Sept. 13, 2013

September 13, 2013

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INDEX Contact us.......................... 4 Events calendar................. 4 Our Parishes................. 4-13 Schools............................. 20 Scripture readings............ 2 TV & Movies.......................21 U.S. news..................... 22-23 Viewpoints.................. 26-27 World news................. 24-25 Year of Faith.................... 2-3

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Path to peace?

Pope Francis urges prayer, fast to prevent escalation in Syria, 24

FUNDED by the parishioners of the diocese of charlotte

Bread for good

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Greensboro parishioners, bakery unite in solidarity with Syrian war victims,

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ESPAﾃ前L Catequistas hispanos comprometidos con la evangelizaciﾃｳn en el Aﾃｱo de la Fe,

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St. Benedict: Feeding the needy 1 in 4 N.C. children under 5 are food insecure, and Winston-Salem has one of the most food insecure populations in the U.S. Learn how this small parish is helping out, 8

CRS Rice Bowl raises money for global and local assistance, 14-15

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Year of faith

catholicnewsherald.com | September 13, 2013 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Catechetical Sunday

Sept. 15, 2013 Catechetical Sunday impacts us all

Pope Francis

Pope Francis celebrates the Church as loving ‘mamma’

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ope Francis gave pilgrims attending his weekly public audience Sept. 11 what he called a “homework assignment” to find out the date they were baptized and celebrate it every year.

“How many of you remember the date of your baptism?” the pope asked the crowd in St. Peter’s Square, and then acknowledged a relatively small show of hands.

“Our baptismal date is the date of our birth in the Church,” he said.

“When you go home today, look hard for the date of your baptism, so you can celebrate it and thank the Lord for this gift.”

The pope’s remarks came during a talk on the subject of the Church as mother, for which he mostly used the informal Italian term “mamma.”

“One doesn’t belong to the Church as to a company, a party or any other organization,” he said. “The link is vital, like that one has with one’s own mom, because the Church is really the mother of Christians.”

“A good mom helps her children come out of themselves, and not stay comfortably under the maternal wings, like a brood of chicks stays under the wings of the hen,” he said.

“The Church, like a good mother, does the same thing: accompanies our growth, transmitting the word of God, which is a light that shows us the path of the Christian life; administering the sacraments.”

“Do we love the Church as one loves one’s own mom, knowing also how to understand her faults?” the pope asked. “All moms have faults, we all do. But when one speaks of mom’s faults, we cover them up, we love them.

“The Church has its faults, too,” he said. “Do I love it that way, like my mom? Do we help it to be more beautiful, more authentic, more like the Lord?”

As children of a common mother, members of the Church are equal before God, the pope said: “All of us, pastors and faithful, live the maternity of the Church.”

“Sometimes I hear, ‘I believe in God but not in the Church,’” he said.

“But the Church is not only priests: we are all the Church. And if you say you believe in God and don’t believe in the Church, you are saying you don’t believe in yourself, and this is a contradiction.”

Diocese sees 14% jump in participation in catechetical programs in 2012 CHARLOTTE — The beautiful fact about the Catholic faith is that we have all been catechized by adults who have given of their time, talent and treasure to the fruitful ministry of catechesis.

From our bishops, priests and deacons, to our religious sisters and brothers, faith formation teachers and our parents, each of us has received the truth of the Gospel, passed on to us by “instruction by word of mouth,” which is the very definition of the word catechesis.

There are more than 7,613 trained catechists in the Diocese of Charlotte, according to the latest statistics from 2012. More than 58 percent, or more than 3,162 of our catechists, serve in our traditional formation programs such as RCIA, Scripture sharing groups, marriage preparation, vacation Bible school and small Christian Communities in our parishes. Forty-two percent of our catechists serve in our faith formation

programs for our children in prekindergarten through the 12th grade.

Last year more than 38,805 men, women and children participated in a formal catechesis in our parishes. Faith formation programs welcomed 21,414 children in prekindergarten through eighth grade and 3,453 youth in grades 9-12. A total of 13,938 adults were also catechized.

Combined, there was a total of 46,418 people who taught or participated in catechesis in our diocese in 2012. That is an increase of more than 3,340 people, or nearly 14 percent, from 2011.

Dr. Cris Villapando, diocesan director of faith formation programs, was pleased by the increased participation last year.

“This number cannot be minimized especially in light of the fact that these 46,418 people probably impact the wider society,” he said.

The Diocese of Charlotte, in its 2011-2012 annual financial report, reported expenses

associated with education formation offices at $1,630,133. This covers all expenses related to the Education Vicariate, which includes the Office of the Vicar, Adult Education and Evangelization, Campus and Young Adult Ministry, Catholic Schools Office (PreK-12th grade), Faith Formation (PreK-12th grade), Youth Ministry, Media Resource Center and RCIA programs.

As is evidenced by the scope of resources and manpower listed above, catechesis is a serious undertaking in the diocese, involving tens of thousands of people.

Our priests can’t realistically provide all catechesis to their parishioners. Our catechists are a wonderful support for our clergy and religious in sharing the faith with everyone in our communities.

This Catechetical Sunday, Sept. 15, take the time to thank our clergy, religious and our catechists for all they do to help us grow in our Catholic faith.

— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter

Waynesville area Christians learn more about Vatican II Carol Viau Special to the Catholic News Herald

WAYNESVILLE — As part of celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council during this Year of Faith, more than 70 people gathered Aug. 24 at St. John the Evangelist Church in Waynesville for an all-day seminar on the council and the changes it brought for the Church.

The seminar was an ecumenical gathering, bringing together parishioners from several Catholic churches in western North Carolina as well as Episcopalians and Methodists from the Waynesville area.

Speakers included Father James Cahill, retired pastor of St. Mary Church in Sylva; Father John Rausch, a Glenmary Home Missioners priest, social activist and director of the Catholic Committee of Appalachia; and Mary Keenan, a member of St. John Church.

Keenan compared the practice of worship before and after the reforms following Vatican II. “There were prohibitions before Vatican II,” Keenan said. “Catholics were not to attend other churches, and

Carol Viau | Catholic News Herald

Participants in a seminar about Vatican II discuss the need for social justice in today’s world.

Pictured is speaker Father John Rausch opening up the discussion on social justice to the seminar participants. Presenter Father Jim Cahill listens at the speakers’ table.

VATICAN II , SEE page 19

Your daily Scripture readings SEPT. 15-21

Sunday: Exodus 32:7-11, 13-14, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Luke 15:1-32; Monday (Sts. Cornelius and Cyprian): 1 Timothy 2:1-8, Luke 7:1-10; Tuesday (St. Robert Bellarmine): 1 Timothy 3:1-13, Luke 7:11-17; Wednesday: 1 Timothy 3:1416, Luke 7:31-35; Thursday (St. Januarius): 1 Timothy 4:12-16, Luke 7:36-50; Friday (Sts. Andrew Kim Tae-gon, Paul Chong Ha-sang and Companions): 1 Timothy 6:2-12, Luke 8:1-3; Saturday (St. Matthew): Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13, Matthew 9:9-13.

SEPT. 22-28

Sunday: Amos 8:4-7, 1 Timothy 2:1-8, Luke 16:1-13; Monday (St. Pius of Pietrelcina): Ezra 1:1-6, Luke 8:16-18; Tuesday: Ezra 6:7-8, 12, 1420, Luke 8:19-21; Wednesday: Ezra 9:5-9, Tobit 13:2-4, 6-8, Luke 9:1-6; Thursday (Sts. Cosmas and Damian): Haggai 1:1-8, Luke 9:7-9; Friday (St. Vincent de Paul): Haggai 2:1-9, Luke 9:1822; Saturday (St. Wenceslaus, St. Lawrence Ruiz and Companions): Zechariah 2:5-9, 14-15, Jeremiah 31:10-13, Luke 9:43-45

SEPT. 29- OCT. 5

Sunday: Amos 6:1, 4-7, 1 Timothy 6:11-16, Luke 16:19-31; Monday (St. Jerome): Zechariah 8:1-8, Luke 9:46-50; Tuesday (St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus): Zechariah 8:20-23, Luke 9:51-56; Wednesday (The Holy Guardian Angels): Nehemiah 2:1-8, Matthew 18:1-5, 10; Thursday: Nehemiah 8:1-12, Luke 10:1-12; Friday (St. Francis of Assisi): Baruch 1:15-22, Luke 10:13-16; Saturday: Baruch 4:5-12, 27-29, Luke 10:17-24

September 13, 2013 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

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Why do we celebrate Catechetical Sunday?

Father Roger Arnsparger

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Catechists inspire us to open the door of faith

atechetical Sunday is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the role that each person plays, by virtue of baptism, in handing on the faith and being a witness to the Gospel. The theme this year comes from the Year of Faith: “Open the Door of Faith.”

The liturgy for Catechetical Sunday this year leads us to consider how lost man is without God; we are the lost sheep, coins and sons of today’s Gospel. God shows us His mercy, as St. Paul reminds us, even in our weakness. We see that mercy in the intercession of Moses for his sinful people and in the joy God has when He finds the lost sheep, coins and sons.

Prodigal as we are, God continues to actively seek us out and bring us home. He wants us to enter through the door He has opened – the door to His Heart. It is through that door alone that we find true happiness.

In declaring the Year of Faith in his apostolic letter “Porta Fidei,” Pope Benedict XVI wrote, “The ‘door of faith’ (Acts 14:27) is always open for us, ushering us into the life of communion with God and offering entry into His Church. It is possible to cross that threshold when the word of God is proclaimed and the heart allows itself to be shaped by transforming grace. To enter through that door is to set out on a journey that lasts a lifetime. It begins with baptism (cf. Rom 6:4), through which we can address God as Father, and it ends with the passage through death to eternal life, fruit of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, whose will it was, by the gift of the Holy Spirit, to draw those who believe in him into his own glory (cf. Jn 17:22).” (“Porta Fidei,” 1) Born again of water and the Holy Spirit (Jn 3:5) we Christians are inserted into the history of divine revelation, of God’s ever-loving communication of His call to holiness. That call to holiness is a call to a transforming union with our Blessed Lord, in and through the very practical details of our daily lives.

We stand immersed in the history of salvation from creation through the Paschal Mystery of the passion, death, resurrection and ascension of Christ as we encounter the Redeemer of Mankind in the Church and her sacraments preparing for our entrance into the New Jerusalem.

We live within the history of salvation knowing that the Kingdom has already begun, is now being fulfilled and will one day be fulfilled when Christ hands His Bride, the Church, to the Father through the Spirit in the eternal heavenly banquet of the Lamb.

In a very real way, our Catholic churches, whatever their architectural style if it is true ecclesial architecture, physically teach us that we are surrounded by the divine revelation of the loving God who has spoken to and actually touched His people. In a word, our churches are built to accent the four pillars of the catechism; each Catholic Church is physically a synthesis of our faith. When you walk through a door of a Catholic church, you are entering a synthesis of the faith.

Consider the royal chapel of St. King Louis IX of France: La Sainte-Chapelle. It is in the center of Paris at the former royal palace and is one of the finest early examples of Gothic architecture.

There is a lower chapel for the use of the palace workers, and it is magnificent in its own right. The upper chapel far exceeds that magnificence. It was built by St. Louis to house the relics of the Passion

‘Prodigal as we are, God continues to actively seek us out and bring us home.

He wants us to enter through the door He has opened – the door to His Heart. It is through that door alone that we find true happiness.’ brought there from the Holy Land. It was consecrated on April 26, 1248.

The brilliant stained-glass windows are masterpieces of 13th-century glass-making. They measure more than 45 feet in height and are, in effect, the Bible in illustration. The 1,134 scenes begin with Genesis and continue through the entire history of the redemption of man. They find their completion in the rose window depicting the Apocalypse, which offers a description of the Banquet of the Lamb, the Heavenly Liturgy.

When you walk through the chapel door on a bright day, you sense the warm embrace of God’s historical saving acts: God touching man by actual events. The visitor experiences the comfort of divine mercy and the promise of the joy of living in the Kingdom of God. In fact, you not only feel embraced, but also actually seem filled with salvation history as the light from outside causes the colorful stories to shine in multiple colors on your clothes and skin. The stories dance on the viewer and, if you allow it, the spiritual experience of sensing that you are at once a participant, a receiver and a catechist of the depicted salvation history can be a very mystical experience.

There, observing these illustrations of the story of salvation, you understand more profoundly the call to redemption, to holiness, to the New Jerusalem – and you want to open the door of faith for yourself. You feel called to be such a strong witness to the faith that others around you also want to open that door of faith.

As Pope Benedict XVI wrote in “Porta Fidei,” “What the world is in particular need of today is the credible witness of people enlightened in mind and heart by the word of the Lord, and capable of opening the hearts and minds of many to the desire for God and for true life, life without end” (“Porta Fidei,” 15).

How grateful we are for all the catechists who witness to us, so that we may open the door of faith and enter into the joy of living in the heart of the God’s Holy Church.

Father Roger K. Arnsparger is the vicar of education for the Diocese of Charlotte and the pastor of St. Mark Church in Huntersville.

In 1935, the Vatican published “On the Better Care and Promotion of Catechetical Education,” a document that asks every country to acknowledge the importance of the Church’s teaching ministry and to honor those who serve the Christian community as catechists. For the first few years after Catechetical Sunday was established, national catechetical congresses were held in conjunction with the celebration. Beginning in 1971, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Department of Education began producing materials to help parishes celebrate the event at the local level. When the Committee on Catechesis, now named the Committee of Evangelization and Catechesis, was named by the USCCB as a standing committee, it continued to publish Catechetical Sunday materials each year. The USCCB has designated the third Sunday in September as Catechetical Sunday.

This year, the Church will celebrate Catechetical Sunday on Sept. 15, focusing on the theme “Open the Door of Faith.” Those whom the community has designated to serve as catechists will be called forth to be commissioned for their ministry. Catechetical Sunday is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the role that each person plays, by virtue of baptism, in handing on the faith and being a witness to the Gospel. Catechetical Sunday is an opportunity for all to rededicate themselves to this mission as a community of faith.

What does the word “catechetical” mean?

The word might be more familiar than you think. Many Catholics have used the word “catechism” for years, and they know it has something to do with the compendium of the Church’s teachings. The root word, “catechesis,” is from a Greek word meaning “to echo, or resound.” Catechesis is the act of resounding or bringing the Church’s teachings to the world. A catechist is one who teaches in the name of the Church.

Why do we have a special day set aside to commission catechists?

Catechesis is a distinct and special ministry in the Church. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church makes clear, “Catechesis is intimately bound up with the whole of the Church’s life . . . her inner growth and correspondence with God’s plan depend essentially on catechesis” (CCC 7). This ministry of teaching in the name of the Church has a profound dignity, which is why catechists are formally commissioned by the Church. It is only fitting that we set aside a day to highlight this ministry and invite the entire church community to think about our responsibility to share our faith with others.

How are parents, the primary catechists of their children, recognized on Catechetical Sunday?

Parents are truly the primary catechists of their children. They prepare the soil and plant the first seeds of faith. On Catechetical Sunday, we not only highlight the work of catechists in parishes and schools, but we also commend parents and guardians and encourage them to take seriously their role of making their Catholic households a place where faith is passed on to the next generation. This is why the rite of blessing of catechists used on Catechetical Sunday includes an optional blessing of parents and guardians.

— Source: U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

A Prayer for Family Commitment Dear God our Father, you have called all Christian families to be a sign of your love to the world.

Help us to be generous with the gifts of life and love that you have showered on our family.

May we share them so that our homes become true signs of unitive and fruitful love.

Let us never forget to thank you each day for all that sustains us and to look to Christ, who comes to us in the events of family life, in the sacraments of the Church, and in service to the poor.

In all of this, our family becomes a living expression of your Church, a hallowed home of life and love. By the power of the Holy Spirit, may all of us – spouses, parents, and children – share, as members of his Body, in Jesus’ mission to build a civilization of love. Father, we ask this in Jesus’ name in union with the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

A Prayer for Catechists O God, our Heavenly Father, you have given us the gift of these catechists to be heralds of the Gospel to our parish family.

We lift them up to you in thanksgiving and intercede for them concerning their hopes and needs.

May we be attentive to the presence of your Word in them, a Word that lifts up and affirms, calls forth and challenges, is compassionate and consoles.

We pray that our parish family will always be blessed with those who have responded to the call to share in Christ’s prophetic mission as catechists. May we too be open to the universal call to service that Christ addresses to all of his disciples, contributing our gifts to the communion of faith, the Church.

We ask this in Jesus’ name.

Amen.

— Source: U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

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catholicnewsherald.com | September 13, 2013 OUR PARISHES

Diocesan calendar of events ASHEVILLE

ST. MATTHEW CHURCH, 8015 BALLANTYNE COMMONS PKWY.

ST. EUGENE CHURCH, 72 CULVERN ST. — El grupo de oración se reúne todos los sábados a las 7 p.m. en la Iglesia

Bishop Peter J. Jugis

BELMONT Bishop Peter J. Jugis will participate in the following events over the coming weeks: Sept. 13-14 Eucharistic Congress Charlotte Convention Center, Charlotte Sept. 18 – 7 P.M. Sacrament of Confirmation Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Brevard Sept. 22 – noon Mass for 40th Anniversary of parish Holy Cross Church, Kernersville Sept. 24 – 7 P.M. Sacrament of Confirmation Our Lady of Mercy Church, Winston-Salem

Queen of the Apostles Church, 503 North Main St. — Community Breakfast: 8-11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, in the Family Life Center. Everyone invited.

— Faith Formation Group, “Triple B”: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8. All parishioners 45 years old and younger are welcome. For details, e-mail qoatripleb@gmail.com.

CHARLOTTE — Mass for Humane Immigration Reform & Advocacy Event: 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25, at St. Peter Catholic Church, 507 South Tryon St. Join Jesuits institutions throughout the country to pray for immigration reform. After Mass meet in Biss Hall for an advocacy event and potluck dinner. Meet guest Homilist, Father Shawn O’Neal, diocesan point of contact for the USCCB’s Justice for Immigrats campaign.

Diocese of Charlotte, 1123 S. Church St. — Ninth Eucharistic Congress, themed “The Mystery of Faith: Open the Door to Christ”: Friday and Saturday, Sept. 13-14, at the Charlotte Convention Center.

Sept. 26 – 6 P.M. Red Mass sT. Patrick cATHEDRAL, Charlotte Sept. 28 – 10:30 A.M. Mass for cAROLINAS’ Catholic FAMILY Day at Carowinds Charlotte

— Natural Family Planning Introduction and Full Course Webinar: 1-5 p.m. Sept. 21. Topics include: Effectiveness of modern NFP, health risks of popular contraceptives, Church teaching on responsible parenting, and how to use NFP. Offered by Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte. RSVP to Batrice Adcock, MSN, at 704-370-3230 or bnadcock@ charlottediocese.org.

— Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat Weekend: Sept. 27-29.

There is hope and healing following abortion.

Sponsored by Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte.

For details, contact Maggie Nadol at Mnadol@ charlottediocese.org.

— Inaugural Carolinas Catholic Family Day: 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at Carowinds Amusement Park. Come and celebrate with the three bishops of the Carolinas. For details, go online to www. catholicnewsherald.com or email pjkym@ymail.com.

ST. BASIL EASTERN CATHOLIC MISSION (meets AT ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CHURCH, 1400 SUTHER ROAD) — Vigil for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross: 5:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13. Followed by Typica Service with Holy Communion.

ST. JOSEPH VIETNAMESE CHURCH, 4929 SANDY PORTER Road — Moon Festival: 6-11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20 and 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21. Festival includes food, dances, entertainment and games for kids. Free admission. For details, contact Paul Tran at 704-5040907.

— Special Prayer Service for Our Lady of Sorrows: 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, in the Daily Mass Chapel. All parents who have lost a child, regardless of age, are encouraged to attend. For details, contact Rita Brennan at 704-543-7677.

— Protecting God’s Children Workshop: 6:30-9:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19. In the Banquet Room. All volunteers must attend the workshop. Please register at www.virtusonline.org.

— Called to be Mom: 10 a.m.-noon, Thursday, Sept.

26. Called to be Mom supports the vocation of motherhood by strengthening faith through various Scripture readings and catechetical books. For details, call Kerry Long at 704-243-6319.

— Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) meeting: Held on the third Monday of every month. RCIA will provide information about the entire conversion process and include detailed Q&A sessions. For details, call Tom Lindemuth at 704-543-7677.

— Living the Faith Book Club: Second Thursday of the month, 7-8 p.m. Everyone welcome.

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

St. Pius X Church, 2210 N. Elm St. — Knights of Columbus Red Cross blood drive: 2-6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, in the Kloster Center. For appointments, call David Ray at 336-404-1933.

— Seasons of Hope: 1:45-4 p.m. Meets for six consecutive weeks, Sept. 29-Nov. 3. Any parishioner mourning the loss of a loved one is encouraged to attend. To register, call the parish at 336-272-4681.

— Blessing of the Animals: 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5. For details, call the parish office at 336-272-4681.

HIGH POINT IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CHURCH, 4145 JOHNSON ST. — Eight-week Spanish classes: 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept.

26. For details, call Nancy Skee at 336-884-0522.

— Red Cross blood drive: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Sept.

28. For details, call Lisa Hubbard at 336-306-0606.

St. Patrick Cathedral, 1621 Dilworth Road East — Annual Red Mass: 6 p.m. Sept. 26, celebrated by Bishop Peter J. Jugis. The Diocese of Charlotte’s 11th annual Red Mass brings together members of the legal community, including judges, attorneys, government officials and law enforcement, for the opportunity to reflect on the God-given responsibilities of their profession. All are welcome.

— Natural Family Planning Introduction and Full Course: 1-5 p.m. Sept. 28. Topics include: Effectiveness of modern NFP, health risks of popular contraceptives, Church teaching on responsible parenting, and how to use NFP. Offered by Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte. RSVP to Batrice Adcock, MSN, at 704-3703230 or bnadcock@charlottediocese.org.

HUNTERSVILLE ST. MARK CHURCH, 14740 Stumptown Road — New Ministry for Mothers of Children with Special Needs: Meets the first Wednesday of the month. If interested, contact Laraine Nicklaw 704-875-3041.

— Young Adult Gathering: 8:30-9:30 p.m. Sundays, Room 200 of the Msgr. Kerin Family Center. Gatherings include fellowship and study. For details, contact Scott Fisher at 704-773-2664 or stfishe22@ncsu.edu.

— Catholic Athletes for Christ youth ministry: First and third Wednesdays. An evening of fun, athletic activities, meals and featured speakers who address faith and athletics. For details, teens and parents can contact Tim Flynn at 704-948-0231 or stmarklifeteen@gmail.com.

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

GASTONIA ST. Michael CHURCH, 708 St. Michael’s Lane — Feast of St. Michael: Forty Hours of Eucharistic Adoration From Friday, Sept. 27-Sunday, Sept.

29. Military and law enforcement personnel are encouraged to attend for a special blessing and gift in honor of St. Michael the Archangel, the parish’s patron. For details, contact the parish office at 704867-6212.

— Healing Retreat for Mothers: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19. All mothers are welcome to attend this healing retreat for mothers who have experienced the loss of a child.

MAGGIE VALLEY St. Margaret of Scotland Church, 37 Murphy Dr. — Holy Spirit Charismatic Prayer Meeting: 7-8:30 p.m.

Wednesdays. For details, call the rectory at 828-926-0106.

WINSTON-SALEM — World Wide Marriage Encounter Weekend: Sept. 20-22.

Registration recommended. For details, contact William and Elizabeth Nickles at 704-315-2144.

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

22-Nov. 17. Call Dan and Pam McVicker at 336-734-9415.

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

facebook.com/ catholic news HERALD

September 13, 2013 Volume 22 • Number 23

1123 S. Church St. Charlotte, N.C. 28203-4003 catholicnews@charlottediocese.org

704-370-3333 PUBLISHER: The Most Reverend Peter J. Jugis, Bishop of Charlotte

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

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September 13, 2013 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

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Priests’ jubilees celebrated at Sept. 10 Mass ‘You have our admiration, our gratitude, our prayers and our love’ CHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte was not yet formed when most of our 2013 priest jubilarians were ordained. In fact, seven of the nine jubilarians were ordained prior to 1972 and have served the Church for more than half a century.

This year also marks the 25th anniversary of episcopal ordination for Bishop Emeritus William G. Curlin, and the 10th anniversary of episcopal ordination and 30th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood for Bishop Peter J. Jugis.

All of these anniversaries were a cause for celebration at the jubilarians Mass, celebrated at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte Sept. 10.

Bishop Jugis was the main celebrant for the Mass, which also included Monsignor Mauricio West, vicar general and chancellor of the diocese, Benedictine Abbot Placid Solari of Belmont Abbey, and more than 15 priests of the diocese.

In his homily, Bishop Jugis remarked on Pope Francis’ daily homilies that have been shared with all the faithful worldwide, and how all the priests being honored at the jubilarians Mass have also delivered a treasure trove of homilies to the faithful over the many decades of service they have given to the local Church.

“As you continue to preach and stay active in ministry

sueann howell | catholic news herald

Bishop Peter J. Jugis was the main celebrant for the jubilarians Mass Sept. 10 at St. Patrick Cathedral. The Mass honored more than 11 priests who are celebrating jubilee ordination anniversaries or retirement this year. See more photos from the Mass at www.catholicnewsherald.com. as you are able to, still, the parishioners that you preach to, that you share Jesus with, are receiving what is important,” Bishop Jugis said. That “is a mature reflection of decades of prayer and reflection on Jesus and His Gospel.

“To help them now, even in your retirement, even in your jubilee years, on their way to salvation” is an invaluable gift, he said.

“For that, for the decades of ministry you have dedicated to the Lord and His people, we honor you, we thank you and we encourage you in your ministry to the faithful, to continue to share with all of us the riches of your prayer and your reflection on Jesus. You have our admiration, our gratitude, our prayers and our love.”

Priest jubilarians celebrating 25 or more years include: Monsignor Thomas R. Walsh (60 years); Father Richard R. Benonis, Benedictine Father David R. Kessinger, and the late Father Richard T. McCue (55 years); Father James F. Hawker, former diocesan vicar of education, and Father Edward J. Sheridan (50 years); and Father Kenneth L. Whittington (25 years).

Three priests who retired this year were also honored at the jubilarians Mass. They are: Monsignor Richard M. Bellow, Father Kurt M. Fohn and Father George M. Kloster.

On Nov. 2, 1988, Bishop Curlin was appointed auxiliary bishop of Washington, D.C., and titular bishop of Rossmarkaeum, Scotland, by Pope John Paul II. He received his episcopal consecration on Dec. 20, 1988, from Cardinal James Hickey.

Pope John Paul II appointed Bishop Jugis as the fourth bishop of Charlotte on Aug. 1, 2003. He was consecrated as bishop on Oct. 24, 2003, at St. Matthew Church in Charlotte,

by Archbishop John Francis Donoghue, with Bishop Curlin and Bishop Francis Joseph Gossman serving as co-consecrators.

For a complete listing of all diocesan priests celebrating special anniversaries this year, go to www. catholicnewsherald.com.

— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter

St. John Neumann Church beautifies interior, upgrades technology Jennifer Noto Special to the Catholic News Herald

CHARLOTTE — St. John Neumann Church recently underwent some muchneeded renovations to beautify and refurbish the church as well as upgrade the building’s technology to help parishioners in their worship.

The church building itself is more than 30 years old and has not been significantly updated since an expansion in 1985. With this in mind, the parish commissioned local architect and parishioner Anthony Morlando, principal of ClearSight Architecture, to work with members of the pastoral council, finance council and maintenance and facilities commission to evaluate the current building. Morlando and his team assembled a list of priorities and recommendations that were approved

by Father Patrick Hoare, pastor, and the members of the parish leadership team.

The project was divided into three general categories: maintenance improvements, energy efficiency and technology upgrades, and beautification and liturgical improvements.

Maintenance improvements included such tasks as replacing the carpeting, refinishing the wood flooring and pews, reupholstering the kneelers, painting the ceiling and putting a fresh coat of polyurethane on all the worn woodworking and doors.

In an effort to lower the church’s annual utility bills, energy-efficient lighting and technology upgrades were also recommended. Some of the energy and technology upgrades included replacing the building’s 30-year-old lighting control panel with an energyefficient dimming control panel, converting the 500-watt incandescent can lights to more efficient 25-watt LED fixtures, and adding indirect pendant lighting to help supplement and even out the interior lighting levels. In an effort to reduce the overall lighting demand, thermal “low-e” clerestory windows were added at the rear of the church to allow soft, natural light to flood the space.

The church improved its technological features by adding a hearing induction loop to assist hearing-impaired parishioners. The “hearing loop,” which is a loop of cable under the new carpeting, generates a magnetic field that can be picked up by a person’s hearing aid fitted with a “T” switch. Also installed was a state-of-the-art sound system with two remote-controlled LED projectors and drop-down screens for visual presentations, following input from parishioners who had expressed concerns about the general audio quality inside the church.

ST. JOHN Neumann, SEE page 19

Photos provided by Jennifer Noto

Parishioners of St. John Neumann Church in Charlotte recently celebrated the renovation of the church. The renovations included three new stained glass windows. This window depicts the story of the Good Samaritan. Father Patrick Hoare, pastor, is pictured with Deacon Joe Denzler and members of the Knights of Columbus Council 7343.

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catholicnewsherald.com | September 13, 2013 OUR PARISHES

Father McCue passes away at 85 Father Richard T. McCue of Exeter, N.H., a former pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Franklin and Our Lady of the Mountains Mission in Highlands, passed away suddenly Aug. 28, 2013. He was 85.

The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Sept. 6, 2013, at St. Clement Church in Medford, Mass.

Interment followed at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Arlington, Mass.

Father McCue was born Feb. 9, 1928, in Boston, the beloved son of the late Mary O’Malley McCue and Daniel McCue. He attended Boston College and St. John’s Seminary in Boston, and McCue he received his master’s degree at Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, N.J. Father McCue celebrated his 55th anniversary of ordination this year. He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Boston in 1958 and served with the Home Missions in Charlotte until 1972.

After his service in Charlotte and inspired by his military service as a U.S. Marine veteran of the Korean War, he became a U.S. Navy chaplain for many years, including a tour of duty as a Marine chaplain on the front lines of active combat in Vietnam. He later returned to the U.S. and spent six years at sea duty on three aircraft carriers and served as chaplain of the U.S. Naval Academy.

During his distinguished military career, Father McCue received many awards and citations including: Navy Commendation Medal “V”, Gold Star in lieu of second award, Combat Action Ribbon, two Presidential Unit Citations, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal (3 Battle Stars), United Nations Medal, Vietnam Service Medal (2 Battle Stars), Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Navy Expeditionary Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation Republic of Vietnam and the Sea Service Medal.

In 1987, after serving 25 years in the Navy, Father McCue retired at the rank of captain.

He was assigned to Our Lady Help of Christians Church in Newton, Mass., for a short time before returning to the Diocese of Charlotte, where he served as pastor of several churches, including St. Francis of Assisi Church in Franklin and Our Lady of the Mountains Mission in Highlands. He retired from active ministry in 1998.

During his retirement Father McCue assisted in many parishes in the New Hampshire Seacoast area. For the past few years he also spent the winter months in Tempe, Ariz., where he assisted at The Church of the Holy Spirit.

He is survived by his sister Jeanette Puorro of California; brothers Joseph McCue of New Hampshire and Eugene McCue of Chicopee, Mass.; and many dear nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers Daniel McCue and Arthur McCue and a sister, Mary McQuilken.

Notes of condolence to the family may be sent in care of Gerald McCue, 21 Bromfield Road, W. Somerville, MA 02144. An online guest book courtesy of Doherty Funeral Home is at www.dohertyfuneralservice.com.

Donations may be made in memory of Father McCue to St. Clement Parish, 71 Warner St., Medford, MA 02155.

Doherty Funeral Home in Somerville was in charge of the arrangements.

— Catholic News Herald

Pictured is Sheila Barth, co-owner of Great Harvest Bakery Co. in Greensboro and Our Lady of Grace Church member, who modified a fasting bread recipe for their commercial kitchen following local interest in participating in Pope Francis’ call for fasting and prayer for peace in Syria.

A bakery worker prepares loaves of fasting bread Sept. 6.

Photos by Dave Vogrinc | Catholic Hews Herald

Bread for good Local bakery, Greensboro parishioners unite over ‘fasting bread’ in solidarity with Syrian war victims MARIAN COWHIG OWEN Correspondent

GREENSBORO — Flour. Water. Yeast.

Salt. With time and heat, a few simple ingredients can become a nourishing loaf of bread. And a community of Catholics in Greensboro is using that bread as an ingredient in a fulfilling spiritual life.

Spurred by Pope Francis’ call for Christians worldwide to fast and pray for peace in Syria last weekend, parishioners

of Our Lady of Grace Church and other churches in Greensboro are encouraging people to include fasting bread in their spiritual practices.

The use of fasting bread dates back centuries, but in the 20th century it was popularized by the apparitions at Medjugorje. When undergoing a spiritual fast, the faithful consume only bread and water. Fasting bread is intentionally simple but nourishing; those fasting will still feel hungry, but they won’t be harming their bodies by depriving themselves of nutrients.

“If you’re used to eating a certain amount every day, to eat only bread and water at certain times during the day is suffering,” say parishioner Barbara Markun, who took part in the Sept. 7 fast.

“You’ll sacrifice what gives you comfort, for Christ. That propels your prayer to a different level – you’re taking it on physically.”

The parishioners are using bread made from a recipe on the blog Catholic Cuisine (www.catholiccuisine.blogspot. com). The recipe includes meditations on each ingredient, noting how each BREAD, SEE page 19

Fasting bread People living in the Triad area can order a loaf of fasting bread by calling Great Harvest Bread Co.’s Greensboro location at 336-855-3853. A 2-pound, 18-slice loaf costs $7.

The recipe is modified from one for Fasting Bread for Lent, published by the blog Catholic Cuisine (www.catholiccuisine.blogspot.com).

How to fast there are specific rules for fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, but fasting as a spiritual discipline is at the discretion of the individual at other times of the year, according to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The discipline can range from a “black fast,” meaning no food or drink, to an act of abstinence such as giving up meat or sweets. According to www.usccb.org: “If one chooses to fast … it should be a sacrifice which includes some degree of hunger and self-restraint. In addition, prayer should be included as part of the fast.”

September 13, 2013 | catholicnewsherald.com

OUR PARISHESI

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Feminists for Life president coming to Charlotte Learn more about true feminist history and support life at Charlotte fundraiser Patricia L. Guilfoyle Editor

CHARLOTTE — Serrin M. Foster, president of Feminists for Life of America, will speak in Charlotte Saturday, Sept. 21, during a special reception and fundraiser.

Among other accomplishments, Foster is the creator of the popular “Women Deserve Better than Abortion” campaign, which highlights the tragic causes and consequences of abortion and aims to prevent the reasons why women seek abortions in the first place.

Feminists for Life’s “unique mission,” Foster notes, is “to systematically remove the reasons why women get abortions,” as well as to advocate for better care and support for mothers – at home, in the workplace, and in the community at large.

Women need a way out that doesn’t mean killing their unborn child, she said.

Abortion is more than about “choice,” Foster said. “Abortion is the ultimate exploitation of women.”

Women seek abortions for many reasons, she noted, most of the time out of fear or a feeling of powerlessness. Lack of family support or support from the baby’s father, economic pressures, poverty, lack of affordable childcare, domestic violence, lack of education, lack of health care: these reasons and more are what push women into abortion clinics.

Paralleling the legalization of abortion has been the rise in sexual exploitation of

women, through pornography, the hook-up culture, the weakening of familial ties and marriage bonds, and more, Foster said.

The two have created a perfect storm that endangers and abuses women, and debases their human dignity.

Serrin has led Feminists for Life since 1994. Under her leadership, Feminists for Life successfully advocated benefits for poor and pregnant women through the State Child Health Insurance Program, worked in coalition with other women’s organizations to defeat the mandatory “family cap” and other punitive child exclusion provisions in welfare reform, and helped to prevent poverty and coerced abortions due to threats to withhold child support through passage of the Enhanced Child Support Act. Serrin served on the National Taskforce Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, which worked to pass the Violence Against Women Act, and she also testified before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee in support of the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, also known as “Laci and Conner’s Law.” In 1997, Serrin moderated the firstever FFL Pregnancy Resource Forum at Georgetown University, which became a model for the country and in 2010 became the basis for Pregnancy Assistance Fund grants awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

She has focused on developing oncampus resources and support for

underserved pregnant and parenting students and is an outspoken opponent of pregnancy discrimination. One of Feminists for Life’s flagship initiatives is its college outreach program, where it seeks to educate people about the true feminist movement and assist young women during a formative period in their lives.

Feminists for Life also highlights the goals of the feminist movement – before it was hijacked by the sexual liberation movement in the 1960s – to promote the welfare of women and their children; to seek justice for women in need; and to advocate for equal economic, political and social rights for women.

The early American feminists – women such as Susan B. Anthony, Louisa May Alcott, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Mary Wollstonecraft – were pro-life, and their legacy was continued into the 20th century by women like Pearl S. Buck, Dorothy Day and Alice Stokes Paul. Without known exception, our feminist foremothers opposed abortion and sought to address the root causes that drive women to abortion.

Foster, who has an honorary doctorate from Belmont Abbey College, said she is excited about returning to Charlotte to raise awareness about the causes of abortion, and to recognize local efforts like Room at the Inn’s college-based maternity center in Belmont. The center is the first of its kind in the United States, and seeks to help vulnerable, college-aged pregnant women keep their babies and continue

You should go “Happy Hour with Happy Feminists” will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept.

21, at the Charlotte City Club, 121 W. Trade St. in Charlotte. Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served. Reservations are free but required, as space is limited. To make a reservation or get more information, contact at Cindy Brown, vice chair of Feminists for Life, at cindybrown@ feministsforlife.org.

More online At www.feministsforlife.org: Learn more about the roots of the American feminist movement, get a wide range of free pro-life resources, and learn more about the advocacy and education efforts of Feminists for Life of America

their education.

“The people of Charlotte understand how important it is to wish the change, and then work for change,” Foster said.

Saying no to abortion and saying yes to life can be easy to say but difficult to put into practice, she acknowledged.

“Yes, it’s not easy. Solutions are complicated, but we Americans are smart and women are brilliant. Real feminists don’t underestimate women.”

Parish celebrates memorial dedicated to life HUNTERSVILLE — Father Roger Arnsparger, pastor of St. Mark Church in Huntersville, sprinkles holy water during the Sept. 8 dedication of the Memorial for Life. A statue and prayer garden, funded by more than 200 St. Mark parishioners, sits on property next to the church. St. Mark’s retired pastor, Monsignor Richard Bellow, an honor guard of the Knights of Columbus and more than 250 people attended the dedication.

Fundraising, permitting and construction of the $50,000 memorial took more than three years. The statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Infant Jesus was donated by the Mann family of the parish. Pictured to the right of the statue are Kathleen and Gene Mann. Also pictured are their three children Tom, Kate and Laurie.

Photos by David Hains | Catholic News Herald

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catholicnewsherald.com | September 13, 2013 OUR PARISHES

Did you know? n More than 50 million Americans – 33.5 million adults and 16.7 million children – experience food insecurity. According to U.S. Census data, that makes up about 15% of all households. Many of those are families headed by a single parent, and others are senior citizens. n Food insecurity occurs in every community. Unemployment is a stronger predictor of food insecurity than poverty. The average unemployment rate in North Carolina in 2012 was 9.5% – the fourth worst in the nation, and higher than the U.S. national average of 8.1%. n 1 in 6 North Carolina households experienced food insecurity last year. n 1 in 4 North Carolina children younger than 5 are food insecure on a regular basis. n Asheville, Greensboro, High Point and Winston-Salem have some the highest levels of food insecurity in the U.S. n More than 57% of American families suffering from food insecurity also received some type of federal food aid – such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP (formerly known as food stamps), the National School Lunch Program, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (known as WIC). n Approximately 170,200 different people in North Carolina receive emergency food assistance in any given week. This is equivalent to the entire current undergraduate enrollment of all 16 colleges and universities in the University of North Carolina system. n North Carolina is ranked among the top 7 states with the highest percentage of people experiencing food shortages: United States average: 14.7% California: 16.2% North Carolina: 17.1% Georgia: 17.4% Alabama: 18.2% Texas: 18.5% Arkansas: 19.2% Mississippi: 19.2% — Sources: U.S. Census; U.S. Department of Agriculture; Coleman-Jensen, A., Nord, M., Andrews, M., and Carlson, S., “Household Food Security in the United States in 2011”; U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics; Feeding America

What’s food insecurity like?

More than half of families suffering from food insecurity also received some type of federal food aid. The federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP (formerly known as food stamps) provides a person with an average of $4.50 per day to buy food.

Think you could eat on just $4.50 a day?

Take Feeding America’s SNAP Challenge: Shop for your meals with the daily $4.50 average benefit to get a sense of some of the challenges faced by those struggling to put food on the table. Budget $4.50 for the day and share your experience with family and friends to raise awareness of the importance of this critical nutrition program.

— Source: Feeding America

Annette Tenny | Catholic News Herald

St. Benedict the Moor parishioner Constance Grier sets up food item bags for distribution to clients.

St. Benedict the Moor:

Small parish feeds multitudes in need Annette Tenny Correspondent

WINSTON-SALEM — It isn’t all that easy to find your way to St. Benedict the Moor Church the first time you go there. It’s tucked into a sprawling neighborhood, sandwiched between major thoroughfares that either shoot you around the city or lead you into the heart of downtown.

The neighborhood is a mix of older single-family homes and apartments and it seems as though you could stand in just about anybody’s front yard, throw a stone and hit a church. What sets St. Ben (as it’s affectionately called) apart is that it looks like it has always been there. Love infused wood, brick and mortar that go back 73 years.

It’s a small parish, counting 120 registered families, but that doesn’t stop members from looking out to the world to see what they can do to help. They’ve supported addiction programs, learning labs in conjunction with Winston-Salem State University, community watch meetings, and for the past five years, they have partnered with Second Harvest Food Bank to bring food to struggling families in the neighborhood.

Every first and third Monday of the month, people begin lining up outside the side basement door of the church. The doors don’t open until 3, but people come early.

Sometimes older folks bring lawn chairs.

They update each other about their families, talk about their jobs or their search for work.

They are drawn together by their need for a little understanding, a little compassion and

a little help feeding their families. Their religious views don’t matter one bit. St. Ben parishioners see them all in the same way – as brothers and sisters.

For the parishioners who help out with St. Ben’s Food Pantry, getting ready for those Mondays — Joan Young starts the week program director for St. before. First comes Benedict the Moor Parish’s the weekly trip to the food pantry local Second Harvest Food Bank. During the spring, winter and fall, the parish’s food bank receives government funding based on the average number of people it serves. But during the summer, that assistance is not available to food pantries like St. Ben’s.

“The church also provides a small amount of money and we rely on donations from parishioners of St. Benedict and Good Shepherd Mission,” said Joan Young, who directs the food pantry.

The parish is also blessed with the help of a local businessman, Cedric Russell of Russell Funeral Home, who provides a truck for transportation on days the parish picks up its pallet of food from Second Harvest Food Bank.

The parish has three freezers and one

‘We don’t turn anyone away unless we just have nothing left.’

refrigerator to store perishable items. On the Saturday before the food pantry opens on Monday, parishioners come in, assess the items they have and begin to set up packages.

They try to balance items to give people enough to make a few meals, Young explains.

Everyone who comes gets a frozen meat item and two bags of non-perishable items. There are also sometimes personal items available, depending on the amount of money available and what donations have come in.

There is also a garden at the church that provides the food pantry with fresh produce in season. Lorraine Mortis and Judith Murphy, parishioners, tend the garden with much-appreciated help from other parishioners.

“We always set up for 60 families, minimum,” Young says. “We don’t ask but a few questions, mainly about family size – questions that are required by Second Harvest for our reports that we turn in.

People can come both Mondays and only need a picture I.D. We don’t turn anyone away unless we just have nothing left.”

During the month of August, St. Benedict Food Pantry served 132 families – 337 people.

That’s more people than are registered as members of the parish.

“We are blessed with people here who care, even though some of us struggle as well,” Young notes. “So many people help who aren’t here today, like ‘Master Shopper’ Theresa Mason and Joyce Brooks and Robert Mortis who help on Saturdays – my kids!

Without them and the help of the Lord, we could never do what we are able to do.”

September 13, 2013 | catholicnewsherald.com

St. Michael Parish to celebrate feast with 40 hours devotion and more Sept. 27-29 GASTONIA — The faithful of the Diocese of Charlotte are invited to join the parishioners of St. Michael the Archangel Church in Gastonia as they celebrate the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel Sept.

27-29.

The celebration begins with the 40 Hours Devotion, consisting of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament from 9 a.m. Friday, Sept.

27, through 8 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 29.

On Friday, Sept. 27, Dominican Sister Jane Dominic will give a talk entitled, “Masculinity and Femininity.”

Other events during the weekend include: Viernes Hora Santa at 7 p.m. following Sister Jane Dominic’s talk; Mass in the Extraordinary Form at 8:15 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 28; Holy Mass at 5 p.m. Sept. 28; and Holy Mass on Sunday, Sept.

29, at 7:30 a.m. and 10 a.m.

The 10 a.m. Mass on Sunday, Sept. 29, will be celebrated by Father Matthew Buettner, pastor. A blessing of military and law enforcement personnel, a Eucharistic procession and banquet will follow the Mass.

“We honor St. Michael principally because St. Michael honors God,” Father Buettner said.

“Divine Revelation, as both contained in sacred Scripture and tradition, describes the role of St. Michael as the one who defended the singular honor of God against the rebellion of Lucifer, who chose to reign in hell rather than to serve God in heaven.

Michael, whose name means rhetorically, ‘Who is like God?’, perennially battles the evil forces who threaten the honor of God. Since St. Michael is the patron of law enforcement and military personnel, we would like to honor them as well at our parochial feast. We are inviting all law enforcement and military personnel to assist at Holy Mass in uniform and to receive a special blessing and gift of St. Michael. All are welcome to attend.”

The church is located at 708 St. Michael’s Lane in Gastonia. For details about the St. Michael Feast Day celebration, contact the parish office at 704-8676212 or email dgdavis@ charlottediocese.org.

— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter

Father Benjamin Roberts, pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Monroe, addresses participants of a religious liberty march and prayer vigil Aug. 30 in uptown Charlotte. “The right to religious liberty and the freedom of our conscience was given to us by the Creator. Religious freedom is the gift of the Creator. It is one of our most fundamental rights,” Father Roberts reminded everyone.

SueAnn Howell | Catholic News Herald

‘Take your place in the battle for religious freedom’ Monroe pastor delivers powerful address during march on uptown Charlotte SueAnn Howell Senior reporter

CHARLOTTE — The uptown lunch crowd near the corner of Trade and Tryon streets heard an impassioned plea Aug. 30 for an awakening of conscience in the fight for religious liberty. Father Benjamin Roberts, pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Monroe, addressed the 25 marchers who had accompanied him from the Diocese of Charlotte Pastoral Center on South Church Street to the heart of the city, encouraging them and those within earshot to “take action” and to “take your place in the battle for religious freedom.”

At issue is the U.S. Health and Human Services contraception mandate as part of the Affordable Care Act. This rule from the HHS requires most employers with staffs of 50 people or more to provide health insurance coverage that includes free contraceptives, abortifacients and sterilization services – even if they have religious or conscientious objections to such coverage.

“I am speaking here today because the government of the United States is trying to take something from us that the government did not give to us,” Father Roberts explained.

“And not only is it something that the government did not give to us, but it is something that our government, or any other government, could not give to us. It is not theirs to give.

“Because, dear friends, ‘we hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal and that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights and that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.’”

He then stressed that “the right to religious liberty and the freedom of our conscience was given to us by the Creator. Religious freedom is the gift of the Creator. It is one of our most fundamental rights.”

Throughout his address, Father Roberts gave examples of instances where Catholics have been persecuted for their religious beliefs. One example he highlighted was in Mexico City in 1921 at the Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, where a bomb was detonated, causing great destruction but doing no harm to the miraculous image of Our Lady.

He also spoke about St. Toribio Romo González, who was executed in 1928 during the Mexican persecution because he was a priest.

“Father Toribio was killed not only for what he believed, but because he lived what he believed. His faith formed his conscience and his conscience guided his life.”

Father Roberts spoke plainly about the current assault on religious liberty in the U.S., pointing out that the HHS mandate is a direct violation of the right to religious freedom.

“It is a violation of our conscience. The government will let us believe what we want, but now they want to forbid us from acting on our beliefs.”

He pointed out that our Christianity is a life lived in the midst of the world and not simply a philosophy kept hidden away in a church or a classroom.

“The love of Christ impels us, the love of Christ commands us, the love of Christ gives us our only true mandate to walk in love as Christ loved us. To care for the poor and the sick, to reverence life in all its stages, to feed the hungry and shelter the homeless, and to see the face of Christ in the face of every person,” Father Roberts preached.

Donna Vaughn, a parishioner at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte, joined the march and was moved by Father Robert’s address.

“He was terrific, very well spoken and right on point,” Vaughn said.

The march continued to the Charles R. Jonas Federal Courthouse after the address at Trade and Tryon streets, where participants prayed the rosary and the Divine Mercy chaplet.

“I believe in freedom of religion,” Max Karoush said. He is also parishioner at St. Patrick Church and was marching for the first time. “It’s great! I came to offer prayer for the nation and to march for freedom of religion.”

In his closing remarks, Father Roberts encouraged those listening to support candidates who support religious freedom in all upcoming elections. He also invited them to consider running for elected positions to further put their faith into action.

“Take courage, brothers and sisters! Take action brothers and sisters! And take your place in the battle for religious freedom!”

OUR PARISHESI

9

Annual Red Mass an invitation to pray for those working in the justice system Notre Dame bioethics law prof to be honored by St. Thomas More Society CHARLOTTE — Join Bishop Peter J. Jugis and members of the legal and law enforcement communities as they celebrate the 11th annual Red Mass at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte.

The Red Mass is celebrated annually throughout the United States in conjunction with the opening session of the U.S. Supreme Court.

This special Mass gives all attending members of the legal community, including judges, attorneys, Snead government officials and law enforcement, the opportunity to reflect on the God-given responsibilities of their profession. All are welcome to attend.

The first recorded Red Mass, a special Mass for members of the legal profession, was celebrated in Paris in 1245. For many centuries it was held in the chapel of the Order of Advocates, La Sainte Chapelle. In certain localities of France, the Red Mass was celebrated in honor of St. Ives, the patron saint of lawyers.

In England, the tradition began around 1310 during the reign of King Edward II. The entire Bench and the Bar attended the Red Mass at the opening of each term of court. The priests and the judges of the High Court wore red robes; thus, the Eucharistic celebration became popularly known as the Red Mass.

In keeping with our country’s rich tradition of religious freedom and diversity, the Red Mass has continued in the United States.

The first Red Mass was held at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Detroit in 1877. Each year in Washington, D.C., the members of the Supreme Court join the president and members of Congress in the celebration of the Red Mass.

The Red Mass will be followed by a reception in the St. Patrick Cathedral Family Life Center, where the St. Thomas More Society will present their 2013 award to O. Carter Snead, a professor of law at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., who teaches courses on law and bioethics, health law, torts and constitutional criminal procedure.

Snead is also director of the William P. and Hazel B. White Center for Ethics and Culture. His principal area of research is public bioethics – the governance of science, medicine and biotechnology in the name of ethical goods. His scholarly works have explored issues relating to neuroethics, enhancement, stem cell research, abortion and end-of-life decision-making.

He served as General Counsel to the President’s Council on Bioethics, and also served as chief negotiator for the U.S. on the Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights (adopted in October 2005).

No RSVP is needed for the Red Mass, but anyone wishing to attend the award banquet needs to RSVP in advance. For more information about the St. Thomas More Society for legal and law enforcement professionals, or to RSVP, contact Michael Hoefling at mhoefling@jahlaw.com or call 704-998-2205.

— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter

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catholicnewsherald.com | September 13, 2013 OUR PARISHES

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Amber Mellon | Catholic News Herald

Brother Francis, a convert to Catholicism who has been studying about the faith in Charlotte, is leaving this month to join St. Leo Benedictine Abbey in central Florida.

Young Baptist teen seeks true faith on spiritual journey through Charlotte Amber Mellon Correspondent

CCDOC.ORG

Welcome the Stranger Refugees are victims of war, political upheaval or persecution. To stay alive, they are forced to leave home for camps in neighboring countries.

A fortunate few have the opportunity to escape that life.

Catholic Charities has welcomed more than 11,000 refugees to Charlotte, and more than 300 in the last year alone. Program services include housing assistance, social and health care referrals, employment assistance, ESL class referrals, and cultural orientation.

Visit ccdoc.org to donate funds, furniture or to volunteer.

Sometimes a person hands you a book and your life changes forever.

Jonathan Benjamin Williams was a 17-year-old high school student in Mississippi who had just received his license to preach in the Baptist Church.

But he felt there was something missing in his heart. While studying the Bible, he started to notice ideas and events in Scripture that were not consistent with his Baptist beliefs.

That started him searching. And that’s when a friend, who knew that Williams enjoyed reading, handed him a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

The more he read, the more Williams realized how consistent Catholic teaching was with his knowledge of Scripture.

Now that he understood more, the Baptist Church felt “too shallow,� he recalls, and he wanted more.

He wanted to be Catholic.

He had never before been to Mass, but he learned the rosary. Then he took a giant leap of faith: a 1,500-mile pilgrimage, to be exact.

Days after finishing high school, on June 20, 2011, Williams took off on foot, carrying a cross to Washington, D.C., to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

Along the way, he interacted with Christians of all types, both Catholic and non-Catholic. He recalls being amazed at how the Catholics encouraged him, while the non-Catholics were not so encouraging.

He visited a lot of monasteries, where he found that they were open to him as a “human being.�

Williams reached his destination on the Feast of St. Francis in December 2011. He stayed for a few days with the Franciscan Friars of the Holy Land in Washington, D.C. A Baptist minister friend of his who happened to be in Washington drove him home to Mississippi.

His pilgrimage had taken him through the Diocese of Charlotte, where he had been impressed by the faith of people he had met. So after his pilgrimage was completed, he moved to Charlotte to learn more about his newfound faith and start the process of becoming Catholic.

Once in Charlotte, Williams met and began to study under Father John Vianney Hoover of New Creation Monastery in Charlotte.

He was received into the Catholic Church Sept. 9, 2012, at St. Peter Church with Father Hoover as his sponsor. When he was received, he changed his name to Francis of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He choose this name as he wanted to imitate St. Francis and to have the love Christ had for the world to grow within him, he says.

Brother Francis soon joined Father Hoover at New Creation Monastery, as he wanted to be immersed in the faith and serve the poor. He says he began to realize that, as St. ThÊrèse said, everything is prayer and he feels it is his job to call people into the Kingdom of God. He began to wear a monk’s habit, as a way to be like Jesus. He quickly noticed that his habit drew people to him, and they would share with him their needs. He says he told people that the only thing he could share with them is the Kingdom of God, and he was amazed how people were so open to listening to the Gospel.

Brother Francis says he now feels a call to the priesthood. Even though there are no clergy in his family, Brother Francis feels privileged that God has called him to the priesthood.

So with the motto of “Ecce veritas� (“Behold the Truth!�), and the hope of one day becoming a priest, he is leaving the Charlotte diocese this month to join St. Leo Benedictine Abbey in central Florida.

Father Hoover speaks fondly of Brother Francis: “I am convinced that God is doing something extraordinary now by Brother Francis. The whole Church will be blessed by him.�

September 13, 2013 | catholicnewsherald.com

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief

humane and comprehensive immigration reform. The 6 p.m. Mass will be celebrated by Father Shawn O’Neal at St. Peter Church, 507 S. Tryon St. in Charlotte. Father O’Neal is pastor of St. Joseph Church in Bryson City and Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission in Cherokee, and he serves as the diocesan liaison for the U.S. bishops’ Justice for Immigrants campaign.

After Mass, there will be an advocacy event and potluck meal in Biss Hall. The event at the Jesuit-run parish is being held in conjunction with other Jesuit institutions across the U.S., including the Ignatian Solidarity Network and others.

OUR PARISHESI

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Father Buettner installed as pastor in Gastonia GASTONIA — Father Matthew Buettner, former pastor of St. Dorothy Church in Lincolnton, was installed Sept. 1 by Bishop Peter Jugis as pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Church in Gastonia. Pictured with him are Bishop Peter J. Jugis and members of the Knights of Columbus William Gaston Assembly 2531.

Mass to pray for immigration reform set for Sept. 25 CHARLOTTE — The faithful are invited to a Mass on Wednesday, Sept. 25, to pray for

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

Knights repair pastor’s carport

CCDOC.ORG

LEXINGTON — The Knights of Columbus St. Francis de Sales Council 12481 of Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Lexington recently worked together to repair the carport at the home of Oblates of St. Francis de Sales Father Al Gondek, their pastor. Supporting their parish priest is among the priorities of the Knights.

— Linda McAdam

Discover Natural Family Planning Modern Natural Family Planning (NFP) provides a practical and empowering alternative used to achieve or avoid pregnancy. It upholds the dignity of the person within the context of marriage and family and promotes openness to life by respecting the love-giving and life-giving natures of marriage.

Cathedral stair project nearly finished CHARLOTTE — Work to redesign the front stairway of St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte is nearly complete, reports Father Christopher Roux, pastor and rector. Completion of the Bishop Curlin Commemorative Stair Project will be celebrated with a dedication ceremony starting at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13, with both Bishop Emeritus William G. Curlin and Bishop Peter J. Jugis in attendance. All are welcome.

The dedication ceremony will begin with an organ recital from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. by Dr. GianFranco DeLuca, the cathedral’s sacred music director, followed by Solemn Vespers at 6 p.m., in which the faithful will unite themselves with Pope Francis’ consecration of the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The new entrance will be blessed after vespers, and a reception will follow in the parish’s Family Life Center.

The 74-year-old cathedral’s front entrance

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

The front of the staircase will feature a new cathedral sign in cast stone and a cast stone engraving in honor of Bishop Curlin. Another monument will feature a quote from St. Ignatius: “Where the bishop is, there let the multitude of believers be, even as where Jesus is, there is the Catholic Church.”

Among other Christian symbols, the staircase will feature a Celtic cross in honor of St. Patrick, a repeated fish pattern symbolizing the 40 days of Lent and woven in a Celtic-knot inspired pattern, and circles representing the Eucharist.

— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter

What will you learn by taking a free, one-day class?

• effectiveness of modern NFP methods.

• health, relational, and spiritual benefits.

• health risks of popular contraceptives.

• Church teachings on responsible parenting.

• how to use Natural Family Planning.

September 28 - Charlotte October 5 - Charlotte November 9 - Arden Special Webinar Class to be held on September 21 For more information visit our website or contact Batrice Adcock, MSN at 704.370.3230 or bnadcock@charlottediocese.org.

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catholicnewsherald.com | September 13, 2013 OUR PARISHES

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL CATHOLIC CHURCH DIRECTOR OF STEWARDSHIP AND ADVANCEMENT St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church is a thriving parish of 5,200 families located in the suburbs of Raleigh, NC. Reporting to the Pastor, the Director will manage and coordinate the overall activities of stewardship and advancement with parish ministries including our Catholic School. The position will challenge parishioners to practice Time, Talent and Treasure and will manage the processes by which the parish staff engages with current and past parishioners and parents and alumni of the school. The position will help design and implement programs that elicit a level of financial support that allows the parish and school to advance their mission in the community.

STEWARDSHIP: • • • • • • • • •

Develop ways that will enhance the sense of community and strengthen the connection between parishioners and their parish.

Acts as Ministry Head for the Stewardship committee.

Oversees and manages the registration of new members.

Maintains parishioner information in the parish data base.

Assist parishioners in discerning their call to Discipleship in parish ministries.

Plan educational programs for stewardship and advancement.

Direct recognition programs for donors and volunteers.

Plan and coordinate an annual stewardship (time, talent and treasure) program.

Coordinate marketing and communication programs for the parish and school including the use of social media.

ADVANCEMENT: • • • • • •

Manages all strategies and activities for donor cultivation, solicitation and relations.

Develop strategies for increasing weekly offertory including the use of bank drafts and on line giving.

Leads the parish and the school fund raising activities including Capital Campaigns, Annual BAA Campaign, major PTO functions and other grants.

Oversees the pledge records and collection of payments for special fund raising activities including Capital Campaigns.

Develop programs to maximize foundation and corporate giving opportunities.

Works with the Principal and the School Advisory Council in the establishment and maintenance of an endowment fund.

QUALIFICATIONS: • • • • • • • •

A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, or Public Relations.

Practicing Catholic preferred but applicant must have knowledge of the Catholic Church and willingness to work within the Church.

Minimum of five years of experience working in the area of advancement, marketing or public relations or a closely related field.

Experience with working with a variety of people in a multi-cultural environment.

High level of independent thought and initiative.

Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Knowledge of ACS software preferred or ability to learn.

Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.

Please email resume and cover letter to: stmichaelbusiness@yahoo.com Or mail to: St. Michael Catholic Church, Business Office, 804 High House Rd., Cary, NC 27513 All applications must be received by September 27, 2013

Photo courtesy of the Jesuit order

Polce makes first profession as Jesuit CHARLOTTE — Jonathon Polce (pictured second from right) made his first profession of vows in preparing to become a Jesuit priest Aug. 17 at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Grand Coteau, La. Polce, whose family lives in Mint Hill, has been a member of St. John Neumann Church since 2006. He received support in discerning his call to the priesthood from St. John Neumann’s pastor, Father Pat Hoare.

Prior to entering the novitiate in 2011, the seminarian worked for two years in Rome after college graduation. Following two years in the novitiate, Polce professed vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Now a scholastic, he will attend Regis College, a Jesuit university in Toronto, Canada, to study theology and philosophy for three years. During this time he will also work in ministries in the community.

— Al Tinson

Parents of teens: Free talks for you, your kids about Catholic teaching on sexual issues CHARLOTTE — Parents and their middle school and high school aged children are invited to a free presentation about gender and marriage from a Catholic perspective, given by Dominican Sister Jane Dominic Laurel, assistant professor of theology at Aquinas College in Nashville. She is professed with the St. Cecilia Congregation of Dominican Sisters in Nashville and holds a doctorate in sacred theology from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome, Italy.

Her presentation “Masculinity and Femininity: Difference and Gift” will draw upon Scripture, Blessed John Paul II’s Theology of the Body, the work of St. Edith Stein, contemporary neurology and psychology, as well as the organic development of masculinity and femininity in the family.

It will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 16, and at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17, at the chapel of Charlotte Catholic High School, 7702 PinevilleMatthews Road in Charlotte. The Sept. 16 talk is designed for mothers and their daughters, and the Sept. 17 talk is designed for fathers and their sons.

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

September 13, 2013 | catholicnewsherald.com

OUR PARISHESI

Mission Cooperation Promoter and spoke at all the Masses to solicit support for buying motorcycles for the priests in his area, which has poor roads.

— Dorice Narins

Day of Reflection for seniors CHARLOTTE — The next Day of Reflection for seniors will be held Tuesday, Sept. 24, at Our Lady of Consolation Church, 2301 Statesville Ave. in Charlotte. All senior citizens are invited to share in this day to help rediscover God’s love and presence in their lives. The day will include Mass; a reflection by Monsignor John McSweeney, pastor of St. Matthew Church in Charlotte, lunch and fellowship. The program begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m. The cost is $14 per person and registrations are required

by Monday, Sept. 16. For details, contact Sandra Breakfield, diocesan Elder Ministry program director, at 704-370-3220 or sbreakfield@ charlottediocese.org.

2 priests visit Brevard parish from abroad

St. John Neumann Parish names new staff members

BREVARD — On a recent weekend at Sacred Heart Church in Brevard, priests from three countries celebrated Mass. Pictured on the left is Father Juan Jesus Melgarejo from the Diocese of Ciudad Valles in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. On his way to earn a master’s degree in missiology in Rome, Father Melgarejo visited his brother Lupe Melgarejo in Brevard and helped the Asheville vicariate Hispanic Ministry by celebrating the Eucharist, visiting the sick, helping out with retreats and more.

Pictured in the middle is Father Andrew Nowak from Sacred Heart Church, and on the right is Father Joseph Kitheka from the Diocese of Kitui, Kenya. He came to Brevard as the Kitui

CHARLOTTE — In the past six months, St. John Neumann Church has added several new staff to support the growing parish: n Katie Dunne is the new religious education director, overseeing faith formation, adult education and youth programs. n Vanessa Eddie brings more than 10 years of youth ministry experience as the parish’s new youth minister. n Deacon Joe Denzler will serve as chaplain for the parish’s 50 Plus Club. n Soo-Jin K. Ridgell has been named music director for the parish.

— Jennifer Noto

704-841-1160

South Charlotte & Union County, NC

704-549-4010

Bathing / Dressing Assistance

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

(803) 327-2097

Center for Spirituality rockhilloratory.org

oratorycenter@gmail.com

Mary the Blessed Mother In the Spirituality of John Henry Newman Examine and explore the role of Mary In the life and writings of John Henry Newman

Thursday, October 10, 2013 7 – 9pm Presented by: Fr. Joe Pearce, C.O. D. Min.

Cost: $15

Julian of Norwich Friday, October 18, 2013 from 7 – 9pm An introduction to the life and times of Julian and how her teachings speak to us today.

Saturday, October 19, 2013 from 9:30am – 4pm Day long retreat based on the spirituality of Julian with meditation, silence, journaling and small group reflection.

Albemarle parishioners enjoy picnic ALBEMARLE — Parishioners of Our Lady of the Annunciation Church were treated to food, fun and frolic Aug. 25 at the YMCA-Cannon Park in Albemarle by the Knights of Columbus Rev. J.A. Cowan Council 10495. The children played and the teens danced to the rhythm of bouncy music while the elderly huddled in the

bingo room. Grand Knight Don Barker (pictured wearing a red cap) organized two grilling teams who cooked to perfection the hotdogs and hamburgers that were matched with side dishes, desserts and drinks brought in by parishioners and visitors.

— Done M. Espina

Presented by: Carl McColman Cost: $10 – Friday evening only $40 – Saturday only (lunch included) $45 – Both Commuter (lunch included) $80 – Both Overnight (lunch included)

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iiiSeptember 13, 2013 | catholicnewsherald.com

FROM TH

Catholic Relief Serv collection raises $55k $18k for loc CRS Rice Bowl raises money for global and local assistance Joseph Purello Special to the Catholic News Herald

With a record 72 parishes and schools participating, this year’s 2013 Lenten Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl Collection in the Diocese of Charlotte raised $55,341 for CRS’s global fight against disease, hunger and poverty, and raised $18,447 for distribution locally to Catholic entities of the diocese through the CRS Mini-Grant Program. The annual CRS Rice Bowl Collection and the CRS Mini-Grant Program are coordinated by Catholic Charities’ Office of Social Concerns and Advocacy.

Deacon Ed Konarski of St. Charles Borromeo Church in Morganton, chair of the diocesan CRS Advisory Committee, expressed his gratitude for such generosity.

“Thank you to all those in the Diocese of Charlotte who participated through prayer, education and almsgiving in this past Lent’s CRS Rice Bowl Collection. The offerings from so many families, especially the children in our diocesan schools and faith formation programs, resulted in our diocese’s highest Rice Bowl Collection ever.”

He added, “thinking of all those Rice Bowl boxes coming in to be counted at Easter time, it is a visible witness that our attentions must turn to those who struggle to make ends meet here in our own communities and also overseas.”

Joseph Purello is the director of Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte’s Office of Social Concerns and Advocacy and the diocesan director of Catholic Relief Services.

Online At www.crs.org/hunger-pledge: Watch CRS’s “Rice Bowl Thank You Video”

Local Rice Bowl Grants me Joseph Purello Special to the Catholic News Herald

CRS Rice Bowl Mini-Grants enable Catholic entities in the Diocese of Charlotte to use Rice Bowl funds to address local hunger and poverty conditions, through funding such initiatives as homeless shelters, soup kitchens, community gardens, food pantries and food assistance projects for children.

Catholic entities can choose to apply for funds for projects they sponsor directly or apply for funds to assist a non-profit in their community with which they partner by providing funds and/or volunteers (such as parishioners and students).

The diocesan CRS Advisory Committee assists in the annual grant selection process, coordinated by Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte’s Office of Social Concerns and Advocacy.

In the latest round of Rice Bowl Mini-Grants, 12 grants totaling $11,400 were dispersed to 11 Catholic parishes and Belmont Abbey in the following cities: Albemarle, Belmont, Bryson City, Charlotte, Concord, Franklin, Hayesville,

Hendersonville, Murphy, Robbinsville The Hispanic Learning Center of Ca Grant through its partnership with St. which was earmarked to help fund its community garden to integrate a nutri with youth leadership and team buildi Dr. Theresa N. Isibor, executive direc Cabarrus County, said, “Our garden bo events and learning, and it improves th caring for the environment.” Isibor ad spirit.”

St. James the Greater Church has be providing mentors and tutors to the ce children who come to the center for aft and for the center’s summer programs Another non-profit entity that receiv

HE COVER

September 13, 2013 | catholicnewsherald.comiii

vices signature k for global relief, cal aid Record 72 parishes and schools participate

Apply now for a CRS Rice Bowl Mini-Grant for up to $1,000 Does your parish help run a food pantry? Perhaps your parish runs a thrift store or emergency services program. If so, why not consider applying for a CRS Rice Bowl Mini-Grant? Applications are available for grants for up to $1,000 to assist the projects of Catholic entities of the Diocese of Charlotte that work to alleviate hunger and poverty.

Applications must be sent by U.S. mail and postmarked by Oct. 15.

The application (including grant guidelines and eligibility) is available at www.ccdoc.org/cchdcrs. Projects must conform to grant eligibility criteria and applications require approval and signature by a Diocese of Charlotte pastor, office/department head or school principal.

Get ready for CRS Rice Bowl 2014

The Hispanic Learning Center of Cabarrus County received a $1,000 Rice Bowl grant through its partnership with St. James the Greater Church in Concord, which was earmarked to help fund its Kids Gardening project. This project uses a community garden to integrate a nutrition environmental awareness curriculum with youth leadership and team building strategies. Pictured are participating youth preparing a section of the garden and, later in the summer, proudly presenting some of the bounty of their work.

The 2014 Lenten CRS Rice Bowl Program begins on Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2014. Parishes and schools which participated in CRS Rice Bowl this year will receive the same number of materials again for the 2014 CRS Rice Bowl, with no need to place an order. (Expect shipments to arrive by mid-January.)

Parishes and schools that wish to participate for the first time, or participating parishes and schools which need additional materials, should call toll-free 1-800-222-0025 or go to www.crsricebowl.org to place an order.

Any questions? Contact Joseph Purello at Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte, who serves as the CRS diocesan liaison: 704-370-3225 or jtpurello@charlottediocese.org.

Photos provided by Joseph Purello

eet needs throughout diocese

and Salisbury. abarrus County received a $1,000 Rice Bowl . James the Greater Church in Concord, Kids Gardening project. This project uses a ition environmental awareness curriculum ing strategies. ctor of the Hispanic Learning Center of oosts kids’ interest in the classroom, outdoor heir attitude about eating healthful foods and dded, “It gave them a feeling of community

een a supporter of HLCCC over the years, enter and helping to prepare meals for the ter-school activities during the school year s. ved a $1,000 Rice Bowl Grant is Room at the

Inn, a Catholic non-profit based in Charlotte, which partnered with Belmont Abbey in a project to stock its food pantry to assist pregnant women in need. The goal of its food pantry is to make sure the women they serve obtain the balanced and nutritional foods essential to both maternal and prenatal health.

According to Jeannie Wray, executive director of Room at the Inn, “For many of the pregnant women coming to Room at the Inn in need, the food pantry is the difference between going hungry and worrying about the developmental status of the little life they carry, and knowing that they will have enough to properly nourish the little child they are preparing to welcome into this world.”

Room at the Inn volunteers, including students from Belmont Abbey College, help staff in programming, collecting and distributing goods such as food and diapers, and soliciting additional resources to provide for the organization’s needs.

“Without the Rice Bowl funds,” Wray said, “the impact of our program would have been reduced and many would have gone hungry. We are so grateful for the assistance of Catholic Charities in offering this grant program.”

About Catholic Relief Services Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States.

The agency provides assistance to people in 91 countries and territories based on need, regardless of race, nationality or creed. For more information, visit www. crs.org or www.crsespanol.org.

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catholicnewsherald.com | September 13, 2013 16

Cony Montoya, 65, a catechist from Immaculate Conception Church in Forest City, is pictured during a recent catechism training session.

Alexandra Vilchez | Catholic News Herald

Catequistas hispanos comprometidos con la evangelización en el Año de la Fe Alexandra Vilchez Correspondiente

BELMONT — Unos 325 líderes laicos hispanos de los 10 vicariatos de la Diócesis de Charlotte respondieron el pasado 17 de agosto a la invitación de la Oficina de la Formación y del Ministerio Hispano del Primer Encuentro Diocesano de Catequistas.

El salón de actividades de la Iglesia Reina de los Apóstoles en la ciudad de Belmont quedó pequeño para albergar a éstos católicos comprometidos en sus parroquias con la evangelización y la transmisión del mensaje de Jesucristo a niños, jóvenes, y adultos.

La respuesta positiva de los catequistas fue una señal de la alta motivación de servicio, dedicación, y compromiso que tienen los hispanos de la diócesis a difundir la palabra de Jesucristo, según los organizadores.

La actividad fue organizada para “estimular” y “agradecer” la ardua labor que vienen realizando los catequistas hispanos, explicó el doctor Cris Villapando, director de la Oficina de Formación de Fe de Adultos de la Diócesis de Charlotte.

“La Diócesis de Charlotte está muy comprometida a responder las necesidades de la creciente comunidad hispana en las congregaciones, y a motivar a los catequistas a que continúen cumpliendo su importante labor en el ministerio de la evangelización”.

“Esta reunión ha encendido el entusiasmo de nuestros catequistas”, enfatizó Villapando.

Es el primero de muchos encuentros que esperamos organizar los próximos años. No pudimos acomodar a todos los que querían venir por lo limitado del espacio”.

El director de la Oficina de Formación de Fe explicó que no se conoce el número exacto de catequistas hispanos que actualmente sirven en el Ministerio Hispano y los vicariatos, pero de los 7.613 que hay activos y no activos, estima que la mitad son hispanos.

Estos reciben entrenamiento al menos una vez al mes en técnicas de la enseñanza y participan en retiros, entre otras actividades .

“Los catequistas son la columna vertebral de la transmisión de la fe. Ellos han respondido al llamado del Papa Francisco a salir a las calles a evangelizar a nuestras comunidades”, añadió Villapando.

Catequistas como Leonardo Pérez, del Vicariato de Winston-Salem, que por los últimos 15 años ha enseñado la palabra de Dios en la Iglesia San Benito, y ahora dice sentirse más “motivado que nunca” con su compromiso con la evangelización.

“Cuando llegué a este país de México hace 19 años me involucré en la iglesia y decidí convertirme en catequista porque quería servir a mi comunidad, y sobre todo a los niños, para que se formen en la religión católica y mantengan las tradiciones de nuestra cultura”, enfatizó.

Cony Montoya, de 65 años de edad, es otra catequista de la Iglesia Inmaculada Catequistas, SEE page 18

Hispanic catechists committed to evangelization in the Year of Faith Alexandra Vilchez Correspondent

BELMONT — About 325 Hispanic lay leaders of the 10 Vicariates of the Diocese of Charlotte responded Aug. 17 at the invitation from the Office of the Faith Formation and the Hispanic Ministry to participate in the first meeting of diocesan catechists.

The activity room of Queen of the Apostles Church in Belmont became too small to accommodate these Catholics involved in their parishes with evangelization and the spread of the message of Jesus Christ to children, youth and adults. According to organizers, the positive response from the catechists was a sign of the high motivation of service, dedication, and commitment of Hispanics in the diocese.

The meeting was planned to “encourage” and “thank” the hard work being done by Hispanic catechists, said Dr. Cris Villapando, director of the diocesan Office of Adult Faith Formation.

“The Diocese of Charlotte is very committed to serving the growing Hispanic community in the parishes and to motivate the catechists to continue doing their important ministry of evangelization,” Villapando said. “This gathering has set on fire the enthusiasm of our catechists. It is the first of many we are expecting to organize in the years to come. We couldn’t accommodate everyone at this gathering because of the limited space.”

Villapando said he estimates that out of 7,613 catechists across the diocese, about half are Hispanics who serve a population of 280,000 parishioners.

They receive training at least once a month in teaching techniques and participate in retreats, among other activities.

“The catechists are the backbone of the transmission of the faith. They have answered the call from Pope Francis to go out and evangelize our communities.”

Catechists such as Leonardo Pérez, who for the past 15 years has taught at St. Benedict the Moor Church in Winston-Salem, said he feels more “motivated than ever” with his commitment to evangelization.

“When I came to this country from Mexico 19 years ago, I was involved in the Church and decided to become a catechist because I wanted to serve my community, and especially children, to be formed in the Catholic Church and maintain the traditions of our culture,” Pérez said.

Cony Montoya, 65, a catechist at Immaculate Conception Church in Forest City, remembers that 13 years ago there were three Hispanic children receiving catechesis in the Church and now it’s about 130.

“I think the Lord sent me to this parish to relearn how to be Catholic, to better understand the word of God and to learn how to teach it to others. I found God and the work we do as catechists is essential,” said Montoya, a native of Nicaragua.

With prayers, songs, food, dancing, group work dynamics and lectures, catechists spent the day discussing and sharing their experiences in the different parishes they serve. catechists, SEE page 18

September 13, 2013 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

Foto de Mariella Buscaglia

Consagrada a Jesús por María HUNTERSVILLE — Catorceava consagración al corazón de Jesús por medio de María, según San Luis de Montfort, realizada por el ministerio hispano ,en la iglesia de San Marcos el día 13 de Mayo.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY HOLY CROSS PARISH KERNERSVILLE, NC FOR 40 YEARS OF BUILDING COMMUNITY May God be blessed by our parish’s faithful ministry.

The Salesian Perspectives Group

MERCY - The Stuff Saints are made of . . .

Divine Mercy Day of Healing

October 5, 2013 From 9:00a.m. ’til 3:00p.m.

St. Matthew Catholic Church HEAR Robert Stackpole, STD

Dir. John Paul II Institute, Asst. Dir. St. Therese Institute of Faith and Mission

Present the “Spirituality of St. Maria Faustina”

DIVINE MERCY A Guide from Genesis to Benedict XVI

Dr.

Book Signing Event Bryan Thatcher Mercy

8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy Charlotte, NC 28277 Vice Postulator Sheila Carney, RSM, on “Venerable Catherine McAuley’s Cause for Canonization” Deacon Mark J. King on “MERCY - Jesus & His Saints’ Greatest Attribute” Mass, Anointing of Sick, Chaplet, Benediction

Registration Form: Limited Space Please accept #____ registration(s) for “MERCY, The Stuff Saints Are Made of,” October 5, 2013 St. Matthew Catholic Church 9-3pm. $35 per registrant. Early Bird registrants (Sept. 15) $30. Seniors ( 62+) $25.

Attendee #1___________________________ #2___________________________ #3___________________________ Ordered by_____________________________ Address ________________________________ City________________ St_____ Zip_________ Email: __________________________________ Phone__________________________________ Amt. Submitted: $________ Make check payable to: St. Matthew Catholic Church.

Place in envelope and mark: “MERCY. . . “The Stuff Saints Are Made of “ Mail or drop off at Church Office www.stmatthewcatholic.org Includes Continental Breakfast and Box Lunch

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catholicnewsherald.com | September 13, 2013 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

CATEQUISTAS: FROM PAGE 16

Concepción en Forest City, y recuerda que hace 13 años apenas había 3 niños hispanos recibiendo la catequesis en la iglesia y ahora alcanzan los 130.

“Creo que el Señor me mandó a esta parroquia para aprender de nuevo a ser católica, a entender mejor la palabra para poder enseñarla a otros. Aquí encontré a Dios y la labor que hacemos los catequistas es indispensable”, explicó Montoya, de origen nicaragüense.

Con oraciones, cantos, comidas, bailes, dinámicas de trabajo en grupo, charlas, los catequistas pasaron el día analizando y compartiendo sus experiencias en las diferentes parroquias que sirven.

También recibieron entrenamiento de expertos como Manuel Peláez, teólogo y formador de agentes pastorales de la Arquidiócesis de Miami, en Florida.

Peláez explicó que eventos como éste son para que los evangelizadores se sientan en familia, reciban contenidos bíblicos y teológicos necesarios para desarrollar su trabajo en las parroquias y reafirmen su compromiso evangelizador.

“Carolina del Norte es una tierra de misión”, resaltó el experto. “El hispano es el nuevo rostro de renovación de la iglesia, que tiene el desafío de seguir creciendo y fortaleciendo su comunidad cristiana”.

Para el padre José Juya, coordinador del evento y de la Vicaría de Gastonia, es imperativo promover el liderazgo hispano en la diócesis especialmente en el año de la fe, para responder al llamado del Papa Francisco de “salir a las calles a

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CATECHISTS:

evangelizar”.

“Los hispanos vienen de sus países con una experiencia pastoral que comienza con las abuelas, pero aquí se pierde, por ello, hay que despertarlos y motivarlos, hacerles sentir que son parte esencial de esta gran familia que es la iglesia”, apuntó Juya.

El sacerdote enfatizó que en su parroquia el promedio de estudiantes de catequesis en inglés son 90 y en español son 200, lo que justifica la formación de catequistas hispanos para responder a la necesidad de formación de la fe.

Por su parte, Cuauhtémoc “Temoc” González, coordinador del Ministerio Hispano de la Vicaria de Boone, resaltó que los catequistas son el “eslabón más importante de la iglesia” para hacer llegar la fe a los más alejados.

“Es una labor que no se nota mucho pero es la más fructífera”, enfatizó. “Son voluntarios que donan su tiempo para cumplir su misión de vocación que forma parte de su vida cristiana”.

Asimismo, el diácono Darío García, coordinador del Vicariato de Hickory, añadió que el encuentro forma parte de un proyecto de la Diócesis de Charlotte para avivar a los catequistas activos en las parroquias, y darles la oportunidad de dar a conocer sus experiencias e intercambios con otros.

“Tenemos una situación especial con los niños, ya que como son bilingües, si reciben la catequesis en inglés, cuando van a la casa sus padres no los pueden ayudar, por eso, la necesidad de dictar la formación cristiana en español”, aclaró.

García explicó que esta iniciativa buscar “crear un puente de convivencia entre ambas comunidades, la que domina el inglés y la de español dentro de la iglesia”.

Did you know?

FROM PAGE 16

They also received training from experts like Manuel Peláez and other adult faith formation leaders from the Archdiocese of Miami.

Peláez said events like this make the catechists “feel like a family,” and they also get the opportunity to learn more about Scripture and theology that help them in their commitment to evangelization.

“North Carolina is a land of mission,” Peláez noted. “The Latino is the new face of Church renewal, which has the challenge of continuing to grow and strengthen its Christian community.”

Father José Juya, organizer of the event and Hispanic coordinator for the Gastonia vicariate, said it is imperative to promote Hispanic leadership in the diocese especially during this Year of Faith, to answer the call of Pope Francis to “take the evangelization to the streets.”

“Hispanics come from their countries with pastoral experience that begins with the grandmas, but here is lost. Therefore, we have to awaken and motivate them, make them feel they are an essential part of this great Church family.”

Father Juya emphasized that in his parish the average number of Englishspeaking students is 90 while there are 200 Spanish-speaking students – justifying the formation of Hispanic catechists to respond to the need for the faith formation.

Cuauhtémoc “Temoc” Gonzalez, coordinator of Hispanic Ministry in the Boone vicariate, noted that catechists are the “most important link of the Church” in teaching people the faith.

“This is work that is not very noticeable,

Approximately 7,613 catechists served in the Diocese of Charlotte in 2012, a increase of 603 from 2011. More than 58% were engaged in faith formation in a non-traditional setting (such as RCIA, marriage preparation, Vacation Bible School, Scripture sharing groups), while about 42% served in traditional pre-K through 12th grade faith formation programs.

A total of 38,805 learners across the diocese participated in some type of formal faith formation program during the 2011-2012 fiscal year.

but it is the most fruitful,” Gonzalez said.

“They are volunteers who donate their time to fulfill (the Church’s) mission of vocation, that is part of their Christian life.”

Likewise, Deacon Darío García from Hickory added that the meeting is part of the Diocese of Charlotte’s initiative to fuel the active catechists in parishes, and give them the opportunity to share their experiences with others.

“We have a special situation with children,” Deacon García noted. “As bilingual as they are, if they receive catechesis in English, they go home with their parents that cannot help them out because they don’t speak the language.

Therefore, they should received formation in Spanish.”

Garcia explained that this initiative would seek “to create a living bridge between the two communities, the one that speaks English and the one in Spanish, within the Church.”

September 13, 2013 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

BREAD: FROM PAGE 6

is mentioned in Scripture. Yeast, for example, symbolizes the kingdom of heaven, as mentioned in Matthew 13:33’s Parable of the Yeast: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch was leavened.”

And like those few grams of yeast that had great impact when blended with flour, it was small things that came together to kickstart this effort.

About the same time Pope Francis announced his call for fasting and prayer for peace in Syria, Markun received an email about fasting related to Medjugorje. (According to the Medjugorje legend, Mary has recommended fasting on Wednesday and Friday, and the best fast consists of bread and water.)

Then, a friend of Markun’s mentioned that she often followed a bread and water fast. That was the lightbulb moment.

“It just clicked with me,” Markun says. Fasting bread “just seemed achievable.”

Soon other parishioners and neighbors became interested in joining the effort. Many told Markun they had been thinking about taking on the Sept. 7 fast, but they didn’t feel equipped to do it. Fasting bread gave a practical focus to their desire to participate in the pope’s worldwide call.

Though the original fasting bread recipe is designed for home kitchens, the group had some extra muscle: OLG parishioner Sheila Barth, who with her husband Kevin owns the local Great Harvest Bread Co. franchise. She made a few minor adjustments to the recipe and dug in, producing about a dozen large loaves for parishioners and friends.

Many of them have said they’ll continue the fasting discipline, and Barth plans to make the bread available each week.

ST. JOHN NEUMANN: FROM PAGE 5

Finally, Morlando and his team, along with parish leaders, identified several ways to beautify the church’s interior. On either side of the altar, 5-foot-by10-foot stainedglass windows were installed. One depicts the Parable of the Prodigal Son, the other, the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

Seven new statues will also be added to the sanctuary area. Two angels will hover just behind the altar, and statues of St. Joseph, St. John Vianney, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, St. Tarcisius and St. Gianna Molla will complement the existing statue and shrine to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

These saints were chosen to represent the virtues of humility and charity, which each modeled in different ways. The statues should arrive sometime early next year.

The front wall was clad with oak paneling and ornate wood trim accents. The existing altar, ambo and rear altar were clad with natural marble, glass tile and brass iconography, and glass tile with gold leaf accents surround and embellish the existing tabernacle. A new, permanent baptismal font with gentle, flowing water was also added.

A canopy, or “baldacchino,” was built over the altar, which centers worshippers’ focus on the celebration of the Mass as well as provides dramatic lighting over the altar.

Morlando Construction was the general contractor for the project. Working under a tight schedule, Morlando completed the work in six weeks, on time and on budget.

Father Hoare said he is filled with gratitude about all the improvements.

“I am so grateful to all those who helped to make this project possible,” Father Hoare

VATICAN II:

“I felt completely uncomfortable all day,” Markun said after the day of fasting. “One slice of bread was tasty, but not all day. I was ready for the fast to be over, but I never felt bad -- I felt great. I felt good all day, but I definitely was not happy about always having to reach for bread. At the end of the day, it felt like I got to focus on the prayer. It was so nice to say ‘I’m offering this for you.’ It was really a beautiful, prayerful day.”

Barth says even though the bread is made in a commercial kitchen, it is imbued with prayerfulness. Each loaf is hand-kneaded, something that’s a Great Harvest trademark, and she believes a baker’s intentions come through in the finished product.

“People who are very hands-on with their bread say that there’s an energy there,” she says.

“There’s something that is there in that process (of kneading).”

And people are responding to that “something.”

Markun and Barth both say that when they’ve mentioned the bread to friends – Catholic and non-Catholic alike – they get a response of “Oh, that makes sense!” They hope this effort will bring neighbors and friends closer together in prayer.

“This could be a way to come together as a community,” Markun says. “Everybody coming together over bread.”

And, of course, that also makes sense.

Bread is used to become the Holy Eucharist, the source and summit of our Catholic faith.

One simple loaf broken and blessed by Jesus at the Last Supper gave us the Bread of Life – Holy Communion to unite ourselves to Jesus’ sacrifice, becoming one body and one spirit in Christ. Now, another simple loaf is being used to unite in solidarity with the people suffering in Syria and other conflicts, and may be a way to bring a community together in faith.

“By putting the word out and other people connecting,” Barth says, “something’s giving people the opportunity to latch onto something that will feed them.”

said. “St. John Neumann is blessed with so many who lovingly share their talents with our parish family. We were able to fund the project because of the daily sacrifices of our parishioners, who contribute generously each week to further our mission to spread the Gospel. Our goal was to complete some much needed maintenance, while also brightening and beautifying a church that has served east Charlotte and the surrounding communities for over 36 years. I am so proud of everyone here, and, naturally, I encourage everyone to come visit with us and share our joy!”

FROM PAGE 2

there was no Bible study, for fear of making errors in interpretation of Scripture.”

Catholics have seen great changes in the Church as a result of Vatican II, she noted. In the U.S., not only is Mass said in English, but the laity – men and women alike – take a more active role at Mass: responding to the prayers of the priest, and serving as altar servers, lectors and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion.

Father Cahill summarized the major documents of Vatican II, which promoted the role of the laity, allowed local languages and customs into the sacred liturgy, and stressed the importance of Scripture and of proper Scriptural interpretation.

“Before Vatican II, Catholics weren’t encouraged to do much with Scripture,” Father Cahill said.

“Scripture is beautiful. Go out and get together with other Christians for Bible study.”

Vatican II also stressed the restoration of ties with other Christians, developing relationships with non-Christians, and protecting religious freedom.

“We have so much in common with other Christians,” Father Cahill said. “There shouldn’t be Christian denominations against one another – that’s not being Christian. We are all baptized into the teachings of Jesus Christ.”

Jackie Francois CALLED: a breakfast for mothers and

daughters (6th grade and up). Know and live the beauty of being a daughter of God. Saturday, September 28th, 9am—noon $15/family. Register at www.stmarknc.org.

WITNESS:

empowering parents with tools and resources to live faith as family.

Reception with adult refreshments prior to the talk.

Saturday, September 28th, 6:30—9pm $15/person, $25/couple. Register: stmarknc.org

ARISE:

a talk for teens (8th grade and up) and parents on living faith with authenticity and joy.

Sunday, September 29th, 7—8:15pm Msgr. Kerin Center. FREE; donations accepted

JACKIE is a full-time traveling speaker, singer/

songwriter, and worship leader from Orange County, CA. She has been involved in youth ministry since she graduated high school, and she now travels the globe leading worship and speaking to young people about God’s love.

St. Mark Catholic Church 14740 Stumptown Rd. Huntersville, NC 28078 marygrace.alvord@stmarknc.org

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In addition, Father Cahill talked about the directive of Vatican II to “meet our world as it is, and go out to it,” especially ministering “to those who are poor and afflicted.”

Father Rausch spoke about the call of Vatican II to “read the signs of the times,” and get involved in advocating for social justice. His charge to the group included his thoughts on economic rights, the need for health care, welcoming immigrants, voting rights and providing education.

A lively group discussion followed with various interpretations on the issues of current times in America.

“Vatican II calls us to revitalize our faith and be open to our brethren in other churches,” said St. John parishioner Lynn Jefferys.

“I understand the connection of social justice and the message of Vatican II.” Reacting to Father Rausch’s talk, St. John parishioner Sam Edwards noted many of the problems of today stem from “a frenetic, consumerist culture.”

“The problems today are not rooted in big government, labor or education, but in bigness itself – leaving out the human side,” Edwards said.

Father Cahill closed the seminar with the last prayer of Blessed Pope John XXIII, which calls the faithful to “love one another, seek what unites, not what separates us from one another.”

The late pope’s words inspired participants, including St. John parishioner Candy Keener, who said, “Christianity is meant to be kindness, joy and love.”

Our schools 20

catholicnewsherald.com | September 13, 2013 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

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West Africa. This November the team will travel to Dakar, Senegal, in West Africa where they will visit and volunteer with the Senegal YMCA. While in Senegal, team members will volunteer in the classrooms at the Senegal YMCA primary school, which currently serves 280 children aged 3-12.

The YMCA of Greater Charlotte has helped to financially support the development and expansion of this school.

— Jennifer B. Johnson

In Brief Students give stump speeches for student council WINSTON-SALEM — Students in grades 6 through 8 at St. Leo School in Winston-Salem gave speeches to all third- through eighthgrade students Sept. 5, explaining why they felt they should be chosen for the positions on the school’s student council. Afterwards, all the students returned to their classrooms and voted for who they thought would best fulfill all of the duties of a student council person.

It was a close race for all of the positions. The candidates offered ideas on dress down days, fundraising for charities, and ways to express our faith. The speeches were all very well thought out and delivered with confidence and enthusiasm.

— Donna Birkel

St. Michael students learn what’s under the microscope GASTONIA — Betsy Pruitt’s second-grade class at St. Michael School recently enjoyed a hands-on “Soil Adventure Journey,” under the direction of Joseph Knight from “KidSenses” Children’s InterACTIVE Museum

in Rutherfordton. Students used microscopes connected to a mini laptop computer. On the computer, they were able to see and identify roots, stems, flowers, seeds and more. They learned where soil comes from and what it is made of. Afterwards, they made a terrarium to take home.

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

— Pat Burr

Bushey to travel to Senegal CHARLOTTE — Charlotte Catholic High School senior Megan Bushey has been selected as one of four high school students to the 2013 YMCA Global Service Learning Team. Bushey is a Harris YMCA camp counselor, swim instructor, and youth and government volunteer.

As a Global Service Learning Team member, she will begin her Global Service Learning experience this fall volunteering locally with the Y Readers program; she has committed to fundraising goals in support of a service trip to

in Charlotte participated in their first “dress down” day Sept. 10. Once a month the students dress down and, in exchange for not wearing their uniforms, they bring in donations to support local charities. The donations this week were in the form of canned or dried foods. The canned and dried food donations collected are for the food pantry at Our Lady of Consolation Church in Charlotte.

The teachers explained to the students the request for help that Our Lady of Consolation Church made to the school, and how students can act as good disciples of Christ by enabling OLC parishioners to help others in need who visit the parish’s food pantry.

Fifth-graders John Tyler, James Ramich, Ben Bowen and John Paul Polking (pictured) worked hard organizing the food and displaying all of the donations into the shape of a Jerusalem cross, the school and parish’s symbol.

— Michele Snoke

— Jennifer B. Johnson

St. Gabriel students rewarded for donations to aid OLC food pantry CHARLOTTE — Students at St. Gabriel School

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

Fall open houses at diocesan Catholic schools scheduled SueAnn Howell Senior reporter

CHARLOTTE — Open houses at all Catholic schools in the Diocese of Charlotte will be held this fall.

Open houses are a time when parents and prospective students may visit a school, meet the principal and teachers and learn more about how a Catholic education can enrich their lives.

More than 7,700 students are already enrolled in the diocese’s 19 Catholic schools.

Catholic schools in the Diocese of Charlotte strive to fulfill the mission of proclaiming the Good News of the Gospel, providing a religious and academic program that allows each student to develop spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, physically and socially, so that each is prepared to live and serve in a changing society as a self-respecting citizen.

The diocese’s Catholic schools adhere to the five marks of a Catholic education as outlined in “The Holy See’s Teaching On Catholic Schools” by Archbishop J. Michael Miller, C.S.B. These marks are: inspired by a supernatural vision; founded on Christian anthropology; animated by communion and community; imbued with a Catholic worldview throughout its curriculum; and sustained by Gospel witness.

Fall open house locations, times and dates are: n Asheville: Asheville Catholic School (Pre-kindergarten to Grade 8), 7-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19 n Charlotte: All MACS elementary schools (which range from Kindergarten to Grade 5 and Kindergarten to Grade 8), 1:30-3:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27; and 9 a.m.-noon Tuesday, Oct. 29; Holy Trinity Middle School (Grades 6-8), 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 26; and 9-11 a.m.

Monday, Oct. 28; Charlotte Catholic High School (Grades 9-12), 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Nov. 16 n Greensboro: St. Pius X School (Kindergarten to Grade 8), 9:30 a.m.-11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 19 n High Point: Immaculate Heart of Mary School (Pre-kindergarten to Grade 8), 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15 n Kernersville: Bishop McGuinness High School (Grades 9-12), 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12 n Winston-Salem: St. Leo School (Preschool to Grade 8), 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25; and 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19 For details, go to www.schools.charlottediocese.org or call the diocesan Education Office at 704-370-3270.

Mix

September 13, 2013 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

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In theaters

‘Less Than a Minute to Go’ New book teaches secrets of virtue and success in sports, business, life

‘Riddick’ Brooding, bloody sci-fi action sequel in which an escaped convict (Vin Diesel) with a fearsome reputation as a killing machine finds himself abandoned on a planet infested with deadly animal predators. His only chance of escape is to summon, and defeat, space-traveling bounty hunters, whose craft he can then use to flee.

The moral universe of writer-director David Twohy’s follow-up to his two previous entries in the saga – 2000’s “Pitch Black” and 2004’s “The Chronicles of Riddick” – is remorselessly bleak and made all the more ethically barren by the knuckleheaded machismo to which almost everyone on screen subscribes. The forces of civilization are only feebly represented by a youthful minor character (Nolan Gerard Funk) whose humane attitude and habit of quoting Scripture suggest some distant hope for better things, though the script treats his piety ambiguously. Excessive gory violence, a degraded view of human sexuality, about a halfdozen uses of profanity, pervasive rough and crude language.

CNS: O (morally offensive); MPAA: R

‘The Grandmaster’ Director Wong Kar Wai, who also wrote the screenplay, melds romance and martial-arts fighting into this lush and lyrical re-creation of a neglected era of recent Chinese history. After the 1930s-era grandmaster (Tony Leung) of the southern style of kung fu, Bruce Lee’s future teacher, defeats the leading proponent (Wang Qingxiang) of the northern method, the loser’s daughter (Ziyi Zhang), a fierce fighter herself, challenges the victor in order to restore her father’s honor. Though an epic confrontation follows, the pair emerges from it having forged a strong bond of mutual respect and admiration.

Wong offers up the expected, namely, stylized fights in slow motion. But, happily, he also presents viewers with more surprising sights: lingering tight close-ups of facial expressions, a raindrop, or a flower blossom. The result is an arty, immersive experience resurrecting a lost world where honor, family, and tradition were sacrosanct. In Chinese. Subtitles. Intense but largely bloodless martial arts fighting, brief drug use, a prostitution theme, some rough language.

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

Additional reviews: n ‘Blue Jasmine’: CNS: L (limited adult audience); MPAA: PG-13 n ‘One Direction - This Is Us’: CNS: A-II (adults and adolescents); MPAA: PG n ’Closed Circuit’: CNS: A-III (adults); MPAA: R n ’Getaway’: CNS: A-III (adults); MPAA: PG-13

On TV n Sunday, Sept. 15, 4 p.m. (EWTN) “Who is Pope Francis?” The life and ministry of Pope Francis before and after his election. As cardinal of Buenos Aires, he traveled by city public transportation, washed the poor’s feet, and reached out to youth. These events shaped his charisma as a great teacher. n Sunday, Sept. 15, 5 p.m. (EWTN) “Before He was Pope – The Interview.” Host Pepe Alonso interviews then-Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Buenos Aires about his life of prayer and topics of interests related to the Church.

SueAnn Howell Senior reporter

BELMONT — Dr. William Thierfelder is a busy man.

He is president of Belmont Abbey College, and a husband and father of 10.

He was a successful sports marketer and co-founder of a nationally-known sports medicine and physical rehabilitation institute. He is a former NCAA Division I coach, Olympian, national track and field champion, and a two-time All-American from the University of Maryland. Following his own winning athletic career, he worked as an Olympic and professional sports manager for NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL players. And as a licensed psychologist, he has become a popular motivational speaker on the theme of sports and faith.

Any one of those responsibilities could easily fill Thierfelder’s days or exhaust him mentally, physically and spiritually.

But Thierfelder exudes a positive energy, with his warm smile and an air of confidence that comes from knowing his primary focus must stay on God. So it may come as no surprise that this Benedictine college president and local Catholic leader “listened to the Holy Spirit” and carved out the time to write “Less Than A Minute to Go: The Secret to World-Class Performance in Sport, Business and Everyday Life.”

In it Thierfelder shares the wisdom he has gained from his experiences in sports, business and daily life. He shares the techniques he’s taught the world’s best athletes, from Olympians to Super Bowl stars. He shows how to develop an unyielding focus. And he flags the false motivators which can lead to burn-out and inconsistent performance, and which derail too many dreams of success.

Legendary Duke University head basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski wrote the forward for the book. In it he says, “My friend, Bill Thierfelder, a great leader and motivator, puts the words and descriptions to what we leaders try to do every day to challenge ourselves and our teams to be at our best, all the time.”

In Part One, “Preparing your mind to win,” Thierfelder explains the concept of play and how playing impacts our minds, our beliefs, our awareness and our words.

“Every human being plays,” Thierfelder says. “When play becomes a selfish work, it is no longer play. Play is for its own sake and not some end. Like wisdom, also done for its own sake, play contemplates the highest things.”

In Part Two, “Making peak performance a common occurrence,” Thierfelder explains what peak performance is and how to recreate it consistently.

“If something is possible, then it is repeatable,” he says.

21

n Thursday, Sept. 19, 2 p.m. (EWTN) “Padre Pio: The Marked Man.” Tune into the life story of Padre Pio, a mystic and stigmatist of the 20th century. Padre Pio was declared blessed on May 2, 1999. n Saturday, Sept. 21, 8 p.m. (EWTN) “La Notte Del Profeta - Night of the Prophet.” Through the eyes of a Roman journalist, a dramatization of Padre Pio, who is unveiled as a man of purity and Christian charity.

More online “Less Than A Minute to Go: The Secret to World-Class Performance in Sport, Business and Everyday Life,” published by St. Benedict Press, will debut Sept. 15. Orders can be placed on the St. Benedict Press website www. books.benedictpress.com or TAN Books website at www.tanbooks.com. All profits from sales of “Less Than a Minute to Go” will benefit Belmont Abbey College.

For more information or to view inspirational videos and listen to Thierfelder’s podcasts, go to www.lessthanaminutetogo.com or check out the book’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ LessThanAMinuteToGo1.

In Part Three, “Playing with a passion that never ends,” he describes the foundation upon which consistent peak performance and a happy life is built. Here Thierfelder helps the reader to understand and fully developing one’s purpose in life.

“Performance at the highest level requires complete absorption in the present moment,” he states. “The more detailed your focus, the more you bring 100 percent of your skills, talents and abilities, the more focused you are on the task at hand – that’s as good as it gets.

“All of time is present to God. So to the degree I remain in the present moment is the degree I am in perfect union with God. That means when I am competing at the very highest level, I am in perfect union with God. It’s not just cathedrals and beautiful art and other things that raise our eyes up and make us think about God. It’s when we perform at the highest level that, in a sense, it gets us to think about God – that He created us in such a way that we can do such remarkable things.”

n Monday, Sept. 23, 6:30 p.m.

(EWTN) “Alter Christus.” Reflections from various cardinals on important aspects of the priesthood. n Tuesday, Sept. 24, 5 p.m. (EWTN) “Object Lessons - Seeds.” Using a farm as a setting, Jim Bergwell explains the things Jesus meant when He referred to seeds in His teaching. n Tuesday, Sept. 24, 6:30 p.m.

(EWTN) “A Touch of Love and Sacrifice.” Follow the Missionaries of Jesus Word and Victim through the poorest areas of Argentina as they provide religious education and health services to those in need. n Wednesday, Sept. 25, 9:30 p.m.

(EWTN) “The War of the Vendee.” In 1793 Western France, the Vendee, who was inspired by St. Louis de Montfort, began as a small group but later grew rapidly with many sacrificing their lives resisting the French Revolution in an attempt to restore religious freedom in their country. n Thursday, Sept. 26, 2 p.m. (EWTN) “St. Oliver Plunkett - A Journey to Sainthood.” A documentary made by a group of local Irish priests and enthusiastic lay people explore the life of St. Oliver Plunkett, the one-time Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, who was martyred during English persecution. n Friday, Sept. 27, 11 a.m. (EWTN) “Women of Grace.” Johnnette Benkovic welcomes Dr. Aaron Kheriaty to discuss his book, “The Catholic Guide to Depression,” which deals with how the saints, sacraments and psychiatry can help with depression.

Our nation 22

catholicnewsherald.com | September 13, 2013 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

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In Brief Diocese of Gallup, N.M., poised to file for bankruptcy protection GALLUP, N.M. — When Bishop James S. Wall became the bishop of the Diocese of Gallup in 2009, he knew there were festering issues regarding allegations of priest sex abuse, but not to the extent that has brought the sprawling southwestern diocese to the doors of U.S. Bankruptcy Court. At Masses throughout the diocese Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, shocked parishioners were pre-emptively read a letter from Bishop Wall that in the face of insurmountable lawsuits the diocese intends to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Bishop Wall set no date for the court filing in his letter. He could not be reached for comment. Seven other U.S. dioceses have filed for bankruptcy protection in the aftermath of sexual abuse lawsuits. “While some of the claims relate to times when the diocese had some insurance, many relate to times when the diocese does not appear to have had insurance or the insurance is limited and not likely to cover the damages for which the diocese might be found liable,” Bishop Wall wrote. “Given the financial circumstances of the diocese, I have come to the conclusion that the only fair, equitable and merciful way to balance these obligations is by filing a Chapter 11 reorganization.”

Military archbishop opposes death penalty for Fort Hood shooter WASHINGTON, D.C. — Archbishop Timothy M. Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services said he opposes capital punishment for Army Maj. Nidal Hasan, who was sentenced to death Aug. 28 following his conviction of the shootings in the 2009 massacre at Fort Hood, Texas. “The Church teaches that unjustified killing is wrong in all circumstances. That includes the death penalty,” Archbishop Broglio said in an Aug. 29 statement. “Maj. Hasan and his victims are all entitled to justice,” the archbishop added. “Maj. Hasan, at least, now has recourse to a scrupulous appeals process. Would that his victims have received as much fairness.” The jury at a military court-martial convicted Hasan of 13 counts of premeditated murder and 32 counts of attempted murder in connection with the massacre, which a U.S. Senate report later called “the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil since Sept. 11, 2001.”

Hasan was himself wounded in a gun battle with Army civilian police when he followed a wounded victim outside. Hasan was shot in the spine and has had to use a wheelchair ever since.

— Catholic News Service

CNS | courtesy Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers

Maryknoll Father Vincent R. Capodanno, a Navy chaplain who was killed while serving with the Marines in Vietnam, is pictured in an undated photo. As the priest’s sainthood cause gathers momentum, he was remembered at a Sept. 4 memorial Mass in Washington, D.C., as a man “completely dedicated to the spiritual care of his Marines.”

Military archdiocese remembers sainthood candidate killed in Vietnam Mark Pattison Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the sainthood cause for a Vietnam War chaplain gathers momentum, the priest was remembered at a Sept. 4 memorial Mass as a man “completely dedicated to the spiritual care of his Marines.”

Father Vincent Capodanno, who died in Vietnam Sept. 4,1967, was one of the “great priest chaplains,” said Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services in his homily at the Mass, celebrated at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington.

“This annual gathering is to pray for him and to recall his pastoral service as a model for chaplains and priests in general,” Archbishop Broglio said.

“The cause for his canonization is not for him, but for us.

Others should know of his dedication and his desire to serve others. His was a response filled with faith to the Master who laid down his life for the sheep.”

Father Capodanno, a Maryknoll priest and Navy chaplain, died in Operation Swift in the Thang Binh district of the Que Son Valley. He went among the wounded and dying, giving last rites. Wounded in the face and hand, he went to help a wounded corpsman only yards from an enemy machine gun and was killed.

“One way or another, directly or indirectly, we have been touched by the life and ministry of the ‘servant of God,’ Vincent Capodanno,” Archbishop Broglio said.

In his homily, he challenged all given pastoral responsibilities.

“That is the constant tension in pastoral ministry: Where do I best use my time and talents, what furthers the mission? It is the mission that is central and not merely my career, or promotion, or whatever,” he said.

“To receive the Lord Jesus means to open my heart with generous love. Anyone, young or old, who meets Jesus is

inevitably destined to change and to be led to the service of others.”

To the Marine veterans gathered at the Mass, the archbishop said, “Is that not why you, fellow Marines of Father Capodanno, have joined us tonight? Some of you have journeyed to be here.

You cannot forget the shepherd who was there for you.” After the final blessing at Mass, a lone trumpet played “Taps.”

In the book “The Grunt Padre” – Father Capodanno’s nickname – Marine Cpl. Keith Rounseville said Father Capodanno “was jumping over my (fox) hole, all the while exposing himself to enemy machine gun fire to try and give aid to a wounded Marine. Chaplain Capodanno looked and acted cool and calm, as if there wasn’t an enemy in sight. As he reached the wounded Marine, Chaplain Capodanno lay down beside him and gave him aid and verbal encouragement and telling him medical help was on the way.”

Marine Cpl. Ray Harton also remembered how he lay wounded and bleeding from a gunshot wound to his left arm.

“As I closed my eyes, someone touched me,” he recounted for the book. “When I opened my eyes, he looked directly at me. It was Father Capodanno. Everything got still: no noise, no firing, no screaming. A peace came over me that is unexplainable to this day. In a quiet, calm voice, he cupped the back of my head and said, ‘Stay quiet, Marine. You will be OK. Someone will be here to help you soon. God is with us all this day.’”

In 2002, Father Capodanno’s canonization cause was officially opened. In 2004, the initial documentation for the cause was submitted to the Vatican’s Congregation for Saints’ Causes. In 2006, a public decree of “servant of God” for Father Capodanno, a native of Staten Island, N.Y., was issued by the military archdiocese.

Recently, the archdiocese established the Capodanno Guild to raise funds and support for the sainthood cause.

On Oct. 1, Archbishop Broglio said, there will be a formal opening of the cause to meet the canonical requirements.

September 13, 2013 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

Federal funds should not cover Congress members’ abortions, bishops say Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is urging the Obama administration to comply with a long-standing policy against subsidizing federal employee health care plans that cover abortions for members of Congress and their staffs.

A new rule proposed by the federal government makes no “mention of any limitation with respect to abortion coverage” for members of Congress and their staff, according to comments submitted by the USCCB to the federal Office of Personnel Management.

Currently, the federal government is able to make contributions to health care plans purchased by federal employees, but a long-standing provision called the Smith Amendment – authored by Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J. – states that federal funding cannot be used toward plans that cover abortion except in the cases of rape, incest or danger to the life of the mother.

In 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act provided that members of Congress and their staff only may be offered health plans on the newly created state health insurance exchanges.

But according to the USCCB comments on the proposed regulation for health care coverage, the Smith amendment continues to apply because the federal government’s employer subsidies for such plans are governed by the same rules as those for other federal employees.

The USCCB’s comments were submitted Sept. 3 during a public comment period on the new suggested regulation about subsidies for federal employee health care plans.

The comments also said a different policy for employees would “contradict repeated assurances from President Obama and administration officials that the health care reform law would not be used to weaken existing abortion policies or expand federal funding for abortion.”

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Our world 24

catholicnewsherald.com | September 13, 2013 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

(Left) A crowd fills St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican as Pope Francis leads a vigil to pray for peace in Syria Sept. 7. People worldwide heeded Pope Francis’ call for the day of prayer and fasting for peace in Syria, even as fighting continued and U.S. President Obama pushed for support of U.S. military action.

Vatican’s U.N. nuncio: Military strikes unjustified NEW YORK — Military strikes on Syria will create a far larger humanitarian disaster for people already suffering from hunger, displacement and critical lack of medical care, said the Vatican nuncio to the United Nations.

Archbishop Francis A. Chullikatt urged world leaders to work toward a “cessation of violence, not an escalation of violence” during a Mass Sept. 7 at St. Patrick Cathedral in New York. It was celebrated in conjunction with Pope Francis’ request for a worldwide day of prayer and fasting for world peace, and particularly for a peaceful resolution to Syria’s civil war.

“Helping Syria means finding political and humanitarian solutions through dialogue and reconciliation, not intrusionary military tactics. As winds of war howl around Syria in this moment, we urge building and restoring peace through all options and alternatives, not yet exhausted.

How can we think of military strikes as the only alternative? The end cannot justify the means,” he said.

U.S. bishops weigh in on Syria with letter to Obama WASHINGTON, D.C. — Echoing the appeal of Pope Francis and Catholic prelates in Syria, two leaders of the U.S. bishops’ conference urged President Barack Obama to seek a political solution in Syria.

“We have heard the urgent calls of the successor of St. Peter, Pope Francis and our suffering brother bishops of the venerable and ancient Christian communities of the Middle East. As one, they beg the international community not to resort to military intervention in Syria,” said Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Bishop Richard E. Pates chairman of the Committee on International Justice and Peace, in their Sept. 4 letter.

Lebanon’s Maronite bishops: Intervention poses dangers BEIRUT — Lebanon’s Maronite Catholic bishops warned against military intervention in neighboring Syria. “The bishops denounce the use of chemical weapons in Syria, but they call for being aware of the risks of a potential military strike,” the bishops said in a statement following their monthly meeting Sept. 4. The bishops said foreign intervention poses “grave, grave dangers and repercussions of severe consequences for the countries of the region” and stressed that the war in Syria should be resolved “diplomatically and peacefully, away from the use of arms.”

— Catholic News Service

CNS | Paul Haring

(Below) Lebanese and Syrian Christian Maronites pray for peace in Syria at the Basilica of Our Lady of Lebanon in Harissa Sept. 7.

CNS | Hasan Shaaban, Reuters

Praying for peace in Syria, pope calls selfishness the cause of war Francis X. Rocca Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — Leading a crowd in prayer for peace in Syria, Pope Francis said that war is ultimately caused by selfishness, which can be overcome only though expressions of fraternity and never with violence.

“Leave behind the self-interest that hardens your heart, overcome the indifference that makes your heart insensitive towards others, conquer your deadly reasoning, and open yourself to dialogue and reconciliation,” the pope said Sept. 7 before an estimated 100,000 people in St. Peter’s Square.

The pope had called the prayer vigil less than a week earlier, as the central event of a worldwide day of fasting and prayer for peace in Syria, the Middle East and the world.

The Vatican called the vigil an unprecedented papal gesture for peace, by virtue of its scale and prominence. It took place the same day U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry met with European leaders to make President Barack Obama’s case for a military strike on the government of Syrian President Bashar

Issa, a 10-year-old Syrian boy, carries a mortar shell in a weapons factory of the Free Syrian Army in Aleppo Sept. 7.

CNS | Hamid Khatib, Reuters

Assad. Since 2011, the war between Assad’s

‘How I wish that all men and women of good will would look to the cross ...’

— Pope Francis government and rebel forces has killed more than 100,000 people, driven 2 million refugees out of Syria and displaced more than 4 million

inside the country. Obama has called for military strikes to punish the government, which the U.S. blames for an Aug. 21 chemical weapons attack near Damascus that reportedly killed more than 1,400 people, including children.

The pope’s homily, which took up about 15 minutes of the four-hour liturgy, spoke in biblical terms about the nature of war, whose origins he traced to the fall of Adam and the first murder, by Cain of his brother Abel.

Answering Cain’s famous question to God – “Am I my brother’s keeper?” – the pope replied: “Yes, you are your brother’s keeper!

To be human means to care for one another.”

“We bring about the rebirth of Cain in every act of violence and in every war,” the pope said. “All of us!”

War’s ultimate source, he said, is the original sin of disobedience.

“When man thinks only of himself, his own interests and places himself in the center, when he permits himself to be captivated by the idols of dominion and power, when he puts himself in God’s place, then all relationships are broken and everything is ruined. Then the door opens SYRIA, SEE page 28

CRS assists Syrian refugees Syria’s escalating civil war has killed more than 100,000 people since the unrest began in 2011, and the death toll continues to rise. More than 2 million Syrians have fled to neighboring countries in search of security, and 4 million more have been internally displaced.

Catholic Relief Services and its local Caritas partners in Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey are providing critical food, shelter and basic living supplies to Syrian refugees across the region. It is also supporting urgent medical care and emergency relief for tens of thousands of Syrian refugees

in the areas most affected by the conflict. Doctors treat physical wounds refugees suffered during the violence and counselors care for survivors of trauma – especially children.

How can you help? Pray for peace in Syria and the region. Urge your members of Congress to work towards a political solution to end the violence in Syria and support vital humanitarian assistance. Aid innocent families affected by the violence in Syria by making a donation to Catholic Relief Services, online at www.crs.org.

September 13, 2013 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

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In Brief Pope: Sanctity of marriage rooted in Christ’s union with Church VATICAN CITY — The Catholic Church closely safeguards the sanctity of marriage because it is a reflection of Christ’s union with His bride, the Church, Pope Francis said. Jesus often uses the imagery of a bridegroom to help people see the nature of His relationship with the Church, the pope said Sept. 6 during his morning Mass in his residence at the Domus Sanctae Marthae.

“I think this is exactly the most profound reason why the Church safeguards the sacrament of marriage so much and calls it the great sacrament, because it is precisely the image of the union of Christ with the Church.”

Another parallel between a nuptial banquet and the faith is that Christians are called to be joyful guests gathered together, the pope said.

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

Congolese bishop says he hopes international pressure helps his country NAIROBI, Kenya — A bishop from eastern Congo said people in the area continue to suffer from an ongoing government-rebel conflict, and he hoped pressure from the international community would help relieve the situation.

Bishop Willy Ngumbi Ngengele of Kindu, Congo, told Catholic News Service in Nairobi that people in and around North Kivu and Goma were the worst hit.

“People there suffer from lack of food, shelter and clothes.” he said. He said the Church’s aid agency, Caritas Internationalis, was helping victims, “and we thank God for this.” The bishop said he hoped current concern expressed by the international community would help bring change. He said he believed peace negotiations and not guns would help bring about peace.

Dominican official to investigate claims of sexual abuse against nuncio SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — The Dominican Republic’s top prosecutor said Sept. 4 that he plans to investigate claims of sexual abuse allegedly committed by the apostolic nuncio to the Dominican Republic, just a day after the Vatican confirmed its own investigation into the allegations. Archbishop Jozef Wesolowski, appointed as nuncio in 2008, was removed from the post Aug. 21. A Dominican bishop confirmed in early September that the dismissal was due to the sexual abuse scandal unfolding in the Caribbean country.

Days after Archbishop Wesolowski’s removal, a television news program aired allegations that he had paid for sex with minors and was connected to a Polish priest accused of sexually assaulting at least 14 underage boys.

The program, Nuria, claimed Archbishop Wesolowski regularly visited Santo Domingo’s historic center, where he allegedly drank alcohol and paid for sex with underage boys in an abandoned monument nearby.

Attorney General Francisco Dominguez Brito said he plans to open an investigation, although it was unclear if he had legal jurisdiction over the case since it involves a diplomatic representative.

Reverting to tradition, pope names veteran diplomat as Vatican’s No. 2 VATICAN CITY — Although Pope Francis has not hesitated to break with convention during his brief pontificate, in appointing a seasoned member of the diplomatic corps as the top Vatican official, he resumed a long-standing tradition. The pope appointed Archbishop Pietro Parolin, 58, a longtime official in the Vatican secretariat of state and nuncio to Venezuela since 2009, to be his secretary of state.

On Oct. 15, Archbishop Parolin will succeed Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, 78, who came to the post in 2006 after serving as archbishop of Genoa, Italy.

The secretary of state is the pope’s highestranking collaborator, coordinating the work of the entire Roman Curia, overseeing the operation of the Vatican press office and newspaper, coordinating the preparation and publication of papal documents, and supervising the work of Vatican nuncios, in their relations with Catholic communities in individual countries and with national governments.

Pope to youth: Ward off harmful culture with truth, beauty, good VATICAN CITY — Fight off a drug- and alcoholpushing culture and other hazardous trends sweeping across today’s world, Pope Francis told young people. “In life, there will always be people who will make you offers to slow or impede you on your way. Please, go against the current. Be courageous,” he said. He also asked for prayers for his ministry “because this work is unhealthy, it’s not good for you,” he said with a laugh.

The pope made his comments during a meeting in St. Peter’s Basilica Aug. 28 with some 500 young people from the northern Italian Diocese of Piacenza-Bobbio. They were in Rome as part of a Year of Faith pilgrimage with their bishop.

In unscripted remarks, the pope said he loved being with young people because they always carry and share the joy and hope in their hearts.

If older adults complain about how miserable things are in life and that nothing can be done about it, the pope said he just reminds them that something can be done and an individual can actually do a lot.

Lasting bonds: Vatican invites extended families to join pilgrimage VATICAN CITY — As part of the Year of Faith, the Vatican wants to celebrate bonds that last a lifetime. The international pilgrimage of families Oct. 26-27 is being planned as a celebration and not a protest against any policy or trend, said Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Pontifical Council for the Family.

“The time has come to set aside conflicts,” he said, and “hit the streets” simply with the joy and happiness of being part of a loving family.

Obviously, the archbishop said, building a family and keeping it strong requires sacrifices, “but it’s still beautiful to say, ‘I love you,’ to say, ‘I’m not afraid of tomorrow because I know you are there,’ and to say, ‘I’m not afraid of the years passing, because I know you’ll be with me.’”

The Vatican is not pretending that the institution of marriage and the family aren’t under attack in many societies, he said, but “it’s time not for condemnation, but to extend a hand. It’s time for a warm friendship to help the sad, raise up the weak and console those who are hurting.”

The archbishop and his staff are hoping the pilgrimage will be “a beautiful celebration of parents and children, grandchildren and grandparents and families with other families,” he said. The central message will be that “happiness does not lie in going it alone,” the archbishop said.

— Catholic News Service

25

Pope, greeting refugees, says solidarity is not a dirty word Francis X. Rocca Catholic News Service

in his criticisms, calling on religious orders to make a stronger commitment to the poor.

“Empty convents do not serve the Church so that they can be turned into hotels for earning money,” he said, referring to homes for religious men and

ROME — Speaking at an assistance center for foreign refugees in Italy, Pope Francis called on wealthy societies and the Catholic Church to do more to help and defend the rights of the needy.

“Charity that leaves a poor person just the way he is does not suffice,” the pope said Sept. 10 at the Rome headquarters of Jesuit Refugee Service. “True mercy, that which God gives us and teaches us, asks for justice, asks that the poor person find the way to be poor no more.”

In his remarks, the pope recalled his July trip to the southern Mediterranean island of Lampedusa, a major entry point into Italy for undocumented migrants from Africa. During that trip, he denounced the “globalization of indifference” and called for more welcoming policies in richer countries.

As on that occasion, Pope CNS | Alessia Giuliani, Catholic Press Photo Francis did not hesitate to Pope Francis greets refugees during a visit to the Astalli Center of the strike a political note.

Jesuit Refugee Service in Rome Sept. 10.

“Solidarity: this word that strikes fear in the more women. “Empty convents are not ours, developed world,” he said. “They try not to say it. It’s almost a dirty word for them. they are for the flesh of Christ, who are the refugees.”

But it is our word!”

During his visit to the Astalli Center, Addressing a wider public, he urged located in central Rome, the pope greeted every resident of Rome to ponder a series some of the hundreds who come there of soul-searching questions: “Do I stoop every day for a meal, then conversed toward someone in difficulty or am I with refugees from various countries, afraid to get my hands dirty? Am I closed including Congo, Somalia and Colombia. inside myself, in my things, or am I aware Before his remarks, he heard short of who needs my help? Do I serve only speeches of greeting from refugees from myself, or do I know to serve others like Darfur and Syria.

Christ, who came to serve even to the The Syrian, who was identified by her point of giving His life?” first name, Carol, voiced disappointment The pope called the poor “privileged with the reception those fleeing her teachers of our knowledge of God; their country’s civil war have found in Europe. fragility and simplicity unmask our “Our human rights and our dignity are egoism, our false sense of security, our too often trampled by the indifference and purported self-sufficiency, and lead us to superficiality with which we happen to be experience the nearness and tenderness treated,” she said. “We have escaped from of God.” the horror, but we don’t yet feel safe.”

Pope Francis did not spare the Church

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ViewPoints

catholicnewsherald.com | September 13, 2013 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

26

Father Robert Barron

Matthew W. Dimock Sr.

Snowden was a hero to oppose an unjust law

G

enerally, I do not disagree with many articles in the Catholic News Herald, but I believe that the Aug. 16 Viewpoints commentary by Susan Rodriguez was not very charitable toward Edward Snowden. I found it strange that the commentary cited both St. Thomas More and quoted from Section 2491 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church to criticize Snowden’s actions, when I saw them both as supporting what Snowden had done.

St. Thomas More eventually died when the principles he held most dear to him were finally violated, yet the commentary suggests that Snowden should not have opened his mouth to begin with due to his oath of confidentiality. CCC 2491 was cited to justify the argument, in complete charity to the state.

In a world where abortion is legally sanctioned by the government and Catholics are fighting to maintain their First Amendment rights against government intrusion, are we really supposed to believe that the NSA spying program will not lead to “grave harm” for some Americans?

The Washington Post recently reported 2,776 incidents of wiretapping that went beyond the scope of what the secret Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act court had approved. This audit was over a one-year period between 2011 and 2012. These violations appear to have gone unpunished, or with little more than a slap on the wrist to those who committed them.

Wiretapping would have been unknown to most Americans had Edward Snowden not shed light on this activity. Consider how our Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and seizures have been eviscerated in recent years, with more and more “exceptions” tacked on for the purposes of homeland security. How much longer must we look the other way while this type of injustice prevails?

I submit paragraph 23 from Venerable Pope Pius XII’s 1958 encyclical “Ad Apostolorum Principis” (“At the tomb of the Prince of the Apostles”) for your consideration: “However, if Christians are bound in conscience to render to Caesar (that is, to human authority) what belongs to Caesar, then Caesar likewise, or those who control SNOWDEN, SEE page 28

Why the sciences will never disprove the existence of God

G

iven the ruminations of Stephen Hawking, Richard Dawkins and Daniel Dennett, one might have thought that the absolute limit of scientific arrogance had been reached.

But think again. Sean Carroll, a theoretical physicist at the California Institute of Technology, was quoted in a news article last year asserting that “science” is on the verge of providing a complete understanding of the universe – an explication, it goes without saying, that precludes the antiquated notion of God altogether.

Before addressing the God issue specifically, let me make a simple observation.

Though the sciences might be able to explain the chemical make-up of pages and ink, they will never be able to reveal the meaning of a book; and though they might make sense of the biology of the human body, they will never tell us why a human act is moral or immoral; and though they might disclose the cellular structure of oil and canvas, they will never determine why a painting is beautiful.

And this is not because “science” is for the moment insufficiently developed, it is because the scientific method cannot, even in principle, explore such matters, which belong to a qualitatively different category of being than the proper subject matter of the sciences. The claim that “science” could ever provide a total understanding of reality as a whole overlooks the rather glaring fact that meaning, truth, beauty, morality, purpose, etc., are all ingredients in “the universe.”

But as is usually the case with scientific speculation, Carroll’s thought is designed, above all, to eliminate God as a subject of serious intellectual discourse. The first and most fundamental problem is that, like Hawking, Dawkins and Dennett, Carroll doesn’t seem to know what Biblical people mean by “God.” With the advance of the modern physical sciences, he asserts, there remains less and less

room for God to operate, and hence less and less need to appeal to him as an explanatory cause.

This is a contemporary reiteration of Pierre-Simon Laplace’s rejoinder when the Emperor Napoleon asked the famous astronomer how God fit into his mechanistic system: “I have no need of that hypothesis.” But God, as the classical Catholic intellectual tradition understands Him, is not one cause, however great, among many; not one more item within the universe jockeying for position with other competing causes.

Rather, God is, as St. Thomas Aquinas characterized him, “ipsum esse,” or the sheer act of to-be itself – that power in and through which the universe in its totality exists. Once we grasp this, we see that no advance of the physical sciences could ever “eliminate” God or show that He is no longer required as an explaining cause, for the sciences can only explore objects and events within the finite cosmos.

To demonstrate the relationship between God and the universe more clearly, it would be worthwhile to explore the most fundamental argument for God’s existence, namely the argument from contingency. You and I are contingent (dependent) in our being in the measure that we eat and drink, breathe and had parents; a tree is contingent inasmuch as its being is derived from seed, sun, soil, water, etc.; the solar system is contingent because it depends upon gravity and events in the wider galaxy. To account for a contingent reality, by definition we have to appeal to an extrinsic cause.

But if that cause is itself contingent, we have to proceed further. This process of appealing to contingent causes to explain a contingent effect cannot go on indefinitely, for then the effect is never adequately explained. Hence, we must finally come to some reality that is not contingent on anything else, some ground of being whose very nature is to-be. This is precisely what Catholic theology means by “God.” Therefore,

God is not one fussy cause within or alongside the universe; instead, He is the reason why there is a universe at all.

Now Carroll seems to acknowledge the probative power of this sort of argument of first instance, but he makes the common scientific mistake of identifying the first cause with matter or energy or even the universe itself in its endlessly fluctuating rhythms of inflation and deflation.

But the problem with such explanations is this: they involve an appeal to patently contingent things or states of affairs. Energy or matter, for example, always exist in a particular modality or instantiation, which implies that they could just as well be in another modality or instantiation: here rather than there, up rather than down, this color rather than that, this speed rather than that, etc. But this in turn means that their being in one state rather than another requires an explanation or an appeal to an extrinsic cause. And the proposal of the fluctuating universe itself is just as much of a non-starter, for it involves the same problem simply writ large: how do you explain why the universe is expanding rather than contracting, at this rate rather than that, in this configuration rather than another, etc.?

Finally, a cause of the very to-be of a contingent universe must be sought, and this cannot be anything in the universe, nor can it be the universe considered as a totality. It must be a reality whose very essence is to-be and hence whose perfection of existence is unlimited. As I have tried to demonstrate in very short compass, philosophy can shed light on the existence of God so construed.

The one thing the sciences cannot ever do is disprove it.

The Very Rev. Robert Barron is the rector and president of Mundelein Seminary and founder of the global ministry Word on Fire, where he created the award-winning documentary series, “Catholicism.” A second series, “Catholicism: The New Evangelization,” has just been released. For details, go online to www.wordonfire.org.

Most-read stories on the web Through press time on Sept. 11, 1,983 visitors to www.catholicnewsherald.com have viewed a total of 4,664 pages. The top 10 headlines so far in September are: n Full guide: Plan your visit to the Eucharistic Congress ............................................................................355

n Keeping up with a bishop is hard work.............................................................................................................73

n Praying for peace in Syria, pope calls selfishness the cause of war.....................................................256

n With rise in annulment cases, diocese adds to tribunal staff ....................................................................72

n Ninth Eucharistic Congress blog, goeucharist.tumblr.com.......................................................................122

n Hundreds turn out for Polish celebration in Charlotte................................................................................ 63

n Greensboro parishioners, bakery unite over ‘fasting bread’..................................................................... 113

n Dominican sisters release chart-topping debut CD.....................................................................................42

n Fr. Richard McCue passes away........................................................................................................................107

n New encyclical to clarify poverty vows, cardinal says.................................................................................42

September 13, 2013 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

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Letter to the editor

Immigration reform should protect the dignity of every person

Deacon James H. Toner

Guard the truth “Guard the truth that has been entrusted to you by the Holy Spirits...” (2 Tim 1:14 RSV)

W

e are surrounded. The “we” refers to us Catholics. The “surrounded” means that “the prince of the power of the air” (Eph 2:2) seems to overwhelm us by a tsunami of alluring yet worthless messages utterly at odds with the Christian Gospel. As Pope Francis put it in “Lumen Fidei”: “In contemporary culture, we often tend to consider the only real truth to be that of technology: truth is what we succeed in building and measuring by our scientific know-how.” (25) For instance, the average person is lied to between 10 and 200 times day, according to Pamela Meyer, author of “Liespotting.”

Common estimates are that one-third of all resumés contain false information and that about 83 percent of undergraduates lie to obtain a job. Cheating of all kinds is rampant and, worse, frequently justified because, after all, “everybody” does it.

Those advocating strict honesty are thought to be old-fashioned at best or scolds at worst.

Americans aged 12 and older with Internet access now spend 6.1 hours daily with video-based entertainment, up from 4 .6 hours in 1996. We typically are exposed to about 3,000 commercials per day. By contrast, the eight-minute homily at Sunday Mass is often considered “a bit long.”

Pornography is ubiquitous. We have runaway consumer debt, shopping addictions, and 24-hour shopping channels.

Ask kids who their heroes are – but don’t expect the answers you might hope for.

Sports are filled with stories of substance abuse. And the new dominant answer on campus about “Why have you come to college?” is, “To make more money.”

Writer James Twitchell has pointed out that “commercial speech – advertising – makes up most of what we share as a culture. No one is happy about this, not even the people who make it. They call it ‘clutter.’” What we wear, what we drive, what we live in, what we talk about – all these are increasingly rooted in a culture of instant gratification and abject hedonism.

One is reminded of the bitter words of journalist Emile Gauvreau: “I was part of that strange race of people aptly described as spending their lives doing things they detest, to make money they don’t want, to buy things they don’t need, to impress people they don’t like.”

What can we do when so very much of what we see and hear is utterly at odds with the Gospel, whose heralds we are supposed to be (cf. Psalm 11:3)? We are supposed to be Christ’s witnesses, and, even in the darkness of our day, I think we can take the first step in our Christian witness just by recognizing that things aren’t the way they ought to be. There is another way: a better way to see, to hear, to speak, to live.

The second step was suggested by Isaiah, who said that one surrounded by evil can live well if he “practices virtue and speaks honestly, ... (and) spurns what is gained

by oppression, brushing his hands free of contact with a bribe, stopping his ears lest he hear of bloodshed, closing his eyes lest he look on evil” (33:12 NAB).

Refusing to deal “with the devious of heart” or the wicked (Psalm 101:4) is wise, but there is a corollary affirmative obligation: a third step. The French writer Charles Peguy insisted, “He who does not bellow the truth when he knows truth

‘Knowing that things are not what they should be in our society, refusing to take part in what is wrong or evil, and standing up for truth are three steps we can take on our Catholic journey.’ makes himself the accomplice of liars and forgers.”

Like John, we are not the truth; but we must bear witness to the truth (1:8). In St. Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians is this difficult passage: “For our sake He made Him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (5:21). The New American Bible comment is that “As Christ became our righteousness, we become God’s righteousness.” The simpler explanation is that we are Our Lord’s hands and feet on this earth.

In fact, in his Letter to the Romans, St. Paul speaks very plainly: “Think of God’s mercy, my brothers, and worship Him, I beg you, in a way that is worthy of thinking beings, by offering your living bodies as a holy sacrifice, truly pleasing to God. Do not model yourselves on the behavior of the world around you, but let your behavior change, modeled by your new mind. This is the only way to discover the will of God and know what is good, what it is that God wants, what is the perfect thing to do” (12:1-2 JB). Our “new

mind” means keeping Christ first in how we think, what we say and how we act.

Knowing that things are not what they should be in our society, refusing to take part in what is wrong or evil, and standing up for truth – “bellowing it,” as Peguy would have it – are three steps we can take on our Catholic journey. As confirmed Catholics, we are called to do good and to avoid evil (1 Pt 3:11a; 1 Thess 5:22, Romans 12:9). We do good and we avoid evil “by praying and by receiving the sacraments; by remembering that God is always with us; by recalling that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit; by keeping occupied with work or play; by promptly resisting the sources of sin within us; and by avoiding . . . occasions of sin” (Baltimore Catechism, 73).

There is an additional recommendation that one might make: extensive and intensive spiritual reading. Having been a professor for more years than I care to admit, I am persuaded of the critical importance of reading widely, wisely and well. The late Jesuit Father John Hardon developed a lifetime Catholic reading program, and Father John McCloskey similarly suggests 100 Catholic classics (available online). St. Paul, of course, had it exactly right: “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Phil 4:8). If we fill our minds with what is good, true and beautiful, there will be no room for what is evil, false and ugly.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church succinctly explains that our duty in serving as Christ’s witnesses is, in a word, to evangelize: “to infuse the Christian spirit into the mentality and mores, laws and structures of the communities” in which we live. Our social duty “is to respect and awaken in each man the love of the true and the good. It requires (us) to make known the worship of the one true religion which subsists in the Catholic and apostolic Church. (We) are called to be the light of the world. Thus, the Church shows forth the kingship of Christ over all creation and in particular over human societies” (2105).

We are surrounded. But I think of U.S. Army Gen. Anthony McAuliffe who, during the fateful Battle of the Bulge in World War II, was surrounded by the Germans and told to surrender. McAuliffe was a soldier who did not use profanity, but he still made his point emphatically to the Germans: Surrender? “Nuts!” The world, the flesh and the devil urge us to ignore or to renounce our faith, to do things as the secular city does things, to see things as 3,000 commercial messages a day tell us to see things. Our reply should be, “Nuts!”

Deacon James H. Toner serves at Our Lady of Grace Church in Greensboro.

Out of deep and abiding concern for our immigrant brothers and sisters, we urge everyone to take concrete action in support of immigration reform that our country so desperately needs.

Since the arrival of the Sisters of Mercy in the U.S. in 1843, our community has ministered with immigrants in schools, hospitals, parishes and social service centers.

We have witnessed the devastating impact on families who are torn apart by implementation of U.S. immigration laws, and our sisters who work with undocumented immigrants tell us that immigrant workers often are cheated out of their pay, endure poor working conditions and live in fear.

The men and women called “illegal” are members of the human family, the body of Christ, and we stand in solidarity with our suffering brothers and sisters.

In unity with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops we call on the president, Congress and all citizens of our country to examine the root causes of immigration – including our nation’s policies – that contribute to creating deepening poverty and violence that force families to flee their homes in search of economic and physical security.

We support current bipartisan efforts to reform our immigration laws and stress that true reform must include: family reunification and ongoing unification; protection of the rights of immigrant workers and asylum seekers; a clear and achievable pathway to citizenship; and humane enforcement of the law.

We believe that prayer can change hearts, and our prayer is united with all who believe in and protect the dignity of every person.

The Community Leadership Team of the Sisters of Mercy South Central Community, located in Belmont, is comprised of Sister Jane Hotstream, president; Sister Paulette Williams, vice president; Sister Mary Rose Bumpus; Sister Pat Coward; Sister Linda Falquette; and Sister Debbie Kern.

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catholicnewsherald.com | September 13, 2013 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

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SNOWDEN: FROM PAGE 26

the state, cannot exact obedience when they would be usurping God’s rights or forcing Christians either to act at variance with their religious duties or to sever themselves from the unity of the Church and its lawful hierarchy.”

The Catholic Church must consider its multifaceted battle against modernist society and a federal government that is clearly “forcing Christians to act at variance with their religious duties” – for example, the Health and Human Services contraception mandate. It is not a far stretch to consider that wiretaps cannot be used for the nefarious purpose of persecuting Catholics.

Edward Snowden has thrown a wrench into the works, and we should look upon this with a face of gratitude. This man has

SYRIA: FROM PAGE 24

to violence, indifference and conflict.”

The pope concluded on a hopeful note, asking the crowd: “Can we get out of this spiral of sorrow and death? Can we learn once again to walk and live in the ways of peace?”

“Yes, it is possible for everyone!” he said, drawing applause, and he then invoked the image of Christ’s redemptive sacrifice as the ultimate symbol of peace.

“How I wish that all men and women of good will would look to the cross, if only for a moment. There, we can see God’s reply: violence is not answered with violence, death

given up everything – his family, his friends and his former way of life – because he believes in the right of the American people to know what their government is doing.

He raised the alarm, resulting in a fate I would consider worse than death in many ways. The previous commentary reduced Snowden to a traitor, pressed the snooze button and sent Catholics back to sleep.

The lesson of St. Thomas More extends well past his death. After the Protestant Reformation, Catholics in England faced harsh discrimination. It was not until 1778 that their right to own land was restored – a right that had been taken away for more than 200 years.

The lesson is clear: Remain vigilant and do not blindly obey unjust laws. It will do nothing for your salvation once the righteous law has been restored.

Matthew W. Dimock Sr. is a member of St. Luke Church in Mint Hill. He is employed by a major telecommunications firm that sells data and data aggregation.

is not answered with the language of death. In the silence of the cross, the uproar of weapons ceases and the language of reconciliation, forgiveness, dialogue and peace is spoken.”

The pope’s homily was followed by a period of Eucharistic Adoration, when people representing areas with direct or indirect links to the Syrian conflict – Egypt, the Holy Land, Russia, the United States and Syria itself – brought up incense to burn beside the altar.

The ancient icon of Mary known as “Salus Populi Romani” (health of the Roman people), which had been transported for the occasion from Rome’s Basilica of St. Mary Major, also stood beside the altar.

The icon has special importance for Pope Francis, who went to pray before it on the first morning of his pontificate in March.

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