Sept. 14, 2012 by Catholic News Herald

INSIDE:

Guide to the 2012 Eucharistic Congress Sept. 21-22 John 1: 29

THE SOURCE AND SUMMIT OF THE NEW EVANGELIZATION

September 14, 2012

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INDEX Contact us.......................... 4 Events calendar................. 4 Our Parishes................. 3-11 Our Faith............................. 2 Schools..............................18 Scripture readings............ 2 TV & Movies...................... 20 U.S. news..................... 22-23 Viewpoints.................. 26-27 World news................. 24-25

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Our faith 2

catholicnewsherald.com | September 14, 2012 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

A saintly life

The facts of faith

St. Robert Bellarmine: Pope Benedict XVI

Help Christians stay in Mideast, build peace Just two days before beginning a pastoral journey to the Middle East, Pope Benedict XVI launched an appeal to all Christians in the region to respond to social and political tensions and insecurity by being hopeful, active builders of peace and reconciliation. At the end of his weekly general audience Sept. 12, the pope thanked Middle Eastern Christians for their courage in remaining in the region, and he prayed that God would strengthen their faith and fill them with hope. Saying he was looking forward to visiting Lebanon Sept. 14-16, Pope Benedict thanked those who support Christians in the Middle East and called for continued aid “so that they might be able to continue to give witness to Christ in those blessed lands, by seeking communion in unity.” Although the pope spoke in French to pilgrims and visitors in the Vatican’s Paul VI audience hall, the Vatican also released a written Arabic translation. Pope Benedict said his Lebanon trip would allow him to meet with leaders of the Catholic communities and civil society, as well as with representatives of the nation’s richly diverse religious groups, including other Christians, Muslims and Druze. “I thank the Lord for this richness, which will not be able to continue without living in permanent peace and reconciliation,” he said. “That is why I urge all Christians in the Middle East, whether native or newcomer, to be builders of peace and agents of reconciliation.” History has shown that the different Christian communities have played an “important and often fundamental role in interreligious and intercultural dialogue” in the region, he said. Giving his blessings to all those in Lebanon and the Middle East, the pope prayed that a much needed peace, in respect for “legitimate differences,” would come to the region. In his main audience talk, the pope looked at the Book of Revelation and the importance of prayer in understanding God’s plan for humanity. “Prayer is like an open window that lets us keep our eyes on God,” not just as a reminder of one’s true purpose in life, but as a way to let His will “shine on our earthy journey” and help us navigate a troubled world with confidence, he said. Despite all the evil, suffering and difficulties in the world, “as Christians, we can never be pessimists,” he said. “We know well that on our life journey, we will often encounter violence, lies, hatred and persecution, but this does not discourage us,” he said.

Chastity is a virtue

‘The most educated man in the Church’ Feast day: Sept. 17 Benjamin Mann Catholic News Agency

On Sept. 17, the Church celebrates the Italian cardinal and theologian St. Robert Bellarmine, one of the most important figures of the Counter-Reformation. One of the great saints of the Jesuit order, St. Robert has also been declared a Doctor of the Church and the patron of catechists. Robert Bellarmine was born on Oct. 4, 1542, in the Tuscan town of Montepulciano. His uncle was a cardinal who later Bellarmine became Pope Marcellus II. As a young man, Robert received his education from the Jesuit order, which had received written papal approval only two years before his birth. In September of 1560, Robert entered the Jesuit order himself. He studied philosophy for three years in Rome, then taught humanities until 1567, when he began a study of theology that lasted until 1569. The final stage of his training emphasized the refutation of Protestant errors. Robert received ordination to the priesthood in Belgium, where his sermons drew crowds of both Catholics and Protestants. In 1576, he returned to Italy and took up an academic position addressing theological controversies. The resulting work, his “Disputations,” became a classic of Catholic apologetics. Near the end of the 1580s, the esteemed theologian became “Spiritual Father” to the Roman College. He served as a guide to St. Aloysius Gonzaga near the end of the young Jesuit’s life, and helped produce the authoritative Latin text of the Bible called for by the recent Council of Trent. Around the century’s end, Robert became an advisor to Pope Clement VIII. The pope named him a cardinal in 1599, declaring him to be the most educated man in the Church. Robert played a part in a debate between

Dominicans and Jesuits regarding grace. The pope later decided to appoint and consecrate him as the Archbishop of Capua. The cardinal archbishop’s three years in Capua stood out as an example of fidelity to the reforming spirit and decrees of the Council of Trent. He was considered as a possible pope in two successive elections, but the thought of becoming pope disturbed him and in the end he was never chosen. In the early years of the 17th century, the cardinal took a public stand for the Church’s freedom when it came under attack in Venice and England. He also attempted, though not successfully, to negotiate peace between the Vatican and his personal friend Galileo Galilei, over the scientist’s insistence that not only the earth, but the entire universe, revolved around the sun. He retired due to health problems in the summer of 1621. Two years before, he had set out his thoughts on the end of earthly life in

a book titled “The Art of Dying Well.” In that work, he explained that preparing for death was life’s most important business, since the state of one’s soul at death would determine a person’s eternal destiny. St. Robert Bellarmine died on Sept. 17, 1621. He was 78. Pope Pius XI canonized him in 1931, and declared him to be a Doctor of the Church.

For many people today, the concept of chastity is ridiculous. Some hear the word and assume it means the lack of something fun, or an all-toostrict rule, or even a useless practice that makes love dirty or restrictive. The late Pope John Paul II, however, had a different take on the subject: “Only the chaste man and the chaste woman are capable of true love.” In fact, far from being pointless or restricting, the virtue of chastity grants us true freedom, orders our desires for good, and makes us happier in relationships, particularly romantic ones. More and more in our modern society, we see purity being thrown away for a casual, selfish slavery to the passions that men and women naturally have for each other. While good in themselves, these desires must always be subject to reason, discipline and love, especially those involving physical affection. For example, imagine two young people who meet and eventually fall in love. If the young man truly loves his girlfriend, he will wait until they are married before giving himself to her in that total, intimate way the Church declares as exclusive to spouses. When two people court each other in a caring, patient and virtuous way, their love is free to blossom and becomes all the more beautiful in marriage. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church explains, “The alternative is clear: either man governs his passions and finds peace, or he lets himself be dominated by them and becomes unhappy.” (CCC 2339) So in the end, far from being unpleasant or restraining, this virtue is actually a positive and rewarding way of life. All Christians are called to be pure in body and heart, whether they are married, engaged, dating, single, priests or professed religious. Although it involves a great deal of discipline and hard work, chastity is always worth it. St. Maria Goretti valued her purity so highly that she let herself be brutally stabbed to death instead of giving it up. Overall, this virtue is really about loving and respecting each other, and we can all obtain it with the generous help of Christ and His holy Mother. Mary, make us chaste! — Joseph Bruck

Your daily Scripture readings SCRIPTURE FOR THE WEEK OF SEPT. 16 - SEPT. 22

Sunday, Isaiah 50:4-9, James 2:14-18, Mark 8:27-35; Monday (St. Robert Bellarmine), 1 Corinthians 11:17-26, 33, Luke 7:1-10; Tuesday, 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 27-31, Luke 7:11-17; Wednesday (St. Januarius), 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13, Luke 7:31-35; Thursday (Sts. Andrew kim Tae-gon, Paul Chong Ha-sang and Companions), 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Luke 7:36-50; Friday (St. Matthew), Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13, Matthew 9:9-13; Saturday, 1 Corinthians 15:35-37, 42-49, Luke 8:4-15

SCRIPTURE FOR THE WEEK OF SEPT. 23 - SEPT. 29

Sunday, Wisdom 2:12, 17-20, James 3:164:3, Mark 9:30-37; Monday, Proverbs 3:2734, Luke 8:16-18; Tuesday, Proverbs 21:1-6, 10-13, Luke 8:19-21; Wednesday (Sts. Cosmas and Damian), Proverbs 30:5-9, Luke 9:1-6; Thursday (St. Vincent de Paul), Ecclesiastes 1:2-11, Luke 9:7-9; Friday (St. Wenceslaus, St. Lawrence Ruiz and Companions), Ecclesiastes 3:1-11, Luke 9:18-22; Saturday (Sts. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels), Daniel 7:910, 13-14, John 1:47-51

SCRIPTURE FOR THE WEEK OF SEPT. 30 - OCT. 6

Sunday, Numbers 11:25-29, James 5:1-6, Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48; Monday (St. Therese), Job 1:6-22, Luke 9:46-50; Tuesday (Guardian Angels), Job 3:1-3, 11-17, 20-23, Matthew 18:1-5, 10; Wednesday, Job 9:1-12, 14-16, Luke 9:57-62; Thursday (St. Francis of Assisi), Job 19:21-27, Luke 10:1-12; Friday, Job 38:1, 12-21, 40:3-5, Luke 10:13-16; Saturday, Job 42:1-3, 5-6, 12-17, Luke 10:17-24

Our parishes

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In Brief Asheville council OK’s hotel near historic basilica ASHEVILLE — City leaders in Asheville voted 4-2 to sell land adjacent to the Basilica of St. Lawrence to the hotel developer, McGibbon Group. After the Sept. 11 public hearing, where several people who supported selling the .80 acres to the Diocese of Charlotte spoke, the city council decided against the church’s offer and proposal for a plaza on the property. The hotel developer has said precautions will be taken to protect the historically significant century-old church. Read more at www.catholicnewsherald.com. — Kimberly Bender

Photos provided by Richard Reece

Bishops from across the Atlanta Province are pictured at Mass during the biennial Assembly of Bishops and Priests.

IC venerates Guadalupe image HENDERSONVILLE — On the feast of the Queenship of Mary, Aug. 22, more than 350 people gathered at Immaculate Conception Church in Hendersonville for a bilingual service to venerate the Our Lady of Guadalupe image that is traveling throughout the U.S. The service, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, brought together the parish’s English-speaking and Spanish-speaking communities for a celebration of Our Mother Queen of Heaven. Afterwards, a festive reception was held in St. Francis Hall. — Capuchin Franciscan Father Martin Schratz

House of Mercy gets furniture thanks to grant BELMONT — House of Mercy recently received new furniture for its recreation room, thanks to a grant from the Catholic Human Services Foundation. Through the grant, House of Mercy purchased a new computer desk, sofa, loveseat, end table, coffee table and two lamps. Other grants have recently been received from the Sisters of Mercy of North Carolina Foundation and the Chatlos Foundation (supporting a Director of Nursing position). House of Mercy must raise $540,889 this year from charitable sources including individuals, organizations, churches, businesses and foundations and is grateful for community support. House of Mercy is a ministry of the Sisters of Mercy that provides a home and specialized care for people living with AIDS. — Marjorie Storch

Bishops and priests gather in Raleigh for Assembly of study, prayer ‘Catholicism’ author Father Barron featured speaker Richard Reece Diocese of Raleigh

RALEIGH — Bishop Peter J. Jugis joined his brother bishops from the Atlanta Province Aug. 27-29 during the province’s Assembly of Bishops and Priests, hosted by the Diocese of Raleigh. The assembly included seven bishops and approximately 130 priests of the Atlanta Province. The Atlanta Province encompasses five dioceses in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, and is headed by Atlanta Archbishop Wilton Gregory. Every two years, clergy in the province come together for study days. The 2012 session was hosted by the Diocese of Raleigh. This year’s presenter was Father Robert Barron, a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago, who has become a leader in the New Evangelization. Twelve years ago, Father Barron began “Word on Fire Catholic Ministries,” which includes broadcast programs, books, commentaries and blogs. Among his recent projects has been a book titled “Catholicism” and a 10-part documentary, “The Catholicism Project,” in which he traveled to 16 countries to tell the story of the Church. The acclaimed series aired on

public television in 2011 and on Catholic TV channels. In May, Cardinal Francis George named Father Barron to the position of rector and president the University of Our Lady of the Lake (Mundelein) Seminary in the archdiocese. Father Barron said he will continue his evangelization work in addition to the work required in his new assignment. On Tuesday evening, Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory of Atlanta celebrated Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Raleigh for those attending the province meeting. Besides Bishop Jugis, concelebrants were Raleigh Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, Charleston (S.C.) Bishop Robert E. Guglielmone, Savannah Bishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, Savannah’s retired Bishop J. Kevin Boland, Atlanta Auxiliary Bishop Luis R. Zarama and priests from all over the Province of Atlanta. Noting that Aug. 28 was the Feast of St. Augustine, Archbishop Gregory focused most of his homily on the importance of one of the most well-known Doctors of the Church. “St. Augustine was one of the most eloquent and most important leaders in the first 1,000 years of the Church,” Archbishop Gregory said. “His wisdom inspires us still today. His writings and his

preaching illuminated and still illuminates the Church.” With the theme of this year’s study days being the New Evangelization, Archbishop Gregory pointed to the evangelization success of St. Augustine. “He spoke in a clear, transparent and simple way. St. Augustine had the ability to express the profound in very concise ways.”

catholicnewsherald.com | September 14, 2012 OUR PARISHES

Diocesan calendar of events ASHEVILLE basilica of st. lawrence, 97 Haywood St.

Bishop Peter J. Jugis Bishop Peter J. Jugis will participate in the following events over the next three weeks:

CHARLOTTE

Sept. 15 – 5 p.m. Sacrament of Confirmation sT. Joan of Arc Church, Candler

Congreso Eucarístico, Centro de Convenciones de Charlotte — “He Aquí el Cordero de Dios,” 21 y 22 de sept. Visite www.goeucharist.com.

Sept. 21-22 Eucharistic Congress Charlotte Convention Center

— “Behold the Lamb of God,” Sept. 21 and Sept. 22. Visit www.goeucharist.com.

Sept. 28 – 8 a.m. Morning Prayer for N.C. Catholic School Teachers, Greensboro

Sept. 29 – 4:30 p.m. Sacrament of Confirmation St. Francis of assisi Church, jefferson Oct. 2 – Noon Diocesan Capital Campaign Meeting Pastoral Center, Charlotte Oct. 3 – 7 p.m. Sacrament of Confirmation St. Lawrence Basilica, Asheville Oct. 6 – 5 p.m. Rosary Congress A.L. Brown High School, Kannapolis

40 days for life vigil — The local Charlotte campaign is once again joining hundreds of cities across the country and world from Sept. 26 to Nov. 4 to pray for an end to abortion through prayer and fasting, peaceful vigil and community outreach. There will be vigils at two abortion centers: A Preferred Women’s Health Center at 3220 Latrobe Dr., with vigil hours from 7:00am to 7:00pm daily, including Sunday; and Family Reproductive Health at 700 E. Hebron St. which will have 24/7 coverage. Every hour must be covered at both sites with someone there praying. Sign up by going to www.charlottecoalitionforlife.com or emailing charlottecoalitionforlife@gmail.com. A Statement of Peace must be signed in order to participate.

— Respect Life Rosary, at the Blessed Virgin Grotto, following 10:45 a.m. Mass first Sundays — Young Widowed Group, Ministry Center, 7-9 p.m. first Tuesdays. Contact Sister Eileen McLoughlin, MSBT, at 704-543-7677, ext. 1043. — “Legion of Mary” group invites you to join them, Council Room, 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays. Contact Janice Kemble at mazaly6@aol.com or 704-301-7331. ST. MATTHEW CHURCH, 8015 BALLANTYNE COMMONS PKWY. — St. Peregrine Healing Prayer Service, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 27 — Charismatic Prayer Group, Choir Room, 7:30-9 p.m. Mondays. Contact Barbara Gardner at chlt5nc@aol. com. — Christians in Career Transition helps the unemployed or those at risk of losing employment. The next meeting is Monday, Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. in the New Life Center, rooms 132/125. Call Jack Rueckel at 704-3418449 with questions.

Volume 21 • Number 23

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

Several Catholic Churches in the diocese will offer the Latin Mass on Friday, Sept. 14:

St Ann Church: 3635 Park Road, Charlotte, 7 p.m. Missa Cantata. Celebrant will be Father Matthew Kauth.

SACRED HEART CHURCH: 375 Lumen Christi Lane, Salisbury, 9 a.m.

OUR LADY OF GRACE CHURCH: 2205 W. Market St., Greensboro, 6 p.m.

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CHURCH, 1400 SUTHER ROAD — The diocesan 25th and 50th Wedding Anniversary Mass for those married in 1962 or 1987 will be celebrated on Sunday, Oct. 21. Mass begins at 2 p.m. and will be followed by a reception. Check with your parish office for details and to register for an invitation.

CLEMMONS HOLY FAMILY CHURCH, 4820 Kinnamon Road — Charismatic Prayer Group, 7:15 p.m. Mondays

CONCORD ST. JAMES THE GREATER CHURCH, 139 MANOR AVE. — St. James’ middle/high school religious education kicks off its faith formation year on Sunday, Sept. 23, with national youth ministry speaker Mary Bielski, 6:15 p.m.-8 p.m. Contact the church office at 704-7200600 for details.

the Kloster Center, 1:45 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. To register call the St. Pius X Parish Office at 336-272-4681. IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY Church, 4145 Johnson ST. — Free beginner and advanced Spanish classes (8week program) starting Thursday, Sept. 20, from 7-8:30 p.m. For more information or to register, contact Nancy at 336-884-0522 or email Dr. Kwan at Hinglkwan@gmail.com

HUNTERSVILLE St. mark Church, 14740 stumptown road — “Are you thirsty?” with Chris Stefanick (youth minister and national speaker), a talk geared toward high school teens and their parents, Family Center, 7-8:30 p.m. Sept. 30. — Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novenas, following 6:30 p.m. Mass Wednesdays

ST. gabriel CHURCH, 3016 providence road

ST. JOHN NEUMANN CHURCH, 8451 IDLEWILD ROAD

September 14, 2012

Mass in the Extraordinary Form for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

eucharistic congress, charlotte convention center

Sept. 27 – 6 p.m. Red Mass St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte

Sept. 29 – 2 p.m. groundbreaking for new church St. Francis of assisi Church, jefferson

— Support group for separated and divorced Catholics. New series beginning Sept. 15 from 6:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. in the second floor Fireplace Room of the parish office. Contact Maureen Houston at catholicanddivorced@gmail.com or call 828-2988975 for more information.

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

— Hora Santa en español, 7:30-8:30 p.m. primeros viernes

DENVER HOLY SPIRIT CHURCH, 537 N. Hwy. 16 — The Ancient Order of Hibernians, an Irish Catholic Men organization welcomes all men who are practicing Catholics and who are Irish by birth or descent, to attend our meeting in the parish center on Thursday, Sept. 13 at 7:30 PM. Contact uniteire@ yahoo.com.

our lady of grace CHURCH, 2205 w. market st. — The Women’s Club will begin meeting the third Thursday of each month starting Sept. 20 in the media center of OLG School at 6:30 p.m. All ladies of the parish are invited. Contact Carol Stratton at 336-851-0436. st. mary’s Church, 812 duke st. — SEASONS OF HOPE Grief Ministry will meet for six weeks on Sunday afternoons Sept. 30-Nov. 4. Anyone who is mourning the loss of a loved one is encouraged to attend and bring a guest. Join us in

NEWS: The Catholic News Herald welcomes your news and photos. Please e-mail information, attaching photos in JPG format with a recommended resolution of 150 dpi or higher, to catholicnews@charlottediocese.org. All submitted items become the property of the Catholic News Herald and are subject to reuse, in whole or in part, in print, electronic formats and archives. ADVERTISING: Reach 165,000 Catholics across western North Carolina! For advertising rates and information,

HOLY CROSS CHURCH, 616 S. Cherry ST. — Charismatic Prayer Group, 8 p.m. first and second Fridays. Contact Gary and Richelle Stacy at 828-8987295 or 336-792-2932.

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KERNERSVILLE

St. Leo the Great church , 335 Springdale Ave. — Senior Solutions: A Program for Seniors, their Children and Caregivers, Saturday, Oct. 6, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the Bishop Begley Parish Center. All seniors, their children, their caregivers and future caregivers are welcome to attend. RSVP by Oct. 2 by phone 336724-0561 or by email: mgschumacher@stleocatholic. com. — 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.

contact Advertising Manager Kevin Eagan at 704-370-3332 or keeagan@charlottediocese.org. The Catholic News Herald reserves the right to reject or cancel advertising for any reason, and does not recommend or guarantee any product, service or benefit claimed by our advertisers. SUBSCRIPTIONS: $15 per year for all registered parishioners of the Diocese of Charlotte and $23 per year for all others. POSTMASTER: Periodicals class postage (USPC 007-393) paid at Charlotte, N.C. Send address corrections to the Catholic News Herald, 1123 S. Church St., Charlotte, N.C. 28203.

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OUR PARISHESI

Christopher Bond

Reflecting on the Camino

Lady’s messages and seeing people here from all over the world gave me a sense of peace and hope as a seminarian discerning a vocation. . . I enjoyed the opportunity to experience the different foods, the music, the way of life here in Portugal. All that has given me a very different perspective of living as an American. It has opened my eyes to the need to slow down.” For Zachary Moren, also a seminarian from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, it was an opportunity to deepen his prayer life. “I found more tools to use in my Holy Hour for prayer to draw nearer to Christ. I found greater importance and need to pray for souls and those who don’t have anyone to pray for them.” While most of the attention throughout the pilgrimage focused on Fatima, the foundation also arranged a few side trips to other treasured and inspiring places of the Church’s heritage. This year included a two-day stay in Santiago, Spain, to visit the tomb of St. James the Apostle. For a seminarian responding to the voice of Christ and leaving everything behind so as to labor in the vineyard for souls, it is a profound experience. Brian Becker, studying for the Diocese of Charlotte, said, “It’s been heartening for my vocation – going to see the tomb of an apostle, someone to whom Jesus said, ‘Come, follow Me.’ ... Formation for the priesthood doesn’t just happen at seminary. It’s all the experiences that we have preparing us for priesthood.” The foundation makes sure that the seminarians have many of these formative experiences throughout the pilgrimage. During the rosary processions at the Fatima Shrine, the young men had the opportunity to carry the statue of our Lady or to lead a decade of the rosary. They were able to serve Mass at many sacred places, including the tombs of the three Fatima visionaries, the Cathedral in Santiago, and the Church of St. Anthony in Lisbon. The homilies that Father John Putnam from Salisbury and

n June 7, 2012, I woke up in the small French town of St. Jean Pied de Port. With a carefully packed rucksack securely yoked to my body, I ventured out of town on foot in the pre-dawn darkness. I was determined to walk roughly 500 miles to the tomb of St. James the Apostle in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. I was a pilgrim on the Camino de Santiago! I felt prepared. I had purchased an excellent pair of hiking boots, studied my pilgrim’s guidebook containing stage maps and practical advisements, and I had trained (a little). I knew a rather tough climb lie ahead that first day. I was to immediately ascend the eastern slope of the Pyrenees mountains on my way into Spain. I quickly learned I was not prepared! During the weeks leading up to my Camino I “practiced” walking about every other day. I started out relatively light but quickly built up my endurance to be able to walk 22 miles. This distance represented the longest stage on the Camino. However, I rarely walked with a full rucksack, I took many rest stops, and I did not incorporate any considerable elevation changes. As the sun began to rise and I was rising up the mountain, I realized my physical preparations had not been enough. For the next 10 hours I was in shear pain and perhaps flirting with major injury. If I had approached this journey as only a physical one, I probably would have given up on the first day. Thankfully, I am a Catholic and I believe in the power of prayer. In fact, I spent much more time preparing spiritually for this endeavor than I did physically. I spent many Holy Hours training my heart and mind for the physical and mental discouragement I knew I would inevitably face on the Camino. It was during one of those Holy Hours that I realized I needed to present all of my concerns to Our Lady and to seek her constant intercession during my expedition. I felt as though she was calling me to herself in a very special way. I decided to spend time with her in Lourdes, France, for the two days just prior to my “walk.” There, I specifically invited Our Lady of Lourdes and her Son, Jesus Christ, to walk with me and to guard my spirit, mind and body. Thanks to her motherly protection and my intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, I was able to finish my pilgrimage in 33 days! The Camino de Santiago is a trail through some of the most breathtaking landscapes I have ever seen. It is a path filled with mesmerizing flora and fauna of all kinds. It is an excursion through countless cities, towns and villages, each with a unique character and charm. It is a corridor that takes you past more than 150 jaw-dropping chapels, churches, monasteries, cathedrals and basilicas. It is the opportunity to cultivate relationships and share your faith with people from all over the world. The Camino de Santiago is a juxtaposition of a pleasant overload of the senses and an undeniably physically challenging experience. It harmoniously combines pure joy and palpable suffering. In this way, the Camino echoes the spiritual life. However, the corporeal highs and lows do not merely parallel or symbolize the soul’s journey, they are also intrinsically interdependent. The fruits produced and the detriments incurred in the spiritual life often manifest themselves in the physical world, and vice versa. Our earthly existence is not to be

FATIMA, SEE page 19

CAMINO, SEE page 19

(Above) Pilgrims, including Father Christopher Roux (second from right) watch as the famous censor is prepared during Mass at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, the destination for the Way of St. James. (Right) Seminarians pictured are (left to right) Brian J. Becker, Diocese of Charlotte; Zachary R. Wehr, Archdiocese of Philadelphia; Peter N. Ascik, Diocese of Charlotte; Zachary Ryan Moren, Archdiocese of Philadelphia; Colton P. Brown, Diocese of Charlotte; and Christopher A. Bond, Diocese of Charlotte.

photos provided by the te deum foundation

On Fatima pilgrimage, souls ‘uplifted and strengthened’ Sister Mary Raphael of the Divine Physician, PCPA Special to the Catholic News Herald

A pilgrimage is a time set apart from what is familiar. It is a time of prayer, of penance and of experiencing the surprises of Divine Providence. Most of all, it is a gracefilled encounter that changes and transforms one’s life. As 39 pilgrims arrived in Lisbon, Portugal, this past July, we brought various personal intentions, burdens, thanksgivings and joys to leave in Fatima. We went with expectations, hopes and dreams. Whatever those desires or expectations were, we all came back strengthened because we had an encounter, both communally and individually, with a Mother’s heart. As pilgrim Jim Beckert pointed out, “I believe I came here because Mary again kindly invited me, but as I look at the people here, we’ve all been invited and the reason for the invitation is to become more deeply aware of the power of prayer and to pray from our hearts.” Such an invitation from the Blessed Mother came in both direct and indirect ways to the participants of the Fatima Peace Pilgrimage 2012, led by the Te Deum Foundation. For six seminarians, Our Lady’s call came through the invitation of the foundation itself, whose mission includes taking seminarians to Fatima each year. Such a mission is made possible by the generosity of those who support the foundation. Billie Mobley, president of the Te Deum Foundation, explained, “This is our way of encouraging seminarians during their ‘pilgrimage to the priesthood.’ Presenting them to Our Lady gives them the opportunity to receive her special embrace and to grow in prayer, which is the foundation of a vocation.” For Zachary Wehr, a seminarian in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, this was his first time to Fatima and to another country. Both the holy sites and the Portuguese culture made a lasting impact on him. He shared, “Experiencing our

catholicnewsherald.com | September 14, 2012 OUR PARISHES

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In Brief ORB grant deadline nears Applications are available for Catholic Relief Services Operation Rice Bowl MiniGrants of up to $1,000, administered by Catholic Social Services’ Office of Justice and Peace, to assist hunger and poverty efforts within the Diocese of Charlotte. All grant-funded projects must be sponsored by Catholic entities of the Diocese of Charlotte and conform to grant eligibility criteria. Approval and signature by a Diocese of Charlotte parish pastor, office/department head, or school principal are required. Applications must be postmarked by Oct. 15. The grant application, guidelines and eligibility criteria are available at www.cssnc. org/cchdcrs.

Former Lincolnton parishioner takes vows as Dominican Sister of St. Cecilia Dominican Sister Peter Marie Special to the Catholic News Herald

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Dominican Sister Mary Leo Nordmark was among 19 young women who professed the simple vows of poverty, chastity and obedience as Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia in Nashville, Tenn., on July 28. Sister Mary Leo is a former parishioner of St. Dorothy Church in Lincolnton. She is the daughter of David and Michelle Nordmark, also parishioners at St. Dorothy Church. Sister Mary Leo is a graduate of Lincolnton High School and studied at the U.S. Air Force Academy. She is currently studying at Aquinas College in Nashville, Tenn., in preparation for the teaching apostolate. The Mass for the Rite of First Religious Profession was celebrated at the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Nashville. Auxiliary Bishop Lee Piché of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minn., was the main celebrant. The homilist was Dominican Father Albert Trudel of the Dominican Province of St. Joseph.

In addition to the sisters making first profession of vows, nine young women professed their perpetual vows of poverty, chastity and obedience with the Nashville Dominicans on July 25. The Congregation of Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia was established in Nashville in 1860. The Sisters of St. Cecilia are dedicated to the apostolate of Catholic education. The community of 280 sisters serves in 33 schools throughout the U.S., with mission houses also in Sydney, Australia, and Vancouver, British Columbia. The community has recently opened a house of studies in Washington, D.C., for its members who serve or study in the capital city. St. Cecilia Motherhouse is located in Nashville, Tenn. For more information about the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia, go online to www.nashvilledominican.org. Dominican Sister PETER MARIE serves as the vocations director for the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia in Nashville, Tenn.

Photo provided by Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation

Dominican Sister Mary Leo Nordmark, formerly a member of St. Dorothy Church in Lincolnton, recently made her first profession of vows as a Dominican Sister of St. Cecilia in Nashville, Tenn.

Local mom chairs first fundraiser for Be Not Afraid TRACY WINSOR Special to the Catholic News Herald

Two Scouts complete Eagle projects LINCOLNTON — Two Boy Scouts who are parishioners at St. Dorothy Church in Lincolnton, and members of Troop 50, recently earned the rank of Eagle Scout after completing two projects that will benefit the entire parish. Taylor Rodriguez constructed a rosary garden for his Eagle Scout project. Juan Santiago built a picnic pavilion for his Eagle Scout project. They are pictured (top) with Father Matthew Buettner, pastor of St. Dorothy Church, as well as with their projects (above).

Retreat trip to Dominican Sisters set GASTONIA — The Vocations Commission at St. Michael Church in Gastonia will drive young women, aged 17 to 30 years old, to a Jesu Caritas Retreat Oct. 5-7 at the convent of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia in Nashville, Tenn. The retreat is not for discernment of a vocation, but a general retreat of prayer, Adoration, teaching, and reception of the sacraments. Attendees get an overview of convent life and an opportunity to talk to and question the sisters. Space is limited, so early registration is recommended. Application deadline is Sept. 30. Organizers from St. Michael will leave at 6 a.m. Friday, Oct. 5, and return Sunday afternoon. The drive to Nashville lasts about six hours. For information on rides, call Joanna DeLaquil at 803-329-3949 or email her at delaq@comporium.net. Registration forms can be downloaded from the Dominican Sisters’ website, http://nashvilledominican. org. To make a reservation, contact the convent’s Vocation Office at vocation@op-tn. org or call 615-256-0147.

Susan Guilfoyle smiles when she talks about her son Aidan, “He was a beautiful baby.” In 2010, Aidan was diagnosed prenatally with Trisomy 18, a genetic condition which is most often lethal. He was born early, stillborn, on Aug. 1 of that year welcomed by his parent, and big brothers as well as extended family and friends. “I will always remember the moment this picture was taken,” she shares. “The room was full of people, but I was only really aware of him… To this day, I can feel the weight of him in my arms, his soft skin and his wispy hair.” Guilfoyle and her family were supported during her pregnancy and birth and for one year following Aidan’s birth and death by Be Not Afraid (BNA). BNA is a local Catholic organization which provides comprehensive support for parents carrying to term following a prenatal diagnosis. Formerly a Be Not Afraid’s 5K Run ministry of St. Mark Church for Life, Love and Hope will in Huntersville, BNA has be held starting at 9:30 served the Diocese of a.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, at Frank Charlotte for three years with Liske Park in Cabarrus County. the blessing of Bishop Peter To register, visit www.sportoften. J. Jugis. com/events/eventDetails. The organization’s work cfm?pEventId=9353. here in Charlotte has been featured in a publication of the National Catholic Bioethics Center, and is being replicated by several dioceses including the Archdiocese of Omaha, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the Archdiocese of New York. In January of this year, BNA incorporated as a private non-profit. “This is an exciting time for us at BNA,” explains BNA board member Monica Rafie. “We have grown a lot in the last couple years in terms of scope beyond Charlotte, but one of the most important assets we take with us are the experiences we gained by way of our work in Charlotte and the parents we have served who decide to become peer ministers working with us.” Guilfoyle is one of those parents who has not only volunteered with BNA providing memorial gifts for BNA parents, but is currently serving on the BNA Board of Trustees, and is chairing BNA’s first fundraiser, the BNA 5K Run for Life, Love and Hope scheduled for Oct. 13. “I work with BNA because I can’t imagine going through what we did with Aidan without having the support of this organization,” Guilfoyle says. ”My BNA peer ministers were the

Get involved

Photo provided by Tracy Winsor

Susan Guilfoyle is pictured with her late son Aidan.

ones that understood when no one else did. I want to be that kind of support for the next parent.” The BNA 5K was her first endeavor as a BNA board member. “I’ve always been very active. I love swimming, walking, running, bike riding, etc. I had recently started doing 5k races with my oldest son as something for us to do together,” she explains. “It was after a race that I felt God nudge me to organize one as a fundraiser for BNA. I kept tucking that idea away because I didn’t know the first thing about organizing a race and didn’t think I could take it on, but God kept bringing it back.” St. Ann Church in Charlotte as well as two local companies, Nana’s Soul Food Kitchen and Townsend Realty, and Vervemail (an email provider serving nonprofit organizations) are sponsoring the event, which will be held at Frank Liske Park in Cabarrus County. “This will be a great family-oriented, pro-life event for Charlotte,” says Rafie, “And what better time to be doing this than during Respect Life Month!”

September 14, 2012 | catholicnewsherald.com

OUR PARISHESI

Father Ignatius Zampino, OFM Cap, passes away Sept. 1 Capuchin Franciscan Father Ignatius Zampino, who once served at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte from 1995 to 2006, passed to eternal life Sept. 1, 2012, in Passaic, N.J. He was 78. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Passaic on Sept. 5, 2012. Interment was at St. Lawrence Friary in Beacon, N.Y. Father Ignatius was born Natale Daniel Zampino to Dominik and Katherine Zampino on Dec. 25, 1933, in Lodi, N.J., and raised in Passaic. He entered the Capuchin Zampino Order â&#x20AC;&#x201C; specifically the Capuchin Franciscan Friars of the Province of the Stigmata â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and was invested with the habit of St. Francis and given the name Ignatius on July 6, 1952. On July 12, 1953, he professed vows in Beacon, N.Y., at St. Lawrence Friary.

He studied theology in Tuscany, Italy, and was ordained a priest on March 18, 1961. He celebrated his first Mass at St. Anthony Church in Passaic. Father Ignatius served faithfully as a priest for 51 years in parochial ministry and preaching retreats throughout New York, New Jersey and North Carolina. He also worked in the training of student friars and was elected to the provincial council. Father Ignatius won the hearts of the people he served, and won the respect of his Capuchin brothers. This was evident at a tribute dinner honoring his golden jubilee of priesthood, in which 450 people attended. Many gave testimony to his dedication, compassion and kindness to all. Father Ignatius is survived by two sisters, Nancy Ippolito of Passaic and Grace Cannallo of Rochester, N.Y.; brother Frank Zampino of Seal Beach, Calif.; six nieces and nephews; and 21 great-nieces and great-nephews. Marrocco Funeral Home of Passaic was in charge of the arrangements.

Funeral held for High Pointâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Deacon Joeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Smith HIGH POINT â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Deacon Joseph Thomas Smith, 89, died on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012, at Maryfield Nursing Home in High Point. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Friday, Aug. 31, 2012, at his parish, Immaculate Heart of Mary in High Point. Father Vincent Smith, OSFS, his nephew, was the celebrant at the Mass. Smith Father Joe Zuschmidt, OSFS, gave the homily. He was the pastor with whom Deacon Smith served the longest. His brother, Father Frank Smith, offered the commendation. Bishop Peter J. Jugis was in attendance. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Deacon Joeâ&#x20AC;? served as a deacon at his parish since his ordination by Bishop Michael J. Begley on May 29, 1983. He was part of the first permanent deacon class for the Diocese of Charlotte and is the 10th of that class of 19 men ordained together to pass from this life. Diminutive of stature,

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he was cheerful to all of his family, friends, parishioners and fellow deacons. He was born June 17, 1923, in Philadelphia, a son of the late Eugene and Mary Brennan Smith. He met his wife Jean in England, where he served in the U.S. Army. They were married March 2, 1946, in St. Patrick Church in England. They settled in High Point in 1955. He was preceded in death by his wife, who died Sept. 21, 1987. In addition to his parents and wife, he was also preceded in death by five brothers and sisters. He is survived by two sons, Dennis Smith and wife Laura of Mooresville, and Chad Smith and Rene of Thomasville; two brothers, Gene Smith of Philadelphia, and Father Frank Smith of Palm Bay, Fla.; three grandchildren, Morgan Smith, Megan Condrey and Dawn Smith; two stepgrandchildren, David and Amanda; and two great-grandchildren, Christianna and Gracie Condrey. Your Local Catholic Charities Agency

704-841-1160

catholicnewsherald.com | September 14, 2012 OUR PARISHES

Phyllis Crispi holds one of the solar ovens she plans to take on the mission trip to Malawi this fall. It is just one of many tools the missionary effort hopes will help poor women in Malawi. She and her husband George found the prototype oven on the internet. It is a simple design of corrugated cardboard with aluminum foil on one side. It comes with a large bag in which a pot is placed. It accumulates heat and holds it,allowing for a much simpler and healthier method of cooking than tending to a fire for hours. Not only does this eliminate smoke that women, and the children who are strapped to their backs, would breathe in, but it also eliminates the use of wood and the time spent gathering it daily. Photos By Susan deGuzman | Catholic News Herald

Local missionary effort aims to help women in Malawi Susan deGuzman Correspondent

WINSTON-SALEM — Malawi was on the mind of St. Leo the Great parishioner Loretta Allen this summer as she helped a missionary couple prepare to spend three years in the country. Allen organized the production of some 250 “dignity kits,” hygiene-related products used to help young rural women attend school. Located in the southeast part of Africa, Malawi is landlocked by Tanzania, Mozambique and Zambia. It is coined “the warm heart of Africa” for the welcoming, courteous and gracious mannerisms of its people. With a predominantly rural population, it is considered one of the poorest countries in the world. Allen first learned of the need for “dignity kits” last spring from local missionaries Phyllis and George Crispi. The kits would contain hygiene-related products, which helps young girls avoid missing a week of school each month during their menstrual cycles. The goal is to keep them from falling behind in their studies and, hopefully, prolong their overall education. In early August Allen brought together nearly a dozen volunteers – family, friends, parishioners and others – to sew the bags used to contain all of the items in each kit. They met in a conference room at St. Leo Church in Winston-Salem. Allen felt called to lead this project after having helped the missionaries in the spring with a project of a similar kind, the assembly of 500 birthing kits. These kits included basic items: a sheet of plastic, a bar of soap, a pair of medical gloves, string, razor blades and sterile gauze pads. Taking on the dignity kit project, Allen says, “weighed on my mind and I prayed about it for some time. I finally said to myself, ‘I can help with this.’” Allen enlisted the help of her mother, Jahala Almond, to design the protoype bag and to help choose the material, as well as the help of her husband Jeff for the cord work. Even though the bag’s design was simple, her challenges were to find suitable, inexpensive fabric that would hold up well with use. She chose a brightly-colored fleece, which Allen donated, and with her three daughters, Jacqueline, Katherine and Lauren, she cut the fabric for the sewing session. Allen had come to meet the Crispis as her husband and George Crispi met through their membership in a local chapter of The New Canaan Society, a men’s Christian group. George Crispi, a retired electrician who has been involved in more than 40 mission trips in the United States and in many other countries, and Phyllis Crispi, a recently

retired teacher, have dedicated themselves in the past few years specifically to helping the people of Malawi. The Crispis’ focus began when learning of the widespread difficulties Malawians had finding suitable drinking water. Phyllis Crispi had been interested in water solutions prior to this as a friend on a medical mission trip to Kenya saw a woman drink water out of a puddle. She says, “This touched my heart. No one should have to drink out of a puddle.” George Crispi learned of the needs in Malawi in 2010 when asked by a friend to divert his return from missionary work in another part of Africa to check out wells in southeastern Malawi. In a week’s time, he says, “I visited 18 broken wells in an area half the size of Forsyth County. I knew then in my heart that this is where we (Phyllis and I) belonged to do work.” More than 7,000 wells are in need of Seated (from left) Jahala Almond and Loretta Allen, standing, Phyllis Crispi, George Crispi, repair in Malawi, according to George and another volunteer, Hayden Ireland. Loretta Allen looks on as her mother, Jahala Crispi. With the establishment of Sure Almond, tests out one of more than a dozen older sewing machines that were donated for Foundation Ministry Malawi, he and missionaries Phyllis and George Crispi to take to Malawi this fall. Phyllis Crispi have helped facilitate and raise funds to repair 29 wells to date. Over difference, with education as the key. time they have come to see that the best method is to teach Besides teaching women how to repair the wells once the Malawians how to do the repairs themselves, he said. they are built, the ministry aims to educate them on basic The Crispis are particularly focusing on teaching local health, nutrition and life skills, as well as marketable job women how to repair the wells, Phyllis Crispi explains, skills. “The culture (in Malawi) is one where women don’t have One of the many projects will be helping women learn to any status and little economic opportunity.” She goes on sew, as part of an entrepreneur program. Amid donations to say that there a woman is not as highly valued as a man for their upcoming trip – which include bikes, a generator, since when she is betrothed, she is considered a “loss” to water barrels, medical supplies, clothing and a host of her own family as she joins her husband’s family. other items – are 10 sewing machines. These are now in a In addition, a woman generally has less earning shipping container on their way to Malawi. potential than a man since she is expected to care for her Allen, her mom and a friend also helped Phyllis Crispi children and do all home-making tasks. This includes test more than a dozen of the sewing machines to see if gathering water each day, an enormous effort because of they were salvageable. The machines had been saved from the great distances traveled. a school that no longer needed them. Allen helped with That means they have less time to earn a living outside this just one week before the supplies were shipped out of the home, or to go to school. A Malawian minister whom town. the Crispis know told that his wife spends four hours each “In the Third World a little improvement can make a day getting water. It is also part of the culture that men do vast difference,” says Phyllis Crispi. “They (the poor) can not partake in this or any household work – no matter how lift themselves out of poverty if given the tools to do it labor intensive it may be. … to create their own market … for buying, selling and The Crispis have come to learn that helping the women trading. There is a huge, untapped amount of wealth in the in these rural areas of Malawi has the greatest positive population of poor.” impact on the well-being of families. They hope to make a

September 14, 2012 | catholicnewsherald.com

OUR PARISHESI

Charlotte volunteer physicians treat uninsured Katya Lezin South Charlotte News

CHARLOTTE — As a volunteer at Charlotte’s George Shinn Homeless Shelter medical clinic, Dr. John Klimas, a member of St. Peter Church in Charlotte, knew there had to be a better way. “We were providing band aid treatment,” he says, explaining that even his best efforts provided indigent clients with “no follow up or continuity of care.” As president of the Mecklenburg County Medical Society, Klimas, a senior physician with Carolina Asthma and Immunology, founded Physicians Reach Out (PRO), a physician-led, non-profit program that provides primary and specialty medical care to Mecklenburg County’s growing number of uninsured in a unique and effective way. Klimas joined forces with Drs. Hayes Woollen, founding partner of Novant Medical Group, Dan Hagler at Presbyterian and Mac Mitchell at CMC to recruit hundreds of physicians who agreed to donate their time and skills to treating indigent clients. The two major hospital systems also volunteered their services and resources and continue to provide what Klimas calls “one of the most successful partnerships in Mecklenburg County.” PRO officially launched in 2004 with 400 doctors and now has 1,600 physicians, who provide both primary care and specialty care and surgery. Last year, PRO physicians and hospitals donated $10 million dollars in free care and services to more than 4,000 active patients. Care Ring, a non-profit whose mission is to empower “individuals with limited resources to establish and maintain good health,” now oversees the PRO program. Care Ring handles all of the patient applications and makes referrals to the participating primary care doctors, dentists and specialists. Care Ring also provides care coordinators who guide each indigent client, many of whom have never participated in private health care before, through the entire process. They also staff the program with a recruitment and retention specialist and translators. Qualified indigent clients pay a $20 application fee but then all office visits are at no charge and other services, such as diagnostic testing, lab services and hospitalization, are provided at a reduced cost. What is unique about PRO is that all of the participating doctors and dentists see PRO patients in their own offices. Modeled after a similar program in Buncombe County, PRO offers an alternative to the centralized location of a free clinic. This decentralized model is far easier on the physicians, who no longer have to devote time to traveling to an offsite clinic, but also ensures that the indigent patients receive continuity of care.

“That is so important,” Klimas says, “because it allows us to treat chronic conditions most effectively.” The onus is also placed on the patients to be consistent and to keep appointments. “Accountability is important,” Klimas says, “because this is a temporary plan. Our hope is that they will transition out of it.” Woollen, a founding member of PRO, shared Klimas’s concern about the “fragmented, broken care” that was being offered to the county’s indigent patient population. “The real problem,” he concluded, after returning from a trip to Haiti following the 2010 earthquake there, “is how can we deliver services most effectively.” Knowing that PRO was on the right track but also aware that its original start-up

Days of Reflection for Seniors Share your day and enjoy lunch with friends. Sponsored by Catholic Social Services, Elder Ministries.

4 DATES & LOCATIONS TO CHOOSE FROM! Thursday, October 25 – Catholic Conference Center, Hickory Presenter: Msgr. John McSweeney Check-In & Light Refreshment: 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Program: 10:30 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Closing Mass: 2:15 p.m. Cost: $15 per person includes morning snack and lunch – Make check payable to Catholic Social Services Deadline for Registration: Monday, October 5 grants were running out, Woollen, together with Erik Insko, initiated the Physicians Impact Fund two years ago. Members of the Physicians’ Impact Fund contribute a minimum of $1,000 per year, with annual high-impact grants awarded in the range of $50,000 to $500,000 each year and more than $1 million raised so far. PRO is not the only beneficiary of the Physicians’ Impact Fund; grants have also been awarded to the Ronald MacDonald House, the Heartbright Foundation and Project Life, among others. Both Klimas and Woolen are thrilled with how much the community has rallied around their visions to make them so successful. Klimas considers PRO “a win-win-win for Charlotte.” Patients receive high quality care and continuity of care. Physicians are able to give back to the community and make a difference. And the community saves millions of dollars per year. Katya Lezin is a freelance writer for South Charlotte News. Reprinted with permission of South Charlotte News, a Charlotte Observer publication, 2012.

Learn more Care Ring and Physicians Reach Out: www.careringnc.org/programs/physiciansreach-out. To make a donation to Physicians’ Impact Fund: www.physiciansimpactfund.org or 704-384-4048.

Thursday, November 8 – St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, Greensboro Presenter: Msgr. Mo West Check-In & Light Refreshment: 9:45 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Program: 10:30 a.m. – 2:20 p.m. Closing Mass: 2:30 p.m. Cost: $10 per person includes morning snack and lunch – Make check payable to Catholic Social Services Deadline for Registration: Tuesday, October 30 Thursday, November 15 – Holy Cross, Kernersville Presenter: Fr. J.T. Putnam Check-In & Light Refreshment: 9:45 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Program: 10:30 a.m. – 2:20 p.m. Closing Mass: 2:30 p.m. Cost: $12 per person includes morning snack and lunch – Make check payable to Catholic Social Services Deadline for Registration: Monday, November 5 Monday, December 10 – St. Mark Catholic Church, Huntersville Presenter: Fr. Brian Cook Check-In: 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Program: 11:00 a.m. – 2:25 p.m. Closing Mass: 2:30 p.m. Cost: $4 per person includes lunch – Make check payable to St. Mark Elder Ministry Deadline for Registration: Monday, December 3

We ask that all check(s) be made payable to Catholic Social Services unless otherwise noted. The completed form and payment is to be returned to: Catholic Social Services Elder Ministry 1123 S. Church Street Charlotte, NC 28203 Attn: Sandra Breakfield

For more information call Sandra at 704-370-3220 or Sherill at 704-370-3228.

catholicnewsherald.com | September 14, 2012 OUR PARISHES

Apologetics camp: All the fun of summer camp, plus a lot more A.J. Ohlhaut Special to the Catholic News Herald

Catholic Social Services

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY Information Technology Project Coordinator (FT) Information Technology Project Coordinator (FT). Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Charlotte, NC seeks individual to develop, coordinate, and implement technology initiatives of the agency. Must possess at least a Bachelor degree in information technology, computer science, mathematics or equivalent education and experience.

Your Local Catholic Charities Agency

Cover letter and resume must be submitted electronically by 5 PM on Friday, September 21, 2012 to sbeason@charlottediocese.org. No telephone calls, please. For complete job description visit, www.cssnc.org/jobs.

His Excellency The Most Reverend Peter J. Jugis Bishop of Charlotte Invites all 2012 First Communicants to honor our Lord by participating in the Eucharistic Congress procession at 9:00am on Saturday, September 22 in front of St. Peter’s Catholic Church 501 South Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC. Please have all children wear their First Communion attire for the procession. Line up for the procession begins at 8:30am. Parents can register their children for the procession at www.goeucharist.com.

BREVARD — Most Catholic teenagers perhaps wouldn’t appreciate the value of going to a cabin up in the mountains, staying there for five days, and being drilled in Catholic apologetics every morning and evening. But if you throw in dodge ball, basketball, hiking, swimming, swing dancing and whitewater rafting, some might start to get the picture. I know I did. At the Belmont Abbey Apologetics Camp, held Aug. 11-16 at a camp in Brevard, that’s exactly what happened, as more than 50 Catholic youth (myself included) gathered to hang with friends, meet new ones, have a blast, and above all to learn how to defend the Catholic faith. Nationally-known Catholic apologist Patrick Madrid made appearances throughout the week. Talks were also given by Steve Wood, founder of Family Life Center International in Greenville, S.C., writer, speaker and ministry leader; and Father Dwight Longenecker, pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Greenville, author, blogger and speaker. The point of each talk was to enhance understanding of Scripture, and how Scripture is the foundation for our Catholic faith. Two main points touched upon were the specific Biblical foundations for Catholic belief in the True Presence of Christ in the Eucharist and in the Immaculate Conception. Wood’s case for the True Presence of Christ in the Eucharist was found for the most part in John Chapter 6, in which Jesus feeds the five thousand. After He does this, the Jews compare Him to Moses when He fed their fathers manna in the desert. Jesus then goes into a long discourse about His Flesh being True Food (known as the “Bread of Life Discourse”). After making all this clear, Wood pointed out that the Biblical order goes in increasing greatness. For example, first there is the feeding of the five thousand, then the reference to the feeding of more than two million Israelites in the desert, and then giving Christ’s Flesh for the life of the world – laying out an increase in greatness and magnitude as the story is told. “If,” Wood explained, “the order goes from feeding five thousand, to feeding millions in the desert, to ‘We have a service of the Lord’s supper every month,”’ then the order of Scripture has just been reversed. Our Lord’s discourse after the reference to Exodus was more than about just pure symbolism. Madrid was the main speaker in discussing Mary’s sinlessness, pointing out that in Genesis 3:15, God declared that He would put enmity between Mary and the serpent and between Christ and the serpent. Christ, all agree, was sinless, and so by virtue of the same enmity between her and the serpent, Mary must also have been sinless. And in the Gospel of Luke, at the Annunciation, the angel Gabriel calls her “full of grace.” Sin weakens the life of grace within the human soul; so Mary would have had to be completely free from sin in order for her to be “full of grace.” Father Longenecker explained the doctrine of apostolic succession in light of Matthew Chapter 16, in which Jesus calls Peter “the rock.” Father Longenecker pointed out the importance of the location where this conversation happened: at the foot of a mountain-sized rock in the district of Caesarea Philippi, at the top of which was a temple built to the Greek shepherd

Photo provided by A.J. Ohlhaut

It wasn’t all work for campers at a recent Belmont Abbey Apologetics Camp. Campers enjoyed Sliding Rock and swimming in a lake at the week-long camp. goddess. Jesus was drawing a parallel between the rock before them, upon which the temple of the pagan shepherd goddess was built, and Peter, upon whom is built the Church of the Good Shepherd. Madrid, who gave several talks over the course of the week, explained that the best approach to use when talking with anyone who does not understand Catholicism, or who is hostile to it, is one of charity and friendship. He told examples from his own experience to prove that an aggressive or must-win attitude is the worst possible approach to take. Discussions with love will be far more effective than arguments with aggression, he said. While apologetics was the main topic of the camp, it was not by a long shot the only one. During the afternoon, campers had a lot of fun – hiking through the mountains, swimming in lakes and streams, sliding down waterfalls, rock climbing, negotiating ropes courses, and more. A great whitewater rafting trip put the cap on the week – a trip some might call a peaceful float on the river was, for the Belmont Abbey Apologetics Camp group, a deadly mission to get everyone in the next boat soaked while staying dry yourself. Rafts were hurled together and their occupants thrown in the drink, while a few reckless saboteurs sprinted to other boats and slung the campers into the water. A few unlucky rafters were taken captive by my boat crew, and were more often than not forced to swim for it. Some suggested holding them for ransom, but we settled for stealing their paddles. The experience in Brevard was one I have never had before. I’ve been to several summer camps, but combining learning about the Catholic faith and sharing the best of times with friends really takes the cake. I won’t deny that when I came back home, I nearly broke down when I heard “Country Roads” by John Denver, which had been a favorite among my pals and me. It was an amazing and unique experience, and I enjoyed every second of it. The only complaint, which was echoed by everyone I talked with, was that the camp was far too short-lived.

September 14, 2012 | catholicnewsherald.com

staff members Lisa Tavares, Barb Kohler, Pat Tomlinson, Judy Stumbo, Claire Kuechle, Carmen Dominguez and Diane Kiradjieff. To learn more, visit www.urbanministrycenter.org. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Jenny Cox

Shrine at Our Lady of Lourdes

St. Matthew parishioners help Urban Ministry Center CHARLOTTE â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Faith Formation staff from St. Matthew Church joined more than 200 community volunteers July 21-24 to help renovate Urban Ministry Center of Charlotteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s historic train depot, community garden and grounds. Urban Ministry Center is an interfaith organization dedicated to bringing the community together to end homelessness, one life at a time. Programs housed in the train depot serve an estimated 600 homeless people daily. Renovations were made possible by a $50,000 grant from the Maxwell House â&#x20AC;&#x153;Drops of Goodâ&#x20AC;? program and support from Rebuilding Together of the Carolinas. Pictured (from left) are St. Matthew Church Faith Formation

MONROE â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Father Benjamin Roberts, pastor, has installed a shrine to St. Dymphna and St. Maximillian Kolbe at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Monroe. The shrine is located in the daily chapel. A Perpetual Novena for Healing will begin Sept. 14 after the 8:30 a.m. Mass. This Novena for Healing will be prayed every Friday of the year, with the exception of Good Friday. Email prayer intentions to NovenaforHealing@ ollmonroe.org. For more information, see www.tolovewiththeheartofchrist.blogspot. com/2012_09_01_archive.html. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; SueAnn Howell

Thank you, Father Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Rourke Father Frank Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Rourke, pastor of St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte, was honored at a surprise luncheon by the staff, volunteers and participants in the UMAR program for adults with intellectual developmental disabilities at United Methodist Church on Aug. 29. St. Gabriel Parish has been a long-time supporter of the program. Father Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Rourke is pictured with Sean Reilly, who presented him with an original piece of art incorporating the Jerusalem Cross which is featured prominently in St. Gabriel Parishâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s logo. Reilly is a UMAR resident and lives in the Theresa P. Hall House group home in Charlotte and works as a UMAR employee in the Huntersville central office.

Family Vocations Day set at SJN CHARLOTTE â&#x20AC;&#x201D; St. John Neumann Parish will host a Family Vocations Day from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 20, in the Parish Hall. The theme is

OUR PARISHESI

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Imitating the Saints.â&#x20AC;? The free event for the entire family will include a series of engaging talks, Eucharistic Adoration, Mass, and fun for all ages. For more details or to register, go to www.familyvocations.com/fv. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Meredith Paul

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catholicnewsherald.com | September 14, 2012 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Read more online Stupak calls HHS mandate illegal CHARLOTTE — The HHS mandate that would force many religious institutions to provide free contraceptives against their consciences is illegal, former U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak said Sept. 4 during a meeting of pro-life Democrats.

Biden next to last Catholic to speak at DNC CHARLOTTE — Vice President Joe Biden spoke for about 20 minutes to the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte last week – becoming the highest-ranking elected Catholic in America to speak at such an event. But he wasn’t the last Catholic on stage that night.

Glenmary priest: Stand in solidarity with the needy CHARLOTTE — All Catholics should stand in solidarity with the poor, the immigrant and the powerless, preached Glenmary Father Les Schmidt during Mass Sept. 2 at St. Peter Church.

Undocumented share their stories, some get arrested CHARLOTTE — Two undocumented immigrants, in Charlotte as part of “UndocuBus” – a group of 50 undocumented people who traveled by bus from Arizona to the DNC – shared their experiences during a Jesuit Refugee Service program Sept. 5 at St. Peter Church. One of them was arrested Sept. 4 at a civil protest held nearby.

‘Friends of St. Peter’s’ hang up another sign CHARLOTTE — A handmade sign was hung in front of St. Peter Church on the second day of the DNC – the third such sign posted on the historic church property because of its proximity to the convention activity.

Advocates: Immigration reform is urgently needed CHARLOTTE — Christians, especially political leaders of both parties, have a moral duty to address the plight of undocumented immigrants. That was the main point made during a Sept. 4 screening of an award-winning documentary.

Airport chaplain feels proud to help DNC travelers CHARLOTTE — After the DNC folks left town Deacon George Szalony, director of the airport chaplaincy, said having thousands of delegates and reporters passing through the airport without incident gave him a feeling of pride.

Catholic on hunger strike, ‘polar bear’ addresses climate change CHARLOTTE — The woman in the polar bear hat didn’t quite agree that she was fasting in the religious sense. Hunger strike? That would be a better term. But having not eaten for about seven days, Rachel Hope of west Los Angeles said the best way to describe what she is doing is “famine practice.” “Pete,” the polar bear puppet with her, agreed.

Patricia L. Guilfoyle | Catholic News Herald

Andrea Hines is among those standing out in witness of the dignity of all human life during the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte last week. Members of several Charlotte-area parishes participated in pro-life rallies and prayer vigils throughout the week, while other Catholics learned more about Church teaching on a range of issues.

Catholics and politics: ‘Pilgrims without a homeland’ Patricia L. Guilfoyle Editor

CHARLOTTE — Catholics and the issues they care about dominated the Democratic National Convention last week in Charlotte. Catholics took the stage and Catholics protested outside. They prayed, they marched, they debated, they waved placards and they passed out brochures. What was at stake? The right to life, the duty to help the poor, the care of immigrants, the protection of marriage, the threat to religious freedom – in essence, the role of our faith in the voting booth.

PRAYER AND ACTION

Wrestling with these incredibly difficult topics was not easy, and Catholics clashed with each other and often disagreed with what the Church teaches. At St. Peter Church, just steps away from the convention action, Catholics talked during a week’s worth of programs that highlighted issues of Catholic social teaching: solidarity with the poor, immigration reform, tax policy and the wealth gap. Not satisfied with the two banners the Diocese of Charlotte hung from their property declaring the Church’s stance on life, traditional marriage and religious liberty, St. Peter parishioners hung up a third sign stating “Catholics care” about immigrants, health care and economic justice as well. At nearby St. Patrick Cathedral, Catholics gathered to pray during 80 continuous hours of Eucharistic Adoration in reparation for our sins and to seek protection of religious liberty. Catholics of all ages prayed, marched and demonstrated on behalf of the millions of babies killed through abortion – condemning the Democratic Party’s stated “unequivocal” support for abortion access anytime, anywhere and for any reason. During the convention, pro-life Democrats asserted their worth and vowed to continue the fight for “neutral” language in the party platform.

DISAGREEMENT WITH THE FAITH

Catholics did not speak with one voice on all of the issues they consider important.

Catholic Democrats including Vice President Joe Biden, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and presidential daughter Caroline Kennedy publicly touted support for “a woman’s right to choose.” Catholics outside the convention hall also equivocated on abortion. A Catholic standing outside St. Peter Church, viewing the banner the parish had just hung, questioned the immorality of abortion if the child is unwanted. She sees abused, unwanted children in her job as a nurse, she said – wouldn’t it have been better if those children had never been born? Others called themselves “whole life” to shift the emphasis from only abortion – they said they are more than just “profetus,” they care about health care and other life issues. The Catholic faith, however, does not waver on abortion. It is always gravely immoral, for any reason, at any time. No exceptions. Catholics should also care about universal health care, workers’ rights, the death penalty and a host of other “life” issues, the Church has consistently taught, but as Blessed John Paul II wrote in “Christifideles Laici”: “The inviolability of the person which is a reflection of the absolute inviolability of God, finds its primary and fundamental expression in the inviolability of human life. Above all, the common outcry, which is justly made on behalf of human rights – for example, the right to health, to home, to work, to family, to culture – is false and illusory if the right to life, the most basic and fundamental right and the condition for all other personal rights, is not defended with maximum determination.” (“Christifideles Laici,” 1988, no. 38) Democrats, including Catholics in the party, also cheered the party’s new stance supporting same-sex “marriage.” Some Democratic sympathizers at St. Peter Church’s programs criticized local Church action on the recent North Carolina marriage amendment and openly questioned why the definition of marriage “needs protecting.” But the Church teaches, citing Jesus in the Scriptures, that the union of one man and one woman is a fundamental bond created by God – made obvious in their complimentary sexuality – to benefit the spouses and to cooperate with God in welcoming and nurturing children. Same-sex unions contradict the nature and purposes of marriage. Not just a sacrament, marriage is an important public institution that needs protecting because it provides the most POLITICS, SEE page 16

September 14, 2012 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

Conversation, information migrate online during recent news events Kimberly Bender Online reporter

CHARLOTTE — Hosting the Democratic National Convention inside the Diocese of Charlotte has led to unique opportunities to evangelize and discuss the teachings of the Catholic Church — especially online. The Catholic New Herald’s website was the first news outlet to report Cardinal Timothy Dolan’s announcement on Aug. 28 that he planned to pray at the close of the DNC. That story was viewed more than 2,500 times. Bishop Peter J. Jugis, with input of others in the diocese, hung huge banners on St. Peter Church with messages from the Catholic Church that say: “Religious Liberty, The Soul of Democracy” and “Protect the Unborn, Defend Marriage, Safeguard Religious Liberty.” Pictures of those two signs were shared hundreds of times on Facebook, and many were vocal with their support for Jugis’ message: Cindy Pacewic Brown: “Bishop Jugis ROCKS!!!!!!” Robert Fagan: “It has been written some 20 centuries ago & is true today but being attacked by a Godless society! Save marriage, Protect the unborn,& Safeguard religious freedom !! How can the Democratic party not protect this?” Amy Ivsan: “Bishop Jugis has what I call Catholic moxie. Moxie. He is a blessing.” A story about those signs, including photos and video, was read more than 2,000 times by people across the country. With Sister Simone Campbell, a Sister of Social Service and executive director of Network, a national Catholic social justice lobby, and Cardinal Dolan in Charlotte for the convention, there were some ripe online conversations about pro-life and social justice issue priorities within the Church. Here is just a sample of (unedited) remarks on the Catholic News Herald’s Facebook page: Mary Ellen Condon: “All the issues that are being presented are legitimate.... my concern is...where are the talks about respecting life from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death, the right to religious liberty and the defense of marriage?? We have all of these on banners on the side of St. Peter, but they aren’t being discussed as well there?” Donella Haywood-Vignolini: “Most of the Democrats who say they are Catholic are “CINO”. They may say they are Catholic but through their beliefs they voice and their support of abortion they prove they are not practicing true Catholics.” Rebecca Leigh Randolph: “They’ve just put out a platform that calls for taxpayer funding of abortion up til birth!! pro-life and democrat are not at all compatible!!” John Charles Walker: “Democrats might counter with the question whether one can be Republican and Pro-Life given the party’s support for the death penalty. However both parties actually allow its use. The 2012 GOP Platform states: ‘Courts should have the option of imposing the death penalty in capital murder cases.’ The 2012 Democrat platform states: ‘We believe that the death penalty must not be arbitrary.’ ...” Kristy Menold Horstkamp: “I consider him (Julian Castro) about as Catholic as Pelosi and Biden...he said “We disagree on this, the Pope and I.” Castro is a Roman

More online At www.facebook.com/ catholicnewsherald.com: View more comments on our Facebook page and add your own.

Catholic, however he gave the preceding quote to the New York Times explaining his social views which include being prochoice and supportive of gay rights. He became the first San Antonio mayor to serve as grand marshal of the city’s gay rights parade.” Amy Ivsan: “How are we defining catholic? Catholics are not pro choice, therefore pro-death. If anything we should be calling them (pro-abortion Catholics) ex-communicated catholics. A public figure has a huge degree of accountability and culpability due to their ability to influence populations. When we recite the Creed on Sunday, we pray who we are in our catholic identity, an identity that rejects evil and embraces God’s truth.” Marian Cowhig Owen: “Since three of the four items on the (St. Peter Church) banner agree with the Democratic platform, I hardly think there was a conspiracy to take it down. For Pete’s sake, give the Democrat-hating a rest, everyone.” Juventud Catolica NC: “Mrs. Owen I think the sign was meant exactly for that, to show that solidarity exists in some but not all standings and the sign was probably taken down because there were ‘official’ diocesan signs already up and they did not want to open a door for anyone and everyone to use the property for personal purposes. Just my opinion. We, as believers, also receive alot of hate for standing up for, not just for religious points of views, but ideals that are not new to this country or the world, for that matter. To quote Mrs. Pelosi on the single thing I agree with her. ‘IT’S JUST PLAIN WRONG’!” Suzanne Cona: “Sorry. The antiabortion candidate gets my vote. Period.” Chris Lauer: “She (Sister Simone Campbell) was totally in her element ... totally consumed and immersed ... basking in the glow of the adoration of the wickedness of the world. This public scandal now rests with the Bishops, as the Catholic world is now left in confusion as whether this woman is truly speaking on behalf of the Catholic Church as she claims. Justice demands a correction and interdiction.” Carolyn Franks: “No one, no organization has done more for the poor than the Catholic Church.” Bob Gray: “She (Sister Simone Campbell) made a case for social justice and so appealed to that audience and, probably, a lot of voters who are not put off by the stance of the Democrats on birth control, abortion and religious freedom. It just points out that neither party platform serves the tenants of our faith well, and that we need to be making our case outside of the political arena.” Stories about the political conventions and events held in Charlotte helped www. catholicnewsherald.com reach another record for most visitors in a month at 13,125 for August. Through press time on Sept. 12, there have been more than 6,900 visits to the website.

Patricia L. Guilfoyle | Catholic News Herald

Father Frank Cancro, pastor of Queen of the Apostles Church in Belmont, uses a rope made of three strands to illustrate a point about how people of faith must bring their beliefs into their decision-making process: basing the morality of their actions on God’s natural law, Church teaching and tradition, and our properly-formed consciences bound up together.

What does being a ‘faithful citizen’ really mean? Patricia L. Guilfoyle Editor

CHARLOTTE — Peach pie and ropes. That’s what Christians can think about when puzzling over how to apply their faith in the political sphere, a smiling Father Frank Cancro suggested during a panel discussion at St. Peter Church in Charlotte Sept. 6 as the Democratic National Convention was winding down nearby. Besides Father Cancro, the panel included the Rev. Rodney Sadler Jr., a Biblical scholar who teaches at Union Presbyterian Seminary; Dr. Cassandra Jones of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church and professor at two seminaries; and the Rev. Richard Boyce, who teaches theology at Union Presbyterian Seminary and serves as mayor of Belmont. The discussion was organized by Mercy Sister Rose Marie Tresp to examine how we as Christians can apply our faith in the political arena and inside the voting booth. Father Cancro, pastor of Queen of the Apostles Church in Belmont, first asked the crowd of more than 50 people to visualize a pie – “peach pie is my favorite” – cut into quarters. Those pieces are comprised of equal measures of political activity (parties, voting); witness of our faith (how we personally choose to evangelize the Gospel); the actions we take; and prayer. The pie is more “nutritious” if we include all four parts when thinking about what it means to be a Catholic and a Christian, he said. “All four of those elements are necessary,” he said. “No one piece of it alone is enough to satisfy or nourish” us as people of faith and how we work to transform the world in which we live. And the rope? That symbolizes what we need to make informed moral and political choices. A rope made of three strands forms a bond stronger than the individual

threads, he said, holding up a rope to the crowd. Similarly, our ability to make moral choices is strongest when we rely upon God’s natural law, Church teaching and tradition, and our properly-formed consciences – bound up together. Sadler pointed out that the Scripture passage in Luke 4:14-21, when Jesus announces the Good News to the synagogue in Nazareth and proclaims the fulfillment of the Scriptures, almost reads like a political manifesto: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.” In fact, government and religion were closely intertwined throughout Scripture and history, he said, and we can take lessons from that even in our modern democratic societies: political leaders have a moral obligation to care for the needy and powerless, and the faithful have a responsibility to be active in political life. Likewise, Jones noted that her faith, her relationship with Jesus Christ, informs her political activity. It’s more than a moral code, she said, “it’s my lifestyle.” Boyce agreed that Americans “are confused” when it comes to the role of faith in the public arena. They think faith must be separated from politics, which unravels the rope Father Cancro mentioned. “I get the question all the time. I’m a Presbyterian minister and, yes, I’m currently the mayor of a small town,” Boyce said. “Folks say, ‘What in the world are you doing serving in public office as an ordained minister?’ There are lots of ways of answering,” he said, pausing slightly before quipping, “The simple way, when it’s a Presbyterian asking me, is ‘Read some history!’” In all seriousness, Boyce continued, CITIZEN, SEE page 17

catholicnewsherald.com | September 14, 2012 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

CSPAN

A screen grab from Cardinal Timothy Dolan’s prayer at the conclusion of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte. Watch video from his prayer Sept. 6 and similar prayer at the Republican National Convention in Tampa the prior week on www.catholicnewsherald.com.

Dolan’s DNC prayer mentions life, marriage, social justice Stephen C. Guilfoyle Correspondent

CHARLOTTE — Cardinal Timothy Dolan, archbishop of New York and leader of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, stressed the value of all life from conception to natural death during his controversial benediction at the end of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte Thursday. A week earlier, Cardinal Dolan also gave the closing prayer at the end of the Republican National Convention in Tampa, and he had offered to do the same for the Democrats to avoid any appearance of partisanship. The prayers he gave were different in both length and structure, but they contained some common themes. His prayer to the RNC ran 544 More online words. His prayer to the DNC was On the Diocese of Charlotte’s YouTube longer, at exactly 700 words. channel: See the video of Cardinal Dolan’s In his RNC prayer, Cardinal DNC benediction Dolan touched on the primary issue that ties the Republican At www.catholicnewsherald.com: Party to the Catholic Church – Read the full text of Cardinal Dolan’s protection of the right to life – but prayer, and see a video of his RNC for Democrats, who last week benediction adopted a platform reiterating their support for unrestricted abortion access, the cardinal went a lot further: “Bless all here present and all across this great land who work hard for the day when a greater portion of Your justice and a more ample measure of Your care for the poor and suffering may prevail in these United States. Help us to see that a society’s greatness is found above all in the respect it shows for the weakest and the neediest among us. “We beseech You, Almighty God, to shed Your grace on this noble experiment in the ordered liberty which began with the confident assertion of inalienable rights bestowed on us by You: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Thus do we praise You for the gift of life. Grant us the courage to defend it – life, without which no other rights are secure. We ask Your benediction on those who are waiting to be born, that they may be welcomed and protected. “Strengthen our sick and our elders, waiting to see Your holy face at life’s end, that they may be accompanied by true compassion and cherished with the dignity due those who are infirm and fragile,” he prayed. Cardinal Dolan also included language in his DNC prayer that might be considered a challenge to the Democratic Party’s support for same-sex “marriage” in its 2012 party platform. Catholics believe that marriage was created by God, defined in natural law, as the union between one man and one woman. “Show us anew that happiness is found only in respecting the laws of nature and of nature’s God,” he prayed. “Empower us with Your grace, so that we might resist the temptation to replace the moral law with idols of our own making, or to remake those institutions You have given us for the nurturing of life and community.” Echoing the call by the U.S. bishops and other social justice advocates for immigration reform, Cardinal Dolan prayed, “May we welcome those who yearn to breathe free and to pursue happiness in this land of freedom, adding their gifts to those whose families have lived here for centuries.” He concluded, “And finally Lord, we beseech Your benediction on all of us who depart from here this evening and all those in every land who yearn to conduct their lives in freedom and justice. We beg You to remember as we pledge to remember those who are not free, those who suffer for freedom’s cause, those who are poor, out of work, needy, sick or alone, those who are persecuted for their religious convictions and those still ravaged by war. “And most of all, God Almighty, we thank You for the great gift of our country, for we are indeed one nation under God, and in God we trust – so, dear God, bless America, You who reign forever and ever. Amen.”

SueAnn Howell | Catholic News Herald

Bishop Peter J. Jugis called prayer “a duty, a responsibility,” during his Sept. 4 homily. “Prayer is important because it keeps us in communication with God and it keeps us attuned with His will and not doing our own,” he said.

Bishop Jugis: Bringing the Gospel to the world comes with the Cross SueAnn Howell Staff writer

CHARLOTTE — In his homily during a “Vigil for Liberty” Mass at St. Patrick Cathedral on Sept. 4, Charlotte Bishop Peter J. Jugis emphasized the importance of prayer to remaining strong when the faithful spread the message of the Gospel to the world. The Mass was during the first day of the Democratic National Convention held in Charlotte. Bishop Jugis also recognized that the faithful of the diocese were making a great sacrifice during the “Vigil for Liberty” and the 80 hours of perpetual Adoration. “This week the Catholic Diocese of Charlotte is pleased to offer a gift to our nation – over 80 hours of Eucharistic Adoration and prayer for our country. During these 80 hours we are keeping our prayers and hearts fixed on Jesus.” “You the faithful of the diocese are making great sacrifices. You’re doing that because you love your country. And because we love our country, we offer to the Lord our sacrifices of our time and our prayer during these 80 hours. It’s not just a gift, but it is also a duty, a responsibility to pray. “Prayer is important because it keeps us in communication with God and it keeps us attuned with His will and not doing our own.” Bishop Jugis illustrated how all of our work – for the unborn, for religious liberty, for traditional marriage, for the poor, for

Watch the entire homily On the Diocese of Charlotte’s YouTube channel: View the video of Bishop Jugis’ homily

immigrants – all springs from the love of Christ. The mission of the faithful is deeply rooted in Jesus. Bishop Jugis also explained that the work of proclaiming the Gospel comes with the Cross, but that there is great power in the Cross as it was there that Jesus took on all the sorrows and sins of humanity. “There is great power in the Cross because on the Cross Jesus showed us the power of His love. Divine Love absorbed all of that unto Himself. Divine Love always prevails. This is the power of Christ’s love and this is the power of the Holy Eucharist – the love of Christ, which prevails over all sin and all sorrow.” He asked, “Is there anything now that the world can throw against Jesus that it hasn’t already tried?” “No. Christ’s grace and Christ’s love cannot be eclipsed, cannot be defeated. His love is everlasting, His love is eternal. No force in the universe is more powerful than Christ’s love. “It is this love that impels us in our witness to the Gospel,” he said.

September 14, 2012 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

Patricia L. Guilfoyle | Catholic News Herald

Father Christopher Roux, pastor and rector at St. Patrick Cathedral, adores the Blessed Sacrament during the Holy Hour concluding the 80-hour “Vigil for Liberty.” Next to him is Deacon Brian McNulty.

Anthony Perlas, seroptics.com | Catholic News Herald

Zoe Griffin, 11, broke into tears after hearing and seeing the hard-heartedness and anger of pro-abortion protestors, a handful of whom crashed a prayer vigil outside Time Warner Cable Arena Aug. 31 where Griffin and about 40 other Christians were praying for an end to abortion. Griffin describes what happened in a personal account shared on www.catholicnewsherald.com.

Hundreds rally for life during DNC in Charlotte ‘We’re here for civil rights’ SueAnn Howell Staff writer

CHARLOTTE — Amid the hustle and bustle of the Democratic National Convention underway in Charlotte last week, Catholics and other Christians spoke out for the sanctity of all human life during several prayer vigils and demonstrations. More than 250 people marched to the center of town Sept. 5 to give witness during a “Civil Rights for Life March and Rally.” The rally was the largest and most vocal demonstration of pro-life Catholics opposed to the Democratic Party’s staunch support for abortion – a position reiterated in the party’s 2012 platform and underscored by convention speakers including NARAL Pro-Choice America’s leader Nancy Keenan and Planned Parenthood’s CEO Cecile Richards. Organized by local grassroots organization “America, Defend Life!”, the rally capped several days of prayer and peaceful protests outside the DNC. Speakers included Bobby Schindler, the brother of the late Terry Schiavo; Father Timothy Reid of Charlotte; the Rev. Robert Schenck from the Evangelical Church Alliance; several women from Silent No More; and local Catholic pro-life activist Andrea Hines. “We are here to let you know that people in the womb are people,” Hines said. “We’re here for civil rights – civil rights for life. People in the womb are people. People who cannot feed themselves are people. People who are at the end of their lives are people.” Pro-abortion protestors attempted to disrupt the rally in Independence Square. A handful of protestors similarly tried to disrupt a prayer vigil outside Time Warner Cable Arena, the site of the convention, on Aug. 31 before the convention had even begun. At that vigil, more than 40 pro-lifers prayed the

More online At www.catholicnewsherald.com: See more photos and video from the various pro-life events in Charlotte

rosary and laid out 3,300 red carnations on the sidewalk to symbolize the 3,300 lives killed daily through abortion in the U.S. The two-and-a-half hour prayer service was hosted by America, Defend Life! and the Christian Defense Coalition of Washington, D.C., in response to the Democratic Party’s support for unrestricted abortion access. “We are humbled to be able to offer a visual and symbolic expression of the damage caused by abortion in our country every day. At the same time, we are praying for the women and their children who have been bruised,” said Brice Griffin, spokesperson for America, Defend Life!. “Abortion is the real war on women, and it is our hope that through peaceful and prayerful witness we can educate America on the truth that drives Planned Parenthood and their child-killing business.” The prayer vigil was the first event pro-lifers organized to coincide with the DNC, and it was immediately followed up by a peaceful demonstration the following day outside Planned Parenthood in Charlotte. The facility is one of four Planned Parenthood locations in the Diocese of Charlotte. The demonstration attracted many pro-lifers, who also arranged for an aerial banner, stating “Defund Planned Parenthood,” to be flown overhead that day to catch the attention of convention goers and visitors. Members of the Latin Mass Society at Belmont Abbey College participated in the event, adding their prayers to those of other Christian faithful.

Catholics urged: ‘Either be hot or cold – don’t be apathetic’ ‘Vigil for Liberty’ ends after 80 hours of prayer Patricia L. Guilfoyle Editor

CHARLOTTE — A solemn Holy Hour concluded three days – 80 hours – of continuous Eucharistic Adoration at St. Patrick Cathedral to coincide with the Democratic National Convention Sept. 3-6. More than 100 people from Charlotte-area parishes participated in the “Vigil for Liberty,” held to pray for religious freedom, protection of the right to life, and an increase in vocations. Each day of the vigil, worshippers prayed the Chaplet of Adoration and Reparation, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and the Holy Rosary. In his Holy Hour homily concluding the vigil, Father Christopher Roux, pastor and rector of the cathedral parish, called out Catholics who are apathetic about their faith and encouraged all of us to embrace the Cross like we really mean it. “Either be hot or cold. Be one or the other. Don’t be apathetic. Don’t be wishy-washy,” Father Roux said. He recalled praying out in front of abortion mills in Steubenville, Ohio, when he was younger. The pro-life demonstrators and abortion facility staff were in such close proximity to each other so frequently that they came to know each other, and they would wave hello in mutual greeting at the start and end of each “shift” at the abortion facility. It was almost humorous, he said, as if it were Sam the Sheepdog and Ralph E. Wolf from the old Looney Tunes cartoons. “But it felt so odd,” Father Roux said, “that we were just walking down the street, having nice conversations and then the rest of the day we’d be beating each other up spiritually. Sometimes we’d leave feeling that way ... until we spent at least an hour of Adoration prior to going to the clinic.” Pointing to the Blessed Sacrament exposed on the altar, Father Roux emphasized, “This has great power to keep one’s peace in the midst of trouble.” He noted that the passion each side felt for its beliefs – even if one side was completely and utterly wrong – is valuable. Imagine what kind of passion the abortion mill staffers would have if they experienced a change of heart and became pro-life advocates, he said. They could be people like abortionist and NARAL Pro-Choice America co-founder Bernard Nathanson, who once admitted that he had killed more than 60,000 unborn babies including one of his own. He had a change of heart after viewing an abortion real-time on ultrasound, converted to Catholicism and became an ardent pro-life advocate. “When their conversion happened they fell hard, and they became some of the greatest pro-life advocates you can even imagine,” Father Roux said. “But the wishy-washy, the mediocre, the apathetic – what can God do without at least some kind of investment in what you believe?” Three kinds of people were at the foot of the Cross, he said: the sympathetic – Mary, Mary Magdalene and John who were weeping; the anti-pathetic – the crowd who mocked and reviled Him; and the APATHY, SEE page 17

catholicnewsherald.com | September 14, 2012 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

POLITICS: FROM PAGE 12

Sister Simone Campbell addresses Catholics during the first of two presentations she gave at St. Peter Church in Charlotte last week about the growing wealth gap in the U.S. Patricia L. Guilfoyle | Catholic News Herald

St. Peter’s hosts various programs on Catholic social teaching Kimberly Bender Online reporter

CHARLOTTE — As protesters of various causes marched outside the oldest Catholic church in Charlotte during the Democratic National Convention, Sister Simone Campbell and other speakers highlighted key social justice issues inside. A handmade sign was hung on the fence in front of St. Peter Church on the second day of the DNC, the third such sign posted on the historic church property because of its proximity to the convention activity. A handful of people who identified themselves only as “the friends of St. Peter’s” hung the sign, painted on a sheet, that read: “Catholics care about the unborn and immigrants and healthcare and economic justice.” The additional sign was an awareness effort about the full range of Church teaching, the St. Peter supporters said. They said they did not like the fact that the diocese’s two signs on St. Peter Church for the DNC mentioned only the right to life, marriage and religious liberty – and not the Church’s stance on social justice issues such as immigration reform or wealth inequality. “It seeks maybe to complement the other signs that the bishop put up,” said Father Earl. “It touches on the other issues the U.S. bishops encourage us to act on – work for the poor and other issues.” No matter what their political persuasion, all Catholics must do more to respond to a widening wealth gap in the U.S., social justice advocates urged during two presentations that highlighted the Church’s social gospel. Led by Sister Campbell – a Sister of Social Service and executive director of Network, a national Catholic social justice lobby – members of Network laid out the causes and problems related to a growing gap between the poor, the middle class and the wealthy in America, and how that divide is creating social unrest and political gridlock. “The consequences of the wealth gap is that the hundred percent do worse when there’s a great wealth gap, and that we will all do better when there’s not such a wide gulf among Americans,” Sister

Campbell said during the first program Sept. 5. Later that day, a simple reading of the Jesuit play, “Imago Dei – Journeys of Courage, Hope and Home,” held inside the church followed powerful words from two young men with the “No Papers, No Fear” bus, a group of young undocumented immigrants hoping to make a difference. Yovani Diaz, 20, one of the 10 people arrested at a peaceful immigration protest during the DNC and later released, told the audience he joined the undocumented movement after he realized he had an identity crisis, barely speaking Spanish because he was afraid to. “It affected me as it affects other people,” he said. “My mom was living here for 25 years, and she was caught for driving without a license and was deported. Our family is separated, as many families are. I’m glad to be able to speak for myself and for others going through the same thing.” The discussion followed a similar presentation on Sept. 4 at the church about undocumented immigrants entitled “Gospel Without Borders,” and a brief photo op with the “UndocuBus” participants that the parish held on Sunday. “I came out because I wanted to support the social justice issues. I attended the ‘Mind the Gap’ presentation, too, and I’ve been delighted so far. I think it’s been very educational. I think we’ll be able to use this information to better inform others,” said Phoebe Levine, a St. Peter parishioner and Barack Obama supporter. “I am really proud to be a parishioner here and of all the church has done this week.” St. Peter Church also featured Glenmary Father Les Schmidt as the homilist on Sept. 2. He is well known for his work with social justice issues such as workers’ rights, mountain-top removal and criminal justice. In his homily, Father Schmidt encouraged Catholics to live their faith each day in their daily work, no matter how important or humble their jobs may be. He also implored Catholics to “bring justice to the world” through comprehensive immigration reform.

stable condition for raising children and contributing to the common good. “The common good” – that phrase was often used by Catholics last week who advocated for strengthening national antipoverty efforts and welcoming immigrants. But some Catholics on Facebook and at various events coinciding with the DNC expressed disagreement with Church teaching. They expressed opposition to immigration reform that would allow undocumented immigrants to remain here, either as residents or as citizens, and they barely conceded the need for action on helping immigrant children such as through the DREAM Act. Laws must be respected, they said, and illegal immigrants are just taking public benefits or jobs that law-abiding Americans deserve instead. But the Church teaches we must welcome the stranger, keeping our eye on the fact that the Holy Family themselves were undocumented immigrants. Not all laws are just, and as Catholics we are called to follow God’s law above all else, Little Rock Bishop Anthony Taylor said. We have a moral imperative to seek justice for immigrants, and as Cardinal Dolan prayed during his benediction: “May we welcome those who yearn to breathe free and to pursue happiness in this land of freedom, adding their gifts to those whose families have lived here for centuries.”

loving one’s enemies and praying for their salvation, even as we hope for God’s mercy towards our own sinfulness. In his homily Sept. 4, the day the DNC opened in Charlotte, Bishop Peter J. Jugis described how all of our work – for the unborn, for religious liberty, for traditional marriage, for the poor, and for immigrants – springs from the love of Christ. The work of proclaiming the Gospel comes with the Cross, but that there is great power in the Cross as it was there that Jesus took on all the sorrows and sins of humanity, Bishop Jugis preached. “There is great power in the Cross because on the Cross Jesus showed us the power of His love. Divine Love absorbed all of that unto Himself. Divine Love always prevails. This is the power of Christ’s love and this is the power of the Holy Eucharist – the love of Christ, which prevails over all sin and all sorrow.” He asked, “Is there anything now that the world can throw against Jesus that it hasn’t already tried?” “No. Christ’s grace and Christ’s love cannot be eclipsed, cannot be defeated. His love is everlasting, His love is eternal. No force in the universe is more powerful than Christ’s love.”

SO WHAT DO WE DO?

The apparent discord among Catholics last week reflects a misunderstanding about our Catholic faith. Our faith transcends our politics, not just informs it. We’re called not just to be “social justice Catholics” or “family values Catholics.” We stand in collective “solidarity” with the poor and powerless in advocating communal responses, and we balance that with a preference for “subsidiarity” and the need to address some problems at the most direct level. Catholicism embraces all of it with a breath-taking paradox. In an Aug. 21 commentary, Father Robert Barron, host of the award-winning “Catholicism” series and the rector/ president of Mundelein Seminary, writes: “In his wonderful ‘Orthodoxy,’ written over a hundred years ago but still remarkably relevant today, G.K. Chesterton said that Catholicism is marked through and through by the great ‘both/ and’ principle. Jesus is both divine and human. He is not one or the other; nor is he some bland mixture of the two; rather, he is emphatically one and emphatically the other. In a similar way, the Church is radically devoted to this world and radically devoted to the world to come. In the celibacy of its priests, it is totally against having children, and in the fruitful marriage of its lay people, it is totally for having children. “In its social teaching, this same sort of ‘bi-polar extremism’ is on display. Solidarity? The Church is all for it. Subsidiarity? The Church couldn’t be more enthusiastic about it. Not one or the other, nor some bland compromise between the two, but both, advocated with equal vigor.”

Father Frank Cancro, pastor of Queen of the Apostles Church in Belmont, said in a Sept. 6 reflection at St. Peter Church on “Faithful Citizenship,” the U.S. bishops’ guide for voters in forming their consciences, that we need equal measures of prayer, action, experience and faith to inform our political decisions. And like a rope made of three strands – forming a bond stronger than the individual threads – our ability to make moral choices is strongest when we rely upon God’s natural law, Church teaching and tradition, and our properly-formed consciences. Either way, we cannot run away from politics and our responsibilities as Christian citizens, Father Cancro emphasized. We are living in the world and have an obligation to transform it by our individual and collective actions. “By our witness, by our lives, by the way we act and who we are in living the Gospel, we bring that fire to transform us into the Kingdom of God, rather than longing for it (as) some reality far away,” he said. In his homily to conclude the 80-hour “Vigil for Liberty,” Father Christopher Roux, pastor and rector of St. Patrick Cathedral, called out Catholics who are apathetic about their faith and encouraged all of us to embrace the Cross like we really mean it. “Either be hot or cold. Be one or the other. Don’t be apathetic. Don’t be wishywashy,” Father Roux said. “The wishywashy, the mediocre, the apathetic – what can God do without at least some kind of investment in what you believe?” “We live in a very apathetic world,” he continued. “We live in a world where many people don’t care, one way or the other. They might, sorta kinda, be pro-choice – or they might, sorta kinda, be pro-life, but it’s not going to cause them any loss of sleep.” “We cannot go out and say, ‘How dare they not care!’ unless we first recognize our own sinfulness, and seek to repent and repair and convert our hearts,” he said. “We first have to have conversion of heart, to embrace our faith, and to care about what’s happening...”

EMBRACE THE CROSS

WHO ARE YOU?

CATHOLICISM IS ‘BOTH/AND’

The message that perhaps everyone could agree on last week: Being a Catholic means embracing the Cross. It means being criticized or mocked as we evangelize and educate, and it means bucking what’s popular as we follow the Truth. It means

So what kind of Catholic are you? Shared one fan on Facebook, “I am a ... Roman Catholic. That is my ‘party.’ And if I am true to the Church, then I am a pilgrim without a homeland, I guess... And that makes me the most dangerous guy of all.”

September 14, 2012 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

CITIZEN:

APATHY:

FROM PAGE 13

FROM PAGE 15

politics is where we translate our faith into action, and he cannot leave his faith behind. Faith also reminds him as a political leader that he is there not to serve himself, “but to serve God and my neighbor.” He added, “I don’t want the government in charge of my particular religious practice, but that does not mean in reverse that I leave my religious practice behind when I exercise” my politics. Father Cancro also noted that we cannot run away from politics and our responsibilities as Christian citizens. We are living in the world and have an obligation to transform it by our individual and collective actions, he said. “By our witness, by our lives, by the way we act and who we are in living the Gospel, we bring that fire to transform us into the Kingdom of God, rather than longing for it (as) some reality far away,” he said. To do that, we must “embrace God’s love and share God’s love.” Especially given the bitter partisan divide that exists, all the panelists urged, people of faith must engage others with passion, civility and mutual respect – and remember that God’s always in charge. “I believe politics is a serious business, but it is of penultimate importance,” Boyce said, and we must keep a spirit of humility and humor. It’s like the old song “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands,” he continued. “That’s simple theology, but I tell ya, if I simply hum that tune every time before the city council meets, I could say, “OK, Lord, You’ve got it all in Your hands

apathetic – the Roman soldiers casting lots for His clothes. “They didn’t care,” he said. “It was just a job to them. It was just a job. They had to crucify someone, so they did.” “We live in a very apathetic world,” he continued. “We live in a world where many people don’t care, one way or the other. They might, sorta kinda, be pro-choice – or they might, sorta kinda, be pro-life, but it’s not going to cause them any loss of sleep.” Some of the Catholics at the Democratic National Convention fell into this category, he said. “What bothered me was not the fact that they were there lying, or even that a national political group had put them out there to lie, but that there were people watching it on television and going, ‘Really, oh my goodness,’ and they didn’t even care to have the truth. “They don’t care that 4,000 babies a day die in their mother’s womb. They don’t care that you and I are having our religious liberties taken away from us, one at a time. They don’t care. And some of them sit with us every single Sunday, when it’s convenient, in the pews of our churches. We say, ‘Peace be with you’ to them, and they say it back to us, and yet if they were here right now they would call

Learn more Online at www.usccb.org: Read the U.S. bishops’ 2011 “Faithful Citizenship” report; download resources for parishes and ministries; explore youth group and classroom activities; see explanatory videos from Cardinal Timothy Dolan and others; learn more about Church teaching on life and social justice issues; read commentaries from USCCB staff on the top questions of the day; pray a novena for Faithful Citizenship; and much more. Many materials are available in both English and Spanish.

now. We’re going to give it a crack, but if we make a big mess of it, we trust You can clean it up fairly quick. And if one thing we do tonight leans in Your direction, would You give us a little sign of Your pleasure?’ I’d like to see more politics with that kind of flavor.”

Mystery of Woman: Her Dignity and Spirituality 9:30 am to 12:30 pm, Saturday, Oct. 27th, St. Ann Church, Charlotte • Door Prizes • Group Rosary • Refreshments • Opportunity for enrollment • Presentations in the Angelic Warfare Confraternity Frances Martini - founder and president of St. Ann Secular Discalced Carmelite Group will speak on developing a prayer life and the impact of the Catholic woman at prayer, including the types and stages of prayer and a reflection on the Blessed Mother.

us fanatics – because we’re praying.” “Our Lord can do nothing with those who care not, one way or the other,” but, he added, “We cannot leave it there.” Catholics cannot sit back and shrug in such a case, he emphasized. “It is our obligation, as Christians, as Catholics, as believers, to evangelize those in the pews with us, and let them know they must care! They must embrace their faith – for if they do not embrace the faith, they will lose the faith.” That is what the “Vigil for Liberty” was all about, he said – a way of seeking reparation for others’ sinfulness as well as our own. “We cannot go out and say, ‘How dare they not care!’ unless we first recognize our own sinfulness, and seek to repent and repair and convert our hearts,” he said. “We have to stand up for our religious liberty, but we first have to have conversion of heart, to embrace our faith, and to care about what’s happening – not only to the children within their mothers’ wombs, not only to the mothers, not only to those in the pews with us on Sunday who may be apathetic, but also to the doctors, also to the nurses, also to those who run Planned Parenthood ... “We must be praying for their conversion. We cannot step back and in any kind of holier-than-thou way say, ‘Look at us, we are pro-life.’” Because if we love other people truly as ourselves, we would want them to enjoy eternal life with us in heaven, he said. “If we don’t, who will? If we don’t pray for the reparation of their sinfulness, who will pray for them?”

THE ORATORY 434 Charlotte Avenue, P.O. Box 11586 Rock Hill, SC 29731-1586

(803) 327-2097

Center for Spirituality rockhilloratory.org

oratorycenter@gmail.com

Blessed John Henry Newman: Man of Prayer Thursday, October 4, 2012 7pm – 9pm

Father Joe Pearce, C.O. Cost is $15

Hildegard of Bingen We will celebrate the canonization of Hildegard of Bingen and her elevation to Doctor of the Church with two separate but complimentary programs.

Sybil of the Rhine: Hildegard of Bingen, Saint, Artist and Visionary. Friday, October 12, 2012 7pm – 9pm

Batrice Adcock, MSN, RN - Lay Carmelite; Program Director, Natural Family Planning Program of Catholic Social Services, Diocese of Charlotte will speak on the special gifts of woman as articulated by Blessed John Paul II and St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross including overcoming challenges to authentic femininity presented by secular culture. The program is FREE, register online at cssnc.org/nfp or contact Batrice Adcock, (704)-370-3230, cssnfp@charlottediocese.org.

Your Local Catholic Charities Agency

CSS NFP Program and St. Ann are sponsoring the program.

This presentation will introduce you to the life and times of Hildegard and explore how her wisdom speaks to us today.

Viriditas: A day retreat based on the spirituality of Hildegard of Bingen. Saturday, October 13, 2012

9:30am – 4pm

The day will combine meditative exercises, periods of silence, journaling and small group reflection using her art and music as doorways to the sacred.

Cost: $10 Friday Evening Only $40 Saturday Only (includes lunch) $80 Both days, overnight and lunch $45 Both days, commuter and lunch

Our schools 18

catholicnewsherald.com | September 14, 2012 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

Our Lady of the Assumption School expands middle school SueAnn Howell Staff writer

In Brief Student arrested on school property Sept. 6 HENDERSONVILLE — A high school student was arrested last week on property owned by Immaculata School in Hendersonville. The incident occurred on Sept. 6 when the student brought a BB gun to nearby Hendersonville High School. The student had parked in a lot, owned by Immaculata, that the high school students are allowed to use. After pointing the gun at some of his fellow high school students, police were called and the youth was taken into custody. Immaculata Principal Carole Breerwood said no students in her pre-kindergarten through eighth grade school were aware of what had taken place in the nearby parking lot. Parents were notified of the incident through the schools automated phone system. Immaculata School, the only Catholic school in Henderson County, has 185 students. — David Hains

CHARLOTTE — To better serve the needs of the community in northeast Charlotte, Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic School has extended its pre-kindergarten through sixth-grade program to add a seventh-grade class this year. OLA is one of 3 MACS schools now offering a middle school curriculum. The middle grades at OLA are being added incrementally, with the goal of making it a K-8 school by 2013-2014. Currently there are 143 students enrolled in grades PK-7. “The faculty, parents and students are very excited about this new development at OLA,” said Principal Allana-Rae Ramkissoon. “It is part of the fulfillment of the vision for the school as a center for the development of the language and communication skills needed for the 21st century. In the lower grades, the focus will be on English language mastery and foreign language acquisition. The upper grades’ curriculum will build on these, but with an infusion of additional science and technology units that would allow our students to investigate, study and communicate solutions that will affect their world.” Scott Kent, who has been hired to teach the sixth grade, is a former OLA student. “I’m very happy to return to OLA as a teacher,” Kent said. “I attended school here as a student K-5 and then went on to Holy Trinity (Middle) and (Charlotte) Catholic High. I still keep in touch with my old friends from Assumption – OLA will always be home. It has a marvelous atmosphere – welcoming and diverse.” The school was awarded a Principals Grant by the MACS Education Foundation that helped purchase laptop computers for individual use by the students in middle school. Kent’s class will use these laptops everyday to research, take notes and write papers. They will take word processing courses online, and they

photo provided by mike ford

Middle school students at Our Lady of the Assumption Middle school are pictured in the library on the opening day of school, Aug. 22. have already learned to use multiple programs to help them in each class. “The students are great and are also some of the best behaved students I have ever taught,” Kent said. “I do believe this school is the best-kept secret in the diocese.” An MACS open house for interested families will be held at OLA from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14, and 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Oct. 16. For more information, call the school at 704-531-0067 or go to www.olainfo.com.

MACS Education Foundation awards annual grants SueAnn Howell Staff writer

OLM celebrates Grandparents Day WINSTON-SALEM — Our Lady of Mercy School celebrated Grandparents Day on Sept. 7 with a special liturgy in their honor, followed by refreshments and photos of the grandparents with their grandchildren. Pictured above, the Wasilauska family was able to celebrate with both sets of grandparents, the Wasilauskas from Winston-Salem, and the Pools, from Diamondhead, Miss. — Lara Davenport

Learning from the ‘Book Doctor’ GREENSBORO — St. Pius X School’s librarian, Mrs. Foley, recently dressed up as “Dr. Foley Book Doctor” to teach kindergarten students how to properly care for books. — Jean Navarro

CHARLOTTE — The Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools Education Foundation awarded the 2012-’13 Grants for Educational Excellence at an awards ceremony on Aug. 14 at the Pastoral Center. More than 58 teachers at nine MACS schools received awards totaling $91,679. The 30 grants were awarded to the following teachers for the programs and schools listed. Charlotte Catholic High School: Jennifer Murlless, Mary Angela Morgan, Karen Grauman, Cathy Grady, and Sandy Needham for “Prep Me”; Natalie Korda and Terri Taylor for “Communication 1:1”; Joanne Winters for “Macbook Technology Enhancement-Canson Papershow.” Christ The King High School: Katrina Barnes for art room equipment; Margie Henry, “The Flipped Classroom”; Jack Peele, “Digital Stereo Microscope”; Bill Fountain, “Basic Training Aviation Device.” Holy Trinity Middle School: Robin Siczek, “Writing Roadmap”; Maureen Cherry, Dan McMahon and Emily Davis, “Get it in Gear…Adapt with Us!”; Jacqueline Durrett and Anni Carroll, “Explore Engineering-Design in 3-D”; Jennifer Cabrera and Socorro Davaz, “Project Ipads.” MACS: Stan Michalski, Tracy Shoff and Brian Joyce, “Artists in Residence”; Peggy Palasick, Renee Birch and Ann Miles, “Campassionate Kids.” Our Lady of the Assumption School: Vicki Neumann and Vinciguerra Kiefriter,

photo by charles thomas | sankofa photography

“Behind the Scenes”; Vanessa BakerTruong, “Take Home Reading Bags - An Invitation to Collaboration.” St. Gabriel School: Nicole Warren, “Spicing Up Social Studies”; Lianne Christmas and Trina O’Connor, “Lending Library”; Lynn Ruff, “Learning with Great Books.” St. Ann School: Jennifer Coughlin, “More and Learn More”; Lisa Horton and Jennifer Coughlin, “Tumble into Reading”; Annmarie Mancusi, “You won’t believe what you can see!”; Susan Gordon, “Reading & Writing Enhancement Program”; Lorie Mae Gabriel, “The Psalm-sters: Holy Ding-alings.”

St. Mark School: Crystal Carney and Carole Watson, “Read Naturally: Reading for Success”; Linda Dunn and Ellen Lafferty, “Mountain Math”; Rachel Angell and Christine Ostrom, “America’s Battle of the Books.” St. Matthew School: Patti Dickson, Kelly Henderson, Patty Croghan and Cindi Hess, “Passport to the World”; Jenny Ferris, Johanna Boozer, Melissa Davis and Ellen Deem, “Beginner’s Bibles for Better Spirituality & Literacy.” St. Patrick School: Lynn Clouden, “IPad Adventures in 1st Grade”; Kelly Parks and Linda Nagel, “Increasing Comprehension & Fluency Through Reading Plus.”

September 14, 2012 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

FATIMA: FROM PAGE 5

Father Christopher Roux from Charlotte, chaplains for the annual pilgrimage, delivered often specific challenges to the seminarians to whole-heartedly live out their vocations, to be ready to give everything for the Church and the sake of the Gospel. But it isn’t just the experiences of places and holy things that nurture a deep spiritual foundation in these young men who are generously discerning their call for the sake of the faithful. In fact, it is the support and interaction of the faithful themselves that influences, encourages and builds up our seminarians. The Te Deum Foundation recognizes the great importance of this pilgrimage for the laity as well.

CAMINO: FROM PAGE 5

considered as our soul held captive by our bodies, somehow in opposition. Rather, our body and soul should be a unified vessel constantly aimed toward our own salvation and the greater glory of God. I learned many things on the road to Santiago. This just happens to be one, albeit very important, lesson. I never felt more at home as I did out in

Mobley pointed out, “This experience for the lay pilgrims encourages them to learn more about vocations and how they can become part of the journey of these men in prayer and support. As the Holy Father continues to remind us, we all have a part to play in the growth of vocations.” Cindy Brown made her first pilgrimage to Fatima this year and concluded, “For me it has deepened my relationship with the Blessed Mother. I feel my soul has been uplifted and strengthened. I feel a sense of clarity as to the call of God in my life – a sense of clarity of a mission that I’ve been discerning for a while and how to serve the Church in a new way.” Sister Marie Thérèse, PCPA, felt both strengthened in her own vocation as well as challenged to live it out ever more deeply. “It was beautiful to see the seminarians’ growth in faith through the pilgrimage and how the special moments made an impact on them. Being with them on pilgrimage reminded me ever more of the need to

the middle of nowhere, in a foreign country, oftentimes miles away from anyone or anything. I felt like I was bathing in God’s graces in the midst of His beautiful creation. I had prayed for an edifying and spiritually uplifting pilgrimage. What I experienced was more than I could have imagined. People are always coming up to me saying, “I heard that you walked the Camino de Santiago.” I tell them, “You don’t walk the Camino, the Camino walks you!” Christopher Bond is a seminarian for the Diocese of Charlotte.

pray for them, and seeing their love for the Church filled me with greater zeal in living out my vocation of spiritual motherhood,” she joyfully said upon returning home. Love for souls and love for the Church is the motivating force behind the work of the Te Deum Foundation, and taking pilgrims – seminarians and laity – to Fatima fosters this love through that precious encounter with the Blessed Mother’s presence. At the end of the 2012 pilgrimage,

seminarian Peter Ascik expressed to the dining room full of fellow pilgrims, “The thing that I want to say to everyone who supported us is that we love the Church and we’re going to take care of Her – whatever happens – and that is what we offer in return.” For more information about the Te Deum Foundation, go online to www. tedeumfoundation.org or call 336-765-1815.

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catholicnewsherald.com | September 14, 2012 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

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On TV

In theaters ‘The Possession’ A seemingly innocuous wooden box purchased at a yard sale contains an evil spirit that takes possession of a young girl (Natasha Calis), blighting her life and those of her recently divorced parents (Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Kyra Sedgwick). This mostly gore-free chiller has a strong pro-marriage message, and the respectful treatment of the Jewish faith by which the afflicted lass is to be exorcised are pluses. Some violent and potentially disturbing images, a premarital situation. CNS: A-III (adults); MPAA: PG-13

Father Giuseppe Costa speaks with Catholic News Agency in Rome about the Vatican’s new partnership with Apple.

‘The Oogieloves in the Big Balloon Adventure’ This interactive film featuring full-bodied puppets that prompt children to dance and sing is the vision of producer Kenn Viselman, creator of the “Teletubbies” TV series. CNS: A-I (general patronage); MPAA: G

Other movies n ‘2016: Obama’s America’: CNS: A-II (adults and adolescents); MPAA: PG n ‘The Words’: CNS: A-III (adults); MPAA: PG-13 n ‘Lawless’: CNS: L (limited adult audience); MPAA: R n ‘The Cold Light of Day’: CNS: A-III (adults); MPAA: PG-13 n ‘The Awakening’: CNS: A-III (adults); MPAA: R n ‘The Apparition’: CNS: A-III (adults); MPAA: PG-13

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Vatican hopes Apple partnership will spread pope’s message VATICAN CITY — The Vatican has teamed up with Apple to develop new hitech methods for communicating the works of Pope Benedict XVI to the world. “It represents an enormous step on the international stage because, as you know, internet goes beyond space and time,” said Father Giuseppe Costa, the director of the Vatican’s publishing house Libreria Editrice Vaticana. “The message of the Holy Father will now be received in every part of the world.” The American technology firm will now work alongside the Vatican to produce eBooks and iTunes tracks of Pope Benedict’s weekly general audiences. In recent months the pontiff has used his weekly address to explore the theme of prayer in the story of salvation. His latest volume, “Prayer in the New Testament,” is already available in print form. The new eBook format will be accompanied by illustrations from the Vatican’s art collections.

“The illustrations are of great value also in the electronic version as the reader can access the book as they like. They can zoom in and out to examine the images and compare them with the texts for their own personal meditation,” Father Costa explained. Initially the commercial agreement with Apple will focus only on the pope’s weekly catechesis. But the Vatican publishing house says that if this initial project proves popular, then more of Pope Benedict XVI’s extensive catalogue of writings could be offered electronically. Meanwhile, Father Costa promises that the new eBooks will be both “a beautiful art encyclopedia” and “a wonderful path of spirituality.” With first editions already available in Italian, the U.S. bishops’ conference is now collaborating with the Vatican to bring the same books to the world in English. — CNA/EWTN News

n Saturday, Sept. 15, 2 p.m., (EWTN) “EWTN On Location – The Liturgical Reform Of Pope Benedict XVI”: Father Brian Austin of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter discusses the ongoing reforms of the Mass that have occurred since the close of the Second Vatican Council. n Sunday, Sept. 16, 2 a.m. (EWTN) “Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon: Ancient Roots ... New Soil”: An introduction to the Maronite rite of the Church in America with interview of pastors and parishioners from various Maronite parishes throughout the Midwestern U.S., speaking about their rite and their Catholic faith. n Sunday, Sept. 16, 2:30 a.m. (EWTN) “Apostolic Journey to Lebanon: Mass and Angelus: The Holy Father will celebrate Mass (and Angelus) at Beirut City Centre Waterfront and consign the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation. Rebroadcast at 11 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 16. n Friday, Sept. 21, 6:30 p.m. (EWTN) “William M. Carrigan, Witness and Friend of Padre Pio”: William Carrigan, the long-time friend of Padre Pio, reflects on the amazing life and spirituality of the famous Italian monk, mystic and stigmatic. n Friday, Sept. 21, 10 p.m., (EWTN) “Fifty Years Of Thorns And Roses”: A stirring account of the life of Padre Pio, who bore the wounds of Christ for 50 years. n Saturday, Sept. 22, 1 p.m. (EWTN) “Special Roundtable.” This program presents a roundtable discussion of religious liberty featuring Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted of Phoenix and Michael Warsaw, EWTN president and CEO. n Saturday, Sept. 22, 8 p.m. (EWTN) “Miracle of St. Thérèse”: This acclaimed feature film made in France in 1959 follows the life of Carmelite nun St. Thérèse of Lisieux from her childhood through her death and explores her unique spirituality, known as the Little Way. n Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2:30 p.m. (EWTN) “Feasts And Seasons – Summertime – Harvest and Michaelmas”: Host Joanna Bogle shows the meals and customs of Michaelmas, the traditional feast of the harvest in the Catholic Church. Rebroadcast at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28.

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catholicnewsherald.com | September 14, 2012 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Bishop Finn convicted on one charge of failure to report abuse Catholic News Service

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Bishop Robert W. Finn of Kansas City-St. Joseph was convicted Sept. 6 of one count of failing to report suspected child abuse and acquitted on another count in a brief bench trial. Jackson County Circuit Judge John M. Torrence issued the verdict and quickly set and suspended a sentence of two years’ probation. The charges carried a possible maximum sentence of one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. “I will pledge, both personally and in my capacity as bishop, to take every reasonable step to protect children from any abuse or misconduct perpetrated by clergy, diocesan employees or volunteers,” Bishop Finn said in a statement after the verdict. “I regret and am sorry for the hurt that these events have caused.” He is the highest ranking U.S. Catholic official to face criminal charges related to child sex abuse. Bishop Finn, 59, was indicted last October on the misdemeanor charges of failing to report suspected child abuse to state authorities. The Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph had faced similar charges, but Torrence dismissed them after sentencing the bishop. The case began in December 2010, after a computer technician discovered child pornography on a computer used by Father Shawn Ratigan and turned it over to diocesan authorities. Authorities were not notified until six months later, when a search of the priest’s family home turned up images of child pornography. Father Ratigan pleaded guilty in August to five counts of producing or attempting to produce child PdmVstAng_5_10.pdf 1 4/30/10 1:37 pornography.

World needs Archbishop Sheen’s example of faith, virtue, says homilist Tom Dermody Catholic News Service

PEORIA, Ill. — Calling Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen “the model of virtue our world needs today,” friends and family of the famed media evangelist and author gathered Sept. 9 to give thanks for Pope Benedict XVI’s recent decree of “venerable” for him, advancing his sainthood cause. The congregation also prayed for “an even greater celebration to come.” Peoria Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, who formally opened the diocese’s inquiry into the cause a decade ago, was the principal celebrant of a Mass of thanksgiving that drew an overflow crowd to St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria. Among the concelebrants was Archbishop John J. Myers of Newark, N.J., who, as Peoria’s bishop in the 1990s, was among the effort’s early supporters. “Today, as we give thanks for the gift of this great man, let us double our commitment to pray for the success of the cause and that we, like Archbishop Fulton Sheen, will courageously continue to spread the message of the Gospel of Christ throughout the world,” said Bishop Jenky. On June 28, Pope Benedict XVI affirmed the heroic virtues of Archbishop Sheen and declared him venerable. If one of three documented, alleged miraculous healings through his intercession is approved, Archbishop Sheen could become the first American-born bishop to be beatified. The beatification ceremony also could be the first to take place in the United States, perhaps in Peoria. A second miracle must be confirmed for canonization. Archbishop Sheen, born in El Paso, Ill., was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Peoria. He became a renowned theologian, orator, and Emmy-award winning radio and television host whose programs were welcomed into tens of millions of homes in the mid-20th century. The former bishop of Rochester, N.Y., and national director of PMthe Propagation of the Faith died in 1979. The opening procession for the Mass in

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Peoria included the carrying forward of 20 bound volumes of research outlining why Archbishop Sheen should be declared a saint. Known as the “positio,” the boxed sets were stacked in the cathedral sanctuary and presented to representative individuals and groups at the close of the liturgy. “I am truly grateful for the many of you who have traveled so far, have given so much, and have prayed so hard to see this day,” Msgr. Stanley Deptula said as the volumes were distributed by Bishop Jenky. The priest is executive director of the Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Foundation. “And I remind you that there is still greater work and more prayers to be had as we thank God and beg that God’s Church would soon declare Venerable Fulton Sheen to be Blessed Fulton Sheen,” continued Msgr. Deptula. “Let us pray for that great day.” In a spirited homily, Msgr. Deptula said that after the pope’s declaration of Archbishop Sheen’s heroic virtues this summer, the press seemed most interested in talking about the alleged miraculous healings under investigation. While they are “amazing, incredible stories,” the miracle that Msgr. Deptula preferred to talk about was the “miracle of God’s transformative love” in the life of Archbishop Sheen and in all who, like him, love Jesus Christ. Archbishop Sheen’s zeal to preach the Gospel was rooted in his love for Christ and a promise he made on the day of his priestly ordination to spend one hour a day in Eucharistic Adoration, said Msgr. Deptula. “Fulton Sheen could roar like a lion from the pulpit because he listened to the small, still voice of the merciful and just King of the universe,” said the priest. “He really loved Jesus. And he knew that Jesus loved him. And he wanted to share that love with the world.” “This is what we celebrate today,” he continued. “This is what our world needs.” Among those attending the Mass, as well as weekend celebratory events at the Sheen Museum in the diocesan pastoral center, were dozens of Sheen relatives and others who knew him in life, benefactors of the cause and visiting clergy, including Father Andrew Apostoli, a Franciscan Friar of

CNS | Courtesy of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the U.S.

U.S. Archbishop Fulton Sheen is pictured in an undated file photo. Pope Benedict XVI has approved the heroic virtues of Archbishop Sheen, declaring him “venerable” and clearing the way for the advancement of his sainthood cause. As a priest, he preached on the popular “The Catholic Hour” radio program and went on to become an Emmy-winning televangelist. the Renewal from New York, who is vice postulator. “His cause is moving,” said Father Apostoli, who was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Sheen and frequently refers to him as “the kind of saint America needs today.” He said the large turnout for the Mass reflected that “they know we’re here for a saint-to-be.” Seated in the assembly was the family of Travis and Bonnie Engstrom of Goodfield. The alleged miraculous healing of their third child, James Fulton, is now under study at the Vatican as the miracle needed for Archbishop Sheen’s beatification. James Fulton, who turns 2 Sept. 16, was without a pulse for the first hour after his birth following a routine pregnancy. His heart began beating as doctors were ready to call his time of death. Bonnie had asked Archbishop Sheen to watch over her pregnancy and had prayed to him as CPR was performed on her newborn son.

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In Brief Phila. archbishopâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s residence sold to university for $10M PHILADELPHIA â&#x20AC;&#x201D; St. Josephâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s University will buy the archbishop of Philadelphiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s residence for $10 million, the university announced Sept. 7. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia signed a letter of intent with St. Josephâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to acquire the 8.9-acre property and its three-story, 23,350-square-foot mansion that has been the home of Philadelphiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Catholic archbishops since 1935. The property sits across Cardinal Avenue from the universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s campus along City Avenue. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Acquiring this adjacent property presents an opportunity that will be integral to the universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s long-term strategic planning,â&#x20AC;? said St. Josephâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s president, Jesuit Father C. Kevin Gillespie. St. Josephâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s officials expect to sign the agreement of sale within the next several weeks. Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, the most recent Philadelphia archbishop to reside in the home after Cardinals Justin Rigali, Anthony J. Bevilacqua, John J. Krol, Gerald P. Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Hara and Dennis J. Dougherty, will now live at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, located 5.3 miles south.

Archbishop: Slain chaplain, saint candidate went where needed WASHINGTON, D.C. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; On the 45th anniversary of a Navy chaplainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s death amid enemy gunfire in Vietnam, the archbishop for the U.S. military services said the chaplain had learned to imitate the way of Jesus by going where he was needed.

Father Vincent Capodannoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s motivation was â&#x20AC;&#x153;much more than a series of regulations or military precision,â&#x20AC;? said Archbishop Timothy M. Broglio in a Sept. 4 homily at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If that were the case, he would never have been at the front.â&#x20AC;? Father Daniel Mode, who wrote the book â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Grunt Padreâ&#x20AC;? about Father Capodanno and became the postulator for the Maryknoll missionerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sainthood cause, noted that Father Capodanno had to serve all the battalions in the 7th Marines, because he was the only Catholic chaplain in the regiment. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is clear that the devil must go when the Lord commands,â&#x20AC;? Archbishop Broglio said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We who follow Him also experience the power of His Word. Father Capodanno obviously experienced it.â&#x20AC;? Father Capodanno, who was awarded a Medal of Honor for his Vietnam service, has been cited as the intercessor for the cure of a Vietnamese womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s illness. His sainthood cause began in 2006.

priest â&#x20AC;&#x201C; or anyone else â&#x20AC;&#x201C; who abuses a minor is always wrong and is always responsible. My mind and my way of expressing myself are not as clear as they used to be.â&#x20AC;? Eternal Word Television Network announced Sept. 3 that Father Groeschel had decided to step down as host of its â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sunday Night Primeâ&#x20AC;? TV show after consulting with EWTN and his religious community. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Father Benedict has led a life of tremendous compassion and service to others and his spiritual insights have been a great gift to the EWTN family for many years,â&#x20AC;? said Michael P. Warsaw, president and CEO of EWTN Global

Catholic Network, in a statement. Joseph Zwilling, a spokesman for the Archdiocese of New York, said in an Aug. 30 statement before Father Groeschelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s apology that the priestâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s comments were â&#x20AC;&#x153;simply wrong.â&#x20AC;? Zwilling added, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Although he is not a priest of the Archdiocese of New York, what Father Groeschel said cannot be allowed to stand unchallenged. The sexual abuse of a minor is a crime, and whoever commits that crime deserves to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Catholic News Service

Priest apologizes after rebuke for comments on sexual abuse NEW YORK â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Father Benedict Groeschel, a Franciscan Friar of the Renewal who has long been a popular speaker and television personality, apologized Aug. 30 for interview comments he made that were published online two days earlier, saying that â&#x20AC;&#x153;in a lot of casesâ&#x20AC;? the victim of child sexual abuse is â&#x20AC;&#x153;the seducer.â&#x20AC;? Father Groeschel also had said priests who have committed abuse just one time should not go to jail. In the interview, Father Groeschel referred to Jerry Sandusky, the former Penn State assistant football coach who was convicted in June on 45 charges relating to the sexual abuse of 10 different boys, as a â&#x20AC;&#x153;poor guy.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I apologize for my comments. I did not intend to blame the victim,â&#x20AC;? said Father Groeschel, 78, in an Aug. 30 statement. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A

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Our world 24

catholicnewsherald.com | September 14, 2012 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

For Pope Benedict in Lebanon, the pastoral is political Francis X. Rocca Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — When Pope Benedict XVI travels to Lebanon Sept. 14-16 – assuming spillover from the civil war in neighboring Syria doesn’t force a last-minute cancellation of the trip – his purpose will be above all pastoral; and, as usual for papal trips, most of his remarks will focus on the spiritual. Yet as the Syrian conflict exemplifies, the concerns of Christians in the Middle East are in many respects inseparable from politics; and however diplomatically the pope may word his statements, some will inevitably touch on the region’s political struggles and tensions. Pope Benedict’s primary reason for visiting Lebanon is to deliver his document of reflections on the 2010 special Synod of Bishops, dedicated to Christians in the Middle East. At that gathering, bishops spoke out on a range of issues that included the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the rise of Islamic fundamentalism, dialogue with Islam and Judaism, and the emigration of Christians driven by persecution, military conflict and economic hardship. Bishops at the synod also affirmed the value of “positive secularism” and of an idea of citizenship that recognizes a person’s full rights and responsibilities in society without reference to religious affiliation. According to Michael La Civita of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association, these are strikingly new concepts for the region, where sectarianism still dominates public as well as private life. Pope Benedict may draw on the bishops’ vocabulary of secular citizenship when he addresses Lebanon’s political, religious and cultural leaders in the presidential palace Sept. 15. He is also likely to renew his

earlier calls for the protection of religious minorities. That cause has become an increasingly urgent one for Christians in the Middle East since the start of the Arab Spring, a revolutionary wave that started in 2010, leading to the fall of dictatorships in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen, and currently threatening the government of Syria. Though they profess no love for the old regimes, many Middle Eastern Christians fear that revolution has furthered empowered Islamist extremism in the region, increasing the danger of attacks and persecution of the sort that Iraq’s Christians have suffered since the fall of Saddam Hussein. According to Habib Malik, a professor of history at Lebanese American University, the pope in Lebanon will find an especially receptive audience for any talk of minority rights, since the country’s Muslim and Christian populations are both composed of a variety of smaller communities, and moderate Muslims there are also “scared of the radical elements in their midst.” Yet, Pope Benedict knows from experience how sensitive a topic this is. In January 2011, after the pope denounced killings of Christians in Egypt and called for the protection of religious minorities, the Egyptian government recalled its ambassador to the Holy See, and the most prestigious university in the Sunni Muslim world, Cairo’s al-Azhar University, suspended its interreligious dialogue with the Vatican. An even more delicate topic for the pope during his visit will be the Syrian civil war. Some Christian leaders have opposed the fall of President Bashar Assad, and the Vatican has yet to take a stand on proposals for outside military intervention to end the fighting. In Lebanon, the pope will also confront the sensitivities and complexities of local Church politics. Historically a refuge for Christians in the Middle East (with a Christian population today of nearly 40 percent, the largest proportion in the region), the country is home to at least a dozen major Christian churches, including Eastern Catholics in communion with Rome, Orthodox and Protestants. At the 2010 synod on the Middle East, bishops affirmed the importance of preserving the variety of ancient traditions of Eastern Catholicism, whose survival is especially threatened by emigration; but the bishops also warned against the dangers of confessionalism: an attachment to distinct identities in a spirit of tribalism that undermines Christian unity. As Father Guillaume de Brute Remur, rector of Beirut’s Redemptoris Mater seminary, told Vatican Radio in August, Pope Benedict’s unifying message is urgently needed in Lebanon, “especially in the midst of Middle Eastern revolution, where Islam also arises with some force and a certain radicalism threatens the unity.” Even as he addresses Christians who are now a minority in a country where they once predominated, Pope Benedict will also be speaking to a global audience. So he may choose to draw or suggest parallels between the Church’s situation in the

CNS | Jamal Saidi, Reuters

People gather outside Our Lady of Lebanon chapel in the village of Harissa near Beirut Aug. 18. Pope Benedict XVI will visit Lebanon Sept. 14-16. Middle East and that in other parts of the world. The Lebanon trip comes less than a month before the pope opens the world Synod of Bishops on the New Evangelization, a project aimed particularly at revitalizing the Church in an increasingly secular West. For Bishop Gregory J. Mansour, who leads Maronite Catholics in 16 states on the East Coast of the U.S., the Christian minority in the Middle East sets an example for the new evangelization through its network of social services, including schools and health care facilities. Such services are extensively used and

highly valued by the region’s Muslim majority, Bishop Mansour notes, and thus constitute a powerful though nonconfrontational form of witness. Yet the bishop says that the long and arduous experience of Middle Eastern Christians also holds another lesson for Christians in the West, and particularly in the United States: “Don’t be silenced by anybody.” “We deserve a robust freedom of religion, freedom of conscience, freedom in the city square,” Bishop Mansour said. “The message of Christians in the Middle East is not to be silent.”

Watch the pope’s visit to Beirut on TV n Sunday, Sept. 16, 2:30 a.m. (EWTN) “Apostolic Journey to Lebanon: Mass and Angelus: The Holy Father will celebrate Mass (and Angelus) at Beirut City Centre Waterfront and consign the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation. Rebroadcast at 11 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 16. n Sunday, Sept. 16, 2 a.m. (EWTN) “Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon: Ancient Roots ... New Soil”: An introduction to the Maronite rite of the Church in America with interview of pastors and parishioners from various Maronite parishes throughout the Midwestern U.S., speaking about their rite and their Catholic faith.

September 14, 2012 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

Pope: Ten Commandments are God’s recipe for a good life ROME — The Ten Commandments are a gift from God to help people live a correct relationship with God and with others, Pope Benedict XVI said. “God gave us the commandments to educate us about true freedom and authentic love so that we could be truly happy,” he said in a video message played Sept. 8 in Rome’s Piazza del Popolo. The big public square in Italy’s capital was the site of the launch of “Ten Piazzas for the Ten Commandments,” a project of the Italian charismatic renewal movement, the Italian bishops’ conference and the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization. The project will focus on a different commandment in a different city each month. Pope Benedict said people may ask what sense the Ten Commandments have today in cultures heavily marked by secularism and relativism. The answer, he said, is that the commandments are “a sign of the love of God the Father (and) His desire to teach us the correct discernment between good and evil, true and false, just and unjust.”

Cardinal Martini, a renowned biblical scholar, died Aug. 31 in Milan.

Schonborn: Ecumenism is of ‘primary importance’ to pope VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI’s decision to meet with his former students for a discussion about ecumenical relations, especially Catholic relations with Anglicans and Lutherans, demonstrates the importance he gives the search for Christian unity, said Cardinal Christoph Schonborn of Vienna. The Austrian cardinal, one of the former doctoral students of the former Professor Joseph Ratzinger, spoke to Vatican Radio Aug. 30, the eve of the annual three-day meeting of the “Ratzinger Schulerkreis” – literally, the Ratzinger student circle. “The fact that the Holy Father chose this theme for this year’s meeting is a sign that for him the ecumenical question is of primary importance,” especially as the Church prepares to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, which formally set out the Church’s ecumenical agenda, the cardinal said.

Pope says Cardinal Martini’s love Vatican hires finance crime expert VATICAN CITY — In an effort to comply more for Bible guided his life MILAN, Italy — The late Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini was a “generous and faithful pastor of the Church,” who not only studied the Bible, “but loved it intensely and made it the light of his life,” Pope Benedict XVI said. In a message read at Cardinal Martini’s funeral Sept. 3 in Milan, where the cardinal had served as archbishop from 1979-2002, the pope said the Jesuit cardinal’s love of Scripture enabled him “to teach believers and those searching for truth that God’s Word is the only word worthy of being listened to, accepted and followed.”

fully with international standards against financial criminal activity, the Vatican has hired an outside expert in combating money laundering and financing terrorism. Rene Brulhart, a 40-year-old Swiss international lawyer, will work as a consultant to the Vatican on “all matters related to antimoney laundering and financing of terrorism.”

Pope gets 2 all-electric minivans VATICAN CITY — Thanks to a French automaker and an Italian utility, Pope Benedict

XVI now has a pair of all-electric minivans and a series of recharging stations with which to power them. Two custom-made editions of Renault’s Kangoo Maxi Z.E. cars were delivered personally

to the pope Sept. 5 at the papal summer villa in Castel Gandolfo. On a full charge, each car can cover 105 miles. — Catholic News Service

Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Charlotte Executive Director: Gerard A. Carter, Ph.D. (704) 370-3250 Refugee Office: Cira Ponce (704) 370-3262 Family Life: Gerard Carter (704) 370-3228 Justice and Peace: Joseph Purello (704) 370-3225 OEO/CSS Murphy Satellite Office (828) 835-3535 Charlotte Region: 1123 South Church St., Charlotte, NC 28203 Area Director: Sharon Davis (704) 370-3218 Your Local Catholic Charities Agency

Western Region: 50 Orange Street, Asheville, NC 28801 Area Director: Michele Sheppard (828) 255-0146 Piedmont-Triad: 627 W. Second St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101 Area Director: Diane Bullard (336) 727-0705 Greensboro Satellite Office (336) 274-5577

For information on specific programs, please call your local office.

www.cssnc.org

Strengthening Families. Building Communities. Reducing Poverty.

Tour of Egypt and Kenya Cairo – Aswan – Giza – Memphis Luxor – Nairobi – Maasai Mara

African American Ministry Diocese of Charlotte

For more information please contact: Sandy Murdock 704-370-3267 at the African American Ministry Office -orinfo@palacetravel.com 215-471-8555 Toll Free 800-683-7731

ViewPoints 26

catholicnewsherald.com | September 14, 2012 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Letter to the editor

Last political convention out of line with Catholic teaching

Father Roger Arnsparger

‘Catechists and Teachers as Agents of the New Evangelization’ T

hose who teach offer a great gift and are enriched themselves as they enter more deeply through the “door of faith.” (Cf. Acts 14:27) The urgency of building a culture of life and holiness according to the truths of the faith is obvious. Catechetical Sunday this year prepares us for a year of reflection on the faith as we begin the “Year of Faith” on Oct. 11, the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council and the 20th anniversary of the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The whole Church will look deeply into the gift, content and practice of the faith. The object of the New Evangelization is the transmission of the faith, and each Catholic has the privilege of taking part in this noble project. Each year Catechetical Sunday affords us the opportunity to focus on the duty of parents and the entire Church to hand on what was handed to the early Church by our Lord Himself. Twice St. Paul accents his catechetical duty to the Corinthians in his first letter to them: “I hand on to you what I received.” The reverence to the divine revelation he had been handed is striking and leads us to likewise cultivate a love for and so a reverence toward the deposit of Catholic faith. Parents, catechists and teachers have the privilege of being directly involved in the apostolate of “handing on” what was handed to them. Of course, each member of the family of the Church has a part in living and sharing the deposit of faith and is therefore a catechist/teacher and agent of the New Evangelization. Parents, of course, have the first place and privilege of forming

their children in the faith. “The role of parents in education is of such importance that it is almost impossible to provide an adequate substitute.” (Second Vatican Council, Decree on Education) Parents tend to that duty by their own continued study of the faith on an adult level so that they are “ready to give a reasoned explanation for the cause of their joy” to their children. (Cf. 1 Peter 3:15) The Church is blessed with teachers and catechists who assist parents in the profound duty to form their children in the faith. Catechetical Sunday is an opportunity to thank, pray for and encourage catechists/teachers who help parents in their privileged apostolate. Their love of the Lord impels them to a dedicated deepening of their own faith life. The many hours they spend in prayer, study and preparation flow from love of the Lord and His Church. How blessed parents are to work together with catechists who are so generous and willing to help share the Church’s faith and invite the young ones into an intentional Catholic life. The Diocese of Charlotte is blessed with active and eager catechists/teachers; their witness enriches us all. Our gratitude for them is front and center on Catechetical Sunday. Thank you. Father Roger K. Arnsparger is the diocesan vicar of education and pastor of St. Michael Church in Gastonia.

USCCB resources for Catechetical Sunday The U.S. bishops’ website, www.usccb.org, offers a long list of resources for catechists, families and parishes. A link to the Catechetical Sunday information is on the home page or you can search “Catechetical Sunday.” Some of the items, such as prayer cards, can be ordered in bulk through the USCCB.

Theological reflection Written by Monsignor James C. Turro, this brief essay can reawaken your interest in the Gospel mandate for catechesis.

Teaching aids n A Primer on the Theology of Evangelization: Implications for the United States n What Is “New” About the New Evangelization? n Proselytism and Evangelization: Important Distinctions for Catholic Catechists

Parish, family and youth resources n “Are You a 3G Catholic?”: Father Larry Swink uses the terminology of high-speed access to data to challenge Catholics to embrance evangelism. n Keys for Welcoming Catholics Back to the Lord’s Table n Promoting Evangelization at Home and Abroad n Following the Call to Mission Overseas

Prayer cards n Catechist’s Prayer n Prayer for Catechists n Prayer for Family Commitment

The Catholic News Herald’s article “Democrats’ party platform not totally in line with what Catholic believe,” concerning the Democrat Party’s platform in advance of its national convention, is out of line with Catholic teaching. Human dignity, just wages and fair employment conditions are absolutely essential to the opposite party platform. Any person who has unlawfully gained entrance into the U.S. has restricted the employment of legal citizens (be they American, Mexican or any other nationality). Numerous sources say they also raise taxes, reduce medical benefits and reduce real wages for Americans and any naturalized citizens. Assistance for the poor and antipoverty efforts have to be expended on Americans first, especially with American taxes. Existing political “rule” has compounded so much debt that the more illegal immigrant assimilation, the more pain to all U.S. citizens. The U.S. House’s budget proposal will help to ensure the fiscal livelihood of millions. The budget offered does not substantially cut poverty programs, such as SNAP. The previous administration had only 25 million people on food stamps (SNAP). We now have 47 million in just the first three years of this presidency. The government is advertising to recruit more people to use food stamps, actively growing this dependency. Dependency is not what Jesus taught. Someone needs to inform the Catholic News Herald about Catholic sin hierarchy and the five Catholic non-negotiables. Kevin Roeten is a parishioner of St. Barnabas Church in Arden.

Letters policy The Catholic News Herald welcomes letters from readers. We ask that letters be originals of 250 words or fewer, pertain to recent newspaper content or Catholic issues, and be in good taste. To be considered for publication, each letter must include the name, address and daytime phone number of the writer for purpose of verification. Letters may be condensed due to space limitations and edited for clarity, style and factual accuracy. The Catholic News Herald does not publish poetry, form letters or petitions. Items submitted to the Catholic News Herald become the property of the newspaper and are subject to reuse, in whole or in part, in print, electronic formats and archives. Mail: Letters to the Editor Catholic News Herald 1123 S. Church St. Charlotte, N.C. 28203 E-mail: c atholicnews@charlottediocese.org

September 14, 2012 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

Peggy Bowes

St. Thecla: Once, twice, three times a lady (martyr)

hen I was a little girl, I loved to read stories of the saints. My favorite was St. Thecla, illustrated with a beautiful girl with long flowing hair, staring rapturously toward heaven. She was tied to a stake and about to be burned. Despite that horrible prospect, it was apparent that she viewed her cruel fate as a minor obstacle to finally meeting her Creator. Ironically, Thecla’s own parents were responsible for her death sentence. They were distraught that their daughter had converted to Christianity after meeting St. Paul. She had made a pledge of virginity and refused to marry the rich nobleman selected by her parents. They disowned Thecla and reported her as a Christian. She was sentenced to death by burning. As the flames inched toward the courageous maiden, a sudden storm appeared on the horizon. A torrent of rain extinguished the fire, leaving St. Thecla unharmed. Temporarily freed, she disguised herself as a boy and quietly left Iconium to rejoin St. Paul and his followers. When they reached Antioch, a nobleman pursued Thecla despite her refusals of his attention. The rejected suitor attempted to assault her. Determined to keep her virginity intact, St. Thecla fought so hard that she injured him, greatly amusing the residents of Antioch. The humiliated young man brought charges against Thecla, leading to yet another death sentence – by wild beasts. Thecla walked bravely into the arena. The crowd held its breath as the animals stealthily approached her, then gasped as the savage beasts quietly lay down by her feet and began licking them gently. The frustrated officials tried one last time to bring about St. Thecla’s death by lowering her into a snake pit. Predictably, they pulled her out hours later completely unharmed. An astonished official asked, “Who are you, that you are always saved?” Proudly, Thecla replied, “I am a daughter of Christ, Son of the living God. He alone is the Way, the Truth and the Life; He is the one who protects me. To Him be glory and power for ever and ever.” The official had no choice but to simply set her free. The beautiful virgin’s bravery and the miracles worked on her behalf did not go unnoticed and resulted in many conversions to Christianity. Thecla quickly rejoined St. Paul’s group, committed to spreading the Good News of the gospels. At some point, she left the group to dwell in a cave, living a monastic life and dying peacefully at the age of 90. St. Thecla is regarded by many as the first virgin-martyr of the early Church despite the fact that she did not technically die a martyr’s death. Since she courageously faced certain death not once, but at least three times, she certainly shows a martyr’s heroic faith. Appropriately, St. Thecla is the patron of the dying. Her name is still invoked in the litany prayed during the rites for the dying and in the Church’s official prayer for a departing soul. Her feast day is Sept. 23. Peggy Bowes is a member of Holy Angels Church in Mount Airy and author of “The Rosary Workout” (www.rosaryworkout.com).

The Poor Clares

Queen of the Castle W

hat little girl has not dreamed of being a princess or a queen? What young woman has not longed for a “Prince Charming”? Even in our modern democratic world, why are many women still so intrigued by the pomp and circumstance of royalty? Deeply embedded in the heart of woman is a yearning for beauty, for nobility, for the dignity of being a true lady. There is a genteelness inherent to the feminine nature which is not born of haughty arrogance, but is queenly in the most Marian sense of the word. St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross – or as she is more popularly known, Edith Stein – had many insights on the ideal image of the feminine nature as God has created it to be. She came to see particular feminine gifts as comprising seven qualities of soul. In the past few weeks, taking us literally on a journey to the center of the heart, Stein has helped us explore the qualities of expansiveness, warmth, clearness, quietness of soul, selfcontainment and emptiness of self. Lastly, she has led us to the pinnacle of true womanhood: the ability of the soul to be “mistress of itself.” Each of the values encapsulated in these gifts has shed light on how to strengthen women’s natural capabilities. Refined in the fire of self-discipline, they may form a precious “pearl of great price” in fulfillment of God’s will and as a gift for others. In the end, we are brought to the truest form of royalty possible for any human being. To be mistress of oneself amid trials and temptations, among countless distractions and dueling emotions, is a treasure indeed. No greater freedom may be found than to stand beside the King of Kings, as His ready handmaid. When the keys of woman’s heart have been placed in the keeping of Christ the King, then the fairy-tale dreams of girlhood may become a reality greater than the throne of any earthly kingdom. St. Elizabeth of Hungary sheds a luminous ray on this image of the glory of true womanhood. She was a wife, mother, princess, widow and a member of a religious order. Her example spans many vocations, and she lived them all in 24 short years of life. Her biography reads like a commentary on Proverbs 31, a beautiful passage well worth meditating upon, which extols the virtues of a good wife. St. Elizabeth was a woman deeply in love with Our Lord, her soul’s King. But she was also passionately devoted to her husband. Her beloved Ludwig was for her a direct image of Christ, and the particular way for her to reach the Heavenly Kingdom was to be found in a their mutual journey to the Heavenly Kingdom. Her deepest joy was to be his loving and supportive companion in this life and to play her part in bringing his soul to ever greater union with Christ. She cherished their two children with intense motherly love, and she delighted to sacrifice herself for them. Her generosity went far beyond the needs of her own family. As a princess, she had great compassion for her people, and she used her wealth and position as a tool to serve them more. Possessing unshakable confidence and great freedom of heart in the fulfilling of God’s will, she did not even hesitate in her zeal to aid the sick and the poor. Her husband was quite surprised to one day find a leper in his own bed! When St. Elizabeth’s husband died tragically, she nearly went out of her mind with grief, to the alarm of those who knew her. But these intense emotions were transformed into an outpouring of love for Our Lord. To Him she completely dedicated the last years of her life, making with joy the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, and leaving behind all the glory of the kingdoms of this world for one much greater. We can see in this saintly life what heights of holiness the gifts of womanhood may lead to, when one has become truly mistress of one’s self. Stein makes an interesting observation on this quality by emphasizing that to be mistress of one’s soul, one must first be mistress of one’s body. One of the saddest things about the feminist revolution, which that has been nourished by our culture, is that it has stripped women of the deepest values of the feminine nature. It has tricked women into trading the qualities inherent their souls for the derogatory role of being sex objects. Women have been taught and encouraged to become over-

sexualized, to view their bodies as instruments for gaining men’s attention, rather than as dwelling places for their immortal souls. There is indeed a powerful beauty and attraction in the feminine body which God has placed there by design. But this should add to the dignity of woman, rather than constituting a reason to discard the deeper gifts of her nature. Victor Hugo, in his classic novel “Les Miserables,” attested to this deep-seated harm to the dignity of women. Speaking like a prophet of our times, he wrote, “The holy law of Jesus Christ governs our civilization, but it does not yet permeate it. They say that slavery has disappeared. That is incorrect. It still exists, but now it weighs only on women; that is to say, on grace, frailty, beauty, motherhood.” Hugo was not speaking of women’s inability, at the time of his writing, to vote, or even of a lack of “equal opportunity” employers in 19th century France. His words point to what women must strive to rediscover in our own day. There are tremendous gifts to be cherished and celebrated which make up the glory of the feminine nature. These gifts are not skin-deep. Women are called to plunge deeper than passing fashions and the right weight on the scale to find where their true worth lies. By cultivating the qualities of soul to which Stein points us, women may truly break free of the chains of slavery and become mirrors of the woman par excellence, Our Blessed Lady. There is no higher position to aspire to, no better model to imitate, than she who was chosen from our race to be the very Queen of Heaven. There is nothing greater than to be what God has willed from all eternity. In the act of creating the soul according to the pattern of His perfect design, He has planted the seed within us of complete fulfillment. Shall we let it wither, or shall we allow it to come to full bloom in the garden of our Maker? Our culture is in desperate need of true “feminists” who understand and cherish the beautiful gifts God has bestowed on women, and who refuse to surrender them for anything less. Perhaps as a world we have moved beyond kings and queens on earthly thrones, but the need is great for noble souls who understand what gifts of nature and grace are theirs by the plan of our Creator. May a new springtime and renewal of our culture be ushered in by the loving hearts and caring hands of fearlessly feminine women of God. Sister Marie Thérèse of the Divine Child Jesus is professed with the Poor Clare Nuns of Perpetual Adoration St. Joseph Monastery in Charlotte. Learn more about the Poor Clares at www.stjosephmonastery.com. This is the last in a five-part series exploring Edith Stein’s views on womanhood. Read previous commentaries in the series online at www.catholicnewsherald.com/viewpoints.

For further reading “Essays On Woman: The Collected Works of Edith Stein” “The Privilege of Being a Woman” by Alice von Hildebrand Learn more AT the Edith Stein Foundation: www. theedithsteinfoundation.com “As a brilliant feminist scholar she was able to challenge certain assumptions of the day, arguing for greater involvement of women in the liturgical life of the Church, in the professions, and in the workplace. ... It is a remarkable tribute to her persona that she was able to harmonize these feminist aspirations with her abiding belief that at the deepest core of woman’s personality one will find receptivity and motherhood. Not a ”barefoot and pregnant” reductionist view of motherhood, the kind which sees woman as a passive prisoner of her biology, and slave to her tyrant fertility. Rather, she saw receptivity and motherliness as woman’s unique power, a power capable of transforming a home, workplace, professional environment, country, or society in ways that men cannot.”

catholicnewsherald.com | September 14, 2012 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

John 1:29 THE SOURCE AND SUMMIT OF THE NEW EVANGELIZATION Bishop Peter J. Jugis Holy Mass Celebrant and homilist

Monsignor Mauricio West Holy Hour Homilist

Monsignor Eduardo Chavez Friday Night Keynote Speaker "Our Lady of Guadalupe, Star of the New Evangelization"

Doug Barry and Eric Genuis "The Passion"

Diocese of Charlotte

8th ANNUAL

Dr. Elizabeth Lev "Faith Inspiring Art, Art Inspiring Faith"

EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS September 21 & 22 Charlotte Convention Center Concert of Sacred Music - Friday Evening

Padre Luis Ernesto "He Aqui el Cordero de Dios, Venid y Adoremosle"

Sr. Bethany Madonna Sisters of Life "I Sought The Lord And He Answered Me"

Holy Hour Holy Mass Exciting and Challenging Speakers

Eucharistic Procession K-12 Education Tracks Confession Inspirational Music

Vocation Information Inspirational Displays Vendors of Religious Books and Art

Registration for high school ONLY at echighschooltrack@gmail.com For more information: www.GoEucharist.com Future Dates: September 13 & 14, 2013