Oct. 11, 2013

October 11, 2013

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

Bishops to leave N.C. Council of Churches, 5

Diocese’s permanent diaconate mirrors U.S. trends,

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI PARISH:

Celebrating the past, looking to the future Jefferson parish marks 50th anniversary as construction continues on new church,

14-16

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INDEX Contact us.......................... 4 Events calendar................. 4 Español................................20 Our Parishes................. 3-13 Schools......................... 18-19 Scripture readings............ 2 TV & Movies.......................17 U.S. news..................... 22-23 Viewpoints.................. 26-27 World news................. 24-25 Year of Faith.................... 2-3

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‘Three bishops in one place, who can miss that?!’

Catholic Family Day at Carowinds unites Carolinas bishops, faithful for day of fun,

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Praying for immigration reform – in English and Spanish, 8, 20, 22 WORLD MISSION SUNDAY: Recommitment to the missions,

6, 26

Year of faith

catholicnewsherald.com | October 11, 2013 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

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Marriage:

Pope Francis

Faith, harmony, universality make Church ‘catholic’

P

rofessing that the Church is “catholic” means accepting its teachings, accepting the gifts it offers to help one grow in holiness and accepting the fact that it is composed of different people with different gifts and opinions, Pope Francis said.

“Let’s ask ourselves: Do we live in harmony in our communities? Or do we fight among ourselves?” the pope asked Oct. 9 as he focused his weekly general audience talk on the meaning of the creed’s profession that the Church is “catholic.”

“Is there gossip” in the parish or movement, do people “accept each other, accept that there is a correct variety” or “do we tend to try to make everything uniform?” Pope Francis asked the estimated 60,000 visitors and pilgrims who braved the rain to join him.

“We are not all the same and we shouldn’t all be the same,” he said.

Each person has his or her own gifts, qualities and character, which “is one of the beauties of the Church – everyone brings what God has given him or her to enrich the others.”

“When we try to impose uniformity, we kill the gifts of the Holy Spirit,” the pope said. He asked people to pray that the Spirit would make all Church members more “catholic.”

While the word “catholic” literally means universal, it is not first of all a matter of geography, but of unity in faith, Pope Francis said. “The Church is catholic because it is the space, the home in which the faith is proclaimed in its entirety, where the salvation Christ brought us is offered to all.”

Each diocese, each parish can say it is “catholic” because its members are united in the faith, the sacraments, the ministry of its priests, the leadership of its bishop and its unity with the pope, he said.

Being Catholic means being part of a family, he said. No one should or can go it alone; “in a family, each one of us is given what we need to grow, mature and live. We cannot grow alone, we cannot walk alone, in isolation, but we must move forward and grow in a community.”

Pope Francis asked those at the audience to consider how they accept the gifts that the Church offers them to help them grow and mature, because “in the Church, we find all we need to be saints.”

However, he said, if people go to Mass like spectators at a ballgame or movie, or if they are too wrapped up in their own problems to accept help and offer their gifts to others, neither they nor the Church will benefit.

Covenant, sacrament, building block of family life Education workshop reviews Church teaching, reiterates need for Catholic educators to support parents Patricia L. Guilfoyle Editor

HICKORY — Educators from across the Diocese of Charlotte recently gathered at the Catholic Conference Center in Hickory to grow in their understanding of Church teaching on marriage and hear about the work of the diocesan tribunal and outreach services such as the diocesan Natural Family Planning Program.

The day-long seminar was the first of a series of workshops organized by the Education Vicariate for 2013-2014, inspired by the Year of Faith theme, “Open the Door to Christ,” and exploring various topics of Catholic teaching about family life.

Father John Putnam, judicial vicar for the diocese, led the seminar. Also presenting was Batrice Adcock, MSN, RN, who directs the Natural Family Planning Program of Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte.

Marriage isn’t just a lifestyle or a way for two people who love each other to live together – despite what today’s culture commonly depicts, Father Putnam said.

Marriage is a covenant – a lifelong agreement between one man and one woman – that mirrors God’s relationship with His Church. It is a complete union, in which each spouse gives themselves completely to the other, for their entire lives. The three properties of marriage – unity, indissolubility and mutual assistance – are found in numerous

More online At www.foryourmarriage.org: Get resources, relationship advice and daily tips about the most common issues married couples face (including finances and parenting), learn more about Catholic teaching on marriage, and read inspiring stories from other Catholic couples At www.catholicscomehome.org: Get answers to your questions on divorce and annulments, especially if you or someone you know is hesitant to return to Mass At www.ccdoc.org: Learn more about Natural Family Planning and other family enrichment services offered by the Diocese of Charlotte At www.charlottediocese.org: Go to “Departments” and then “Tribunal” to learn more about annulments (information available in both English and Spanish)

passages in Scripture, he noted.

Marriage is designed by God to help each spouse grow in holiness and provide a stable and nurturing foundation for the procreation and raising of children.

Given all that, marriage is a sacrament not to be entered into lightly, Father Putnam said.

“Why do we revere marriage? Why do we seek to protect marriage? Because God is the origin of marriage. That’s why the Church has been so very clear that no one – no government, no judicial system, no one – has a right to change the basic definition and understanding of marriage. God is the author of marriage,” he said.

The Church then has a duty to explain the importance of marriage and uphold and protect family life, he continued. The Church does this by ensuring that there is adequate marriage preparation for couples seeking to marry, providing for the liturgical celebration of marriage in churches, supporting married couples especially through difficult times in their marriages, and counseling separated or divorced Catholics. The diocesan tribunal also adjudicates cases where people are seeking an annulment or clarification about the validity of their marriage.

But no matter how many programs or ministries the Church offers, Father Putnam emphasized, the role of Christian parents in building up what the Second Vatican Council called “the domestic church” (“Ecclesia domestica”) is most important.

“The parents are the primary educators of their children,” he said.

Pastors can assist in preparation for receiving the sacraments, for example, but “if the parental role is lacking, it is very difficult for us to do what we try to do. We can teach all day in Catholic school, we can have the best faith formation programs in the world, but if (the children) go home and it’s not lived, it’s not going to do anything, ordinarily.”

However, that assumes the parents have a good grounding in the faith, Father Putnam pointed out. That’s not always the case, and Catholic educators must be mindful of that.

“They don’t often have a lot to hand on,” he said, adding that so many families are suffering through difficulties nowadays.

“This calls us as Church to respond to a lot of different situations. We do have families in crisis, and we do need to try to reach out to them and help them as much as we can.”

Your daily Scripture readings OCT. 13-19

Sunday: 2 Kings 5:14-17, 2 Timothy 2:813, Luke 17:11-19; Monday (St. Callistus I): Romans 1:1-7, Luke 11:29-32; Tuesday (St. Teresa of Jesus): Romans 1:16-25, Luke 11:3741; Wednesday (St. Hedwig, St. Margaret Mary Alocoque): Romans 2:1-11, Luke 11:42-46; Thursday (St. Ignatius of Antioch): Romans 3:21-30, Luke 11:47-54; Friday (St. Luke): 2 Timothy 4:10-17, Luke 10:1-9; Saturday (St. John de Brébeuf, St. Isaac Jogues and Companions): Romans 4:13, 16-18, Luke 12:8-12

OCT. 20-26

Sunday: Exodus 17:8-13, 2 Timothy 3:14-4:2, Luke 18:1-8; Monday: Romans 4:20-25, Luke 1:69-75, Luke 12:13-21; Tuesday: Romans 5:12, 15, 17-21, Luke 12:35-38; Wednesday (St. John of Capistrano): Romans 6:12-18, Luke 12:39-48; Thursday (St. Anthony Mary Claret): Romans 6:19-23, Luke 12:49-53; Friday: Romans 7:1825, Luke 12:54-59; Saturday: Romans 8:1-11, Luke 13:1-9

OCT. 27-NOV. 2

Sunday: Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, Luke 18:9-14; Monday (Sts. Simon and Jude): Ephesians 2:19-22, Luke 6:12-16; Tuesday: Romans 8:18-25, Luke 13:18-21; Wednesday: Romans 8:26-30, Luke 13:22-30; Thursday: Romans 8:31-39, Luke 13:31-35; Friday (All Saints): Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14, 1 John 3:1-3, Matthew 5:1-12; Saturday (All Souls’ Day): Wisdom 3:1-9, Romans 5:5-11, John 6:37-40

October 11, 2013 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

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Pope Francis: Marriage is a sacrament to be safeguarded VATICAN CITY — The Catholic Church closely safeguards the sanctity of marriage because it is a reflection of Christ’s union with His bride, the Church, Pope Francis said.

Jesus often uses the imagery of a bridegroom to help people see the nature of His relationship with the Church, the pope said Sept. 6 during his morning Mass in his residence of the Domus Sanctae Marthae.

“I think this is exactly the most profound reason why the Church safeguards the sacrament of marriage so much and calls it the great sacrament, because it is precisely the Pope Francis image of the union of Christ with the calls for an Church.” international synod Another parallel between a nuptial on marriage and banquet and the faith is that Christians family life: are called to be joyful guests gathered See page 24 together, the pope said.

While there will be great trials and moments of pain in life, “a Christian is fundamentally joyful,” he said, because everyone is invited to a great celebration: “the nuptials of Jesus with the Church.”

Jesus is also “the head of the body of the Church,” and in Him all things are reconciled, the pope said, referring to the day’s reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Colossians, “In Him were created all things.”

Jesus is to be recognized as “the one and only,” who “is always faithful and asks us to be faithful.”

Jesus asks people to experience the joy of celebration, “the joy of being Christian, and He also asks us for totality, that it’s all Him.” “If we have something that isn’t about Him, repent, ask forgiveness and keep going,” the pope said.

— Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service

Also inside

What does the Catechism say about marriage?

1602 Sacred Scripture begins with the creation of man and woman in the image and likeness of God and concludes with a vision of “the wedding-feast of the Lamb.”

Scripture speaks throughout of marriage and its “mystery,” its institution and the meaning God has given it, its origin and its end, its various realizations throughout the history of salvation, the difficulties arising from sin and its renewal “in the Lord” in the New Covenant of Christ and the Church.

1604 God who created man out of love also calls him to love the fundamental and innate vocation of every human being. For man is created in the image and likeness of God who is Himself love. Since God created him man and woman, their mutual love becomes an image of the absolute and unfailing love with which God loves man. It is good, very good, in the Creator’s eyes. And this love which God blesses is intended to be fruitful and to be realized in the common work of watching over creation ...

1606 Every man experiences evil around him and within himself.

This experience makes itself felt in

the relationships between man and woman. Their union has always been threatened by discord, a spirit of domination, infidelity, jealousy, and conflicts that can escalate into hatred and separation.

1609 ... (M)arriage helps to overcome self-absorption, egoism, pursuit of one’s own pleasure, and to open oneself to the other, to mutual aid and to self-giving.

1614 In His preaching Jesus unequivocally taught the original meaning of the union of man and woman as the Creator willed it from the beginning: permission given by Moses to divorce one’s wife was a concession to the hardness of hearts.

The matrimonial union of man and woman is indissoluble: God himself has determined it “what therefore God has joined together, let no man put asunder.”

1615 ... It is by following Christ, renouncing themselves, and taking up their crosses that spouses will be able to “receive” the original meaning of marriage and live it with the help of Christ. This grace of Christian marriage is a fruit of Christ’s cross, the source of all Christian life.

1639 The consent by which the spouses mutually give and receive one another is sealed by God Himself.

From their covenant arises “an institution, confirmed by the divine law, ... even in the eyes of society.”The covenant between the spouses is integrated into God’s covenant with man: “Authentic married love is caught up into divine love.”

1640 Thus the marriage bond has been established by God Himself in such a way that a marriage concluded and consummated between baptized persons can never be dissolved. This bond, which results from the free human act of the spouses and their consummation of the marriage, is a reality, henceforth irrevocable, and gives rise to a covenant guaranteed

by God’s fidelity. The Church does not have the power to contravene this disposition of divine wisdom.

1641 “By reason of their state in life and of their order, (Christian spouses) have their own special gifts in the People of God.”This grace proper to the sacrament of matrimony is intended to perfect the couple’s love and to strengthen their indissoluble unity. By this grace they

“help one another to attain holiness in their married life and in welcoming and educating their children.”

1642 Christ is the source of this grace. “Just as of old God encountered His people with a covenant of love and fidelity, so our Savior, the spouse of the Church, now encounters Christian spouses through the sacrament of matrimony.” Christ dwells with them, gives them the strength to take up their crosses and so follow Him, to rise again after they have fallen, to forgive one another, to bear one another’s burdens, to “be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ,”and to love one another with supernatural, tender, and fruitful love. In the joys of their love and family life He gives them here on earth a foretaste of the wedding feast of the Lamb. ...

1648 It can seem difficult, even impossible, to bind oneself for life to another human being. This makes it all the more important to proclaim the Good News that God loves us with a definitive and irrevocable love, that married couples share in this love, that it supports and sustains them, and that by their own faithfulness they can be witnesses to God’s faithful love.

1652 “By its very nature the institution of marriage and married love is ordered to the procreation and education of the offspring and it is in them that it finds its crowning glory.”

1653 The fruitfulness of conjugal love extends to the fruits of the moral, spiritual, and supernatural life that parents hand on to their children by education. Parents are the principal and first educators of their children. In this sense the fundamental task of marriage and family is to be at the service of life.

1656 In our own time, in a world often alien and even hostile to faith, believing families are of primary importance as centers of living, radiant faith. For this reason the Second Vatican Council, using an ancient expression, calls the family the “Ecclesia domestica.”

It is in the bosom of the family that parents are “by word and example ... the first heralds of the faith with regard to their children.

They should encourage them in the vocation which is proper to each child, fostering with special care any religious vocation.”

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catholicnewsherald.com | October 11, 2013 OUR PARISHES

Diocesan calendar of events ARDEN ST. BARNABAS CHURCH, 109 CRESCENT HILL DR.

Bishop Peter J. Jugis Bishop Peter J. Jugis will participate in the following events over the coming weeks: OCT. 12 – 5 p.m.

Sacrament of Confirmation St. Lawrence Basilica, Asheville

ASHEVILLE — Rosary Rally: 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, at Femcare abortion mill, 62 Orange St.

OCT. 13 – 11 a.m.

Mass for consecration of the diocese to the immaculate heart of Mary St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte OCT. 16 – 7 p.m.

Sacrament of Confirmation St. Francis of Assisi Church, Mocksville OCT. 17 – 6 p.m.

Friend to Seminarians Dinner Bishop’s Residence

OCT. 20 – 2 p.m.

Mass for Jubilee Wedding Anniversaries St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Charlotte

OCT. 28 – 7 p.m.

Sacrament of Confirmation Immaculate Conception Church, Hendersonville OCT. 30 – 7 p.m.

Sacrament of Confirmation St. Eugene Church, Asheville

BELMONT BELMONT ABBEY COLLEGE, 100 BELMONT-MT. HOLLY ROAD — October Men’s Forum entitled, “An Evening with St. Benedict”: 7-9:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15. Evening will consist of a discussion with Father Dwight Longenecker and Holy Hour with a reflection by Father Matthew Buettner. Refreshments will be provided. To RSVP, go to belmontabbeymensforum. eventbrite.com.

Queen of the Apostles Church, 503 North Main St.

OCT. 18 – 10 a.m.

Diocesan Finance Council Meeting Pastoral Center, Charlotte

OCT. 22 – 7 p.m.

Sacrament of Confirmation St. Barnabas Church, Arden

— Natural Family Planning Introduction and Full Course: 1-5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9. Topics include: Effectiveness of modern NFP, health risks of popular contraceptives, Church teaching on responsible parenting and how to use NFP. Offered by Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte. RSVP to Batrice Adcock, MSN, at 704-370-3230 or bnadcock@ charlottediocese.org.

— “Justice for Immigrants” workshop: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15. Become a better advocate for immigration reform and receive pointers about how to answer questions with respect and patience. For details, contact 704-370-3225.

— Community Breakfast: 8-11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, in the Family Life Center. Contest with prizes for the best and worst Halloween costumes. Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus.

BREVARD Sacred Heart CHURCH, 150 Brian Berg Lane — 7th Annual Vendor Show and Raffle: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Friday-Saturday, Oct. 25-26. 25 juried vendors will participate offering handcrafted items. Parking and admission are free. Located off U.S. 64, across from Blue Ridge Community College. For details, call 828-891-3064.

CHARLOTTE ST. JOHN NEUMANN, 8451 Idlewild Road — Forty Hours Devotion and Solemn Evening Prayer: Oct. 20-22. Guest homilist Father Don Tranel will speak about “The Power of the Eucharist in Forming the Body of Christ.” For details, call Judy Erb at 704-708-6750.

ST. MATTHEW CHURCH, 8015 BALLANTYNE COMMONS PKWY. — Protecting God’s Children workshop: 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 17, in the Banquet Room. All new volunteers must attend the workshop. Register at www.virtusonline.org.

October 11, 2013 Volume 22 • Number 25

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

EDITOR: Patricia L. Guilfoyle 704-370-3334, plguilfoyle@charlottediocese.org ADVERTISING MANAGER: Kevin Eagan 704-370-3332, keeagan@charlottediocese.org SENIOR REPORTER: SueAnn Howell 704-370-3354, sahowell@charlottediocese.org Online reporter: Kimberly Bender 704-808-7341, kdbender@charlottediocese.org GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Tim Faragher 704-370-3331, tpfaragher@charlottediocese.org COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT/CIRCULATION: Erika Robinson 704-370-3333, catholicnews@charlottediocese.org Hispanic communications reporter Rico De Silva 704-370-3375, rdesilva@charlottediocese.org

— St. Peregrine Healing Prayer Service: 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 24. St. Peregrine is the patron of cancer and grave diseases. For details, call 704-5437677.

St. Patrick Cathedral, 1621 Dilworth Road East

— Eight-week Spanish language classes: 7-8:30 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 17. For details, call Nancy Skee at 336-884-0522.

HUNTERSVILLE

— Prayer Vigil for Life: 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 12.

Followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and recitation of the rosary, led by Father Lucas Rossi. The group will process to the abortion mill on Latrobe Drive for peaceful prayer. Hosted by Helpers of God’s Precious Infants.

CHRIST THE KING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, 2011 CRUSADER WAY — Grand opening of new gym: 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15. Crusaders JV and Varsity girl’s volley ball vs.

Covenant Classical.

— Consecration to the Immaculate Heart: Bishop Peter J. Jugis will consecrate the Diocese of Charlotte to the Immaculate Heart of Mary during the 11 a.m. Mass on Sunday, Oct. 13, in solidarity with Pope Francis’ ceremony the same day.

— Rosario bilingüe: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Sábado, 12 de Octubre. Alrededor de la Estatua Pro-Vida en la glorieta de la Parroquia.

— Join Bishop Peter J. Jugis in prayer and fellowship as he dedicates the Bishop William G. Curlin Commemorative Stairs: 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13.

Reception to follow.

ST. MARK CHURCH, 14740 Stumptown Road

— Celebracion del Señor de los Milagros: 7 p.m. Lunes, 28 de Octubre. Después de la ceremonia religiosa, sírvase a pasar al salón parroquial para compartir en la hermandad de nuestra iglesia. Para más información, contactar a Luis Solorzano al 704-5771520.

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CHURCH, 1400 SUTHER ROAD — Adult Education Series, “Holy, Catholic Church: One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic”: 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24.

Hosted by Father Patrick Winslow. For details, visit www.stacharlotte.com.

GASTONIA ST. Michael CHURCH, 708 St. Michael’s Lane — Healing Retreat for Mothers: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19. All mothers are welcome to attend this healing retreat for mothers who have experienced the loss of a child.

GREENSBORO ST. MARY CHURCH, 812 DUKE ST. — Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group “Servants of Light”: 10 a.m. Saturdays. Everyone welcome.

St. Pius X Church, 2210 N. Elm St. — Annual Fall Festival: Noon-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19.

There will be games, live entertainment, inflatables for kids and many different foods. Everyone welcome to attend.

— Seasons of Hope: 1:45-4 p.m. Meets for six consecutive weeks, Oct. 13-Nov. 3. Any parishioner mourning the loss of a loved one is encouraged to attend. To register, call the parish at 336-272-4681.

— Veterans Day Mass: 9-10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12. To attend, call 336-273-9865.

HIGH POINT IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CHURCH, 4145 JOHNSON ST. — Fall Festival: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12. Everyone welcome to attend with a canned good to help stock the food pantry. Come and enjoy a fun day of fellowship, games and food.

LEXINGTON Our Lady of the Rosary CHURCH, 619 South Main Street — First Handcrafted Christmas Market: 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2 in the Gondek Parish Center.

Money raised will benefit the parish community.

Photographer will be available for family portraits.

MAGGIE VALLEY St. Margaret of Scotland Church, 37 Murphy Dr. — Healing Mass with Anointing of the Sick: 2 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 20. Individual prayer after Mass. For details, call the rectory at 828-926-0106.

MINT HILL ST. LUKE CHURCH, 13700 LAWYERS ROAD — Blood Drive: 7 a.m.-Noon. Saturday, Oct. 12, in the modular building. For details, call Charlie Ward at 704-882-4120.

SHELBY St. Mary Church, 818 McGowan Road — Morning reflection, “The Role of Women in the Church”: 9 a.m. Monday, Oct. 21. Guest speaker Father Roger Arnsparger. Refreshments available after Mass. To RSVP, visit www.ccwg2013shelbyoctobereorg.eventbrite.com.

WINSTON-SALEM St. Leo the Great Church, 335 Springdale Ave. — Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University: 6-8 p.m.

Oct. 13-Nov. 17. For details, call Dan and Pam McVicker at 336-734-9415.

Is your parish or school hosting a free event open to the public? Deadline for all submissions is 10 days prior to desired publication date. Submit in writing to catholicnews@charlottediocese.org.

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October 11, 2013 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

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Catholic bishops to leave N.C. Council of Churches Patricia L. Guilfoyle Editor

“It’s not often we get together at amusement parks,” Bishop Burbidge joked, adding with a smile, “It’s a great joy to be with our deacons, and consecrated religious and all of you, especially our young friends in Christ.”

Hundreds of youth from the Carolinas made the trip to Carowinds with their families and parish chaperones. Some served as altar servers, lectors and ushers at Mass.

“I really enjoy coming to things like this, and be an example to the youth and show what they can do,” said Leah Brendle, a Diocesan Youth Council member from St. Mary Church in Goldsboro who served as a lector.

Ryan Michaels, a teen from St. Pius X Church in Greensboro who is another DYC member, said he came because “it’s a good chance to be in the park and see some friends from around the state. I hope they get a sense of the community we have here.”

Patt Likes, youth minister of St. Stephen Church in Sanford, explained why she brought some of her teens and her two exchange students to Carolinas Catholic Family Day: “I thought that this was a wonderful opportunity to witness to what faith is all about. You hear it so much in the parish, but when you do it at a diocesan outing, you get to see all the different faces of what faith is about. You see the passion. This is one way for the kids to have fun, but also have a passion for God.” One of the event’s organizers, Adrienne Yates, is the director of marriage and family life for the Raleigh diocese.

“We thought it would be a wonderful sign of unity, especially in the Year of Faith, that we would come together and celebrate in a special way as the three Carolina dioceses and become that one big Catholic family,” Yates said.

Yates helped organize a similar event at a theme park in the Diocese of Cleveland, where she previously lived.

“I was really looking forward to coming down here and trying to get everyone excited about our Catholic faith, and being able to see it in a public sphere and showing what we have to offer – the riches about our Catholic faith. And also to energize the people about faith here, because lived faith is the most important thing to family life. It’s much needed now, and I’m very excited for that.”

CHARLOTTE — Both North Carolina bishops are resigning from the North Carolina Council of Churches, an ecumenical organization comprised of Christian church leaders from across the state, because the group supports some issues that contradict Catholic teaching.

In a Sept. 27 statement, Charlotte Bishop Peter J. Jugis and Raleigh Bishop Michael F. Burbidge said they “deeply value the long standing relationship with the North Carolina Council of Churches and have informed the Council of their strong desire to continue to work together on issues where there is substantial agreement.”

However, the North Carolina Council of Churches has taken positions contrary to Catholic teaching on marriage, and the council does not formally oppose abortion.

Catholics believe marriage is a covenant only between one man and one woman, and that the evil of abortion must be opposed in every instance.

The bishops said they and the council’s leadership were unable to agree on a way they could remain members while continuing to uphold Catholic teaching.

The two dioceses will end their memberships effective Dec. 31, when the first year of the two-year term of the council’s president, Alberta Hairston, ends.

Hairston will step down as president of the council, in accordance with the bishops’ decision.

Hairston, a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church in Greensboro and council member representing the Charlotte diocese for about 16 years, said she is disappointed that the council and the bishops could not find a way they could remain members, but the issue has been something they have all been struggling with for “four to five years.”

“It was given quite a bit of consideration,” Hairston said, adding, “For me as a Catholic, it’s been a very difficult time. I hate to see that there is an organization that is trying to do ecumenical things, but the Catholic Church will not be part of that.”

Other Catholics in leadership positions with the council will also leave Dec. 31.

They include at-large member Father Carlos Arce, vicar of Hispanic Ministry for the Raleigh diocese; at-large member Brother Bill Martyn of Cary, who chairs the Raleigh diocese’s ecumenical commission; and the council’s business and finance committee chairwoman, Marie Vetter of Durham.

According to its website, the North Carolina Council of Churches was founded in 1935 to promote Christian unity and justice. Membership includes 18 Christian denominations and more than 6,200 congregations, its website states.

The Raleigh diocese, followed by the Charlotte diocese, became full members of the North Carolina Council of Churches in 1977, under the leadership of past Raleigh

CAROWINDS, SEE page 21

BISHOPS, SEE page 21

Photos by doreen sugierski | catholic news herald

Bishop Peter Jugis gives a “high five” to youths before they head off to ride the roller coasters at Carowinds Sept. 28. Families from across North and South Carolina had fun during Carolinas Catholic Family Day at the park with the Carolinas’ three bishops.

Raleigh Bishop Michael Burbidge (front row) and Charleston Bishop Robert Guglielmone (third row) ride The Hurler at Carowinds on Sept. 28. Bishop Burbidge also braved the Intimidator coaster.

‘Three bishops in one place, who can miss that?!’

Catholic Family Day at Carowinds unites Carolinas bishops, faithful for day of fun SueAnn Howell Senior reporter

CHARLOTTE — Shrieks of terror resounded from the Intimidator as it whooshed by. The tallest, fastest and longest roller coaster in the Southeast, it was filled with Catholics from across North and South Carolina – including the bishop of Raleigh, N.C. The coaster plunged downward 211 feet, then raced by at top speed. Carowinds’ signature thrill ride was clearly a hit for the approximately 750 people who came together Sept. 28 to celebrate Carolinas Catholic Family Day, the first event of its More online kind organized by the three dioceses of the At www.catholicnewsherald.com: Carolinas.

See more photos from Carolinas “That’s straight Catholic Family Day at Carowinds, down!” marveled check out a video about all the fun, Charlotte Bishop and read more of Raleigh Bishop Peter Jugis as Michael Burbidge’s homily he watched the Intimidator fly by, his feet planted safely on terra firma. He laughed, saying to some youth who were getting ready to board the next ride, “I’ve been watching with horror.

There’s a whole line of people waiting – screams of terror!” Then he happily imparted a blessing to some teens headed off to defy death on the coaster.

When they weren’t screaming on Carowinds’ 13 coasters, the faithful attended Mass and enjoyed a picnic lunch under a clear Carolina blue sky at the amusement park, which straddles the state line of North and South Carolina.

In opening remarks at Mass, Bishop Jugis addressed the faithful. “My brothers and sisters, we gather as a Catholic family of the dioceses of Raleigh, Charleston and Charlotte to celebrate the sacred mysteries at the beginning of a beautiful day that God has given us here, to be together as His family at Carowinds.”

Raleigh Bishop Michael Burbidge delivered the homily at Mass, which was celebrated in the amusement park’s amphitheater.

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catholicnewsherald.com | October 11, 2013 OUR PARISHES

Two seminarians ordained deacons at St. Peter’s Basilica ROME — Two seminarians from the Diocese of Charlotte were ordained to the transitional diaconate Oct. 3 as part of a group of 41 men from the Pontifical North American College. Paul Buchanan, from St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte, and Noah Carter, from St. Barnabas Church in Arden, were ordained deacons in front of a crowd of family, friends and clergy at the Altar of the Chair in the apse of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Cardinal James Harvey, archpriest of the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls and former prefect of the papal household, presided at the Mass and conferred the sacrament of holy orders upon the men. He was joined by priests from the Pontifical North American College, along with numerous priests and deacons from dioceses throughout the United States, including Father Roger K. Arnsparger, pastor of St. Mark Church in Huntersville, and Deacon Art Kingsley of St. Michael Church in Gastonia.

During their ordination, the new deacons promised to live a life of prayer, celibacy and obedience to their diocesan bishop. The deacons are expected to have nine additional months of theological studies and spiritual formation before being ordained to the priesthood.

During his homily at Mass at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte the same day, Bishop Peter J. Jugis acknowledged the diocese’s joy at gaining two new deacons. He noted the appropriateness of the day’s Gospel reading, Luke 10:1-12, which spoke about the Master sending more workers into the harvest.

“The Master of the harvest is sending laborers into the harvest of the Church in response to our prayers,” Bishop Jugis said. “So keep up the prayers and keep on praying for them. With God’s blessing, those men will be ordained (priests) in June of next year.”

There are four seminarians and one priest from the diocese studying in Rome.

‘Do good on earth’

World Mission Sunday Oct. 19-20 benefits millions worldwide CHARLOTTE — Catholics around the diocese once again have the opportunity to put faith into action by contributing to the second collection taken up in all parishes Oct. 19-20 to benefit missionary work worldwide.

World Mission Sunday, organized by the Church’s Society for the Propagation of the Faith, is a day set aside for Catholics worldwide to recommit themselves to the Church’s missionary activity through prayer and sacrifice.

Annually, World Mission Sunday is celebrated on the next-to-last Sunday in October. As described by Blessed Pope John Paul II, World Mission Sunday is “an important day in the life of the Church because it teaches how to give: as an offering made to God, in the Eucharistic celebration and for all the missions of the world” (“Redemptoris Missio,” 81).

Blessed Pope John Paul II has also spoken of the Propagation of the Faith’s general fund of support, calling this a “central fund of solidarity.”

In a message delivered on a recent World Mission Sunday, the pope said: “The offerings that will be collected (on World Mission Sunday) are destined for a common fund of solidarity distributed, in the pope’s name, by the Society for the Propagation of the Faith among the missions and missionaries of the entire world.”

Every year the needs of the Catholic Church in the Missions grow – as new dioceses are formed, as new seminaries are opened because of the growing number of young men hearing Christ’s call to follow Him as priests, as areas devastated by war or natural disaster are rebuilt, and as other areas, long suppressed, are opening up to hear the message of Christ and His Church. That is why the involvement and commitment of Catholics from around the world is so urgently needed. Offerings from Catholics in the United States, on World Mission Sunday and throughout the year, are combined with offerings to the Propagation of the Faith worldwide.

Mission dioceses – about 1,150 at this time – receive regular annual assistance from the funds collected. In addition, these mission dioceses submit requests to the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples for assistance, among other needs, for catechetical programs, seminaries, the work of religious communities, for communication and transportation needs, and for the building of chapels, churches, orphanages and schools. These needs are matched with the funds gathered in each year. The world’s national directors of the Propagation of the Faith vote on these requests, matching the funds available with the greatest needs. These funds are then distributed, in their entirety, to mission dioceses throughout the world.

Last year, the Diocese of Charlotte collected $168,884 for world missions.

— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter

More online At www.onefamilyinmission.org: Learn more about World Mission Sunday and the work of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith

More online At www.catholicnewsherald.com: See more photos from the ordination Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica

Photo provided by Michael Rubeling, the Pontifical North American College

Diocese ’s permanent diaconate mirrors national trends SueAnn Howell Senior reporter

CHARLOTTE — Most working adults in the U.S. look forward to reaching their 60s, knowing that with age comes retirement. For permanent deacons in the Catholic Church, though, working in the parish and community goes far beyond that threshold – past 75 years for many men.

According to a survey conducted in August by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, there are more than 18,000 permanent deacons in the U.S., including more than 15,000 who are active in ministry. Nationwide, more than two-thirds of active deacons – 68 percent – are at least in their 60s, with 25 percent of all deacons aged 70 or older. Thirteen percent of U.S. dioceses have a mandatory retirement age of 70 for deacons; 80 percent mandate retirement at age 75.

In the Diocese of Charlotte, there are 100 permanent deacons, but 12 are retired and not active. The diocese’s retirement threshold is 75, but 16 deacons are currently serving beyond that limit.

Deacon Ron Steinkamp, director of the permanent diaconate for the Charlotte diocese, explained why most deacons are of retirement age, both nationally and locally.

“It is natural that the age profile for permanent deacons would be men in their 60s,” Deacon Steinkamp said.

“First, the minimum age for ordination as a permanent deacon is 35. Men who have young children and work all week will find it hard to engage in diaconate formation and still keep family and job

sueann howell | catholic news herald

Father Christopher Roux (right), rector and pastor of St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte, greets a long line of permanent deacons as they prepare to process into the cathedral for the diaconate ordination Mass for Paul McNulty, celebrated by Bishop Peter J. Jugis on June 1. as priorities.”

Diaconate candidates in the Charlotte diocese go through two years of lay ministry training, then a year of aspirancy for prayerful discernment to the call to ordination. That is followed by four rigorous years of formation.

“This is seven years of preparation, engaging the minds and hearts of the men and their wives,” Deacon Steinkamp noted.

“Often, therefore, we are ordaining men in their 50s, which gives them a little over 20 years of assigned ministry

before retirement at age 75. Many retain their faculties and continue in ministry beyond 75, and we appreciate all that they are doing for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.”

The nationwide CARA survey also revealed that deacons are not as ethnically diverse as the overall U.S. Catholic population, but they are more diverse as a group than Catholic priests in the U.S. Seventy-eight percent of active deacons are non-Hispanic DIACONATE, SEE page 21

October 11, 2013 | catholicnewsherald.com

‘Now is the time to rebuild the house of the Lord’ Bishop Jugis addresses legal, law enforcement community at annual Red Mass

Let’s keep talking.

United States Postal Service Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD Publication Number: 007-093 Filing Date: Oct. 2, 2013 Issue frequency: Every other Friday Number of issues published annually: 26 Annual subscription price: $23.00

SueAnn Howell Senior reporter

CHARLOTTE — Hardship, rejection, ridicule.

Christians must not shy away from such difficulties if they want to build up the kingdom of God, because there can be no redemption without suffering.

That was the message Bishop Peter J. Jugis gave to members of the legal and law enforcement communities during the Diocese of Charlotte’s annual “Red Mass” Sept. 26 at St. Patrick Cathedral. The 11th annual Mass was concelebrated by Benedictine Abbot Placid Solari of Belmont Abbey and Father John Putnam, diocesan judicial vicar. Members of the local chapter of the St. Thomas More Society, comprised of legal and law enforcement professionals, served as lectors, cantors and musicians at Mass.

During his homily, Bishop Jugis reflected on the first reading from the prophet Haggai (1:1-8), which described how God redeemed Israel, giving them a new life after years of exile. When the people eventually returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple, the house of the Lord, they became discouraged by the enormity of the task. They thought perhaps it was not the right time to rebuild the temple.

“To build the house of the Lord in this world does entail hardship and pain and struggle,” Bishop Jugis said. “Sometimes it will entail the pain of martyrdom, as we see in the case of St. Thomas More, our patron, or in the case of St. John the Baptist, as we see in today’s Gospel.

“But Jesus says, ‘No one can be My disciple if he doesn’t take up his cross every day and follow Me.’” This is true for all of us if we wish to promote justice in society while remaining faithful to Jesus and His Church, Bishop Jugis pointed out. If we want to build up the kingdom of God here in our own time and in our own place, we must be willing to take up our crosses each day and follow in His footsteps.

“Suffering is necessary if the world is going to be redeemed,” he said. “This, of course, is the message that Jesus teaches us – both by His preaching and His example of His crucifixion. We who continue the work of Christ’s redemption realize that in Christ we also must accept hardship, suffering and difficulties if our society is to be redeemed and brought back to God, brought back to Christ.”

Bishop Jugis gave examples of how the Church today suffers ridicule, scorn and rejection because she tells the world the truth.

“The Church does suffer great rejection for protecting the life of the unborn. The

OUR PARISHESI

Complete mailing address of known office of publication: 1123 S. Church St, Charlotte, NC 28203-4003 Contact Person: P. Guilfoyle Telephone: 704-370-3333 Publisher: The Most Rev. Peter J. Jugis, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte Editor: Patricia L. Guilfoyle Owner: Cathedral Publishing Corp.

Known bondholders, mortgagees, and other security holders owning or holding 1 percent or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages, or other securities: None Tax Status - The purpose, function and nonprofit status of this organization and the exempt status for federal income tax purposes: Has not changed during preceding 12 months

sueann howell | catholic news herald

Bishop Peter Jugis (left) and Benedictine Abbot Placid Solari of Belmont Abbey distribute Holy Communion during the 11th annual Red Mass at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte Sept. 26.

Church does suffer great rejection, scorn and ridicule for defining the sanctity of marriage as the union only of one man and one woman,” he said, and he added, “Just look at the hardship also and the suffering we are undergoing right now in order to defend religious liberty and the rights of conscience.

“If the society is going to be redeemed and brought back to Christ, then we as disciples of Christ must accept suffering and hardship. It is the cross. But there is no redemption without suffering.”

He asked everyone present, “How else is the world going to know the truth of Christ if we don’t proclaim it? How else is the society going to be redeemed from its errors and its sins if we don’t accept the hardship and the suffering necessary to redeem society, to extend Christ’s redemption to our society today?”

God wants all people to be saved, Bishop Jugis emphasized, so the role of every Christian should be to seek redemption and help others on the path to salvation – spreading the truth of the Gospel by our words and our actions.

“Now is the time to rebuild the house of the Lord. Now is, in fact, always the opportune time. Now is the day of salvation. Now is the acceptable time.”

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catholicnewsherald.com | October 11, 2013 OUR PARISHES

Blessing of the animals

DENVER — Many people brought their dogs and cats to Holy Spirit Church to be blessed in honor of St. Francis of Assisi’s feast day Oct. 4. “Homer” is anxious to get his blessing from Father Carmen Malacari, pastor.

Doreen Sugierski | Catholic News Herald Photo provided by Julia Fredrica Foy Michaels

LEXINGTON — Oblates of St. Francis de Sales Father Albert J. Gondek, pastor, blessed Our Lady of the Rosary parishioners’ animals Oct. 6.

More online At www.catholicnewsherald.com: See more photos of pet blessings from parishes across the Diocese of Charlotte

Catholics, other Christians gather to pray for immigration reform Patricia L. Guilfoyle Editor

CHARLOTTE — The nation’s current immigration system “is an obstruction of justice” that Catholics and all people of faith must strive to remedy, said Father Shawn O’Neal, the diocesan liaison to the U.S. bishops’ Justice for Immigrants campaign and pastor of St. Joseph Church in Bryson City, during a Sept. 25 Mass at St. Peter Church in Charlotte.

The Mass was among several offered across the Diocese of Charlotte in the past two weeks as religious leaders nationwide have called for renewed efforts toward comprehensive immigration reform.

Other Masses were celebrated at St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte and Holy Cross Church in Kernersville. On Oct.

O Holy St. Jude!

Apostle and Martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor for all who invoke your, special patron in time of need; to you I have recourse from the depth of my heart, and humbly beg you, to whom God has given such great power, come to my assistance.

In return I promise to make your name known and cause you to be invoked.

St. Jude pray for us who invoke your aid.

(Say 3 Our Fathers, 3 Hail Mary’s 3 Glory Be)

5, immigration reform advocates staged rallies in cities across the U.S., including Charlotte, during what was billed as a “National Day for Dignity and Respect,” and on Oct. 8 labor unions, churches and other social justice organizations held a rally and concert on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. In his homily, Father O’Neal recalled how one year earlier people had gathered at St. Peter Church to watch the documentary “Gospel without Borders” and listen to a panel discussion featuring Little Rock, Ark., Bishop Anthony Taylor. The event, held at the same time as the Democratic National Convention, captured media attention and spotlighted immigration reform as a non-partisan effort among people of different faiths who all seek the same goal: to enable God’s justice and mercy here on earth.

“The people present understood that God’s love is not partisan, in the sense of political parties. God’s love is partisan in the sense of directing all people to support an important cause: sharing in the Father’s perfection,” Father O’Neal said.

Similarly, he said, “We gather here to show support for efforts to reform our nation’s immigration system through political means, but we gather even more because the Holy Spirit has guided us to think and act beyond the common framework of partisan politics. We call up on members of Congress to do the same: that they may act for the sake of enabling God’s justice.

“We seek comprehensive immigration reform because we believe it is the fulfillment of justice.”

Father O’Neal reminded people of Bishop Taylor’s point that “amnesty” is an inappropriate term for Christians to use when discussing immigration reform.

“Amnesty is forgiveness for a wrong done. Those who enacted unjust laws and those in government who refuse to correct this injustice are the ones who need forgiveness – not those who incurred unavoidable infractions in the exercise of their intrinsic human right to emigrate

Get informed about immigration reform Need help explaining Church teaching on immigration to your friends and colleagues? Want to know more about the need for reform, and why the current system doesn’t work? A free workshop will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15, at Queen of the Apostles Church, MAK Family Life Center, 503 N. Main St. in Belmont. Get pointers on answering the hard questions about immigration reform, from Father Shawn O’Neal, pastor of St. Joseph Church in Bryson City and the diocese’s liaison to the USCCB’s Justice for Immigrants campaign; Joseph Purello, director of social concerns and advocacy with Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte; and Mercy Sister Rose Marie Tresp, director of justice for the Sisters of Mercy South Central Community. For details, call 704-370-3225 or 704-755-2018.

when circumstances so require.

“In the words of Bishop Taylor, ‘welcome’ is the correct term, not amnesty.”

Father O’Neal continued, “We who benefit from the resultant exploitation of our nation’s undocumented workforce are the ones in the wrong, not the immigrant.

And thus apology – not blame – is the correct attitude for us to bring to the question of regularizing the status of undocumented workers today.

“We seek justice for our brothers and sisters to live in peace and in security out of the simple recognition that all people are our brothers and sisters, and they need not wait until they enter the kingdom of heaven before they share in the comfort of the Lord’s perfection. Let us pray and let us work so that our nation strives to reflect the Lord’s perfection, and pray that our members of Congress, our leaders in government, seek to bring forth this perfection.”

Patricia L. Guilfoyle | Catholic News Herald

Catholics gathered at St. Peter Church in Charlotte Sept. 25 to pray for comprehensive immigration reform and the protection of basic human rights for all immigrants.

People at the Mass – both Catholics involved in the Church’s immigration work at a local level as well as Christians from elsewhere in Charlotte – said they were inspired by Father O’Neal’s homily and felt recommitted to continue their efforts for humane immigration reform.

“It’s time for us to do something,” said David Nesmith, a member of Wedgewood Christian Church in Charlotte who attended the Mass and the advocacy event afterwards. “It’s not right to turn a blind eye to injustice, to let others suffer.”

More online At www.justiceforimmigrants.org: Learn more about Church teaching on immigration, download free resources, and get involved with reform efforts

October 11, 2013 | catholicnewsherald.com

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Local psychiatrist and pro-life educator barred from speaking at international conference Annette Tenny Correspondent

WINSTON-SALEM — Dr. Martha Shuping wasn’t surprised when her presentation at an international women’s medical conference about the mental health risks for post-abortive women was canceled.

Shuping and her fellow pro-life physicians, Dr. Mary Davenport and Dr. Donna Harrison, were barred from speaking at the 2013 triennial Congress of the Medical Shuping Women’s International Association in Seoul, South Korea, in August.

MWIA is a non-governmental organization representing women doctors from six continents. Shuping and her colleagues had been invited to speak at the medical conference, and their presentations had been reviewed by organizers. “The real surprise,â€? Shuping said, “was that my abstract was accepted in the first place and ‌ the way in which our cancellation was handled and the subsequent events was very disturbing.â€?

Shuping, a Winston-Salem psychiatrist, has been involved in many aspects of the national and international prolife movement for three decades. In conjunction with the Diocese of Charlotte Respect Life Office, Shuping piloted the first local Rachel’s Vineyard retreat and oversaw training for additional retreats in both North and South Carolina for 10 years. She has published research on mental health issues among postabortive women, and in 2011 she spoke and organized workshops at the United Nations’ 55th annual meeting of the Commission on the Status of Women. She is a well-known advocate for a woman’s right to be informed of all possible mental health issues involved with abortion.

Earlier this year, Shuping, Davenport and Harrison, all members of the American Association of Pro-life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, received emails from Dr. Anna Choi, inviting them to submit abstracts concerning long-term abortion complications to present at the Seoul conference. Choi was on the organizing committee of the Korean affiliate of MWIA, the Korean Medical Women’s Association, and head of public relations for the event.

She also heads GYNOB, a professional organization of pro-life Korean gynecology and obstetrics physicians.

The theme of the conference was “Medical Women Advance Global Health,� and it was held at Ewha Womans University July 31-Aug. 3. One of the top universities in South Korea, Ewha is the world’s largest female educational institution. The conference would have allowed Shuping and her colleagues to share their research with physicians from around the world. Not long after Choi’s email, Shuping and her colleagues were officially invited to the conference

by Dr. Hyun Wook Baik, chair of the scientific committee. Their abstracts were reviewed and accepted by the committee, and the pro-life doctors were assigned a workshop session titled “Women’s Health and Abortion.� Summaries of their presentations were published in the official abstract book for the conference.

Shuping said she knew that MWIA is

considered a pro-choice organization, but Choi’s Korean physicians group, GYNOB (her sponsor), was definitively pro-life. “I agonized forever before I even submitted my abstract,� Shuping said, “because I thought – what can I say that would be worthwhile, that would be informative, that this group would be able to accept and listen to?�

Her presentation, “Women’s Mental Health After Abortion,� summarized information from abortion textbooks as well as other pro-life and pro-choice medical research. It described the mental health risks for women who undergo an abortion, and it underscored the need for proper mental health assessments in pre-abortion counseling so that abortionminded women are fully informed of all the possible risks. “I wanted to be sure that everything I said was scientifically defensible and that they could ask questions,� Shuping said.

Shortly before Shuping left for South Korea, she was told her presentation was being shortened to make room for other speakers at the four-day conference. None of the organizers mentioned any problems with their research topic, she said.

But once Shuping arrived in Seoul, her Korean physician sponsors began to voice concerns about her presentation. The night before they were to give their presentation, Shuping and her colleagues received a twoline email from the conference’s chairman, Dr. Bong Ok Kim: “The scientific session S03 on Pregnancy and Abortion which was scheduled at Room B155(B1) of ECC at Ewha Womans University at 15:15~16:45, on August 1, 2013 is cancelled. I am very sorry for any inconvenience from this cancellation.� “Nobody sat down and talked with us, nobody asked us any questions or said, for example, if you want to limit this part we can have a discussion,� Shuping said. “There was just a secret meeting and then an email at midnight canceling us.�

Dr. Shelley Ross, the secretary general of MWIA, was contacted twice seeking comment on why the pro-life doctors’ presentation had been canceled, but Ross did not respond.

Choi, who had originally invited Shuping and her colleagues to Seoul, was not part of MWIA’s decision canceling their presentation, Shuping noted. Furthermore, conference organizers told Choi to cancel another workshop she had planned for Korean pro-life doctors on the campus of Ewha Womans University.

Choi went to the Korean press to complain, staging a press conference in a vacant classroom at the university during the same time slot when Shuping’s presentation had been scheduled. She also arranged another place to hold her other workshop for Korean pro-life doctors.

The press conference had just gotten under way, Shuping recalled, when the situation deteriorated rapidly. The classroom door flew open and MWIA’s Ross came in, asking what was going on. Ross refused to leave and tried ushering the media out of the room, Shuping said. “The reporters were yelling, ‘You can’t do this. This is a democracy, we have freedom of the press! Why don’t you want us to ask these doctors questions?’� Shuping said. “I was at the table, but then (Dr.) Shelley (Ross) moved over by the door and another woman was yelling at our translator. At one point it looked like things were going to get physical. I saw one person step in

Photo provided by Annette Tenny | Catholic News Herald

This photo depicts the unexpected cancellation of a presentation by Dr. Martha Shuping and her pro-life physician colleagues at a recent international women doctors’ conference in Seoul, South Korea. between two others to stop what looked like a physical assault. “It was chaos. it was ridiculous.�

Choi, Shuping and her colleagues, and the reporters moved to another room and resumed the press conference. Shuping said she estimated the press conference lasted about half an hour and was seen by thousands of Koreans on the evening news.

Choi’s second presentation for the Korean pro-life doctors was held without incident, she said, and it attracted approximately 60 physicians.

After the controversy, MWIA issued a statement that read, in part: “MWIA is proud to stand for women’s rights. MWIA strongly regrets the politicalization of women’s reproductive health by listed speakers at our 29th International Congress of MWIA who would deny women their basic right to choice.�

Shuping thinks MWIA pressured the Korean doctors to change the program because it was in conflict with the

organization’s pro-abortion stance. For her part, Choi has since resigned from both the MWIA and its Korean affiliate.

There may also have been other considerations involved in the decision to cancel the Women’s Health and Abortion workshop, specifically related to women’s reproductive health in South Korea. MWIA’s new president is a South Korean: Professor Kyung Ah Park. Park, who delivered her inaugural address at the conference, has been a supporter of abortion in the past.

There are also deep divisions among South Koreans over the availability of abortion and contraceptives, Shuping noted.

Abortion is illegal in South Korea except in cases of rape, incest and genetic disorders – and even then only through the 24th week. Healthy women who have an abortion face up to one year in prison and possible fines, and doctors who perform illegal abortions can face up to two years in prison. However, prosecutions are extremely rare. The South Korean government estimates 344,000 abortions are performed yearly, though pro-life groups put the number much higher. GYNOB, a group of physicians that will not do any abortions, say many physicians perform illegal abortions because of the high profit margin and low risk of prosecution. Live births annually are estimated to be around 440,000, which means approximately one out of every two pregnancies in South Korea ends in abortion.

Shuping said she and other doctors like Choi focus on education for women and their physicians and insist that all women are entitled to all the sound, scientific information available when faced with making a life-altering decision like abortion. “All women deserve to have all the information we can give them,� Shuping said. “We went to South Korea to share our information with medical women from around the world. How can you be a proponent of choice and then turn around and ban information?�

More online At www.aaplog.org/news/bannedat-mwia: Read the presentations that Drs. Shuping, Harrison and Davenport were unable to give at the international women’s medical conference

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catholicnewsherald.com | October 11, 2013 OUR PARISHES

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

Friendship and Growth: A Path of Male Spirituality What is friendship, and what role does it play in our growth as men? This retreat will combine silence, writing, scripture and story.

Saturday, November 2, 2013 9 am – Noon Presented by: Rev. Ron Spann

Cost: $15

Repair my soul, O Lord: A Day of Retreat for Veterans This retreat is a beginning step to start the healing process associated with the emotional injury after war. The day includes Mass (optional) and lunch. Overnight accommodations are available, contact the Oratory for cost and availablitiy.

Saturday, November 9, 2013 9 am – 3 pm

Vicki Dorsey | Catholic News Herald

Retiring catechist honored SYLVA — Isabelle Harcourt recently received a blessing from Bishop Peter Jugis, following her retirement as director of St. Mary Mother of God Parish’s faith formation program after serving for 18 years. Mary Bess Hudson, faith formation teacher, said of Harcourt’s leadership, “Belle has been a kind and compassionate advocate for all the children and young adults who attend faith formation. Both teachers and students, and the entire parish, have benefited from Belle’s indomitable concern for the spiritual growth of our children within the St. Mary, Mother of God, Catholic Church community.”

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16 – SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2013

Marian Eucharistic Conference

St. Joseph’s Catholic School

100 St. Joseph’s Drive Greenville, SC 29607

Presented by: Linda Flynn

Our featured speakers will focus on seeking to anchor ourselves to the two pillars of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist and the Blessed Virgin Mary.

There is no cost for the retreat.

A Day with the Gospel of Matthew

Featured Speakers

Our fall scripture day is dedicated to the Gospel of the next liturgical cycle: Matthew (Cycle A). Prayer, noon Eucharist and lunch are included in the schedule. The same program is offered both days.

Fr. Mitch Pacwa, S.J. Ignatius Productions Fr. Bill Casey, CPM The Fathers of Mercy

Thursday, November 21 or Saturday, November 23, 2013

Mother Assumpta Long, O.P. The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist

9:30 am – 4 pm Presented by: Sr. Mary Hugh Mauldin, RSM

Cost: $40 (lunch included)

General Admission: $30, Youth: $15

Dcn. Harold Burke-Sivers All are required to register by Nov.8 by mail.

Catholic Evangelist and Saturday and Sunday lunches are included.

Speaker No registration at the door.

For more information, call (864) 354-7160 or go to www.meconferencesc.net

OUR PARISHESI

October 11, 2013 | catholicnewsherald.com

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Praying for respect for all human life

Vicki Dorsey, Catholic News Herald

SYLVA — People from many other local churches joined parishioners of St. Mary, Mother of God Church Oct. 6 for the community’s ninth annual Life Chain, an ecumenical outreach that is so important for the pro-life movement. It was a beautiful day in downtown Sylva for the vigil, which had a very good turnout. Pictured are St. Mary members Shelly Antonio, Miguel Antonio, and Patty and Madeline Franzen.

Photo provided by Amy Burger

HUNTERSVILLE — Members of St. Mark Church in Huntersville gathered outside the church on Stumptown Road Oct. 6 to form a silent “Life Chain.” The purpose of the Life Chain is to bear witness to the sanctity of life and dedicate prayers and silence to all of the lives who have been lost through abortion. This year, the parish’s new Memorial for Life provided a powerful visual background.

More online At www. catholicnewsherald. com: See more photos from the Oct. 6 Life Chain vigils

CHARLOTTE — Parishioners of St. Matthew Church in Charlotte formed a “Life Chain” along Ballantyne Commons Parkway Oct. 6 to mark Respect Life Sunday. The Life Chain is a powerful witness to life, and the faithful gathered to pray that the seeds planted in people’s hearts will blossom into a culture that values all human beings from conception to natural death.

Photo provided by John and Jo Ann VanCamp and Liliana Salas

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief Deacon assigned

King

CHARLOTTE — Deacon Mark King has been assigned to St. Gabriel Parish effective Sept.

26. He was ordained in 2006 for the Diocese of Norwich, Conn. He and his wife Susan and family moved to Charlotte in 2009 and he had been assigned to St. Matthew Parish.

— Deacon Ron Steinkamp

Diocese to be consecrated to the Immaculate Heart CHARLOTTE — Bishop Peter J. Jugis will consecrate the Diocese of Charlotte to the Immaculate Heart of Mary during the 11 a.m.

Mass on Sunday, Oct. 13, at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte. It is in solidarity with Pope Francis’ ceremony of consecration to take place in Rome on the same day. All are welcome to attend the Mass.

Cathedral stairs to be dedicated Oct. 13 CHARLOTTE — Completion of the Bishop Curlin Commemorative Stair Project – a redesign of the front stairway of St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte – will be celebrated with a dedication ceremony starting at 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13, with both Bishop Emeritus William G. Curlin and Bishop Peter J. Jugis in attendance. All are welcome.

Solemn Vespers will be at 5 p.m., followed by the dedication ceremony. A reception will be held afterwards in the parish’s Family Life Center.

The 74-year-old cathedral’s front entrance is being rebuilt and improved to form a more expansive gathering area. The steep staircase is being replaced by two staircases running down to the left and to the right from the doorway, including several landings so that the steps slope more gently down to the street below.

The front of the staircase will feature a new cathedral sign in cast stone and a cast stone engraving in honor of Bishop Curlin, the third bishop of Charlotte. Among other Christian symbols, the staircase will feature a Celtic cross in honor of St. Patrick, a repeated fish pattern symbolizing the 40 days of Lent and woven in a Celtic-knot inspired pattern, and circles representing the Eucharist.

— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter

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catholicnewsherald.com | October 11, 2013 OUR PARISHES

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

Ready - 2 - Retire™?

In Brief

There are two things that you can do right now that will make a BIG difference when you retire. ✔ Set Goals & Priorities ✔ Understand your risks Take 15 minutes and complete our Ready -2-Retire planning tool at: www.metlife.ready-2-retire.me/KennethAltman Forward the completed information back to me or just keep a copy for your self.

Call: 704-839-3755 or email: kaltman@metlife.com Retirement Planning – Life – LTC – Auto & Home Information L0213304211(exp1215) NC

Ken Altman

and proceeding to A Preferred Women’s Health Center on Latrobe Drive, an abortion mill shut down by state health inspectors earlier this year yet allowed to reopen a few days later.

Father Lucas Rossi, parochial vicar, will lead the vigil, which will begin at 8 a.m. with Mass and exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, followed by recitation of the rosary outside the Latrobe abortion mill. The vigil, sponsored by the Charlotte chapter of Helpers of God’s Precious Infants, will conclude with benediction back at the cathedral. All are welcome to participate.

More info is online at www.charlottehelpers. org.

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Confirmation celebrated in Brevard BREVARD — Young parishioners of Sacred Heart Church in Brevard and its mission, St. Jude Mission in Highlands, recently received the sacrament of confirmation from Bishop Peter Jugis. During his visit, Bishop Jugis also installed Capuchin Franciscan Father Andrew Nowak as pastor.

— Dorice Narins

Vigil for Life planned at Latrobe abortion mill CHARLOTTE — As part of Respect Life Month, a Vigil for Life will be held Saturday, Oct. 12, starting at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte

MURPHY — On Oct. 11, Franklin Lanes in Franklin will host a bowling tournament workshop for mentally and physically challenged adults. This is the 31st year that St. William Church in Murphy will sponsor the event, along with IOI (Industrial Opportunities Inc.) in Andrews. The tournament was renamed eight years ago as the “Angie Harris Memorial Bowling Tournament” in honor of Angie Harris, its first chairperson. The bowlers come from IOI, Cherokee and Macon County workshops.

The Ladies Guild of St. William Church provides high score, individual and team medals, plus a medal for every athlete who participates in the tournament. Carole Johnson and Jean Hobbs are currently enlisting parishioners from St. William Church to assist the bowlers in the activity itself, to encourage them, and to be their cheering section. St. William Parish’s Community Life Commission also donates to this worthy cause.

— Karen Francis

Love and Mercy Publications, P O Box 1160, Hampstead, NC 28443

Diocese of Charlotte Tour of Ethiopia & Ghana Addis Ababa • Lalibela •Axum • Accra • Kumasi • Cape Coast

March 10 – 27, 2014 $5,990 per person including round trip airfare from 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

PROPERTY SUPERINTENDENT The Diocese of Charlotte is accepting applications for the position of Property Superintendent. The position is responsible for routine maintenance and for the repair/replacement schedule of major systems at various diocesan facilities. This includes responsibility for the execution of all facilities projects, including the bid process, evaluation of proposals, awarding the project and monitoring vendor performance.

Requirements include: Post secondary school education in relevant field Minimum of five years related experience Ability to read and interpret blueprints Knowledge of electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel Ability to work both independently and with a team Strong written, verbal and inter-personal skills Please send resume and salary history by October 30, 2013 to: Director – Properties & Risk Management Catholic Diocese of Charlotte 1123 South Church Street Charlotte, NC 28203 Or email to gapiche@charlottediocese.org.

The Diocese of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

October 11, 2013 | catholicnewsherald.com

Rosary rally to be held outside Asheville abortion mill

Healing prayer service planned at St. Matthew Church

ASHEVILLE — A rosary rally will be held outside Femcare, Asheville’s only abortion mill, on Saturday, Oct. 12, starting at 8:30 a.m.

Femcare was briefly shut down by state health inspectors earlier this summer, but allowed to reopen.

CHARLOTTE — St. Matthew Parish will hold a St. Peregrine Healing Prayer Service at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24. This solemn prayer service, which includes a blessing with a relic of St. Peregrine, the patron saint of cancer and grave diseases, has grown considerably at the Charlotte parish. St. Peregrine has been called the “wonder worker” for his intercession on behalf of those living with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. St. Peregrine is also the patron saint of all afflicted with leg ailments, as well as at-risk youth. For details, go online to www.stmatthewcatholic.org.

Get informed about the need for immigration reform BELMONT — Learn more and become a better advocate for what the Church teaches about immigration during a workshop sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Justice for Immigrants campaign, starting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15, at Queen of the Apostles Church’s MAK Family Life Center, 503 N. Main St. in Belmont. Get pointers on answering the hard questions about immigration reform, from Father Shawn O’Neal, pastor of St. Joseph Church in Bryson City and the diocese’s liaison to the JFI campaign; Joseph Purello, director of social concerns and advocacy with Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte; and Mercy Sister Rose Marie Tresp, director of justice for the Sisters of Mercy South Central community. For details, call 704-370-3225 or 704-755-2018.

Healing retreat for grieving mothers planned GASTONIA — Mothers whose children have died as a result of miscarriage, abortion or other causes are encouraged to attend a healing retreat Saturday, Oct. 19. The retreat will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Michael Church in Gastonia. Call the parish office at 704-867-6212 for details.

OUR PARISHESI

13

October men’s forum to feature Fr. Longenecker BELMONT — A forum for Catholic men in the Diocese of Charlotte on Tuesday, Oct. 15, will feature Father Dwight Longenecker, a national Catholic speaker, author, blogger, and pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Greenville, S.C. The theme for the event is “An Evening with St. Benedict,” and Father Longenecker will speak on “St. Benedict for the Modern Man.” Also featured will be Father Matthew Buettner, pastor of St. Michael Church in Gastonia, who will lead a Holy Hour in the abbey basilica and offer a reflection.

All men of the diocese are welcome to the free event, which will be held from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at Belmont Abbey College’s Haid Ballroom.

For details and to register, go online to www. belmontabbeymensforum.eventbrite.com.

The men’s forum is sponsored by Catholic Men’s Fellowship of the Carolinas and Regnum Christi.

— Daniel J. Trapini

Pilgrimages in 2014!

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14

iiiOctober 11, 2013 | catholicnewsherald.com

FROM TH

Important dates in the history of St. Francis of Assisi Parish

1899

Church that now houses St. Francis of Assisi is built, originally as a Presbyterian church.

1954

Local Catholics begin gathering for Mass in the home of a parishioner, then subsequently at Tugman’s Inn in West Jefferson and at the courthouse, served by priests from North Wilkesboro.

1962

The Diocese of Raleigh (then encompassing the entire state) buys the Presbyterian church for $12,000, thanks to donations from parishioners, friends and the Catholic Extension Society.

Aug. 27, 1963

Bishop Vincent Waters of Raleigh dedicates the church, originally as a mission of St. Elizabeth Church in Boone, served by priests from Glenmary Home Missioners.

Nov. 28, 1963

The first Catholic wedding is celebrated in Jefferson, of Tom and Evelyn Reeves.

March 15, 1973

St. Francis Mission

becomes a parish.

Family r

1973

Father Robert Cameron moves from assistant pastor at St. Elizabeth Church in Boone to pastor of St. Francis Church, and the church is renovated to include a basement apartment for him.

Feb. 5, 1976

The parish assumes pastoral care of St. Frances of Rome Mission in Sparta.

Sept. 29, 1985

The church building is enlarged to include a social hall, kitchen, meeting rooms and offices, thanks to donations from parishioners, friends and grants from the Catholic Extension Society, the Glenmary Home Missioners and the Diocese of Charlotte. It is dedicated by Charlotte Bishop John F. Donoghue.

1988

Father Joseph Waters, then pastor of Holy Trinity Church in Taylorsville, begins celebrating Mass in Spanish twice a month.

1990

The parish buys a house adjacent to the church and converts it into a rectory for the pastor, Father Roland Hautz.

St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Jefferson celebrates its 50th anniversary Mike Murray Correspondent

JEFFERSON — On a beautiful afternoon in the mountains of Jefferson, St. Francis of Assisi Parish celebrated its 50th anniversary Oct. 3. It felt like a family reunion, with new and longtime parishioners joining together with four of the parish’s pastors for a bilingual Mass.

The current pastor Father James Stuhrenberg welcomed former pastors Father Joseph Dinh, Father Wilbur Thomas and Father Roland Hautz, along with Deacon Lee Levenson and Deacon Bob DeSautel, for the Mass inside the little wooden church on Main Street. The church was overflowing with parishioners, many of whom crowded into the basement to watch the Mass on closed-

circuit television.

The crowds were indicative of recent growth at the parish, of both English-speaking and Spanish-speaking members, that is prompting the parish to build a new church elsewhere in town. But on this sunny day, it was a time to celebrate the church’s past and present as one Catholic family. People swapped stories, memories of their time at St. Francis of Assisi, and enjoyed fellowship after the Mass.

Few Catholics lived in the North Carolina mountains in 1954. The church in Ashe County got its start when Lloyd Bullet placed an ad in the local paper asking any Catholics who lived in the area to contact him. John Neal and Francis Parsons responded, and with her two daughters Susan Parsons and Janie Parsons Pugh, a church community began. Tom Reeves joined the community when he came to Jefferson as a youth to live with his grandmother. Jane, Susan and Tom were all present for the anniversary celebration.

In 1955, Mass was celebrated in Bullet’s living room. In subsequent years, priests from the Diocese of Raleigh traveled from North Wilkesboro to celebrate Mass in Tugman’s Inn, at the courthouse and in Bullet’s remodeled basement.

By 1962, the community had grown to 30 people, so the diocese purchased a former Presbyterian church and the congregation became a mission of St. Elizabeth of the Hill Country Church in Boone.

HE COVER

October 11, 2013 | catholicnewsherald.comiii

15

Photos by Mike Murray | Catholic News Herald

(Above) The combined English and Spanish choirs of St. Francis of Assisi Church led parishioners in hymns including “The Prayer of St. Francis” during the bilingual anniversary Mass on Oct. 3.

(Far left) Former pastors and deacons returned to the parish for the Mass. From left are Deacon Lee Levenson; Father Roland Hautz; Father James Stuhrenberg, current pastor; Father Wilbur Thomas; and Father Joseph Dinh.

(Left) The celebration evoked lots of memories among long-time parishioners such as Janie Parsons Pugh, Tom Reeves and Susan Parsons.

reunion Glenmary priests served as priests and religious at the mission church until 1998.

Father Hautz, a Glenmary priest, was the longest-serving pastor at St. Francis of Assisi, ministering there for 10 years.

Times were difficult and finances were very tight, parishioners remembered of that time. Patsy Durr recalled the “frozen carcass” incident, when faithful arrived for daily Mass one bitterly cold morning to find a dead mouse lying on the front steps. Someone placed a note by the corpse: “frozen to death due to the cold church.”

Father Hautz may not have seen that note, but he always found ways to save money, parishioners said, and he was famous for his laugh and sense of humor.

When the parish wanted to put in stained-glass windows, parishioners organized to make the 11 windows themselves. They also crafted plaques for the Stations of the Cross. When they finished the church basement, parishioner Lloyd Bullet made a chandelier using #10 bean cans that he painted black and wired together.

When Vickie Herman came to Jefferson, she sought someone to play tennis with, and she was told that Father Hautz also played.

During one game of theirs, the score was close. Then Father Hautz started hitting slices barely over the net, Herman said. She began thinking, how could he be so mean? Father Hautz “just laughed that

very famous Father Rollie laugh,” she recalled with a smile.

These were memorable times, people noted. Deacon Bob DeSautel recalled his move in 1965 to Jefferson to live with his grandmother at a young age. He often hitch-hiked to church, traveling on a milk truck and picking up milk cans from farms and delivering them to homes on his way to Mass. In 1983 after 18 years at St. Francis of Assisi, DeSautel was ordained a deacon and left the parish to minister in Winston-Salem.

Father Ron Marecki became the first of seven Charlotte diocesan priests in 1998. Diocesan priests who followed him included Father Thomas and Father Dinh, who were at the anniversary celebration and enjoyed reuniting with parishioners.

During his homily at the anniversary Mass, current pastor Father Stuhrenberg spoke of how the parish is responding to be like St. Francis – focusing upon acting as a family to be Christ-like, humble and serving.

Parishioners had many stories regarding the sacraments and attending Mass. And many spoke of how they were greeted and welcomed with open arms by the community.

Jovie Arado spoke about her son who loved to be an altar server, helping the priest and being close to Jesus. She said she is so pleased REUNION, SEE page 16

St. Francis parishioners gathered after Mass to enjoy food and fellowship.

16

catholicnewsherald.com | October 11, 2013 FROM THE COVER

1994

After two years of planning, the church building is renovated to accommodate the growing parish family. A new main altar and an altar of repose, made of oak by parishioners, are installed, along with 11 stained-glass windows, also made by parishioners.

1998

The Glenmary priests leave and the Charlotte diocese assigns diocesan priests, including Father Wilbur Thomas (now pastor of St. Lawrence Basilica in Asheville) and Father Mark Lawlor (now pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Church in Charlotte).

2000

Father Lawlor begins celebrating Mass in Spanish every week.

2003

St. Francis Parish celebrates its 40th anniversary during a bilingual Mass celebrated by then Bishop-elect Peter J. Jugis, and former pastors. It was the first bilingual Mass at the parish.

2006

After mold is found in the church and rectory, the parish begins planning to build a new church elsewhere in Jefferson. A stock gift of $1.3 million from a parishioner’s family seeds a building trust fund.

2007

The parish buys 15 acres on Luther Road for a future church.

Aug. 16, 2009

A prayer garden and outdoor Stations of the Cross at the future church site, built by parishioners, is dedicated by then pastor Father Joseph Dinh.

2012

The parish pays off its debt from the land purchase early, then launches a capital campaign to fund construction of the new church. On Sept. 29, 2012, parishioners joined Bishop Jugis and pastor, Father James Stuhrenberg, to break ground for the new St. Francis of Assisi Church.

St. Francis of Assisi Parish priests 1954 until 1962: Priests from the Diocese of Raleigh Fr. Ralph Monk Fr. Bruno Swiatocha Fr. Richard McCue Fr. Richard Todd Fr. Frank Connolly Fr. Edward Beatty Fr. Franklin E. Arnold 1963 to present: Fr. Robert Valenza – early 1960s (Glenmary) Fr. Francis Connelly – early 1960s (Glenmary) Fr. Ed Smith – 1963-1964 (Glenmary) Fr. James Doell – 1963-1968 (Glenmary) Fr. Robert Cameron – 1968-1973 (Glenmary) Fr. Les Schmidt – 1973-1974 (Glenmary) Fr. Calvin DeLeuil – 1974-1975 (Glenmary) Fr. Fidelis Levri – 1975-1977 (Glenmary) Fr. Anthony Jablonoski – 1977-1980, visiting priest Fr. Richard Kreimer – 1980-1983 (Glenmary) Fr. John Otterbacher –1983-1988 (Glenmary) Fr. Joseph Waters – 1988-1998 (Diocesan) Fr. Roland Hautz – 1988-1998 (Glenmary) Fr. Ron Marecki – 1998-1999 (Diocesan) Fr. Wilbur Thomas – 1999 (Diocesan) Fr. Mark Lawlor – 1999-2003 (Diocesan) Fr. C. Morris Boyd – 2003-2004 (Diocesan) Fr. Patrick J. Winslow – 2004-2006 (Diocesan) Fr. Joseph Dinh – 2006-2010 (Diocesan) Fr. James Stuhrenberg – 2010 to present (Diocesan)

Photo provided by Clint Johnson

New ‘mountain Gothic’ church begins to take shape JEFFERSON — Construction continues on a larger church for the growing parish of St. Francis of Assisi, despite delays during what was an unusually rainy summer.

Work began in January on the twostory, 10,205-square-foot church on Luther Road in Jefferson, a 15-acre site which features spectacular views of the Blue Ridge mountains. The church itself sits at the foot of Mount Jefferson, among the highest peaks in Ashe County at 4,665 feet.

The church will have a “Gothic mountain” style, said Father James Stuhrenberg, featuring Gothic pointed arches, stonework and a vaulted wooden ceiling. It will be laid out in the traditional cruciform (cross) shape, with a seating capacity for nearly 300 people and future capability to be expanded as the parish’s needs change.

“The size and seating capacity of our new church plan is being designed to accommodate our continued future growth as a Catholic community,” said David Thomas, chairman of the parish’s

building and planning committee.

The building will have two levels, with the upper level as the church and the lower level used for classrooms, office space and a 100-plus-seat fellowship hall with a kitchen.

A signature feature of the church will be its soaring bell tower, which people will see through the trees as they approach the church on a long, winding entrance up from the main road. The main entrance will have a covered walkway, and there will also be an outdoor patio for parishioners to enjoy the beautiful mountain views in nice weather.

So far, the foundation has been laid and the church’s bell tower is rising above the landscape, which features soaring views of the mountains.

The exterior walls are also being completed, and roof trusses are scheduled to be installed next week, Thomas said.

At the current pace of construction, Thomas said, they expect the church to be finished by Easter 2014.

REUNION: FROM PAGE 15

at how the church community has molded him. Marcye Blatney spoke about her friend Jeff Bowers joining the Catholic Church, with his family surrounding him during Mass at the church. Marlette Cullen wrote about her husband Vic, who, just prior to his death, stood at the end of Mass to say his farewell to the church and feel the love of the St. Francis family.

Ashe County is far from being a rich community, with an average income level of $34,538 in 2010. It is home to a large English-speaking and Spanish-speaking community that has found a home at St. Francis of Assisi Parish. Last week’s anniversary celebration showcased that diversity, with the

More online At www.catholicnewsherald. com: Read more about the plans for the new church and see photos from the groundbreaking last September

The new church will better accommodate the swelling number of Catholics in Jefferson – which now number 277 registered families, plus many more in the summertime – as well as the parish’s many vibrant ministries. Parishioners have helped to design the new church within a fiscally conservative budget, under the direction of Father Stuhrenberg and Appalachian Architecture Services, and in coordination with diocesan planning and development officials. Enterline & Russell Builders is overseeing construction.

— Mike Murray, correspondent

bilingual Mass featuring an English and Hispanic chorale and musicians who played, among other hymns, “The Prayer of St. Francis.”

In the spirit of their patron saint, parishioners are very involved in programs that benefit the less fortunate and elevate the quality of life in their area. This year, The Sharing Center celebrated its 30th anniversary. Founded by members of the church and other Ashe County churches and organizations, the center distributes free food, clothing and household items to local people in need. Parishioners also started the New Beginnings nonprofit organization to aid children in foster care or who are at-risk.

The parish also has an active prison ministry program, providing God’s love and word to those who are in jail.

As St. Francis of Assisi Church celebrates its 50th anniversary, all prayed for a bright future and for the community to grow and flourish for the greater honor and glory of God.

Mix

October 11, 2013 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

17

On TV

For the latest movie reviews: catholicnewsherald.com

n Sunday, Oct. 13, 5-8 a.m.

(EWTN) “Holy Mass in Honor of Our Lady of Fatima.” The Eucharistic liturgy for the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, broadcast live from her principal shrine in Portugal.

In theaters

n Sunday, Oct. 13, 4 p.m. (EWTN) “Holy Mass On the Occasion of the Marian Day.” His Holiness Pope Francis celebrates Mass in honor of the Occasion of the Marian Day from St. Peter’s Square. n Sunday, Oct. 13, 10 p.m. (EWTN) “Conversation with Cardinal Dolan.” n Monday, Oct. 14, 6:30 p.m.

(EWTN) “Christopher Columbus: Faithful Christ Bearer.” Special feature on the life of Italian-born explorer Christopher Columbus, whose first name meant ‘Christbearer’ and how he believed he was not only destined for expeditions but to spread the Gospel in far-off lands.

‘Runner Runner’ Slick but forgettable cautionary tale in which a ruined Wall Street executive-turnedgraduate student (Justin Timberlake) is recruited by a charismatic online-gambling tycoon (Ben Affleck) to help administer the mogul’s burgeoning, Costa Rica-based betting empire. Brief but disturbing action violence, fleeting graphic images of group sex, nudity, pervasive rough language.

CNS: L (limited adult audience); MPAA: R

‘Baggage Claim’ Writer-director David E. Talbert’s romantic comedy, adapted from his 2005 novel, charts the amorous adventures of a determined flight attendant (Paula Patton) searching for a soul mate among her passengers. To her credit, she resists the temptation to settle for second-best, and realizes that staying married is a bigger challenge than simply getting hitched.

Despite some thematic turbulence and poor choices, this is ultimately a flight worth taking, especially as it’s that Hollywood rarity, a film that upholds and promotes the institution of marriage. Implied nonmarital sex, mature references, including to homosexuality and contraception, a samesex kiss, innuendo, some crude language.

CNS: A-III (adults); MPAA: PG-13

‘Don Jon’ Joseph Gordon-Levitt writes, directs and stars in this comedy about an Italian Catholic bartender in suburban New Jersey whose addiction to pornography threatens to undermine a budding romance.

Sacrilegious humor, pervasive graphic sexual content, frequent profanity and blasphemy, relentless rough language.

CNS: O (morally offensive); MPAA: R

Additional reviews: n ‘Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2’: CNS: A-II (adults and adolescents); MPAA: PG n ‘Rush’: CNS: L (limited adult audience); MPAA: R

CNS | L’Osservatore Romano via Reuters

Pope Benedict XVI reads a book during his visit to the Vatican Library at the Vatican Dec. 18. The library was reopened a year ago after being closed three years for major renovations.

Pope Benedict challenges atheist, says he never hid abuse cases Carol Glatz Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — In a letter to an atheist Italian mathematician, retired Pope Benedict XVI defended his own handling of allegations of the sexual abuse of minors by clergy and politely criticized the logician’s total reliance on scientific facts for meaning.

“I never sought to conceal these things,” the pope said of cases of clerical abuse, and lamented the scholar depicting the Church as the only place where such “deviation” and “filth” occur.

The publication of the retired pope’s comments Sept. 24 to an atheist scholar came the same month a written letter by Pope Francis to an Italian journalist concerning dialogue with nonbelievers was published. Both letters were published, with the two popes’ permission, by the Italian daily La Repubblica.

The paper released long excerpts of Pope Benedict’s original 11-page response to Piergiorgio Odifreddi, a prolific science writer who authored the book, “Dear Pope, I Write to You” in 2011. The book, presented as a letter to Pope Benedict, proposes the superiority of a worldview in which belief should stem only from things that can be understood and empirically known over worldviews that include belief in things that cannot be fully understood or known.

The pope’s response, dated Aug. 30, thanked Odifreddi for seeking to juxtapose his ideas against the pope’s own writings “and, thus, with my faith.”

The pope, who has long engaged in dialogue with nonbelievers, most notably with his “Courtyard of the Gentiles” initiative and his 2011 Assisi gathering, said he appreciated Odifreddi’s efforts to engage in a frank and open

dialogue with the Catholic faith.

However, the pope said he met “with deep dismay” Odifreddi’s unspecified comments about the clerical abuse scandals.

The pope, who was the first pontiff to meet with abuse victims, had spoken out forcefully against “the filth” in the Church, clarified Church laws to expedite cases, and mandated bishops’ conferences put in place stringent norms against abuse, among a number of other initiatives.

In his letter, the pope said he never tried to cover up allegations.

“That the power of evil seeps all the way into the inner world of the faith is a source of suffering for us.” Not only must the Church bear the burden of this evil, but it also must “do everything possible so that such cases never repeat themselves,” he wrote.

While there “is no reason to find solace in the fact that, according to research by sociologists, the percentage of priests guilty of these crimes is no higher than those present in other similar professional fields,” neither should people “ostensibly present this deviation as if it were filth pertaining only to Catholicism,” Pope Benedict wrote.

Just as it is wrong “to be silent about the evil in the Church,” it is wrong to remain silent about the good, holy and loving service the Church has offered, he said.

Pope Benedict said he read Odifreddi’s book “with pleasure and benefit.”

However, he also offered some sharp criticisms against Odifreddi’s arguments as well as his neglect of and lack of explanation for very real and observable phenomena such as love, liberty and evil.

POPE, SEE page 21

n Tuesday, Oct. 15, 6:30 p.m.

(EWTN)”Lives of the Saints – St. Teresa of Avila.” An illuminating docudrama examining the life of the 16th century saint and mystic Teresa of Avila. n Thursday, Oct. 17, 2:32 p.m.

(EWTN) “Janey Mary.” The story of a young girl who is forced on the streets of 1940s Dublin to search for food and her friendship with an Augustinian priest, Father Benedict. n Saturday, Oct. 19, 5-6 p.m.

(EWTN) “The Knights of St. John.” An overview of the 1,000year history of the Knights of St. John, an order whose purpose evolved from hospital service to militaristic defense of the faith, then reverted to the care of the sick and needy. n Saturday, Oct. 19, 8 p.m. (EWTN) “St. Bernadette of Lourdes.” The story of St. Bernadette of Lourdes is told by a cast of more than 160 Catholic children and how she changed the lives of many with her visions of Mary. n Wednesday, Oct. 23, 6:30 p.m. (EWTN) “Lebanon: Island of Christianity.” A compelling documentary exploring the rise and present status of Christians and Muslims in the Middle East. n Friday, Oct. 25, 6:30 p.m.

(EWTN) “The Bacon Priest.”

Father Werenfried van Straaten became known as “The Bacon Priest” when in 1947 he encouraged the donation of bacon to help feed Rucksack priests ministering to Catholics who had been relocated to exclusively Protestant areas of post-war Germany.

Our schools 18

catholicnewsherald.com | October 11, 2013 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

A letter from Pope Francis!

CHARLOTTE — Fifth-grade students at St. Patrick School received a very special letter in the mail Sept. 30.

It was a special blessing from Pope Francis, in response to letters that the students had written to him. When the school year started, Craig Lynch’s class decided to write letters to Pope Francis.

The students each wrote individual letters asking for the Holy Father’s blessings for various special intentions they had. The class also sent their prayers to the Holy Father thanking and congratulating him on being elected pontiff. Students were overjoyed when they received a response from the Vatican. The letter featured a few pictures of Pope Francis and a note: “His Holiness Pope Francis was pleased to receive your kind messages. He thanks all of you for writing to him and he is grateful for your prayers. The Holy Father will pray for you and your teachers, and he sends his blessing.”

Photos provided by Mike Ford and Anastasia Macaya

Photos provided by Joanna Patcha

10th annual Balloon Derby and Pinwheels for Peace CHARLOTTE — St. Matthew School in Charlotte once again caused heads to turn while passing by on Elm Lane. The school celebrated its patronal feast day Sept. 20 with its annual Balloon Derby, and an exciting addition this year was the Pinwheels for Peace Project. More than 600 students, faculty, parents and siblings watched with hope and joy as an inspiring hand-made rosary, crafted of red and white helium-filled balloons, floated over the St. Matthew School campus.

They recited a decade of the rosary, then gazed as the more than 50 balloons soared into the sky. Pictured is Father Robert Conway of St. Matthew Church assisting young students during the balloon derby.

Then, in honor of the International Day of Peace on Sept. 21, students created a visual public statement about peace, underscoring the point that in today’s world, peace needs to be more than just a word.

Students took part in the international art and literacy project, Pinwheels for Peace. Each student designed a pinwheel consisting of a plea for peace, then placed it for display on the school grounds. The school proudly joined more than 3,500 locations across the United States, Europe, Asia, Australia, Canada, the Middle East, Africa and South America in celebrating the International Day of Peace.

October 11, 2013 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

19

Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief

Visit Our Fall Open Houses sFaith

sTradition sAcademic Excellence

ELEMENTARYOctober 27th 1:30 -3:30pm October 29th 9:00am-12:00pm Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic School (PK-8) 4225 Shamrock Drive - Charlotte Photo provided by Anne W. Knapke

Now, that’s a bubble!

St. Ann Catholic School (TK,PK-5) 600 Hillside Avenue - Charlotte

GREENSBORO — St. Pius X fourth-grade student Ben Dahlstedt attempts to make a square bubble during recent science experiments at the Greensboro school.

St. Gabriel Catholic School (K-5) 3028 Providence Road - Charlotte

New gym to open

CCHS debate team wins awards

St. Mark Catholic School (K-8) 14750 Stumptown Road-Huntersville

HUNTERSVILLE — There will be a grand opening celebration for the new gymnasium at Christ the King High School on Tuesday, Oct. 15, when the Crusaders JV and Varsity Volleyball teams take on Covenant Classical starting at 4 p.m. The new school, the Diocese of Charlotte’s third high school, is located at 2011 Crusader Way in Huntersville. All are welcome to attend.

CHARLOTTE — The debate and speech team at Charlotte Catholic High School won eight awards at the Pinecrest High School Tournament in Southern Pines Sept. 28. Ten members of the 60-member team competed against 18 other schools from the West Carolina and East Carolina leagues. The team won the following: First place, Varsity Congress Debate, Chamber A: Brett Heinz; First place, Varsity Congress Debate, Chamber B: Ryan Kennedy; First place, Junior Varsity Public Forum Debate: Alex Prys and Jonathan Wilson; Second place, Varsity Duo Interpretation: Tom Dickerson and Zachary Johnson; Second place, Novice Humorous Interpretation: Nicholas Firr; Fourth place, Novice Humorous Interpretation: Uwa Akhere; Ninth place, Junior Varsity Lincoln Douglas Debate: Angeline Morales; and 18th place, Varsity Impromptu Speaking: Wil Mulligan.

National Merit honors announced CHARLOTTE — Charlotte Catholic seniors Nathan Dowd, Sumner Dudick, Meghan Flyke, Andrew Market and Ian McEntee have been named semifinalists in the 2014 National Merit Scholarship competition. These students scored in the top 1 percent of 1.5 million juniors who took the Preliminary SAT, or PSAT. National Merit Finalists will be offered $35 million in scholarships this spring.

The following were named Commended Students: Kevin A. Acken, Grace L. Deering, Aaron M. Dozzi, Nicole L. Hleback, Hailey A. Huber, Susannah E. Huth, Bryant A. King, Robert D. Malone, Jerome N. McKibben, Sarah J. Novitt, April A. Purvis, Zachary L. Robbe, Mary S. Ryan, Alexander C. Sheldon, Moira C. Shepard and Sarah M. Suttoni. Commended Students placed among the top 5 percent of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2014 competition.

— Mary A. Morales

Hayes gets National Merit honors

— Terrence A. Hayes

St. Patrick Catholic School (K-5) 1125 Buchanan Street - Charlotte

MIDDLE SCHOOLOctober 26th 9:00 - 11:00am October 28th 9:00 - 11:00am Holy Trinity Catholic Middle School (6-8) 3100 Park Road - Charlotte

HIGH SCHOOLS -

— Jennifer B. Johnson

CHARLOTTE — Elizabeth Hayes, a parishioner at Our Lady of Consolation Church in Charlotte, was recognized as a semifinalist in the 49th annual National Achievement Scholarship competition, conducted by the National Merit Scholarship Corp. Hayes attended Holy Trinity Middle School and Charlotte Catholic High School before being accepted to the N.C. School of Science and Mathematics in Durham, where she is now a senior. She now has the opportunity to continue in the competition for approximately 800 scholarships worth more than $2.5 million to be awarded next spring.

St. Matthew Catholic School (TK-5) 11525 Elm Lane - Charlotte

Learning about fire safety GASTONIA — On Oct. 1, Amy Schatz’s fourth-grade class welcomed Gastonia Fire Department employees Captain Don Jenkins, Engineer D. Gaddy and Firefighter K. Bolick from Station 5. The team gave the students an educational presentation about fire safety and fire prevention. Fire Prevention Week runs Oct. 6-12. Afterwards, the students toured a city firetruck.

— Pat Burr and Amy Schatz

November 16th 10:00am -12:00pm Charlotte Catholic High School 7702 Pineville-Mathews Rd.- Charlotte November 23rd 10:00am -12:00pm Christ the King Catholic High School 2011 Crusader Way - Huntersville

Admissions: (704) 370-3273

MACS admits students of any race, color, sex, religion and national or ethnic origin.

For more information visit www.MACSOpenHouses.com

catholicnewsherald.com | October 11, 2013 20

Generosa Donación de Libros de Consagración a la Virgen para el Ministerio Hispano Rico De Silva Hispanic communications reporter

CHARLOTTE — El ministerio Hispano de la Diócesis de Charlotte espera ansiosamente por un cargamento de 11,500 libros de consagración a la Virgen María en español. El libro titulado, “33 Días hacia un Glorioso Amanecer: Un Retiro personal como Preparación para la Consagración a María,” está supuesto a llegar a las oficinas de la Diócesis durante la semana del 14 de Octubre.

El libro “Glorioso” fue escrito originalmente en inglés por el Padre Michael E. Gaitley, de los Padres Marianos de la Inmaculada Concepción (MIC). El libro titulado en inglés “33 Days to Morning Glory,” fue publicado en el 2011, y se convirtió rápidamente en un clásico de espiritualidad Mariana en inglés. Los libros fueron donados por la Asociación de Auxiliares Marianos, un apostolado de los Padres MIC, y bajo la supervisión del Padre Gaitley.

La donación a la Diócesis de Charlotte forma parte de un ambicioso proyecto del Padre Gaitley de donar un millón de copias gratis del libro a todas las diócesis de los Estados Unidos que pidan el libro.

“Este proyecto ha sido posible por la generosa donación de un benefactor anónimo. La cual hizo posible Gaitley poder imprimir ‘Glorioso Amanecer’,” dijo el Padre Gaitley.

Parte de la misión de la comunidad religiosa del Padre Gaitley es servir a la Iglesia en las áreas más necesitadas. El Padre dijo que los católicos de hablaHispana en los Estados Unidos son una de la mayor necesidad pastoral en este país. “Por ejemplo, en el mayor de los casos, no existen suficientes sacerdotes que hablen español, ni tampoco hay muchos libros para fortalecer la fe de los Latinos aquí,” dijo el Padre Gaitley.

El Padre Gaitley envió un ‘e-mail ’ a todas las diócesis de los Estados Unidos a través de la pagina web de la Conferencia de Obispos Cátolicos de los Estados

Fotos de Rico De Silva | Catholic News Herald

El Padre Vincent (Vicente) Finnerty, párroco de la Iglesia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe en Charlotte, predicando el Evangelio durante la Misa.

Unidos el 19 de Septiembre ofreciendo el millón de libros gratis disponibles para pedidos de cualquier Diócesis interesada.

“Dos semanas después, ya hemos tomado pedidos de un total de más de 900,000 copias,” dijo Eric Mahl, Coordinador de Donaciones de los Auxiliares Marianos.

El Padre Fidel Melo, Vicario del Ministerio Hispano de la Diócesis de Charlotte, ordenó las copias de “Glorioso,” y planea distribuirlos por medio de los coordinadores del ministerio Hispano de cada vicariato. También, para una distribución a nivel parroquial, el Padre Melo les ofrecerá a todos los párrocos de habla-hispana copias adicionales con ese propósito.

“Este libro es una excelente idea del Padre Gaitley para nuestra gente,” dijo el Padre Melo. “Nunca habíamos tenido la oportunidad de preparar de esta manera a nuestro Pueblo Hispano, que es tan Mariano, para una consagración a la Virgen.”

More online At www. ladivinamisericordia. org/33dias: Y vea la portada y las primeras 12 páginas del libro At www. catholicnewsherald.com: Read the English version of this story

Misa celebrada por una reforma de las leyes de inmigración Rico De Silva Hispanic communications reporter

CHARLOTTE — Aproximadamente 400 personas de la comunidad Hispana asistieron a una Misa de petición por una reforma migratoria comprensiva a nivel nacional en la Parroquia de San Gabriel, la noche del viernes, 27 de Septiembre. La Misa fue celebrada por el Padre Vincent (Vicente) Finnerty, CM, Párroco de la Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe en Charlotte. El Padre Fidel Melo, Vicario del Ministerio Hispano de la Diócesis de Charlotte, concelebró la Misa.

“El único delito que nuestra gente ha cometido es el de pisar tierra libre,” dijo el Padre Finnerty.

“Entonces, no puedes comprar casa, no puedes trabajar, no puedes manejar, no puedes estudiar. Y sales de la casa a trabajar en la mañana y no sabes si vas a regresar en la tarde.”

El Padre Finnerty predicó acerca del Evangelio de Lucas 16:1-13 durante la Misa. El pasaje cuenta la historia de un hombre rico que le pide cuentas al administrador de su hacienda.

“El hombre rico representa a Dios y nosotros somos los administradores.”

El sacerdote dijo que Dios ha dado a la comunidad Hispana el don de la empatía y de la esperanza.

“Dios quiere que nosotros, así como el administrador en el Evangelio, seamos ‘astutos’ en usar nuestros dones y talentos al servicio de los pobres y al servicio de una reforma migratoria justa.”

Después de la Comunión, Rigo Trejo de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, ofreció la oportunidad al señor Manuel Juárez de decir unas palabras a la congregación. Juárez está en peligro de deportación por manejar sin licencia en Carolina del Norte, y tendrá una audiencia en la corte de inmigración el 7 de Octubre. Rodeado de su esposa y de sus tres hijos, Suárez pidió el apoyo y las oraciones de todos para poder permanecer en el país junto a su familia.

Tres de los participantes al evento orando fervorosamente después de la Comunión.

“Quiero que mis hijos vean que su padre ha luchado por estar aquí con ellos. Dios quiere que las familias permanezcan unidas,” Juárez dijo. “No importa si somos cristianos, mormones, o lo que sea. Todos los niños merecen crecer al lado de su papá y su mamá.”

Antes de la conclusión, el Padre Melo agradeció al Padre Frank O’Rourke, Párroco de la Iglesia de San Gabriel, por permitirles celebrar la Eucaristía en su parroquia. El Padre O’Rourke estuvo presente en la congregación durante la ceremonia. El Padre Melo también dijo a los participantes que no se olvidaran de su identidad Latina y de los valores que aporta la cultura Hispana en este país.

“No importa que tan lejos llegues, nunca te olvides de dónde vienes,” dijo el Padre Melo.

Finalmente, el Padre Melo exhortó a los presentes ya con documentos a que apoyaran a la causa de la reforma migratoria. “La indiferencia y el silencio nos hacen cómplices de la injusticia.”

October 11, 2013 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

DIACONATE:

CAROWINDS:

FROM PAGE 6

FROM PAGE 5

whites, 15 percent are Latinos, and 3 percent each are African-Americans and Asians.

Deacons in the Charlotte diocese are comprised of 87 percent non-Hispanic whites, 7 percent Latinos, and 6 percent African-Americans or Asians, Deacon Steinkamp said.

When it comes to education, 60 percent of deacons nationally have undergraduate or graduate degrees.

Thirty-eight percent have a high school diploma, and 2 percent did not complete high school.

While the education level of deacons in the Charlotte diocese was not compiled to compare with the CARA survey, Deacon Steinkamp emphasized, “The diaconate is a real ‘call,’ and our focus is to help men discern the diaconal call and enable them to be formed to a new way of life.

“The diaconate is not just a ‘weekend gig,’ and the calls deacons receive requesting jail and sick visits at unpredictable times does not allow for a routine life.”

He also acknowledged that the average parishioner, who usually sees the deacon only at Mass on Sunday, has little idea of the one-on-one ministry in the life of a deacon.

“Deacons are doing graveside funerals, are marriage tribunal advocates, are catechists doing baptism preparation, Bible study, grief support, assisting with scouting religious badges, etc., that is often behind the scene.”

About 40 percent of the deacons in the Charlotte diocese serving now had been ordained in another diocese. Work or family connections brought them to this area and, upon their request and a review of their credentials, the bishop granted them permission to serve here.

“So, much diaconal work being done in our diocese is being accomplished by the kindness of men still attached to other dioceses,” Deacon Steinkamp noted.

When the current permanent diaconate class is ordained in May 2014, the Charlotte diocese will have a total of 115 deacons. Coming on their heels will be another class of 28 diaconate candidates, who begin their aspirancy period of formation this fall.

For more information about the diocese’s permanent diaconate, go to www.charlottediocese.org/ministries-adepartments/permanent-diaconate or call Deacon Ron Steinkamp at 704-370-3344.

Evelyn Walker, a parishioner at St. Ann Church in Charlotte, brought five of her children with her and was jubilant before Mass. “Three bishops in one place, who can miss that?!” she said with a smile. She thought Carolinas Catholic Family Day is “an opportunity to express our faith out in the world.”

After Mass, Bishop Burbidge and Charleston Bishop Robert Guglielmone headed for the roller coaster near the amphitheater to take a ride. They were joined by faithful from their dioceses on the careening wooden coaster known as The

BISHOPS: FROM PAGE 5

Bishop Joseph Gossman, who died in August.

The Catholic bishops noted in their statement that they decided to quit the council only after “an extensive series of discussions” with the council’s leadership, in which they had proposed remaining with the organization in a newly-created role as “observer.” The council rejected that proposal, they said.

Hairston said the council offered to let the two dioceses shift from full membership to an existing loosely-defined category of affiliates called “Covenant Partners,” but that was not agreeable, either.

Current “Covenant Partner” St. Pius X Catholic Church will also withdraw from

POPE: FROM PAGE 17

The pope said it was curious that someone like Odifreddi, who considers theology to be nothing but “science fiction,” would even consider the pope’s works as “worthy of such a detailed discussion.”

The retired pope said one of the things the two men have in common is a belief in a First Cause to the universe, only Odifreddi replaces God with “Nature” as the origin.

“But the question remains, who or what is this nature,” the pope asked. Nowhere does the scholar offer a definition, making “it appear, therefore, as an irrational divinity that explains nothing.”

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21

Hurler. Bishop Jugis watched them fly by with a grin. “Oh my, that’s them.”

When Bishop Burbidge saw Bishop Jugis after surviving his hair-raising ride in the front seat, he joked, “Which bishop do we sue, North Carolina or South Carolina?”

Once he caught his breath, Bishop Burbidge said, “It is so great to be with my brother bishops. We’re together often at celebrations of Masses and usually at meetings, so it’s great to be together for a day of great fun and enjoyment for our families.”

Bishop Jugis recalled working at the theme park back in the 1970s when he was in high school. “I was in the maintenance grounds cleanup. I walked around with a sweeper, keeping the park clean.” His favorite ride back then? The monorail. (“I like having my feet on the ground, that’s

just the way I am.”)

As he made his way through the park to the picnic grounds, dozens of people stopped Bishop Jugis to thank him and his brother bishops for organizing the event.

“I’m glad you’re here. God bless you, enjoy your day!” he responded.

Bishop Burbidge, who enjoyed several of the rides during the afternoon of fun, shared the bishops’ hopes for the faithful who came out for Carolinas Catholic Family Day. “Your bishops hope and pray today that you are filled with such peace today, fun, excitement, joy – all those gifts – but we pray above all else that you leave here renewed and strengthened in faith, convinced with God’s grace, the True Vine, and the Body and Blood that strengthens us.”

the council, said its pastor, Monsignor Anthony Marcaccio.

In their statement, the North Carolina bishops emphasized they want to continue working with the council on shared interests that align with Catholic teaching – including comprehensive immigration reform, repeal of the death penalty, advocacy of just wages and working conditions, as well as efforts to eliminate poverty, hunger and racial discrimination.

Both bishops have publicly advocated for all of these issues, individually as well as through their public policy arm, Catholic Voice NC. “While working with the administrative structure of the Council is not possible,” they noted in their statement, “collaboration on these and other important issues with religious leaders throughout our State will continue.

The funding paid to the Council for membership will now be redirected to

support these essential initiatives.”

The Diocese of Charlotte recently paid $6,000 to renew its membership for 2013, according to diocesan officials.

Both the Charlotte and Raleigh dioceses withheld their membership dues last year in protest of the council’s stance on gay “marriage,” during the statewide constitutional amendment campaign to protect traditional marriage. Both Catholic bishops supported the 2012 constitutional amendment and encouraged Catholics to do the same, and North Carolina voters approved the measure by a wide margin.

In their statement, the bishops said they “will continue to embrace every future opportunity possible to stand side by side with religious leaders throughout our great State to address those issues which impact our community and with which we can speak as one voice, symbolizing the unity that is ours as members of God’s holy family.”

Concerning Odifreddi’s “religion of mathematics,” the pope said nowhere does this belief system consider three major human realities: “freedom, love and evil.”

“I’m amazed that with just one stroke you eliminate freedom, which has existed and is the fundamental principle of the modern era. Whatever neurobiology says or doesn’t say about freedom, this is present as a decisive reality in the actual unfolding of our history, and it must be taken into consideration.”

Odifreddi’s religion of mathematics also lacks any thought or discussion about love and evil, too, the pope said.

The pope, who has also long-supported the compatibility of faith and science as both being dedicated to the truth, underlined that the task of theology is to

keep religion and reason closely connected.

One without the other will lead to certain dangerous “pathologies” in either religion or reason, he said.

He said science fiction exists in many areas of science, especially in some theories about the beginning and end of the world.

“I would define (Odifreddi’s thoughts on this) as science fiction in the good sense of the word – they are views and forecasts in order to reach real understanding, but they are, in fact, only (products of) imagination with which we try to get closer to reality.”

“All of my efforts have been aimed at showing how the Jesus described in the Gospels is also the real historical Jesus; that it is history that has really taken place,” he said, referring to his writings on Jesus of Nazareth.

Our nation 22

catholicnewsherald.com | October 11, 2013 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Chaplains return to ministry despite federal shutdown Mark Pattison Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Civilian Catholic chaplains, barred from performing religious duties at U.S. military bases during the first weekend of the federal government shutdown, were getting back on the job as the shutdown continued into its second week.

“We’re now being told priests can return to work,” said John Schlageter, general counsel for the Archdiocese for the Military Services.

Schlageter, in an Oct. 7 telephone interview with Catholic News Service, said he did not know whether the priests’ return to work was a result of Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel’s declaration Oct. 6 that far more civilian Defense Department employees would be considered “essential” and return to their jobs – or the reaction to Schlageter’s own Oct. 3 op-ed article about the shutdown adversely affecting the ability of civilian chaplains to minister at military bases with no resident Catholic chaplain.

He said the op-ed piece had gotten coverage or publication by the Washington Post, CNN. com, and the Fox News Channel.

The House passed a concurrent resolution, awaiting action by the Senate, to authorize the return of civilian Catholic chaplains to their military ministry. “I think the House resolution – (with a vote of) 400 to 1 – speaks for itself,” Schlageter said.

The military archdiocese estimated that about 50 civilian chaplains were unable to conduct services on bases the weekend of Oct. 5-6 because of the shutdown.

“Almost all GS (general services) priests and most contract priests were unable to work Sunday,” Schlageter said. “We do have situations of door-lock, signs that said, ‘No Catholic services this weekend.’”

Active-duty military chaplains were not affected by the shutdown.

The situation overseas was similar. “We’re starting to get news from overseas bases where there was not (chaplain) coverage,” Schlageter said. “It seems in many of the situations, private resolutions were found.”

He added some priests celebrated Mass off base and invited the military congregants to attend. One priest, for example “had Mass in a park,” Schlageter said.

In the case of the Washington Navy Yard, site of a mass shooting Sept. 24, the on-duty chaplain moved the Mass from the naval complex to a joint Army-Air Force base not far away known as Anacostia Bolling, which is staffed by a GS priest.

“So the active duty priest moved it to Anacostia Bolling and brought the congregation from the Navy Yard with him,” Schlageter said.

The civilian priests have contracts with individual bases. In a limited number of cases – for instance, at the Quantico Marine base in Virginia – the contract was written in such a way as to permit the continued ministry of a civilian chaplain at the base.

The need for contract priests is by and large restricted to Catholic clergy. “The contract in the GS provision is really an accommodation for Catholics because there’s such a shortage of available chaplains,” Schlageter said.

CNS | Jason Reed, Reuters

Hundreds of protesters calling for comprehensive immigration reform gather at a rally on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., Oct. 8. The demonstration was called “Camino Americano: March for Dignity and Respect.”

Calling it ‘a God issue,’ faith leaders pray for immigration reform Patricia Zapor Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As thousands of advocates for comprehensive immigration reform began to make their way to the National Mall Oct. 8 for a rally and march to Congress, faith leaders from 18 traditions prayed for what they called “a God issue.”

“Liberty is threatened ... justice is an orphan,” said the Rev. A. Roy Medley, general secretary of American Baptist Churches USA and president-elect of the National Council of Churches, in a prayer outside the U.S. Capitol before the afternoon-long rally and concert began.

“We pray for the legislators whose intransigence is breaking the backs of the marginalized and the poor,” prayed Rev. Medley. Participants also acknowledged the ongoing federal government shutdown and prayed for those whose lives were being affected and for a break in the political stalemate.

The prayer event, organized as part of a meeting of the group Church World Service, concluded with three groups moving to the offices of the House Republican leaders, Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, Budget Committee Chairman Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, and Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Virginia.

The Rev. John McCullough, president and CEO of Church World Service, said participants had been trying unsuccessfully for a month to get appointments to meet with the three leaders.

By showing up in person, he said they hoped to at least get some time with senior members of the representatives’ staffs.

“People of faith must spiritually escalate their search for justice,” he said.

The Rev. Peter Morales, president of the Unitarian Universalist Association, told of encounters on the Mexican border with people whose lives were in chaos because of immigration problems – an 8-year-old separated from her father by immigration officers when they tried to return to their home in Arizona after visiting a sick relative in Mexico; a woman whose feet were bloodied from her first attempt to cross the

desert but who was undeterred from her plan to try again as soon as possible.

He noted that he often hears the immigration system is broken, but it’s more than that, he said. “It’s evil.”

“We need to stand on the side of compassion and love,” he said.

United Methodist Bishop Minerva Carcano observed that despite the government shutdown, immigration agents are working and continue to deport “1,100 of our immigrant brothers and sisters” every day.

She added that the faith leaders will hold political leaders “responsible for injustice ... for destroying families.”

Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., said she knows from her previous career as an immigration lawyer and law professor that the current law is “severely broken.”

“From the rocket scientist to the strawberry picker, our nation is so enriched by immigrants,” she said, asking why the House leaders won’t allow a vote on a comprehensive immigration bill. It has two measures before it, one passed by the Senate in June, one introduced just recently by Democrats.

“Why are we not acting?” Lofgren asked. “We have the votes in the House. The problem is (Boehner’s) party controls the agenda. Maybe while we’re not allowing a vote to reopen the government, we can have a vote on immigration reform.”

The afternoon rally and concert on the National Mall Oct. 8 were aimed directly at Congress.

Immigration reform legislation that addresses a range of issues has passed the Senate in a bill that President Barack Obama has said he could support. But the next step lies with the Republican-controlled House.

In a 68 to 32 vote June 27, the Senate passed S. 744, the Border Security, Economic Competitiveness, and Immigration Modernization Act, which would massively ramp up enforcement on the southern border, adding 700 miles of fencing and doubling the number of Border Patrol agents, to the tune of $46.3 billion.

IMMIGRATION, SEE page 28

October 11, 2013 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief Polls: Majority of U.S. Catholics have favorable view of pope WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new poll shows that nearly 70 percent of U.S. Catholics agree with comments made by Pope Francis in his recent extensive interview with a Jesuit Italian journal where he stressed that Catholics cannot “insist only on issues related to abortion, gay marriage and the use of contraceptive methods.”

According to the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute, support for the pope’s remarks was about the same across age groups, sexes and weekly Mass-goers and those who attend Mass less frequently. Twenty-three percent disagreed with his comments.

The poll – taken Sept. 23-29 and released Oct. 4 – also showed that 53 percent of American Catholics view Pope Francis favorably; 36 percent have a very favorable opinion of him and 4 percent view him negatively. The results were similar to a poll released Sept. 12 by the Washington-based Pew Research’s Religion & Public Life Project Center.

What’s on the high court’s docket WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Supreme Court’s docket for the term that began Oct. 7 is notable – from the perspective of the Church – for a handful of cases accepted or in the pipeline that would refine previous rulings on free speech, public prayer and the Affordable Care Act. The docket so far lacks cases that would appear to be of wide-reaching significance, like last year’s rulings on same-sex “marriage,” the

Voting Rights Act and affirmative action at colleges.

But there are several challenges bubbling up from lower courts which the court could add to the calendar, over aspects of the federal health care law and its requirement that most employers cover contraceptives free of charge in their health plan for workers.

Catholic U. partners with Chinese human rights activist WASHINGTON, D.C. — Chen Guangcheng, Chinese dissident and human rights activist, will be a visiting fellow at the Catholic University of America next year working on a book about human rights abuses in rural China.

For the next three years, while at Catholic University’s Institute for Policy Research and Catholic Studies in Washington, Chen also will be supported in his studies and human rights advocacy by the Witherspoon Institute, a think tank in Princeton, N.J., and the Lantos Foundation, a human rights organization in Concord, N.H. At the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., Oct. 2, Chen told reporters through a translator that he is “at a new starting point” and planned to “make concerted efforts to defend the freedom of the Chinese people and move forward courageously to defend human dignity, and other universal values.”

Last April, Chen, a blind, self-trained lawyer, fled house arrest in China, where he had spent several years imprisoned for his legal work dealing with politically sensitive issues such as forced abortions and land seizures.

Colo. officials say recovery from epic flooding could take years DENVER — Recovery efforts following heavy rain that dumped on northern Colorado in mid-

GENERAL LEDGER ACCOUNTANT The Diocese of Charlotte is accepting applications for the position of full-time General Ledger Accountant. Responsibilities include journal entries, month-end closing, financial statement preparation, bank reconciliations, stock gift processing, monitoring investments, and other accounting related duties.

This position works closely with the Senior Accountant for the Central Administration of the Diocese.

Requirements include: Degree in Accounting - Bachelor’s degree preferred At least three years experience in accounting, preferably with a not-for-profit organization.

Excellent computer skills – specifically with Microsoft Excel.

Experience with Blackbaud software a plus.

Please send resume and salary history by October 18, 2013 to: Mason Beaumont, Controller Diocese of Charlotte 1123 South Church Street Charlotte, NC 28203 Or email to mtbeaumont@charlottediocese.org.

The Diocese of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

September are expected to take years.

“Catholic Charities will be there to help in any we can,” pledged Larry Smith, president and CEO of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Denver. “We are here as early responders and will continue to respond as long as it takes.”

From Sept. 11 to Sept. 15, the rains created flooding and rivers that filled homes, tossed buildings, and swallowed infrastructure over an area of 20,000 square miles. The homes of more than 16,000 families have been damaged or destroyed.

N.D. Catholic Conference challenges ruling on ‘right to abortion’ BISMARCK, N.D. — The North Dakota Catholic Conference, the public policy arm of the state’s bishops, filed a friend-of-the-court brief Oct. 1 with the North Dakota Supreme Court, urging the court to reverse a district court ruling that found a right to an abortion in the state constitution.

“The district court’s judgment, recognizing a fundamental right to abortion under the state constitution, threatens a wide range of abortion regulations the state has enacted, including parental consent, informed consent, waiting periods and public funding restrictions, as well as virtually any other abortion regulation the state may enact,” said the brief, prepared with the assistance of the Chicago-based Thomas More Center.

“Nothing in the inalienable rights guarantee or the due process guarantee of the North Dakota constitution confers a right to abortion that is separate from, and independent of, the right to abortion the (U.S.) Supreme Court has derived from the liberty language of the 14th Amendment,” it added.

This was the finding in the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton decisions

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of 1973 that permitted abortion virtually on demand.

Cardinal urges Catholics to ‘share truth about human life’ far and wide WASHINGTON, D.C. — Boston Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley urged Catholics to “share the truth about human life” with the world in his Respect Life Month message.

The cardinal, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, said any work on behalf of life must be grounded in “love that seeks to serve those most in need, whatever the personal cost.”

October is annually designated as Respect Life Month by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Invoking Pope Francis’ oft-repeated call to have hope in Christ, Cardinal O’Malley said that opening hearts to the love and mercy of Jesus allows people to see more deeply the “intricate and unique beauty of each person.”

“We must respond to Pope Francis’ call with great urgency,” he said. “Opening our hearts to life in Christ empowers us for loving, merciful action toward others. We must give witness to the Gospel of life and evangelize through our lives.

“We must personally engage others and share the truth about human life. We must continue to show love and mercy, especially with those who have been involved in abortion. All members of the Church can bring healing to the world by upholding the beauty of human life and God’s unfailing mercy.”

— Catholic News Service

Our world 24

catholicnewsherald.com | October 11, 2013 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Pope calls synod to discuss families, divorce, remarriage

Pope to canonize John XXIII, John Paul II April 27

Francis X. Rocca Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — The predicament of divorced and remarried Catholics will be a major topic of discussion when bishops from around the world meet at the Vatican in October 2014.

The Vatican announced Oct. 8 that an extraordinary session of the Synod of Bishops will meet Oct. 5-19, 2014, to discuss the “pastoral challenges of the family in the context of evangelization.”

The pope had told reporters accompanying him on his plane back from Rio de Janeiro in July that the next synod would explore a “somewhat deeper pastoral care of marriage,” including the question of the eligibility of divorced and remarried Catholics to receive Communion.

Pope Francis added at the time that Church law governing marriage annulments also “has to be reviewed, because ecclesiastical tribunals are not sufficient for this. It is complex, the problem of the pastoral care of marriage.”

Such problems, he said, exemplified a general need for forgiveness in the Church today.

“The Church is a mother, and she must travel this path of mercy, and find a form of mercy for all,” the pope said.

The announcement of the synod came amid news that the Archdiocese of Freiburg, Germany, had issued new guidelines making it easier for divorced and remarried Catholics to receive Communion.

The Vatican spokesman, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, said that such matters were more properly dealt with at a Churchwide level, “under the guidance of the pope and the bishops.”

“For persons or local offices to propose particular pastoral solutions runs the risk of generating confusion,” he said. “The Holy Father is placing the pastoral care of the family at the heart of a synod process that will be larger, involving the reflection of the universal Church.”

The October 2014 gathering will be an “extraordinary general session” of the synod, which according to the Code of Canon Law is held to “deal with matters which require a speedy solution.” It will be composed for the most part of the presidents of national bishops’ conferences, the heads of the Eastern Catholic Churches, and the heads of major Vatican offices.

Only about 150 synod fathers will take part in the session, which will run for two weeks, Father Lombardi said, compared with about 250 bishops who attended the three-week ordinary general assembly on the new evangelization in October 2012.

This will be only the third extraordinary synod since Pope Paul VI reinstituted synods in 1965, to hold periodic meetings to advise him on specific subjects.

A 1969 extraordinary session was dedicated to improving cooperation between the Holy See and national bishops’ conferences; and a 1985 extraordinary session, dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the end of the Second Vatican Council, recommended the compilation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which was published seven years later.

CNS | L’Osservatore Romano

Pope Francis celebrates Mass in the piazza outside the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi, Italy, Oct. 4. The pontiff was making his first pilgrimage as pope to the birthplace of his papal namesake.

Pope, in Assisi, calls on Church to renounce ‘spirit of the world’ Francis X. Rocca Catholic News Service

ASSISI, Italy — Making his first pilgrimage as pope to the birthplace of his papal namesake, Pope Francis called on the whole Church to imitate St. Francis of Assisi, embracing poverty and stripping itself of the “spirit of world.”

“A Christian cannot coexist with the spirit of the world,” he said. Worldliness “leads us to vanity, arrogance, pride. And this is an idol, it is not of God.” The pope spoke Oct. 4, the feast of St. Francis, in the “stripping room” of the Assisi archbishop’s residence, where the saint shed himself of his rich clothes and embraced a life of poverty.

“This is a good occasion for inviting the Church to strip itself,” the pope said, adding that he directed his invitation not merely to the hierarchy but all the Church’s members, and that he sought renunciation of spiritual complacency as well as material riches.

“It is so sad to find a worldly Christian, who thinks he enjoys the security of the faith and of the world. One can’t have it both ways.”

Pope Francis’ talk in the archbishop’s residence, one of six addresses he was scheduled to deliver during his daylong visit to Assisi, was to a group of poor people receiving assistance from local Catholic charities, whom he later joined for lunch.

“Many of you have been stripped by this savage world, which doesn’t provide work, which doesn’t help, to which it makes no difference that children die of hunger,” he said.

The pope mourned the African immigrants killed in the previous day’s

sinking of a boat near the southern Mediterranean island of Lampedusa, where in July he made his first trip as pope outside Rome.

“It doesn’t matter (to the world) that people must flee slavery and hunger in search of liberty. With how much pain, so often, we see that they find death,” he said. “This is a day of weeping. The spirit of the world does these things.”

As he often does, the pope set aside his prepared remarks and spoke entirely off the cuff. He did the same thing earlier in the morning, when he addressed a group of disabled children and young people and their caregivers at a Church-run rehabilitation center.

Pope Francis spent about 45 minutes prior to his talk personally greeting the young patients, many of whom were confined to wheelchairs. Throughout his visit, the room resounded with their cries and moans.

“We are among the wounds of Jesus,” the pope said. “Jesus is hidden in these kids, in these children, in these people.

On the altar we adore the flesh of Jesus, in them we find the wounds of Jesus.”

The pope noted that Jesus’ body after the resurrection was unblemished except for the five wounds He had received during His crucifixion.

“He wanted to preserve only the wounds, and He took them with Him into heaven,” the pope said. “We treat the wounds of Jesus here and He, in heaven, shows us His wounds and tells all of us, all of us: ‘I am waiting for you.’”

The pope’s morning in Assisi culminated in a Mass he celebrated in the ASSISI, SEE page 28

VATICAN CITY — Recognizing that Blessed John XXIII and John Paul II have widespread reputations for holiness and that years of studying their lives and actions have proven their exceptional virtue, Pope Francis announced he would declare his two predecessors saints at a single ceremony April 27.

The pope made the announcement Sept. 30 at the end of an “ordinary public consistory,” a gathering of cardinals and promoters of the sainthood causes of the two late popes.

The consistory took place in the context of a prayer service John XXIII in Latin and included the reading of brief biographies of the two sainthood candidates.

Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation John Paul II for Saints’ Causes, read the biographies and highlighted the “service to peace” and the impact both popes had “inside and outside the Christian community” at times of great cultural, political and religious transformation. The testimonies of their lives, “completely dedicated to proclaiming the Gospel, shine in the Church and reverberate in the history of the world as examples of hope and light,” the cardinal said.

Blessed John Paul, known as a globetrotter who made 104 trips outside Italy, served as pope from 1978 to 2005 and was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI on Divine Mercy Sunday, May 1, 2011.

Blessed John XXIII, known particularly for convoking the Second Vatican Council, was pope from 1958 to 1963; Blessed John Paul beatified him in 2000.

Asked by reporters if retired Pope Benedict would participate in the canonization ceremony, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, told reporters it was possible, but given the retired pope’s preference for staying out of the public eye, he could not say for sure.

— Catholic News Service

October 11, 2013 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief Pope: Are ‘justice’ and ‘solidarity’ just words?

VATICAN CITY — The Cold War has ended and the Berlin Wall has fallen, but war and the threat of war continue and migrants are still dying as they travel in search of safety and a better life, Pope Francis said. Addressing a conference marking the 50th anniversary of Blessed John XXIII’s encyclical “Pacem in Terris” (“Peace on Earth”), Pope Francis asked whether “’justice’ and ‘solidarity’ are just words in our dictionary or do we all work to make them a reality?” The world still has far to go, he said Oct. 3, as he offered prayers for an estimated 500 migrants whose boat from Africa sank off the Italian coast. Hundreds died in the tragedy, which the pope described as “a disgrace,” off the island of Lampedusa, which Pope Francis had visited July 8 after similar tragedies.

Church is holy, welcomes sinners, pope says VATICAN CITY — If the Church excluded sinners, it would pretty much be empty, Pope Francis told thousands of people gathered for his weekly general audience Oct. 2. In the history of the Church, “some have been tempted to say that the Church is the Church only of the pure” and that others should be shunned, he said. “This isn’t true. This is a heresy.”

He used his audience talk to explain what Christians mean when they profess in the creed that the Church is holy. The Church is holy

because it belongs to God, has been saved by the Blood of Christ and is guided by the Holy Spirit, he said. Anyone who knows Christian history knows there were times when the Church’s members sinned seriously, he said, and Christians aren’t pretending that isn’t true when they recite the creed. Rather, he said, the creed affirms that “the Church is not holy because of our merits, but because God makes it holy.”

Pope, cardinal advisers looking at major overhaul of curia VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis and an international Council of Cardinals are laying out plans to completely overhaul the Roman Curia, underlining its role of “service to the universal Church and the local churches,” the Vatican spokesman said. As the pope and the eight cardinals he named to advise him began the final session of their Oct. 1-3 meeting, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, the spokesman, said the role and responsibilities of the Vatican secretary of state, the revamping of the world Synod of Bishops, and the Vatican’s attention to the role and responsibility of laity also were major themes of discussion.

Father Lombardi said the council’s agenda was partially dictated by the pope’s own timetable. Pope Francis has named Archbishop Pietro Parolin to be his secretary of state and has given him an Oct. 15 start date, so it made sense to discuss how the pope and cardinals see his role in a renewed curia.

The pope made the advisory panel on Church governance – informally dubbed the “Group of Eight” or “G-8” – a permanent council of cardinals, thereby emphasizing the importance and open-endedness of its work among his pontificate’s various efforts at reform.

The council will have the “task of assisting me in the governance of the universal Church and drawing up a project for the revision of the apostolic constitution ‘Pastor Bonus’ on the

Roman Curia,” he wrote in his Sept. 28 decree.

“Pastor Bonus,” published in 1988, was the last major set of changes in the Roman Curia, the Church’s central administration at the Vatican.

Corruption and mismanagement in the Vatican bureaucracy, sensationally documented in the 2012 “VatiLeaks” of confidential correspondence, were a major topic of discussion among members of the College of Cardinals during meetings prior to the papal election in March.

Britain’s top prosecutor confirms gender-based abortions are legal MANCHESTER, England — Abortions on grounds of gender are legal in Britain, the country’s top prosecutor clarified in a letter to the government. Keir Starmer, director of public prosecutions, said in an Oct. 7 letter to Attorney General Dominic Grieve that the 1967 Abortion

Act “does not ... expressly prohibit genderspecific abortions.” In the letter, released to the media Oct. 7, he explained the reasons why the Crown Prosecution Service had declined to lay charges against two doctors who had agreed to arrange abortions of female fetuses because of their gender. He said the Act prohibited “any abortion carried out without two medical practitioners having formed a view, in good faith, that the health risks of continuing with a pregnancy outweigh those of a termination.

The only basis for a prosecution would be that the doctors failed to carry out a ‘sufficiently robust assessment’ of the risks to their patient’s health,” he said. In September, Grieve had asked Starmer to clarify the decision of the Crown Prosecution Service not to prosecute the doctors amid an outcry from politicians and church leaders who were concerned that the law had been broken.

— Catholic News Service

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ASSISTANT DIRECTOR – PROPERTIES & RISK MANAGMENT The Diocese of Charlotte is accepting applications for the position of Assistant Director – Properties & Risk Management. The primary responsibilities of the position are the oversight of construction projects, the development and communication of procedures to implement risk management policies and the monitoring of compliance with risk management procedures.

Requirements include: Bachelor’s degree Minimum of five years related experience Ability to read and interpret blueprints and site plans Knowledge of government building and safety regulations and codes Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel Ability to work both independently and with a team Strong written, verbal and inter-personal skills Please send resume and salary history by October 30, 2013 to: Chief Financial Officer Catholic Diocese of Charlotte 1123 South Church Street Charlotte, NC 28203 Or email to wgweldon@charlottediocese.org.

Take Action Against Hunger Nearly 2 million people are consistently faced with the threat of hunger in North Carolina. More than 600,000 are children.

Government cuts and processing delays to supplemental nutrition assistance programs like SNAP and complete shutdowns to WIC and Senior Nutrition programs make agencies like Catholic Charities even more crucial to hungry families in your community.

Donate to your local Catholic Charities food pantry to help your neighbors in need. Your monetary donation allows for the purchase of food at bulk prices, and your direct donation of food helps stock pantry shelves. Be part of a solution during this time of extreme need.

Give online or call today to schedule a drop-off.

Asheville: 828-255-0146

Charlotte: 704-370-3232

Winston-Salem: 336-727-0705

The Diocese of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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ViewPoints 26

catholicnewsherald.com | October 11, 2013 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Bishop Peter J. Jugis

Let us all spend more time with Jesus, who loves us

T

he Eucharistic Congress is a great gift to all of us here in the Diocese of Charlotte. Again this year, the Congress focused our attention on the gift of the Holy Eucharist, and the central place the Eucharist has in our lives.

The Holy Eucharist contains the whole spiritual treasure of the Church, because the Eucharist is Jesus Christ Himself, physically present in the fullness of His human and divine natures. Jesus’ Real Presence is a great mystery of faith.

St. John Vianney tells the story about one of his parishioners who really understood the miracle of Christ’s Real Presence in the Eucharist. One morning the parishioner stopped by the church to pray while on his way to work in the fields. He left his hoe at the door of the church, entered the church and became lost in prayer before the tabernacle. Later on a neighbor noticed that he had not seen the man all day, so he stopped by the church wondering if perhaps his friend was there. He indeed found his friend at the church, and asked him: What are you doing here all this time? The man answered quite simply, “I look at the good God, and He looks at me.” By that response, “I look at the good God,” the man showed that he understood that in the Eucharist he was truly looking upon Christ physically present, though veiled from his sight.

Another saint, St. Gaetano Catanoso, tells us about the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. St. Gaetano was a parish priest in Italy in the 20th century who had a tremendous devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus. The saint was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI in 2005. At the Mass of canonization, Pope Benedict XVI quoted St. Gaetano as saying: “If we wish to adore the real Face of Christ, we can find it in the divine Eucharist, where the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, the Face of Our Lord, is hidden under the white veil of the Host.” Here again we have a saint telling us about the miracle of the Eucharist: “If we wish to adore the real Face of Christ, we can find it in the divine Eucharist.”

The whole Christ is physically present in the Eucharist in the fullness of His human and divine natures.

We all enjoy the great blessing of being with Jesus Christ every Sunday at Mass. Is there a way that you might also find time to attend Mass during the week in order to be with Jesus? Can you make time in your schedule to attend Eucharistic Adoration in your parish to be with Jesus? Do you ever stop by church while you are out doing your errands, or while you are on your way to work or coming home from work, in order to visit the tabernacle where Our Lord is waiting for you?

May our Eucharistic Congress continue to increase our appreciation for the great gift that Jesus makes of Himself to us in the Eucharist.

‘I Look at the good God and He looks at me.’

Bishop Peter J. Jugis is the Bishop of Charlotte and the founder and host of the Diocese of Charlotte Eucharistic Congress.

Father Mark Lawlor

WORLD MISSION SUNDAY

Recommitment to the missions I

n 1926 Pope Pius XI instituted Mission Sunday for the entire Church. World Mission Sunday will be celebrated this year on Oct. 20, and a special collection will be taken in dioceses throughout the world. World Mission Sunday is a day set aside for all Catholics to recommit themselves to the Church’s missionary activity through prayer and sacrifice.

About 1,150 mission dioceses depend on the annual subsidies from the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, and on the prayers and support of all the faithful. These mission dioceses provide a spiritual home for the poorest and most vulnerable, as well as provide the sanctifying grace of the sacraments.

In areas often wrought by war and poverty, missionaries share the Lord’s message of salvation, hope and peace. From mission dioceses, some 80,000 seminarians are preparing for the priesthood, and another 10,000 are in formation to serve as religious sisters or brothers. Some 10,000 orphanages provide safe shelter to children, and in many thousands of medical clinics, care is provided for the sick and dying.

Mission dioceses submit requests for assistance to the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.

Earlier this year, I visited the Congregation for Evangelization in Rome and reviewed some of the many requests coming in from throughout the world.

I am pleased to report that the faithful of our diocese donated $168,884 on World Mission Sunday last year, which represented a significant increase over 2011’s collection.

As the diocesan director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, I am in contact with missionaries throughout the world, usually through mail or e-mail. I also serve on the national board, which puts me in contact with other diocesan directors and various bishops.

World Mission Sunday reminds us that the Church is Catholic and that we have a responsibility to support the missions – and I have seen this missionary spirit alive in our diocese.

Several parishes support missions in other parts of the world and many priests and lay persons have gone on mission trips.

Worldwide, more than $100 million is donated on World Mission Sunday with some 120 nations participating. (The Catholic Church in the United States donates about 30 percent of the total.)

Over the summer, several mission priests visited us at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Charlotte. One priest was from the Huánuco Diocese in Peru, one

‘World Mission Sunday reminds us that the Church is Catholic and that we have a responsibility to support the missions.’ came from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and another serves in Russia. While these mission priests serve in different parts of the world, they all shared their joy of priestly ministry by serving the Lord and the faithful. They also related the limited material resources of their own dioceses and their appreciation of mission collections.

I have had the opportunity to visit foreign missions as well. It was a blessing for me to meet the priests, religious and laity in three visits to the jungle region of Peru in the Apostolic Vicariate of Pucallpa. On one trip, a pastor and I baptized 70 children in one afternoon!

In addition to our support of World Mission Sunday, 53 parishes and missions were assigned to participate in the Missionary Cooperative Plan, in which our diocese hosted 41 different mission dioceses and religious congregations last year. Parishioners also donated $283,000 to assist various missions.

Last year, Pope Benedict XVI proclaimed a “Year of Faith” that will continue through Nov. 24. The beginning of the “Year of Faith” marked 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. In his first encyclical, “Lumen Fidei” (“The Light of Faith”), Pope Francis wrote, “The transmission of the faith not only brings light to men and women in every place, it travels through time, passing from one generation to another. Because faith is born of an encounter which takes place in history and lights up our journey through time, it must be passed on in every age. It is through an unbroken chain of witnesses that we come to see the face of Jesus.” (38) Father Mark Lawlor is pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Church in Charlotte and diocesan director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith.

Most-read stories on the web Through press time on Oct. 9, 9,476 visitors to www.catholicnewsherald.com have viewed a total of 24,875 pages. The top 10 headlines from Sept. 1 to Oct. 9 were: n Catholic bishops to leave N.C. Council of Churches.............................................................................2,916

n Two from Charlotte diocese ordained deacons........................................................................................222

n Ninth Eucharistic Congress (goeucharist.tumblr.com) .......................................................................2,341

n Catholic Family Day at Carowinds unites Carolinas bishops, faithful................................................222

n View current edition of the Catholic News Herald (pdf)....................................................................... 443

n Greensboro parishioners, bakery unite over ‘fasting bread’ in hopes of peace in Syria...............189

n Priest assignments announced for Brevard, Bishop McGuinness High School............................. 288

n ‘Make us shine as a beacon of hope to the world’....................................................................................178

n Galleries: See images from the Eucharistic Congress ..........................................................................274

n Employee fired after theft discovered at Immaculata School...............................................................115

October 11, 2013 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

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Letters to the editor

Lack of morality is what obscures the Gospel message I was dismayed when I received my Sept. 27 edition of the Catholic News Herald to find a headline across the front page proclaiming, “Pope Francis says focus on morality can obscure Gospel message,” a headline repeated inside the paper. While there was nothing incorrect in the accompanying Catholic News Service article, the headline gives a false impression of what Pope Francis, in fact, said. Further, it plays into the mischaracterization of his words that the secular media are perpetuating.

Pope Francis nowhere said that a focus on morality is harmful to the Gospel. Francis listed three specific moral issues – abortion, contraception and gay marriage – and warned that focusing only on these issues could obscure the core Gospel message. Why these three issues? Because these are the topics most in the news today.

These are not subjects that the Catholic Church normally would spend all her time talking about. We are prompted to address these things because we live in a world that wants to champion each of them as a fundamental human right.

If the Catholic Church does not object, then no one will.

There is a hidden danger in this that Pope Francis is wise to warn us about. If we allow the world to set the agenda for our dialogue, then the repeated message the world hears from the Church is “no, no, no.” The world begins to see the Christian faith as a list of negative commandments – and no one is inspired by a list of rules.

But morality is more than a list of rules. Morality is nothing less than the way we decide to live our lives. To live a moral life is to live as intended by our Creator. It is not morality, but a lack of morality that obscures the Gospel message. Living a moral life is essential to allow the Gospel to come alive.

Francis reminds us that the Church ought to be an effective promoter of moral truth, but she does that best when she remains focused on Christ. We need to take charge of the conversation. The mission of the Church, after all, is to proclaim Christ to the world and through Christ to reunite mankind with God. This cannot be done without morality. “If you love me, keep my commandments,” Jesus said (Jn 14:15). To know Him is to love Him, and to love Him is to seek to do His will (that is, to live a moral life).

“Happy are those who keep his decrees, who seek him with their whole heart” (Ps 119:2).

Matthew Newsome lives in Sylva.

Only in love can we share the Truth It was disappointing to read how Catholic News Service reporter Francis X. Rocca conveyed comments from Pope Francis’ recent interview, seeming to imply that the pope feels we can “overemphasize” grave offenses to God such as the 3 million people aborted every year in the United States. Rocca’s article seemed more in line with the mainstream media than with someone who read the pope’s entire interview.

Note that the pope’s comment, “The

loose minister washes his hands by simply saying ‘this is not a sin,’” was not mentioned.

Pope Francis is addressing things in a loving way, in a manner to draw people to the Church instead of pushing them away. The pope’s message is direct: we will not reach people by pointing at them and saying “You are a sinner.” Rather, we start by getting to know people. By establishing a loving relationship with them, we can then begin to share the Truth.

The pope says, as referenced in the article, “It is not necessary to talk about these issues all the time.”

Correct! Someone who is far from the Church cannot be reached by starting where you want them to be. You need to start where they are, giving them what they need (while not compromising the truth). This can be as simple, yet critical, as compassion and empathy, and listening to them. Only from the standpoint of love can we help others, providing that we always work to grow more faithful ourselves. This is how we warm hearts, by serving God and our fellow man.

Andrew Kaleida is a parishioner at Our Lady of Grace Church in Greensboro.

Small-minded rules?

In the much publicized interview given by Pope Francis to the Jesuit media, he stated, “The Church sometimes has locked itself up in small things, in small-minded rules.” Perhaps the pope didn’t feel the need to give examples of such small-minded rules because there are so many of them and they are quite obvious. Nevertheless, we can often miss recognizing such rules.

Here is a recent example: Your Sept.

27 edition included national news brief, “Military archbishop guides chaplains on ministering to same-sex couples.”

While the brief included several of the rules set forth for chaplains for ministering to gay couples in the military, it leaves out one rule that speaks directly to small-mindedness: that is the rule on funerals. The rules, sent to chaplains on Sept. 18 by Archbishop Timothy Broglio, also bar chaplains from taking part in a funeral for a Catholic if that participation “would give the impression that the Church approves of same sex ‘marital’ relationships.” Certainly that cannot be what Pope Francis had in mind when he said, “The Church is a field hospital after battle.”

In our obsession with finding the small speck in our neighbor’s eye, we often miss the plank in our own.

Thankfully, Pope Francis has reminded us of our smallness.

Kenneth Schammel lives in Cornelius.

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.

Mail: Letters to the Editor Catholic News Herald 1123 S. Church St. Charlotte, N.C. 28203 E-mail: catholicnews@charlottediocese.org

Deacon James H. Toner

5 top reasons not to be Catholic R

ecently I was invited to speak at a Theology on Tap session. The topic I proposed – the five top reasons not to be Catholic – was surprising, but the invitation remained open. These are the five top reasons I think not to be Catholic, naturally with replies.

Fifth: There is no God. Corollary: Christ, if He existed, was not God. Reply: The Bible “agrees” that there is no God, if you’re foolish (Psalms 14 and 53). Science is making it increasingly clear, in what is known as the anthropic principle, that the world miraculously seems designed for human beings. And atheists must respond to the question of why there is something rather than nothing. Historical evidence for Jesus is highly convincing, and it is practically impossible to believe that His disciples readily died for a charlatan. The weight of historical testimony is that Jesus is the Christ, the divine son of the living God. Fourth: There is no continuous historical Church. Corollary: the Church is merely a secular organization with many denominations. Reply: The Church is clearly “historical”: For more than 2,000 years, the line of apostolic succession, while marred at times by antipopes, is clear. The writings of the Church Fathers (including Sts. Clement, Ignatius, Polycarp, Ambrose, Augustine, Jerome and Gregory the Great) date to the first century A.D. in some cases. They reveal a continuously Catholic character of liturgy, teaching and preaching. The term “Dark Ages” refers to the period of 400 to 1000 A.D., but it is used polemically for the period from the fall of the Roman Empire to the Renaissance. During this time, the Church remained a vital light in the darkness of Europe. In addition, it is true that there are many Christian denominations – various and incomplete versions of the Catholic Church.

There is, only one true Catholic Church – but it’s not “ours,” it’s Christ’s Church. We owe everything the Church is to God, for we know that we didn’t build anything ourselves.

Third: The Church revels in telling us we are sinners. Corollary: the Church is full of sinners. Reply: Sin is “an offense against God as well as a fault against reason, truth, and right conscience” (CCC 1849).

We don’t like to be told that we are wrong or sinful. But jettison reason (substitute passion), truth (substitute power) and right conscience (substitute ego), and – voilà – we deny sin exists. We must have standards to see our faults, and that is one reason for the Penitential Rite at the start of Mass.

Catholics know there is an authority beyond our own wills, but this is a difficult concept in our day, for the “dictatorship of relativism” marks contemporary affairs. The Church is full of sinners, yes, but that is not an excuse for sin or a justification of evil. It’s merely recognition of the first step toward salvation: We need the grace and truth of Christ’s salvific power, found in His Church (Col 1:18).

Second: The Church is anti-science.

Corollary: it’s also a hate group. Reply: Science tells us how, but it cannot tell us why.

Faith and reason are two sides of the same

‘What’s the principal reason to be Catholic? Because the Catholic Church is true.’ coin. Besides the contributions of scientists throughout history who were Catholic, consider also the Church’s founding and financing of universities, hospitals, research institutes, cultural centers and more. God’s world doesn’t contradict God. As for being a hate group, Catholics believe that we must hate sin: “Hate what is evil” (Rom 12:9), but “love your enemies” (Mt 5:44). Hating sin does not mean hating the sinner. The Church asserts the good, the true and the beautiful – and that is just very annoying to some people.

First: “The source and summit” of the Catholic faith amounts to blasphemy, or cannibalism, or both. Corollary: it’s embarrassing to be Catholic. Reply: Is the Eucharist the “body, blood, soul, and divinity” of Christ – or a wafer of wheat? It really matters! Catholics believe Jesus meant what He said in the Bread of Life discourse (John 6:48-68): “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.”

Therefore, the Eucharist is really and truly and substantially Christ, sacramentally.

And if Jesus’ words are true, then we need priests to confect the Eucharist, bishops to ordain priests, and apostolic succession to have bishops. The Eucharist is really “embarrassing,” for it means we must take Christ seriously: “For he that shall be ashamed of me, and of my words, in this adulterous and sinful generation: the Son of man also will be ashamed of him, when he shall come in the glory of his Father with the holy angels” (Mk 8:38 DRB).

Now, let’s turn this commentary around: What’s the principal reason to be Catholic?

Reply: Because the Catholic Church is true.

Because the Catholic Church is the revelation of God’s love and mercy. Because the Catholic Church is the Mind of Christ (cf. Phil 2:5, 1 Cor 2:16). And because the Catholic faith will set us free and lead us home (cf. Heb 13:14).

Deacon James H. Toner serves at Our Lady of Grace Parish in Greensboro. This commentary is adapted from a recent “Theology on Tap” presentation.

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catholicnewsherald.com | October 11, 2013 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

IMMIGRATION: FROM PAGE 22

The bill also provides a path to legalization and ultimately citizenship for many of the nation’s estimated 11 million immigrants in the country illegally. Other provisions would change the systems for family reunification immigration, for farm labor immigration and temporary workers; give young adults a quicker path to citizenship under the DREAM Act; and address problems with employer

ASSISI: FROM PAGE 24

square outside the Basilica of St. Francis.

In his homily, the pope disputed what he characterized as popular misconceptions of St. Francis and his legacy.

“Many people, when they think of St. Francis, think of peace,” he said. “Very few people, however, go deeper.

“What is the peace which Francis received, experienced and lived, and which he passes on to us? It is the peace of Christ, which is born of the greatest love of all, the love of the cross.”

He later added: “Franciscan peace is not something saccharine. Hardly. That is not the real St. Francis. Nor is it a kind of pantheistic harmony with the forces of the cosmos. That is not Franciscan either; it is a notion some people have invented.”

Celebrating St. Francis’ love for all

verification, immigrant detention and where enforcement raids are conducted.

Boehner has said he wouldn’t put the Senate bill on the floor agenda unless a majority of House Republicans support it. Instead, some piecemeal bits of immigration legislation – focused on security – have been introduced. A bipartisan negotiating group that had been working for months at crafting a House comprehensive bill fell apart in midSeptember. Analysts said that potentially could clear the way for the Senate bill to get a new push in the House from supporters who have now been released from their commitment to seek a compromise bill.

creation, the pope said that the saint “bears witness that man is called to safeguard man, that man is at the center of creation, where God the Creator wanted him.”

Pope Francis also paid tribute to his namesake as a “man of harmony and peace” and drew attention to those “who are suffering and who are dying because of violence, terrorism or war, in the Holy Land, so dear to St. Francis, in Syria, throughout the Middle East and everywhere in the world.”

The pope’s day in Assisi included visits to various sites associated with St. Francis, including his tomb in the Basilica of St. Francis; the Church of San Damiano, where the saint had a vision of Jesus; the hermitage where he went to pray in isolation; the small “Porziuncola” church, now contained inside the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, where he founded the Franciscan order; the tomb of his friend St. Clare; and the cathedral where St. Francis and St. Clare were baptized.

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