVANGELICALS WHITE MAINLINE PROTESTANTS NO RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION Source: Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life

Poll finds support for religious exemption higher among Catholics WASHINGTON, D.C. — Support for a religious exemption to the contraceptive mandate in the U.S. health reform plan is stronger among Catholics, especially those who attend church weekly, than among the general population, according to a survey released Feb. 14 by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life and the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press. It showed that 55 percent of Catholics who have heard about the controversy support giving religious institutions that object to the use of contraceptives an exemption from the regulation, while 39 percent oppose such an exemption. The survey was taken Feb. 8-12 among 1,501 adults, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points for the general sample. U.S. District Court for Nebraska. “The federal government’s regulation is an unprecedented invasion of the plaintiffs’ First Amendment rights to free speech, free exercise of religion and free association.” The open letter from women was organized by Helen Alvare, who teaches law at George Mason University School of Law, and Kim Daniels, former counsel to the Thomas More Law Center, under the banner Women Speak for Themselves (womenspeakforthemselves.com). “No one speaks for all women on these issues,” the letter says. “Those who purport to do so are simply attempting to deflect attention from the serious religious liberty issues currently at stake. The letter from 18 Republican senators said the president’s revised rule “leaves few viable options for religiously affiliated organizations and individuals to avoid using their funds to pay, directly

or indirectly, for services they consider morally objectionable.” Meanwhile, Catholic Charities USA also issued a statement Feb. 16 that contrary to media reports the organization has “not endorsed” the revision announced by Obama. “We unequivocally share the goal of the U.S. Catholic bishops to uphold religious liberty and will continue to work with the USCCB toward that goal.”

Keep up with the latest Go online to www.catholicnewsherald.com for more news and reactions about the HHS contraception mandate. Also on our website, read four myths about the HHS contraceptive mandate and get the facts.

Our world 20

catholicnewsherald.com | March 2, 2012 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Lent should be time of grace, defeating temptation, pope says Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — The 40 days of Lent are a time of spiritual renewal in preparation for Easter, but they also are a time to recognize that evil is at work in the world and even the Catholic Church faces temptations, Pope Benedict XVI said. The pope explained the meaning of Lent during his weekly general audience Feb. 22, Ash Wednesday. Like the people of Israel during their 40-year exodus and like Jesus during His 40 days in the desert, the Catholic Church and its members experience the grace of God, but also are besieged by evil around them and are tempted by power and selfishness, the pope said. Jesus, before beginning His public ministry, withdrew to the desert for 40 days. Fasting, “He nourished Himself on the word of God, which He used as a weapon to defeat the devil,” the pope said. Pope Benedict said experience of God’s grace and of temptation is not unique to modern Catholics or to the Church. During their 40 years in the desert, the people of Israel were guided by God, fed with manna and given water from a rock, but they also were tired, complaining and tempted to return to idol

worship, the pope said. And, spending 40 days in the desert before beginning His public ministry, Jesus experienced the closeness of God, but also faced the devil’s temptations of “power, success and dominion.” “This ambivalent situation also describes the condition of the Church journeying through the desert of the world and history. In this desert, we believers certainly have the opportunity of having a profound experience of God, who strengthens our spirit, confirms our faith, nourishes our hope and animates our charity,” the pope said. However, he said, “the desert is also the negative aspect of the reality that surrounds us: the aridity, the poverty of words and values, the secularism and materialism” that attempt to convince people that God does not exist. Still, “the desert time can be transformed into a time of grace” because God’s love is more powerful than the temptations of the world, the pope said. At the end of the audience, Pope Benedict met with Msgr. Keith Newton, head of the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham. Members of the ordinariate, established in January 2011 for the pastoral care of former Anglicans in England and Wales, were making a pilgrimage to the Vatican to thank the pope.

CNS | Paul Haring

Members of the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham in England attend Pope Benedict XVI’s general audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican Feb. 22. About 90 former Anglicans who entered the Catholic Church and are now members of the ordinariate attended the audience.

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In Brief Pope begins retreat, encourages prayer, fasting, charity VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI asked Catholics for their prayers as he began his weeklong Lenten retreat Feb. 26. He prayed that all Catholics would “embrace the spirit of this holy season, through prayer, fasting and almsgiving.” Congolese Cardinal Laurent Monsengwo of Kinshasa was chosen to preach the retreat Feb. 26-March 3 for Pope Benedict and top Vatican officials in the Redemptoris Mater Chapel inside the Apostolic Palace. The cardinal’s topic was to be “Communion of the Christian with God.” During the retreat period, the pope clears his calendar of public events, including his weekly general audience.

Nuncio to Irish Catholics: Pope knows abuse scandals made lives tough DUBLIN — Pope Benedict XVI is acutely aware that recent years have been tough for Irish Catholics as a result of the clerical sex abuse scandals, said the new apostolic nuncio to Ireland. Speaking during a Mass to mark his formal welcome as Pope Benedict’s representative in Dublin Feb. 19, U.S. Archbishop Charles Brown also said the pope was “scandalized and dismayed as he learned about the tragedy of abuse perpetrated by some members of the clergy and of religious congregations. He felt deeply the wounds of those who had been harmed and who so often had not been listened to.” Referring to the pope’s previous role as head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Archbishop Brown, himself a former official in the doctrinal congregation, said, “From the beginning, Pope Benedict was resolute and determined to put into place changes which would give the Church the ability to deal more effectively with those who abuse trust, as well as to provide the necessary assistance to those who had been victimized. “Pope Benedict has been relentless and consistent on this front, and I assure you that he will continue to be,” he said.

Former Anglicans celebrate Mass in St. Peter’s, give thanks VATICAN CITY — For perhaps the first time ever, Anglican hymns, chants and prayers reverberated off the marble walls of St. Peter’s Basilica as some members of the world’s first ordinariate for former Anglicans celebrated their coming into the Catholic Church. “Wonderful is not a strong enough word to express how we feel to be here,” where the apostle Peter gave his life “and where his successors guarded the faith for generations,” said Father Len Black in his homily. Mass at the basilica and the pilgrimage to Rome generated “a feeling of coming home,” said the Catholic priest who served as an Episcopalian pastor in the Scottish Highlands for 31 years. The group of about 94 pilgrims, including a dozen priests, was led by Msgr. Keith Newton, head of the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham, which was established in 2011 for former Anglicans in England and Wales. After celebrating morning Mass Feb. 24 in a side chapel, the group moved to the center of the basilica and stood in front of the “Confessio” – a lower chapel honoring St. Peter’s confession of faith that led to his martyrdom – and recited the General Thanksgiving, a traditional Anglican prayer.

Pope: Profit cannot be primary motive in treating infertility VATICAN CITY — An almost exclusive reliance on technology and a focus on financial profit seem to dominate the field of medical responses to infertility, Pope Benedict XVI said. However, what couples need and deserve, he said, is “a correct diagnostic evaluation and a therapy that corrects the causes of infertility.” Pope Benedict spoke Feb. 25 to members of the Pontifical Academy for Life, which had just held a daylong workshop at the Vatican on diagnosing and treating infertility. The pope said he wanted “to encourage the intellectual honesty of your work, an expression of a science that maintains a correct spirit of seeking the truth to serve the authentic human good and that avoids the risk of being merely functional.” At the conference, physicians and researchers said modern medicine’s almost automatic recommendation that couples having trouble conceiving try in vitro fertilization is a response that does not seek the cause of infertility, but addresses only the symptom and does so in a way that violates Church teaching. — Catholic News Service

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Peggy Bowes

Rico De Silva

Seriously Catholic “And without faith it is impossible to please Him. For whoever would draw near God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.” (Heb 11:6).

attended the second-annual Catholic Men’s Conference at St. Matthew Church in Charlotte last month. As a Catholic man, I was deeply thankful to be able to gather with more than 700 men from all over the Carolinas who made time on a beautiful Saturday for a day to learn, pray and enjoy fellowship with other brothers on the same spiritual journey. Both keynote speakers – Father Glenn Sudano, CFR, and lay evangelist Hector Molina – were outstanding in their presentations and their exhortations to us to pursue holy lives. At the conference’s closing, one of the organizers, Dan Trapini, distributed some commitment cards and asked us, “What are you going to do now to be a better Catholic man, husband and father?” The commitment cards outlined six components of a “true Catholic man.” The first component read: “A true Catholic man is committed to pursuing an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ through worship, prayer, sacrifice and the sacraments.” Before reading the remaining commitments, I stopped and reflected., asking myself: “What does that mean? Is it possible for a 21st century man to develop an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, much less throwing in daily prayer and sacrifice? Isn’t it enough just to go to church on Sundays and receive Communion to go to heaven?” After the conference, I asked Dan to summarize the main take-away from the event. He responded, “Men need to take their Catholic faith seriously.” I couldn’t agree with him more. And the only way for anybody to take Catholicism seriously is through God’s grace. We need God’s grace to be called to repentance and believe in the Gospel. We need God’s grace to recognize our sinfulness and avail ourselves of God’s infinite mercy in the sacrament of confession. We need God’s grace to be true spiritual leaders at home and leading by example, engaging more with our wives and children. We need God’s grace to develop some kind of daily prayer life to listen to Our Father’s voice in silence, even if it’s just five minutes away from our smart phones, ESPN or Facebook. We need God’s grace as men to participate more actively during Sunday Mass, and not leave Church right after Communion to beat the rush out of the parking lot. Father Sudano said during the conference that “the grace of God is invisible, but real.” However, we must seek it first in prayer before God can infuse it in our hearts and minds. Gentlemen, let’s pray for God to mold us into the men He wants us to be. We will never take our faith seriously until we do that. And neither will our friends and family take us seriously as true Catholic men until we do. Rico de Silva is a member of St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte.

David Hains

The Holy Face of Jesus in the sorrowful mysteries

oday I prayed the sorrowful mysteries during a workout as I walked up and down a long, steep road near my home. As an aid to meditation, I reflected on the Holy Face of Jesus. In the Agony in the Garden, Jesus’ face is human perfection: He is still the “unblemished lamb,” about to be led to the slaughter (Isaiah 53:7). I imagine that His eyes are gentle and loving but probe into the depths of one’s soul. As He fervently prays, His holy face is lifted to heaven in agony as He pleads for the cup of suffering to be taken away. Yet He obeys the will of His Father rather than the weakness of His human flesh. By the time Jesus is scourged at the pillar, His face has likely been bruised and battered by the enemies among His own people. The cruel whips of the Roman soldiers increase the damage as they strike His head and face, tearing flesh away and causing unbearable suffering. Jesus patiently endures this torture, all the while looking upon those who beat Him with love and mercy. When Jesus is mockingly crowned with thorns, He continues to look upon the pagan soldiers with love and mercy. The sharp thorns pierce His scalp and forehead, causing blood to run down His face and into His eyes. How could these men not be moved by His loving and kind countenance? While Jesus carries His cross to Calvary, He encounters several people on the way, profoundly affecting each one. The most painful meeting must have been with His beloved mother. Can you imagine the sword of sorrow that pierced her Immaculate Heart when she looked upon the disfigured face of her beloved Son? Simon of Cyrene, an unwilling bystander, must have looked upon the Holy Face and been profoundly affected. We know that Simon’s sons were involved in the early Church, and I’m sure he told the story of carrying the cross with the Savior to anyone who would listen. Veronica, a woman brave enough to push past the soldiers, weeps as she offers her veil to Jesus so He can wipe the blood from His eyes, leaving an imprint on her veil as well as on her heart. Later, the women of Jerusalem weep as Jesus passes by, but He turns His Holy Face to them and tells them not to shed tears for Him but for themselves and their children. By the time Jesus is crucified and hangs on the cross, His Holy Face calls to mind the words of the prophet Isaiah: “There was in Him no stately bearing to make us look at Him, nor appearance that would attract us to Him.” (Isaiah 53:2) The crowd turned their faces from Him, just as we often do. Pray the rosary, every day if possible. It will lead you to Christ, so that you might gaze on His Holy Face in all its glory in eternity. Peggy Bowes is a member of Holy Angels Church in Mount Airy and author of “The Rosary Workout” (www.rosaryworkout.com).

Most-read stories on the web Through press time on Feb. 29, 2,299 page titles on www. catholicnewsherald.com were viewed a total of 23,318 times. The top five local headlines in February were: n Catholics stand in peaceful protest of blasphemous play...........3,046 n Bishop Jugis: We must stand up and protect religious freedom.... 863 n St. Patrick Cathedral renovations complete......................................846 n N.C. bishops ask for action to protest contraception mandate....442 n Belmont Abbey president testifies on religious freedom............... 422

Catholics and the media

Let’s inform people, not confuse them

or the second time in less than a week, I recently found myself on the telephone with a representative of one of the state’s largest newspapers, trying to correct an error about the proposed constitutional amendment to protect marriage. In both cases the Charlotte Observer and the Raleigh News and Observer reported that Bishop Peter Jugis opposed the constitutional amendment on marriage. Nothing could be further from the truth. Bishop Jugis has spoken out in favor of traditional marriage during Mass, in the pages of this newspaper, through Catholic Voice North Carolina and via YouTube. You will be hard pressed to find anyone who is more familiar with the issue and with the importance of preserving traditional marriage. Fortunately, the mistakes were in online versions of stories that had not yet been published in the print edition, so the errors were quickly corrected. How did the newspapers get it so wrong? The constitutional amendment to protect marriage would elevate what is already state law by putting it into the state’s constitution. The proposed amendment defines marriage as being only between one man and one woman. For several months now, every large newspaper in North Carolina has chosen to identify the marriage amendment as “the proposed constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage,” or some variation of that. But that’s not what the amendment says. The newspapers’ description is not only inaccurate, it also subtly hints that traditional marriage is some kind of a discriminatory ban – completely ignoring the fact that marriage is an institution that predates the state of North Carolina, the Catholic Church and even western civilization itself. Catholics – indeed all Christians – should see this word twisting as an insult to our faith, because God created marriage when He made men and women complementary for the creation of children. Christ sanctified marriage in His first public miracle at the wedding feast at Cana. When I propose to reporters that they occasionally use alternate language such as “the constitutional amendment that promotes traditional marriage,” I have been met by unanswered emails and unreturned phone calls. I’ve asked reporters why they don’t refer to the marriage amendment simply as “the marriage amendment,” why they feel compelled to describe it as “an amendment to ban same-sex marriage.” I’ve been told repeatedly that the two descriptions are the same. Apparently not, since the reporters who are writing about “the same-sex amendment” are getting themselves confused about the stance of one of the chief supporters of traditional marriage, our bishop. And if the reporters and editors are getting confused, imagine how their readers are faring. When reporters, editors and readers are confused, the news organizations are not living up to their selfappointed obligation to inform the public. Let’s avoid confusion and simply call it “the marriage amendment.” Catholic teaching is clear that we should cast our ballots FOR marriage. David Hains is the Diocese of Charlotte Director of Communication.

March 2, 2012 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

Letters to the editor

True Catholic men are committed to the faith and their families Sister Margie Lavonis

Lent: A retreat opportunity O

ver the years I have heard people say that they wish they had the time to make a retreat or find a way to deepen their spirituality. Many yearn to get closer to God. Lent provides a time for this. Every year our Church gives us 40 days to reflect on our spiritual lives and to examine and deepen our relationships with God. Like a retreat, Lent can provide us with an opportunity to slow down and take stock of how well we are living our baptismal commitment as disciples of Christ. The Church suggests that we focus on the traditional Lenten disciplines of prayer, fasting and almsgiving to renew our spiritual lives. I have found that a good way to examine our prayer lives is to look at how much quality time we give to developing our friendship with the Lord. Maybe our prayer life is limited to Mass on Sunday and a rote prayer before meals, when we remember. Perhaps we pray mostly when we want or need a favor from God. Let this Lent be different! No relationship can deepen and grow unless we are willing to listen and share ourselves with the other person. God is no exception. During Lent, if you don’t already, set aside at least 15 to 20 minutes each day to be with God. Go to a quiet place, slow down, and remember that God loves you. Read and reflect upon some scripture each day, seeking out God’s wisdom in His words to us. Some find it helpful to use the Mass readings for each day (see page 2). In fact, it would be good to try going to Mass more than just on Sunday. Add another day. The second Lenten discipline is fasting. Besides fasting and abstaining from meat during Lent, the first thing many of us think of when it comes to fasting is giving up some kind of food, such as candy or ice cream. Abstaining from treats is definitely one way to fast, but there are other approaches you can take that may be more spiritually meaningful for you. It could be more beneficial to fast from gossiping about others, or avoiding conversations that engage in negativity or in tearing down someone’s reputation. Another suggestion is to try talking less and become a better listener – both to God and to people who could use some attention. It can be a real exercise in discipline to stop and focus on the other person in a conversation, to really listen to what he or she says, instead of waiting to jump in with what you want to say. We should choose the type of fasting that would most benefit our spiritual lives. The other traditional Lenten discipline is giving alms. When I was in elementary school, we were given mite boxes to save money for a good cause. That is an important part of Lent, but it is often easier to give our loose change to the poor than to share the precious gifts of our time and talents to those who need them. Lent calls us to give of ourselves, not just our financial and material resources. During Lent we might choose a particular person or cause that could use some of our time. In what ways can we get out of ourselves and think more of others? Besides our time, another thing we may be called to give during Lent is forgiveness. Who are the people in our lives – whether living or dead – that we need to forgive? From whom do we need to ask forgiveness? It is not easy to be reconciled with someone we hurt or who hurt us, but it can bring a lot of peace to our hearts. I hope that you will take advantage of this annual opportunity to deepen your faith. Classes, papers, jobs, committees, projects, etc., will pass away, but our relationship with God is forever. Let us get to know and serve God better during these days as we prepare for Easter. Don’t let this be just another 40 days of the year. Make each day count.

‘Classes, papers, jobs, committees, projects, etc., will pass away, but our relationship with God is forever.’

Sister Margie Lavonis is professed with the Sisters of the Holy Cross in Notre Dame, Ind. To learn more about the Sisters of the Holy Cross, go online to www.cscsisters.org.

This year marked the second-annual Charlotte Catholic Men’s Conference, with more than 700 men attending. We heard great speakers who challenged us, and countless men received the sacrament of reconciliation. Monsignor John McSweeney graciously opened up the entire campus of St. Matthew Church, and the Knights of Columbus worked tirelessly to recruit, volunteer and raise enough money to purchase an ultrasound machine. We were blessed to have many women from the Charlotte Catholic Women’s Group praying for us in front of the Blessed Sacrament the night before and every hour during the conference. We were also blessed to have the participation of our bishops and priests who supported our men and administered the sacraments. Our deacons were visibly present encouraging our men. One of the highlights for many participants was simply to be around hundreds of Catholic men alive in their faith. Unfortunately, the Catholic man alive in his faith has become somewhat of an anomaly these days. And while the conference is nice, unless the men continue to grow in faith throughout the year, the conferences serve little purpose. We hope to inspire and support our men in their journey of “Being a True Catholic Man.” In doing so, we have identified the following aspirations for all us Catholic men to truly be better husbands, fathers and Catholics: A True Catholic Man is committed to pursuing an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ through worship, prayer, sacrifice and the sacraments. He is committed to pursuing fellowship with other Catholic men to strengthen him on his spiritual journey. He is committed to evangelizing by sharing the true Catholic faith. He is committed to supporting the mission of the Church by actively giving his time, talent and treasure. He is committed to dying unto himself each day, laying down his life for his family as Christ laid down His life for the Church. He is committed to providing for and vigorously protecting his family physically, emotionally and spiritually. We hope that our annual conferences act as a springboard for Catholic men to live up to their callings. We hope to foster many followup opportunities for men to grow in their faith throughout the year, and we look forward to gathering again in 2013. Daniel J. Trapini lives in Charlotte and is one of the Charlotte Catholic Men’s Conference organizers.

Busy moms: It’s worth it to make time for spending time with God in Adoration I have a confession to make. Even though I am a morning person, I love the snooze button on my alarm clock. For many years I have justified missing morning prayers with my need for just 15 more minutes of sleep. After all, I reasoned, God has given me eight children so I know that He understands that these 15 extra minutes will make me a much holier and

more patient mother. It was not until Perpetual Adoration began at several parishes in our diocese that I could no longer press the snooze button on God’s gentle plea to spend some time with Him alone. I remember sitting in the pew at Mass listening to the request for adorers and finding it ironic that I could find time to bring my children to school, the doctor and athletic events but have no time to bring my children (in prayer) to the Divine Teacher, Healer and Protector. I began to wonder if it pains our Heavenly Father to know that there are waiting lists for schools and special enrichment programs and yet hours of Adoration remain open. I remember a nun once telling me that sometimes an embrace from Jesus hurts a little bit and that we often prefer He remove His crowns of thorns before we give Him a hug. Carving out time for Adoration in our genuinely busy schedules does hurt a little bit. However, as God so masterfully works, when we manage to squeeze out a little time for Him, He pours grace upon us with amazing generosity. We no longer notice the lost sleep or inconvenience in rearranging our schedules. We actually look forward to and cherish that special time alone with our Heavenly Father. I have found it truly remarkable that when we bring God our joys, sorrows and concerns in Adoration, He calms our fears, offers us guidance and even helps us prioritize our day. So if you are a busy stay-at-home mom, a working mom, a spiritual mother or a grandmother, run – don’t walk – to the nearest Adoration chapel in our diocese. Surrender your children, your husband, your family, your crazy schedule. Watch how He multiplies the time in your day and grants you a peace and joy that no extra hour of sleep will ever provide! Amy Goduti is a parishioner at St. Ann Church in Charlotte.

HHS mandate is a blessing in disguise The horrific scene of Christ’s Passion and death must have appeared to bystanders to be cruel and meaningless. But those with eyes of faith knew in their hearts, and learned three days later, that it was God’s greatest act of mercy for the world. Now in light of the federal Health and Human Services mandate requiring all employers to fund contraception, sterilization and abortifacients, acts which the Church has long taught to be intrinsically evil, those with faith can see this too as an act of incredible mercy from God. The Lord works all things for good, and this is no exception. The mandate has forced the Church to address this issue. Sadly, many priests have been silent on this issue for way too long, and that has had devastating consequences considering that so many Catholics use artificial birth control in spite of Church teaching. I’m hearing story after story recently about priests all over the country who have been met with thunderous applause when they talk about contraception to their congregations during Mass. Thanks to this mandate, which is no doubt the work of the devil, we can nonetheless see God working a great mercy for our country. Perhaps this will be the catalyst for a resurgence of Catholics abandoning artificial birth control and being open to the gift of life. Beth Ohlhaut lives in Kannapolis.

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