April 10, 2015

April 10, 2015

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N.C. bishops urge support for House bill on abortions, 3

St. Pius X caps spiritual adoption effort with ‘Crib4Life’ baby shower, 9 INDEX

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Easter joy INSIDE: Coverage of Holy Week and Easter services from across the Diocese of Charlotte,

14-21

‘Today Salvation has come to this house’ New St. Thérèse Church dedicated in Mooresville, 6-7

Christ the King students erect steel cross, 22

Candler Mass offered in memory of Archbishop Romero, 5

Our faith 2

catholicnewsherald.com | April 10, 2015 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

St. Anselm:

Pope Francis

Children are never a ‘mistake’; adults called to responsibility

C

hildren are never a “mistake” and no sacrifice is too great for an adult to make so that children can feel their worth, Pope Francis said.

During his weekly general audience April 8, the pope continued his series of talks about the family, dedicating a second catechesis to children. He described the great suffering and difficulties many children around the world experience as “a Passion.”

Children are the greatest blessing God has bestowed upon men and women, he said. Yet, many children are “rejected, abandoned, robbed of their childhood and of their future,” the pope noted, adding that it is “shameful” when people say it is “a mistake” to bring a child into the world.

“Please, let’s not unload our faults on children,” he said. “Children are never ‘a mistake.’”

The hunger, poverty, fragility and ignorance of some children “are not mistakes” but “only reasons for us to love them even more, with more generosity.”

He wondered aloud about the value of international declarations of human and children’s rights if children are then punished for the mistakes of adults. “All adults are responsible for children and for doing what we can to change this situation,” he said.

“Every marginalized and abandoned child, who lives by begging on the street for every little thing, without schooling or healthcare, is a cry to God,” he said.

Their suffering is the result of a social system created by adults, he added.

Children who are victims of such poverty often “become prey to criminals who exploit them for immoral trade and commerce or train them for war and violence,” he said.

Even in rich countries, “many children live dramas that scar their lives heavily” due to family crises or inhuman living conditions. They suffer the consequences of “a culture of exaggerated individual rights” and become precocious, he added. And often, they absorb the violence they are exposed to, and “are forced to become accustomed to degradation,” he said. “In every case, these are childhoods violated in body and soul. But none of these children is forgotten by the Father in heaven. None of their tears are lost.”

He also said children, too often, suffer the effects of their parents’ precarious and poorly paid work or unsustainable work hours. Children, he said, “also pay the price of immature unions and irresponsible separations; they are the first victims.” He underlined the social responsibility of each person and government toward children.

‘Faith seeking understanding’ Feast day: April 21 On April 21, the Catholic Church honors St. Anselm, the 11th- and 12th-century Benedictine monk and archbishop best known for his writings on Christ’s atonement and the existence of God. In a general audience given on Sept. 23, 2009, then-Pope Benedict XVI remembered St. Anselm as “a monk with an intense spiritual life, an excellent teacher of the young, a theologian with an extraordinary capacity for speculation, a wise man of governance and an intransigent defender of the Church’s freedom.”

St. Anselm, the pope said, stands out as “one of the eminent figures of the Middle Ages who was able to harmonize all these qualities, thanks to the profound mystical experience that always guided his thought and his action.”

Anselm was born in Aosta, part of the Piedmont region of present-day Italy, around 1033. While his father provided little in the way of moral or religious influence, his mother was a notably devout woman and sent Anselm to a school run by the Benedictines.

The boy felt a profound religious calling during these years, spurred in part by a dream in which he met and conversed with God. His father, however, prevented him from becoming a monk at age 15. This disappointment was followed by a period of severe illness, as well as his mother’s early death.

Unable to join the monks, and tired of mistreatment by his father, Anselm left home and wandered throughout parts of France and Italy for three years. His life regained its direction in Normandy, where he met the Benedictine prior Lanfranc of Pavia and became his disciple.

Lanfranc recognized his pupil’s intellectual gifts and encouraged his vocation to religious life. Accepted into the order and ordained a priest at age 27, Anselm succeeded his teacher as prior in 1063 when Lanfranc was called to become abbot of another monastery.

Anselm became abbot of his own monastery in 1079. During the previous decade the Normans had conquered England, and they sought to bring monks from Normandy to influence the Church in the country. Lanfranc became Archbishop of Canterbury, and asked Anselm to come and assist him.

The period after Lanfranc’s death, in the late 1080s, was a difficult time for the English Church. As part of his general mistreatment of the Church, King William Rufus refused to allow the appointment of a new archbishop. Anselm had gone back to his monastery and did not want to return to England.

In 1092, however, he was persuaded to do so. The following year, the king changed his mind and allowed Anselm to become Archbishop of Canterbury. But the monk was extremely reluctant to accept the charge, which would involve him in further struggles with the English crown in subsequent years.

For a threeyear period More online in the early 12th century, At www.catholicnewsherald.com: Check out St. Anselm’s Anselm’s writings, including his “Proslogion,” his insistence rational argument for the existence of God on the selfgovernment of the Church – against the claims of the state to its administration and property – caused him to be exiled from England. But he was successful in his struggle, and returned to his archdiocese in 1106.

In his last years, Anselm worked to reform the Church and continued his theological investigations – following the motto of “faith seeking understanding.” After his death in 1109, his influence on the subsequent course of theology led Pope Clement XI to name him a Doctor of the Church in 1720.

— Catholic News Agency

Your daily Scripture readings APRIL 12-18

Sunday (Divine Mercy Sunday): Acts 4:3235, 1 John 5:1-6, John 20:19-31; Monday (St. Martin I): Acts 4:23-31, John 3:1-8; Tuesday: Acts 4:32-37, John 3:7-15; Wednesday: Acts 5:17-26, John 3:16-21; Thursday: Acts 5:27-33, John 3:31-36; Friday: Acts 5:34-42, John 6:115; Saturday: Acts 6:1-7, John 6:16-21.

APRIL 19-25

Sunday: Acts 3:13-15, 17-19, 1 John 2:1-5, Luke 24:35-48; Monday: Acts 6:8-15, John 6:22-29; Tuesday (St. Anselm): Acts 7:51-8:1, John 6:30-35; Wednesday: Acts 8:1-18, John 6:35-40; Thursday (St. George, St. Adalbert): Acts 8:26-40, John 6:44-51; Friday (St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen): Acts 9:1-20, John 6:52-59; Saturday (St. Mark): 1 Peter 5:5-14, Mark 16:15-20.

APRIL 26-MAY 2

Sunday: Acts 4:8-12, 1 John 3:1-2, John 10:11-18; Monday: Acts 11:1-18, John 10:1-10; Tuesday (St. Peter Chanel, St. Louis Grignion de Montfort): Acts 11:19-26, John 10:22-30; Wednesday (St. Catherine of Siena): Acts 12:24-13:5, John 12:44-50; Thursday (St. Pius V): Acts 13:13-25, John 13:16-20; Friday (St. Joseph the Worker): Acts 13:26-33, Matthew 13:54-58; Saturday (St. Athanasius): Acts 13:44-52, John 14:7-14.

Our parishes

April 10, 2015 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

N.C. bishops urge support for House bill on abortions

St. Matthew Church to host program on stewardship of God’s creation May 2 CHARLOTTE — In anticipation of Pope Francis’ upcoming encyclical, St. Matthew Church will host “Following Pope Francis on the Path to be Good Stewards of God’s Creation” on Saturday, May 2.

The free program, which will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., is open to everyone.

It is being jointly sponsored by the Charlotte Region Catholic Environmental Advisory Council, Catholic Charities Peace and Justice Ministry, the Sisters of Mercy, and St. Matthew Church.

The keynote speaker is Dan Misleh, founding director of the Catholic Climate Covenant and former policy advisor with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Misleh will examine the teachings of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and Pope St. John Paul II about ecology, poor people and caring for creation as well as what Pope Francis has said.

Other speakers participating in four workshops include: Mercy Sister Rose Marie Tresp, director of justice for the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas South Central Community; Sam Perkins, the Catawba riverkeeper with the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting the Catawba-Wateree River; and Rob Goraieb, O.F.S., coordinator of Franciscan Action and Advocacy at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Triangle, Va., where he coordinates the parish’s efforts to address a variety of social justice issues, including care for creation, respect life and anti-human trafficking.

Find a full informational brochure with workshop titles and descriptions, presenter biographies, event sponsors, and registration information at www.stmatthewcatholic.org/ May2.

Register by April 29. Lunch is provided.

For questions or additional details, contact Joe Purello, diocesan director of the Office of Social Concerns and Advocacy, at jtpurello@ charlottediocese.org or 704-3703225.

— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter

3

sueann howell | catholic news herald

Bishop Peter Jugis blesses the sacred oils during the chrism Mass March 31. The oils are used in the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, anointing of the sick, as well as for ordination of priests and the consecration of churches. Seminarian Thomas J. Rider of St. Mark Church in Huntersville holds the book containing the special prayers used for the blessing of the oils.

‘I am among you as the One who serves you’ Priests renew promises, oils blessed at chrism Mass SueAnn Howell Senior reporter

CHARLOTTE — Bishop Peter Jugis smiled and waved to more than 95 priests as they processed past him under Carolina blue skies and a canopy of cherry blossoms before climbing up the memorial staircase honoring Bishop Emeritus William G. Curlin and then into St. Patrick Cathedral for the Chrism Mass March 31.

Once inside, the procession of clergy was greeted by a standing-room-only cathedral, filled with the faithful who had come from all over the Diocese of Charlotte.

The chrism Mass is a favorite among many Catholics, as it brings together priests from around the diocese to renew their priestly promises and witness the blessing of the sacred oils used in the sacraments of the Church. It is also the Mass where the bishop’s homily is particularly directed towards his spiritual brothers, his priests.

This year, Bishop Jugis spoke on the theme of the Lord’s humble service and His presence among us, illustrated by the Last Supper.

“When the hour came for the celebration of the Passover, Jesus took His place at table with His apostles, and after He instituted the Eucharist and the priesthood, He said to His new priests some things about their ministry,” Bishop Jugis said. “There are a few lines from His talk with them at the Last Supper that we can apply to ourselves today, His present-day priests. For one thing, Jesus talks to them about humble service, saying: ‘Who is greater, the one seated at table or the one who serves? Is it not the one seated at table? I am among you as the One who serves.’

“It is good for Jesus to remind us as priests,

More online At www.catholicnewsherald.com: See more photos, video highlights and Bishop Jugis’ full homily from the chrism Mass

His priests, that He is among us as the One who serves. He serves His priests. He sustains us with His presence. He is the one who makes our ministry effective.”

“Your parishioners are attracted to you because you show them that Christ is present and that you desire to serve as Christ – without complaining, without counting the cost or the inconvenience. You give of yourself in joyful service,” he continued.

“You are an integral and essential part of your parishioners’ lives. You are their spiritual fathers.

Why is this cathedral always filled to overflowing on this day? Because the faithful love their priests. Your parishioners love you!”

God chooses men to be His priests, not because of any special gifts or talents they have, but because He loves them and wants them to serve as His instruments of salvation, he said. “How humble the realization of this fact makes us!”

He reminded the priests gathered to trust in God’s Providence to supply what is needed for their work. He cited the fact that the apostles were sent out with no money or belongings – they had only the message of the Gospel to possess and to share.

“Are you in need of anything?” Bishop Jugis asked them. “Jesus says, ‘Hasn’t all been given to you?’ In every parish God has placed generous lay faithful who are eager to help their priests in all of the needs of the parish. They desire to enter into the service of Christ and His parish.

“They love you. They respect you. They look to you. They want to collaborate with you in the mission of the parish.”

Concelebrating the Chrism Mass were Bishop CHRISM, SEE page 12

CHARLOTTE — The two Catholic bishops of North Carolina are endorsing new abortion restrictions that have been proposed by Republicans in the North Carolina General Assembly.

House Bill 465, called “Act to Clarify and Modify Certain Laws Pertaining to Abortion,” “takes additional steps to protect unborn children in North Carolina,” wrote Charlotte Bishop Peter J. Jugis and Raleigh Bishop Michael F. Burbidge in a statement issued April 2 by Catholic Voice NC, their non-partisan public policy arm.

The bishops urge Catholics in the state to contact their state representatives and voice support for the proposed legislation filed April 1, which they call “a common sense bill that will protect the Godgiven right of the unborn to life while not hampering the rights, established by the courts, for women who seek abortions.”

The bill would extend the state’s waiting time to obtain an abortion from the current period of 48 hours to 72 hours. It would also mandate that abortions be performed specifically by obstetricians or gynecologists licensed to practice medicine in North Carolina, rather than the current requirement that abortions be performed by a statelicensed physician.

The bill would also prohibit the state’s medical schools at East Carolina University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, public hospitals and employees from using any funds or state facilities to perform abortions except in the cases of rape, incest or in which the mother’s life is endangered.

The bishops point out that the proposed legislation “provides competent care for women by having an obstetrician or a gynecologist perform abortions,” while it “protects health care providers who object to abortion on moral, ethical, or religious grounds from being required to perform or participate.”

The extended waiting time before obtaining an abortion “gives women sufficient time to consider alternatives to abortion,” they said, “except in a medical emergency.”

The House bill’s primary sponsors are four Republican women: Reps. Jacqueline Schaffer of Mecklenburg County, Pat McElraft of Carteret and Jones counties, Rena Turner of Iredell County, and Susan Martin. The bill also has 38 co-sponsors.

— Catholic News Herald

UPcoming events 4

catholicnewsherald.com | April 10, 2015 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Bishop Peter J. Jugis will participate in the following events: April 10 – 10 a.m.

Diocesan Finance Council Meeting Pastoral Center, Charlotte

April 18 – 5 p.m.

Sacrament of Confirmation St. James Church, Hamlet

April 25 Men’s Conference St. Matthew Church, Charlotte

April 11 Bishop’s Youth Pilgrimage Belmont Abbey College

April 20 – 7 p.m.

Sacrament of Confirmation St. Paul the Apostle Church, Greensboro

April 27 – 7 p.m.

Sacrament of Confirmation Holy Cross Church, Kernersville

April 15 – 7 p.m.

Sacrament of Confirmation Christ the King Church, High Point

April 22 – 7 p.m.

Sacrament of Confirmation Our Lady of the Angels Mission, Marion

Diocesan calendar of events April 10, 2015 Volume 23 • Number 14

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

704-370-3333

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Carolina Catholic Chorale PERFORMS ‘ORCHESTRAL’ MASSES: “Missa Brevis in B-flat Major”

by W.A. Mozart, 2:30 p.m. Saturday, May 2, at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 1400 Suther Road, Charlotte; and “Missa Octo Vocum” by Hans Leo Hassler for the Solemn High Latin Mass for the Ascension, 7 p.m. Thursday, May 14, at St. Ann Church, 3635 Park Road, Charlotte. For details, go to www.carolinascatholicchorale.weebly.com.

PUBLISHER: The Most Reverend Peter J. Jugis, Bishop of Charlotte

Fund raisers

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

WALK FOR AIDS: Saturday, April 18, in Belmont to raise AIDS awareness and funds to benefit House of Mercy. Everyone invited to join this pleasant three-mile walk through historic downtown Belmont and a picnic reception afterwards at House of Mercy. Free Walk T-shirts to participants raising $50 or more. For details, visit www.thehouseofmercy.org/2015WalkforAIDS.asp or call Marjorie at 704-825-4711, ext. 3.

Annual fundraiser hosted by St. Thérèse Church Women’s group: 1 p.m. Thursday, April 30, in the Parish Life Center at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Church, 217 Brawley School Road, Mooresville. Bring your friends, your cards or games and enjoy desserts, door prizes, 50/50 raffle and more. All proceeds benefit the church and its community outreach programs. For details, contact Chris Davis at christinedavis712@gmail.com or 704-987-9112.

LAY ORGANIZATIONS

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

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

ADVERTISING: Reach 165,000 Catholics across western North Carolina! For advertising rates and information, contact Advertising Manager Kevin Eagan at 704-370-3332 or keeagan@charlottediocese.org. The Catholic News Herald reserves the right to reject or cancel advertising for any reason, and does not recommend or guarantee any product, service or benefit claimed by our advertisers.

SUBSCRIPTIONS: $15 per year for all registered parishioners of the Diocese of Charlotte and $23 per year for all others.

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

Ministry of Mothers Sharing: 9 a.m. Tuesday, April 14, at Queen of the Apostles Church, 503 North Main St., Belmont. Group is intended for fellowship and study for spiritual growth. Moms with children of all ages are invited.

For details, email Marianne at marianne@gcube.com.

Men’s Book club: 7 p.m. Sunday, April 17, in the Family Life Center at St. Patrick Cathedral, 1621 Dilworth Road East, Charlotte. Discussion on the book, “Mere Christianity” by C.S. Lewis provides an unequaled opportunity for believers and nonbelievers alike to hear this powerful apologetic for the Christian faith.

Blood Drive: 8 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Saturday, May 2, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 4145 Johnson St., High Point. To schedule an appointment, call Lisa at 336306-0606.

Blood Drive: Sunday, June 14, at St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy., Charlotte.

LECTURES & REFLECTIONS Divine mercy weekend, ‘Saying yes to Jesus and Mary’: Saturday and Sunday, April 11-12, at St. Mark Church’s Kerin Center, 14740 Stumptown Road, Huntersville. Highlights include veneration of the United Nations International Pilgrim Statue of the World Apostolate of Fatima and first-class relic of Blessed Jacinta and Francisco Marto with guest speaker and

Fatima Statue custodian Judith Studer. Also includes Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Chaplet of Divine Mercy, Sung Reflection on Divine Mercy, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Benediction, and blessing of your Divine Mercy images. For details, call the parish office at 704-948-0231.

‘Writing the Gospels in Our lives’: Reflection

by Abbot Placid Solari, chancellor of Belmont Abbey College, at 10:15 a.m. Monday, April 13, at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 6828 Old Reid Road, Charlotte. Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. Organized by the Charlotte Catholic Women’s Group. All women welcome.

‘Called to Participate, Called to Advocacy; The Church in the Public Square’: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Saturday, April 18, at St. Lawrence Basilica, 97 Haywood St., Asheville. Presented by Catholic Charities. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. Register by April 15 to Nick Haskell at NPHaskell@charlottediocese.org or 828-424-1992. Lunch provided. For details, go to www.ccdoc.org/publicpolicy.

‘FELLOWSHIP BEYOND OUR DIFFERENCES,’ presented by Rose Hamid: 2 p.m. Sunday, April 19, at St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy., Charlotte. Have you ever wondered what it is like to be stereotyped as a terrorist, hated by someone before you ever spoke a word, or just looked down upon? Come listen to Rose Hamid, raised by a Catholic mother and Muslim father. In her youth, she practiced the Catholic faith. Later in life, she began to practice Islam. As president of the Muslim Women of the Carolinas, she now works to break down barriers between Christians and Muslims in the community. Listen to her experiences as a flight attendant post-Sept. 11, and most importantly, learn from her compassionate actions. For details, email Bruce Mlakar at BruceMlakar@gmail.com.

Reflection with Michael Manhardt, founder of the ‘One Strong Family’ movement: 6:30 p.m.

Friday, April 24, at St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy., Charlotte. All women welcome.

Organized by the Charlotte Catholic Women’s Group. For details, go to www.charlottecatholicwomensgroup.org.

NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING NFP Introduction and Full Course: 1-5 p.m.

Saturday, April 18, at St. Aloysius Church, 921 Second St., Hickory. Topics include: effectiveness of modern NFP, health risks of popular contraceptives and what the Church teaches about responsible parenting. Sponsored

by Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte. RSVP to Batrice Adcock, MSN, RN, at 704-370-3230.

PRAYER SERVICES & GROUPS Divine Mercy Holy Hour: 1:30-3 p.m. Sunday, April 12, at Holy Family Church, 4820 Kinnamon Road, WinstonSalem. The Chaplet of Divine Mercy will be sung at 3 p.m. with Benediction to follow. For details, call Ceil Gentile at 336-766-7832.

St. Peregrine Healing Prayer Service: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 23, at St. Matthew Church, 8015

Ballantyne Commons Pkwy., Charlotte. St. Peregrine is the patron saint of cancer and grave diseases. The healing prayer service is offered for all those suffering with cancer or other diseases. For details, call the parish office at 704-543-7677.

Rosary for the unborn: 7 p.m. every Monday at St. Thérèse Church, 217 Brawley School Road, Mooresville.

Healing mass and anointing of the sick: 2 p.m. every third Sunday of the month at St. Margaret of Scotland Church, 37 Murphy Dr., Maggie Valley. Individual prayers over people after Mass by Charismatic Prayer Group. For details, call Don or Janet Zander at 828-400-9291.

SAFE ENVIRONMENT TRAINING “Protecting God’s Children” workshops are intended to educate parish volunteers to recognize and prevent sexual abuse. Upcoming workshops are listed below.

For details, contact your parish office. To register and confirm workshop times, go to www.virtus.org.

CHARLOTTE: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 23, at St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy., Charlotte.

STATESVILLE: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, at St. Philip the Apostle Church, 525 Camden Dr., Statesville.

SUPPORT GROUPS Called to be a mom: 10 a.m.-noon, Thursday, April 16, at St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy., Charlotte. Supports the vocation of motherhood by strengthening faith through Scripture readings. For details, call Mary Ellen Wolfe at 704-999-7452.

Separated or Divorced Catholics: Group for separated or divorced Catholics meets every third Sunday after the 5 p.m. Mass at St. Paul the Apostle Church, 2715 Horse Pen Creek Road, Greensboro.

Confidential; all welcome. Childcare provided with a reservation. For details, call Joanne at 336-509-2304.

Grieving the loss of a spouse: Support group for husbands and wives who are mourning. Meets the second Monday of each month from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy., Charlotte. For details, call Sister Marie Frechette at 704-543-7677.

YOUTH & Young Adults Asheville Theology on Tap: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 14, at Mojo Kitchen and Lounge, 55 College St., Asheville.

Guest speaker, Justin Reilly, WNC regional director of Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte.

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.

April 10, 2015 | catholicnewsherald.com

Mass offered in memory of Archbishop Romero Priest was martyred in El Salvador 35 years ago Tim Reid Correspondent

CANDLER — St. Joan of Arc Church hosted a spirit-filled celebration of the legacy of Archbishop Oscar Romero on the 35th anniversary of his martyrdom March 24.

Hispanics and others from all the churches in the Asheville vicariate turned out for the Mass in memory of Archbishop Romero, an outspoken advocate for social justice who was gunned down while saying Mass in 1980. ”He defended the poor and the homeless, and he fought for justice,” said Virgilio Marquez, a native of El Salvador who attended with his wife Vilma.

“Archbishop Romero was my hero,” Mrs. Marquez added. “His life was a model for all of us to follow.”

Father Jose Antonio Juya of St. Michael the Archangel Church in Gastonia concelebrated the Mass and told of meeting Romero many years ago. Father Photos by Tim Reid | Catholic News Herald Juya called for the Hispanic community to A Mass in memory of slain Archbishop Oscar Romero drew Catholics from around western North Carolina to Candler. not only celebrate Archbishop Romero’s (Below) Concelebrants included Father Jose Antonio Juya, Father Wilbur Thomas, Father Morris Boyd, Father Dean life but also to make a commitment to Cesa and Father John Pagel. work for social justice as members of the Church. for people Celebrating the Mass with Father Juya were Father Wilbur who have Thomas and Father Morris Boyd of St. Lawrence Basilica, St. Joan come to of Arc’s pastor Father Dean Cesa, and Father John Pagel, a former the United pastor at St. Joan of Arc Church.

States Singers and musicians from all the churches in the vicariate, from other including also St. Margaret Mary, St. Eugene and St. Barnabas, countries, participated. he added.

The celebration was coordinated by Antonio Garcia, coordinator “We left of the Hispanic ministry for the Asheville vicariate. Participants our native gathered in the social hall afterward for a gala evening of music, countries dancing and food. because of “The goal was to celebrate the Salvadoran culture,” Garcia said. poverty and Gaily dressed dancers performed “Cortadoras,” an elaborate economic homage to the poor people who work in the fields harvesting coffee injustice,” beans. The girls gathered the beans and put them in sacks carried by he said. peasant boys in an age-old ritual evoking the dignity of simple work.

“We People of Central American heritage are thrilled that the cause identify with the message of (Archbishop) Romero. He spoke for of sainthood for Archbishop Romero is advancing with his recent those who have nothing.” approval for beatification, Garcia said, “They feel a sense of pride Such events are also important for the Hispanic families’ children that hopefully he will be the first Salvadoran saint.” who are growing up in this country, according to Garcia.

Along with the dancing and music, the mostly Hispanic crowd “Hopefully they will have a better life and better opportunities enjoyed a variety of Salvadoran foods, including the very popular than we did,” he said. “But we don’t want our kids to forget where “pupusas” prepared by people from around the vicariate. they came from. And they need to work for social justice just like “I want to thank the priests and all the volunteers who helped Archbishop Romero did.” make this a special evening,” Garcia said. Such events are important

Sister Jean Linder, who served the Charlotte diocese, dies aged 88 TIFFIN, Ohio — Sister Jean Linder, 88, of the Sisters of St. Francis of Tiffin, Ohio, died Sunday, April 5, 2015, at St. Francis Home in Tiffin. Sister Linder served the Diocese of Charlotte and the Diocesan Pastoral Center.

She was born June 2, 1926, in Payne, Ohio, to John and Anna (Schall) Linder.

A funeral Mass was celebrated Thursday, April 9, 2015, at St. Francis Convent Chapel in Tiffin, with burial following at the St. Francis Convent Cemetery.

Linder Surviving are a sister, Theresa Baumle of Payne; two brothers, Maurice Linder of Ft. Wayne, Ind., and James Linder of Payne.

She was preceded in death by her parents and seven sisters: Catherine Gonya, Marie Linder, Rita Linder, Josephine Huguenard, Rosemary Perrine, Genevieve Wilson and Sister Helen Linder, O.S.F. Sister Jean Linder was from St. John’s Parish in Payne, Ohio. After receiving her Master of Arts in English from Notre Dame University, in the Diocese of Toledo she served as an elementary teacher at Miller City, and Landeck; as elementary teacher and principal at Peru and Bucyrus; as high school teacher at Lima Central Catholic High School and Central Catholic High School in Toledo.

In the Diocese of Charlotte, she served as assistant director of Living Waters Reflection Center, Vicar for Religious, director of Planning, and administrative assistant for Vocations.

She also served in congregational leadership as president, general councilor,

and community minister for a total of 16 years.

Later in life she returned to the motherhouse in Tiffin, when she served as Motherhouse librarian, and as a minister of service.

At the time of her death, she was a resident at St. Francis Home and a minister of prayer for the congregation. She enjoyed gathering with friends to play cards and share ideas. She delighted in renovating the motherhouse library and deepening her love for reading.

Memorials may be made to St. Francis Home or St. Francis Convent in care of the Traunero Funeral Home and Crematory, 214 S. Monroe St., Tiffin, Ohio 44883.

Traunero Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

— Catholic News Herald

OUR PARISHESI

5

Catholic Men’s Conference coming April 25 to Charlotte Rico De Silva Hispanic Communications Reporter

CHARLOTTE — The fifth annual Catholic Men’s Conference, “Being Catholic Men, Being Catholic Leaders,” will take place Saturday, April 25, at St. Matthew Church, located at 8015 Ballantyne Commons Parkway in Charlotte. All men of the diocese are invited to attend this conference, which will be held from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

This year’s speakers will include Tom Peterson, founder of Catholics Come Home. Peterson gave up a lucrative career in advertising to pursue a faith-based evangelization effort and started the Catholics Come Home initiative worldwide, and Darrell Miller, a former Major League Baseball player who converted to Catholicism and currently oversees youth development for Major League Baseball.

Also speaking will be Michael Manhardt, the founder of One Strong F.A.M.I.L.Y. (Forget About Me I Love You), a Catholic movement which promotes family values. Manhardt is a dynamic speaker who worked with the Rutgers University football team in its rise to the forefront of college football.

Bishop Peter Jugis will celebrate Mass during the conference, and Bishop Emeritus William G. Curlin will give a reflection during a period of Eucharistic Adoration in the afternoon.

Billy Hughes, a member of the conference’s core organizing team, explained the conference’s theme: “Our message this year is one of ‘leadership.’ We wanted to invite three speakers that would reinforce the message to the men of being strong in your faith and a leader in your community. Tom, Darrell and Mike all preach this message and live it daily.”

“This conference is a gathering of like-minded men spending time on their faith and being reminded that we are not in this alone. It is a great venue to meet others from your parish and around the diocese, and get inspired by your faith to be the best version of yourself,” Hughes said.

Registration fee is $45 at the door, and includes a continental breakfast and lunch. Discounts apply for early registration, seniors, students and Knights of Columbus.

Sign up today At www. catholicmenofthecarolinas. org: Get more information and register for the Catholic Men’s Conference

6

catholicnewsherald.com | April 10, 2015 OUR PARISHES

‘Today Salvation has come to this house’ Bishop Jugis dedicates new St. Thérèse Church at Mass March 28

More online At www.catholicnewsherald.com: See more photos and video highlights from the Mass to dedicate the new St. Thérèse Church in Mooresville

SueAnn Howell Senior reporter

sueann Howell | catholic news herald

(Above) Bishop Peter Jugis elevates the Precious Blood during the dedication Mass March 28. (Below) The exterior of the new church; a line of joyful altar servers; and a close-up of the new St. Thérèse statue in the narthex.

MOORESVILLE — On a glorious day years in the making, the doors to the new St. Thérèse Church were opened March 28 and excited parishioners processed in, preceded

by Bishop Peter Jugis and the priests of the Society of Jesus who serve the parish.

The ceremony to dedicate the new church in Mooresville began with Bishop Jugis accepting the keys to the new 21,000-squarefoot church, then the ribbon was cut at the front door. Hundreds of people then processed into the 1,217-seat church behind the clergy and filled the pews as the choir sang “All Are Welcome.” Smiles and tears and wide-eyed glances about the new building were signs that people were pleased with the much-needed church to accommodate the growing parish of 3,620 registered families.

During his homily, Bishop Jugis carefully explained what the rite of dedication is and why it is important.

“In this solemn rite of dedication of the new St. Thérèse Church, we change a mere building of mortar and bricks and steel into a House of God – into a dwelling place of Jesus,” he said. “By the end of this Mass, after the celebration of the Holy Eucharist and the enthronement of the Lord in the tabernacle, Jesus will be dwelling in this house – and today Salvation will have come to this house, to remain here.”

He expressed that the rite of dedication answers the question of why we even need a church building for worship.

“We realize that this physical building is at the service of the spiritual building, which all of us are. In the second reading of St. Paul to the Corinthians (Cor 3:9-11, 16-17) he says, ‘Do you not realize that you are the temple of God? That you are God’s building, a spiritual house?’

The new church is “a physical house built in order to support and to build up in holiness the spiritual temple which gathers here to praise and worship God and to sanctify. For the spiritual houses of God – the temple of God which you are – we build a

church to support and strengthen your road to holiness, your pathway to eternal life, your eternal salvation.

“You are the living stones in the spiritual temple of God,” he said, “the holy people of God.” Bishop Jugis pointed out the parallels between the physical building and the spiritual temple of God that are demonstrated in the dedication rite.

“At the beginning of the rite we sprinkle the walls with holy water and we sprinkle the altar, too. We use holy water to ‘wash’ the church, to wash it clean now to prepare it for the dedication,” he said, continuing, “At the same time as I was going through the church, I was also sprinkling holy water on the spiritual temple – all of you, the house of God that is gathered here – to remind all of you: you have been washed clean in baptism and by that token been made into the spiritual house of God.” Holy water reminds us, therefore, “to always keep the heart and soul purified, cleansed, to keep that baptismal grace alive and beautiful within us,” he said.

The dedicate rite also involves anointing the altar and the church walls with sacred chrism, symbolizing that the building is permanently dedicated to the worship of God. “It’s not to be used for any other purpose because it has now been consecrated with the sacred chrism. The physical temple, the building – it belongs to Christ. At the same time, that sacred chrism was used at our baptism and our confirmation, when the priest or the deacon anointed us, and then at confirmation the bishop anointed us, meaning that we also as a spiritual temple are permanently dedicated to the service of God and to the kingdom of God.” Incensing the altar, the next step in the dedication rite, “signifies the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, His Body and Blood, which will be present upon this altar,” he said. As St. Thérèse, SEE page 7

April 10, 2015 | catholicnewsherald.com

OUR PARISHESI

7

‘God is a God of surprises’ St. Thérèse pastor never anticipated building a new church on his ‘watch’ SueAnn Howell Senior reporter

sueann Howell | catholic news herald

(Above, clockwise from top left) Deacons incense the church during the dedication Mass; Bishop Jugis prepares and blesses the incense on the main altar during the dedication rite; Jesuit Father Vincent Curtin and Bishop Jugis are pictured after Mass on March 28; and (from left) Janet Manzullo (co-chair of “Moving Forward” capital campaign), Rick Fabrize (chair of the Finance Council), Joe Zastrow (past Pastoral Council president and photographer at the dedication), John Maloney (co-chair of “Moving Forward” capital campaign), and Bill Strieff (current Pastoral Coucil president) await the dedication Mass.

St. Thérèse: FROM PAGE 6

it burns, the incense “ascends to God as a fragrant offering to God for our sins.”

Similarly, just as the people of God have been sprinkled with holy water and anointed with sacred chrism, they are also incensed, he said, “to remind us that you also are to offer yourselves as a holy, spiritual sacrifice.

With Christ on the altar, he told the people, they should strive to be spiritually pleasing sacrifices acceptable to Almighty God and that their prayers rise like incense before the throne of Almighty God. As the final step of the dedication rite, the church is then illuminated with light – symbolizing that the church is the place where people can find Jesus, the Light of the World, he said.

“Jesus Christ says, ‘I am the Light of the World.’ And here Jesus Christ dwells as we heard in the Gospel reading today. Today Salvation has come to this house. And here we find the light of Christ to push back the darkness of this world, any darkness that might have entered into our own heart; we find the light to shine the brilliance of His grace and mercy upon us.

So too, we as the spiritual temple of God must be the light of the world, he said.

“And so you will be sent out into the world as a light of Christ from Mass, and every Mass, to carry the light of Christ from here into the world where it is really needed,” he said.

Looking out into the crowded church, he reminded them, “How blessed you are to be here at this inaugural Mass in this new church for the very first time the Word of God being proclaimed, the very first time

the sacrifice of Christ being offered. It exists to make you holy, to help you on your way to eternal life and salvation.”

He also pointed out that there is also an element of evangelization and mission at this special moment.

“As I mentioned the light going out into the world, the prayer of dedication tells us that here at this altar we pray for the world’s salvation. We are praying not only and working towards our own salvation, but have a mind for mission, to be thoughtful and careful and considerate for the needs of the whole world, for the salvation of the whole world.

“From this place we want Christ’s message to go out into the whole world so that everyone can become children of God, so that everyone can enter into the kingdom of heaven. We have a mission which takes us beyond the limits of this physical building.

“That’s the mission of evangelization, that’s the mission of this parish.

Evangelization begins here at the altar at the Eucharist, the source and summit of our life – taking Christ with us and bringing the world back with us to Christ.”

Concelebrating the Mass from the parish were Jesuit Father Vincent Curtin, pastor; Jesuit Fathers Dominic Totaro and Don Ward, parochial vicars; Jesuit Father Frank Reese, in residence; Jesuit Father Jerry Andrews, former pastor. Other concelebrants were Monsignor Mauricio West, vicar general and chancellor of the Diocese of Charlotte, and several other Jesuit priests and priests serving in the diocese.

“We give thanks to Almighty God for the gift of this new church,” Bishop Jugis said.

“The rite of dedication expresses our joy in dedicating this holy place to God’s honor and glory under the patronage of the Little Flower, St. Thérèse of Lisieux.”

MOORESVILLE — Looking out over a sea of parishioners and guests at the dedication Mass at St. Thérèse Church March 28, Jesuit Father Vincent Curtin smiled, clearly pleased and grateful for the culmination of the church’s monumental building project.

Father Curtin admitted to those gathered that he never anticipated that during his priesthood he would ever be asked to help coordinate the daunting task of building a new 21,000-square-foot church, a building project which also involved a redesign of the parking lot and adding on exterior stairways and covered walkways to better accommodate the needs of this growing parish of more than 3,600 families.

“God is a God of surprises,” he said. “I am happily surprised that such a serene and grand church has been built on my watch. I am equally pleased by the continual collaboration of clergy and laity at St. Thérèse, building up a vibrant apostolic community in south Iredell County.”

The total cost of the St. Thérèse Church building project was $8.1 million, which included $1.3 million for the parking lot and ground improvements and $6.8 million for the building. The fan-shaped church has a wooden cathedral ceiling with plenty of windows lined high along the walls to let natural light stream in.

The Boudreaux Group of Columbia, S.C., which has also assisted in building several other Catholic churches and projects in the Diocese of Charlotte, served as the architect for the new church.

“It’s such a joy,” said Heather Mitchell, president of The Boudreaux Group. “The best compliment for us was hearing them say how much we had captured their vision. It’s been a journey, but a very rewarding one. The leadership here is remarkable.”

Randy Huth, executive vice president of The Boudreaux Group, echoed those sentiments: “It’s a real delight to hear their vision and try to bring it to reality, and then come to the dedication and really see the joy and happiness. We really feel like we fulfilled what they were looking for – it makes it all worthwhile for us.”

Shiel Sexton of Charlotte served as the general contractor. Shiel Sexton introduced many cost-saving, innovative components to the project, including a unique cooling system, sophisticated lighting, audiovisual equipment with Hearing Loop for the hearing impaired, and a covered walkway featuring ornamental masonry and steel to tie the campus together.

Some of the other greatly anticipated features of the new church building include an expanded 30-seat elevated choir area for singers, a dedicated area for musicians, a new Phoenix PD368 organ and a Brodmann grand piano.

There is also a cry room in the rear of the church and confessionals off the spacious narthex, which features new stained glass windows and a statue of the parish’s patron saint, St. Thérèse of Lisieux.

Ed Tornesello, longtime parishioner

Check out the new church All are invited to tour the new St. Thérèse Church during a Community Open House and Reception from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 11. Check out all the beautiful statues, the handmade altar, ambo and more, as well as view the entire church campus. Enjoy some great entertainment and refreshments, too. St. Thérèse Church is located at 217 Brawley School Road in Mooresville.

and member of the finance council, had the honor of cutting the ribbon after Bishop Peter Jugis accepted the keys to the new building during the dedication ceremony before Mass on March 28.

“We are so pleased to see the hard work and dedication of so many come to fruition,” he and his wife Kerry Ann Tornesello told the Catholic News Herald. “As a growing parish, we have dealt with overcrowded Masses and conducted Christmas and Easter Masses in our gymnasium and several overflow classrooms in the Parish Life Center for years.

“This is a beautiful church that will allow the parishioners of St. Thérèse and visitors to worship as one parish community. We are blessed to have our pastor, Father Vince Curtin, guide us through this project; a dedicated core group of parishioners and parish groups who have invested their time, talent and treasure to make this project a reality; and a bishop who allowed us to move forward with this effort.”

Janet Manzullo, who has been a parishioner at St. Thérèse for the past nine years, also serves on the parish’s finance council. Manzullo had previously been a part of the capital campaign at Our Lady of Mercy Church in WinstonSalem before moving to Mooresville.

She said, “We are so proud of our faith community. We began our campaign work in 2008-‘09, which was not an ideal time (due to the recession). But our parishioners rose to the occasion and we were able to raise the funds necessary to launch the project.

“We had great support from the parish staff, priests and our pastor. We are so fortunate to have had him leading us at this critical time in our history!

Dedication day was such a joy. I believe our church family will continue to grow in our Catholic faith and we will become an even more vital part of the Mooresville community as more people join us.”

For parishioner Jane Anklin, who relocated in 1971 from Syracuse, N.Y., with her husband and six children, the dedication of the new church was the physical realization of the support they have given to their parish for decades.

“Over the years I have taught faith formation, served on (the) parish council, coordinated the funeral meal ministry, and served as office manager for five years after working at Catholic Social Services for five years. I have supported the purchase of the land, the building of the current church, the Parish Life Center and now a new church building,” Anklin said. “I will continue to support it as long as I am physically and financially able.

I look forward to encouraging the close family relationships that have been such a positive influence in my life here at St. Thérèse. We’ve come a long way, baby!”

8

catholicnewsherald.com | April 10, 2015 OUR PARISHES

St. Joseph’s Day – an altar with a mission Suzanne Daley Special to the Catholic News Herald

ARDEN — Parishioners at St. Barnabas Church in Arden celebrated the feast of St. Joseph March 19 with a unique Italian tradition: a St. Joseph’s Day altar to assist the local poor.

St. Joseph is particularly beloved by Italians – specifically Sicilians – for interceding on their behalf during a famine in the Middle Ages and keeping their country from starvation through the cultivation of fava beans.

As a result of this favor, Sicilians promised to build altars in honor of the saint in their homes to share their good fortune with others, particularly those in need.

Eventually the practice became more public and was moved to churches. The tradition also became popular in New Orleans, where churches there build elaborate wooden altars decorated with flowers and candles, and covered with various foods for the homeless to come in and take for themselves.

The Arden parish’s St. Joseph’s Day altar featured a large statue of the saint, along with holy cards for anyone to take.

Parishioners were asked to fill the altar – an empty table – with food items for the parish’s St. Vincent de Paul Society to distribute to the poor. For the week of March 14-19, people filled the table with donations of hams for Easter dinners, canned fruit, pancake mixes and syrup, and more. People could also leave monetary donations in a box on the altar.

Besides the donations on the altar, parishioners were asked to say a prayer for those receiving the donations and ask St. Joseph to watch over them in their difficulty.

Forty families participated in the project, donating 11 hams and canned food items in addition to more than $1,100 in monetary donations for the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

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Saturday, May 2, 2015 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM St. Matthew Catholic Church 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy Charlotte NC 28277 Featuring Keynote Presenter

Dan Misleh,

founding Director of the Catholic Climate Covenant, speaking on “Anticipating Pope Francis’ Upcoming Encyclical on the Environment” Sponsored by: The Charlotte Region Catholic Environmental Council, Catholic Charities, Sisters of Mercy, and St. Matthew Catholic Church

Celebrating

with the St. Therese Community

April 10, 2015 | catholicnewsherald.com

OUR PARISHESI

` Honor the Blessed Virgin Mary and celebrate the 500th anniversary of the birth of St. Teresa of Avila with a Marian pilgrimage to Portugal and Spain led by Fr. Timothy Reid, October 20-30, 2015. Tour highlights include Fatima, Avila, Madrid, Zaragoza, Montserrat, and Barcelona. Departures from Charlotte: $3699/person. For more information call George’s International Tours: (800) 566-7499, or visit the St. Ann’s website: www.StAnnCharlotte.org.

THE ORATORY (Above) Members of St. Pius X Parish in Greensboro recently collected more than 500 baby items to deliver to Catholic Charities and to Room at the Inn of the Triad. The “Crib4Life” baby shower capped off a nine-month spiritual adoption effort by parishioners to pray for abortion-minded women and their unborn children. (Left) Tita Wofford and Darlene Stanley from the parish’s Respect Life ministry are pictured delivering some of the donations.

Photos by Georgianna Penn | Catholic News Herald

St. Pius X caps spiritual adoption effort with ‘Crib4Life’ baby shower Georgianna Penn Correspondent

GREENSBORO — In a loving celebration of life, St. Pius X parishioners collected baby items and prayed for abortion-minded women and their babies during a parishwide “spiritual adoption” effort.

For nine months, St. Pius X families prayed for the health and wellbeing of all pregnancies. Families could spiritually adopt a baby, name the baby and participate in daily, weekly or monthly prayers. The idea is that God would take those prayers just where they are needed most, especially to high-risk pregnancies and abortion-minded women. During the weekends of March 14 and March 22, St. Pius X Parish’s Respect Life Ministry capped off the effort by celebrating a “Crib4Life” baby shower.

“It is a great way to include the entire parish in our pro-life efforts here at St. Pius X,” said Respect Life Co-Chair Tita Wofford.

Wofford said that after many months of prayers for the spiritually adopted moms and babies, parishioners brought muchneeded baby items that were placed in cribs set up in the narthex of the church for two weeks. More than 85 boxes or packs of diapers were donated, 150-plus clothing items, 100-plus pairs of socks, 35 bibs, 15 baby blankets, and more than 60 other items – everything from plastic cups, spoons and baby bottles to lotions and shampoos, a total of 510 items that were then delivered to local pro-life agencies.

Parishioner and “Crib Angel” Alice Yorks said the Respect Life Ministry thanks the many “Crib Angels” who helped set up, decorate and watch over the cribs at each Mass.

“When I was asked to be a Crib Angel, I did not know I would walk away from the experience filled with awe over the love, caring and compassion for the little ones and their mothers we may never meet. As I watched the cribs fill with diapers, bibs, bottles and clothes, I couldn’t help but to think of Matthew 25:45: ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me,’” Yorks said. “I saw a lot of Jesus that day and my heart was filled with warmth knowing the thrill these mothers would feel from the support they and their babies deserve.”

Items donated went to benefit Room at the Inn of the Triad’s new Aftercare Boutique and Catholic Charities’ Wee Care Shoppe. Room at the Inn of the Triad and Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte both serve single mothers in need during and after their pregnancies.

“We would especially like to thank our generous parish,” shared Wofford, “for participating in this loving celebration of life.”

To volunteer at Room at the Inn of the Triad, email Marianne Donadio at mdonadio@roominn.org. For information about becoming a volunteer ambassador with Catholic Charities in the Triad region, contact Charlene Hudson at 336-727-0705 or cmhudson@charlottediocese.org.

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A Walk Through the Mass Saturday, May 2, 2015 9:30am – 3:30pm We do this every week, but do we really understand what we are doing and why? Come for an in-depth look at this most important prayer. The day includes noon Eucharist and lunch.

Presented by: Father Paul Maier, a retired priest of the Diocese of Richmond, and Father Paul Nguyen, C.O., Parochial Vicar at St. Anne Church in Rock Hill, SC.

Cost: $40 (includes lunch)

“Lord, Teach Us To Pray” Saturday, May 9, 2015 9:30am – 4pm This program will explore the basics of Christian discipleship and the essentials of the spiritual life. It will focus on Baptism & Confirmation and what these mean for us in our busy world. The day is for anyone who wants to develop or deepen their prayer life.

Presented by: Father Jeffrey Kirby the Vicar of Vocations for the Diocese of Charleston, SC and the author of “Lord, Teach Us to Pray”.

Cost: $40 (includes lunch)

A Celebration of the Life of Saint Philip Neri Saturday, May 16, 2015 9am – 1:30pm This year marks the 500th Anniversary of the birth of Saint Philip Neri, founder of the Oratory. We will learn more about this 16th century saint and his influence on his times as well as ours. The day will include noon Eucharist, a light lunch and short concert.

Talk by Father Joe Pearce of the Oratory, who serves as Associate at St. Philip Neri and Our Lady of Grace churches.

No charge to attend this event but pre-registration is greatly appreciated.

9

catholicnewsherald.com | April 10, 2015 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Photos by Doreen Sugierski | Catholic News Herald

RCIA project at Holy Spirit an experience in charity DENVER — The five people who were welcomed fully into the Church on Easter at Holy Spirit Church in Denver – Joyce Campanile, Diana Foley, Sean Gury, Carl Helstrom and Kimberly Pierce – recently spent time together on a service project, in what has become an RCIA tradition for the parish. This year the RCIA group, their families and their sponsors helped Catherine’s House in Belmont, a transitional housing program run by the Sisters of Mercy for women and children who otherwise would be homeless. The group helped prepare for the arrival of new furniture for the common living area, cleaned and organized the storage building, did general cleaning, and spread mulch on the playground and in the rose garden.

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Holy Cross Parish awards presented KERNERSVILLE â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The Knights of Columbus and the Columbiettes Auxiliary 8509 of Holy Cross Parish in Kernersville recently honored four parishioners for their dedication and hard work in the parish over the previous year.

The Dave Reinhart Humanitarian Award was given to Joan Gerichten. The Parishioner of the Year Award was presented to two people, Carrie and Joe Fernald, and the Junior Parishioner of the Year Award was given to Jackson Schuler. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Denys Davis

All invited to Divine Mercy weekend at St. Mark Church

St. Helen parishioners make Easter wreaths SPENCER MOUNTAIN â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Parishioners at St. Helen Church in Spencer Mountain made 92 wreaths and delivered them to Cortland Terrace Nursing Home before Easter. Pictured are Brittany Anthony, Nijewl Whitworth, Miranda Brown and Rebecca Schulz. The wreaths were made as a church-wide project. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Carol L. Flynt

HUNTERSVILLE â&#x20AC;&#x201D; St. Mark Churchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Divine Mercy Cenacle and Pilgrim Statue Visitation Ministries invites everyone to attend Divine Mercy Weekend Saturday, April 11, to Sunday, April 12, at the church. The weekend will be highlighted by veneration of the United Nationsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; International Pilgrim Statue of the World Apostolate of Fatima and first-class relics of Blessed Jacinta and Francisco Marto.

Fatima Statue custodian Judith Studer will speak on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Saying Yes to Jesus and Mary...â&#x20AC;? in the Kerin Center Parish Hall after the 5 p.m. Saturday vigil Mass. She will speak on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jesus and Mary and the message of Mercyâ&#x20AC;? at 1 p.m. Sunday in the Kerin Center Parish Hall. Afterwards, there will be exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, a sung reflection on Divine Mercy, and veneration of the relics.

Everyone is welcome to bring their images of the Divine Mercy for blessing.

IN BRIEF, SEE page 12

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catholicnewsherald.com | April 10, 2015 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

IN BRIEF:

All invited to two upcoming ‘orchestral Masses’

FROM PAGE 11

Knights host talk about the mysterious Shroud of Turin CHARLOTTE — The mystery of the Shroud of Turin was displayed in a multi-media presentation hosted by the Knights of Columbus Council 9560 March 26 at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Charlotte. Guest speaker was Kevin Moran of Belmont, who for the past 35 years has studied and analyzed the fibers of the purported burial cloth of Christ. Moran used large photographs and other exhibits along with a slideshow to explain Jesus’s Passion and death which left evidence on the Shroud. The large attendance at the program closed with many insightful questions. Father Mark Lawlor, pastor, praised the event as a success.

— George Burazer

CHARLOTTE — The Carolina Catholic Chorale will conclude its 2014-2015 season by singing two “orchestral” Masses by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and the Renaissance master Hans Leo Hassler. Both works will be sung as sacred music for Latin Mass in the Extraordinary Form together with the Gregorian chants for the day. All are invited to experience the rare and wonderful opportunity to hear these works in their original liturgical settings.

At 2:30 p.m. Saturday, May 2, the Chorale, accompanied by chamber orchestra, will sing Mozart’s “Missa Brevis in B-flat Major” at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 1400 Suther Road, Charlotte. At 7 p.m. Thursday, May 14, the Chorale will sing the “Missa Octo Vocum” for double choir by Hassler, accompanied by the CPCC Early Music Ensemble, at St. Ann Church, 3635 Park Road, Charlotte. Both events are free, but donations to defray expenses will be welcome.

CHRISM: FROM PAGE 3

Emeritus William Curlin; Benedictine Abbot Placid Solari of Belmont Abbey; Monsignor Mauricio West, vicar general and chancellor of the diocese; Father John Putnam, judicial vicar of the diocese; and 91 more diocesan and religious order priests who gathered around the altar for the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

The oils blessed during the chrism Mass are used in the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, anointing of the sick, as well as for ordination of priests and the consecration of churches.

Bishop Jugis stirred balsam into the chrism to give it a sweet perfume and breathed the “breath of the Holy Spirit” over the chrism.

In final remarks at the end of Mass, Bishop Jugis also expressed his thanks to all of the priests serving in the Charlotte diocese.

“I wish to express my deep gratitude to all the priests, both diocesan priests and religious order priests – all of you – for your selfless service to the people of God throughout the length and breadth of the Diocese of Charlotte.”

After Mass, deacons divided the blessed oils into smaller oil stocks that were distributed to all 92 parishes and missions across the diocese for use in sacramental celebrations throughout the upcoming year.

Bishop Emeritus William Curlin (center) is pictured during the recessional after the chrism Mass March 31.

Learn more about advocating in the public square ASHEVILLE — Catholic Charities invites everyone to attend “Called to Participate, Called to Advocacy: The Church in the Public Square,” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 18, at St. Lawrence Basilica in Asheville.

Register by April 15 by contacting Nick Haskell at NPHaskell@charlottediocese.org or 828-424-1992. Lunch is provided. Please provide name, phone number, email address and parish affiliation.

Go to www.ccdoc.org/publicpolicy for details.

sueann howell | catholic news herald

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April 10, 2015 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

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Wills and Trusts Probate PLANNING TODAY FOR YOUR FAMILY’S TOMORROW St. Matthew’s Parishioner

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CCDOC.ORG Photo provided by Thomas Ascik

Father Jason Christian of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte gave the first of four recent lectures on the Catechism of the Catholic Church at St. Barnabas Church in Arden.

Arden parish hosts lectures on Catechism Thomas Ascik Special to the Catholic News Herald

ARDEN — Faith comes from God and it is a participation in God – making it separate from humanity’s exploration of science or reason, Father Jason Christian said at the first of four lectures on the Catechism of the Catholic Church Feb. 23 at St. Barnabas Church in Arden.

In the talk Father Christian, parochial vicar of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte, explained Part I of the Catechism, the Profession of Faith, which concerns the definition of faith and the statement of faith in the Apostles’ Creed.

He pointed out that the four cardinal virtues – prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance – improve us as persons, but the three theological virtues – faith, hope and charity – allow us to touch upon God directly. Referring to the Creed, he said, that if we reject one article of faith, we reject the whole faith, for every article of faith is necessary. How could God have presented disposable articles of faith to us? The faith is one seamless garment, and every article of faith reveals something about God. During Lent, the St. Barnabas Evangelization Commission sponsored the four-part lecture series on the Catechism as part of its mission to promote the New

Evangelization. Other talks were given

by Father Noah Carter of Sacred Heart Church on the sacraments, Part II of the Catechism; Father Matthew Kauth of St. Thomas Aquinas Church on morality, Part III of the Catechism; and Father Adrian Porras of St. Barnabas Church on prayer, Part IV of the Catechism.

Rob Girardi, chairman of the commission, said, “The series is being presented by four of our great young diocesan priests so that our parishioners and others in our area can go deeper into their faith. If we know our faith better, we are better equipped to spread the faith.”

The Creed states the minimal beliefs necessary for salvation, Father Christian said, the essential points of the faith. All other aspects of theology come back to the fundamentals stated in the Creed.

The Creed has three parts, he noted.

The first part speaks of God the Father and His creation. The second concerns the Son, God made man, and His redemption of mankind. The third refers to the Holy Spirit and His sanctifying inspiration of the Church.

St. Barnabas parishioner Barbara Edwards, attending the lecture with her husband and two teenaged children, remarked that “Father Christian helped me go deeper” into an understanding of the faith.

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April 18th — Catholic Conference Center, Hickory May 30th — St. Matthew Catholic Church, Charlotte July 18th — St. Matthew Catholic Church, Charlotte For more information visit our website or contact Batrice Adcock, MSN at 704.370.3230 or bnadcock@charlottediocese.org.

facebook.com/ catholic news HERALD ESPAÑOL

catholicnewsherald.com | April 10, 2015 14

El Padre Fidel Melo

La Pascua Florida

L

a Pascua es la fiesta central de nosotros los cristianos y en ella conmemoramos la Resurrección de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo. La fiesta se extiende desde el Domingo de Resurrección hasta el día de Pentecostés, alcanzando una duración de cincuenta días.

Ninguna otra festividad dentro del calendario católico cobra tanta importancia como la Pascua, porque como dice San Pablo “Si Cristo no resucitó, entonces el mensaje que predicamos no vale para nada, ni tampoco vale para nada la fe que ustedes tienen,” (1Cor. 15:14). Por eso decimos que la festividad de la Pascua es la fiesta central de los cristianos. Esta festividad da razón y esperanza al fiel creyente, es por eso que en este evento maravilloso de la Resurrección, encontramos fortaleza en nuestro diario vivir como creyentes, en nuestro diario luchar por vivir conforme a la voluntad de Dios cada día. El mismo San Pablo vuelve a decir “Si los muertos no resucitan, comamos y bebamos que mañana moriremos” (1 Cor 15:32). En otras palabras, si los muertos no resucitan, estamos perdiendo el tiempo y por lo tanto, dediquémonos a disfrutar esta vida que no habrá más. Sin embargo, esa no es la convicción cristiana. Los católicos creemos firmemente en que hay otra vida después de esta vida, y que así como Cristo resucitó de entre los muertos, también nosotros obtendremos la victoria sobre la muerte, pasando de esta vida a otra vida mejor en Dios por medio de Cristo Resucitado. Creemos que los muertos “en un instante, en un abrir y cerrar de ojos, cuando suene la trompeta final – porque sucederá – los muertos resucitarán incorruptibles y nosotros seremos transformados. Lo corruptible debe de revestirse de incorruptibilidad y lo que es mortal debe de convertirse en inmortalidad,” (1 Cor 15: 52-53).

Pascua quiere decir “paso,” paso de la esclavitud a la libertad, paso de la muerte a la vida. Todas las demás festividades de nuestra tradición católica encuentran su razón de ser en la Pascua de Jesucristo, en su resurrección. Todos nuestros sacrificios, nuestras abstinencias, todo el dolor, el sufrimiento causado por seguir a Dios en Cristo, encuentran su razón de ser en la certeza de esta realidad futura. “Yo considero que los sufrimientos del tiempo presente no pueden compararse con la gloria futura que se revelará en nosotros” (Rom 8:18). Lo único que puede arrebatarnos esta realidad que nos aguarda es el pecado. Por eso es importante buscar siempre nutrirnos de Dios, de su palabra, en especial con nuestra asistencia a la iglesia para alabarlo, glorificarlo por darnos la oportunidad de la salvación en Cristo. La asistencia a la Santa Misa es sumamente importante para cada uno de nosotros ya que ahí hablamos a Dios, escuchamos su palabra y mensaje de amor, que nos reanima para no desfallecer en nuestro peregrinar por mundo.

Todas las actividades de la Iglesia están encaminadas a conducirnos a la salvación en Cristo, por medio de hacer su voluntad. Por eso la escritura dice “En resumen, sea que ustedes coman, sea que beban, o cualquier cosa que hagan, háganlo todo para Gloria de Dios,” (1 Cor 10:31). A esto podemos llamarlo vivir como resucitados, con la alegría de la victoria de Cristo, la cual es también nuestra victoria, nuestro triunfo porque en El resucitaremos también a una nueva realidad. San Pedro, primera piedra de la Iglesia de Jesucristo nos dice al respecto: “Pero nosotros, de acuerdo con la promesa del Señor, esperamos un cielo nuevo y una tierra nueva donde habitará la justicia. Por eso, queridos hermanos, mientras esperamos esto, procuren vivir de tal manera que él los encuentre en paz. Tengan en cuenta que la paciencia de Dios es para nuestra salvación,” (2 Pedro 3: 13-15). Ahora que ya nos adentramos en estos cincuenta días de fiestas pascuales, pasemos con Cristo, y en Cristo, de la muerte a la vida, de la oscuridad a la luz, de la desesperanza a la esperanza, de la pasividad en la fe a la fe activa, de la esclavitud de las atracciones y distracciones de este mundo a la paz, tranquilidad y seguridad que solo da Dios.

Felices Pascuas de Resurrección a todos.

EL PADRE FIDEL MELO es el Vicario del Ministerio Hispano de la Diócesis de Charlotte.

(Izquierda) El Padre Vicente Finnerty, CM, Párroco de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe en Charlotte, celebrando la Misa de Pascua de Resurrección el Domingo, 5 de Abril. (Arriba) Miembros de Nuestra Sra. de Guadalupe celebrando la kermes del Domingo de Pascua después de la Misa.

Fotos Romy Machicao | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

La Pascua de Resurrección: ‘Victoria sobre la muerte y el pecado’ Romy Machicao Corresponsal

Después de 40 días de recogimiento, ayuno y oración, durante el tiempo de la cuaresma, los cristianos celebramos la Pascua, la alegría de la Resurrección de Jesús, luego de su muerte en la cruz para librarnos de la muerte y el pecado.

En Charlotte, los católicos asistieron a cada una de las parroquias de la diócesis. Las flores blancas, sobre todo las azucenas, fueron el marco perfecto para la misa más importante de la fe católica al igual que las canciones y el incienso, símbolo de nuestras oraciones dirigidas a nuestro Dios Misericordioso.

La Iglesia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe fue

también una de las iglesias que congregó al mayor número de católicos latinos.

“Hoy que celebramos la Solemnidad de la Resurrección de Jesús, celebramos su victoria sobre la muerte y el pecado. Somos partícipes de esta victoria por el bautismo. La luz, la paz, el amor la esperanza de Jesús vive en nosotros. Como la levadura levanta la masa, que nuestro amor, luz y esperanza que hemos recibido de Cristo levante a toda nuestra comunidad”, dijo en su homilía, el párroco, el Padre Vicente Finnerty.

Luego de esta celebración religiosa, los feligreses se reunieron en el gran Festival de Pascua para recaudar los recursos para sus programas de ayuda y educación religiosa.

April 10, 2015 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

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(Izquierda y abajo derecha) Miembros de la Parroquia de San José en Asheboro durante su dramática presentación del Via Crucis en vivo el pasado Viernes Santo. El evento fue celebrado en los terrenos de la futura Iglesia de San Jose en Asheboro.

Fotos por RICO DE SILVA | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

(Abajo izquierda) El Padre Vicente Finnerty bendice a una joven miembro de Nuestra Sra. de Guadalupe en Charlotte durante la Misa del Domingo de Ramos el 29 de Marzo. (Abajo centro) Miembros de la Parroquia de Nuestra Sra. de la Asuncion en Charlotte durante la Misa de la Vigilia Pascual la noche del Sabado, 4 de Abril.

Fotos por RICO DE SILVA | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

(Centro y abajo a la derecha) Miembros de la Parroquia de Nuestra Sra. de Guadalupe durante su Via Crucis en vivo el pasado Viernes Santo.

Fotos por Romy Machicao | Catholic News Herald

(Abajo) Miembros de la Parroquia de San Carlos Borromeo en Morganton durante su obra de teatro de la Pasion de Cristo el Viernes Santo.

Foto proporcionada por Lorenzo A. Pedro

(Abajo Izquierda) Miembros de la Iglesia de San Juan Evangelista en Waynesville durante su Via Crucis en vivo el Viernes Santo.

Fotos proporcionadas por Phil Webb

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iiiApril 10, 2015 | catholicnewsherald.com

FROM TH

SueAnn Howell | catholic news herald

Bishop Peter Jugis celebrates the Easter Vigil Mass at St. Patrick Cathedral April 4.

More online At www. catholicnewsherald. com: See more photos, watch Bishop Jugis’ full homily, and listen to a recording of the Exsultet chant

Easter joy endures ‘May you share the Easter joy of Christ with everyone you meet,’ Bishop Jugis preaches at Easter Vigil Catholic News Herald

CHARLOTTE — Easter brings joy to the hearts of Christians – an enduring joy that cannot be diminished by the troubles of this world.

This was the message proclaimed by Bishop Peter Jugis as he celebrated the Easter Vigil Mass the evening of April 4 at St. Patrick Cathedral, which was filled to overflowing with young and old there at dusk to greet the Light of the World.

The liturgy began with the blessing of the Paschal fire and lighting of the Paschal candle at the Marian grotto outside the cathedral. Then the hundreds of faithful processed behind Bishop Jugis – candles in hand – into the darkened cathedral to hear the Exsultet chanted by Deacon Brian McNulty. Among those at the Easter Vigil were several candidates and catechumens who were welcomed into the Catholic Church and who received the sacraments of initiation later in the Mass.

“It is my prayer that you will have Easter joy this day as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from the dead,” Bishop Jugis began his homily, “and that this Easter joy we are celebrating this evening will remain with you always.”

The joy that Christians possess “comes only from knowing Jesus and living in Jesus, the risen Lord,” he said.

“Jesus, our risen Lord, is joy.”

“This Easter joy, this Christian joy, is deep and permanently abiding in our souls, because Jesus, the source of our joy, is risen … He is with you. Therefore the joy that He brings with Him also remains with you always – not just this day, but always.”

The first disciples possessed this unflagging joy, he said.

“It is a joy which never leaves them because they know that He is with them.”

After witnessing Jesus’ torture and death, “their outlook immediately changes to one of joy on Easter when they see Jesus come back to them, risen from the dead. And they physically touch Him, and they eat with Him and speak with Him.” Jesus is always there, He promised them He would be with them, and He makes the same promise to us, Bishop Jugis emphasized.

Christian joy “can never be swallowed up by the cares or anxieties of this world.”

“It is not something that we can ever, ever receive from this world – no matter how the world may try to give you

its joys. You may for a time be able to find joy in the world in this person, or in that thing, or in that event, but only the joy which comes from Jesus lasts.

“It has an enduring quality, it remains forever.”

“No one will take your joy away from you,” Bishop Jugis reiterated. “It’s a gift for you, from Jesus Himself.”

He continued, “What burdens weigh upon you as you go on your way in life? What sufferings or sorrows or distress do you experience? If Jesus can conquer death and rise from the dead, He can certainly handle anything else.

Remember His words: ‘Come to me, you heavily burdened, and I will refresh you.’

“Jesus refreshes you through the Holy Spirit, and He brings joy to your heart.”

He concluded, “May your friendship with Jesus in this Easter celebration of His Resurrection again renew your joy in Him. And may you share the Easter joy of Christ with everyone you meet.”

Smiles among the newest Catholics and their sponsors and families, as well as among all of the parishioners, were evident as the Mass was ended with everyone joyfully singing the traditional Easter hymn: “Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!”

HE COVER

April 10, 2015 | catholicnewsherald.comiii

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Photos by Della Sue Bryson, Cindy Giarrusso, Raymond Taber and SueAnn Howell | Catholic News Herald

Bill Washington | Catholic News Herald

Catholics around the diocese participated in Good Friday liturgies April 3. Pictured is Sister Elizabeth Castino, Hispanic coordinator at Sacred Heart Church in Salisbury, venerating the cross held by Father Noah Carter, parochial vicar.

(Clockwise, from top left) Father Christopher Gober, pastor of St. Bernadette Church in Linville, lies prostrate before the altar during the Good Friday liturgy. Father Joshua Voitus, pastor, holds the cross for a young parishioner to venerate at St. Mary, Mother of God Church in Sylva. Deacon Brian McNulty holds the cross for veneration at St. Patrick Cathedral. An altar server carries the crucifix at Our Lady of Mercy Church in WinstonSalem.

‘Compassion’ the message of Good Friday SueAnn Howell Senior reporter

CHARLOTTE — Processing into the standing-room-only St. Patrick Cathedral during the 3 o’clock hour April 3, the Hour of Mercy when Jesus Christ died on the cross more than 2,000 years ago, Bishop Peter Jugis came with a message for the People of God: Good Friday “teaches you to have heartfelt compassion for the sorrows of others.”

Wearing red vestments to signify Christ’s Passion and the shedding of His Blood for all mankind, Bishop Jugis led those gathered in the Good Friday liturgy. After the readings and the responsorial psalm, he was assisted by Deacon Casey Coleman and Deacon Brian McNulty in the reading of the Passion of the Lord according to John, in which the details of the Lord’s final hours are recounted.

In his homily, Bishop Jugis said the message of Good Friday illustrates the virtue of compassion. He drew his conclusions not only from the day’s Gospel reading from St. John but also from St. Paul’s letters.

“More than once in his letters, St. Paul tells Christians to have compassion for others,” Bishop Jugis said. “In the Letter to the Ephesians he writes, ‘Be compassionate.’ In the Letter to the Colossians, ‘Put on as God’s chosen ones wholly and beloved, heartfelt compassion.’ He says this because we learn compassion from Jesus Himself, who is the Compassionate Savior.

“On Good Friday, this Good Friday liturgy of the Lord’s Passion teaches us the virtue of compassion.

Compassion for the sufferings of Jesus. Compassion for the sufferings of others – suffering with them in their suffering, not remaining aloof or distant from them.”

Bishop Jugis explained that the word compassion literally means “suffering with another.” He pointed out that in the account of the Passion according to St. John, we see how others responded with compassion to Jesus, desiring to suffer with Him and to walk along with Him on His path to Calvary.

“There are many women, the Gospels tell us, who followed Jesus along the way to Calvary, mourning and lamenting Him, suffering with Jesus in His suffering, participating as best they could – though not having being scourged themselves or

carrying the cross themselves – being with Him, walking with Him and suffering with Him, showing Him their compassion.”

He cited another example: Simon the Cyrenean, “who was pressed into service to carry Jesus’ cross, showing in a very courageous way how to respond to another with compassion; helping that person to carry the cross of suffering as best they could.”

But the person who demonstrated the most perfect compassion, Bishop Jugis stated, was the Blessed Virgin Mary. She stood there at the foot of the cross and her heart was broken, pierced by the sword that pierced her Son’s side, suffering with her Son as He suffered. She was there to comfort and strengthen Him by her presence, somehow to strengthen Him through what He was enduring.

“In the Litany of Loreto, she is invoked as ‘Virgin Most Merciful,’ ‘Health of the Sick’ and ‘Comforter of The Afflicted.’ And no doubt, by her compassion shown to her own Son, Jesus, she earned the right to be called those titles.”

Bishop Jugis also noted that Joseph of Arimathea’s compassion for Jesus moved him to ask Pilate for permission to take Jesus’ body down from the cross, to prepare it for burial and to place it in his own tomb; personally desiring to participate in the sufferings, the tragedy and the sorrows of Jesus.

He said all of these people provide great examples of compassion for Jesus that we see on the way to Calvary.

“The message of Good Friday, among others that we can take from this day, is that Good Friday teaches you to have heartfelt compassion for the sorrows of others. Good Friday teaches you to allow your heart to be touched; to allow your heart to be moved by their sufferings, by their distress, by their burdens, and to do what can be done to help them spiritually and materially.

“Even though one may not be able to undergo exactly the same hardship, sufferings, pains – physical and spiritual and emotional – that the person is going through; yet compassion still binds us and unites us to that person. (It’s) a beautiful Christian virtue taught us by Good Friday.”

Bishop Jugis encouraged those gathered to venerate the cross and for each one to express their compassion for Jesus and their desire to be close to Him even in His suffering, like His mother, who was close to the cross, reminding them that they will be “so close you can touch the cross and even kiss the cross.”

He also reminded them, “When you receive Holy Communion later, you receive the Body of Christ which was sacrificed for you on Good Friday. The Eucharist teaches us that His sacrifice is not just a past historical event, but a present, living reality ‒ a present, living sacrifice in the Eucharist so that His sacrifice can now produce its good fruit in your life.”

At the conclusion of the Good Friday liturgy, those gathered left in silence to contemplate the Passion of the Lord and await the joys of Easter.

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catholicnewsherald.com | April 10, 2015 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Vietnamese Catholics commemorate Jesus’ Passion on Good Friday Hundreds of Vietnamese faithful gathered under bright blue skies April 3 for Good Friday services at St. Joseph Church in Charlotte, all there to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and His death on the cross.

The holy day’s devotions began with recitation of the Stations of the Cross at the parish’s distinctive outdoor Stations which ring the church’s parking lot. The 16 larger-than-life Stations of the Cross – unique in the Diocese of Charlotte – depict the 14 Stations that every Catholic church has plus two more: the birth of Jesus and His Resurrection.

Parish groups took turns carrying a large wooden cross from Station to Station, starting off with Father Tri Truong, pastor. Groups that carried the cross and led the prayers at each Station included the Pastoral Council, the Finance Council, the parish’s Eucharistic Adoration group, Legion of Mary Society, Catholic Mothers Association, youth groups, choirs and altar servers.

In a devotion unique to the diocese, parishioners then remained to participate in a funeral, or burial service, for Jesus. A large wooden crucifix was erected in front of the altar, and nearby were placed statues of the women who wept at the foot of the cross. Then a select number of parishioners – wearing funereal white with white mourning bands wrapped around their heads – one by one went up to the foot of the cross. There, they intoned meditative chants, “ngam,” describing the suffering of Jesus. Drums were beaten periodically, solemnly and at times rapidly, to express sorrow.

More online At www.catholicnewsherald.com: See more photos from the Good Friday service at St. Joseph Vietnamese Church and hear part of the burial chant

CCDOC.ORG

Celebrate Spring

Join us for the 29th Annual Spring Fling Catholic Charities invites senior adults from across the diocese to join us for fun and fellowship at the 29th Annual Spring Fling days in Charlotte. Come reconnect with friends, while meeting new ones, in a daylong experience where you can learn about health information that could transform your life. Build upon your faith, while enjoying exciting activities and performances, creating wonderful memories and friendships.

Thursday, April 30 - Catholic Conference Center 1551 Trinity Lane, Hickory, NC 28602 Tuesday, May 19 - St. Matthew Catholic Church 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28277 Visit ccdoc.org for a complete schedule of events and registration forms.

For more information contact Sandra Breakfield at: 704.370.3220 or email sabreakfield@charlottediocese.org.

Patricia L. Guilfoyle | Catholic News Herald

April 10, 2015 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

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Father John Eckert, pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Salisbury, washes feet during the Holy Thursday liturgy.

Bill Washington | Catholic News Herald

Patricia L. guilfoyle | catholic news herald

Bishop Peter Jugis elevates the Eucharist during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper April 2 at St. Patrick Cathedral.

Holy Thursday offers ‘teaching moments’ of humility, charity, Bishop Jugis preaches Patricia L. Guilfoyle Editor

CHARLOTTE — When He instituted the Eucharist at the Last Supper, Jesus gave us a model to follow today – the example of humility and charity, Bishop Peter Jugis preached during the Holy Thursday Mass April 2 at St. Patrick Cathedral.

The Mass of the Lord’s Supper recalls Jesus’ institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper, His washing the feet of His disciples in an act of humble service, His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, and His betrayal and arrest.

The Gospel reading from John 13:1-15 illustrates the two Christian virtues that are “meant to be teaching moments as we enter into the Paschal Triduum this evening,” Bishop Jugis noted.

Jesus demonstrated humility with the act of washing His disciples’ feet, a poignant moment described in the Gospel in which Jesus then explains to them, “I give you a model to follow.”

“These words are also spoken to us this evening, the current Church here on earth,” Bishop Jugis said. “It is very humbling, isn’t it, to know that you are being served by the Son of God! Those words that were spoken then are spoken to you, the Church today: ‘I’ve given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.’”

Jesus’ “extreme humility” is radical especially today, Bishop Jugis observed.

“It really is so contrary to the spirit of this modern culture where self is the center of the world. But Jesus shows us that humble service is His Way: not making Himself the center, but making Himself the servant of others, making Himself lowly – even to the shame of the cross.

“Even to the shame of the cross He’s willing to humble Himself for you.”

So as we consider this example of virtue on Holy Thursday, Bishop Jugis said, “it’s worth asking ourselves how many times the opposite of humility – pride – has taken charge of us. Do you let pride ever get in

the way of your faithfully following Christ?

Do you ever say, in contrast to what the Lord says this evening in the Gospel, that you will not serve your brother or sister, even though you know you should?”

Humility is an essential ingredient for all our relationships, he said, and especially in creating healthy marriages and strong families.

“The Eucharist,” he said, commemorated during the Holy Thursday Mass, “is the embodiment of the humble service of Jesus.

He comes to us so humbly in the Eucharist, hiding Himself so humbly in the appearance of bread and wine, humbly masking His glorious majesty and divinity.”

At the Last Supper, Jesus also embodies the virtue of charity when He tells His disciples, “I give you a new commandment: Love one another as I have loved you,” Bishop Jugis also noted. The Eucharist – “the sacrament of charity” – “embodies not only the humble service of Christ, but it also embodies the charity of Christ.”

Our salvation is dependent on Jesus’ charity, he explained, and we are not much different that the poorest of the poor or the homeless among us.

“All of us are poor beggars, who receive a generous supply of Eucharistic food from the generous charity of Christ,” he said.

“Jesus has pity on us because we have no way to help ourselves, and He extends to us His charity and love to lift us up.”

As we receive Jesus’ charity and love, so too we must demonstrate charity and love by serving others – especially the poor and weakest among us, without counting the cost or the inconvenience of it, he said.

Jesus “says to you at every Mass, ‘Take this and eat of it, for this is My Body which is given for you.’ How much more direct can He be in speaking to the Church of today?”

“As Jesus said to the first members of His Church at the Last Supper, so He repeats those words today to you, the newest members of His Church: ‘I give you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.’”

Photos by SueAnn Howell and Amber Mellon | Catholic News Herald

(Above) The sacred oils that were blessed at the chrism Mass earlier in the week are displayed next to the baptismal font at St. Elizabeth of the Hill Country Church in Boone.

(Left) Father Timothy Reid, pastor of St. Ann Church in Charlotte, is flanked by two deacons in the chapel of repose as they adore the Blessed Sacrament Holy Thursday evening.

(Below) Father John Putnam, pastor of St. Mark Church in Huntersville, washes the feet of parishioners during the Holy Thursday Mass.

Mike FitzGerald | Catholic News Herald

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catholicnewsherald.com | April 10, 2015 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Photos by Bill Washington and Mike FitzGerald | Catholic News Herald

(Left) Father John Eckert, pastor, baptizes a new Catholic during the Easter Vigil Mass at Sacred Heart Church in Salisbury April 4. (Above) Parishioners hold candles during the start of the Easter Vigil Mass at St. Mark Church in Huntersville.

SueAnn Howell | Catholic News Herald

Bishop Jugis administers the sacrament of baptism during the Easter Vigil Mass at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte.

Rico De Silva | Catholic News Herald

Members of the Hispanic community at St. Joseph Church in Asheboro watch an elaborate live Stations of the Cross on Good Friday on the church’s new land on Hub Morris Road.

Photo via Facebook by Rita Weisenhorn Paluszak

Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts tend the fire before the Easter Vigil at Queen of the Apostles Church in Belmont April 4.

Doreen Sugierski | Catholic News Herald

Parishioners young and old at Holy Spirit Church in Denver were dressed in their Easter finest – including broad smiles – to celebrate the resurrection of the Lord.

Photo via Facebook by Janet McCann Riggs

Monsignor John McSweeney prepares to bless parishioners’ Easter food and Easter baskets at St. Matthew Church in Charlotte.

April 10, 2015 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

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Photos by Rico De Silva | Catholic News Herald

Members of St. Joseph Church in Asheboro dramatize Jesus’ scourging at the pillar during Good Friday’s live Stations of the Cross.

Della Sue Bryson | Catholic News Herald

Father Peter Shaw, pastor, celebrates Mass on Easter Monday at St. Joseph Church in Bryson City.

(Right) Shainon Ruiz receives the sacrament of baptism from Father Paul Dechant, O.S.F.S., pastor, during the Easter Vigil Mass at Holy Cross Church in Kernersville April 4.

(Below) Members of St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte bring the offertory gifts during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday April 2.

John Bunyea | Catholic News Herald

Photo provided by Cindy Giarrusso

(Below) Father Christopher Gober, pastor, lights the Paschal candle at the start of the Easter Vigil liturgy at St. Bernadette Church in Linville.

(Left) A member of St. John the Evangelist in Waynesville portrays Jesus during their Passion play on Good Friday.

Photo provided by Phil Webb

(Below left) Parishioners are sprinkled with holy water during the Passion Sunday liturgy at Our Lady of Mercy Church in Winston-Salem.

Raymond Taber | Catholic News Herald

(Below right) The confirmation class at Holy Cross Church in Kernersville presented living Stations of the Cross March 27.

John Bunyea | Catholic News Herald

Our schools 22

catholicnewsherald.com | April 10, 2015 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Diocesan schools expected to earn AdvancED reaccreditation

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In Brief Our Lady of Grace School to begin PACE education program; adding STEM for middle school

SueAnn Howell Senior reporter

GREENSBORO — The new Providing an Appropriate Academic Catholic Education (PACE) program at Our Lady of Grace School has been specifically designed for students in grades 1-6 who learn differently. OLG will be the first Catholic school in the Triad offering this program. With the support of the Diocese of Charlotte, PACE has been developed for students who need a small classroom setting to better focus on reading and writing and who will return to the general education classroom once they are at grade level. Contact OLG’s Principal Amy Pagano at 336-275-1522 for details.

In addition, STEM for Middle School at OLG in Greensboro will begin in August. A curriculum information night will be held at 7 p.m.

Wednesday, April 15, at the school for parents and current and rising middle schoolers. With the OLG STEM program, children in grades 6, 7 and 8 will be immersed in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics as they grow their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

The classroom teacher will serve as a facilitator, allowing students to work through concepts and make discoveries. This is not a lecture, but instead a hands-on environment that is both nurturing and empowering.

Photos provided by gaby hurt

(Above) Father Paul McNulty, parochial vicar of St. Mark Church in Huntersville, blesses the cross on the Christ the King High School campus March 25. (Left) Christ the King student Connor Holleran, teacher Greg Stump and student Luke Modzelewski are pictured on March 25.

— Lori Eanes

Christ the King High School students erect steel cross New campus landmark blessed March 25 SueAnn Howell Senior reporter

Susi wins photo award CHARLOTTE — Madi Susi, a sophomore at Charlotte Catholic High School, recently earned national recognition for her photography in the Scholastic Arts and Writing Awards of 2015. Susi was identified by panels of creative professionals as among the most talented young artists and writers in the nation.

This year, 300,000 works of art and writing were submitted. Only the top 1 percent were recognized at the national level. She has been invited to attend a June 11 ceremony at Carnegie Hall, and the Empire State Building will be illuminated in gold to honor her and the other recipients.

Susi has also been invited to attend a reception at the North Carolina Governor’s Mansion this month, after receiving a Scholastic Gold for her photography in the Mid-Carolinas Regional Scholastic Arts competition last month.

— Allyson Pace IN BRIEF, SEE page 24

HUNTERSVILLE — Seven Christ the King High School student builders, working alongside their art teacher Greg Stump, have created a new landmark on the school campus. The 20-foot steel cross, which weighs 300 pounds, was hoisted into place by the students after an all-school Mass on the feast of the Annunciation, March 25.

Father Paul McNulty, parochial vicar at St. Mark Church in Huntersville, celebrated Mass for the students before they processed onto the school grounds to bless the cross.

Stump, who also created the stained glass windows in the chapel at St. Mark School in Huntersville, credits the initial vision for the cross on the Christ the King campus to the school’s first principal, Dr. Daniel Dolan.

Bringing the vision to fruition was a joint effort within the Christ the King school community. Professional services were donated by Polly-tech

Inc., Metrolina Steel Inc., and Sunbelt Rentals.

“I like to think of the cross as being ‘translucent,’” Stump said, referring to its design. “You can see through it, yet it has a physical presence. So for me it embodies both the spiritual (the unseen) and the physical.”

Twelve industrial design students – Romeo Antolini, Matthew Crowell, Connor Holleran, Alex Koenigsberger, Matthew Marenna, Luke Modzelewski, Jack Nobers, Michael Ortiz, Catherine Strickland, Logan Thayer, Steve White, and Michael Vu – contributed to the project.

Many students helped hoist the cross into place for the blessing ceremony on March 25, to the cheers of fellow students, faculty and their families. Student Gaby Hurt captured the historic moment in photos.

Catherine Strickland, a junior who helped create the cross, is one of three students who began work on the cross CROSS, SEE page 23

CHARLOTTE —Dr. Janice Ritter, superintendent of Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Charlotte, shared some good news March 25 in a letter to parents, students and faculty. After a rigorous evaluation process at the school and diocesan system level, the diocese’s 19 schools are expected to be reaccredited by AdvancED for another fiveyear term.

The diocesan school system was reviewed by education representatives from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools-Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS-CASI) under the guidelines established

by AdvancED, the parent organization of SACS-CASI. The review team visited St. Leo School in Winston-Salem, Immaculate Heart of Mary School in High Point, St. Mark and Christ the King High schools in Huntersville, and Our Lady of the Assumption and St. Ann schools in Charlotte.

“While the process of school improvement is ongoing, every five years we complete a rigorous and specific re-accreditation process at both the school and system levels,” Ritter noted in her letter. “This process culminated for us the week of March 15th as we completed a four-day visit and evaluation from an AdvancED visiting team of six education professionals from across the United States.

The distinguished team, which visited six of our 19 diocesan schools, expressed how impressed they were with our schools and system.”

The visiting team from AdvancED cannot grant accreditation itself, Ritter said, but it will make a recommendation for accreditation to AdvancED. “Through your help and the efforts of all our schools’ teachers, staff and students, the AdvancED accreditation team will recommend that the Diocese of Charlotte Catholic schools earn the distinction of accreditation for another five-year term,” she said.

Ritter explained that the accreditation process was not only supported by the teachers and administrators, but also by parents and students.

“Through the PTOs, we were able to provide a comfortable and gracious visit. In fact, the accreditation team was overwhelmed by the hospitality our PTOs provided. Students from our three high schools, who are members of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Board, impressively represented our student body as they participated in interviews with the visiting team.

“The team praised these students for their poise, articulate responses, and enthusiasm.

Parents also well-represented the schools as the visiting team interviewed stakeholders including members of our PTOs, School Boards, and school community.”

Of the six schools that were visited in person by the AdvancED team, Ritter told parents, “You can be proud of the fact that these schools earned impressive scores on the AdvancED classroom observations, reflecting very favorably on our system.

April 10, 2015 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

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High Cholesterol

Photos provided by Susan Pautz

CTK Playmakers perform ‘The Curious Savage’ HUNTERSVILLE — Christ the King High School’s Playmakers recently performed an adaptation of John Patrick’s “The Curious Savage,” their second theatrical production under the direction of the school’s drama teacher Michael S. Harris.

“The Curious Savage” is a comedic play about Ethel P. Savage, a woman whose husband recently died and left her approximately $10 million. Contrasting the kindness and loyalty of psychiatric patients with the avarice and vanity of “respectable” public figures, it calls into question conventional definitions of sanity while lampooning celebrity culture.

CROSS: FROM PAGE 22

last year.

“It’s amazing to think that something I helped initially construct will stay on the Christ the King grounds for years to come,” Strickland said. “I’m not going to lie – there were times when I thought that this cross was a very distant dream that was never going to become a reality. I thought it was just a project to give us something to do and give us a grade as we waited for the end of the semester, but it certainly wasn’t.”

She said she realized it was going to happen when she saw all the pieces students had constructed come together to form just the base of the cross. “And it was huge! That is when I realized it was going to be gigantic, and a symbol of my school’s Catholic identity that everyone can see.

“I’m most grateful and honored that I was able to be part of such an incredible team that created a big something from little nothings that current and future Crusaders will appreciate.”

Luke Modzelewski also helped construct the cross. “It was a great learning experience that showed us the value of teamwork and leadership, and I attribute the project’s successes due to each member’s contribution to the cross,” he said.

“We learned the valuable lesson that many hands make light work, to never give up, and when in doubt ask Mr. Stump.

Whenever we became despondent and lost faith in the project, Mr. Stump would encourage us to continue and to finish the job. Mr. Stump was truly a great teacher and an even better person, always challenging us to solve problems together and to take initiative.

“I am honored I was given the opportunity to be a part of such a great team and help finish the cross.”

Social Media, SEO Specialist/Online Reporter The Catholic News Herald, a 58,000-circulation newspaper serving the Diocese of Charlotte, N.C., is seeking an experienced, innovative social media specialist and online reporter.

This position is responsible for reporting on Diocese of Charlotte news and events for www.CatholicNewsHerald.com, its YouTube channel and social media (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr). This person will also work to increase the online visibility and accessibility of the website using search engine optimization and social media marketing techniques to further our two-fold mission of communication and evangelization Candidates must have at least 1-3 years of experience in developing online content and/or SEO work, plus a bachelor’s degree in journalism, marketing or related field. Candidates should be familiar with the Catholic faith; have some knowledge of HTML and CSS; and experience using web-based content management systems (specific knowledge of Joomla is helpful, but not required). Other key qualifications include enthusiasm, interest in creating new digital initiatives, strong organizational and communication skills, and attention to accuracy. Experience with Excel and Word is helpful.

We offer a competitive benefits package that includes salary commensurate with experience, health and dental insurance, 403(b) and paid holidays. EOE

Please submit resumé to: Patricia Guilfoyle, Editor, plguilfoyle@charlottediocese.org. No phone calls, please.

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catholicnewsherald.com | April 10, 2015 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

IN BRIEF:

Academy at West Point, United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, United States Air Force Academy, United States Coast Guard Academy, and United States Merchant Marine Academy will be present.

— Jamie Bowers

FROM PAGE 23

Fresh, local flower crowns for her First Holy Communion

CTK student wins UNC-Chapel Hill scholarship

Our Lady of Life statue blessed HENDERSONVILLE — Capuchin Franciscan Father Martin Schratz recently blessed a new statue of Our Lady of Life at Immaculata School in Hendersonville. The statue was donated by a parishioner and is located outside the Christ the Teacher chapel.

www.maidenflowercrowns.com 704.616.8230

Wash Away Your Sins

— Tina Okpych

2nd Sunday of Easter

We are a Home Care Service Agency

April 12, 2015

Companionship – Meal Preparation – Laundry/Ironing – Transportaion – Water Plants and Assist with personal services.

Divine Mercy Sunday

HUNTERSVILLE — Mary Selzer of Huntersville has won the Morehead-Cain Scholarship to the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, valued at $105,000 over a four-year period. Selzer is a senior at Christ the King High School in Huntersville, and she is the valedictorian of the first graduating class of 29 seniors.

Selzer, an aspiring nutrition and exercise science major, is president of the school’s Student Government Association, founding chair of the Selzer Honor Council, founding member and president of the National Honor Society, founding president of the Service Committee, and the founding captain for both the varsity volleyball and basketball teams. She also serves on the Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools’ Superintendent Advisory Board.

She is the daughter of Jenifer and Stuart Selzer.

Christ the King School’s first graduating class has earned more than $2.2 million in scholarships.

Contact: Peggy Lindsay Agency Director/Owner 704-770-1394 St. Gabriel Parish Member

Licensed • Bonded • Insured

Attend Mass Venerate the Divine Mercy Image Receive The Eucharist Go to Reconciliation (within 20 days before or after) Gain Remission of Sin & Punishment All are welcome to 3 pm Hour of Great Mercy at St. Matthew Catholic Church Prayers, Homily, Exposition, Singing of Chaplet & Benediction Complimentary Divine Mercy Hospitality follows in Banquet Room, Free Materials, Light Refreshments Saint Matthew Catholic Church 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy Charlotte NC 28277 (704)543-7677

St. Michael students are oratorical contest winners GASTONIA — Five eighth-grade students of Greg Davidowitz’s class at St. Michael School in Gastonia recently participated in the Noon Optimist Club Oratorical Contest. They spoke on the theme “How My Optimism Will Help Me Press on to Greater Achievements of the Future.” This is the fourth year that St. Michael School has partnered with the Noon Optimist Club and the local Gastonia Toastmaster group to participate in this contest. The winners will now proceed to the district contest being held this month.

Pictured are (from left): Thomas Rosemond, second place; Eveleen Hahn, first place; Beverly Bradshaw, president; Noon Optimist Club; Ada Osemeka, third place; and Karlie Nielson and Dalton Levine.

— Pat Burr

Charlotte Catholic students receive West Point appointments CHARLOTTE — Ben Litton and Jack Speidel, graduating seniors at Charlotte Catholic High School, have received appointments to the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Litton is the son of Robert and Joy Litton of south Charlotte. Speidel is the son of Elizabeth and John Speidel of south Charlotte.

A total of 15 students from Mecklenburg, Union, and Iredell counties have received appointments for the 2015-’16 year.

On April 18, Charlotte Catholic High School will host the 13th Annual Service Academy Day, which gives local middle and high school students the opportunity to hear presentations from each of the five Federal service academies, speak one-on-one with cadets and academy representatives, and learn more about the nomination process. The program will feature North Carolina Congressman Robert Pittenger.

Representatives from the United States Military

OLA takes 2nd place in NCDOT Model Bridge Building competition CHARLOTTE — Eighth-grade students from Our Lady of the Assumption School traveled to Davidson County Community College in Thomasville March 27 to compete in the North Carolina Department of Transportation Model Bridge Building Competition. OLA placed second in the Middle School division. Students had to research, design and construct a model bridge within set guidelines. In addition, they wrote a research paper and delivered an oral presentation to a panel of judges from the NCDOT and the N.C. Builders’ Association. The purpose of the competition was to educate students about careers in engineering. The program was made possible by a grant from the MACS Education Foundation.

Pictured, eighth-grade student Christa Barsanti checks in on the team’s bridge at the start of the competition.

— Liz Daniel and Allana Ramkissoon

OLG to host open house April 16 GREENSBORO — Our Lady of Grace School in Greensboro will hold an open house for all who are interested in learning more about prekindergarten through eighth grade, starting at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, April 16. Details are online at www.olgsch.org. For a tour at any other time, call 336-275-1522.

— Lori Eanes

Mix

April 10, 2015 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

courageous risk-taking. The space travelers’ fractured version of English provokes a few smiles, but the picture is otherwise merely passable. Occasional scenes of peril and a bit of mild bathroom humor.

CNS: A-I (general patronage); MPAA: PG

In Brief

‘Do You Believe?’

‘Home’ Lightweight animated adventure in which a cuddly alien (voice of Jim Parsons) joins his conformist kind in a peaceful invasion of Earth during which they exile the planet’s human inhabitants to Australia, commandeering the remainder of the orb for themselves. But when the extraterrestrial makes a mistake that endangers his fellow newcomers (their leader voiced by Steve Martin), he goes on the run and joins forces with a preteen girl (voice of Rihanna) who managed to evade compulsory relocation. As the visitor works to forestall the potentially disastrous consequences of his misstep and his wary companion tries to reunite with her displaced mom (voice of Jennifer Lopez), director Tim Johnson’s screen version of Adam Rex’s novel “The True Meaning of Smekday” charts the ups-and-downs of their friendship while extolling individuality, sociability and

Storytelling takes a back seat to sermonizing in this competent ensemble drama that turns on a Chicago pastor’s (Ted McGinley) preaching about the centrality of the Cross in the lives of Christians and the need to put faith into practice. He and his wife (Tracy Melchior) do so by taking in a pregnant teen (Madison Pettis) who has been living on the streets; similarly, an older couple (Lee Majors and Cybill Shepherd) provide shelter for a homeless mom (Mira Sorvino) and her irrepressibly sunny daughter (Makenzie Moss) while two despondent near-suicides (Joseph Julian Soria and Alexa PenaVega) find hope-restoring romance together. Less comfortable plot lines involve an emergency medic’s (Liam Matthews) fraught legal battle to vindicate his right to proselytize patients and the credibility-straining fate of an ex-con-turned-church-janitor (Brian Bosworth) afflicted with terminal cancer. Working from a script by Chuck Konzelman and Cary Solomon, director Jonathan M. Gunn turns out a film better calculated to reinforce evangelical believers in the creed and values to which they already adhere than to invite the inquisitive or convert the doubtful. Some action violence and mature references, including to abortion.

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

Additional reviews: n ’The Gunman’: CNS: L (limited adult audience); MPAA: R n ’Get Hard’: CNS: 0 (morally offensive); MPAA: R

n Friday, April 10, 6:30 p.m. (EWTN) “The God of Mercy: Mercy Wanted Today.” Father Bala Udumala relates that the message of Divine Mercy is needed today in a violent and godless world, in which mercy is redemptive. n Saturday, April 11, 2 p.m. (EWTN) “Human Vitae, Contraception, and American Law.” Teresa Collett looks at Pope Paul’s VI’s encyclical “Humanae Vitae” in light of presentday contraception laws in America. n Saturday, April 11, 8 p.m. (EWTN) “St. Giuseppe Moscati: The Doctor of the Poor, part 1.” The second in a two-part series about the life of St. Giuseppe, who dedicated himself to caring for the sick and forsaken, ultimately dedicating all of his possessions and sacrificing his very life in their service. n Saturday, April 11, 10 p.m. (EWTN) “Father Joe Walijewski: A Pencil in Our Lord’s Hand.” The life and mission of Father Joseph Walijewski, a priest from Wisconsin who tirelessly served the poor in South America, and his cause for canonization. n Sunday, April 12, 1 p.m. (EWTN) “Mass and Celebration of Divine Mercy from Stockbridge, Mass.” Mass and other ceremonies for Divine Mercy Sunday, broadcast live from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy in Stockbridge.

On TV “Apologetics for the Scripturally Challenged.” John Martignoni shares sure-fire methods Catholics can use to defend their faith, even if they’re far from being a scholar of Scripture. n Tuesday, April 14, 6:30 p.m.

(EWTN) “Blue Collar Apologetics: The Ignorant Catholic.” John Martignoni demonstrates the correct way to respond to theological questions Catholics may not know the answer to. n Saturday, April 18, 8 p.m. (EWTN) “St. Giuseppe Moscati: The Doctor of the Poor, part 2.” The second in a two-part series about the life of St. Giuseppe, who dedicated himself to caring for the sick and forsaken, ultimately dedicating all of his possessions and sacrificing his very life in their service. n Wednesday, April 22, 4:30 p.m.

(EWTN) “God’s Footprints.” Learn more about the childhood and priesthood of St. Josemaria Escriva in this animated special for children. n Wednesday, April 22, 6:30 p.m.

(EWTN) “Catholicism: A Body Suffering and Glorious.” Father Robert Barron presents the reality of the Church as “one, holy, Catholic and apostolic.”

n Monday, April 13, 6:30 p.m. (EWTN)

5th Annual Charlotte Catholic Men’s Conference Saturday, April 25 from 8 am – 3:30pm Saint Matthew Catholic Church 8015 Ballantyne Commons Parkway Charlotte, NC 28277

Guest Speakers

Michael Manhardt one strong F.a.M.i.l.y Founder

Darrel Miller Former Mlb player

Mass with Bishop Peter Jugis Adoration with Bishop Emeritus William Curlin

tom peterson catholics come home Founder bishop peter Jugis

bishop Emeritus william curlin

For complete registration details please visit: www.catholicmenofthecarolinas.org

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Our nation 26

catholicnewsherald.com | April 10, 2015 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Changes in Indiana RFRA law OK’d; some see weaker religious protections Catholic News Service

INDIANAPOLIS — The changes Indiana lawmakers made to the state Religious Freedom Restoration Act “raise several concerns about the protection of religious freedom for Indiana’s citizens and religious institutions,” the state’s Catholic conference said.

The new language “may undermine religious freedom,” it said, because the terms “religious function” and “nonprofit religious organization” are not clearly defined in wording related to religious freedom protections.

The conference, which is the public policy arm of the state’s Catholic bishops, issued a statement April 2, the day that Gov. Mike Pence approved changes to the RFRA measure he had signed into law March 26.

The law goes into effect July 1.

The law met with a firestorm of protest by gay rights groups and others who said some of its language was vague and could be interpreted to allow individuals and private companies to discriminate against gay people “on the very broad basis of ‘any exercise of religion.’”

Opponents called for a boycott of the state, and many business leaders criticized the law.

Pence stood behind the law, saying if the bill “legalized discrimination in any way in Indiana, I would have vetoed it. He attributed the vocal opposition to a combination of what he called “mischaracterization,” Indiana’s Catholic “misunderstanding” and bishops “sloppy reporting” about the wording of the law.

But on March 31, he asked state lawmakers to send him some clarifications to make “it clear that this law does not give businesses the right to deny services to anyone.”

The new wording says in part that the law does not authorize a provider to refuse to offer accommodations,

The measure seemed ‘to have divided the people of our state like few other issues in recent memory.’

goods and services on the basis of race, gender, age, disability and sexual orientation.

It also says the term “provider” does not include a church or other nonprofit religious organization, nor does it apply to “a rabbi, priest, preacher, minister, pastor or designee of a church or other nonprofit religious organization or society when the individual is engaged in a religious or affiliated educational function of the church or other nonprofit religious organization or society.”

The Indiana Catholic Conference in its statement said that it continues to support the original bill, saying “it strikes the proper balance that has worked well in the federal RFRA for more than 20 years.”

“While well intentioned, the changes may undermine religious freedom. What’s the definition or limitation of a ‘religious function’? Are professionals such as physicians included? Does a ‘nonprofit religious organization’ include hospitals?” it asked.

“We are committed to working in good faith with lawmakers to safeguard the rights of people of all faiths to practice their religion without undue burden from the government and to uphold the God-given dignity of all people of this state,” the conference added.

A day before Pence approved the changes, Indiana’s Catholic bishops urged “mutual respect” be shown in the RFRA debate “to ensure that no one in Indiana will face discrimination whether it is for their sexual orientation or for living their religious beliefs.”

The measure, they noted, seemed “to have divided the people of our state like few other issues in recent memory.”

The 1993 federal law says that the government “shall not substantially burden a person’s exercise of religion” unless that burden is the least restrictive means to further a compelling governmental interest.” It does not apply to the states, so with Indiana and now Arkansas, 20 states that have passed such legislation.

Among opponents of the Indiana law as signed by Pence initially was trial lawyer Matt Anderson, who called his state’s measure a “vague and just a poorly written law” that he said could be applied to disputes between private citizens. “You can defend yourself in a criminal or civil action on the very broad basis of ‘any exercise of religion,’” which is how it could be used to discriminate against gays and others, he argued.

Richard Garnett, a law professor at the University of Notre Dame in northern Indiana, in an opinion column

in the March 26 issue of the South Bend Tribune, called the state’s RFRA a “moderate measure” modeled after the federal law and those of several other states and said it “does not give anyone a ‘license to discriminate.’”

Garnett noted that the more than 20 years of history of the applying of RFRA statutes to specific cases shows that courts across the country “have not applied it to require excessive accommodations or exemptions from antidiscrimination laws and civil-rights protections.”

He said that religious freedom laws have helped people of a broad variety of faiths.

“In practice, over the last two decades or so, Religious Freedom Restoration acts have been used not to excuse illegal discrimination or harmful behavior but instead to secure humane accommodations,” Garnett said, “such as allowing members of a small Brazilian church to possess plants that are necessary to make sacramental tea, or preventing the government from firing a Rastafarian with a traditional haircut, or respecting a family’s religious objections to an autopsy of their loved one.”

In floor debate when the state House took up the measure, several members spoke out against it, including Democratic Rep. Ed Delaney of Indianapolis, who called the bill “futile and destructive” and said he felt it would allow discrimination.

Democratic Reps. Vernon Smith of Gary and Cherrish Pryor of Indianapolis, who are African-Americans, said even though they were devout Christians, they opposed the bill because they also believed it could potentially cause discrimination.

Professor Daniel Conkle of Indiana University’s Maurer School of Law testified in favor of the legislation during House and Senate hearings, and reiterated his position in an opinion column in The Indianapolis Star. He is a constitutional law expert who supports gay rights and same-sex marriage.

The RFRA legislation had “little to do with same-sex marriage and everything to do with religious freedom,” he said, adding that “most religious freedom claims have nothing to do with same-sex marriage or discrimination.”

Conkle said in his column the Indiana law is “anything but a ‘license to discriminate,’ and it should not be mischaracterized or dismissed on that basis.” According to Conkle, even in the narrow setting of wedding service providers, claims for religious exemptions recently have been rejected in various states, including states that have adopted RFRA legislation.

Christian leaders call for end to ‘profound evil’ of the death penalty Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Hundreds of Christian religious leaders of various churches signed onto a Holy Week call to end the death penalty in the United States.

“Torture and execution is always a profound evil, made even more abhorrent when sanctioned by the government in the name of justice when other means of protecting society are available,” said the statement released March 31. “All who reverence the sanctity of human life, created in the image of God, must never remain silent when firing squads, lethal injections, electric chairs and other instruments of death are viewed as morally acceptable.”

The statement urged governors, prosecutors, judges and “anyone entrusted with power to do all that they can to end a practice that diminishes our humanity and contributes to a culture of violence and retribution without restoration.”

Coordinated by the group Faith in Public

Life, the statement was signed by three retired Catholic bishops, two of whom served as president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops; by death penalty abolition advocate Sister Helen Prejean, a Sister of St. Joseph, and another dozen or so women religious, hundreds of clergy and academics as well as other Christian leaders.

The Catholic bishops who signed it were retired Archbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza of Galveston-Houston and retired Bishop William S. Skylstad of Spokane, Washington, both of whom have been president of the USCCB, and retired Bishop Ricardo Ramirez of Las Cruces, New Mexico. Episcopal Bishop Robert Wright of the Diocese of Atlanta also was a signatory.

The statement offered prayers for those who have been killed and the families that mourn their loss, adding “we can never know your pain and anger.”

It called for joint efforts for healing, restorative justice and “a system that

punishes criminals without bringing more darkness and death into our world.”

It cited Pope Francis, who called capital punishment “cruel, inhumane and degrading,” adding that it “does not bring justice to the victims, but only foments revenge.” In a March 20 letter, the pope urged worldwide abolition of capital punishment.

The signers asked public officials who are Christian “to join us in the solidarity of prayer this week as we meditate on the wounds of injustice that sicken our society.” It said that capital punishment is, in many ways, “the rotten fruit of a culture that is sown with the seeds of poverty, inequality, racism and indifference to life.”

It went on to say that it is “a shameful reality that the United States is one of the few developed nations in the world that still executes its citizens,” citing recent developments including Utah’s passage and signing by the governor of a bill that will bring back firing squads, Missouri’s

execution of a prisoner with severe brain damage and the pending execution of a Georgia woman, who has turned her time in prison to studying theology.

The statement noted several recent botched executions that “have pulled back the veil on this inhumane and ineffective practice,” and pointed to polling that shows opposition to capital punishment is growing.

Tying the statement to Holy Week, it concluded: “In this sacred season of suffering, death and new life, we pray that our simple Christian witness is received with open hearts.”

Earlier in March, a joint editorial by four national Catholic publications -- America, National Catholic Register, National Catholic Reporter and Our Sunday Visitor -- called for “our nation to embody its commitment to the right to life by abolishing the death penalty once and for all.”

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Bills aim to block D.C. laws foes say violate religious liberty

President, first lady to welcome pope to White House Sept. 23

WASHINGTON — Two U.S. senators have sponsored joint resolutions to try to block two new laws in the District of Columbia that they say prevent religious institutions, pro-life groups and individuals from operating within C their own belief systems. Sponsored by Sen. M Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and co-sponsored by Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., Joint Resolutions 10 Y and 11 were introduced March 18 in response CM to two ordinances recently enacted by the D.C. Council titled the Reproductive Health Non- MY Discrimination Amendment Act of 2014 and the Human Rights Amendment Act of 2014. The CY former amends a pre-existing order to prohibitCMY employers in D.C. from discriminating against an employee or job applicant for her “reproductiveK health decision-making,” such as having an abortion, on the basis “of an employer’s personal beliefs about such services.” The latter repeals a statute in the district that allowed faith-based schools to approve student organizations whose goals matched the schools’ institutional mission.

The laws were signed by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser Jan. 25, went into effect March 11 and were sent to Congress for its mandatory review period of 30 days, which ends April 17.

Pittsburgh diocese waives all annulment application fees PITTSBURGH — The Diocese of Pittsburgh has eliminated all fees for those seeking an annulment in the diocese. The decision, announced April 1, took immediate effect. “I know that the fee has stood in the way for many who are in need of an annulment,” said a letter from Bishop David A. Zubik of Pittsburgh to Catholics in his diocese. Typically, those seeking annulments have paid up to $650 to the diocese, which covered about one-third of the costs, according to Father Thomas Kunz, a canon lawyer and the Pittsburgh diocesan tribunal’s judicial vicar. Some applicants have paid less in circumstances where they did not have to go through as many steps in annulment process, he said.

No murder charge in unborn baby’s death called ‘travesty’ DENVER — Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila called it “a travesty of justice” that under Colorado law no murder charges could be filed against a woman accused of violently attacking a pregnant woman and using a knife to remove her unborn baby. The deceased baby, a girl who was at seven months of development, showed no “signs of life outside of the womb,” so there was no live birth and therefore no homicide occurred, according a statement from the Boulder County coroner.

“Many cannot understand how such a situation could be possible in Colorado,” said Archbishop Aquila. “The answer is just as inadequate as the Colorado law. Colorado law sadly does not recognize the unborn child as a person capable of having a crime, such as homicide, perpetrated against it,” he said March 27, the same day Boulder County District Attorney Stanley Garnett announced he would not file a murder charge against the alleged attacker, Dynel Lane, in the case of the baby’s death.

Lane, 34, was arrested March 18 by Longmont Police after she allegedly attacked Michelle Wilkins, 26, after the pregnant woman came to her home in response to Lane’s Craigslist ad offering baby clothes. Lane has been charged with eight felony counts in the attack, including first-degree unlawful termination of

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pregnancy for cutting Wilkins’ unborn child out of her womb. Wilkins was left for dead, but she survived and continues to recover from her injuries.

In Brief

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama will welcome Pope Francis to the White House Sept. 23. “During the visit, the president and the pope will continue the dialogue, which they began during the president’s visit to the Vatican in March 2014, on their shared values and commitments on a wide range of issues,” said a March 26 statement by the White House. Those issues, it said, include “caring for the marginalized and the poor; advancing economic opportunity for all; serving as good stewards of the environment; protecting religious minorities and promoting religious freedom around the world; and welcoming and integrating immigrants and refugees into our communities.” The statement added, “The president looks forward to continuing this conversation with the Holy Father during his first visit to the United States as pope.”

Last year, in their first encounter, Pope Francis received the president at the Vatican for a discussion that touched on several areas of tension between the Catholic Church and the White House, including religious freedom and medical ethics.

1

Utah bishop decries state’s move to add firing squads SALT LAKE CITY — By reinstating the use of a firing squad as a method of execution in Utah, “it seems as if our government leaders have substituted state legislation for the law of God,” said the state’s Catholic bishop. “They argue that, because executions are lawful, they are then moral. This is not so. No human law can trump God’s law,” Salt Lake City Bishop John C. Wester said March 24. “Taking a human life is wrong; a slap in the face of hope and a blasphemous attempt to assume divine attributes that we humble human beings do not have. The real issue here is the death penalty itself,” he said.

A day earlier, Republican Gov. Gary Herbert signed into law a bill that reinstates execution by firing squad for those convicted of capital crimes. It was passed by the state Senate March 10 and by the state House in February.

Utah’s lawmakers argued they needed a backup method of capital punishment if the drugs used in lethal injection are not available. There is a shortage of lethal drugs for executions and their use in carrying out the death penalty has become more controversial after the botched execution of Clayton Lockett in Oklahoma; he writhed in pain for 40 minutes before dying of apparent heart failure. Bishop Wester said he was “very disappointed” that Herbert signed the measure on firing squads.

Panel: Assisted suicide operates with idea ‘some lives unworthy’ WASHINGTON, D.C. — Physician-assisted suicide “violates the Hippocratic oath” and operates under the premise that “some lives are unworthy,” said participants in a March 30 panel discussion at the Heritage Foundation in Washington. The panel, which consisted of speakers from the areas of public policy, medicine and religion, was titled “Living Life to Its Fullest: Supporting the Sick and Elderly in Their Most Vulnerable Hours” and focused on recent public discussions of physician-assisted suicide. Eighteen states and the District of Columbia are currently considering legislation that would allow people facing terminal illness to make the decision to, with the help of their doctor, take their own life, according to a research paper released by the Heritage Foundation.

— Catholic News Service

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Our world 28

catholicnewsherald.com | April 10, 2015 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

At Easter, Middle Eastern patriarchs encourage hope despite turmoil Doreen Abi Raad Catholic News Service

BEIRUT — Catholic patriarchs of the Middle East in their Easter messages urged the faithful to cling to the hope of the risen Christ amid raging wars, human suffering and the uprooting of Christians from their homelands in the region.

“We have spent 40 or even 50 days in fasting and prayer, that God may remove from our Eastern countries, especially Syria and Iraq, this evil spirit that can only go out through prayer and fasting,” Syrian-born Melkite Catholic Patriarch Gregoire III Laham said.

“We say to everyone in the East and in the West: dismiss any idea that this conflict is over religion,” he said.

“When I look at what is happening in our countries, it seems to me that Daesh (the Arabic acronym for Islamic State) has nothing whatever to do with religion. ISIS is rather an instrument which takes on, very foolishly and insolently, the outward aspect and show of a religious movement. However, in reality they show Islam in a most hideous, deceitful and fraudulent guise,” he said.

The conflict, Patriarch Laham said, “has become a tool and a cover for proxy war in our region and at the cost of all its citizens.”

“Religious conflict has become marketable. Killing the innocent has become a commodity and instrument, and slaughtering Christians has become a tool,” he said.

Despite the violence and death, he called on the faithful to “strengthen our faith in life, in the risen Christ who has conquered death and bestowed life and calls us all to be children of the Resurrection and life, to be bearers of the Gospel of life and work for success and the conquest of death by life, enmity by love and hatred and revenge by forgiveness and reconciliation.”

Syriac Catholic Patriarch Ignatius Joseph III Younan acknowledged in his Easter message the years of suffering of Christians caused by the turmoil in Syria and Iraq.

“We, however, sons and daughters of the Syriac Catholic Church, are so proud to model ourselves to the one who suffered carrying His cross, died and was risen for our salvation,” the patriarch said.

“We mean it when recall the very words of our Savior to the disciples of Emmaus,” he said, citing Luke 24:26: “Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and enter into His glory?”

“Christ’s resurrection from the dead is the basis of our faith, the pillar of our hope,” Patriarch Younan explained, adding that “it gave us a firm reassurance and a strong reason for our own resurrection.”

Cardinal Bechara Rai, Maronite Catholic patriarch, called attention to the “enormous economic and social challenges” facing Lebanon, noting that one-third of Lebanese live in poverty line and that the number is increasing.

Lebanon’s population stands at about 4 million, of which about 33 percent are Christian. The country has faced an influx of 1.5 million Syrian refugees and thousands of Iraqis, overwhelming the country’s economy and straining social relations.

Furthermore, Lebanon’s presidential vacuum has created a “political death” in the country, crippling the government and the parliament, Cardinal Rai said.

The presidential post is reserved for a Maronite Catholic under the country’s power-sharing system.

Legislators have failed to agree on a successor since the term of President, Michel Suleiman, ended in May 2014.

As for the raging conflicts in the region, Cardinal Rai urged world and Arab leaders to stop supporting mercenaries and fighters with money and weapons, appealing to them to find peaceful solutions.

“And do not forget the suffering of our people in the Holy land, Iraq, Syria and Yemen,” he continued.

“We seek for us and for all of them the peace of Christ.”

Pope Francis holds a candle as he celebrates the Easter Vigil in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican April 4.

CNS | Paul Haring

Humility is key to understanding Easter, sharing its joy, pope says Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — To enter Christ’s empty tomb like the disciples and see that He has risen, Christians today also must “bend down,” Pope Francis said in his Easter message. “Love has triumphed over hatred. Life has conquered death. Light has dispelled the darkness,” he told tens of thousands of rain-drenched pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square April 5.

Pope Francis did not give a homily during the morning Mass, but his Easter message before the blessing picked up a theme he had begun at the Easter vigil the night before: The mystery of Easter cannot be understood – and the Christian faith cannot be lived fully – without humility.

“By His death and resurrection, Jesus shows everyone the way to life and happiness: this way is humility, which involves humiliation,” Pope Francis said. “This is the path which leads to glory. Only those who humble themselves can go toward the ‘things that are above,’ toward God.” To enter into the mystery of God’s love, he said, “we need to ‘bend down,’ to abase ourselves. Only those who abase themselves understand the glorification of Jesus and are able to follow Him on His way.”

Obviously, he said, that often involves being countercultural. Instead of putting ourselves first, he said, “Christians, by the grace of Christ, dead and risen, are the seeds of another humanity, in which we seek to live in service to one another, not to be arrogant, but rather respectful and ready to help.”

“This is not weakness, but true strength!” the pope said. “Those who bear within them God’s power, His love and His justice, do not need to employ violence; they speak and act with the power of truth, beauty and love.”

As is traditional for the “urbi et orbi” message, Pope Francis offered prayers for an end to war and violence in specific countries, mentioning by name Syria, Iraq, the Holy Land, Libya, Nigeria, South Sudan, Congo, Yemen and Ukraine.

In better news, the pope said, “in hope, we entrust to the merciful Lord the framework recently agreed to” in order to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.

The pope prayed that it would be “a definitive step toward a more secure and fraternal world.”

As he had at every Holy Week and Easter service, Pope Francis offered special prayers for persecuted Christians, asking that “Jesus, the victor over death,” would ease

More online At www.catholicnewsherald.com: Read Pope Francis’ full Easter message

their suffering.

Pope Francis’ Easter celebrations began in the dark of a rainy night April 4 in the atrium of St. Peter’s Basilica.

During the Easter vigil Mass, he baptized, confirmed and gave first Communion to 10 people. Four were Italian, three were Albanian and one each came from Cambodia, Kenya and Portugal. Pope Francis rubbed the chrism oil all over their foreheads and, during the confirmation rite, tenderly gave each one a kiss on the right cheek.

The youngest of the new Catholics – Champa Buceti, a 13-year-old Cambodian, and Francesco Comegna, a 28-year-old Italian – brought up the gifts at the offertory.

As with his “urbi et orbi” message, Pope Francis’ homily during the Easter vigil, focused on the humility required of Christians.

The only way to enter into the Easter mystery, he said, is with humility, “to come down from the pedestal of our ‘I’ which is so proud, of our presumption; the humility not to take ourselves so seriously, recognizing who we really are: creatures with strengths and weaknesses, sinners in need of forgiveness.”

“It is good for us, on this vigil night, to reflect on the experience of the women” who went to Jesus’ tomb Easter morning to anoint His body, he said. Entering the tomb is to enter “into the mystery which God has accomplished with His vigil of love.”

“We cannot live Easter without entering into the mystery.

It is not something intellectual, something we only know or read about,” he said. “It is more, much more!”

Entering the mystery means being able “to wonder, to contemplate; the ability to listen to the silence and to hear the tiny whisper amid great silence by which God speaks to us.”

To enter the tomb and enter the mystery takes courage, the pope said. It “demands that we not be afraid of reality, that we not be locked into ourselves, that we not flee from what we fail to understand, that we not close our eyes to problems or deny them, that we not dismiss our questions.”

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In Brief Pope to formally proclaim holy year in front of Holy Door VATICAN CITY — Celebrating the first vespers for Divine Mercy Sunday, Pope Francis formally will deliver the “bull of indiction” or proclamation of the extraordinary Holy Year of Mercy. Portions of the document will be read in front of the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica April 11, the Vatican announced. The Holy Door, usually bricked up, is opened at the beginning of a jubilee year. The Holy Year of Mercy is scheduled for Dec. 8, 2015, to Nov. 20, 2016.

The other major basilicas of Rome also have Holy Doors that are opened for jubilee years.

The papal document proclaiming the special year will be read April 12 at the Basilica of St. John Lateran by Cardinal Agostino Vallini, vicar for Rome; the Basilica of St. Mary Major

by Cardinal Santos Abril Castello, archpriest of the basilica; and the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls by U.S. Cardinal James M. Harvey, archpriest of St. Paul’s.

During a Lenten penance service in March, Pope Francis announced his intention to proclaim the holy year as a way for the Church to “make more evident its mission to be a witness of mercy.”

tinted windows,” he said April 2 during the chrism Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. Priests can find renewal when they do not try to be “supermen,” but instead put their trust in God to embrace them and carry them through, he said. Presiding over the first of two Holy Thursday liturgies, Pope Francis blessed the oils that will be used in the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, ordination and the anointing of the sick. As Holy Thursday was the day Jesus shared His priesthood with the apostles, Pope Francis led the more than 1,500 priests, bishops and cardinals in a renewal of their priestly promises and dedicated his lengthy homily to the priesthood, focusing on “the tiredness of priests.”

With Armenian Catholics, pope will name new ‘Doctor of Church’

Cardinal says bishops’ conferences cannot go it alone

NAIROBI, Kenya — The president of the Kenyan bishops’ conference called on Easter worshippers to commit themselves to praying for peace and security in their homeland after militants attacked a college campus days earlier.

Cardinal John Njue of Nairobi also condemned the April 2 attack by the Somalia-based alShabaab militants at Garissa University College in which Christian students were targeted.

After reading a message of condolence from Pope Francis to the congregation at Holy Family Basilica in Nairobi, Cardinal Njue urged worshippers to commit themselves to praying for peace and security in the country.

WARSAW, Poland — The prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has advised bishops’ conferences not to take “doctrinal and disciplinary decisions” on issues that rightly fall under the magisterium of the Church. Cardinal Gerhard Muller said that while bishops’ conferences have authority on some matters, “they don’t constitute a magisterium within the magisterium, independently of the pope and out of communion with other bishops.” His comments came in relation to claims at a recent news conference by Cardinal Reinhard Marx of Munich-Freising, president of the German bishops’ conference, that his church stood ready to “preach the Gospel in its own original way,” rather than being seen as “a branch of Rome” in relation to the possibility of allowing divorced and civilly remarried Catholics to receive the sacraments. “An episcopal conference isn’t a particular council, still less an ecumenical council, and its president is nothing more than a technical moderator with no magisterial authority,” Cardinal Muller said March 26, explaining that the idea of “delegating certain doctrinal or disciplinary decisions on marriage and family” to bishops’ conferences was “absolutely anti-Catholic” and failed to “respect the Church’s Catholicity.”

BEIT JALLA, West Bank — Israel’s Supreme Court blocked a plan to build a separation barrier through the Cremisan Valley in the West Bank that would have divided a Catholic monastery, a convent and adjacent olive vineyards. Church officials celebrated the April 2 court order, saying it was an early Easter gift as Christians prepared to celebrate the Passion and resurrection of Jesus. The decision ends a nine-year legal battle over a defense ministry plan for a wall that would have cut through Palestinian-owned land, separating families from their agricultural land as well as separating Salesian Sisters from the community they serve in their school. The Supreme Court called on the defense ministry to set a new route that causes less upheaval to local people, the Salesian priests and nuns and their vineyards.

Pope to priests: Exhaustion is part of ministry; find renewal in Christ VATICAN CITY — Priestly ministry is hard, sometimes lonely or dangerous work serving the neediest with an open, vulnerable heart, Pope Francis told the world’s priests. But priests need to learn how to draw strength from their flock and their love for God, and not look for rest or retreat in “worldly pursuits,” hiding in their office or riding in cars “with

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VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis formally will proclaim St. Gregory of Narek, a 10th-century Armenian monk, as a Doctor of the Church when he celebrates a liturgy April 12 with leaders and faithful of the Armenian Catholic Church. The title indicates that the saint’s writings are considered to offer key theological insights for the faith. Earlier, the Vatican had announced that the pope would celebrate a liturgy April 12 with members of the Armenian community, who are preparing to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide April 24. An estimated 1.5 million Armenians – more than half the Armenian population at the time – died in a forced evacuation from their traditional territory in the Ottoman-Turkish Empire from 1915 to 1918.

Cardinal calls Kenyans to prayer in wake of college attack

Court blocks Israeli plan to extend separation wall

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For Easter, pope sends aid to displaced in Iraq, Nigeria VATICAN CITY — As Holy Week and Easter approached, Pope Francis wanted to show his ongoing concern for people persecuted and displaced by violence in Iraq and in northern Nigeria. Although not specifying the amount, the Vatican press office said March 27 that the pope was sending aid money to people seeking shelter in Iraq’s Kurdistan region and to the Nigerian bishops’ conference to assist families in the northern part of the country where the terrorist group Boko Haram has been on a rampage. In addition, the Vatican said, the people of the Diocese of Rome, “united with their bishop,” Pope Francis, held a special collection and will send “colomba” Easter cakes to the displaced in Iraq.

— Catholic News Service

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catholicnewsherald.com | April 10, 2015 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Dr. Kamila Valenta

Middle East policy must include protecting Christians

O

ver the past several months we have seen reports of the horrific crimes of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria – ISIS (also known as ISIL – the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant). This extremist rebel group that now controls large parts of Iraq and Syria, and smaller territories in Libya and Egypt, has terrorized non-Muslim, predominantly Christian populations as part of its policy of ethnic and religious cleansing. Apart from the mass killing of tens of thousands of civilian minorities and the forcing of hundreds of thousands of non-Muslims from their homes, ISIS is also responsible for its highly publicized executions of Christians, including the recent beheadings of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians at the Libyan coast.

While most people have now realized the seriousness of the situation in the Middle East, many are not aware that these tragic events which have fallen upon Middle Eastern Christians are only part of a much wider pattern of persecution and harsh treatment that dates back long before the rise of ISIS. Although other religious minorities have suffered under the rules of Islamic states in the Middle East, most human rights organizations agree that Christianity is the most widely persecuted religion worldwide, with estimates exceeding several thousand new martyrs killed for their faith each year. Christians make up about 33 percent of the world’s population, yet the International Society for Human Rights reports that 80 percent of all religious violence worldwide is directed against them, with the most dangerous and violent region for Christians being the Middle East – even before ISIS started gaining ground two years ago.

The numbers of Assyrian, Armenian, Syriac, Chaldean and Coptic Christians – many of whom are in full communion with the Catholic Church – have been steadily dwindling. Coptic Christians in Egypt have faced intensified acts of violence since the 1980s, most notably in the Kosheh village killings in January 2000, the Nag Hammadi massacre in 2009, the Alexandria bombing of a Coptic Orthodox church in 2011, and the Mapsiro massacre in the same year together responsible for the lives of close to a hundred Christians. In 2010, a bipartisan U.S. Congress group reported the suffering of Coptic Christian women, who have often been subjected to violence, kidnappings and forced marriages to Muslim men. In Iraq, the number of Christians has dropped from 1.4 million in the 1980s to about 500,000 in 2006, mostly because of church burnings, kidnappings, murders and forced evacuations by extreme Islamic groups. In 2007, Chaldean Catholic clergy were killed in Mosul because they refused to convert to Islam, and the archbishop of Mosul was kidnapped and found dead a year later. Syria, home to Christians since the first century A.D. and historically a place with lower levels of Christian oppression, has experienced an intensification of violence since the eruption of its civil war in 2011.

Israel has been the only safe haven for Christians in the region. However, this is not the case in Palestinian-controlled territories, where Christians are frequently exposed to murder, beatings, job discrimination, sexual exploitation of women and their forced marriage to Muslims, and church bombings. In Bethlehem the Christian population has dropped as a result of this harassment, from 60 percent in the early 1990s to about 15 percent.

Despite constant U.S. involvement in the politics of the region, including mediating Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, protecting Middle Eastern Christians has never been at the top of the agenda for U.S. foreign policy in this region.

President Barack Obama visited Saudi Arabia last July, and although there was some mention of the general topic of human rights on his visit, the specific issue of treatment of Christians was not on the agenda. Saudi Arabia, a longtime American ally, forbids all forms of Christian worship, expression or evangelization. The country’s 1 million-plus Christians are not even allowed to own any objects of their faith, not even Bibles. Those caught breaking the law face a variety of brutal corporal punishments, including death.

It is only recently, and as a result of the highly publicized atrocities committed

by ISIS, that persecution of Christians is coming to the forefront of politics.

However, it is important that concern for the fate of Christians in the Middle East is not limited to defeating ISIS. Even if ISIS is defeated, the issue of protecting Christian minorities must be an integral part of U.S. foreign policy towards the Middle East, if we are to make any difference in the desperate situation of these people.

The Vatican, the U.S. bishops, and other Christian representatives have already voiced their concerns over persecution of Middle Eastern Christians, but no significant change in U.S. foreign policy will happen without wider public involvement.

Dr. Kamila Valenta is a member of St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte and a part-time professor at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, where she teaches ethnic conflict.

Whose life is it anyway?

Sr. Constance Carolyn Veit

I

n college I wrote a medical ethics paper on a play entitled “Whose Life Is It Anyway”?

That old paper came to mind recently when I learned that the campaign for physician assisted suicide has been gaining momentum.

The renewed push to legalize “aid in dying,” or “death with dignity,” as various groups euphemistically call it, is the result of positive media coverage in the wake of a young terminally ill woman’s decision to end her life on her own terms and at the precise moment of her choosing.

Whose life is it anyway? I can’t get this question out of my mind as I come to grips with the fact that assisted suicide legislation is currently being introduced in a dozen states and the District of Columbia. While some persons faced with serious illness consider taking their lives because they fear they will be a burden to others or have no one to care for them, for others this choice is a declaration of personal autonomy. To the question, “Whose life is it anyway?” they answer, “It is mine to do with what I want.”

The claim that each of us is master of our own life, with the power to do with it whatever we choose, just doesn’t make sense.

After all, which of us chose the date, time or conditions of our birth? Who of us ultimately gets to choose the path that will lead to our death? Will it be an accident, a random act of violence, a sudden heart attack or a prolonged illness? Human logic tells us that we are never completely in control of our lives. God’s word should convince us of this as well.

Scripture reminds us that we are God’s creatures – made in His image and likeness – and that our lives are in His hands at every moment. From the psalmist’s confession that “every one of my days was decreed before one of them came into being” (Ps 139:16), to St. Paul’s proclamation that “in Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28), it is clear that God is the author of our existence. Each of us is a steward – not the master – of our own life.

But God is a loving master, and that makes all the difference. In his landmark encyclical “The Gospel of Life,” Pope St. John Paul II wrote, “If

it is true that human life is in the hands of God, it is no less true that these are loving hands, like those of a mother who accepts, nurtures and takes care of her child.” Pope Francis shared similar sentiments in his 2015 Lenten message: God “is not aloof from us. Each one of us has a place in His heart. He knows us by name, He cares for us and He seeks us out whenever we turn away from Him.” In our sophisticated, materialistic society we easily turn away from God, denying Him and His providence over us. Modern man, Pope St. John Paul II wrote, has “lost the sense of God,” and with it, the sense of the human person and his dignity as “mysteriously different” from the rest of creation. In this context we can easily succumb to the temptation to manipulate and dominate our lives rather than cherishing them as a gift.

Suffering is seen as a useless burden to be eliminated at all cost, even if this means suppressing life itself.

There is another path, however. Even as the media focused their attention on a dying woman from California late last year, a similarly ill college freshman in Ohio vowed never to give up. Despite the seeming hopelessness of her situation, she professed her belief that God has the last say. This young woman has found a purpose in her suffering and insists that she still loves life. She keeps on giving of herself and is an inspiration to many.

I pray for this young woman and for all the elderly, disabled and those with terminal illnesses, that they may find peace and courage in the conviction that God knows them by name and holds them close to His heart. Strengthened by the sacraments and assisted by Our Lady and all the angels and saints, may they serenely put their lives in His hands.

Whose life is it anyway? God has given us this life as a gift and He expects us to cherish it as His good stewards.

Sister Constance Veit is vocations director for the Little Sisters of the Poor.

April 10, 2015 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

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Parish spotlight

Deacon James H. Toner

What we know that ain’t so:

“What you think is the right road may lead to death” (Prv 14:12)

In vitro

What we think is the right road

A

bout one in five couples in the United States experiences infertility. This is often a cause of great suffering among those couples, for many of them are eager to have children. Assisted reproductive technologies (ART), including in vitro fertilization (IVF), increasingly make it possible for couples to have children, so these technologies are good and should be encouraged.

‘It is morally impermissible to engage in any research, for any purpose, that involves the destruction of human beings at any stage of their lives...’

But it’s the wrong road

The Church teaches that research intending to reduce sterility is to be encouraged (CCC 2375), for children are blessings. But Robert George and Christopher Tollefsen that is precisely the point: children are a gift from God, not a manufactured product from science. In IVF, the sperm and egg are obtained “Life Issues, from the parents Medical Choices,” by laboratory

by Janet Smith and means, and are Christopher Kaczor. subsequently Cincinnati, OH: united “in glass,” Servant, 2007. meaning that the union is achieved by technology, which separates the unitive and procreative ends of the marital act. So the resulting child depends upon the skill of the technologist, not the natural union in love of the father and mother (CCC 2377). The IVF technologist is a third party; he or she is the agent whereby the child comes into existence.

As Father Peter Stravinskas has put it: “The moral malice of in vitro fertilization is that it alienates the child from its parents at the precise moment of the conception of the child.”

It is common procedure to implant several embryos in the womb to increase the chance of at least one successful implantation. If too many embryos do successfully implant, then some will be deliberately eliminated – that is, killed – by multifetal pregnancy reduction, a form of abortion usually performed between weeks 10 and 12 of the pregnancy to reduce the number of fetuses and aid their viability. So the infertile couple who so much (and so commendably) wanted life thus participate, if often unknowingly and indirectly, in abortion.

The embryos resulting from the IVF process are often frozen and kept on reserve in case the initial attempts to implant the embryos in the mother’s uterus are unsuccessful. There are now about 400,000 frozen human embryos in about 400 ART labs in the U.S. These are tiny babies suspended in containers of liquid

Suggested reading

nitrogen or “concentration cans,” to use the language of the late president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, Dr. Jerome Lejeune.

If the child is only a biotechnological product, then his or her life is a scientific product. This validates the “logic” of the eugenics movement, which aims at improving the gene pool by appropriate management of human resources. But no child is a commodity.

Through IVF, what is, in fact, a great good – human life – is produced not by the natural act of a married couple, but by biologists, thus establishing “the domination of technology over the origin and destiny of the human person. Such a relationship of domination is in itself contrary to the dignity and equality that must be common to parents and children” (CCC 2377).

Catholic moral teaching holds strongly to the Pauline admonition against letting ends justify wrongful means (Romans 3:8). Evil actions such as IVF can never be done in the hope that something good (a baby) will come of them.

Both the act and the intention must be pure for our deeds to be morally good (CCC 1789).

The secular world tells us, wrongly, that sex without children and, increasingly, that children without sex are OK. But IVF “does not facilitate the natural act, but replaces it with another kind of act altogether, an act which violates the unity of the spouses in marriage, and the right of the child to be conceived in the unique and sacred setting of the marital embrace,” Father Tad Pacholczyk of the National Catholic Bioethics Center has noted.

When I was teaching bioethics in the seminary, I required the students to read Huxley’s “Brave New World” and recommended Shelley’s “Frankenstein.”

Science can do great good and great harm.

We have entered a time in which women’s eggs can be bought and sold; in which surrogate mothers have “wombs for rent”; in which there is growing emphasis upon “superbabies” and “designer babies”; in which children may have three or four biological parents; in which even the definitions of “father,” mother” and “marriage” are severely challenged. We are on the path to becoming our own creation – leading us not to heaven, but to hell.

Given all this, it’s worth noting three points. First, there are ethical means of assisted reproductive technologies.

Generally, procedures which help a married couple conceive through the natural conjugal act are good. Also good may be such things as hormonal treatments and surgical interventions to correct medical problems.

Your pastor’s advice is important. Second, although IVF should never be recommended or used, couples who have used that procedure should and can be reconciled to the Church, and the child born as a result of IVF should be promptly baptized. Third, as Father Nicanor Austriaco has put it, “bioethics is a moral theology of crises.” In this age of medical and moral crises, we need to be guided by the teaching of the Church more than ever.

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

CHARLOTTE — The large stained glass window behind the altar depicting the Risen Lord at St. Joseph Vietnamese Church shines especially bright during the holy Easter Season.

— Photo by Patricia L. Guilfoyle, editor

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