March 15, 2013

March 15, 2013

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HABEMUS PAPAM!

Maronite Catholics welcome their bishop,

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5 INDEX Contact us.......................... 4 Events calendar................. 4 Our Parishes....... 3-13, 16-17 Schools......................... 18-19 Scripture readings............ 2 TV & Movies..................20-21 U.S. & World news....... 22-25 Viewpoints.................. 26-28 Year of Faith.................... 2-3

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INSIDE: 22-25 n Pope Francis’ installation Mass set for Feast of St. Joseph, March 19 n His biography and his first days as pope

Welcomed into the Church RCIA candidates prepare and await the Easter Vigil, while Charlotte family enters Church en masse,

10-13

n Bishop Jugis: ‘God has given us the man He wants us to have’ n Jesuits, locals react with joy, enthusiasm

Pilgrims in the Holy Land

A humbling, personal journey,

2-3

2

Year of faith

catholicnewsherald.com | March 15, 2013 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Walking in the footsteps of Jesus

Pilgrims sit on a wall at the Mount of Olives overlooking Jerusalem.

From left are Jamie and Teodora Reyes, Barabara Kolesar, Anne Rega, Milt and Beanie DeJean, Mary Alice and Rob Girardi, Lia Beard, Letha Hinman, Kimberly Bender and Father Adrian Porras.

(Below) Mary Alice Girardi lights a candle at the Carmelite monastery on Mount Carmel.

Photos by Kimberly Bender | Catholic News Herald

Pilgrims experience the Holy Land Kimberly Bender Online reporter

“You’re never going to be the same.”

Several pilgrims from the Diocese of Charlotte were told that they would never look at their faith in the same way after visiting the Holy Land. For the 12 pilgrims, led by Father Adrian Porras of St. Barnabas Church in Arden, touring the Holy Land March 4-11 really did make the Scriptures jump off the page, they agreed.

“As I read the Bible, it will be much more alive for me,” said parishioner Mary Alice Girardi. “I’m a very visual person, to be able to see these places I read in the Bible.

The Mount of Olives, the Garden of Gethsemane – I can now visualize all those places, which will be added meaning to reading the Holy Scriptures.”

Letha Hinman, a parishioner at St. Barnabas, said her understanding of the Bible and her desire to understand it more was enriched by her pilgrimage.

“I felt closest to God the Father at Mount Tabor. I really found that really moving,” Hinman said. “I felt closest to the Son of God at the crucifixion site. And closest to the Holy Spirit, I would say, at the Jordan River.”

Father Porras said it was most rewarding just to be

there, walking on the same ground that Jesus walked 2,000 years ago and visiting the places monumental in the Lord’s life.

“To go there was kind of an anchor to one’s faith,” Father Porras said. “You have a picture of it when you read the parables and the stories. Visiting these places, it’s kind of like anchoring one’s faith deeper. Really deeper.”

Father Porras said he felt God’s presence most at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

“When we visit a loved one’s grave, we’re paying respects. We were doing that with Him,” Father Porras said. “To go into the tomb, to touch where the cross was placed, I think it was pretty spiritual. I felt really close to God.” At the Church of the Nativity, St. Barnabas parishioner Lia Beard said she experienced a “profound moment” touching the location where Jesus was born.

“I knelt down and kissed the spot, the star on the ground.

It was a humbling moment, where your lips are on ground.

Your face is as close as it can get to the rocks. There’s not a more profound way that I could have been humbled before Christ.

“I stood up and I realized could still feel the imprint of the star on my lips – the screws or nails that put the star in

place – on my lips.”

Walking upstairs to the main church, she said she started to think about her own flaws and how God made her, knowing she would be inadequate in some ways.

“Knowing who His Son would die for, He made Him. This baby was born for me. Just as much as He would be born for anyone else,” Beard said. “That a baby would PILGRIMAGE, SEE page 17

Your daily Scripture readings SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 17-23

Sunday (Fifth Sunday of Lent): Isaiah 43:16-21, Philippians 3:8-14, John 8:1-11; Monday (St. Cyril of Jerusalem): Daniel 13:1-9,, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62, John 8:12-20; Tuesday (St. Joseph): 2 Samuel 7:4-5, 12-14, 16, Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22, Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24; Wednesday: Daniel 3:14-20, 91-92, 95, Daniel 3:52-56, John 8:31-42; Thursday: Genesis 17:3-9, John 8:51-59; Friday: Jeremiah 20:10-13, John 10:31-42; Saturday (St. Turibius of Mogrovejo): Ezekiel 37:21-28, Jeremiah 31:10-13, John 11:45-56.

SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 24-30

Sunday (Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion): Luke 19:2840, Isaiah 50:4-7, Philippians 2:6-11, Luke 22:14-23:56; Monday: Isaiah 42:1-7, John 12:1-11; Tuesday: Isaiah 49:1-6, John 13:21-33, 36-38; Wednesday: Isaiah 50:4-9, Matthew 26:14-25; Thursday: Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-15; Friday (Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion): Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-9, John 18:1-19:42; Saturday (Easter Vigil): Exodus 14:15-15:1, Exodus 15:1-6, 17-18, Isaiah 55:1-11, Isaiah 12:2-6, Romans 6:3-11, Luke 24:1-12

SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 31- APRIL- 6

Sunday (The Resurrection of the Lord): Acts 10:34, 3743, Colossians 3:1-4, John 20:1-9; Monday: Acts 2:14, 22-33, Matthew 28:8-15; Tuesday: Acts 2:36-41, John 20:11-18; Wednesday: Acts 3:1-10, Luke 24:13-35; Thursday: Acts 3:11-26, Luke 24:35-48, Friday: Acts 4:1-12, John 21:1-14; Saturday: Acts 4:13-21, Mark 16:9-15,

March 15, 2013 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

More online At lentholyland.tumblr.com: Experience the entire pilgrimage yourself! See lots more photos, videos, virtual tours, prayers and comments from the pilgrims.

At www.catholicnewsherald.com: Read more about the pilgrims, check out Father Adrian Porras’ homilies and view photo galleries from each major pilgrimage site.

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Check this out

Follow along with the Catholic News Herald’s Kimberly Bender on a virtual pilgrimage to the Holy Land. On the blog, read more about the following: n “I can picture Jesus on this sea.” Pilgrims discuss the Sea of Galilee, Jordan River, Mediterranean and Dead seas as they relate to the Bible.

Photos by Kimberly Bender | Catholic News Herald

(Clockwise from top left) Father Adrian Porras celebrates Mass at the Notre Dame Center in Jerusalem. Milt and Beanie DeJean reflect during the Stations of the Cross in front of the Holy Sepulchre Church. Beanie DeJean wades in the Jordan River near where Jesus was baptized. A pilgrim takes water from the Sea of Galilee in front of the Primacy of Peter Church. Pilgrims read the Stations of the Cross as they walk through Old Jerusalem. Anne Rega prays at St. Catherine’s Church at the Church of the Nativity.

n Pilgrims Mary Alice and Rob Girardi renewed their vows in Cana, the site of Jesus’ first miracle. “It was so great to look in his eyes in front of the Lord and say those vows,” she said. n The trees at the Garden of Gethsemane looked just as the pilgrims expected, and for some of them, being where Jesus prayed the last time before He was betrayed is something they said they’d remember each Holy Week.

n “Riding a camel is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, like this pilgrimage, but I’ll never ride one again,” said Anne Rega.

n Pilgrims kissed the birthplaces of Jesus and St. John the Baptist, and the places where Jesus was crucified and buried. For Father Adrian Porras, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre was where he felt closest to God.

n The pilgrims ended their journey at the Western Wall, where they left prayer intentions. They also prayed for the intentions that people submitted via the blog.

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catholicnewsherald.com | March 15, 2013 OUR PARISHES

Diocesan calendar of events ARDEN ST. BARNABAS CHURCH, 109 CRESCENT HILL ROAD — CSS Presentation, “Medicare Made Easy”: 2-4 p.m. March 19. Open to adults aged 65 and older.

Contact CSS Elder Ministry at 704-370-3220.

Bishop Peter J. Jugis Bishop Peter J. Jugis will participate in the following events over the coming weeks: March 16 Bishop’s Lenten youth pilgrimage Belmont abbey college, belmont

QUEEN OF THE APOSTLES, 503 North Main St. — Faith Formation Group: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 9. All parish members 45 and younger are welcome to attend. For more information, email qoatripleb@gmail.com.

— “Without a Home”, panel discussion on homelessness and solutions to end this affront to human dignity: 7 p.m. Thursday, April 11. In the parish Family Center. For more information, contact George Burazer at 704-820-3163.

March 21 – 10:30 a.m.

St. Benedict Day Mass Belmont Abbey March 26 – 10 A.M. Chrism Mass St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte April 2 Ordination of Auxiliary Bishop David Talley Atlanta, GA. April 3 - 4:30 p.m.

Diaconate Ordination of Brother Elias, OSB Belmont Abbey April 4 – 7 p.m.

Sacrament of Confirmation Queen of the apostles Church, belmont

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL CHURCH, 6828 Old Reid Road — Afternoon potluck to celebrate the Solemnity of St. Joseph: 12:45 -3 p.m. Tuesday, March 19. Everyone is invited to join in honoring the Patron of the Universal Church.

ELKIN

BELMONT

March 17 – 10 a.m.

Boy Scout Camporee Mass Camp Bud Shiele, Rutherfordton

April 5 – 10 a.m.

Diocesan Finance Council mEeting Pastoral center, charlotte

— CSS presenta, “Medicare Muy fácil”: 2-4 p.m. 19 de Marzo. Abierto a los adultos mayores de 65 años. Para obtener más información, póngase en contacto con CSS Ministerio de Ancianos al 704-370-3220.

— “Rosary for Life”: Join the Respect Life group to pray each Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., followed by Mass at 7 p.m. To participate, contact Gretchen Filz at gfilz10@ses.edu or 704-919-0935.

— Community Seder, “Exploring the rites and foods of the Jewish Passover celebration”: 7:15 p.m.

Sunday, March 24. In the MAK Family Life Center.

For reservations, call 704-825-9600.

CHARLOTTE ST. BASIL MISSION, 1400 SUTHER ROAD (St. THOMAS AQUINAS CHAPEL) — Great Vespers for the Feast of the Annunciation: 4 p.m. Sunday, March 24. Followed by Typica Service with Holy Communion St. John Neumann, 8451 Idlewild Road — St. Patrick’s Day Event, “The Confession of St. Patrick”: 6:30-8 p.m. Sunday, March 17. Presented by Roger Nelson. Families and children of all ages are welcome.

ST. MATTHEW CHURCH, 8015 BALLANTYNE COMMONS PKWY. — Women’s Day discussion, “Communication: Do you hear what I hear?”: 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, March 16. Presented by Charlene Grattan, LCSW, BCD. — Open discussion group for mothers, “Called to be Mom”: 10 a.m.-noon, Thursday, March 28. All mothers are welcome. Contact Kerry Long at 704243-6319.

ST. STEPHEN CHURCH, 101 HAWTHORNE ROAD — “Children: Reaching Your Child’s Heart”, Scripture group for women: 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, in the church. All women welcome. For details, call 336835-3007.

HIGH POINT Immaculate heart of Mary church, 4145 Johnson st.

— Free Spanish language class: 7 p.m.-8:45 p.m.

Thursday, March 21. Everyone welcome. For details, contact Nancy at 336-884-0522.

GREENSBORO ST. PIUS X CHURCH, 2210 North Elm Street — Afternoon discussion presented by Grief Ministries, “Seasons of Hope”: 1:45- 4 p.m. Sundays, April 7- May 19, in the Kloster Center. Anyone mourning the loss of a loved one is encouraged to attend. To register, please call the parish office at 336-2724681.

JEFFERSON ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI, 326 EAST MAIN ST. — Natural Family Planning Introduction and Full Course: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. March 16. RSVP to Batrice Adcock, MSN, RN, at cssnfp@charlottediocese.org or 704-370-3230.

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.

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

Thursday, March 21. Offered for all those suffering with cancer or other diseases. For details, call the parish at 704-543-7677.

— Traditional solemn benediction and recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet: 3 p.m. Sunday, April 7. For details, call the parish at 704-543-7677.

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CHURCH, 1400 SUTHER ROAD — Please join us for our first “Divine Mercy Holy Hour”: Exposition and readings from the Diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska: 7-8 p.m. every first Friday. For questions, contact Paul Deer at 704-948-0628.

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief 40 Hours of Adoration planned at St. Patrick Cathedral for Feast of St. Joseph CHARLOTTE — The Catholic Men’s Fellowship of the Carolinas in conjunction with St. Patrick Cathedral invites everyone to 40 Hours Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament during the Vigil of St. Joseph, Guardian of Families, from 7 p.m. Sunday, March 17, to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, at St. Patrick Cathedral, 1621 Dilworth Road East in Charlotte.

This time of prayer, adoration and supplication will focus on protecting and preserving families and traditional marriage, with particular intercession for men in their vocations as husbands, fathers and leaders. They will especially offer this time for the continued purity of all priests as well as holy vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life.

A Holy Hour from 7 to 8 p.m. on March 19, will feature a reflection with Father John Eckert: “St. Joseph: Humble Model of Fearless Faith.”

A dessert reception will follow Holy Hour and Benediction in the cathedral’s Family Life Center at 8 p.m. Sign up for Adoration and RSVP for the reflection and reception at: www.signupgenius. com/go/30E0A4EABAF2BA75-the vigil.

Come see ‘The Confession of St. Patrick’ CHARLOTTE — “The Confession of St. Patrick” will take place at St. John Neumann Church, 8451 Idlewild Road in Charlotte, 6:30 to 8 p.m.

March 17. This St. Patrick’s Day event, presented

by Roger Nelson, will provide an opportunity to “meet” the man who inspired the Irish to love God and the world to love Ireland. Families and children of all ages are welcome to attend. The event is free, but an offering will be collected.

Fundraiser April 12 to benefit CCHS grad in need CHARLOTTE — The Charlotte Catholic High School community is rallying around 18-year-old CCHS graduate Nicholas Andrade, who dove into a lake last September in Brazil, hit a rock and is now a quadriplegic and breathing on a ventilator. He was recently accepted into a specialized rehabilitation facility in Louisville, Ky. A fundraiser to help assist the Andrade family with medical expenses will be held at Providence Country Club from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 12. Father Matthew Kauth, CCHS chaplain, will deliver the keynote talk. Bishop Emeritus William G. Curlin will offer the closing prayer. For details, contact Mary Catherine Surface at 704-651-5860 or email mcsurface@gmail.com.

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March 15, 2013 Volume 22 • Number 10

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

The Catholic News Herald is published by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte 26 times a year.

NEWS: The Catholic News Herald welcomes your news and photos. Please e-mail information, attaching photos in JPG format with a recommended resolution of 150 dpi or higher, to catholicnews@charlottediocese.org. All submitted items become the property of the Catholic News Herald and are subject to reuse, in whole or in part, in print, electronic formats and archives.

ADVERTISING: Reach 165,000 Catholics across western North Carolina! For advertising rates and information,

contact Advertising Manager Kevin Eagan at 704-370-3332 or keeagan@charlottediocese.org. The Catholic News Herald reserves the right to reject or cancel advertising for any reason, and does not recommend or guarantee any product, service or benefit claimed by our advertisers.

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POSTMASTER: Periodicals class postage (USPC 007-393) paid at Charlotte, N.C. Send address corrections to the Catholic News Herald, 1123 S. Church St., Charlotte, N.C. 28203.

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March 15, 2013 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief

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Holy Week 2013 Lent is nearly over, and Holy Week will begin with Palm Sunday on March 24. The Catholic News Herald will feature daily online coverage of Holy Week observances leading up to Easter Sunday, March 31.

Share your favorite photos from Holy Week and

Easter with us on Facebook. And don’t forget to “like” the Catholic News Herald’s Facebook page to receive breaking news alerts, as well as other news published in between the print editions mailed every other Friday.

— Patricia L. Guilfoyle

Two priest assignments announced for Hendersonville, Brevard CHARLOTTE — Bishop Peter J. Jugis announces the following priest assignments: n Father Namdev Dagam, OFM Cap, to serve as parochial vicar of Immaculate Conception Church in Hendersonville, effective March 4.

Father Dagam joins the Capuchin Franciscan community already ministering at Immaculate Conception Parish, including Father Martin Schratz, pastor; Father Robert Williams, parochial vicar; and Brother Lombardo D’Auria, pastoral associate. n Father Andrew J. Nowak, OFM Cap, to serve as parochial administrator of Sacred Heart Church in Brevard, effective March 7, to replace Father Patrick D. Toole, who has left the parish.

Maronite Bishop Gregory Mansour, shepherd of the Eparchy of St. Maron of Brooklyn, N.Y., visited Charlotte March 8 to celebrate Mass and meet with his local flock.

(Below) People gathered at St. Matthew Church for the Mass, featuring the Maronite Catholic liturgy in English, Arabic and Aramaic.

Photos by Patricia L. Guilfoyle | Catholic News Herald

Two seminarians take next step in priestly formation ROME — Diocese of Charlotte seminarians Santiago Mariani and David McCanless were installed as acolytes March 3 at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, part of their ongoing formation for the priesthood.

The Institution of Acolyte took place during Mass celebrated by Archbishop Joseph Augustine Di Noia, O.P., Titular Archbishop of Oregon City and Vice President of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei. Concelebrating were nine American cardinals who were in residence at the college, preparing for the upcoming conclave to elect a new pope to succeed Benedict XVI. Sixty other seminarians were also installed as acolytes.

These seminarians, now in their second year of theological studies, have received both the ministry of Lector and Acolyte in anticipation of their diaconal, and then priestly, ordination.

Acolytes are entrusted with the duties of assisting the deacon and priest at Mass, purifying the sacred vessels, and distributing Holy Communion as an extraordinary minister when needed.

The Pontifical North American College was founded in 1859 by Pope Pius IX. — Pontifical North American College; photos provided by Christopher Brashears, Pontifical North American College

Maronite Catholic bishop visits Charlotte CHARLOTTE — Maronite Bishop Gregory Mansour, shepherd of the Eparchy of St. Maron of Brooklyn, N.Y., was welcomed to Charlotte March 8 to celebrate Mass and meet with his local flock.

Maronite Catholics are an Eastern rite of the Church that originated in Lebanon.

Led by Father Kamil Al-Chouefati of Raleigh, local Maronite Catholics gather for Mass each month at St. Matthew Church in Charlotte.

During his visit, Bishop Mansour celebrated Mass at St. Matthew Church for the local Maronites and other Catholics interested in learning more about the Maronite liturgy. He was joined by concelebrants Monsignor John McSweeney, pastor, and Father Ambrose Akindele Akinwande, parochial vicar.

Bishop Emeritus William G. Curlin was also present at the Mass, which was celebrated in a mixture of English, Arabic and Aramaic.

Bishop Mansour also met with members of the local Maronite community to talk about their potential establishment as a mission, he chatted with the youth and their families, and he joined everyone in a festive banquet of Lebanese food at the parish’s fellowship hall.

After Mass, Bishop Mansour talked about rediscovering his Catholic faith

while in college, and how he fell in love with the Maronite heritage thanks to a Maronite rite priest he befriended. It was that priest who encouraged the 21-year-old after he first felt the Holy Spirit tug at his heart, calling him to the priesthood.

The Maronite Catholic Church is an ancient and beautiful arm of the universal Church, he said. “It’s a church of heroes.

To me, a Middle Eastern Christian can’t be a sissy or a wimp. It’s just not possible.

You live your faith, you love it, and you share it.”

He encouraged local Catholics to get to know the Maronite tradition as he once did, because it will help enrich the entire Church in western North Carolina. He also encouraged everyone not to take their faith for granted, especially when one sees

the struggle that so many Christians face elsewhere in the world.

He also expressed his thanks to Bishop Peter Jugis, Bishop Curlin and Monsignor McSweeney for their support of the Maronite community. “Thanks for taking their little sister in and caring for her and helping us to promote the beauty of the Catholic Church.”

Members of the Maronite community welcome everyone to come learn more about their ancient faith traditions and the Lebanese culture.

Judge Robert Moossa, a leader in the local Maronite community, said he hoped Bishop Mansour’s visit – the prelate’s first to Charlotte – would help spark more interest in the Maronite Catholic tradition and uplift the growing faith community.

A visit from one’s bishop is always significant, he said, and “most importantly, it’s the excitement that’s caused by the bishop coming – the enthusiasm is contagious.”

More online At www.catholicnewsherald.com: Read more about local Maronite Catholics and see more photos from Bishop Gregory Mansour’s visit

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catholicnewsherald.com | March 15, 2013 OUR PARISHES

Classified MODERN, CHARMING CABIN Secluded location (Lake Russell, SC) 2.5 hours away, Two bedrooms plus loft, $119,000. Evenings 706-726-2922

Pastoring in a mission diocese ‘very challenging’ Father Thomas marks 40 years of priestly ministry SueAnn Howell Senior reporter

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ASHEVILLE â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Father Wilbur Thomas was finishing up his final year of seminary when the Diocese of Charlotte was established in 1972. Shortly after his ordination to the priesthood on the Feast of the Annunciation, March 26, 1973, he accepted the invitation from Bishop Vincent S. Waters of the Diocese of Raleigh to serve the people of western North Carolina.

Over the past four decades, Father Thomas has served as pastor in four parishes: Our Lady of the Annunciation Church in Albemarle; Our Lady of Consolation Church in Charlotte; St. Aloysius Church in Hickory; and, for the past 12 years, as rector of the Basilica of St. Lawrence in Asheville.

Then-Bishop William G. Curlin appointed him as â&#x20AC;&#x153;pastor to the pastorsâ&#x20AC;? as the Diocese of Charlotteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Vicar for Priests, a position he held from 1998 to 2003.

Father Thomas has witnessed firsthand the explosive growth of the Charlotte diocese during the course of the past 40 years. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been very challenging, to say the least,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The parishes I have been pastor of have all seen tremendous growth in the numbers. People moving in from other parts of the country, bringing their own needs that they were used to in other parts of the country, are brought here. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The challenge for those of us who are pastors is to try to help them to adjust to their new culture. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been somewhat of a challenge for many of us.â&#x20AC;?

In all the parishes where he has served, Father Thomas has actively participated in accommodating the growing needs of his parishioners. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Because of the reality of the numbers,

Father Wilbur Thomas leads a veneration of the cross service at St. Lawrence Basilica in Asheville last year during Holy Week.

Tim Reid | Catholic News Herald

we had to build parishes and establish new schools to meet the needs of the people who moved to this area,â&#x20AC;? he explains. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People expected these things. We had to work on expanding our parish facilities and our school facilities.â&#x20AC;?

Over the past 40 years, some of his greatest joy in his priestly ministry has come from celebrating the sacraments. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What I enjoy most is celebrating Mass and the sacraments of the Church. What comes from that is pastoral counseling. I do a lot of that. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It gives me strength.â&#x20AC;?

Father Thomas also says he has learned a lot about himself as he has matured in his priestly ministry over the course of time. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have learned, in terms of my own personal ministry, that regular and consistent daily prayer and reflection are absolutely necessary and essential.â&#x20AC;?

He also believes that maintaining a personal relationship with Our Lord, as well as with his parish ministries, are

$WWHQG 6XQGD\ 0DVV 9HQHUDWH WKH 'LYLQH 0HUF\ ,PDJH 5HFHLYH 7KH (XFKDULVW *R WR 5HFRQFLOLDWLRQ ADRIAN, Mich. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Dominican Sister Jean Hitzeman, formerly ZLWKLQ GD\V EHIRUH RU DIWHU

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critical because without that growth in the relationship with Christ and with the parish or ministry he is serving, the work â&#x20AC;&#x153;just wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t flourish.â&#x20AC;?

He encourages people to spend time with Our Lord, sitting before the Blessed Sacrament in adoration as often as possible.

His advice for men discerning a religious vocation? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Talk to a priest. Men discerning a vocation need to have a mentor of some sort, to talk about discernment.â&#x20AC;?

They should also attend daily Mass and, if possible, serve at Mass in some capacity so they may develop an understanding of the centrality of the Mass as part of the priesthood and the other things they would have to do as a part of the priestly ministry, he suggests.

Parishioners and staff of St. Lawrence Basilica are in the process of planning a celebration on April 28 to commemorate Father Thomasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 40th anniversary.

Dominican sister who taught at Charlotte university passes away

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69th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sister Jean ministered in education for three years in North Carolina, serving as professor and chair of the biology department at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte from 1970 to 1973.

Visitation was held from 6:15 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, in the Rose Room at the Dominican Life Center, followed by vigil prayer in St. Catherine Chapel. The funeral Mass was be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 28. Burial was in the congregationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cemetery.

Sister Jean was born in Chicago to Walter and Alice (Brockob) Hitzeman. She graduated from Aquinas High School in Chicago and earned a Bachelor of Science in biology from Barry College (University) in Miami, Fla., a Master of Science in biology from DePaul University in Chicago, and a Ph.D. in zoology from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Sister Jean ministered in education for 46 years in West Palm

Beach, and Pensacola, Fla.; Royal Oak, Dearborn, Detroit and Adrian, Mich.; Charlotte; Johnson, Vt.; Brockport, N.Y., and Pullman, Wash.

Besides her tenure at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, she was professor and chair of the biology department for eight years at Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian, Mich., a congregation institution. She was also professor and chair of the biology department for two years at Johnson State College in Johnson, Vt., and professor for 17 years at State University of New York in Brockport, N.Y. She also served as secretary for the Chapter Planning committee for two years and Director of Studies for two years for the Adrian Dominican Sisters. Sister Jean became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Mich., in 2006.

She is survived by loving nieces and nephews.

Memorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Dr., Adrian, MI 49221.

Funeral arrangements are through Anderson Funeral Home in Adrian. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Adrian Dominican Congregation

March 15, 2013 | catholicnewsherald.com

OUR PARISHESI

Bishop Jugis: Lent is a time to reflect and ask for God’s forgiveness Patricia L. Guilfoyle Editor

CHARLOTTE — As Lent marches on and we prepare for the Resurrection and Easter, we should take time to reflect on our sinfulness, ask for God’s forgiveness and rejoice in His mercy, Bishop Peter Jugis preached March 10.

Last Sunday, the Fourth Sunday of Lent, was Laetare Sunday, also called Rejoicing Sunday. The priest’s vestments are rose, similar to Gaudete Sunday during the Advent season, because we wait in joyful hope for our Savior. The term comes from the Introit for Mass: “Laetare Jerusalem” (“O be joyful, Jerusalem”, taken from Isaiah 66:10: “Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad because of her, all you who love her...”)

“We have reason to rejoice today, and for more than one occasion,” Bishop Jugis said during his homily at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte. The entire Church was awaiting a new pope, and worldwide attention was fixed on Rome and the conclave of cardinals that was going to begin on Tuesday.

“It is a time for rejoicing, because a new pope is near,” he said, and he encouraged the faithful to pray for the cardinals and for the person about to be elected pontiff.

Another reason to rejoice, Bishop Jugis said, can be found in the day’s Gospel reading: the Parable of the Prodigal Son. The beloved parable illustrates the boundless love of God for all of His children, as well as the beauty of repentance and forgiveness.

The Gospel calls us to follow the example of the Prodigal Son, by seeking our own reconciliation with God the Father, Bishop Jugis said.

“It is good during Lent to spend time meditating on our sins. It is good for us to spend time in an honest appraisal of our failures. We know the Prodigal Son did this, because he had a lot of time to think about what he had done.”

Bishop Jugis also noted that Jesus says the son took his inheritance and went away to “a distant land,” and Jesus meant more than a geographical or physical separation with these words. The son also abandoned his father spiritually.

“During this Lenten season of

Photos by Anthony Perlas, seroptics.com | Catholic News Herald

Patricia L. Guilfoyle | Catholic News Herald

During his homily for Laetare Sunday, the Fourth Sunday of Lent, Bishop Peter Jugis encouraged the faithful to examine their lives and seek to return from the “distant country” of sin to God the Father, just as the prodigal son returned home as told in the Gospel of Luke (15:1-3, 11-32). conversion, it is good to ask ourselves in the spirit of today’s Gospel: What distant country have you decided to inhabit – far away, spiritually from the Lord? What distant country do you need to leave behind in order to return to the Father?”

Honestly examine yourself, then seek God’s grace and mercy through the sacrament of reconciliation, Bishop Jugis said.

“Lent is a time to prepare ourselves to make a good confession,” Bishop Jugis said, just as the Prodigal Son did after reflecting on what he did wrong. He returned to his father, confessed his sins and begged for forgiveness.

The Gospel passage also reminds us beautifully that “the Father is waiting for us, with mercy and forgiveness,” to welcome us home again. What joy the Prodigal Son must have felt in being greeted with such love by his forgiving father, he said.

“Let’s not miss this wonderful opportunity,” he said, before Easter to avail ourselves of the sacrament of confession and repent of our sins.

Principal Opening

St. Anthony Catholic School in Florence, SC, is conducting a principal search for the upcoming 2013 – 2014 school year. Eligible candidates must: be a practicing Catholic; hold or be working towards a Master’s Degree in Administration; have at least five years of teaching experience; have or be eligible for a South Carolina Principal’s Certificate.

St. Anthony educates 150-175 children annually between 3K and 8th grade. Visit our website at www.saintanthony.com. Eligible applicants should send or email their resume and statement of philosophy on education, by June 6th to: Principal Search Committee St. Anthony Catholic School 2536 Hoffmeyer Rd Florence, SC 29501 searchcommittee@saintanthony.com

Applications will be accepted until a suitable candidate is found.

Traditional Latin Mass celebrated in Charlotte CHARLOTTE — Faithful gathered at St. Ann Church in Charlotte March 3 for the first traditional Latin Mass offered on Sunday in Charlotte. Father Tim Reid, pastor, is now celebrating the Mass in Extraordinary Form every Sunday at 12:30 p.m.

The new Sunday liturgy is thanks to Vatican approval of a petition from local Catholics calling themselves Coetus Fidelium. Coetus Fidelium (Latin for “group of faithful”) aims to support awareness and celebration of the old Latin Mass, also known as the Mass in the Extraordinary Form (compared to Mass in the Ordinary Form, which most Catholics are now familiar with). The group’s name comes from Pope Benedict XVI’s 2007 apostolic letter “Summorum Pontificum,” which encourages the celebration of the old Latin Mass. The group is comprised of 65 families from 11 parishes in the Charlotte area.

Under “Summorum Pontificum,” faithful could petition Rome for permission to seek a regular Sunday observance of the old Latin Mass, and that’s just what Coetus Fidelium did nearly two years ago, with the blessing of Bishop Peter J. Jugis.

Bishop Jugis recently received notice from the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, the Vatican office responsible for the observance and application of “Summorum Pontificum,” encouraging him to offer the old Latin Mass on Sundays.

More online At www.nctlmmef.com: Get schedules and details about the traditional Latin Mass offered in the Charlotte and Raleigh dioceses

The Very Rev. Christopher A. Roux - Rector Fr. David Miller - Parochial Vicar Rev. Dr. Brian McNulty Deacon

Rev. Mr. Carlos Medina Deacon

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE CHRISM MASS - TUESDAY, March 26 10:00 am – Blessing of the Holy Oils Celebrant: Bishop Peter Jugis

EASTER VIGIL - March 30 8:00 pm - Easter Vigil (no 5:30 PM Mass) Celebrant: Bishop Peter Jugis

HOLY THURSDAY - March 28 No Daily Mass 7:00 pm - Mass of the Lord’s Supper Celebrant: Bishop Peter Jugis 8:00 pm - Midnight: Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (Family Life Center)

EASTER SUNDAY — March 31 7:30 AM, 9:00 am, 11:00 am and 12:30 PM

GOOD FRIDAY - March 29 No Daily Mass Noon: Stations of the Cross 3:00 pm - Veneration of the Cross Celebrant: Bishop Peter Jugis

1621 Dilworth Road East Charlotte, NC 28203 (704) 334-2283 Visit our Web site at www.stpatricks.org

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catholicnewsherald.com | March 15, 2013 OUR PARISHES

Photo provided by Kathleen premo

Pictured from left Diane Bullard and Dr. Gerard Carter of Catholic Social Services, Father Brian Cook and Kathryn Premo at the annual Partners in Hope dinner held in Winston-Salem Feb. 28.

Partners in Hope fundraiser attracts large crowd Annette Tenny Correspondent Photos by Anthony Perlas, seroptics.com | Catholic News Herald

WINSTON-SALEM — More than 600 people attended Catholic Social Services’s Partners in Hope fundraising dinner Feb. 28 at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem.

Bishop Peter J. Jugis began the evening with prayer and a few opening remarks concerning Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and the historical events of earlier in the day. Bishop Jugis thanked the attendees for their support of Catholic Social Services in general and for their generous support of the Partners in Hope event.

The Partners in Hope Award, given each year in recognition of exceptional support and volunteerism, was given to Father Brian J. Cook, pastor of St. Leo the Great Church in WinstonSalem.

Including quotes from St. Augustine of Hippo and St. Teresa of Avila, Father Cook’s acceptance remarks centered on “What Love Looks Like” and the people he was addressing.

“I believe that if St. Augustine were looking down on this room today, as perhaps he is,” Father Cook said, “and the remarkable work that is done in the Lord’s name through this tremendous agency, he would say, ‘That’s what love looks like.’ It’s a privilege to be a pastor in hope with all of you.”

Acknowledgements and small gifts were given to the many sponsors of the evening which, once again, were so generous as to be sufficient to cover the entire cost of the fundraiser. This allowed every dollar raised to go directly to the many services provided by Catholic Social Services.

The keynote speaker for the evening was Monsignor Anthony J. Marcaccio, pastor of St. Pius X Church in Greensboro.

Monsignor Marcaccio served as secretary to Bishop Emeritus William Curlin from 1995 until 2000, when he was appointed pastor of St. Pius X. In 2002, he was named a chaplain to His Holiness by Pope John Paul II. In addition to serving as pastor of St. Pius X, Monsignor Marcaccio also serves as Magesterial Chaplain to the Knights of Malta and is the North Carolina chaplain for the Knights of Columbus.

Monsignor Marcaccio spoke with great humor and affection, noting that partnership is at the heart of all of the varied ministries offered by Catholic Social Services.

He pointed out his favorite saying at the agency: “We don’t help people because they’re Catholic, we help them because we are Catholic,” and he shared that, “for me, at least, the two clearest manifestations of the Church are when we gather to celebrate the Eucharist and when we gather to serve.”

He also shared several stories highlighting how Catholic Social Services specifically partners with people to provide on going relationships and mentoring after immediate needs have been met. Of the teen parents who have partnered with CSS volunteers, 100 percent of them have graduated from high school and several have gone on to college.

Monsignor Marcaccio encouraged those in attendance to continue generously supporting Catholic Social Services with their time, talent and treasure, and the audience responded.

Approximately $190,000 was raised during the event.

In 2012, Catholic Social Services’ Piedmont Triad office distributed 106,455 pounds of food to 3,649 people, assisted 67 pregnant and parenting teens and their babies and 223 people in rural communities received financial assistance. This is just a small sample of the services Catholic Social Services provides to strengthen families, build community and reduce poverty. To learn more about Catholic Social Services, visit www.cssnc.org.

Monsignor Reilly leads a prayer vigil at the Latrobe abortion facility in Charlotte March 9. On the left are Nancy Lonbard, and Jim Saum and his daughter Annie, all from St. Matthew Church in Charlotte. “I was taught that silence is more powerful,” said Jim Saum. “I think it’s more loving than admonishment.”

Pro-life witnesses: Praying at foot of the Cross on modern-day Calvary Mary B. Worthington Correspondent

CHARLOTTE — “People’s hearts have been changed, mothers have been converted. We just had the largest abortion clinic close.”

With these words, Monsignor Philip Reilly explained the spirituality of the Helpers of God’s Precious Infants to more than 100 people who came to St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte on March 8 and 9 for a Vigil for Life and pro-life training.

Monsignor Philip Reilly, a priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn, has had a hand in closing 25 abortion clinics in Brooklyn and Queens in addition to starting prayer ministries in 40 states and five continents to bring an end to the culture of death. During his visit, he also helped to kick start a local chapter of the Helpers of God’s Precious Infants, his pro-life ministry of prayerful presence at abortion facilities.

“He spoke about the centurion’s conversion and equated it with men and whom who have converted after an abortion. That is so profound, it brought tears to my eyes,” said Linda Mooney from St. Michael Church in Gastonia.

The events began with a packed house for Stations of the Cross led by Deacon Carlos Medina, followed by a presentation by Monsignor Reilly. “She’s your neighbor in a circumstance she never expected. That’s all it comes down to,” he said, explaining the correct attitude to take towards a woman seeking an abortion.

On Saturday morning after Mass, 60 participants carpooled in silence to the Latrobe Avenue abortion facility for 20 decades of the rosary interspersed with song. Meanwhile, several people had remained behind in the cathedral in Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament.

Monsignor Reilly then provided a sidewalk counseling training session for about 80 people.

Interspersed with inspiring stories of miraculous conversions, he demonstrated the foundation for truly

Monsignor Reilly stands with vigil participants Maggi Nadol, director of the Diocese of Charlotte Respect Life Program, and J.R. Richardson and Mary Worthington, members of St. Ann Church in Charlotte. successful pro-life work outside any abortion facility: prayer.

Dr. Matt Harrison, whose family attends St. James the Greater Church in Concord, called the Helpers’ spirituality “a refreshing way to look at the pro-life fight. So many people come off as judgmental or hateful, but Monsignor Reilly exudes Christ’s love.”

“Everyone seemed very engaged and we all learned a lot about the pro-life movement and the spirituality necessary to engage the culture of death,” said Gretchen Filz of St. Thomas Aquinas Church, who was a coordinator of the event.

“In the silence of prayer, we were constantly reminded about the seriousness of where we were going and the need to stand in solidarity with them just as Mary and John stood by Christ,” Filz said.

“You’re not praying to be seen, not even to be heard, but just to pray to God for His grace – that the mom has the grace to go from a moment of weakness to heroic virtue,” Monsignor Reilly emphasized.

More online At www.charlottehelpers.org: Watch videos of Monsignor Reilly’s talks, see a schedule of upcoming prayer vigils, and order a copy of the book “A Compendium of Presentations by Msgr. Philip Reilly.”

March 15, 2013 | catholicnewsherald.com

OUR PARISHESI

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Providing a place to call home Charlotte parish aids Congolese refugee family Editor’s note: This is part of an ongoing series of articles showcasing how the faithful of the Diocese of Charlotte welcome and support refugees through Catholic Social Services’ Refugee Resettlement Office, which has helped approximately 11,000 refugees from 27 different nationalities since 1975.

Tracy Winsor Special to the Catholic News Herald

CHARLOTTE — “Coming to the United States means a lot to me and my family.

There were so many people dying there, but we survived and got a chance to get out of the misery life in the refugee camp,” explains Congolese refugee Marie Mukantabana.

Mukantabana and her five sons were resettled in Charlotte by Catholic Social Services’ Refugee Resettlement Office last December.

For 15 years before that, their home was the Gihembe Refugee Camp in northern Rwanda.

Many Congolese like Mukantabana had fled there in the late 1990s when war engulfed their country, the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly known as Zaire).

Refugee organizations around the world often refer to the continued instability in the DRC as one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises. Some 5.4 million Congolese have died since 1998 due to war and ongoing civil unrest. Despite the presence of the world’s largest United Nations peacekeeping force, ongoing violence by rebel groups continues to plague the country. In 2012, an additional 70,000 Congolese refugees fled the DRC seeking refuge in Gihembe Camp and other camps across the border in Rwanda.

For Mukantabana’s family, there was no hope of returning home.

Although camps like Gihembe offer refuge, they cannot provide the stability of a real home or a future. Mukantabana’s family lived in one of 12 villages in the Gihembe Camp. The hillside camp is a patchwork of dirt streets and huts that house about 20,000 Congolese refugees.

Food, water and firewood are constantly in short supply, and with no options for work the camp’s residents remain completely dependent on international relief aid.

Gihembe Camp also lacks schools for children like the Mukantabana boys, which limits their options for finding work and thus a path out of the camp. UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, estimates that 12,000 of those living at Gihembe are children younger than 18. Many were born in the camp, safe from the violence and war that their parents fled, but without hope for a real future.

Hoping for a better life for her children, Mukantabana requested that her family be considered for refugee resettlement.

The process, which took more than a year, required rigorous screening and several interviews before she received the news that she and her boys would be given the opportunity to resettle in the United States.

“I am thankful to God for what He’s done for us,” shares Mukantabana.

The diocesan refugee office provides an array of services to refugees like Mukantabana, who are assigned to come here by the U.S. Conference of Catholic

Photos provided by Sandy Buck

Above, Susie Pingree and Marie Mukantabana look on as Marie’s two youngest sons, Prince and Jean, explore a new toy at the Mukantabanas’ new apartment, furnished through the efforts of parishioners of St. John Neumann Parish in Charlotte.

At right, Dave Maher (left) and Norm Laskowsky, nicknamed “Two Catholics and a Truck” by Susie Pingree, assemble a bed they moved in to the Mukantabanas’ apartment.

How can you help?

More information about the needs of the diocesan refugee office and opportunities for volunteering is at the Catholic Social Services’ website, www.cssnc.org, under the “Donate Furniture and Household Items” tab.

Bishops through the U.S. State Department.

The refugee office helps with housing, social services, health care referrals, school registration, and community and cultural orientation. It also provides employment assistance, interpretation services and transportation to initial appointments.

In addition, the refugee office began a youth program in 2006 to support refugee children who attend public school.

For many refugees, however, the most memorable aspect of the support they receive from the diocesan refugee office is a fully furnished apartment – their first stop after arriving at the Charlotte airport. Often, it is the first real home they have had in years.

“When I saw the apartment for the first time, I saw only new things and I was really happy and excited,” shares Mukantabana.

“It is most remarkable the way people care

For inquiries about sponsoring an apartment, contact Sandy Buck at 704-370-3283 or skbuck@ charlottediocese.org.

Send monetary donations to Catholic Social Services Refugee Office, 1123 S. Church St., Charlotte 28203.

about others here.”

Most of the apartments for arriving refugees are prepared by refugee office staff, but the Mukantabana family’s apartment was sponsored by parishioners of St. John Neumann Church. This apartment was the second that parishioners completed after learning about the work of the refugee office from their pastor, Father Pat Hoare.

“We are a mission Church,” explains Father Hoare. “We are called as a part of our baptism to carry the light of Christ, represented by the Paschal candle and the candle given to us and lighted from that candle. We bear that light in a physical sense when we show our solidarity with people very different from us, but blessed, as we are, with the gift of life.”

Susie Pingree, who chaired the effort at

St. John Neumann Parish, adds, “We want to help support the RRO because we know they do great things, and we realize the RRO can use their resources in other ways if we can help get an apartment ready.”

The parish’s work to collect and organize the apartment’s furnishings begins weeks before the refugee family steps off the plane in Charlotte.

“We notify parishioners we are going to be sponsoring a refugee family and that we will be needing donations of furniture and household goods,” Pingree explains.

“That’s all we really need to say, and I start getting calls and emails from people wanting to donate stuff. There are always people in transition, moving, downsizing their parents, friends, etc. We usually don’t have problems getting things.”

Pingree keeps a list of donors and what they have to donate so that pick-ups can be arranged when the refugee family’s arrival date is set. Donated items are moved from the donors’ homes directly to the apartment.

“We have two parishioners that I call our “Two Catholics and a Truck,” who do the heavy lifting,” shares Pingree. “I don’t know what we would do without them.”

The Mukantabana family’s apartment was set up in less than two days, thanks to other parish volunteers who helped stock the kitchen pantry, arrange the furniture, make the beds, and put all the finishing touches on what became the refugee family’s first real home and the start of their new lives in America.

Father Hoare says this work is an eyeopening experience for his flock.

“To learn about the conditions and struggles that some people face in other parts of our world gives one a perspective on the great gift of freedom that we have here in our republic, despite its flaws,” he says.

Pingree agrees. “Seeing the refugees, who come with nothing, so happy with the simplest things can really be humbling and transformational. We all have too much stuff !”

They both encourage other parishes, even companies, to consider sponsoring an apartment with the diocesan refugee office.

“We welcome 350-380 refugees each year, which requires the set-up of 60 to 80 homes or apartments each year,” explains Cira Ponce, director of the diocesan refugee office. “We are always looking for organizations and parishes to sponsor apartments, and we are thrilled that St. John Neumann is working on their third apartment sponsorship for another Congolese family. We also are always in need of finding apartment management companies willing to work with us to provide options for our clients. They come to us from desperate and dangerous situations, and we want their new homes to truly be places where a new life can begin.”

Mukantabana greatly appreciates the gift of a new home provided by St. John Neumann parishioners’ sponsorship of her family’s apartment.

“I thank them a lot for their good heart and the love that they showed to us,” she says. “Thank you very much to everyone that helped us.”

Since she and her boys moved in to their new home, Father Hoare, Pingree and other parishioners have often visited them, offering other support and bringing Christmas gifts.

“When I met them for the first time,” Father Hoare says, “and I saw the wonder and joy on the faces of those young guys, I was overcome with emotion. I almost couldn’t speak. What a great gift the Lord gave us in being able to serve them in His name!”

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catholicnewsherald.com | March 15, 2013 FROM THE COVER

Welcomed into

RCIA candidates prepare, await the Easter Vigil SueAnn Howell Senior reporter

CHARLOTTE — Their backgrounds are as varied as their parishes scattered across the Diocese of Charlotte.

But the estimated 950 men and women enrolled in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) who wish to enter the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil all have one thing in common: the time leading up to Easter is spent reading, praying, studying and inquiring about the faith they will soon call their own.

This year, in support of catechumens and candidates, an estimated 2000 people attended the Rite of Election, officiated last month by Charlotte Bishop Peter J. Jugis, at three churches in the diocese: St. James Church in Concord, St. Paul the Apostle Church in Greensboro, and St. Eugene Church in Asheville.

The group is slightly larger than last year, when the diocese welcomed more than 936 people as new Catholics. Of those, 359 were catechumens – people

who needed the sacrament of baptism in addition to confirmation and Eucharist. The remaining 577 people, baptized in another Christian tradition, needed only confirmation and Eucharist to come into the Church at the Easter Vigil.

The Rite of Election includes the enrollment of names of all those seeking baptism at the coming Easter Vigil.

Typically, on the first Sunday of Lent, the catechumens, their sponsors and families gather at the cathedral church. The catechumens publicly express their desire for baptism to the diocesan bishop. Their names are recorded in a book and they are called “the elect.”

God’s will

Chuck Oxford, the RCIA director at St. James Church in Concord, is helping to guide 10 people into the Church this year.

RCIA, SEE page 13

March 15, 2013 | catholicnewsherald.com

the Church

Photos by Doreen Sugierski and Bill Washington | Catholic News Herald

Those preparing to enter the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil participate in the Rite of Election at several parishes around the diocese recently.

FROM THE COVERI

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Future Catholics: How I picked my patron saint Mary B. Worthington Correspondent

CHARLOTTE — As 936 people throughout the diocese prepare the enter the Church this Easter, the Catholic News Herald caught up with several of them to ask one simple question, “How did you pick your patron saint?”

“I had always collected Catholic things,” Kathy Hicks explained of her habit of picking up Mary statues and holy medals during her travels. “Even long before I met my husband, I found two or three Mary statues in a flea market, and I said to myself, “These don’t need to be here without a home.’

“When we got married and I started decorating the house with these treasures, my husband said to me, ‘You do know those are Catholic things, right?’” Hicks laughed.

It’s no wonder that Hicks, from St. Ann Church in Charlotte, has decided to pick St. Helena – also an excavator of holy objects – as her patron saint.

“It is so neat that St. Helena made it her mission to collect the holy things; I was so moved by her excavation of the True Cross.”

“I choose St. Theotonius because he stands for people in purgatory and that means a lot to me,” said Crystal Benitez of St. James Church in Concord. “My brother died a few years ago and wasn’t really a spiritual person. I felt that St. Theotonius is someone who can help.”

A woman who wanted to remain anonymous chose another little known saint, St. Adelaide, “because she is the patron saint of second marriages and abuse victims,” she explained.

“I value her interest in evangelism and that she did so much for Jesus even with all the setbacks in her life. She didn’t seem to make the poor choices I have made, but she suffered more than I have. I have decided to think of St. Adelaide’s faithfulness, even throughout tough times, to realize that I don’t have to let my past keep me from doing that which God wants me to do.”

Elizabeth Powe from St. John Neumann Church in Charlotte, chose St. Margaret of Antioch. “St. Margaret is the saint of pregnancy and childbirth. I would be blessed to have a child with my wonderful husband Patrick,” she said.

“Since taking these (RCIA) classes, I Mary B. Worthington | Catholic News Herald have really grown in my relationship with “She had a huge contribution, but a different God and also with my husband. I feel it’s approach in how she served the Church,” said very important for us to be able to worship Kathy Hicks of her patron saint St. Helena. together. I was raised a Baptist, but Here Hicks shows off a few of the Catholic since marrying, I have chosen to become “things” she has collected: holy medals.

Catholic so that my husband and I can raise our children in the Catholic Church.”

J.R. Richardson, from St. Ann Church in Charlotte, felt drawn to St. Thomas Aquinas. “After Communion during Latin Mass, my beautiful fiancée turned to a post-Communion prayer. When I read it, I felt particularly called and inspired, and when I looked up, I saw that it was by St. Thomas Aquinas. And I thought of my grandfather, whose middle name was Thomas, and I felt as if that was the name that was calling me.”

Dawn Eagan of St. Peter Church in Charlotte also picked her patron saint because of a family connection. She chose St. Katherine, the saint that her mother chose.

“Last year, I experienced a tremendous amount of loss unexpectedly, and I felt I needed a connection with God and the Church,” she explained.

Raised a Catholic, Eagan missed the sacrament of confirmation earlier in life.

However, at Easter, not only will she have her mom by her side as she completes her sacraments of initiation, her sponsor’s name is also Katherine.

“So, it kind of felt right, like that was the name I was supposed to pick, that I was led to pick.”

Fellow parishioner Vince Sivillo picked St. Joseph, stating that this strong saint is often overlooked.

“I think he does not get the recognition that he deserves. We hear a lot about Mary, which is very important, but Joseph had to have as much faith to support and trust his wife Mary and to raise Jesus as his own son,” Sivillo said.

As a chef, Gilbert McKnight of St. Ann Church chose St. Lawrence.

“I was looking for a patron saint according to my profession. There was another, but I couldn’t pronounce his name,” McKnight said with a laugh. “I think it was divine choosing.”

“I was looking for a connection between what they represented and who I am,” said Debra Digmann of St. James in Concord. “I was led to take a look at St. Catherine (of Siena) when my sponsor told me about her. She gave me a prayer, and I’ve prayed it quite often.”

Digmann is a teacher, and coming into the Church has been a family journey for her.

“My husband rekindled his faith, and I went along for the ride!” she said. Their two daughters were baptized at Christmas.

Laura Rice, religious educator at St. Gabriel, became Catholic 25 years ago, and she chose the Blessed Mother. “We had just gotten married and thought about raising a family. She has been my go-to person as a mother, especially through the rosary. I think I would probably pick the same saint now.”

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catholicnewsherald.com | March 15, 2013 FROM THE COVER

Gretchen Filz | Catholic News Herald

The three youngest Mathews children are baptized by Father Matthew Kauth at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte, with their godparents looking on. (Below) The Mathews extended family gathers after Mass. (Bottom) Brian and Diona Mathews renew their marriage vows.

A new Catholic family Gretchen Filz Correspondent

CHARLOTTE — Those attending Saturday morning Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas Church on Dec. 29 were unexpected witnesses to a rare reception of the sacraments: a family of six received no less than four of the seven sacraments together during the Mass. It certainly was a pleasure for the parish’s Father Matthew Kauth, who welcomed the Mathews family into full communion with the Church.

The newest members of the local Church are Brian Mathews, his wife Diona, and their four children: Milea, 16; Naysa, 8; Isaac, 6; and baby Augustine. The three youngest were baptized together, while Brian, Diona, Milea, Naysa and Isaac all received confirmation and first Holy Communion as well, one right after the other.

It was a truly special occasion to see young children and their parents together marked with the chrism oil and being confirmed in their baptism, and receiving Our Lord together for the first time in the Blessed Sacrament. And to top things off, after Mass there was one more sacrament: Brian and Diona had their marriage con-validated, renewing their vows while their children and their children’s godparents looked on, together with their sponsors, family and friends.

It was an incredibly grace-filled morning with tears all around, not only for the Mathews family – joyful after their long spiritual journey into the Church – but also for all those present to witness this beautiful moment as the Church expanded before their eyes. The day was made even sweeter for the Mathews, because the next morning their first Sunday Mass as a newly Catholic family was none other than the Feast of the Holy Family.

Brian and Diona were evangelical Christians who began questioning their theological assumptions and seriously considering the claims of the Catholic Church

while Brian was studying for a theology degree at a Protestant evangelical seminary. He was already having difficulty reconciling doctrinal differences and Biblical interpretation by various Protestant denominations, and the conflict eventually came to a head during one of his final semesters.

For example, John 3:16 (“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life”) is used by some Protestants to justify a belief that once someone is saved, they are always saved (that is, there is no need for confession), and that salvation is by faith alone (that is, not by a combination of God’s grace as well as our faith and actions). But this Scripture passage can be interpreted in multiple ways.

Brian said, “A significant group of Protestants adhere to the belief that all one has to do is believe in Jesus at one specific point in their life, and they will go to heaven, regardless of whether a person continues to believe in Jesus until the day they die.” But after studying the New Testament in the original Greek, Brian did not feel comfortable teaching this view in the Bible study he was leading at the time.

Adding to his confusion was the fact that two Protestant Bible scholars he respected completely disagreed over how to interpret the text from the Gospel of John.

“Two highly educated, brilliant, and godly scholars were disagreeing on something as fundamental as the interpretation of John 3:16 – a verse that many of us learned growing up, a verse that might be the most popular verse in the entire Bible,” Brian says.

So Brian studied further, and encountered the Catholic faith, which teaches that the Bible is not so much a book as it is a library, and it must be interpreted in different ways – especially relying upon the Church’s 2,000 years of tradition, writings, and scholarly thought.

He shared his doubts with his wife, who is the daughter of missionary parents who work with the Navigators, a worldwide evangelical association. She shared his questioning.

Together in their crisis of faith, they turned to prayer.

And not just any prayer – the rosary. Diona woke up every day for months to pray the rosary at 5 a.m., and through it she found the strength to support their faith journey and then to begin homeschooling their children.

Now they say they feel blessed to be in full communion

with the Church and recipients of its sacramental life – a new source of grace for the whole family. And they are thankful for the faithful, God-fearing Catholic friends and priests who have helped them along the way.

March 15, 2013 | catholicnewsherald.com

RCIA: FROM PAGE 10

Oxford was an RCIA candidate himself not too long ago. He was raised Southern Baptist, but felt a call to learn more about the traditions of Christianity and over the course of time after much prayer, study and research, found his way into the Catholic Church.

“Everything I read made sense,” Oxford explained. “I read the Catechism of the Catholic Church and a book by a Baptist convert. His book helped…All things started falling into place, making complete sense.”

He started listening to EWTN on his headphones at work.

What helped catapult him forward in his journey into the Church was the decision to attend Mass, to see what it was like. The closest Catholic church was St. James Church in Concord.

“I sat in back and watched to see if anything offensive was going on during the Mass. I thought it was beautiful. I thought, ‘Wow, there is nothing offensive, this is great!’”

He went back to Mass at St. James again and again. Then he attended a Bible study there.

In 2010 he went through RCIA at St. James Church, with Deacon Dan Carl, his wife Maria’s uncle, as his sponsor.

Oxford credits the Diary of St. Faustina Kowalska for pointing him in the direction of pastor Father Joseph Dionne’s office at St. James shortly after he entered the Church, because after reading the diary he questioned whether he needed a spiritual director.

“I went with the mindset that whatever he tells me it is the will of God. He told me that I wasn’t there for the reason I thought I was there for.”

At that time the people who had been running the RCIA program were no longer going to be able to run the program, Father explained.

“I want you and Micki (now codirector) to run RCIA, he told me.

I thought, ‘What?!’ Under normal circumstances I would have found an excuse but since I had gone into there with the idea that whatever Father told me was God’s will, I felt like if I said ‘no’ I would be saying no to God.”

Guided by the Holy Spirit

Karen Solana, a candidate from St. William Church in Murphy, hopes to

‘Be open to whatever God wants you to do.

There is such fullness in the Catholic Church.’

— Chuck Oxford

Catholic convert and RCIA director at St. James Church in Concord enter the Church at Easter this year.

She went to the Ignatius House in Atlanta last May and found it to be an enlightening experience that brought her closer to Christ.

“It was there that I really came to terms (with the teachings of the Catholic faith) and where I really saw was my personal relationship with Christ. I found that with the Church,” Solana explained.

Solana, 64 years, is excited that her faith journey is bringing her into the Church this Easter.

“Wherever the Holy Spirit guides me in the Church, I will go.”

Be open to God

Dr. Cris Villapando, director of religious education for the diocese, explains that it takes many hands working in the vineyard to help bring people into the Church. “(Last year) approximately 441 persons served as staff/presenters in the initiation ministry and 1,017 individuals supported the initiati as godparents/sponsors,” Villapando said.

“This means that more than 2,394 individuals actively co-journeyed through the RCIA last year.”

Oxford says that guiding others through the RCIA program that he once came through is “a combination of feeling like I’m helping others and also learning myself.”

He enjoys listening to the speakers who come in to share their pearls of wisdom about the Catholic faith.

His advice to people outside the Church who may be interested in learning more about the faith?

“Say, ‘God, I want to know your Truth.’ If you sincerely pray that, God will show you. Be open to whatever God wants you to do. There is such fullness in the Catholic Church.”

St. John Neumann Catholic Church – Charlotte, NC Director of Religious Education

Dynamic self-starter to lead a vibrant Faith Formation department of 600+ students. This full-time position coordinates programs from pre-school to adult, including RCIA, oversees a small staff, and trains/coordinates over 100 volunteers in this diverse Parish Community.

Coordinator of Youth and Young Adult Ministry

Looking for an energetic candidate that will continue to build upon the existing program to coordinate a comprehensive LifeTeen based youth ministry program for Middle School and High School, which includes Confirmation.

Both positions require frequent evening, weekend and off-site work.

Must be in full communion with the Catholic Church and a role model for the students. Theology Degree or equivalent experience preferred.

Please send resume and cover letter to: finance@4sjnc.org or fax to: 704.837.8243

FROM THE COVERI

13

Lenten calendar of events ASHEVILLE St. EugenE Church, 72 Culvern St. — Stations of the Cross, 12:15 p.m.

Fridays — Living Stations of the Cross: 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 22, presented by the St. Eugene Youth Group.

BELMONT Queen of the Apostles, 503 N. Main St. — Stations of the Cross, 1 and 7:15 p.m.

Fridays — Lenten evening discussions: 7:15 p.m. Monday, March 18 and 25, led by Father Frank Cancro.

enjoy the egg hunt, crafts and fellowship. Refreshments will be provided.

— Estaciones de la Cruz 7:30 p.m.

Todos los Viernes — An Ecumenical Workshop Service, “The Seven Last Words of Christ”: Noon-3 p.m. Good Friday, March 29. For details, visit www.

— Stations of the Cross, 7:30 p.m.

Fridays ST. PATRICK CATHEDRAL, 1621 DILWORTH ROAD East

staloysiushickory.org.

— Stations of the Cross, 2 and 7:30 p.m.

Fridays — Lenten Meals 6:30 p.m. Fridays — Penance, extended hours for Lent: 4-5:30 p.m. Saturdays; 7-8 p.m.

Wednesdays; 10-11 a.m. Sundays; and half an hour before daily Mass at 12:10 p.m.

ST. BASIL MISSION, 1400 SUTHER ROAD (ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CHAPEL) — Great Vespers for Palm Sunday: 5 p.m. Saturday, March 23. Followed

by Typica Service with Holy Communion.

Our Lady of the Rosary CHURCH, 619 S. Main St. — Lenten Meals, “Soup and Soul”: 6 p.m. Fridays — Stations of the Cross, 8 p.m. Fridays

MINT HILL St. Luke Church, 13700 Lawyers Road

St. Thomas aquinas CHURCH, 1400 suther road

CHARLOTTE

LEXINGTON

— Blessing of Easter Food Baskets: Noon, Saturday, March 30. Deacon James Witulski will be blessing the food. Contact: Mary Witulski, 704628-7209

— Stations of the Cross, 7:30 p.m.

— Lenten Sessions “Journey with St. Paul to the 1st Century – Paul, His Story”: 3-4:30 p.m. every Saturday of Lent

— Lenten meals, 6 p.m. Fridays — Holy and Great Friday Matins: 10 a.m.

March 29 — Holy and Great Friday Vespers: 7 p.m. March 29. With procession of the burial shroud.

— Holy Saturday, “Jerusalem” Matins: 10 a.m. March 30

— Holy Thursday: 7:30 p.m. March 28 — Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion, 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 29 — Easter Vigil Mass: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 30

— Stations of the Cross, 7 p.m. Fridays

— Annual Live Passion of Jesus Christ: 7 p.m. March 29.

ST. MATTHEW CHURCH, 8015 BALLANTYNE COMMONS PKWY. — Stations of the Cross, 7:30 p.m.

Fridays

ST. MARY CHURCH, 812 Duke St. — Stations of the Cross and Benediction, 5:30 p.m. Fridays

SWANNANOA

— Stations of the Cross, 7 p.m. Fridays

HICKORY St. Aloysius Church, 921 Second St. N.E. — Stations of the Cross and Benediction, 5:30 p.m. Fridays

MURPHY St. William Church, 765 Andrews Road — Stations of the Cross, following 5 p.m. Mass

GREENSBORO

St. PIUS X CHURCH , 2210 North Elm St.

— Parish Mission, “Give God a Second Thought”: March 16-20, presented by Father John Collins, CSP.

— Easter Egg-Travaganza: 1:30 p.m.

Palm Sunday, March 24. Bring children aged 9 and younger to

— Stations of the Cross, 7 p.m. Fridays — Communal Penance Service: 7 p.m.

Monday, March 18

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL CHURCH, 6828 old reid road

St. john Neumann church, 8451 Idlewild Road

MOORESVILLE St. ThÉrÈse of Lisieux church, 217 Brawley School road

— Estaciones de la Cruz 6 p.m. Todos los Viernes

— Living Stations of the Cross: Friday, March 15, presented by middle and high school youth groups.

— Great Vespers for Pascha: 5 p.m.

Saturday, March 30. Followed

by Typica Service with Holy Communion.

Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 4207 Shamrock Dr.

— Stations of the Cross, 7 p.m. Fridays

St. Margaret Mary Church, 102 aNDREW pLACE — Stations of the Cross, 6:30 p.m.

Fridays — Estaciones de la Cruz, 7:30 p.m.

Todos los Viernes — Bilingual Mass of the Last Supper: 7 p.m. Holy Thursday, March 28

Celebrate Holy Week with

St. John Neumann Catholic Church 8451 Idlewild Road – Charlotte, NC 28227 704-536-6520 www.4sjnc.org Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper 7pm Good Friday Celebration of the Passion & Veneration of the Cross (English) 3pm (Español) 8pm

Holy Saturday Blessing of Easter Food 12 Noon Easter Vigil 8pm Easter Sunday Sunrise Mass 6:30am (weather permitting) 8am, 9:30am, 11:15am, 1pm (Español) Lenten Penance Service Thursday, March 21 at 7pm

Experience our Living Stations of the Cross Good Friday 7pm - Outdoors (weather permitting)

14

catholicnewsherald.com | March 15, 2013 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD LEFT PAGE

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

Catholic Missionary Overcomes Terrible Accident, Finds New Mission Helping Handicapped When an oncoming car slammed into Grace Okalany in 1990, she had no idea God was using the event to make her a more effective disciple for his people.

In the moment of the accident, all she could think about was her pain.

Grace’s hip, pelvis and femur were severely broken. Doctors tried implanting an articial hip, but her body rejected it. For three long years, she struggled through recovery and excruciating rehabilitation at a treatment center in Nairobi, Kenya.

To this day, she bears the physical burden of that accident — one leg is shorter than the other and she must use crutches to walk.

“I felt so weak,” Grace recalled. “I thought God had left me to die in the hospital.”

Grace returned to Uganda after her treatment was complete and there met Father John Ahimbisibwe, coordinator of Wisdom Training Center, an outreach run by the Montfort Fathers in western Uganda. The ministry is a vocational training center where handicapped young adults living in poverty learn life-skills and incomegenerating careers like tailoring, shoe repair, and agriculture.

Fr. John convinced Grace to join his work — and she immediately saw how the car accident had uniquely prepared her for this special service at the center.

“Since I am handicapped myself, I can relate to the young adults; they open up to me,” Grace said. “I understand their frustrations, the discrimination they face, and their desire to succeed. Because I understand them, I can better help them.”

Advancing from volunteer to secretary to director, Grace works among the disabled every day, pouring her compassion and skills into helping them improve their lives. In Uganda

and other poor countries, the disabled routinely experience discrimination and abuse. They are often denied the opportunity to attend school.

The 15 to 25-year-olds who come to Grace often can’t read or write and have been shunned by their families and society, but they all have a burning desire to learn, Grace said.

“I know God led me here to serve them,” Grace said. “I know he made me ‘one of them’ so I can advocate for them and help them understand they are worthy in his eyes.”

Elias is one of the many young people beneting from the services of the Wisdom Training Center.

At 19-years-old, he is nally getting the opportunity to make use of his artistic skills.

Grace has found her place at Wisdom.

This approach appealed to Cross Catholic Outreach, a Florida-based charity that supports Catholic ministries overseas. Soon after discovering the outreach, Cross Catholic Outreach pledged to provide Grace with regular nancial support — a huge blessing for her

ministry as it sought stability and ways to increase its services to the poor.

With help from its charitable U.S. benefactors, Cross Catholic Outreach has now supported Wisdom Training Center for more than ve years, providing them with workshop equipment, training materials, teachers’ salaries, food, and other operational assistance.

Jim Cavnar, the president of Cross Catholic Outreach believes even more can be done.

“The work of Grace and the Montfort Fathers is the kind of service that resonates with Catholics because it afrms that each person is eternally valuable in God’s eyes,” he said. “As more American Catholics become aware of what the Wisdom Training Center is doing, I believe their support will increase and the outreach will expand, not just here but everywhere the handicapped are struggling for respect and hope.”

“Supporting a project like Wisdom Training Center is a way for us as Catholics to say to a handicapped person, ‘You are

loved by Christ. You are worthy, and we brothers and sisters in Christ are here for you,’” Cavnar added.

For Grace, knowing American Catholics are standing with her through Cross Catholic Outreach is an invaluable source of strength.

It sparks a hope in her that radiates outward to the students, giving them greater self worth, energy and optimism.

“We are all one family in Christ,” Grace said.

“The help we’ve received from our American ‘family’ through Cross Catholic Outreach is a blessing. I want to thank them for their support and prayers, because we couldn’t do any of this life-changing work without them.”

To support the worldwide outreaches of Cross Catholic Outreach, look for the ministry brochure enclosed in this issue of the paper or mail your donation to Cross Catholic Outreach, Dept. AC00975, PO Box 9558, Wilton, NH 03086-9558. All contributions to the ministry are tax deductible.

“Cross” Now Endorsed by More Than 50 Bishops, Archbishops As Cross Catholic Outreach continues its range of relief work to help the poor overseas, its efforts are being recognized by a growing number of Catholic leaders in the U.S. “We’ve received an impressive number of endorsements from American Bishops and Archbishops — 60 Catholic leaders at last count,” explained Jim Cavnar, president of Cross Catholic Outreach (CCO). “They’re impressed by the fact that we’ve done outreaches in more than 40 countries and that we undertake a variety of projects; everything from feeding the hungry and housing the homeless to supplying safe water and supporting educational opportunities for the poorest of the poor.”

Archbishop Robert Carlson of St. Louis sent one of the more recent letters of encouragement, writing: “It is my hope that this ministry will continue to ourish and reach as many people as possible. I will inform the priests of the Archdiocese of St. Louis of the important work that Cross Catholic Outreach does and elicit their prayerful and nancial support for the service you provide to the less fortunate around the world.”

In addition to praising the work CCO accomplishes, many of the Bishops and

Archbishops are also impressed by the unique collaborative relationship Cross Catholic Outreach has with the Pontical Council Cor Unum in Rome. This allows the charity to participate in the mercy ministries of the Holy Father himself. In his praise of CCO, Archbishop Dennis Schnurr of Cincinnati underscored this unique connection.

“Cross Catholic Outreach’s close collaboration with the Pontical Council Cor Unum is a source of encouragement,” the Archbishop said.

“The Holy See has unique knowledge of local situations throughout the world through its papal representatives in nearly two hundred countries and through its communications with Bishops and others who care for the poor and needy in every corner of the world.”

CCO president, Jim Cavnar, explained the signicance of this connection.

“Our collaboration with Cor Unum allows us to fund outreaches in virtually any area of the world and we have used that method in special cases — to help the victims of natural disasters, for example,” he said.“It only represents a small part of our overall ministry, but it can be a very important benet in those situations.”

CCO’s outreach helps priests, nuns and Catholic lay leaders throughout the world.

March 15, 2013 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI RIGHT PAGE

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

Christ’s Love for Blind, Handicapped Serves As Inspiration for Catholic Missions Helping the Poor In the ninth chapter of the book of John, the Apostle describes Jesus giving a blind man sight to glorify God. In the story, John shows how faith and a simple dab of mud were used as instruments of a miracle — ultimately giving new hope to the handicapped man.

Even today, thousands of years later, we recognize this act as an amazing example of our Lord’s power and love.

When Sister Emma Kulombe looks to this story, she wishes she could, like Jesus, smear mud on the eyes of deaf/blind children to cure them. She and the other Servants of the Blessed Virgin Mary ache to have their wards transformed.

Since she hasn’t been so blessed with a miracle, Sister Emma does what she can instead. She helps the children blossom and nd hope in other ways.

“These children have something to offer that the world needs. We help them glorify God through their faith, joy and talents,” she said. “We work with them to bring those blessings out.”

This service is not without its tears, however.

Many of the children have histories of past suffering that pierce the nun’s heart with grief.

Sr. Emma said this kind of neglect is sadly common for physically or mentally handicapped children in Africa and around the world. In many countries, including Malawi, disabled children are considered a curse, and parents prefer to hide them away than endure the social stigma of raising a “cursed” child.

“Some children couldn’t eat by themselves when we discovered them,” Sr. Emma said.

“We showed them how to eat, how to wash their hands, how to hold a cup and how to go to the toilet.”

Worldwide, millions of handicapped children in developing countries live in the shadows like John, forced to the edges of humanity by social stigmas and, more often, extreme poverty.

Parents of disabled children in the developing world are too poor to properly care for them — when there’s barely enough food for the family to eat, much-needed physical therapy, special schools and doctor’s visits are out of the question.

“Physically and mentally handicapped children are largely ignored in many areas of the world,” said Jim Cavnar, president of Cross Catholic Outreach, a ministry alleviating poverty among “the least of these” worldwide. “Even in cases where the parents

Extreme poverty adds to the many hardships of the handicapped. Some children are never able to overcome the hurdles it presents — and they suffer greatly as a result.

Sr. Emma recalls one deaf/blind boy named John [his name is changed here to protect his identity] whose parents worked in remote elds each day and left him home alone while they toiled. The young boy ate nothing all day and slept outside of the hut at night because his parents forbid him from sharing the space with the rest of the family.

One day Sr. Emma visited John and saw he was naked while his brothers and sisters were clothed. Matthew 25:36 came to her mind: “…I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me…”

She immediately brought John some clothes and promised to visit again.

are attentive, they are often too poor to provide the special care a disabled child needs to lead a fullling life. The poor can’t afford surgeries to cure a club foot or cleft palate, nor can they pay for special boarding schools or therapy sessions. Poor families often live in deplorable slums or in far-ung rural areas, and it’s a struggle just to eat each day and keep a roof over their heads.”

With support from its many American Catholic benefactors, Cross Catholic Outreach is working to bring accessible care to disabled children in dozens of developing countries.

It strives to carry the light of Christ to those living and suffering in the shadows.

Sr. Emma uses touch to help blind/deaf children expand their sense of the world.

As an example of the good that can be done, Cavnar pointed to the story of Mishineca Isorena, a 10-year-old girl with Down’s syndrome in the Philippines.

Mishineca was taken in by a Cross Catholic Outreach-sponsored school when she was 5 years old. At the time, she couldn’t walk or talk. Her impoverished mother, Regina, was struggling to raise her in a shack within Manila’s worst slum neighborhood.

Today, thanks to free therapy provided by the Cross Catholic Outreach-funded school, Mishineca is thriving. She loves to dance, sing, and help her mother around the house.

No longer trapped in a terrible home, she has new opportunities and enjoys life. The school also provides food for the family.

“One day, Mishineca will be capable of independence and the normal life of an adult,” Regina said proudly. “The school is giving her the tools and helping her achieve that condence. She will not let others take advantage of her. The Lord has done this.”

Mishineca is just one example of the many handicapped children who now lives a better life because American Catholics ministered to her through Cross Catholic Outreach.

“As a Catholic ministry, we know the value of every human life. So do the Catholics who support us,” Cavnar said. “Working together, we want to help poor families see disabled children as a gift from God. We want to give those children an

opportunity to succeed and experience God’s love — perhaps for the rst time.”

For some of the ministries serving handicapped children, a signicant portion of their budgets come through Cross Catholic Outreach. Such outreaches would either close or need to reduce their services drastically without that help.

“There really is a direct link between American Catholics and the success of the work being done. To put it simply — these outreaches wouldn’t be possible without outside support.

Fortunately, American Catholics remain involved and their generosity is amazing, especially toward disabled children,” Cavnar said. “I’m condent my fellow Catholics will continue to see the eternal worth of the ‘least of these’ among us and keep supporting our work — the kind of work that touches children like John in Malawi.”

Because John’s parents have allowed him to live and study at Sister Emma’s ministry, the young boy’s life has taken a remarkable turn from its difcult start. Where there was darkness, there is now light. Where there was despair, new hope is taking root. It is the kind of physical and spiritual transformation that only God can orchestrate.

“The Lord has brought us together to serve handicapped children and save them from the darkness,” Sr. Emma said. “He uses our outreach, a dedicated staff and nancial support from America to achieve this. Praise God!”

How to Help: Your help is needed for Cross Catholic Outreach to bring Christ’s mercy to the poorest of the poor.

To make a donation, use the enclosed postage-paid brochure or mail a gift to: Cross Catholic Outreach, Dept. AC00975, PO Box 9558, Wilton, NH 03086-9558.

15

16

catholicnewsherald.com | March 15, 2013 OUR PARISHES

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In Brief

Knights honor members GREENSBORO â&#x20AC;&#x201D; St. Pius X Knights of Columbus Council 11101, in conjunction with St. Paulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Council 13236, conducted an exemplification in the first degree on Feb. 9. The ceremony was held in the Kloster Center of St. Pius X Parish and was officiated by the recentlyformed degree team of Council 11101. Pictured are: (from left) Past Grand Knight and District Deputy Walter Kulla, new member Dan Allen of St. Pius X Parish, Grand Knight of Council 11101 Ron VanBuren, new member Joshua Denil of St. Paul Parish, and Grand Knight Gene Mandarano of St. Paul Parish. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; John Russell

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Youth Minister

Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in High Point, NC, a vibrant parish of 1700 families, is seeking a full-time Youth Minister. This person would oversee all religious education/youth ministry programs for grades 6 through high school. This person would also oversee the Sacrament of Confirmation. Our new 75,000 square foot Parish Life and Education Center will provide an environment that will maximize the effectiveness of this ministry. Edge and Life Teen resources are in place along with a supportive volunteer team.

Requirements: Candidates are required to be a practicing Catholic, have a Bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in theology or catechesis and youth ministry experience. (Preferably in Life Teen). A working/reading knowledge of Spanish is helpful. Candidates should have strong verbal and written communication skills, the ability to recruit and work with adult volunteers, and to organize and implement ecumenical community outreach.

Applicants should send resume and cover letter to Ann Marie Bullock, Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 4145 Johnson St., High Point N.C. 27265 or abullock@ihmchurch.org.

Scout Sunday with Father Patrick Hoare celebrating Mass. The Scouts took part in the Mass as lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion and as altar servers. The Mass ended with a blessing of the Scouts by Father Hoare.

The Scouts, chartered to the Knights of Columbus 7343, with the help of the church community, collected more than two tons of food to benefit Loaves and Fishes and the food pantry of St. John Neumann Parish. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Christie Silvestri

Knights take the plunge CLEMMONS â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The Knights of Columbus Council 9499 of Clemmons jumped in the 2013 Polar Plunge as a fundraiser to benefit Special Olympics. The waterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s temperature was 47 degrees, the air was cold and it was snowing, but the fundraiser was a success. The Clemmons council supports Special Olympics in many ways, from coaching and helping out with sporting events to fundraising through an annual â&#x20AC;&#x153;BBQ and Boogieâ&#x20AC;? and the annual Polar Plunge. Jumping this year were Mac McGaffigan, Bob Webber and Brian Sternecker. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Brian Sternecker

St. John Neumann Scouts at work CHARLOTTE â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The Scouts of St. John Neumann Parish recently commemorated

We welcome your parishâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s news! Please email news items and photos to Editor Patricia L. Guilfoyle at plguilfoyle@ charlottediocese.org.

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March 15, 2013 | catholicnewsherald.com

PILGRIMAGE: FROM PAGE 2

be born for me, to save me from all of my inadequacies – I cried. As I looked around the church afterwards, everything that was associated with Christ and God, and I couldn’t control myself. I cried more.”

For Anne Rega, from Holy Family in Clemmons, actually seeing the Garden of Gethsemane was faith-affirming for her.

It’s exactly as she pictured it, she said.

Before going on the trip, she said, the trip organizer was the voice who told her she just had to physically experience where Jesus lived.

“She was 100 percent right. I can visualize being with Mary, and I don’t think I’ll pray the rosary again the same,” Rega said. “It brings tears to your eyes, and I’m not someone who cries right away.

“I think my life will be different. I think I will be more at peace with understanding, and putting more trust in God than before. I was doubtful sometimes before. I’ll let it go and trust in God more.”

For Barbara Kolesar, this pilgrimage has helped her to feel closer to the Lord at an important time in her life.

“I just lost my husband, and you question a lot of things,” Kolesar said, tearing up.

“I needed a little jumpstart, I guess, in my faith. And I think I got that.”

Touring the Sea of Galilee region was the most rewarding for her, she said.

“Not only was it the place for most of Jesus’ ministry took place, so many good stories from the Bible happened there.

The Church of the Loaves and Fishes, the Sermon on the Mount, and seeing the 2,000-year-old boat was impressive.”

Kimberly Bender | Catholic News Herald

Pilgrims (from left) Lia Beard, Letha Hinman, Mary Alice and Rob Girardi pray during Mass at the Chapel of St. Helena at the Church of the Nativity.

For Milt DeJean, coming on this pilgrimage was a gift from his children to his wife, Beanie, who he admits is much more spiritual than he is. But the nearly 87-year-old said he did learn from this experience.

“I think it will make me more reflective on the final stages of my life,” he said. “It will make me more reflective and think a lot more about God.” Beanie DeJean said she felt the closest to God on this pilgrimage during the Masses that Father Porras celebrated each day of

Elder Ministry

Day of Reflection for Seniors Our Lady of the Americas, Biscoe, NC

Presented by Msgr. Mo West

Topic:

“Growing in Age and Grace” Thursday, April 4, 2013 Check-In: 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Program: 11:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Closing Mass: 2:30 p.m.

Cost: Free but registration required.

Light lunch will be provided.

Registration Deadline: Monday, March 25

Pre-register by contacting Trudy Hintz at (910-400-5034) or Sandra Breakfield at (704-370-3220) or by sending your name & address to: Catholic Social Services Elder Ministry 1123 South Church St. Charlotte, NC 28203 Attn: Sandra Breakfield

QUESTIONS?

the pilgrimage. Pilgrims offered Mass at the grotto at Gethsemane, the Chapel of St. Helena at the Church of the Nativity, the Primacy of Peter Church and the main Church at Cana.

The Church of the Nativity was the most moving for Beanie DeJean, but for fellow pilgrim Rob Girardi, Cana topped his list.

That’s where he and his wife of 31 years Mary Alice renewed their marriage vows.

The Church of the Annunciation was also moving for him.

“The Holy Mother has played a big part

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in my life, and I think that affected me the most,” he said. “It was quiet when we visited with very few people. It was the biggest part for me, being able to spend some time with the Holy Mother.”

Many of the pilgrims said they were looking forward to the Way of the Cross, the “Via Dolorosa,” and that’s where Beard said she felt like there was a competition for her faith.

“What I was hoping for was to feel closest to God on the Stations, on the walk around the city, because I figured that would just be a holy experience. I figured I would just be bawling by the end, and I’m not a big crier,” Beard said, but “because it went through the old city, merchants were peddling items, and with the Muslim call to prayer in the background I felt like I was almost at war for my faith. Especially since so few people here are Christians.”

Beard said she hopes the “little things” in her will be changed by the pilgrimage.

“And I might not know if this trip changed me until I’m old and decrepit,” she said.

Walking the streets of Jerusalem and even at the holy sites, the pilgrims were greeted by people with a mixture of cultures, faiths and languages.

“What I didn’t expect was meshing of all the different people that are here — Jew, Muslim, Palestinian, Israeli, Bedouin, and everything in between. It was a cultural shock, pretty big,” Rob Girardi said.

Kolesar said she was impressed at how all the cultures and religions seem to coexist in the same region, at least for the week she was in Israel.

Mary Alice Girardi said she didn’t realize how much separation and division there is in the towns and amid the people.

“I think in my prayers, I will include prayers for peace for the region,” she said.

Seeking healing and forgiveness after an abortion?

Contact Trudy Hintz (910-400-5034), representative of Our Lady of the Americas, or Sandra Breakfield (704-370-3220) or Sherill Beason (704-370-3228) at Catholic Social Services

Your Local Catholic Charities Agency

OUR PARISHESI

Respect Life Program 704-370-3229 Family Life Office Catholic Social Services Diocese of Charlotte

Our schools 18

catholicnewsherald.com | March 15, 2013 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

CCHS to host Army Field Band for free concert CHARLOTTE — The acclaimed U.S. Army Field Band of Washington, D.C., will give a free performance Sunday, April 7, at Charlotte Catholic High School. The performance will begin at 7 p.m.

As the premier touring musical representative for the U.S. Army, the Field Band travels thousands of miles each year throughout the nation and abroad, keeping the will of the American people behind

the members of the armed forces and supporting diplomatic efforts around the world. Since its formation in 1946, the Field Band has appeared in all 50 states and in more than 30 countries.

Along with the Soldiers’ Chorus, founded in 1957, this 65-member Concert Band presents a powerful and diverse program of marches, overtures, popular music, patriotic selections, and instrumental and

vocal solos.

The Field Band’s members, selected by highly competitive audition, represent some of the finest musical talent in America. More than five decades as the military’s most traveled musicians have earned them the title, “The Musical Ambassadors of the Army.”

For additional information about the Field Band’s performance in Charlotte,

contact Charlotte Catholic High School at 704-543-1127. To obtain free tickets by mail, include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your request to: ATTN: U.S. Army Field Band Tickets, 9013 Raintree Road, Charlotte, NC 28277.

The concert is sponsored by Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools Education Foundation and Charlotte Catholic High School Band Parents Association.

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

grade student at St. Leo School in WinstonSalem, (pictured above with his parents) has been honored for his community service at the 33rd Annual Winston-Salem Human Relations Student Awards Banquet.

— Donna Birkel

Malena Wenning is also a national champion.

Her Senior Jazz group won the 2013 National Championship for Senior Jazz at the Spirit Of Hope Cheerleading And Dance National Championship.

They all take dance at Dancers Unite Fine Arts Academy, owned by sisters Julie and Elizabeth Emery, who are Charlotte Catholic High School alumni.

— Jo Emery

National Beta Club now has 31 members.

Pictured are the school’s newest sixth-grade members (holding their certificates) along with seventh- and eighth-grade members. Students also participated in the state convention Feb. 4-5 in Greensboro.

The National Junior Beta Club promotes character, develops leadership skills, encourages service involvement and recognizes achievement. It also provides technological advantages to students in grades six through eight. Students are selected if they are on the honor roll and are good citizens at the school and in the community. Students must complete 10 hours of service projects per school quarter.

In Brief

Forst wins photography contest CHARLOTTE — Charlotte Catholic High School junior Brenné Forst recently won first place in the ninth annual Shutterbug Photography Contest sponsored by Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. The 2012 contest included amateur photographers, both young and old, from around the area who submitted their favorite pictures of the Garden for judging. The Garden received more than 250 entries this year. The winning photos will be displayed in the Visitor Pavilion until March 18 and posted online at www.dsbg.org.

— Jennifer B. Johnson

SPX supports Nurturing Center GREENSBORO — The students of St. Pius X School recently collected donated items for the Nurturing Center of Greensboro. The Nurturing Center supports young, needy families with services and support designed to enable them to regain their ability to support themselves.

The Center provides child care for children aged 6 weeks to 3, counseling and referral services, and life skills development and programs.

— Jean Navarro

Author visits OLG School

— Pat Burr

GREENSBORO — Our Lady of Grace School welcomed local author and musician Clay Howard to the school Jan. 17.

Howard read his book “The Energy Thief” to classes, played guitar and sang songs with the students and signed copies of his book.

Pictured with him is kindergartner Marian Waterman receiving a signed copy of his book.

— Karen L. Hornfeck

Spelling Bee champs at St. Michael School

MACS students are national dance champs

Byun recognized WINSTON-SALEM — Aaron Byun, an eighth-

CHARLOTTE — St. Ann School students McKenna Dvorak, Emma Doncaster and Katherine Balas (pictured above, from left) are national champions. On Jan. 20, their Youth Jazz group won the 2013 National Championship for Youth Jazz at the Spirit of Hope National Cheerleading And Dance Championship. Balas and Doncaster are in the fifth grade and Dvorak is a fourth-grader.

Charlotte Catholic High School sophomore

Sixth-graders inducted into the Junior Beta Club GASTONIA — St. Michael School’s Junior

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GASTONIA — Pictured are winners of St. Michael School’s spelling bee. Students in third through eighth grade competed for the school’s spelling bee title. Cecelia Tolbert was the schoolwide winner and will go to the county spelling bee March 12 at Gaston College.

(Back row, from left) Bailey Gardin, seventh grade; Owen Branch, third grade; and Karlie Neilson, sixth grade; (front row, from left) Phillip Tolbert, second-place winner, fourth grade; and (seated) Cecelia Tolbert (school-wide winner), fifth grade.

— Pat Burr

March 15, 2013 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

“Cow Skull,” charcoal drawing Gold Key Award: Claire Register (grade 7) “Inspiration,” multi-media collage Honorable Mention: Jenny Iruela (grade 7) “Portrait with Shawl,” charcoal Science Fair winners were: First Place: Julia Miller (grade 8) “Colorful Bird Buffet,” Nathan Urquhart (grade 7) “Reaching Higher Heights,” Lauren Darnell (grade 6) “Wish Wash Wake” Second Place: Haley LaJeuness (grade 8) “Can Vitamins and Minerals Stop Cancer Cell Growth?”, Meghan Elley (grade 7) “Eye Color and Sight,” Ellie Duquaine (grade 6) “Which Fruit Creates the Most Gas When Rotting” Third Place: Fraser Welsford (grade 8) “Slip and Slide,” Will Roselli (grade 7) “Slow As Molasses,” Carter Shannon (grade 6) “Do Dogs Have a Favorite Color?”

Honorable Mention: Evan Kordsmeier (grade 8) “Designed for Strength,” Claire Register (grade 8) “Which Cheese Grows Mold the Fastest,” Nathan Joseph (grade 8) “Which Kitty Litter Absorbs Best” — Jean Navarro

SPX geography bee winner Students win N.C. Scholastic Art, Science Fair honors GREENSBORO — Students at St. Pius X School in Greensboro recently entered art pieces in the N.C. Scholastic Art Competition and science projects in the St. Pius X School Science Fair.

Art Competition winners were: Gold Key Award: Neal Kordsmeier (grade 8) “Cliff Landscape,” painting Gold Key Award: Cassidy Shaw (grade 8)

GREENSBORO — Thomas Gessner won and Neal Kordsmeier came in runnerup in St. Pius X School’s annual Geography Bee held recently at the school.

— Jean Navarro We welcome your school’s news and photos. Please email items to Editor Patricia L. Guilfoyle at plguilfoyle@ charlottediocese.org

Holy Week at St. Ann Catholic Church Palm Sunday, March 24th

Saturday Vigil Mass 4:30 p.m., 8:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. (Latin)

Holy Thursday, March 28th Mass of the Last Supper: 7:00 p.m.

Adoration until 12 midnight

Good Friday, March 29th Stations of the Cross: 12 noon Passion of the Lord: 3:00 p.m.

Tenebrae: 7:00 p.m.

Holy Saturday, March 30th Blessing of the food: 12 noon Easter Vigil: 8:00 p.m.

Easter Sunday, March 31st

8:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. (Latin) 3635 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28209 • 704-523-4641 • www.StAnnCharlotte.org

704-841-1160

South Charlotte & Union County, NC

704-549-4010

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19

Mix 20

catholicnewsherald.com | March 15, 2013 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

For the latest movie reviews: catholicnewsherald.com

Pope Benedict XVI prays in front of the Shroud of Turin in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Turin, Italy, in 2010 in this file photo.

The pope paid a day-long visit to Turin, celebrating an outdoor Mass, venerating the shroud, meeting with young people and visiting the sick.

In theaters

‘Oz the Great and Powerful’ Lush visuals and sly humor boost this 3-D prequel to the 1939 classic “The Wizard of Oz” A small-time carnival magician (James Franco) finds his life transformed when a Kansas tornado transports him to the magical Land of Oz. There, he discovers that both his arrival and his eventual victory over the forces of darkness gripping the realm have been prophesied. But self-doubt – together with his initial inability to determine which of his new homeland’s three presiding witches (Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz and Michelle Williams) embodies goodness – pose stumbling blocks on the way to his promised destiny. Mature references, perilous situations, potentially upsetting images.

CNS: A-II (adults and adolescents); MPAA: PG-13

Additional reviews: n ‘The Last Exorcism Part II’: CNS: L (limited adult audience); MPAA: PG-13 n ‘Jack the Giant Slayer’: CNS: A-II (adults and adolescents); MPAA: PG-13 n ‘Phantom’: CNS: A-III (adults); MPAA: R n ‘21 and Over’: CNS: A-0 (morally offensive); MPAA: R

CNS | L’Osservatore Romano

Shroud of Turin broadcast set for Holy Saturday CNA/EWTN News

DENVER — Pope Benedict XVI’s decision to allow a TV broadcast of the Shroud of Turin on March 30, Holy Saturday, has been lauded by experts for highlighting the link between the shroud and the death and resurrection of Christ.

“Pope Benedict XVI, when he visited the shroud on pilgrimage in 2010, spoke about the shroud in terms of Holy Saturday,” John Jackson, co-founder of the Turin Shroud Center of Colorado, said. “From that vantage point, that all his remarks were made relative to Holy Saturday, it is fitting that the broadcast happens on Holy Saturday.”

Celebrating the 96th Anniversary Of Our Lady’s Appearance at Fatima July 17 – July 30, 2013 Join Father John Putnam and Father Christopher Roux on the Fatima Peace Pilgrimage to Portugal and Santiago de Compostela, Spain Total Cost from Newark – $2,800 (Price includes air-fare, meals, accommodations and side trips. Taxes not included)

Registration deadline: April 1 For more information, contact:

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Our pilgrimages support seminarians and foster vocations.

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The 14-foot by 4-foot linen shroud is venerated as the burial cloth of Christ, and bears an image of a man who suffered in a manner consistent with crucifixion. It is kept in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Turin, Italy, and is rarely available for viewing.

The extremely limited access to seeing the shroud gives the TV broadcast particular significance. It will be shown internationally by the Italian public service broadcaster Rai 1.

The Church has never officially ruled on the shroud’s authenticity, saying judgments about its age and origin belong to SHROUD, SEE page 21

March 15, 2013 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

SHROUD: FROM PAGE 20

scientific investigation.

On March 1, Archbishop Cesare Nosiglia of Turin announced that as part of the Year of Faith, he had obtained the consent of Benedict XVI, prior to the pope’s resignation, to have a worldwide TV exhibition of the shroud. The pope’s decision was one of the last acts of his pontificate – a gift which he wanted to give the faithful, the Vatican reported.

“The shroud of course reminds us of the Passion, death and burial of the Lord and then to Holy Friday, the day in which the Church remembers and celebrates the Passion of Christ,” Archbishop Nosiglia said. “Holy Saturday is a day of silent prayer and meditation on the Lord’s death, but it is also a day of joyful waiting of the light of the Resurrection that will explode in the great celebration of the Easter Vigil.”

“The shroud is not a sign of defeat, but of victory, of life over death, of love over hatred and violence, hope over despair ... the face of the Man of Sorrows, which is the face of every man on the earth, represents His suffering, His death,” Archbishop Nosiglia said. “It speaks to us

of love and gift of grace and forgiveness.”

The shroud, he noted, “is a witness of this double mystery: it brings us back to the darkness of the tomb, but it also opens the way to receive the light that from it will emerge, in the event of the Resurrection.”

Archbishop Nosiglia voiced his hope “that this worldwide event will lead, in the hearts of many people who will see it, a little light and peace in these complex times and give strength and hope to many sick and poor, but also families and people in need.”

The Holy Saturday broadcast of the shroud images is only the second ever, with the other occurrence taking place in 1973.

The TV exhibition will last about an hour and will be part of a celebration led by Archbishop Nosiglia.

The shroud, kept in a special case filled with inert gas to prevent alterations, usually is out of public view in the left transept of the Turin cathedral.

Benedict last authorized a public viewing of the Shroud in May 2010, the first since 2000 and also 15 years ahead of its next scheduled public display.

That showing was only the fifth time in 100 years that the shroud has been available for public viewing.

The next scheduled public viewing of the shroud won’t be until 2025.

— ANSA and Catholic News Service contributed.

Online At www.shroud.com: Get an up-close look at the Shroud of Turin and get details about the upcoming broadcast

Wednesday, March 20 6 PM Call 704-461-6666

21

On TV n Sunday, March 17, 3:30 p.m. (EWTN) “Rome’s Hidden Churches – St. Peter’s In The Vatican.”

Dr. Timothy O’Donnell visits the actual burial place of St. Peter. n Monday, March 18, 6 p.m. (EWTN) “Lenten Reflections – Encountering God’s Mercy in Confession.” Father Mark Vickers, Archdiocese of Westminster, reflects on the fifth week of Lent, with the Gospel passage on the adulterous woman and forgiven serious sin.

The sacrament of confession is powerful for those seeking conversion and closeness to God. n Tuesday, March 19, 10:30 a.m. (EWTN) “Apparition of St. Joseph in France – Role Model For All Parents.” The only known apparition site in the history of the Church where St. Joseph is said to have spoken aloud. It is a place of particular importance for the family, especially fathers seeking divine guidance for their families. n Thursday, March 21, 6:30 a.m. (EWTN) “St. Peter: Icon for Lent – Fifth Week of Lent.”

Cardinal Timothy Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York looks at the Fifth Week of Lent, Passion Week, and examines the Gospel of St. Mark Chapter 14 involving the moving story of the denials of St. Peter. n Saturday, March 23, 5 p.m. (EWTN) “Iraq’s Christian Refugees.” The lives of Christian refugees in Syria and Jordan, featuring interviews with major ecclesiastical leaders of Kirkuk and Aleppo.

n Saturday, March 23, 8 p.m. (EWTN) “Miracle of St. Thérèse.” This acclaimed feature film made in France in 1959 follows the life of the Carmelite nun St. Thérèse of Lisieux, from her childhood through her death, and explores her unique spirituality known as the Little Way. n Sunday, March 24, noon-2 p.m. (EWTN) “Solemn Mass of Palm Sunday from Washington.” Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, papal nuncio to the United States, is scheduled to serve as celebrant and homilist at this Mass, broadcast live from the capital’s Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. n Sunday, March 24, 4:30-7:30 a.m. (EWTN) “Solemn Mass of Palm Sunday from Rome.”

The Eucharistic liturgy of Palm Sunday broadcast live from the Vatican. n Thursday, March 28, 12:30-3 p.m. (EWTN) “Solemn Mass of the Lord’s Supper from Rome.” Liturgical commemoration of the Last Supper, broadcast live from the Vatican.

Our nation & world 22

catholicnewsherald.com | March 15, 2013 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

HABEMUS PAPAM! Newly-elected Pope Francis, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina, waves after praying at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome March 14.

CNS | Reuters

Text of Pope Francis’ remarks from balcony after his election “Brothers and sisters, good evening. You know that the task of the conclave was to give Rome a bishop. It seems my brother cardinals went almost to the ends of the earth to find one.

I thank you for your welcome.

The diocesan community of Rome has its bishop. Thank you.

First of all, I would like to offer a prayer for our bishop emeritus, Benedict XVI. Let us all pray together for him that the Lord bless him and that the Mother of God protect him. “Our Father who art in heaven. ... Hail Mary, full of grace. ... Glory be to the Father ... .”

Now let’s begin this journey, bishop and people, this journey of the Church of Rome, which is the one that presides in charity over all the churches – a journey of brotherhood, love and trust among us. Let us pray for one another. Let us pray for the whole world that there be a great brotherhood. I hope this journey of the Church that we begin today – and I will be helped by my cardinal vicar, here present – will be fruitful for the evangelization of this so beautiful city.

Now I would like to give my blessing. But first, I will ask a favor. Before the bishop blesses his people, he asks that you pray to the Lord to bless me, the prayer of the people for the blessing of their bishop. Let’s pray for me in silence.”

(He gave his blessing “urbi et orbi” (“to the city and the world”).

Brothers and sisters, I’ll leave you. Thank you so much for the welcome. Pray for me. We’ll see each other soon.

Tomorrow I want to go to pray to Mary so she would watch over all of Rome. Good night. Have a good rest.

Argentinian pope will be installed March 19 His election was announced in Latin from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, to a massive crowd under the rain in the square below and millions watching around the world.

White smoke poured from the Sistine Chapel chimney at VATICAN CITY — Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario 7:05 p.m., signaling that the cardinals had chosen a successor Bergoglio, 76, the leader of a large urban archdiocese in to retired Pope Benedict XVI. Two minutes later, the bells of Latin America, was elected the 266th pope and took the name St. Peter’s Basilica began pealing continuously to confirm Francis. the election.

He is the first pope in history to come from the Western At 8:12, French Cardinal JeanHemisphere and the first nonLouis Tauran, the senior cardinal European to be elected in almost in the order of deacons, appeared at 1,300 years. The Jesuit was also the basilica balcony and read out in the first member of his order to be Latin: “I announce to you a great joy: elected pope, and the first member of Bishop Peter J. Jugis will celebrate three We have a pope! The most eminent any religious order to be elected in Masses in honor of His Holiness Pope and most reverend lord, Lord Jorge nearly two centuries.

Francis: Mario, Cardinal of the Holy Roman The new pope will be formally n Monday, March 18: 7 p.m. at St. Patrick Church, Bergoglio, who has taken installed at a 9:30 a.m. (4:30 a.m. ET) Cathedral in Charlotte for himself the name Francis.” at a Mass March 19 in St. Peter’s n Wednesday, March 20: 7 p.m. at Our The crowd in the square responded Square. The following day, Pope Lady of Grace Church in Greensboro with cheers, applause and the Francis will meet with the “fraternal n Friday, March 22: 7 p.m. at St. waving of rain-soaked national flags. delegates” from other Christian Lawrence Basilica in Asheville Ten minutes the later the new churches and communities who pope appeared. He sought prayers come to Rome for his installation. for Pope Benedict and spoke of the The election March 13 came on journey the church was about to the second day of the conclave, on begin. the conclave’s fifth ballot. It was a “Now I would like to give my blessing. But first, I will ask a surprisingly quick conclusion to a conclave that began with favor. Before the bishop blesses his people, he asks that you many plausible candidates and no clear favorite. pray to the Lord to bless me, the prayer of the people for the The new pope was chosen by at least two-thirds of the 115 cardinals from 48 countries, who cast their ballots in secret POPE, SEE page 25 in the Sistine Chapel.

Francis X. Rocca and Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service

Masses to honor Pope Francis

March 15, 2013 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

Bishop Jugis: ‘God has given us the man He wants us to have’

Jesuits pleased with election of first Jesuit pope SueAnn Howell Senior reporter

SueAnn Howell Senior reporter

CHARLOTTE — Bishop Peter J. Jugis was beaming soon after learning about the election of the new pope, Francis.

On March 13 he told local reporters gathered at St. Patrick Cathedral’s Family Life Center, “It is a delightful day, a day of great joy really to welcome our new Holy Father, Pope Francis, to be the shepherd of the Church.”

“I think the joy of my heart and of Catholics around the world is matched by what we saw in St. Peter’s Square this afternoon: the crowds chanting, the crowds cheering, and then the bells ringing out the joy of the announcement of the new pope.”

Bishop Jugis said he does not know much about the new pope, but he looks forward to learning more about the Argentinian cardinal-turnedpontiff in the coming days.

“The Latin American community will be delighted, as is the whole Church. Since Vatican Council II, we have had several non-Italian popes – a pope from Germany, from Poland, and now from Buenos Aires, South America.

“It’s a blessing, not only for the nation that is giving that pope to the Church, but for the whole Church. We all rejoice and will follow him as our shepherd.”

He reminded those gathered that the pope is the head of the universal Church, which was demonstrated by all the people of nations around the world gathered in St. Peter’s Square in Rome, watching the storied smokestack on top of the Sistine Chapel, where the conclave of cardinals had withdrawn to elect the 265th successor to St. Peter.

About the name that the Holy Father has selected, Bishop Jugis shared what he thought when it was announced and as he watched the new pope walk out on the balcony of the Apostolic Palace overlooking St. Peter’s Square.

“What was going through my mind when I heard that his name was Francis – which is also a new precedent since Vatican Council II, the first time in history we have a pope named Francis – is (that there are) two great saints in the history of the Church by the name of Francis.”

The beloved St. Francis of Assisi lived in the 13th century and was known for his gentleness, simplicity and humility.

“I could see that in Pope Francis’ demeanor as he came out onto the balcony. You could see a tremendous gentleness and humility. St. Francis is called the ‘poor man of Assisi.’”

“The other Francis is St. Francis Xavier, from the 16th century, who was a Jesuit known for his missionary work. That sends to me a sign in addition to who Francis of Assisi represents, and may be embodied in our new Holy Father the gentleness and the humility, but also the missionary spirit of who St. Francis Xavier represents.”

Bishop Jugis said he believes that is a sign that Pope Francis I will vigorously pursue and lead the Church in the new evangelization, launched by his predecessor Blessed John Paul II and reinforced

by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI with the Year of Faith. The role of the Church continues to be a missionary one: sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world and reintroducing the faith to many places and people who may have forgotten Him. “It could be that our new pope will be a marvelous mixture of those two great saints Francis.”

Bishop Jugis also stressed his belief that “God has given us the man He wants us to have.”

“Thank God for the gift He has given us in a new shepherd of the Church.”

23

Photos by Patricia L. Guilfoyle | Catholic News Herald

Sisters with the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration in Charlotte react with joy to the news of the pope’s election, and of his choosing the name Francis in honor of St. Francis of Assisi.

Locals react with joy, enthusiasm CHARLOTTE — Local reaction to the news of Pope Francis’ election has been enthusiastic, particularly among those following the conclave with interest over the past few days online and on social media.

From the start of the conclave on Tuesday until Wednesday afternoon when white smoke was spotted pouring from the smokestack atop the Sistine Chapel, conversations have been focused on who would become pontiff.

Would he be an American, a return to the Italians, or someone from the developing world? Would he be primarily a theologian or an administrator?

Catholics are now eager to get to know their new shepherd – the first Jesuit and the first from the Americas – and to welcome him as our pope.

“I’m so excited!! I got really emotional. I don’t even know you, but I love you! And it’s Francis – the first Francis. And a Jesuit. He’s a missionary and very devoted to the Holy Father, which is perfect. I don’t know much about him, but he’s adorable!” exclaimed Katie Sanders, FOCUS team leader at Belmont Abbey College, on Wednesday.

Belmont Abbey College junior Caroline McKinney, crying with excitement, said, “I already have a trip to Rome planned for June! I am beyond excited.

This is incredible. I don’t even have the words. It is new and exciting that he is from the Americas and that he’s a Jesuit. And Francis – a new name!”

Fourth-graders at St. Patrick School in Charlotte watched the events unfold with Father Christopher Roux, rector of St. Patrick Cathedral.

They shared what is was like to see the white smoke rise: “When I saw the white smoke in the air my heart was filled completely with joy,” Morgan said.

“I felt excited like something I’ve never seen before. It was Father Christopher Roux, rector and pastor, drapes bunting exhilarating like a in the papal colors on St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte bolt of electricity shot Wednesday following news of the election of Pope Francis. through me!,” Alexandria exclaimed.

Emily said, “I was so excited because I saw the gray smoke turn to white.

My smile was so big and I could not wait to see the new Pope come out.”

“I felt as if the Holy Spirit had relit the smolders of the fire on a cold and snowy winter night,” Tanner recalled.

“Many thanks to Father Roux for being with us. I felt so happy that I was about to cry,” Joseph added.

The Catholic News Herald’s Facebook page exploded with positive reactions moments after Pope Francis stepped out onto the balcony.

Comments included “Alleluia!” and “Awesome!” and “Welcome Francis!”

“This is such an exciting time in the Church. To have someone from the Americas is so special. The election of such a simple and humble man is such a blessing to a Church in need of spiritual renewal,” wrote Tracy Earl Welliver. William Murphy said, “I believe this was a strong choice. I especially love that he chose the name Francis. In what was a very difficult time for the Church St Francis was responsible for a renewal in which Holy Mother Church returned to it’s core principles. Praise God!” Back at Belmont Abbey College, theology professor Dr. Ron Thomas, echoed Welliver’s comments about the renewed emphasis on evangelization: “It is so wonderful to have the Chair of Peter filled again, and have wise and holy leadership. We can now get back to work on the New Evangelization in REACTIONS, SEE page 25

CHARLOTTE — Jesuit Fathers Vincent Curtin and Patrick Earl are two of the happiest pastors in the Diocese of Charlotte after the naming of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, a fellow Jesuit, to the papacy on March 13.

Taking the name Francis, Cardinal Bergoglio is the first Jesuit priest elected to the papacy in the Church’s 2,000-year history.

Father Vince Curtin – Father Vince as he prefers to be called – is the pastor of St. Therese Church in Mooresville. He was in his office on March 13 watching the news from Rome unfold on Vatican TV. “He’s a good choice because he identifies with the poor, the oppressed and he lives a simple lifestyle,” Father Vince said. “I think that’s the kind of Church leader we need, someone who has that sense of poverty of spirit.”

Father Vince said he is also pleased with Pope Francis’ experience and charism.

“He’s experienced in Church management. He’s been in offices of responsibility in the Church for 40 years … so I think he has a good familiarity with the organization of the Church. And he certainly has the spirit of evangelization.”

He believes Pope Francis is an excellent choice and that the cardinals chose wisely during the conclave that began on Tuesday and ended Wednesday evening.

“We’re very happy. We all pray for him,” Father Vince added.

Father Patrick Earl, pastor of St. Peter Church in Charlotte, shared that when he realized that a fellow Jesuit had been chosen to lead the world’s more than 1.1 billion Catholics, he was a bit shocked.

“I was dumbfounded,” Father Earl said.

“I was so surprised, but then filled with swelling gratitude. His naming just fills me with hope – hope in our Holy Father and the direction he will lead us.”

He believes Pope Francis will lead us in the direction of a love for the poor and a calling into question the culture that would create so many poor people in our world, a culture that would place things before people.

“I think Pope Francis will call us to a restoration of values where people are more important than things.”

Father Earl recalled a conversation he had with an Argentinian Jesuit about then Cardinal Bergoglio.

“He was recalling Cardinal Bergoglio when he was the provincial, and at the time he was the provincial the Jesuits were very conflicted – pretty much mirroring the larger Church in terms of ‘liberals’ and ‘conservatives’ and everyone was yelling at each other.”

Cardinal Bergoglio called everyone to meet in the middle.

“He called people to move away from the fringes and away from the yelling and to meet in the center, in the basics of our faith, in the love of God which expresses itself in a fraternal openness to one another.”

One of the Argentinian Jesuit priest’s comments also struck Father Earl in hindsight, he said.

“That priest said that kind of ability to call people away from what divides us to what centers us and gives life meaning, especially as Catholics, would be a ‘wonderful gift.’”

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catholicnewsherald.com | March 15, 2013 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

CNS | Giampiero Sposito, Reuters

A pilgrim waves an Argentinian flag as newly elected Pope Francis I, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires,, appears on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican March 13.

Jesuits surprised that first of their brethren is elected pope WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Jesuit brethren of the new Pope Francis were as surprised as anyone when Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, Argentina, was announced March 13 as the first Jesuit to be elected pope.

Jesuit Father Gerard Stockhausen, executive secretary of the Jesuit Conference USA, said when Cardinal Bergoglio’s name was announced from the Vatican balcony, he didn’t realize immediately that it was a fellow member of the Society of Jesus, the religious order founded by St. Ignatius Loyola in 1534.

Jesuits generally don’t seek higher offices in the Church, Father Stockhausen said. “There are relatively few who are bishops even. We don’t ordinarily take on those posts.”

Even the Vatican spokesman, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, told reporters: “Personally, I’m a bit shocked to have a Jesuit pope. Jesuits think of themselves as servants, not authorities in the Church.”

“Jesuits resist being named bishop or cardinal. To be named pope – wow,” Father Lombardi said. “Must have been the result of a strong call.”

Dolan: New pope ‘figure of unity’ for all Catholics WASHINGTON, D.C. — Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, congratulated the newly elected pope, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, Argentina, who took the name Francis.

Pope Francis “stands as the figure of unity for all Catholics wherever they reside.

The bishops of the United States and the people of our 195 dioceses offer prayers for our new leader and promise allegiance to him,” Cardinal Dolan said.

The 115 cardinal electors, including Cardinal Dolan, who gathered to elect the successor of Peter had taken one vote late March 12 and two votes the next morning, resulting in clouds of black smoke. By the fifth ballot they had selected the successor to Pope Benedict XVI, who retired Feb. 28.

“Intense prayer from all around the world surrounded the election of Pope Francis.

The bishops of the United States thank God for the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the inspired choice of the College of Cardinals,” he said.

The election of the Argentine cardinal “marks a great milestone in our Church,” Cardinal Dolan said in a statement. “With joy in our hearts, we declare ‘Ad Multos Annos!’ (“For many years!)”

— Catholic News Service

PhotoS provided by L’Osservatore Romano and News.va

(Top) Pope Francis I appears for the first time on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican March 13.

(Above) Pope Francis celebrates Mass with the College of Cardinals in the Sistine Chapel on March 14. “We walk in the light of the Lord,” Pope Francis during his homily. “Our lives are a journey – when we stop, there is something wrong.” He went on to say that, in our task of building up the Church, Christ is and must be for us the cornerstone. Pope Francis then spoke of the fundamental need to proclaim Christ crucified, saying that, if we walk without the Cross, if we build without the Cross, if we proclaim Christ without the Cross, then we are not disciples of Jesus.

CNS | L’Osservatore Romano

Newly-elected Pope Francis, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina, prays at the tomb of Pope St. Pius V in a chapel of the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome March 14.

Pope Francis starts first day with Marian prayer, bill paying Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis began his first full day as pope with an early morning act of Marian devotion -- and by paying the bill at the clergy hotel where he had stayed before entering the conclave that elected him.

The new pope left the Domus Sanctae Marthae at 8 a.m. March 14 for a five-minute drive to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, where he prayed before an icon of Mary and the child Jesus beloved by Romans, the “Salus Populi Romani” (Protectress of the Roman People).

Pope Francis knelt in prayer for a while, then sat praying for several minutes before leaving at the altar the bouquet of flowers he had been carrying, said Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman.

The pope was joined by Cardinal Agostino Vallini, papal vicar for Rome, and by Cardinal Santos Abril Castello, archpriest of the basilica. U.S. Cardinal Bernard F. Law, retired archpriest of the basilica, also was present, Father Lombardi said.

The spokesman said the pope paused in front of the basilica’s main altar, which is built over a reliquary containing, according to tradition, pieces of the manger where Jesus was laid as a baby.

Pope Francis, a Jesuit, then went to the Sistine Chapel of the Basilica of St. Mary Major, which is where St. Ignatius of Loyola celebrated his first Mass in 1538. Ignatius had wanted to celebrate his first Mass in Bethlehem, but could not travel there, so chose instead St. Mary Major with its relic of the manger, Father Lombardi said.

“This is a significant place for the Jesuits,” he said.

The pope also stopped briefly at the tomb of St. Pius V, who was pope from 1566 to 1572.

Afterward, riding in an unmarked police car rather than in one of the papal sedans, Pope Francis went to the Domus Internationalis Paulus VI, a hotel and residence for clergy, which is where he was staying before the conclave began March 12.

Father Lombardi said Pope Francis went to collect the suitcase he had left there. On the way out of the building, he stopped to greet the people who work there and “he paid his bill as a good example” to the other clerics.

The spokesman also told reporters March 14 that Pope Francis was wearing the simple pectoral cross that he’d had as a bishop and archbishop in Argentina.

In addition, he confirmed that the Vatican would be referring to the pope as “Pope Francis” and not “Pope Francis I.” Father Lombardi also confirmed press reports that when Pope Francis was about 21 years old, he had undergone an operation to remove part of one of his lungs. In the 55 years since, he said, the new pope has enjoyed good and even robust health.

The new pope, like his recent predecessors, is a polyglot, the spokesman said. He speaks Spanish, English, Italian, French, German “and probably Portuguese,” he said, adding that if Pope Francis doesn’t speak Portuguese well now, he is likely to by July when he is scheduled to travel to Brazil for World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro.

Pope Francis was scheduled to celebrate an evening Mass March 14 in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel with the cardinals who elected him. Afterward, Father Lombardi said, he was to cut the seals on the papal apartments, allowing Vatican employees to begin the minor works foreseen before he moves in.

March 15, 2013 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

POPE: FROM PAGE 22

blessing of their bishop. Let’s pray for me in silence,” he said.

Celsa Negrini, an older woman from Rome, said the new pope’s choice of name was “beautiful. Francis is the patron of Italy. It’s a humble choice, a choice of one who will reach out to the poor.”

Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi told reporters it was “beautiful that a Latin American was chosen.”

“I don’t know him well, even though we are part of same religious family,” he said “I greeted him the other day, but didn’t expect to see him again dressed in white.”

A respected Italian journal said Pope Francis had the second-highest number of votes on each of the four ballots in the 2005 conclave.

Pope Francis has had a growing reputation as a very spiritual man with a talent for pastoral leadership serving in a region with the largest number of the world’s Catholics.

Since 1998, he has been archbishop of Buenos Aires, where his style is low-key and close to the people.

He rides the bus, visits the poor, lives in a simple apartment and cooks his own meals.

To many in Buenos Aires, he is known simply as “Father Jorge.”

He also has created new parishes, restructured the administrative offices, led pro-life initiatives and started new pastoral programs, such as a commission for divorcees. He co-presided over the 2001 Synod of Bishops and was elected to the synod council, so he is well-known to the world’s bishops.

The pope has also written books on spirituality and meditation and has been outspoken against abortion and same-sex marriages.

In 2010, when Argentina became the first Latin American country to legalize samesex marriage, Pope Francis encouraged clergy across the country to tell Catholics to protest against the legislation because, if enacted, it could “seriously injure the family.”

He also said adoption by same-sex couples would result in “depriving (children) of the human growth that God wanted them given by a father and a mother.”

In 2006, he criticized an Argentine proposal to legalize abortion under certain circumstances as part of a wide-ranging legal reform. He accused the government of lacking respect for the values held by the majority of Argentines and of trying to

REACTIONS: FROM PAGE 23

this Year of Faith. We pledge our prayers and our obedience.”

Correspondent Mollie Gordon reported, “While at choir rehearsal, I heard a lot of ‘We have a new pope! I found this profound since it was on the grounds of an Episcopalian church. It was also amazing because they shared what the commentators had. There was more hope in their voices than not, and for a moment it seemed like the Church laid down Her weapons of judgment and prejudice in order to embrace our new pontiff. It was a great day.”

“A great day” – that was the consensus of the comments this week.

Dr. Bill Thierfelder, president of Belmont

convince the Catholic Church “to waver in our defense of the dignity of the person.”

His role often forced him to speak publicly about the economic, social and political problems facing his country.

His homilies and speeches are filled with references to the fact that all people are brothers and sisters and that the church and the country need to do what they can to make sure that everyone feels welcome, respected and cared for.

While not overtly political, Pope Francis has not tried to hide the political and social impact of the Gospel message, particularly in a country still recovering from a serious economic crisis.

After becoming archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998, he created new parishes, restructured the administrative offices, taken personal care of the seminary and started new pastoral projects, such as the commission for divorcees. He mediated in almost all social or political conflicts in the city; recently ordained priests have been described as “the Bergoglio generation”; and no political or social figure missed requesting a private encounter with him.

Jorge Bergoglio was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina’s capital city, Dec. 17, 1936.

He studied and received a master’s degree in chemistry at the University of Buenos Aires, but later decided to become a Jesuit priest and studied at the Jesuit seminary of Villa Devoto. The last pope to have belonged to a religious order was Pope Gregory XVI, a Benedictine elected in 1831.

He studied liberal arts in Santiago, Chile, and in 1960 earned a degree in philosophy from the Catholic University of Buenos Aires. Between 1964 and 1965 he was a teacher of literature and psychology at Inmaculada high school in the province of Santa Fe, and in 1966 he taught the same courses at the prestigious Colegio del Salvador in Buenos Aires.

In 1967, he returned to his theological studies and was ordained a priest Dec. 13, 1969. After his perpetual profession as a Jesuit in 1973, he became master of novices at the Seminary of Villa Barilari in San Miguel. Later that same year, he was elected superior of the Jesuit province of Argentina.

In 1980, he returned to San Miguel as a teacher at the Jesuit school, a job rarely taken by a former provincial superior.

In May 1992 he was appointed auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires. He was one of three auxiliaries and he kept a low profile, spending most of his time caring for the Catholic university, counseling priests and preaching and hearing confessions.

On June 3, 1997, he was named coadjutor archbishop. He was installed as the new archbishop of Buenos Aires Feb. 28, 1998.

Abbey College, summed up much of what is being said among local Catholics: “The presence of the Holy Spirit, even through electronic media, is truly remarkable to me. Experiencing the news following the conclave, seeing the Holy Father come out to be introduced to the crowds of faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square, was like reliving Jesus’ words to Peter in the Gospel of Matthew Chapter 16: “And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

“It’s just awesome to consider that the Holy Spirit through the Catholic Church is at work 1,900 years later, with the election of Pope Francis,” he said. “It’s a remarkable day.”

— Mary B. Worthington and Mollie Gordon, correspondents; SueAnn Howell, senior reporter; and Patricia L. Guilfoyle, editor

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

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

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

www.cssnc.org

Strengthening Families. Building Communities. Reducing Poverty.

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ViewPoints 26

catholicnewsherald.com | March 15, 2013 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Letters to the editor

Lack of faith is greatest threat to the Church

Ryan Murray

Lent is nearly over: How are you using the time left?

W

e are just about two weeks away from the most important – and most joyful – feast in our Catholic faith. That also means we have about two weeks left in Lent to reflect on the events leading to the Passion of the Lord, His death and resurrection, and for us to take stock of our faith life.

Sometimes in my writing, I like to ask reflective questions. In most cases, I write them to myself – sort of like talking to myself. My hope is that these questions encourage readers to reflect a bit as well. Don’t worry, though; I don’t buy the “people who talk to themselves are a bit crazy” argument, because if that were the case, I am a bag full of nuts!

All joking aside, there is a very important question my mother recently discussed with me after listening to a homily on Ash Wednesday.

Will I be a better person on Easter than I was at the beginning of Lent?

We can pose this question at any time during the year, but it is especially helpful during Lent and as we approach Easter. The first step is asking and reflecting on the question in prayer, but the second step – and this is critical – is putting action behind it.

So what do we do? I have three suggestions.

One of the richest gifts that God has given us is the sacrament of reconciliation. While this is a great sacrament to put into action any time of the year, there is no better time to talk to the Lord in this way than during Lent. There are any number of Lenten penance services or expanded times for confession this Lent. Take advantage of this opportunity for self-examination and seek God’s forgiveness.

In his Letter to the Philippians, Paul says, “Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”

That simple sentence speaks volumes about opportunities to help others during the remaining time we have this Lent. Take the opportunity to share your time, talent and treasure with others. It could mean volunteering at a local school to read to children, or it could mean painting a picture to brighten someone’s day. It may also mean donating to a local food pantry. Whatever the case may be, now is a great time to put action behind your personal call to help others.

It is also important to help ourselves in our personal relationship with Christ. I can think of no better way to deepen our attachment to Christ and learn more about ourselves than by spending quiet time alone with Him in His Word. Not only will reading the Scriptures strengthen your relationship with God, but I believe it will give you insight about how to help others as well.

Do not waste these remaining days of Lent.

Reflect, pray and then act. By doing so, my hope is that when we wake up on Easter morning, all of us have answered “yes” to the question, “Am I a better person now than I was on Ash Wednesday?”

Ryan Murray is a member of St. Pius X Church in Greensboro. Have an idea or comment? E-mail him at murrayrj18@hotmail.com. You can also follow Murray on his blog at nobonzaboutit-ryan.blogspot.com.

I am 90 years old. I will meet my Lord face to face any day now. The last thing I need in my last days is a book like “Will Many Be Saved” by Dr. Ralph Martin, which was discussed in the March 1 edition of the Catholic News Herald. I thank Father Robert Barron for putting it in reasonable perspective. I urge Deacon James H. Toner to rethink his hard supportive stance.

The experience of 90 years, the persistent theme of pastoral homilies and, most of all, the shocking doubts of three adult grandchildren affirm my belief that lack of faith is, in fact, Christianity’s greatest challenge at this time. At a family gathering last Christmas, my grandchildren, all raised in Catholic homes and educated in Catholic schools, shocked me with their professed lack of faith – indeed agnosticism. They were very clear about their primary turnoffs. High among them was Dr. Martin’s demoralizing premise that successful evangelism must begin with the fear of hell and eternal damnation. They simply want to believe that the greatest virtue is, indeed, love. I simply urge them to read the gospels to learn how Jesus taught and practiced love above all and make Him their model.

As I daily prepare my soul to meet my maker, frail in both body and mind, safe from most sins of younger years, the Evil One knows that his last resort is to tempt my faith. And I fear that, frustrated by their goodness, he is using the same tactics on my grandchildren.

John V. Doyle lives in Matthews.

Church’s missionary work is key In the March 1 column “How many are saved?”, Father Robert Barron “summarizes” sections 45-47 of Pope Benedict’s encyclical “Spe Salvi” by stating that “the great majority of people” will be “brought to heaven after the necessary purification of purgatory.”

With all due respect, I think this is a dangerous misreading of the pope’s argument. Father Barron seems to overlook Pope Benedict’s statement that “the way we live our lives is not immaterial, but our defilement does not stain us for ever if we have at least continued to reach out towards Christ, towards truth and towards love.” How can people reach out towards Christ if they do not know Him? I think this is why the Council Fathers in “Lumen Gentium” state that “the Church ... takes zealous care to foster the missions.”

Paul J. Fitzgerald lives in Charlotte.

Gun control or self control?

If all guns were obliterated from the earth, would we have a world at peace? There are a multitude of ways to bring harm to another person. One merely has to have the will to do it and a way can be found.

Though we pray that removing weapons of destruction would be effective, we need to consider more than the objects used. We need to confront the subjects who use them.

How do individuals become so disturbed and misguided that they revert to physical hostility? One must ask where these reactionaries come from and how they came to willful disregard for another’s life. The reality is that most originated from some sort of a family. We may like to think that all societal misfits come from dysfunctional families, but that is not always true.

Do family moral values and parental guidance have a positive effect upon children? One would hope that through parental example young people learn the disciplines of moral judgment and self control, even if they willfully choose in the end not to use what they have been taught.

Self control should be introduced at an early stage of development. We must be trained by someone to curb our inhibitions and baser instincts not only for our own good, but for others with whom we associate.

Is it not the family to which we should devote our attention? What can we do as a nation, community, Church and as responsible adults to help strengthen families? How can we give parents the tools they need to be better equipped to guide their children’s moral development? We cannot

always save our children from harm at the hands of another, but we can, in the family setting, give them an example of the importance of self control and integrity.

No one is naïve enough to believe that murderers and destructive personalities cannot spring from families where healthy moral standards were taught. We learned long ago that free will can be its own deadly weapon. No amount of exposure to lessons in self control and moral living can make someone act responsibly if they do not choose to. Yet, the likelihood of one choosing such corrupt behavior may be lessened by positive parental guidance.

We may set our sights on controlling guns and other weapons, but until we teach and learn self control, world and inner peace will continue to elude us.

Sister Katherine Francis, SP, is the pastoral associate and director of faith formation at Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Lexington. She is a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of Providence of St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind.

It’s not about gun laws, it’s about God’s laws I found myself confused and a bit upset after reading the March 1 commentary “Guns and marriage” by David Hains.

I don’t dispute the fact that Catholic teaching is about life and all that it entails. I understand the need to stop the government from infringing on religious beliefs, like what is now being waged with the HHS mandate.

Where I get lost is this: The Church cites religious freedom based on the First Amendment to underscore its opposition to government intrusion through the HHS mandate. However, I think Church leaders fail to recognize a person’s right to bear arms, a freedom based on the Second Amendment, in their call for stricter gun laws.

Any type of gun can kill someone. The real issue is not a matter of limiting types of guns, but the fact that people feel the need to kill in the first place.

Why restrict good people from having the means to protect themselves? Throughout the scriptures we find instances where God’s people needed the ability to defend themselves and He helped them in those endeavors. Why is that any different from today? Isn’t protecting oneself a God-given right?

Gun control will not stop people from killing each other.

What it can do is impede someone’s ability to defend themselves from personal harm and from government tyranny.

We spend so much time battling over society’s laws that we forget the most important laws of all. What we should be discussing is God’s law: “The Ten Commandments.”

I keep hearing about all the immorality in our society, killings, abortion, and even small things such as how parishioners dress in church and take Communion. It doesn’t matter what we see on TV, movies we watch, games we play, what we wear to church, or even how we choose to take Communion. It’s not the mechanisms that cause people to do the bad things they do, but the disrespect we as individuals have for God and His laws. It comes down to our ability to follow God’s laws.

Charlotte Naegele is a member of St. Mark Church in Huntersville.

Traditional Latin Mass should not be source of division among Catholics The March 1 article in the Catholic News Herald announcing the weekly celebration of the Holy Mass in the Extraordinary Form begins with a troubling characterization when it claims that “Traditional Latin Mass devotees in the Charlotte area now have a place to worship regularly on Sundays… .” Although I believe unintended, these words imply a mere accommodation has been given to a select group of Catholics.

I attend St. Ann Church, where the traditional Latin Mass will be offered, but I am not among the group that put forth the petition. I am, however, one who has come to understand and appreciate the importance of this remarkable prayer – an appreciation, ironically enough, that was inspired LETTERS, SEE page 28

March 15, 2013 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

27

St. Joseph: Husband and foster father Peggy Bowes

Thorns on His head and in my side

A true man of prayer and man of action

D

uring Lent, I try to focus on the Sorrowful Mysteries of the rosary. They just seem appropriate for this time of penance and contrition. Focusing on Jesus’ Passion through these mysteries helps me to dig deeper to find the strength I need to stick to my Lenten resolutions.

The Sorrowful Mysteries also help me to get through some of my more strenuous workouts, like the bike ride I did today – several very steep hills with the added adrenaline boost of constant vigilance for country dogs.

I tackled an especially grueling climb during the Third Sorrowful Mystery, “The Crowning of Thorns.” I slowly forgot about the pain in my legs as I focused on the face of Christ – the sharp thorns from the crown causing blood to run down His cheeks as He quietly bears the pain and humiliation.

Throughout this painful ordeal, His eyes are gentle and kind. The soldiers are mocking and contemptuous, yet Jesus continues to love them. He sees in them something that they themselves do not see.

Despite their hatred, they are His beloved children. Perhaps Jesus thought of the words He had given His prophet Jeremiah: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.” (Jer 1:5) It is even possible that one of these soldiers who taunted the innocent Christ was the centurion who later declared, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” (Mark 15:39).

Did he watch Jesus silently suffer this humiliation with unimaginable dignity?

Did he see how Jesus looked upon His tormenters with love? Did he realize that he was in the presence of the Incarnation?

Great love can change hearts and minds.

As I coasted down the back side of the hill, I thought about all the people I consider to be thorns in my side – the acquaintance who must tell me every detail of her recent surgery, the person who blocks the aisle with a shopping cart when I’m in a hurry, the socalled friend who spreads untrue gossip.

I pondered the lesson in the Third Sorrowful Mystery. How do we deal with those people who are thorns in our sides?

When we are annoyed, humiliated or betrayed, how do we act? Do we lash out in anger, or do we endure the inconvenience or embarrassment with quiet dignity? Do we love our enemies and pray for them? Do we let others see the presence of Christ within us? Our words and actions, by following the example of Jesus, can change hearts and minds.

The next time you encounter a person who is a thorn in your side, treat that person with love. He or she may be a “centurion” who might experience a sudden conversion at the foot of the cross.

(Note: Bible references for the Third Sorrowful Mystery, “The Crowning with Thorns”: Matthew 27:29-30; Mark 15:16-20; John 19: 2-3. The virtues associated with this mystery are moral courage and love of our enemies.)

Peggy Bowes is a member of Holy Angels Church in Mount Airy and author of “The Rosary Workout” (www. rosaryworkout.com).

Sr. Constance Carolyn Veit

Rico De Silva

“‘Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. ... When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him ...” (Mt. 1:20-21, 24).

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his column is for men only.

Sorry, ladies, but there is something in it for you, too. The type of man I’m writing about is the kind of man, husband and father every man should strive to become. The kind of man every good woman deserves. A godly man, after the example of St. Joseph, husband of Mary and foster father of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

I had the opportunity to attend the third annual Catholic Men’s Conference last month in Charlotte, where I was fortunate enough to give a brief reflection on my all-time hero: St. Joseph. The title of the conference was “Man of Prayer, Man of Action.” Fittingly, St. Joseph is the epitome of a man of prayer and action, as I shared with the men during the conference.

Men who want to deepen their relationship to God, men who want to become better husbands and fathers, and men who are looking for a faith-filled role model should have a devotion to this great saint.

If devotion to Mary has declined in the Church in America, devotion to St. Joseph is almost non-existent – especially among us men. We need a true courageous spiritual role model today, gentlemen. A true man’s man. As I mentioned during my talk, St. Joseph is the Clint Eastwood of the New Testament: a fearless, ordinary man who was obedient to Our Heavenly Father’s will at crucial times during Jesus’ infancy.

No questions asked; no words spoken. Only St. Joseph’s actions are recorded in the Gospels.

There is, however, one critical difference between St. Joseph’s courage and “Dirty Harry’s” bravado: Clint was fearless because he relied entirely on himself, but St. Joseph was brave because he relied entirely on God. For that matter, if we look closely at the obvious, we can recognize Joseph’s greatness. God chose St. Joseph from all eternity to guard and protect His Only Begotten Son and His human masterpiece, the Immaculate Conception. Men, that certainly earns respect.

St. Joseph was foremost a man of prayer. We read in the Gospel of Matthew that God’s angel spoke to Joseph through dreams only, and always with a sense of urgency: “Do not fear to take Mary your wife into your home ...” (Mt 1:20). “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you...” (Mt 2:13). “Rise, take the child and his mother and go the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead...” (Mt 2:20).

It takes an incredible amount of interior recollection and discernment for a man to trust a “dream” in matters of life and death. If you’re not sure, try it at home: “Honey, pack your bags.

We’re moving to California because I had a dream last night that a hurricane is going to wipe out the Carolinas next week.”

Joseph was also a man of action who supported his family by the sweat of his brow, and he lived always in the presence of God. Literally.

And Joseph taught Jesus not only how to work as a carpenter, but Jesus also learned from Joseph how a man should live, in relation to his family, his community and God. We can learn a lot from St. Joseph about how to be true men of prayer and action.

St. Joseph, husband of Mary and foster father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, pray for us.

Rico De Silva is a member of St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte.

Joseph: A saint for the Year of Faith

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nyone who knows the Little Sisters of the Poor knows that we have a deep devotion to St. Joseph. He has been our patron since the beginning of our congregation. Our foundress, St. Jeanne Jugan, turned to Joseph with unshakable confidence to obtain bread and a lot of other necessities for the elderly poor. We continue to look to him as a father, like our heavenly Father, whose Providence watches over those who trust in Him. But Joseph is much more than an heavenly ATM machine or real estate agent! March has traditionally been dedicated to St. Joseph and his feast day is celebrated on the 19th of this month.

On this day we don’t so much honor Joseph as a provider, or even Joseph as workman (this feast is celebrated on May 1); but St. Joseph as the husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the foster father of Jesus.

It is in this role that Joseph manifested his true spiritual greatness. In his latest book in the “Jesus of Nazareth” series, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI wrote that the mission given to Joseph was “overwhelming,” that it demanded “extraordinarily courageous faith.” Father Frederick L. Miller, a professor of systematic theology at Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md., and a good friend of the Little Sisters of the Poor, has written of St. Joseph that like Mary, his “greatness is rooted in his faith, a faith that demanded incomprehensible confidence in God’s power and a heroic degree of charity.”

Reflecting on Joseph’s example during this Year of Faith, it occurred to me that in life’s ups and downs we might just call on Joseph as the “Saint of the Incomprehensible.” Think about it. A young man of faith and integrity is engaged to a lovely young woman. Suddenly his fiancée is pregnant and he knows he is not the father of the unborn child. What should he do? A mysterious voice tells him that everything will be OK because the baby was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And that is just the beginning!

Then comes the mandate to make a very inconvenient trip to Bethlehem, the baby’s birth in – of all the unaccommodating places – an empty stable, a midnight visit from shepherds recounting stories of angel choirs, the arrival of strange men bearing precious gifts, and a divine directive to head first to Egypt, and then finally to Nazareth. This was no vacation or adventure, but a high-risk pilgrimage of faith that would change their lives and the history of the world forever. As Father Miller suggests, Mary and Joseph’s response to the challenges they faced demonstrated an “incomprehensible” confidence in God. Through his faith-filled obedience, St. Joseph made his entire life a service of love, a sacrifice to the mystery of the Incarnation and to Christ’s redemptive mission. Now as patron of the Church, Joseph can obtain for each of us a measure of his great faith and the grace to obey God’s will, however incomprehensible it may seem.

We all face difficulties, misunderstandings, moments of confusion, or times when we just don’t know where the next day’s provisions will come from or what direction our lives will take. In short, at some point we all experience the incomprehensible. These trials, “while helping us to understand the mystery of the Cross and to participate in the sufferings of Christ (cf. Col 1:24), are a prelude to the joy and hope to which faith leads” (Benedict XVI, “Porta Fidei,” n. 15).

St. Joseph is our friend in moments of darkness, someone who understands our doubts and uncertainties. This humble, silent man who followed God’s commands with his whole heart – no matter how disconcerting they were – can help us grow in faith, trust and confidence in God’s Providence. Joseph, Saint of the Incomprehensible, pray for us!

Sister Constance Carolyn Veit is director of communications for the Little Sisters of the Poor in the United States.

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catholicnewsherald.com | March 15, 2013 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

LETTERS: FROM PAGE 26

St. Mark Catholic Church 14740 Stumptown Road Huntersville, NC 28078 704/948-0231 www.stmarknc.org

by my children’s voluntary interest in the Extraordinary Form well before Pope Benedict’s “motu propio.” A new generation’s interest may give credence to the claim once made by a famous Catholic convert that the Extraordinary Form of the Mass is the “greatest work of art known to mankind” since great works of art, even if temporarily discarded, are always recovered by the “fresh eyes” of a subsequent generation.

Yet, a great danger for Catholics could be “divisions” among the faithful. In his final Ash Wednesday homily as our Holy Father, Pope Benedict, the very pope who reintroduced the traditional Latin Mass, admonished the Church hierarchy and faithful about the ”sins against unity.”

Clearly, his most recent words demonstrate that his reintroduction of the Latin Mass was not merely intended for a select group of Catholics.

I would humbly and respectfully suggest that all of us Catholics make great effort to understand why this gift of the Mass in

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5:00 pm Saturday Vigil; Sunday: 7:30am, 9:00am, 11:00am 1:00 pm (bi-lingual) and 5:00pm LifeTeen

Holy Thursday 10:00am Perpetual Adoration ends 7:00pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper 8:00pm-Midnight Eucharistic Adoration Good Friday

3:00 pm Passion of our Lord 7:00 pm Stations of the Cross (Spanish) in the parish hall 7:30 pm Tenebrae: Service of Darkness

Holy Saturday 3:00pm Blessing of the Easter Food 8:30pm Easter Vigil 11:00pm Perpetual Adoration Resumes Easter Sunday 9:00am (Church and Parish Hall) 11:00am (Church and Parish Hall) 1:00pm Spanish 5:00pm

the Extraordinary Form was given back to us, and that we should at least periodically expose ourselves to its liturgical mystery and encourage others to do so. It will bring a greater understanding of the liturgy of the Holy Mass, regardless of the form used. Herein lies the true essence of Pope Benedict’s action, and we must be most grateful to him and to the most capable Father Timothy Reid, who has agreed to accept this significant responsibility.

We Catholics should neither reject nor exclusively endorse its use, and I pray and respectfully ask Bishop Peter Jugis that he do all he can to prevent this gift from turning into another division among the faithful.

I would also direct everyone to Father Richard DeClue’s thoughtful and important commentary on Pope Benedict’s resignation, which can be found in its entirety on the Catholic News Herald’s website, in which he states: “Most importantly, he (Ratzinger) believed that at the core of human errors and atrocities is a failure to worship properly, which is why the Liturgy continued to be a central role in his life and work.”

Joseph P. Lindsley Sr. lives in Charlotte.

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A Day with The Acts of The Apostles Thursday, April 11 or Saturday, April 13 9:30am – 4:00pm

Sister Mary Hugh Mauldin, RSM This scripture day will look at Luke the Evangelist’s second volume, the story of the early church. Prayer, noon Eucharist and lunch are included in the schedule.

The same program is offered both days.

Cost = $40 (lunch included)

Risen Lord, You bring faith to unbelievers, hope to the fearful and love to the world.

Alleluia!

Dorothy Day and Thomas Merton Retreat Saturday, April 27 9:30am – 4:00pm

Sister Donna Lareau, OLM This day will focus on two of the great spiritual voices of the 20th century. Eucharist and lunch included.

Cost = $40 (lunch included)