Aug. 28, 2015

August 28, 2015

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

Diocese revises policy to protect minors, 5

Rallies outside Planned Parenthood facilities draw hundreds, 5

INDEX

Contact us.......................... 4 Español..................................11 Events calendar................. 4 Our Faith............................. 2 Our Parishes................. 3-10 Schools......................... 14-15 Scripture readings............ 2 TV & Movies.................. 16-17 U.S. news...................... 18-19 Viewpoints.................. 22-23 World news.................. 20-21

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704-370-3333

‘Dwelling place of love’

FUNDED by the parishioners of the diocese of charlotte

Bishop Jugis dedicates Mother Teresa Villa in Charlotte, 3

THANK YOU!

St. Pius X breaks ground on parish life center, 3 Time to go back to school!

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St. Ann Parish celebrates 60th anniversary, 12-13

Our faith 2

catholicnewsherald.com | August 28, 2015 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

St. Augustine of Hippo Feast day: Aug. 28

Pope Francis

Family prayer time can start with small, simple gestures

P

arents who juggle packed work and family schedules deserve a Nobel Prize in mathematics for doing something not even the most brilliant scientists can do: They pack 48 hours of activity into 24, Pope Francis said. “I don’t know how they do it, but they do,” the pope told thousands of people gathered Aug. 26 for his weekly general audience.

“There are moms and dads who could win the Nobel for this!”

Focusing his talk on the family and prayer, the pope said he knows modern life can be frenetic and that family schedules are “complicated and packed.”

The most frequent complaint of any Christian, he said, is that he or she does not have enough time to pray.

“The regret is sincere,” the pope said, “because the human heart seeks prayer, even if one is not aware of it.”

The way to begin, he said, is to recognize how much God loves you and to love Him in return. “A heart filled with affection for God can turn even a thought without words into a prayer.”

“It is good to believe in God with all your heart and it’s good to hope that He will help you when you are in difficulty or to feel obliged to thank Him. That’s all good. But do we love the Lord? Does thinking about God move us, fill us with awe and make us more tender?”

Bowing one’s head or “blowing a kiss” when one passes a church or a crucifix or an image of Mary are small signs of that love. They are prayers.

“It is beautiful when moms teach their little children to blow a kiss to Jesus or Mary,” he said. “There’s so much tenderness in that. And, at that moment, the heart of the child is transformed into a place of prayer.”

“Isn’t it amazing that God caresses us with a father’s love? It’s beautiful, so beautiful. He could have simply made Himself known as the Supreme Being, given His commandments and awaited the results. Instead, God did and does infinitely more than this. He accompanies us on the path of life, protects us and loves us.”

If you learn as a child to turn to God “with the same spontaneity as you learn to say ‘daddy’ and ‘mommy,’ you’ve learned it forever.”

By teaching children how to make the sign of the cross, to say a simple grace before meals and to remember always that God is there and loves them, he said, family life will be enveloped in God’s love and family members will spontaneously find times for prayer.

“You, mom, and you, dad – teach your child to pray, to make the sign of the cross.”

On Aug. 28 the Church honors St. Augustine of Hippo. Augustine was born at the town of Tagaste (now Souk-Ahras, in modern day Algeria) on Nov. 13, 354, and grew to become one the most significant and influential thinkers in the history of the Church. His teachings were the foundation of Christian doctrine for a millennium.

The story of his life, up until his conversion, is written in the autobiographical “Confessions,” the most intimate and well-known glimpse into an individual’s soul ever written, as well as a fascinating philosophical, theological, mystical, poetic and literary work.

Augustine, though being brought up in early childhood as a Christian, lived a dissolute life of revelry and sin, and soon drifted away from the Church – thinking that he wasn’t necessarily leaving Christ, of whose name he acknowledges “I kept it in the recesses of my heart; and all that presented itself to me without that Divine name, though it might be elegant, well written, and even replete with truth, did not altogether carry me away” (“Confessions,” I, iv).

He went to study in Carthage and became well-known in the city for his brilliant mind and rhetorical skills and sought a career as an orator or lawyer. But he also discovered and fell in love with philosophy at the age of 19, a love he pursued with great vehemence.

He was attracted to Manichaeanism at this time, after its devotees had promised him that they had scientific answers to the mystery of nature, could disprove the Scriptures, and could explain the problem of evil. Augustine became a follower for nine years, learning all there was to learn in it before rejecting it as incoherent and fraudulent.

He went to Rome and then Milan in 386 where he met St. Ambrose, the bishop and Doctor of the Church, whose sermons inspired him to look for the truth he had always sought in the faith he had rejected. He received baptism and soon after, his mother, St. Monica, died with the knowledge that all she had hoped for in this world had been fulfilled.

He returned to Africa, to his hometown of Tagaste, “having now cast off from himself the cares of the world, he lived for God with those who accompanied him, in fasting, prayers, and good works, meditating on the law of the Lord by day and by night.”

On a visit to Hippo he was proclaimed priest and then bishop against his will. He later accepted it as the will of God and spent the rest of his life as the pastor of the North African town, from where he spent much time refuting the writings of heretics.

Augustine also wrote “The City of God,” a response against the pagans who charged that the fall of the Roman empire, which was taking place at the hands of the Vandals.

On Aug. 28, 430, as Hippo was under siege by the Vandals, Augustine died at the age of 76. His legacy continues to deeply shape the face of the Church to this day.

The city of St. Augustine, Fla., is named for the great saint, and this year it is marking its 450th anniversary. St. Augustine’s connection to the city and the parish began Aug. 28 – his feast day – in 1565, when Spanish explorer Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles

(Above) “Saint Augustine in His Study,” by Sandro Botticelli, 1480, at the Chiesa di Ognissanti in Florence, Italy (Left) A first-class relic of St. Augustine of Hippo, patron saint of St. Augustine, Fla., is displayed during a July 7 vespers at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine. It is on loan from the Vatican Treasury for the city and cathedral parish’s 450th anniversary celebration.

CNS | Brandon Duncan, St. Augustine Catholic magazine

sighted land off Florida’s coast. He founded the new colony, St. Augustine, on Sept. 8, the same day the parish was founded.

The Diocese of St. Augustine and its cathedral, the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine, recently welcomed a first-class relic of the saint, on loan from the Vatican Treasury for the 450th anniversary celebration of the city and cathedral parish.

The relic is a knucklebone of a finger encased in a reliquary that is the shape of a silver and jeweled crucifix, with the inscription “Pope Pius X, 1904.”

It is the first time the relic has been in the United States, and it will be on display for veneration in the Diocese of St. Augustine through Sept. 30.

— CNA/EWTN News, Catholic News Service

Your daily Scripture readings AUG. 30-SEPT. 5

Sunday: Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8, James 1:1718, 21-22, 27, Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23; Monday: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Luke 4:16-30; Tuesday: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6, 9-11, Luke 4:31-37; Wednesday: Colossians 1:1-8, Luke 4:38-44; Thursday (St. Gregory the Great): Colossians 1:9-14, Luke 5:1-11; Friday: Colossians 1:15-20, Luke 5:33-39; Saturday: Colossians 1;21-23, Luke 6:1-5.

SEPT. 6-12

Sunday: Isaiah 35:4-7, James 2:1-5, Mark 7:31-37; Monday: Colossians 1:24-2:3, Luke 6:6-11; Tuesday (The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary): Micah 5:1-4, Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23; Wednesday (St. Peter Claver): Colossians 3:111, Luke 6:20-26; Thursday: Colossians 3:12-17, Luke 6:27-38; Friday: 1 Timothy 1:1-2, 12-14, Luke 6:39-42; Saturday (The Most Holy Name of Mary): 1 Timothy 1:15-17, Luke 6:43-49

SEPT. 13-19

Sunday: Isaiah 50:4-9, James 2;14-18, Mark 8:27-35; Monday (The Exaltation of the Holy Cross): Numbers 21:4-9, Philippians 2:6-11, John 3:13-17; Tuesday (Our Lady of Sorrows): 1 Timothy 3:1-13, John 19:25-27; Wednesday (Sts. Cornelius and Cyprian): 1 Timothy 3:14-16, Luke 7:31-35; Thursday (St. Robert Bellarmine): 1 Timothy 4:12-16, Luke 7:36-50; Friday: 1 Timothy 6:2-12, Luke 8:1-3; Saturday (St. Januarius): 1 Timothy 6:13-16, Luke 8-4-15

Our parishes

August 28, 2015 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

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Mother Teresa Villa, a ‘dwelling place of love,’ opens Bishop Jugis dedicates new apartment home Aug. 25 SueAnn Howell Senior reporter Photo provided by Mary Gilreath via Facebook

CHARLOTTE — Mother Teresa Villa, a housing complex for adults with developmental disabilities in Charlotte, was ceremonially opened and dedicated by Bishop Peter Jugis this week. The 11,752-square-foot facility is an answer to prayer for the families whose loved ones have moved in.

Mother Teresa Villa is a combined effort of the Catholic Diocese of Charlotte Housing Corp., and InReach, a Charlotte non-profit that provides residential and community support services for people with developmental disabilities.

Funding for the $2 million project came from a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, along with $200,000 each from the Charlotte Housing Trust Fund and the N.C. Housing Finance Agency. The Diocese of Charlotte also spent $900,000 for the infrastructure on the 20-acre site which will support future housing initiatives.

Monsignor Mauricio West, vicar general and chancellor of the Diocese of Charlotte, welcomed more than 100 people to the dedication Aug. 25.

“Thank you all for being here as we celebrate the opening of Mother Teresa Villa affordable apartments. We are really grateful for your presence here,” he said.

“As you all know, a project of this scope does not happen by itself. It requires the collaboration and the working together of so

Authorities say someone intentionally set a fire at Holy Angels Church’s parish hall, causing about $20,000 in damage.

Mount Airy church burned in suspected arson sueann howell | catholic news herald

Bishop Peter J. Jugis participates in the ribbon-cutting ceremony during the grand opening of Mother Teresa Villa in Charlotte Aug. 25. Just beforehand, he blessed and dedicated the facility named after Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, the Missionary of Charity who spent her life caring for the poorest of the poor in India and whose religious communities carry on her legacy around the world. many people, many of whom are here this morning.”

He acknowledged the agencies who partnered with the diocese on the project.

Margrit Bergholz of North Carolina Finance Agency addressed those gathered: “This is a beautiful project that is providing much-needed housing for 12 residents.”

Charlotte City Councilwomen Patsy Kinsey and LaWana Mayfield also spoke, expressing their support of the diverse housing option Mother Teresa Villa provides.

Kinsey shared a quote from Blessed Teresa: “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the water to create many ripples.”

David Dougherty, chair of InReach’s board of directors, then spoke about his agency’s involvement in the project: “I really can’t tell you how exciting it is to be a part of this project. The groundwork was VILLA, SEE page 10

St. Pius X breaks ground on parish life center Georgianna Penn Correspondent

GREENSBORO — Clergy and parishioners at St. Pius X Church celebrated the start of construction on a new parish hall with a groundbreaking ceremony on Aug. 15.

The $5 million Simmons Parish Life Center is being built in response to strong growth at the Greensboro parish, which also just broke ground in May on a Primary Education Center to house a new prekindergarten program and only five years ago built a new, larger church.

This latest construction project will consolidate parish operations, which are currently split between the church and school on North Elm Street and the parish office four blocks away on State Street.

The 23,477-square-feet building will house office space for parish staff, a library, a coffee bar and waiting area, and meeting rooms for the thriving ministries at the parish of 1,750 registered families. Upstairs

St. Pius X Church broke ground on the Simmons Parish Life Center Aug. 15. The $5 million project is being built in response to strong growth at the Greensboro parish.

Georgianna Penn | Catholic News Herald

will be a banquet hall, a pre-function area and a large kitchen.

“The work we are beginning should enliven our faith and make us grateful,” said Monsignor Anthony Marcaccio, pastor, during the groundbreaking ceremony.

“Whenever we look to the interest of our neighbor or the community and serve them, we are in a sense God’s co-workers.”

Monsignor Marcaccio thanked Mr. and Mrs. Robert Simmons and their family for supporting the parish’s “Making a Place to Gather and Grow” campaign to build the parish hall and primary education center.

He also commended the parish council, SPX, SEE page 10

KIMBERLY BENDER ONLINE REPORTER

MOUNT AIRY — Sunday Mass was celebrated on the lawn outside Holy Angels Church in Mount Airy Aug. 23 after a suspected arson damaged the parish’s worship space.

Mount Airy fire and police are investigating a suspicious fire that damaged the entrance of the parish’s Duncan Center, located at 1208 N. Main St., in the early morning hours of Aug. 22. No injuries were reported.

“The evidence points to an intentionally set fire at the front doors of the fellowship hall,” said Mount Airy Fire Chief Zane Poindexter.

The fire was set around 3 a.m. at the entrance to the parish hall, which is now used for most Masses.

The blaze damaged the overhang and ruined the doors. Gasoline was poured on the front doors and set on fire, said Father Lawrence Heiney, pastor of Holy Angels Church.

“At 10 (minutes) to 4 a.m., I was awoken to the sound of fire trucks,” Father Heiney told the Catholic News Herald. “It wasn’t particularly startling because I live next to the fire department, but they didn’t seem to be going far. By the time I got outside, the flames were out.”

The entrance way, door and exterior canopy sustained most of the damage. The sanctuary area was not burned, but it did suffer smoke damage, Father Heiney said. The fire wall between the entrance and the main hall more than likely spared the rest of the building, he added.

The fire caused an estimated $20,000 in damage, Poindexter said.

No damage was reported to the smaller, nearly 100-year-old church located next to the Duncan Center.

The fire was certainly “inconvenient,” Father Heiney said, FIRE, SEE page 10

UPcoming events 4

catholicnewsherald.com | August 28, 2015 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Bishop Peter J. Jugis will participate in the following upcoming events: AUG. 28 – 7 P.M. Sacrament of Confirmation St. Margaret of Scotland Church, Maggie Valley

Sept. 5 – 11 a.m.

AUG. 31 – 12:10 P.M. Holy Mass for Home School Community St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte

Sept. 8 – 11 a.m.

Presbyteral Council Meeting Pastoral Center, Charlotte

Sept. 20 – 9 a.m.

Sacrament of Confirmation Immaculate Heart of Mary Mission, Hayesville

Sept. 2 - 6 p.m.

Sacrament of Confirmation Holy Redeemer Church, Andrews

Sept. 11-12 11th Eucharistic Congress Charlotte Convention Center, Charlotte

Sept. 21-24 – 6:30 p.m.

Papal Visit Washington, D.C.

Mass for Missionaries of Charity Charlotte

Sept. 16 – 6:30 p.m.

Sacrament of Confirmation St. Frances of Rome Mission, Sparta

Diocesan calendar of events August 28, 2015 Volume 23 • Number 24

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

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

STAFF EDITOR: Patricia L. Guilfoyle 704-370-3334, plguilfoyle@charlottediocese.org

ENTERTAINMENT

OTHER

10, St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy.

Irish Movie Night ‘MICHAEL COLLINS’: 7-9 p.m. Sept.

5, at St. Mark Church’s Parish Hall, 14740 Stumptown Road, Huntersville. This is the story of the man who led the fight for Irish independence. Movie is rated “R” due to violence and language; therefore, children are not allowed. Popcorn and refreshments will be available for purchase. For details, contact Joe Dougherty at 704942-6345 or dockirish@yahoo.com. Sponsored by the St. Brendan Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

Eucharistic Congress: Friday-Saturday, Sept. 11-12, at the Charlotte Convention Center, 501 South College St., Charlotte. Free. Everyone welcome. For details and a schedule of events, go to www.goeucharist.com.

DENVER: 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30, Holy Spirit Church, 537 North Hwy. 16

LECTURES & REFLECTIONS ‘Medicare choices made easy’: Classes designed to explain Medicare, when to sign up and how to save money. For details and registration, call Sandra Breakfield at 704-370-3220. Walk-ins welcome. Upcoming workshops will be held in:

ADVERTISING MANAGER: Kevin Eagan 704-370-3332, keeagan@charlottediocese.org

Morganton: 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1, at St. Charles Borromeo Church, 728 West Union St.

SENIOR REPORTER: SueAnn Howell 704-370-3354, sahowell@charlottediocese.org

Hendersonville: 2-4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2, at Immaculate Conception Church, 208 Seventh Ave. W.

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

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.

Pope Francis’ encyclical ‘Laudato Si’ and Catholic teaching on the environment: 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, at St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy., presentation by Dan Misleh, director of the Catholic Climate Covenant in Washington, D.C.; 7-9 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5, St. Peter Church, 507 South Tryon St., presentations by Michael Burkhart of Catholic Relief Services and Sam Perkins of the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation; 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, Curtin Hall, on the Sisters of Mercy campus in Belmont, presentations by Father Frank Cancro, pastor of Queen of the Apostles Church in Belmont and Mercy Sister Rose Marie Tresp, director of justice for the Sisters of Mercy South Central Community.

‘Connecting Elders to Resources in Western North Carolina’: 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19 at Sacred Heart Church, 150 Brian Berg Lane, Brevard.

Come learn, celebrate, and pray, as Catholic Charities and Sacred Heart Catholic Church highlight the treasure of elders in society and offer helpful workshops on a variety of topics, including elder health care choices, safety tips and risk prevention, avoiding scams and fraud, and community resources. Go to www.ccdoc.org/ fwnc for event schedule and registration details. E-mail jtpurello@charlottediocese.org or call 704-370-3225.

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

Saturday, Sept. 19, at St. Joseph Church, 720 West 13th St., Newton. 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

GREENSBORO: 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1, St. Paul the Apostle Church, 2715 Horse Pen Creek Road HIGH POINT: 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 4145 Johnson St.

Pro-Life Rosary: 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, 901 North Main St. and Sunset Drive, High Point. Outdoors, rain or shine. Parking available nearby. Come to pray for the end of abortion. For details, call Jim Hoyng at 336-882-9593 or Paul Klosterman at 336-848-6835.

MINT HILL: 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, St. Luke Church, 13700 Lawyers Road

Diocesan Wedding Anniversary Mass: 2 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 18, at St. John Neumann Church, 8451 Idlewild Road, Charlotte. All couples in the Diocese of Charlotte celebrating their 25th or 50th wedding anniversaries are welcome. Reception following Mass.

For details and to RSVP, contact your parish office.

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.

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.

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.

Rosary for the unborn: 7 p.m. every Monday at St. Thérèse Church, 217 Brawley School Road, Mooresville Divine Mercy Cenacle: 10 a.m. every first and third Wednesday of the month and 7 p.m. every second and fourth Tuesday of the month at St. Mark Church, 14740 Stumptown Road, Charlotte. For details, call Donna Fodale at 704-237-4820.

St. Joseph intercessory prayer group: 7:30 p.m. every Monday, choir room at St. Pius X Church, 2210 N. Elm St., Greensboro. For details, call 336-272-4681.

Exposition and Benediction, sung Chaplet of Divine Mercy, and readings from the Diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska: 7-8 p.m. every First Friday at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 1400 Suther Road, Charlotte. For details, call Paul Deer at 704-577-3496 or Deacon James Witulski at 704-960-3704.

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.

ASHEVILLE: 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, St. Lawrence Basilica, 97 Haywood St.

SUPPORT GROUPS

YOUNG ADULTS AQUINAS’ FINEST: A social group for Charlotte-area Catholics in their 20s and 30s, under the patronage of the Angelic Doctor. Go to www.stacharlotte.com/finest for details about upcoming events.

Asheville Theology on Tap: Catholics in their 20s and 30s in the Asheville area are invited to the following upcoming talks: “Unlocking the Mystery of Faith, One Hail Mary at a Time” with Father John Eckert of Salisbury on Tuesday, Sept. 15. All programs begin at 6:30 p.m. at MoJo Kitchen, 55 College St. in downtown Asheville. For details, check them out on Facebook, Twitter or MeetUp. Charlotte Area Young adults: Groups for Catholics in their 20s and 30s, single or married, are active in Charlotte at: St. Gabriel Church (on Facebook at “St. Gabriel Young Adult Ministry”), St. John Neumann Church (Meg VanGoethem, 815-545-2587), St. Mark Church (look them up on MeetUp), St. Matthew Church (on Facebook at “Young Adult Life: A St. Matthew Ministry”), St. Patrick Cathedral (on Facebook at “St. Patrick Cathedral Frassati Fellowship-Young Adult Ministry”), St. Peter Church (look them up on MeetUp) and Our Lady of Consolation Church (Denise Duliepre, 917-575-0871); and Holy Spirit Church in Denver (Nicole Lehman, 704-607-5207).

BELMONT: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, Belmont Abbey College (Grace Auditorium in St. Leo Hall) CANDLER: 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30, St. Joan of Arc Church, 768 Asbury Road CHARLOTTE: 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2, St. Patrick Cathedral, 1621 Dilworth Road; 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept.

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.

August 28, 2015 | catholicnewsherald.com

‘It’s about expressing to those young people and their adults the importance of their safety and our responsibility for their safety … so that the responsibility is for all of us within the Catholic community.’

Providence Sister Betty Paul Faith Formation coordinator for the northern region.

OUR PARISHESI

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Diocese revises policy to protect minors SueAnn Howell Senior reporter

CHARLOTTE — Changes are being made to the Diocese of Charlotte’s policy governing the protection of children and young people.

The changes to “Protocols for Ministry with and to Minors,” which will go into effect Sept.

1, create a more closely-aligned child protection policy for all youth-related ministries across the diocese, including its 92 parishes, 19 Catholic schools, faith formation programs, agencies and groups, events and more.

The updated policy applies to all ministries to all minors, from birth through high school.

Among its updates, it changes the adult chaperone-to-youth ratio from 1:8 to 1:10 with “two deep” leadership, includes consideration of certain possible pastoral situations such as unwed pregnancy, and correlates more closely with relevant civil laws.

It is the first update in nearly six years to the policy, which was first issued in 2004 by Bishop Peter Jugis.

“The hallmark features of this current revision include the expansion to include all minors, intentional and systematic collaboration with the diocesan Hispanic Ministry vicariate, and inclusion of pertinent existing diocesan Catholic schools’ policies,” said Paul Kotlowski, diocesan director of youth ministry, who led the update work in collaboration with others.

The diocese has had child protection policies in place for more than 20 years.

Its 1994 “Policy of the Diocese of Charlotte Concerning Ministry-Related Sexual Misconduct by Church Personnel” established

an independent review board to investigate claims of abuse.

Less than six months after being installed as bishop, during an Ash Wednesday 2004 homily, Bishop Jugis apologized for the clergy sexual abuse crisis in the Church that had victimized so many children, including those hurt by priests in the Charlotte diocese. The following week he announced a set of protocols for youth ministry based on the misconduct policy the diocese had relied upon since 1994 but which would mirror the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ 2002 “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.”

This “Protocols for Ministry with and to Minors” has been diocesan law since 2004.

The diocese has instituted a five-year review schedule since then, so that diocesan leaders can remain vigilant in working to ensure the safety of children entrusted into the Church’s care, Kotlowski noted.

The current revision process was spearheaded by Kotlowski and Providence Sister Betty Paul, and is the result of extensive consultations with pastors and parish catechetical leaders over the past year and a half.

“It was a great experience to work with Paul on the update and to do our best to coordinate and integrate the protocols to include some of the policies in the Catholic schools and to do an integrated approach with the Hispanic community,” said Sister Betty, who serves as diocese’s northern region coordinator in the Faith Formation office.

“What was significant for me is that when we speak about young people in our Church, we’re not just speaking about those persons involved

in youth ministry programs, faith formation programs, in the Catholic schools, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Hispanic Ministry youth programs. It’s the goal of integrating our whole Church and our involvement in the Church,” she said.

“It’s about expressing to those young people and their adults the importance of their safety and our responsibility for their safety, regardless if we are responsible for them in a particular venue or program…so that the responsibility is for all of us within the Catholic community.”

“Each parish setting, school setting is different,” she noted, adding, “Our goal is that the protocols will assist the parish leaders and school leaders in each of these settings, that they will help them to have a positive influence on their ministry.”

The new policy is being distributed to all priests, deacons and parish leaders, as well as published on the diocese’s website at www. charlottediocese.org.

Church staff, ministry leaders, volunteers and others will have the chance to learn about the updated policy during a Sept. 17 Education Vicariate training session at the Catholic Conference Center in Hickory. Parishes and others can schedule their own training on the new policy by contacting the Faith Formation, Youth Ministry or Hispanic Ministry offices.

For more At www.education.charlottediocese.net: Read the revised “Protocols for Ministry with and to Minors” that applies to all youth ministry in the Diocese of Charlotte

Anti-abortion rallies outside 4 Planned Parenthood locations draw hundreds Patricia L. Guilfoyle Editor

CHARLOTTE — Several hundred people came to protest outside the four Planned Parenthood facilities located in western North Carolina Aug. 22 – part of a nationwide “Protest Planned Parenthood” rally calling for an end to support for the nation’s largest abortion provider.

Anti-abortion protesters prayed, gave speeches and held signs Saturday outside Raleigh-based Planned Parenthood South Atlantic’s branches in Asheville, Charlotte, Greensboro and Winston-Salem. Nationwide, more than 300 protests were organized that day.

Planned Parenthood has come under fire recently with the release of undercover videos showing their officials describing the harvesting and sale at their clinics of body parts from aborted babies – some purportedly born alive.

Eight videos released so far by the California-based Center for Medical Progress have provoked scrutiny from state and federal leaders, and at least five states have moved to withdraw Medicaid funding from their local Planned Parenthood branches.

South Carolina has announced an investigation of its Planned Parenthood locations, but North Carolina has not.

Planned Parenthood performed 327,653 abortions in 2013 – one-third of all abortions in the U.S. that year – according to its latest annual report. At Planned Parenthood South Atlantic’s nine North Carolina locations, six including Charlotte do abortion referrals and three – Asheville, Wilmington and Winston-Salem – perform abortions.

Planned Parenthood South Atlantic bills itself as “one of the region’s largest Planned Parenthood affiliates,” with 15 locations spanning North and South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia.

In Asheville – Planned Parenthood’s newest North Carolina location – more than 200 anti-abortion protestors and a handful of Planned Parenthood supporters staged opposing rallies along McDowell Street on Saturday. More than two dozen anti-abortion protestors also held a “Honk for Life” rally on Friday.

“The event was peaceful, but not necessarily quiet,” said Meredith Hunt, one of the organizers. Hunt and others

Patricia L. Guilfoyle | Catholic News Herald

About 400 people packed the sidewalk along Albemarle Road in front of Planned Parenthood’s Charlotte Health Center Aug. 14 to call for federal defunding of the nation’s largest abortion provider. A second protest there on Aug. 22 drew more than 1,000. have kept up a steady prayer vigil outside the Planned Parenthood facility since it was first under construction last year. The location opened in January, and in April it began performing abortions.

In Greensboro, organizers counted more than 185 people at their rally outside Planned Parenthood’s Battleground Avenue location on Saturday.

“The protest went well, and I was amazed at the turnout,” said one of the organizers, Robert Bauer, in an email afterwards. “This from less than a week’s notice.

Many only heard about it in the last two days. Praise God!” About 300 people came out to the Winston-Salem rally, organizers reported.

The largest turnout of all of Saturday’s rallies was at Planned Parenthood’s Charlotte Health Center, where Cities4Life organizers said they counted more than 1,000 protestors. Following the two-hour protest, approximately 100 people went to pray and protest outside Charlotte’s busiest abortion mill, A Preferred Women’s Health Center on Latrobe Drive.

The Aug. 22 protests were coordinated nationally by the Columbus, Ohio-based group “Created Equal,” as well as the Pro-Life Action League, Citizens for a Pro-life Society and 40 Days for Life.

A week earlier, an estimated 400 people also packed the sidewalk along Albemarle Road in front of Planned Parenthood’s Charlotte location. That rally was organized by a new network of pro-life groups in the Charlotte area – the Catholic Pro-Life Action Network of Charlotte.

“Pro-lifers in the trenches have long known that Planned Parenthood traffics baby parts and organs, and now there is the video documentation to prove it,” said organizer Gretchen Filz, a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte. “These videos have done an excellent job of opening the public’s eyes to what veteran pro-lifers have known for decades – that the abortion business is dark, dirty and corrupt.”

“What should our collective response be to monstrous evils in society such as this, where 58 million of our American children have been torn apart in the womb since 1973? We should pray and advocate … all of us,” Filz said.

“Enough is enough.”

“We need to do something,” said Veronica Kocak of St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte, who came to the rally with her husband and daughter. “Just being here is doing something.”

More online At www.catholicnewsherald.com: See a video highlight from the protest in front of Planned Parenthood, as well as a map of all the abortion mills in the Diocese of Charlotte At www.prolifecharlotte.org: Learn more about the new Catholic Pro-Life Action Network of Charlotte

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catholicnewsherald.com | August 28, 2015 OUR PARISHES

Watch ‘A day in the life of a parish priest’ ONLINE EXCLUSIVE CHARLOTTE — Think all your parish priest does is say Mass on Sundays and holy days?

Think again.

Appointed by the bishop, pastors are ultimately responsible for every aspect of parish life – from celebrating the sacraments and teaching the faith to managing the finances and repairing the roof. While each molds his role as servant leader or shepherd to best serve the needs of his particular flock, some parts of the job are universal, laid out in Church law.

Primarily, his mission is “exercising the pastoral care of the community committed to him under the authority of the diocesan bishop in whose ministry of Christ he has been called to share, so that for that same community he carries out the functions of teaching, sanctifying, and governing, also with the cooperation of other presbyters or deacons and with the assistance of lay members of the Christian faithful...”

(Canon 519) In fact, Church law is pretty specific when it comes to the personal qualities of a pastor. For one, “he is to be outstanding in sound doctrine and integrity of morals and endowed with zeal

for souls and other virtues...” (521 §2) And his duties are explicitly described as follows: “A pastor is obliged to make provision so that the word of God is proclaimed in its entirety to those living in the parish; for this reason, he is to take care that the lay members of the Christian faithful are instructed in the truths of the faith, especially by giving a homily on Sundays and holy days of obligation and by offering catechetical instruction. He is to foster works through which the spirit of the gospel is promoted, even in what pertains to social justice. He is to have particular care for the Catholic education of children and youth.

He is to make every effort, even with the

Priests talk Revelation during annual convocation in Asheville SueAnn Howell Senior reporter

ASHEVILLE — Thirty-eight priests from across the Diocese of Charlotte met in Asheville for three days earlier this month for their annual convocation, a continuing education program that was led this year by Monsignor Christopher Schreck, rector/president of the Pontifical College Josephinum.

Monsignor Schreck reviewed the Book of Revelation during the Aug. 10-12 program.

Schreck “In reviewing aspects such as authorship, literary form, the historical situation in the first-century Roman Empire, and the tradition of the Church, Monsignor Schreck dispelled many common myths about the book and provided much food for thought for teaching and preaching,” said convocation organizer Father Pat Hoare, pastor of St. John Neumann Church in Charlotte.

“What was most compelling for me was a realization that Revelation has much to say to Christian believers of today. Despite the mystery that often surrounds the book for many, the Book of Revelation calls us to a deeper commitment to our faith. It offers great comfort to us in the ultimate triumph of the Lord – a victory already present to us, even in our troubled times.”

Father Shawn O’Neal, pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Brevard and St. Jude Mission in Sapphire, said he found the convocation interesting and useful.

“I am grateful that I could attend,” Father O’Neal said. “I know that I will be

sharing what was gained for many years to come.”

“As someone who has lived in North Carolina for the past 34 years and a native Southerner with all that comes with it – good and ill – I know that many churches are fascinated about the Book of Revelation and all the events within it,” he added. “I told my congregation in Brevard, ‘If there is one book that can scare the socks off people, it is the Book of Revelation.’

“I am very glad that Monsignor Schreck made sure to inform us or remind us about the long-standing Catholic tradition of persevering, rather than calculating when things are going to happen or what signs mean. His words about the book tied well together with what we profess each Sunday when we profess ‘I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.’”

Father Stephen Hoyt, parochial vicar of Holy Family Church in Clemmons, noted, “Monsignor Schreck, from his vast experience as educator and formator of priests, masterfully presented the last text of the Bible ‒ the Book of Revelation ‒ to all of us gathered in convocation.

“While we have had the opportunity in seminary to study the Scriptures, he offered us some helpful pastoral approaches to interpreting and sharing the inspired text of Revelation within our ministry. There was a common agreement among us brother priests that there is a strong desire among the faithful to understand and appreciate the true meaning of Revelation that could easily be misinterpreted. When properly seen in light of tradition and divine inspiration, it is a powerful culmination of the Lord’s plan of salvation and the hope we have in the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, our Savior.”

collaboration of the Christian faithful, so that the message of the gospel comes also to those who have ceased the practice of their religion or do not profess the true faith.” (528 §1) “The pastor is to see to it that the Most Holy Eucharist is the center of the parish assembly of the faithful. He is to work so that the Christian faithful are nourished through the devout celebration of the sacraments and, in a special way, that they frequently approach the sacraments of the Most Holy Eucharist and penance. He is also to endeavor that they are led to practice prayer even as families and take part consciously and actively in the sacred liturgy...” (528 §2) And, Church law states, “In order to fulfill his office diligently, a pastor is to strive to know the faithful entrusted to his care. Therefore he is to visit families, sharing especially in the cares, anxieties, and griefs of the faithful, strengthening them in the Lord, and prudently correcting them if they are failing in certain areas. With generous love he is to help the sick, particularly those close to death, by refreshing them solicitously with the sacraments and commending their souls to God; with particular diligence he is to seek out the poor, the afflicted, the lonely, those exiled from their country, and similarly those weighed down by special difficulties. He is to work so that spouses and

parents are supported in fulfilling their proper duties and is to foster growth of Christian life in the family.” (529 §1) “A pastor is to recognize and promote the proper part which the lay members of the Christian faithful have in the mission of the Church, by fostering their associations for the purposes of religion. He is to cooperate with his own bishop and the presbyterium of the diocese, also working so that the faithful have concern for parochial communion, consider themselves members of the diocese and of the universal Church, and participate in and sustain efforts to promote this same communion.” (529 §2) The list goes on, but we don’t have the space here to include all of a pastor’s myriad duties.

So how does all this work in reality?

The Catholic News Herald recently took its cameras to St. Vincent de Paul Church in Charlotte to capture “a day in the life” of its pastor, Father Mark Lawlor. Ordained to the priesthood in 1995, Father Lawlor has served as pastor at St. Vincent de Paul Church since 2003. He graciously allowed us to film him all day on Aug. 4 – the feast of St. John Vianney, patron of priests – to help illuminate a portion of what all of our priests do for us each day, and how much they love serving Christ and His Body, the Church.

Watch our short documentary, “A Day in the Life of a Parish Priest,” online at www. catholicnewsherald.com.

— Catholic News Herald

Men religious commit to ‘deeper engagement’ in addressing climate issue Catholic News Service

CHARLOTTE — The Conference of Major Superiors of Men overwhelmingly passed a resolution Aug. 7 committing to “a deeper engagement” to protect the earth and “cherish all creation.”

The conference, made up of leaders who represent more than 17,000 Catholic religious brothers and priests in the United States, laid out steps for member congregations to take in solidarity with Pope Francis’ call to action on climate change in his encyclical on the environment.

“With this act, CMSM commits to a deeper engagement on this issue and transforming practices in communities where they and their members live and minister,” the resolution said.

“The biblical vision with Christ in the center of our lives and communities, along with our vows and our mission as religious, calls us to see the urgency of this issue, not simply as a justice and peace concern but as embedded in who we are,” it said.

Action on the resolution, titled “Cherish All of Creation,” came during the annual CMSM assembly, held Aug. 5-8 in Charlotte. This year’s theme was “Celebrate the Year of Consecrated Life: Gratitude, Passion, Hope.”

U.S. men’s religious orders “have a long history of walking with those in most need,” the resolution said.

Quoting from the encyclical “Laudato Si’,” it added: “CMSM deeply feels the suffering of our ‘common home’ and all the creatures, each of whom ‘have a value of their own in God’s eyes.’”

The resolution calls religious brothers and priests to, among other things: n Regularly pray the St. Francis Pledge “To Protect and Heal God’s Creation.” n “Change our lifestyle and personal

habits, such as consuming less, creating community gardens, and eating less or no meat as we cultivate the virtues of an ‘ecological citizenship.’” n Create dialogues on the issue and “preach and teach” about it. n Increase reliance on green energy in communities’ various ministries and buildings and decrease reliance on fossils fuels in those areas, as well as “support these same commitments in any investment portfolios.” n Advocate for significant policy changes at all levels of government to address this issue, “including a more equitable economic system.”

In his encyclical Pope Francis calls for a “broad cultural revolution” to confront the crisis of climate change and address the needs of the world’s poor communities as well as poor and marginalized people, all of whom are heavily impacted by assaults on the environment.

The CMSM resolution said men religious must “include the most affected community in our own deliberations toward improving our care for creation.”

“This is a positive and concrete way to accept and advance, in a proactive way, the challenge that Pope Francis has placed before all people” through his encyclical, said Father James Greenfield, an Oblate of St. Francis de Sales, who is CMSM’s president.

In elections during the assembly’s membership meeting, delegates chose as president-elect Father Brian Terry, who is minister general of his order, the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement.

Elected vice president was Father Joseph Rodrigues, U.S. provincial of his order, the Society of the Divine Savior, also known as the Salvatorian Fathers and Brothers.

August 28, 2015 | catholicnewsherald.com

OUR PARISHESI

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Life Teen hosts regional Empower training at St. Matthew Church Rico De Silva Hispanic Communications Reporter

CHARLOTTE — More than 80 Life Teen youth minister from South and North Carolina parishes gathered at St. Matthew Church in Charlotte for an “Empower” training Aug. 22. The event aimed at providing the volunteers with the tools to lead young teenage Catholics closer to Christ.

“What Empower really is it’s empowering these adults to reach out to young people.

Today in the culture is more and more difficult to reach the young Church and to help them feel part of what’s going on in the Church,” Life Teen President and CEO Randy Rauss said. Rauss was one of the two keynote speakers for the daylong event. Monsignor John McSweeney,

St. Matthew pastor, offered Mass for the participants in the morning.

Rauss said St. Matthew Church was chosen for the regional training because “St. Matthew’s has done a great job over the years implementing Life Teen and really helping lead a lot of young people to Christ. We always like to go to places that are good examples, so that other people could be inspired by it… When you see a big picture of how great it can be, it inspires you to go back and do something more at your parish.”

According to Mark Bartholet, coordinator for youth ministry and Life Teen at St. Matthew Church, outside of their confirmation program, a little over 500 high school students participated in a youth event at St. Matthew last year. The events ranged from “Life Nights,” Boy

Scouts to other faith programs.

“With all of the programs that minister to teens put together, we have about 100 adults ministering to or with teens,” Bartholet said.

“No matter what level they’re in, whether this is their first year and they’re rookies, or they’ve been around, you can always learn new things when you gather together with people who are trying to serve teenagers. What’s the best way to approach them and share the Gospel and get them excited about their faith,” said Mary Ann Kirchner, a St. Matthew Life Teen Band volunteer, who also ministers to teens on Sunday evenings and during other youth ministry events at the parish. “It’s been a dynamite program here and I’m just glad we were able to offer our facility here.”

The Life Teen movement is present in

1,800 Catholic parishes in 26 countries around the world and according to Rauss, they train more than 4,000 youth leaders per year.

Bartholet noted that seeing volunteers of varying ages at the training was inspiring, especially those of retirement age.

“Convincing retired Catholics that they can make an impact on today’s youth is not always an easy task, but it’s an important one,” he said. “Age doesn’t matter in ministry to teens. What matters is being authentic, affirming and available.”

More online At www.catholicnewsherald.com: See video highlights from the LifeTeen ‘Empower’ training at St. Matthew Church

Four St. Matthew teens help fight pancreatic cancer Ready for PurpleStride Charlotte 5K Sept. 12 SueAnn Howell Senior reporter

CHARLOTTE — The difficult loss of loved ones from pancreatic cancer has become a catalyst for action for four teens from St. Matthew Church.

Siblings Alex (17) and Matt Weber (15) lost two grandparents – their maternal grandfather Jim Benson and paternal grandmother Shirley Weber ‒ to the disease in 2005 and 2012. Becca Gill (17) and her sister Elizabeth (14) lost their beloved uncle, Dr. Ed Gill, to pancreatic cancer in 2012.

All four teens have since become active volunteers with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network to honor their family members and raise awareness and money for research for this often deadly disease.

Pancreatic cancer has only a 7 percent survival rate and is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths, and it is projected to become the second leading cause of cancer death by 2020. An estimated 72 percent of patients die within the first year being diagnosed.

The Webers, who attend Charlotte Catholic High School, and the Gills, who attend Butler High School in Matthews, plan to join more than 1,500 people from across the region on Sept. 12 for PurpleStride Charlotte, a 5K fundraising and awareness run/walk.

The Catholic News Herald asked the teens to share some insights on their involvement with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

CNH: Why do you volunteer with this organization?

Alex: I volunteer because I want to see change. As a family, we discovered that between 2005 and 2012 there was no change in the survival rate. After seeing that there was no change in the survival rate, I was determined to see change. I also volunteer because I’m surrounded by people who have the same goals. All the volunteers have stories just like mine and we are all motivated to make a difference. I enjoy hearing other volunteers’ stories and seeing positive results from my volunteer work. I also volunteer because the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network takes the ideas of teenagers into consideration.

photos provided by Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

St. Matthew parishioners Elizabeth and Becca Gill (above) and Matt and Alex Weber (right) will participate in the PurpleStride Charlotte 5k Walk/ Run in Carlotte Sept. 12 to honor their loved ones who suffered from pancreatic cancer.

My brother and I created a promotional video for PurpleStride Charlotte. We also came up with the idea of having a drone broadcast live coverage of PurpleStride Charlotte.

Matt: I volunteer for multiple reasons.

The first reason is that I have been personally affected by pancreatic cancer multiple times. In addition to my personal experiences with pancreatic cancer, I enjoy volunteering because of the interesting personalities of other volunteers. Although the subject of cancer is depressing, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network works to stay joyful while using the sadness of their loss or desire to help in order to assist the organization the best way they can.

Becca: I volunteer because it’s important to me that I help make advancements in finding a cure for the disease that my uncle was diagnosed with and passed away from.

Elizabeth: My uncle was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2010. I watched him fight the disease and all I wanted to do was inform as many people as I can about it and help “wage hope.” My dream is to one day find a cure and put an end to pancreatic cancer.

CNH: Why do you participate in PurpleStride Charlotte?

Alex: It is a blast! It is a family-friendly walk and 5K run! We have a DJ, music, a

“selfie” booth, a kids zone and much more!

Matt: The goal of PurpleStride is to gather volunteers to “wage hope” against pancreatic cancer. This slogan demonstrates the motivation of the participants to try to find a cure for pancreatic cancer while staying positive.

Becca: When we raise thousands of dollars for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, I love being a part of that and seeing the team in Charlotte reach its donation goals.

Elizabeth: PurpleStride is a great experience that gets a lot of positive attention. I love how people come together and work as one to put an end to this;

participating is a truly heartwarming experience for me. I want to “wage hope” and inform as many families as possible about pancreatic cancer.

Opening ceremonies for the PurpleStride Charlotte 5K will take place at 8 a.m.

Saturday, Sept. 12, at Marshall Park in Charlotte.

For more info At www.pancan.org: Learn more about the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and its Charlotte affiliate At www.purplestride.org/charlotte: Register for the PurpleStride Charlotte 5K run/walk

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catholicnewsherald.com | August 28, 2015 OUR PARISHES

Colorful, reverent Mass celebrates Polish heritage Doreen Sugierski Correspondent

CHARLOTTE — A celebration of Polish culture and faith attracted more than 500 people Aug. 23 to St. Thomas Aquinas Church, for the annual Polish Mass in honor of Poland’s beloved Our Lady of Czestochowa.

Celebrating the Mass was Father Matt Nycz of Buffalo, N.Y., with Father Krzysztof Stefaniak of Warsaw, Poland, concelebrating.

“I am very grateful for being invited yet again to the annual Polish Mass and celebration honoring Our Lady of Czestochowa at St. Thomas Aquinas Church,” Father Nycz said. “The Mass celebrated in the Polish language drew hundreds of people from all over the diocese and beyond.

The Polish choir singing beautiful traditional Polish hymns and Mass parts added greatly to the authentic feel of the Polish liturgy.

“It was great to see hundreds of people, some of them dressed in traditional Polish folk costumes, but even more special for me was to see dozens of people celebrating the sacrament of reconciliation for two straight hours – one before and one following the Mass. The majority of confessions were in the Polish language. For me, and I know for many people, that was the positive life-changing highlight of the day.”

Attendees had the opportunity to venerate a replica icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa, known as “the Black Madonna,” as well as a first-class relic of St. John Paul II, the first Polish pope.

“We are thrilled with what we believe was another spiritually rewarding day for those in attendance,” said Deacon James Witulski, who with his wife Mary helped to organize the annual celebration. “Many people expressed their heart-felt appreciation for making this Polish Mass possible. Additionally, there were many first-time attendees.

People were impressed by the traditional reverent beauty of the Mass, which was further enhanced by over a dozen Knights of Columbus in their full colorful regalia.”

“We appreciate the hospitality of St. Thomas Aquinas Church and our pastor Father Patrick Winslow for hosting this event,” he added. “We were moved to hear of how people truly looked forward to it.”

Plans are already under way for next year’s fifth celebration, in August 2016.

(Above) Deacon James Witulski thanked all those who worked to make this Mass honoring Our Lady of Czestochowa and St. John Paul II possible and said he is looking forward to the fifth annual celebration in 2016.

(Left) Polish ancestry is exhibited in the Krakowiak costumes worn by the children from the Polish School of Charlotte.

The first-class relic of St. John Paul II was displayed on the altar during the Mass. This relic is a piece of cloth containing a drop of the pope’s blood from the assassination attempt on May 13, 1981.

Holy Spirit parishioners David and Mary Foley arrived early for some quiet prayer before Mass.

The second-generation Pole proudly wore her traditional folk costume.

(Center) Father Matt Nycz, a Polish-born pastor from the Diocese of Buffalo, N.Y., celebrated the Mass in Polish and gave the homily in both English and Polish.

Gifts were brought up by those who came in Polish native dress, Tricha Kent and Mary Foley, followed

by Amelia Lochowski, 9, Preston Chmielowiec, 9, Wojtek Lochowski, 11, and Mary Witulski.

St. Thomas Aquinas Parish prides itself in the diversity of heritage of their parishioners. Many cultures are represented and celebrated throughout the year at the parish. Last Sunday, Poland was honored through Our Lady of Czestochowa and St. John Paul II.

August 28, 2015 | catholicnewsherald.com

Teens ‘set the world on fire’ through St. Peter Church Summer Service Week CHARLOTTE — During Teen Summer Service Week at St. Peter Church in Charlotte, middle and high school youth lived the Gospel by loving their neighbors and offering their time and talents to those in need.

The third annual event sent 42 teens to various locations July 27-31 near the Jesuit-run parish located in uptown Charlotte. Aided by adult volunteers, drivers and chaperones, they helped the less fortunate in the surrounding community and earned service hours toward school requirements.

Over the five days, the group served in a variety of ways, including spending time with children of homeless parents and with the elderly living in a city housing development; feeding the hungry at a soup kitchen; cleaning up a nearby creek; working on a farm serving the Missionaries of the Poor; and restocking the food bank at the diocesan Catholic Charities office.

The teens knitted baby hats at the church and participated in the #WalkWithFrancis social media campaign.

Each day began with a reflection on one of the Beatitudes. The teens met in small groups to discuss the Gospel before heading out to “set the world on fire.” After completing their service work in the morning, they returned to the church for lunch, spiritual reflection, and then special projects such as making blankets for the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte or knitting baby caps for newborns.

Local organizations were the focus of the teens’ projects. They made bead bracelets that are sold through Charlotte nonprofit Bethany’s Beads to raise funds to rescue young girls from abuse and human trafficking. At Love Inc., a Christian charity, the teens built residential ramps for disabled people who were unable to leave their homes.

“It is a joy to pray with the residents and to share their emotion as they use their ramps for the first time and discover their freedom again,” said Cathy Chiappetta, interim faith formation director for the parish.

The teens also volunteered at Samaritan’s Feet, which delivers shoes to impoverished children around the world, and they contributed directly to the parish community by helping to paint a mural in the parish hall.

In addition to the service projects, the program included time for recreation, with a visit to an indoor trampoline park and a cookout with the residents of McCreesh Place, an apartment building offering safe, supportive and affordable housing for men with

In Brief

Photos provided by St. Peter Church

physical disabilities or mental illness. The building was named after Jesuit Father Eugene McCreesh, who served at the parish and founded St. Peter’s Homes (now known as Supportive Housing Communities), providing housing for the homeless and those in danger of eviction.

Throughout the week, the teens were guided by their new pastor, Jesuit Father James Shea, who is also the former provincial of the Maryland Province, who greeted them each morning. Parochial vicar Jesuit Father Thomas McDonnell joined them for lunches, encouraging them to continue expressing their own God-given spiritual gifts.

The conclusion of the program coincided with the feast of St. Ignatius on July 31, which they celebrated with a party in the parish’s meditation garden with Father Shea, who taught the teens about the feast day and the Society of Jesus.

“St. Peter Teen Summer Service Week gives our young people a chance to be men and women for others,” Chiappetta said. “The teens will tell you the work is challenging, but they are all smiles and ready to serve daily. Their generous spirits teach all of us how to be more giving.”

Doris Yu is the communications coordinator for the Jesuit Conference in Washington, D.C. This article was originally published on www.mdsj.org.

Concert honors former music director at IHM Craig Allen Correspondent

HAYESVILLE — When Madelyn Lea died in 2006, a musical void appeared in this small mountain community in western North Carolina. It wouldn’t be filled until a young high school student from Murphy named Cody Killian stepped in to take the reins as music director at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Hayesville.

Lea was the long-time music director at Immaculate Heart of Mary and Ledford’s Chapel United Methodist Church in Hayesville. She was so beloved and respected that, after her death, a scholarship fund was set up to help young people pursue music education.

On Aug. 15, a debut concert honoring Lea was presented at Hayesville’s First United Methodist Church. Hundreds of people attended the one-hour event, filling the church to capacity.

Much of the credit for organizing the concert goes to Killian, founder and music director of the Lea Chorus. He is now pursuing his master’s degree in music at the University of North Carolina’s

School of the Arts, and in addition to directing the music at IHM, he is on the music staff at St. William Church in Murphy.

The Lea Chorus was accompanied on piano and organ by Killian and directed by Keith Christiansen from Hayesville.

The concert was made possible by 50 singers from a number of churches and other institutions in North Carolina and Georgia.

Chorus participants included parishioners from St. William, Immaculate Heart of Mary, and Cathedral of Christ the King in Atlanta. Such favorites as “Ave Maria,” “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” and Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” delighted the audience and brought thundering applause.

After the chorus had finished one number, Christiansen turned and faced the audience and said, “Aren’t they great?”

Oboe, violin and flute soloists provided added enjoyment, along with vocal solos of “Song of Mary,” “If God Be For Us,” and the Irish favorite, “Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral.” After the concert, numerous wellwishers encouraged Killian to make the Lea Chorus a regular event.

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For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com Teens who participated in St. Peter Church’s Teen Summer Service Week, some of whom are pictured above with Jesuit Father Jim Shea, pastor, performed service projects including building a ramp, knitting baby caps, cleaning up a creek, helping out at a soup kitchen, painting a mural at the parish, and more besides participating in Mass, Scripture reflections and fellowship.

Doris Yu Special to the Catholic News Herald

OUR PARISHESI

Holy Cross Parish recognized for road clean-up work KERNERSVILLE — The Knights of Columbus Council 8509 and Columbiettes Auxiliary 8509 of Holy Cross Church in Kernersville were recently honored by the North Carolina Department of Transportation for their long-time support of the Adopt-A-Highway program. Both groups work throughout the year to keep Hastings Hill Road clean – the Knights for the past 25 years, and the Columbiettes for the past 20 years. Pictured with Kernersville Mayor Dawn Morgan are (front) Ruth Bailey, the highway program founder for the Columbiettes, and (back) Jean Dion, Knights district deputy, and Jane Matuszak, the Columbiettes’ current coordinator.

— Denys Davis

Knights honor OLG student for patriotism GREENSBORO — Abbot Vincent G. Taylor Assembly 779 of Greensboro recently gave its annual “Patriotic Plaque Award” to Our Lady of Grace eighth-grader Zachary G. Murphy. Murphy was selected by the school’s principal and teachers on the basis of patriotic belief and action, student grades and character. Past Faithful Navigator John J. Marsicano personally makes the presentation each year. Observing the June 2 presentation were Father Eric Kowalski, pastor of Our Lady of Grace Church; Principal Amy Pagano; selection chairperson Lisa Saintsing; faculty, parents, relatives, friends and fellow graduates.

— Dan Camia and Tom Thompson

Youth ministries to attend WMOF in Philadelphia

Craig Allen | Catholic News Herald

Keith Christiansen directs the Lea Chorus in the “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s ”Messiah.”

KANNAPOLIS — Organizers of Jesus Thru Mary Ministries in Concord, who work with youth ministry at St. Joseph Church and in the Diocese of Charlotte, are taking a group of youths to the World Meeting of Families Sept. 22-27. The delegation will be made up of youth aged 6-17, their chaperones and Redemptorist Father Alvaro Riquelme, pastor of St. Joseph Church. Delegations from St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte and Our Lady of the Annunciation Church in Albemarle are also going. There is still space for more youths and chaperones to attend the WMOF Conference starting Sept. 22.

The group is in need of catechists willing to teach the children and youth the 10 lesson plans (prepared by WMOF2015 online at www.worldmeeting2015.org) to prepare them before the trip.

For details or to make a donation to help the group, call Aida Gamolo at 917-8160530 or email alg@bestweb.net.

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catholicnewsherald.com | August 28, 2015 OUR PARISHES

SPX: FROM PAGE 3

building committee, finance council and everyone who contributed to the campaign’s success, as well as building committee chairman Tom Martin and campaign manager Gary Fly. The $8.6 million “Making a Place to Gather and Grow” campaign was combined under the auspices of the Diocese of Charlotte’s “Forward in Faith, Hope, and Love” campaign and has so far raised more than $6.5 million.

Sixty years ago, Monsignor Marcaccio noted, Elm Street dead-ended at St. Pius X Church’s property. Before the adjacent land was purchased for St. Pius X School, the land was used by Cone Mills as a reservoir to power its Revolution Mills.

“And today,” he contined, “this place

FIRE: FROM PAGE 3

but “it’s not majorly traumatic – though it certainly disrupts our routine.”

Masses could continue to be held outside or be moved to a neighboring church which has offered Holy Angels’ parishioners use of their space while repairs are made, Father Heiney said.

“We can’t use the building for services or activities until the smoke is removed and the door replaced,” Father Heiney said.

Nothing else needs to be replaced, he said.

Diocese of Charlotte properties officials said the parish’s insurer, Catholic Mutual

Group, has been notified of the fire and is arranging for a restoration company to clean up the smoke damage.

Mount Airy Police and Fire departments, the State Bureau of Investigation and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms continue to investigate.

“I have no idea who would do this or why,” Father Heiney said. “It could be a random person wanting to cause damage.

We can’t rule anything out.”

Parishioners reacted “as expected” and some felt personally assaulted by the event because it’s their place of worship, he said.

Holy Angels, one of the northernmost parishes in the diocese, is comprised of about 200 registered families.

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For event information, go to CCDOC.ORG. Event is free but registration is requested: call 704-370-3225 or email jtpurello@charlottediocese.org

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God’s Creation

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on the Path to be Good Stewards of

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Following Pope Francis

will store the power to do the work of ministry” at St. Pius X Parish.

In a letter, Bishop Peter J. Jugis told parishioners, “I congratulate you on the occasion of the ground breaking of your new parish center.”

“It is a wonderful sign of the vitality of your parish to have two major efforts underway so soon after the dedication of your new church,” he said.

Monsignor Marcaccio closed the day by blessing the site, the builders, site managers and everyone else who will be working on the project.

“Let us pray that through His help, through this celebration, that God will bring this construction to successful completion and that His protection will keep those who work on it safe from injury,” he prayed.

Rentenbach Contractors and Gensler Architects are heading the construction project, which is expected to be completed in August 2016.

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Wednesday, Sept 16, 2015 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM St. Matthew Catholic Church New Life Center

8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy Charlotte, NC 28277

Featuring Keynote Presenter

Dan Misleh,

founding Director of the Catholic Climate Covenant.

Come and learn about Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’ and the rich tradition of Catholic social teaching on the environment Sponsored by: The Charlotte Region Catholic Environmental Council, Catholic Charities, Sisters of Mercy, and St. Matthew Catholic Church

VILLA: FROM PAGE 3

laid five years ago. We are very excited to partner with the Charlotte Catholic diocese to put this project together.

“This is a different model than what we’ve done before. We have 40 years of experience in managing housing for people with disabilities…We’ve never done a 12plex before, and it is fantastic how it’s all turned out.”

During his prayer of dedication, Bishop Jugis said, “When Christ took flesh through the Blessed Virgin Mary, He made His home with us. Let us now pray that He will enter into this residence and bless it with His presence.

May He always be here among us. May He nurture the love of the residents for each other, share in their joys, comfort them in their sorrows. Inspired

by His teachings and example, may they seek to make their new home before all else a dwelling place of love, diffusing far and wide the goodness of Christ.”

After walking through the building blessing the rooms and hallways, Bishop Jugis was then joined by housing leaders from the Diocese of Charlotte and local and federal governments, non-profit representatives and Charlotte City Council members to cut the ribbon on the project, situated on “Guardian Angel Lane” next to Good Shepherd Methodist Church on South Tryon Street.

“It’s a really exciting opening on multiple fronts,” says Jeanne Pritt, assistant director of InReach. “You have people who have had challenges affording housing, which may have kept them strapped for cash. You also have folks who will be living independently for the first time – which is a wonderful and exciting thing but it is also a transition for that individual and their family members.”

Mother Teresa Villa will feature 13 units: 10 one-bedroom apartments, two two-bedroom apartments, and one apartment for an on-site property manager provided by InReach.

Disabled residents will pay 30 percent of their adjusted income for rent, and the federal government will subsidize the rest as part of HUD’s Section 811 program.

Susan Summons, a new resident, was in the process of bringing in more of her belongings just before the dedication.

Her mother Pat said that they had been “praying for this day for so long.” She had a song called “A Mother’s Prayer,” by Celine Dion, that she said reflected how she felt today, knowing her daughter would be safe at Mother Teresa Villa.

Jamie Snyder, whose family are parishioners at St. Matthew Church in south Charlotte, recently moved in. He said he’s “getting acquainted with it.” His mother Cathy shared that he had been in a group home previously and this was his first time living in his own apartment.

Kenji Kellen, another resident, is still settling in and getting used to his new apartment. He is thankful for the large walk-in shower which makes his life a bit easier after having suffered two strokes.

“I’m still trying to get my brain wrapped around the fact that I am in a new place,”

he said.

The housing complex is named for Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, a nun who dedicated her life to serving the poor and disabled. The 1979 Nobel Peace Prize winner was a great friend of Bishop Emeritus William G. Curlin. He had hoped to be present for the dedication but because of health issues was unable to attend.

There was also a tribute during the ceremony for Mary Kennedy, who devoted herself to the RespectAbility Ministry at St. Gabriel Church and in the local

community. It honored and cherished the gifts of children and adults with special needs. She passed away in 2012. Father Frank O’Rourke, pastor of St. Gabriel Parish, and Maggie Baucom spoke on behalf of her family that was gathered for the dedication.

“We’re here today to honor Mary Kennedy for her being the advocate for special housing,” Father O’Rourke said.

“From the first day I arrived at St. Gabriel, Mary was asking me to go to talk to Father Mo (Monsignor West) to advocate for housing. We’re here today to see this beautiful tribute to her, giving her voice, and (witnessing to her) really giving her full self to advocating for Beth (her daughter) and all of Beth’s friends.”

The project is the first phase on the 20-acre site approved for affordable senior housing, a future adult day care center and a chapel. The site could accommodate up to 240 units of affordable senior housing when it is eventually completed. The project will also feature gardens, open space and an outdoor activity area.

Kim Johnson, the residential services manager who oversees the applications and the waiting list for the facility, was glad to see the dedication. “I think it’s a wonderful thing for the people. It gives them a sense of dignity and respect and independence. They’re so happy with how they’re decorating their apartments. It’s wonderful!”

Jerry Widelski, director of the Diocese of Charlotte Housing Corp., in remarks after the dedication, said of what this day and this project means to him: “It’s hard to put into words. It’s a joy. I really believe with the partners that we have and the extra funding that we got, it’s the best looking building of its type in the U.S.” This is the third housing project for the diocesan housing corporation and the first in Charlotte. The other two are located in Mooresville and Salisbury.

More online At www.charlottediocese.org: See more photos from the dedication ceremony

facebook.com/ catholic news HERALD ESPAÑOL

August 28, 2015 | catholicnewsherald.com

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Padre Santiago Mariani

¿Cómo descubrir si Dios me está llamando al sacerdocio?

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l pasado 27 de Junio del corriente, tuve la gran felicidad y el honor de recibir el don de la ordenación al sacerdocio ministerial. Aunque solo han pasado ya dos meses desde mi ordenación, Dios ya me ha dejado participar en su plan de salvación en maneras que han ido más allá de lo que me había imaginado.

Extender a pecadores penitentes el regalo que es la misericordia renovadora de Dios Padre, ayudar a aquellos que se han extraviado a encontrar de nuevo el amor y la luz del Buen Pastor, decir esas palabras que transforman el pan y vino ordinario en el Cuerpo y la Sangre de nuestro Salvador! La verdad es que no puedo describir con palabras lo que Dios continua haciendo entre su gente, y el poder cooperar en todo esto como un sacerdote de Jesucristo ha sido una fuente de verdadera paz y alegría.

Parte de mi trabajo también ha sido la importante labor de ayudar a hombres que se preguntan: “¿Cómo saber si Dios me está llamando a hacerme un sacerdote?” Cuando yo me empecé a hacerme esta pregunta hace diez años, recibí muy buenos consejos que me ayudaron a escuchar más atentamente la voz de Dios, y que espero puedan ayudar a aquellos que están tratando de discernir un posible llamado a la vocación sacerdotal: n Primero de todo, vayan con confianza a la Virgen y encomiéndenle sus vidas a aquella quien cargo al Eterno Sumo Sacerdote en su mismo vientre. Pídanle que los guie cada ves más cerca a su Hijo, para que puedan seguirlo con un corazón generoso dispuesto a hacer “Todo lo que Él les diga” (Juan 2:5). n Empiecen a crecer en su vida de oración. Busquen al Señor que los espera en el Tabernáculo y hablen con Él como un amigo. Pongan sus planes frente a Él y díganle, “Señor, estos son mis planes, ¿Pero qué planes tienes Tú para mí?” Tiempos regulares de adoración frente al Santísimo, aun si solo una vez a la semana, pueden ser de gran ayuda para poder escuchar a al Dios quien a veces se revela en “El rumor de una brisa suave” (1 Reyes 19:12). Si es posible, traten de ir a la Misa durante la semana y recibir a Cristo con amor y gratitud en la Sagrada Eucaristía. n Relacionado a esto, traten también de crecer un su vida de virtud. Pueden estar seguros de que, sea lo que sea la voluntad de Dios para ustedes, Él sí desea que sean hombres dignos del nombre.

El crecer en las virtudes de la pobreza, castidad, obediencia, y penitencia les ayudará a remover los obstáculos que hacen difícil escuchar a Dios, y les ayudará a convertirse en esos hombres verdaderos que Dios desea que ustedes sean. n Encuentren a un buen y fiel sacerdote a quien puedan hablar acerca de sus preguntas vocacionales, y déjense ser guiados por él. n También, tengan paciencia, ya que Dios les va dejar saber en buen tiempo si Él quiere que lo sigan a su Hijo como uno de sus sacerdotes. Si el presentimiento que lo es así no se va con el tiempo puede ser señal que es hora de continuar el discernimiento en el seminario, lugar hermoso para crecer como persona y cristiano.

Y si al fin de todo este proceso descubren que el ser sacerdote o un religioso no es la voluntad de Dios para ustedes, ¡Esto solo servirá para que sean mejores esposos y padres!

Pero, sobre todo, ¡No tengan miedo! Si Jesús los está llamando para que lo sigan como sacerdotes, El se encargará de quitar cualquier obstáculo en el camino al sacerdocio, ya sean internos o externos.

Dios nos conoce mejor que nosotros nos conocemos a nosotros mismos, y Él sabe lo que nos va a ser más feliz posible en esta vida y la próxima. Animo pues, y no tengan miedo de dejarlo todo para seguir a Jesús. Nuestro Buen Pastor. Mientras nos aferremos a Él, ¡Nada nos faltará!

El Padre Santiago Mariani es el Vicario de la Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Lourdes en Monroe. La Parroquia de Nuestra Sra. de Lourdes ofrece Misa en español todos los Domingos a las 12 y a las 2 p.m.

Fotos proporcionadas por Zuleyma Castrejon

(Arriba) Algunas de las pinturas recientes de la joven artista Zuleyma Castrejon: “Corazón,” “Ophelia” y “El Espíritu dentro de mí.”

Destacada joven estudiante Latina de Nuestra Sra. Lourdes a ilustrar libro de cuentos para niños Rico De Silva Hispanic Communications Reporter

MONROE — Zuleyma Castrejon, joven Latina y miembro de la Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Lourdes en Monroe es la primera persona en su familia que ha tenido la oportunidad de asistir a la universidad.

La joven mexicana ha vivido en Monroe desde 1996 cuando sus padres, Severiano y Esmeralda Castrejon, vinieron a los Estados Unidos desde Guerrero, México, meses antes de que ella cumpliera los tres años. “Yo he asistido a Nuestra Señora de Lourdes desde que tengo memoria. Me acuerdo cuando tomé las clases de catecismo ahí desde pequeña. Es más, el Obispo Jugas celebró la Misa de mi Primera Comunión cuando él era el Párroco de Nuestra Sra. de Lourdes,” recordó Zuleyma.

Castrejon fue a la escuela secundaria, Central Academy of Technology and Arts, en Monroe.

Fue en esa escuela que ella se destacó como una excelente estudiante y descubrió sus talentos artísticos como pintora de lienzos y acuarelas.

“Era obligatorio que tomará una clase de arte en la secundaria, así que tome una clase como pintar acuarelas. Me encantó y acabe tomando arte 2, 3 y 4,” recordó ella sonriendo. La joven artista consiguió una beca completa para estudiar en la Universidad Johnson C. Smith en Charlotte, y actualmente está en su último año estudiando para titularse en artes visuales.

Recientemente, uno de sus profesores de filme, refirió a Castrejon a que aplicará para ilustrar un libro de cuentos llamado en inglés, “How Will I love you from Heaven,” como te voy a amar desde el Cielo. Por una escritora americana llamada Cassandra Miller. Aunque la joven pintora no aplicó porque no hace artes gráficas, la escritora Miller la comisionó para que hiciera las ilustraciones del libro después de haber visto el arte de Castrejon.

Ella va diseñar la portada del libro, así como también unos 15 diseños de una combinación de lienzos, acuarelas y collages adornarán el libro de cuentos.

A pesar de que Castrejon está indocumentada, ella dice que tiene deseos de continuar sus estudios, y obtener una maestría en terapia de arte en la Universidad de Loyola Marymount University en California, “Pero el obstáculo más grande es conseguir los fondos para pagar mi postgrado. Como soy una estudiante indocumentada, no puedo recibir ayuda federal, así que actualmente estoy tratando de conseguir una beca que no requiera ciudadanía americana… sin embargo, yo tengo confianza de

Foto proporcionada por Zuleyma Castrejon

La familia Castrejon, de izquierda a derecha, Mama Esmeralda, Papa Severiano con la hija menor, Reyna, Diego, Dayana y la hermana mayor Zuleyma. que Dios se encargará de proveer por todas mis necesidades para que yo así pueda cumplir el plan que Él tiene para mí,” “Zuleyma es una extraordinaria joven Latina; verdaderamente comprometida y devota a su fe católica. Y ella de verdad quiere combinar la belleza del arte y la cultura para expresar la fe.

Ella reconoce que el arte está lleno de fe, es una tremenda oportunidad de evangelizar y al mismo tiempo de llevar la presencia curativa de Cristo al mundo,” dijo el Padre Benjamin Roberts, Párroco de Nuestra Sra. de Lourdes.

“Mi fe católica me ha mantenido firme durante todos mis estudios,” dijo Castrejon.

“Yo he sido testigo del amor que Dios tiene por mí a través de todas las bendiciones con las que Dios me ha colmado durante mi carrera estudiantil. Antes de cada examen, cada entrevista de trabajo, yo le rezo al Espíritu Santo para que Él me guie, y Él siempre lo hace.”

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iiiAugust 28, 2015 | catholicnewsherald.com

FROM TH

History of St. Ann Parish

Aug. 15, 1955

St. Ann Parish was established with the purchase of the northeast corner property at Park Road and Hillside Avenue. It was the fourth Catholic parish erected in Charlotte. During its first year, Sunday Masses were offered in the nearby Park Road School auditorium.

1956

St. Ann School was completed and dedicated.

Originally it housed kindergarten through eighthgrade classes, and now it is has pre-kindergarten through fifth grades. The Sisters of St. Joseph of Chestnut Hill, Pa., staffed the school until the retirement of principal Sister Helene Nagle in 2008.

Masses were offered at the school until the parish’s first church was built.

Dec. 18, 1960

Bishop Vincent Waters dedicated the first St. Ann Church. The original structure consisted of a crypt church and a façade which faced Park Road, and a plan was made to finish the structure by building an upper church later. By 1961 money was raised by parishioners for this purpose, but St. Ann’s first pastor, Monsignor Michael Begley (who would become the first bishop of the Diocese of Charlotte), determined that the money would be better spent by opening a mission parish three miles south on Park Road to serve Charlotte’s growing population.

St. Vincent de Paul Church was thus founded in 1961. While it was occasionally renovated, the original church structure did not grow beyond the “basement” church for the next 50 years.

1970s

Adjacent property on Park Road was purchased that included a house that was used for many years for various parish group meetings and religious education offices. That house was eventually demolished to make room for the parish’s current parking lot.

SueAnn Howell Senior reporter

1981

The parish acquired another house and property facing Willow Oak Road, which has served as a residence for both priests and nuns.

1993

A parish activity center was opened, and in 2000 it was named in honor of St. Ann’s eighth pastor, Monsignor Richard Allen. It now houses the school cafeteria and gym, as well as meeting rooms and the parish offices.

2008

Ground was broken for a dramatic renovation of the church, under the direction of architect James McCrery and pastor Father Timothy Reid.

Dec. 5, 2009

Bishop Peter Jugis (who was baptized at St. Ann’s in 1957) dedicated the new church.

Pastors of St. Ann Parish 1955-1966 1966-1971 1971-1972 1972-1979 1979-1983 1983-1986 1986-1988 1988-2000 2000-2006 2006-2007 2007-present

St. Ann Parish celebra

Bishop Michael J. Begley Father D. Edward Sullivan Monsignor Eugene Livelsberger Monsignor Anthony Kovacic Monsignor Francis Smith Monsignor John McSweeney Father Charles Reese Monsignor Richard Allen Father Conrad Hoover Father Frank O’Rourke Father Timothy S. Reid

CHARLOTTE — St. Ann Church marked the 60th anniversary of the parish’s founding with a Solemn High Mass for the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Aug. 15. The Mass in the Extraordinary Form is an annual parish tradition but took on special meaning this year.

Established on Aug. 15, 1955, St. Ann Parish was the fourth Catholic parish erected in Charlotte. Since its founding, the parish has become known for its charitable outreach and its diversity of members.

More recently it has also become known in Charlotte for its excellence in music and liturgy, and especially for its support of the Latin Mass.

Father Timothy Reid, pastor, delivered the homily to the hundreds of faithful gathered to mark the parish’s anniversary and the Feast of the Assumption. He thanked Bishop Peter J. Jugis – who was baptized at St. Ann Church in 1957 and who was in choir for the Latin Mass – for his special love for St. Ann Church, known as the “little parish with a big heart.”

“I think we can all agree that he is the son of which our parish is most proud,” Father Reid said.

After also welcoming other longtime parishioners, Father Reid remembered the late Bishop Michael J. Begley.

“As we celebrate our anniversary today, I think it is good for us to recall Bishop (Michael) Begley, who was the first pastor of this parish as well as the first bishop of the Diocese of Charlotte. I pray that he is pleased with what he sees today.”

Father Reid noted that it is God’s Divine Providence that St. Ann Church was founded on the Feast of the Assumption.

“This feast day points us toward heaven. Today we celebrate that most glorious moment in the life of Our Lady, when after the course of her earthly life she was assumed body and soul into the glory of heaven to be united with her Son and to be crowned Queen of Heaven and Earth.

“Immaculately conceived and persevering in perfect and sinless innocence throughout the entire

course of her earthly life, at her death, Mary was accorded this one final favor from Our Lord ‒ that of being preserved free from the corruption of the grave so that she might triumph over death. With this favor, we see the magnificent heights to which our human nature, persevering in virtue and steadfast in the pursuit of holiness, can be raised. In Our Lady’s Assumption we can see the true beauty and dignity of our human nature.”

A large mural depicting heaven, Jesus Christ and the saints that is planned for the sanctuary wall was supposed to be dedicated in time for the anniversary Mass, Father Reid said, but it needs more time to be completed. The mural, he said, is designed to help worshippers focus on the hope of heaven – following the path of Mary.

“The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary reminds us we are all called to heavenly glory, we are all called to be saints. In her Assumption, Our Lady shows us the way to heaven. From her place in heaven she so capably aids each of us in our own journey there. She helps to form us into the saints we are called to be.”

“We should entrust ourselves completely and entirely to her motherly care,” he continued.

“Jesus knows that when we do, she always leads us back to Him, so that we might take our part in His

great work of redem to the pierced heart deeply of the love, m offers to all that are “We can hope for died and rose again parish family have s we go forward as a p live our common lif make us worthy of honor and trust Ou Many parishioner 33 days leading up t preparing to consec to Jesus through M Morning Glory” by a popular abbreviat originally written b “As your pastor, I faithful to your con course of your life, your life. Our Lady her child,” Father R “My brothers and magnificent feast in celebrate our 60th a let us give thanks to

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August 28, 2015 | catholicnewsherald.comiii

High Cholesterol (Clockwise from left) Father Timothy Reid, pastor, distributes Holy Communion at the Solemn High Mass at St. Ann Church on Aug. 15; Bishop Peter J. Jugis congratulates Father Reid on St. Ann Parish’s 60th anniversary after Mass; Bishop Jugis blesses all those present at the Mass Aug. 15.

Photos by sueann howell | catholic news herald

ates 60 years CCDOC.ORG

New apse mural to be installed CHARLOTTE — Later this year, the sanctuary of St. Ann Church will feature a hand-painted mural inspired by Jan van Eyck’s “Adoration of the Mystic Lamb,” famously known as the Ghent Altarpiece (pictured at left).

Five separate canvases, crafted by sacred artwork firm Murals by Jericho in Peoria, Ill., over the past year and a half, will fill the five arched sections of the apse wall. Together, they will depict a single image of heaven: God the Father and the Holy Spirit looking down upon Jesus, the Paschal Lamb, who stands triumphantly upon an altar surrounded by angels holding the instruments of His suffering and death. To the right and left of the Paschal Lamb will be images of numerous saints, including St. Ann and St. Joachim.

The archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael will also be prominently featured.

— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter

mption. Mary always leads us back t of her Son, so that we can drink mercy and forgiveness that He e repentant.” heaven because Jesus suffered, n. For the past 60 years, we as a shared in this hope for heaven. As parish family, I hope that we will fe together in a manner that might heaven. I hope we can always love, ur Lord as we should.” rs at St. Ann Church spent the to the anniversary celebration crate or re-consecrate themselves Mary using the book “33 Days to Father Michael Gaitley, MIC, ted version of the consecration

by St. Louis de Montfort.

I promise you that if you are nsecration promises throughout the you will go to heaven at the end of will never fail anyone who is truly Reid told them. d sisters, as we celebrate this n honor of Our Lady and as we anniversary as a parish family, o Our Lord for His many gifts.

Let us thank Him for His Paschal Mystery, for His willingness to suffer, die and rise again for us and for the mercy and forgiveness He so freely bestows upon the contrite of heart.

“Let us always stay close to His Most Sacred Heart. But let us also thank Our Lord for the gift of His mother, and let each of us entrust ourselves wholeheartedly to her maternal care. With the help of her mother and our patroness, St. Ann, may Our Lady always lead us to the Heart of her Son,” he concluded.

Father Casey Coleman, parochial vicar of St. Vincent de Paul Church in Charlotte, served as deacon for the Mass and chanted the Gospel. Father Noah Carter, parochial vicar of Our Lady of Grace Church in Greensboro, served as subdeacon. Father Jason Christian, parochial vicar of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte, and Father Matthew Kauth, priest-in-residence at St. Thomas Aquinas Church and chaplain at Charlotte Catholic High School, assisted. Father Jason Barone, parochial vicar of St. Patrick Cathedral, was also present.

The St. Ann Schola Choir, under the direction of Terese Rowe, provided the music for the liturgy.

A reception was held in the Monsignor Allen Center after Mass to celebrate the parish’s 60th anniversary.

25th and 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration If you were married during 1965 or 1990, you and your family are invited to attend the annual Diocesan Anniversary Mass at St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Charlotte on Sunday, October 18, 2015.

Mass begins at 2:00 p.m. and will be followed by a reception.

To receive an invitation, you must call your church office to register.

Sponsored by Catholic Charities

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Our schools 14

catholicnewsherald.com | August 28, 2015 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Classes begin across the diocese More online At www.catholicnewsherald.com: See lots more photos from the first day of classes for the diocesan schools.

Photo provided by Robin Fisher

SALISBURY — Students returned to Sacred Heart School in Salisbury Aug. 19 for the first day of school and attended a morning assembly.

Photo provided by Amy Burger

HUNTERSVILLE — Pictured (from left) are St. Mark third-grader Archie Boone and seventh-grader Charlie Boone coming in on their first day of school.

CHARLOTTE — Four students at St. Gabriel School in Charlotte welcomed the other students to the first day of school on the morning announcements on Aug. 19. Pictured are Sydney Young, Mary Catherine Farley, John Macuga and Davis Clawson.

Photo provided by Michele Snoke

HUNTERSVILLE —Students at Christ the King High School bonded during first day of school activities Aug. 19 and participated in a procession at the end of Mass with an image of the Sacred Heart, which the school has enthroned in its lobby.

Photo provided by Jordan DeVore

Photo via Facebook

CHARLOTTE — First day for sixth-graders at Holy Trinity Middle School was a “thumbs up” sort of day!

Photo courtesy of Facebook

ASHEVILLE — Students enjoy the first day of school on Aug. 19.

GASTONIA — St. Michael second-grade teacher Betsy Pruitt is pictured having fun with her students while they learn about dinosaurs on the first day of school.

Photo provided by Pat Burr

August 28, 2015 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

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St. Leo School hosts summer reading program Nicole Witten Special to the Catholic News Herald

WINSTON-SALEM — This summer St. Leo Parish School once again hosted a reading enrichment program based on the “Read Naturally ReadLive” program, a research-based program designed to build oral reading fluency and comprehension.

From June 22 to July 16, three St. Leo’s teachers (Patti Eiffe, fourth-grade teacher, Christine Hurley, librarian and French teacher, and Courtney Craven, second-grade teacher) helped 60 students from the local community to improve their reading fluency and comprehension. Thanks to grants from the Diocese of Charlotte and St. Leo the Great Parish, nearly half of those students received full scholarships for the program.

“This was our most successful summer program ever,” Eiffe said, “both in terms of numbers of students served and in terms of their progress. We use ‘Read Naturally’ during the school year, but it is very meaningful to us to be able to offer the program during the summer to children in our local parishes and communities as well. We have all levels of readers – some who are already reading at or above grade level and some who struggle – so it really serves both remedial and enrichment purposes.“ Students ranged in age from rising first-graders to rising eighth-graders, and for many of them, English is their second language.

“The best part of this program,” Craven said, “is its ability to engage students in interesting non-fiction stories. They really enjoy sharing what they are learning, as they receive help with specific phonetic patterns if they need it, and build their confidence by reading along with a proficient reader.

By the time they work through a story, they know they can do it – and for many of them, that is their first experience of success as readers.”

This growing program is in its 11th summer, with many students returning year after year.

“We were very excited at the results we saw this year, and especially by the number of emerging English language learners we were able to help,” Hurley said. “With the help of Priscilla Zambor and Karen Galiger of Our Lady of Mercy Parish, we worked with 12 Karinni students (the children of refugee families from Myanmar), who ranged from rising second-graders to eighth-grade students. The results have been extremely positive for them: these 12 students averaged improvements of 1.75 reading levels during the course of the four-week program.

They were excited by their progress, but as teachers we were thrilled!”

Photo provided by Carrie Vest

No ‘summer slide’ here!

HIGH POINT — This summer, Immaculate Heart of Mary School offered three computer-based, teacher-guided programs to help school and parish children prevent the “summer slide” described as what happens when young minds sit idle for three months. Experts agree that children who read during the summer gain reading skills, while those who do not can regress in their skills. For five weeks, IHM teachers Sigrid Couch and Ellie Tehan guided students while the computer-based programs automatically tracked their progress. The classes focused on improving reading fluency, comprehension, summary writing and auditory processing in four areas: following directions, phonological awareness (sound awareness for reading), and auditory memory and sequencing (two- to 6-step sequences used in math and general directions in school). These programs were customized to meet the specific needs of each child and are used throughout the year at the school.

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Mix 16

catholicnewsherald.com | August 28, 2015 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

For the latest movie reviews: catholicnewsherald.com

On TV

In theaters

‘The Man from U.N.C.L.E.’ Droll humor punctuates this breezy espionage yarn, set at the height of the Cold War in 1963. Forced to work together to retrieve revolutionary nuclear know-how that may have fallen into the hands of the shady heir (Luca Calvani) to a fascism-tainted Italian industrial fortune and his scheming but elegant wife (Elizabeth Debicki), an art thiefturned-CIA operative (Henry Cavill) and a rage-prone KGB agent (Armie Hammer) team with the daughter of the missing scientist who developed the breakthrough to track the couple. Director diverts his audience with James Bond-style glamour while keeping the violence vague. But the substantial, if slightly strange, relationship that increasingly tethers Hammer and Vikander is offset by Cavill’s carefree philandering. Much violence, including torture, but with little gore, a couple of crude terms.

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

Other movies n ‘American Ultra’: CNS: O (morally Offensive); MPAA: R n ‘Hitman Agent 47’: CNS: O (morally Offensive); MPAA: R

O Holy St. Jude!

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

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

St. Jude pray for us who invoke your aid.

(Say 3 Our Fathers, 3 Hail Mary’s, 3 Glory Be) Publication must be promised.

PhotoS provided by Zuleyma Castrejon

(Above) The Castrejon family includes mom Esmeralda and dad Severiano, holiding younger daughter Reyna, brother Diego, sister Dayana and older sister Zuleyma. (At top) Some of Zuleyma Castrejon’s recent artwork.

Our Lady of Lourdes college student illustrates children’s book Rico De Silva Hispanic Communications Reporter

MONROE — Zuleyma Castrejon is a gifted young artist who wants to use her artistic talents to serve God by serving others. Castrejon has been a parishioner at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Monroe since her parents, Severiano and Esmeralda, moved to that town in 1996 from Guerrero, Mexico, just months short of her third birthday.

Now a senior at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, she didn’t pick up the paint brush until high school. To fulfill a graduation requirement, Castrejon took a basic art class and learned how to paint watercolors – and she hasn’t stop painting since.

“I then took Art 2, Art 3 and Art 4,” she says with a laugh. “It just came very natural to me.”

She was an honor student at the Central Academy of Technology and Arts High School in Monroe, a magnet school for the Union County school system, and with the help of a caring Charlotte teacher, Castrejon earned a full scholarship to study at Johnson C. Smith. Currently, she is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in visual and performing arts with a concentration in studio art.

During her junior year, film professor Sitara Sadler took notice of her artistic work and told Castrejon about an opportunity to illustrate a new children’s book entitled “How Will I Love You from Heaven” by Cassandra Miller. She contacted the author and sent samples of her work. After Miller saw her work, she commissioned the young painter to illustrate her upcoming book.

“The book deals with the theme of cancer and how a mom is going to love her child from heaven after she dies,” Castrejon explains.

The young artist is in the process of designing the book cover, and she will also do a total of about 15 pages of illustrations.

“For the book I’m using mixed media, I’m using watercolors, acrylics and colored pencils,” she says.

Since entering college, she has exhibited some of her art locally at the Charlotte’s Latin American Coalition and the Latin American Festival, held annually in Charlotte. Most recently, her work was exhibited as part of “Family Day” at the McColl Center for Art and Innovation in uptown Charlotte.

Father Benjamin Roberts, pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, says, “Zuleyma is an outstanding young woman – totally devoted to her faith – and she really desires to bring the beauty of art and culture to the expression of faith.”

The artist credits her faith in God with all her academic successes.

“My Catholic faith has held me together all throughout my studies. I have witnessed the love that God has for me through the many blessings He has blessed me with all throughout my collegiate career. Before any test, job interview or internship interview, I pray to the Holy Spirit so He can guide me – and He always does.”

The oldest of five children, she is the first person in her family to go to college, and she wants to go on to graduate school and combine art and psychology to heal others.

“Because of my faith and trust in the Lord I have witnessed the fruits of my hard work...I truly feel that art therapy is my calling.”

n Friday, Aug. 28, 6:30 p.m. (EWTN) “Dealing with Loss Through Miscarriage.”

Donna Marie welcomes Karen Edmisten discuss enduring the pain and loss, finding hope and healing, and how we might memorialize our children. n Saturday, Aug. 29, 8 p.m. (EWTN) “Leonie.”

A charming story about a mischievous young woman in late 1800s France, whose difficult nature challenges her mother and tests the patience of the superiors in the monastery she hopes to enter. n Saturday, Aug. 29, 10 p.m. (EWTN) “We Shall Not Be Moved: The Catholic Sisters of New Orleans.” A moving documentary of faith, hope and charity in the midst of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 as six Catholic communities of Sisters, despite losing their convents and other facilities, decide to remain to continue their service to the people of New Orleans. n Saturday, Aug. 29, 11 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 recent cause for beatification. n Monday, Aug. 31, 2:30 p.m. (EWTN) “The Many Reflections of Mother Teresa, Pt. 1.”

Host Jan Marie Halphen interviews Sister Mary Lumen of the Missionaries of Charity about her vocation and about what a typical day is like in the order founded by Blessed Teresa of Calcutta. n Tuesday, Sept. 1, 6:30 p.m. (EWTN) “All for Jesus: ‘I Thirst.’” A discussion of the various kinds of poverty tackled by Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, as well as her concept of the meaning of suffering and the redemptive power of suffering. n Thursday, Sept. 3, 12 p.m. (EWTN) “Flower in the Desert.” The Monastery of St. Anthony in the Valley of Qozhaya in Northern Lebanon and a history of St. Anthony, superior of the monastery and father of the monastic life. n Thursday, Sept. 3, 1:30 p.m. (EWTN) “Never Far From Home.” A look at the life of Catholic military chaplains, and their experiences as pastors, guides, friends, confidantes and confessors. n Saturday, Sept. 5, 9 a.m. (EWTN) “The Fifth Word.” Animated program on the life and ministry of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta. n Saturday, Sept. 5, 10:30 a.m. (EWTN) “The Many Reflections of Mother Teresa, Pt. 2” Father Bob Conroy of the Missionaries of Charity talks about his vocation and what it’s like serving as a priest in the order founded by Blessed Teresa of Calcutta.

August 28, 2015 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

MACS Accounting Manager Position St. Matthew Church parishioner Krista Jasso is interning on the “Pope is Hope” campaign and will travel to Philadelphia as part of the “Digital Street Team” during Pope Francis’ upcoming U.S. visit.

Photo provided by Krista Jasso

St. Matthew teen part of social media campaign for Pope Francis’ U.S. visit Kimberly Bender Online reporter

CHARLOTTE — When Pope Francis visits the United States next month, one Belmont Abbey College student will be telling stories of “Good is Winning” from the streets of Philadelphia.

Krista Jasso, 19, a parishioner of St. Matthew Church in Charlotte, is interning on the “Pope is Hope” social media campaign through the global Catholic network Aleteia.org that corresponds with Pope Francis’ Sept. 22-27 trip to Philadelphia, New York and Washington, D.C. Through social media, this evangelization effort highlights acts of mercy, kindness, courage and dignity in everyday life. Communication crafted by a “Digital Street Team” of millennial Catholics encompasses Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest, as well as contributions using Vine, Periscope and Snapchat.

“This initiative challenges me to embrace joy and the good that I don’t even realize is happening all around me,” Jasso says.

“Since starting on the ‘Pope is Hope’ initiative, I’ve been able to embrace the good in my life that I’ve not acknowledged before.

“It’s taught me be thankful for all the good in my life, in the community and the world around me.”

Jasso, a sophomore who is studying business management, joined the campaign when she met Kathleen Hessert while interning with St. Matthew Church. Hessert is a parishioner of St. Gabriel Church and founder of Charlottebased Sports Media Challenge, which is orchestrating the “Pope is Hope” campaign. She serves as a consultant on media relations and audience engagement for athletes in the NBA, NFL, PGA and the Olympics.

Hessert approached Jasso about engaging young Catholics in social media, specifically through the “Pope is Hope” project. For the past few months, Jasso has helped recruit “Digital Street Team” members as well as reached out to universities, youth groups and parishes about online meetups during the pope’s sixday trip to the U.S. “We’ve been using all platforms – social media, phone calls and emails – to communicate our goals with the online evangelization campaign,” Jasso says.

“Now with the technology so rapid and fast-paced, you can reach people through

many different ways.”

Currently, Jasso is focusing on the Twitter portion of the wide-ranging campaign, encouraging people to join the ongoing discussion and get involved with their faith.

Like Pope Francis tweeted, Jasso says, “Dear young people, listen within: Christ is knocking at the door of your heart.”

She says she hopes this campaign at least encourages more people to follow @ Pontifex on Twitter.

“What we’re doing at @PopeisHope on Twitter is informing and hopefully inspiring others,” Jasso says. “We want to showcase the good in different communities. The Church is the people, and the people are doing good things.”

This will continue long after the pope’s visit because the Church’s positive impacts on the lives of people are real, she adds.

“It will continue on as long as people believe in good and believe in hope.”

Jasso also says she is excited that she will not only be working in the digital media command center in Philadelphia during the pope’s visit there, but she will also be sharing others’ stories about faith. If blessed with the opportunity to shake Pope Francis’ hand, Jasso says, she would be so humbled, filled with joy and ask if she could take a “selfie” with him.

“This is a remarkable event, and I feel completely blessed to have been a part of it,” she says. “I fully support the ‘Good is Winning’ campaign. It’s crucial. Good happens everywhere around everyone and in everything. This will showcase it in the local communities as it hasn’t been before.”

Jasso, who graduated from Weddington High School in Matthews in 2014, adds, “I’m so proud to be a part of this initiative because it was born in Charlotte, and I get to be part of this momentous event alongside those from Charlotte.”

While her role in the “Pope is Hope” and “Good is Winning” campaigns is small, Jasso hopes she and her colleagues have a big impact on people all over the world.

“If at the end of the day or the end of the visit, we have started a community of people who are a little more positive and proactive on the good in their communities.

We have really proved that good is still winning in our world today.”

Go online and join the conversation On Facebook and Twitter, at “Pope is Hope”: Join the conversation and get inspirational news and information. Hashtags are #goodiswinning and #pontifex (the pope’s Twitter profile).

Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools (MACS) is accepting applications for a full-time accounting position. The position supervises and is responsible for the work activities of accounting and clerical staff; performs accounting functions and assists in the development of accounting procedures and systems.

Requirements include: • Minimum of 7 years experience in an office manager/accounting capacity, with supervisory responsibilities • Bachelors degree in Accounting • Excellent oral and written communication skills • Strong administrative and organizational skills • Computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office and accounting software • Ability to collaborate effectively and foster teamwork MACS is an equal opportunity employer.

Please send cover letter and resume by September 15, 2015 to: Human Resources Director Diocese of Charlotte 1123 South Church Street Charlotte, NC 28203 Or email: twilhelm@charlottediocese.org

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Our nation 18

catholicnewsherald.com | August 28, 2015 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Judge orders release of immigrant families within 60 days Patricia Zapor Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A federal judge Aug. 21 gave the Obama administration 60 days – until Oct. 23 – to release the hundreds of immigrant mothers and children being held in locked detention centers.

Central California District Court Judge Dolly Gee reiterated her order of a month earlier, in which she said a long-standing court settlement over treatment of juveniles in immigration custody is violated by the government’s policy of detaining mothers and children while they pursue asylum or other ways of remaining in the country.

The administration had appealed Gee’s order, repeating many of its original arguments for why it should be allowed to detain families and saying a system is already in place to reduce how long the families are held. Gee’s response clarified some parts of her July order, and in other places criticized the government’s appeal.

For instance, she said it was “speculative at best, and, at worst, fear mongering” when the government argued that her orders to release the families “could heighten the risk of another surge in illegal migration across our Southwest border by Central American families, including by incentivizing adults to bring children with them on their dangerous journey as a means to avoid detention and gain access to the interior of the United States.”

The order requires the government to release the children who are being held in for-profit detention centers in Texas and Pennsylvania “without unnecessary delay,” first to a parent (including the one with whom they were detained) or another family member. She said the families “shall not be detained … in unlicensed or secure facilities that do not meet the requirements” of a 1997 settlement, Flores v. Reno, that set out standards for the conditions under which Immigration and Customs Enforcement may detain minors.

The accompanying parents of minors held by ICE shall also be released, Gee said, “unless the parent is subject to mandatory detention under applicable law or after … the parent is determined to pose a significant flight risk, or a

threat to others or the national security, and the flight risk or threat cannot be mitigated by an appropriate bond or conditions of release.”

Gee’s order specified criteria for the government to monitor a long list of conditions under which minors are held, including food, water, temperature control, supervision and contact with family members.

More than 68,000 women and children from Central America were apprehended as they crossed the U.S. border at Mexico last summer, a 360 percent increase over the previous year, according to Border Patrol statistics. There also was a surge of unaccompanied minors, to 68,000, up by 77 percent from the previous year. Significantly fewer people in both groups have been apprehended at the border this year, due at least in part to increased enforcement of immigration laws in Mexico.

Under the conditions of the Flores settlement, unaccompanied minors are released to relatives or put in the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement of the Department of Health and Human Services. From there, they are either housed by licensed child care organizations or under formal foster care. Fathers who arrived with young children either were released together or the children were put into the HHS system if the fathers were detained.

But thousands of mothers and their children were sent to detention centers, some for several months, even after most of them had met the first legal hurdle for being granted asylum to remain in the United States. A series of reports in the recent months by legal, human rights and religious organizations criticized the detention policy and the conditions under which the families are held.

Among them, Migration and Refugee Services of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in conjunction with the Center for Migration Studies, in May called for the centers to be closed, drawing on the feedback of several bishops who visited the detention centers in Dilley and Karnes County, Texas. The Women’s Refugee Commission, The American Bar Association’s Commission on Immigration and Human Rights First also sharply criticized those centers and a third one in Berks County, Pennsylvania.

Jeanne Atkinson, executive director of the Catholic Legal Immigration Network Inc., or CLINIC, welcomed the order. In an Aug. 24 statement, Atkinson said “today is a victory for the children that we are assisting inside the detention center in Dilley, Texas, through our dedicated CLINIC attorneys, our tireless volunteer network and the CARA Pro Bono Project.”

Atkinson said that while the litigation has proceeded, the Department of Homeland Security “has detained and separated many vulnerable immigrant families … and continues to detain mothers and children and deny them due process as we speak.”

She urged DHS to end the practice of family detention altogether and replace it with “more humane and less expensive alternatives to detention such as case management with legal services.”

An Aug. 24 statement from DHS said that “while we continue to disagree with the court’s ultimate conclusion,” Gee’s clarifications of Aug. 21 will “permit the government to process families apprehended at the border at family residential facilities consistent with congressionally provided authority.”

The statement said DHS “will continue to screen family members’ claims as expeditiously as possible, while ensuring that their due process rights are protected.”

Gee’s order clarified that that while as a general rule minors should not be detained by DHS more than five days, there are some exceptions, such as an emergency or an influx of minors into the country. The Flores settlement defined an influx as more than 130 minors eligible for placement in a licensed program. She said in such conditions detention by the government could exceed five days as long as the minor is placed “with an authorized adult or in a nonsecure licensed facility … ‘as expeditiously as possible.’”

She said that under extenuating circumstances, “if 20 days is as fast as defendants, in good faith and in the exercise of due diligence, can possibly go in screening family members for reasonable or credible fear,” then the recently implemented policies of DHS may fall within the parameters of the Flores settlement.

Labor Day statement: Reflection, action ‘critical’ for care of workers Mark Pattison Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON, D.C. — “Individual reflection and action is critical” when it comes to improving the conditions of workers in the United States and elsewhere, said Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski of Miami, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, in the U.S. bishops’ annual Labor Day statement.

“We are in need of a profound conversion of heart at all levels of our lives. Let us examine our choices,” Archbishop Wenski said in the statement.

“How do we participate in this wounding of human dignity,” he asked, through choices about the clothes we wear, food we eat, and things we buy – most of which is unaffordable to the very workers who make it? Do we give a thought to this truth, that for our wants to be met, economic realities are created that cause others to live in ways that we ourselves would not?”

Still, “individual effort should not stand alone.” Archbishop Wenski said.

He added, “In demanding a living wage for workers we give hope to those struggling to provide for their families, as well as young workers who hope to have families of their own someday. Unions and worker associations, as with all human institutions, are imperfect, yet they remain indispensable to this work,

‘This Labor Day, the violation of human dignity is evident in exploited workers, trafficked women and children and a broken immigration system...’

Archbishop Thomas Wenski

Chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development and they can exemplify the importance of subsidiarity and solidarity in action.”

Archbishop Wenski used as the basis for his remarks Pope Francis’ encyclical “Laudato Si’, on Care for Our Common Home,” quoting from it to illustrate his points.

While Pope Francis’ encyclical has been regarded as an encyclical on the environment, the pope said in it, “The analysis of environmental problems cannot be separated from the analysis of human, family, work-related and urban contexts, nor from how individuals relate to themselves, which leads in turn to how they relate to others.”

“Not long ago, jobs, wages, and the economy were on everyone’s mind.

Unemployment, poverty and foreclosures soared as Americans worried, rightly, if we could ever recover. Even with some

economic progress, things have not truly improved for most American families. We must not resign ourselves to a ‘new normal’ with an economy that does not provide stable work at a living wage for too many men and women,” Archbishop Wenski said.

“The poverty rate remains painfully high. The unemployment rate has declined, yet much of that is due to people simply giving up looking for a job, not because they have found full-time work. The majority of jobs provide little in the way of sufficient wages, retirement benefits, stability, or family security, and too many families are stringing together part-time jobs to pay the bills. Opportunities for younger workers are in serious decline.”

“Work is a necessity, part of the meaning of life on this earth, a path to growth, human development and personal fulfillment,” Pope

Francis said in his encyclical.

Yet in the United States, according to Archbishop Wenski, “too many marriages bear the crushing weight of unpredictable schedules from multiple jobs, which make impossible adequate time for nurturing children, faith and community. Wage stagnation has increased pressures on families, as the costs of food, housing, transportation and education continue to pile up. Couples intentionally delay marriage, as unemployment and substandard work make a vision of stable family life difficult to see.”

The archbishop said, “Labor is one important way we honor our brothers and sisters in God’s universal human family. In the creation story, God gives us labor as a gateway into participation with him in the ongoing unfolding of creation.” Quoting Pope Francis, he added, “Human labor, at its best, is a deeply holy thing that ought to honor our dignity as we help God ‘maintain the fabric of the world.’”

“This Labor Day, the violation of human dignity is evident in exploited workers, trafficked women and children and a broken immigration system that fails people and families desperate for decent work and a better life,” Archbishop Wenski said. “How can we advance God’s work, in the words of the Psalmist, as he ‘secures justice for the oppressed, gives food to the hungry, (and) sets captives free”? These are difficult questions to ask, yet we must ask them.”

August 28, 2015 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief Cardinal Levada arrested on drunk-driving charge KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii — Cardinal William J. Levada was arrested in Kailua-Kona, on the island of Hawaii, for driving under the influence of alcohol. The arrest was made at about midnight Aug. 19. Cardinal Levada, 79, was released after posting $500 bond. He is due to appear in court Sept. 24. Cardinal Levada, the former archbishop of San Francisco and of Portland, Oregon, and the retired prefect for the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, said in a statement issued Aug. 24 by the Archdiocese of San Francisco, “I regret my error in judgment. I intend to continue fully cooperating with the authorities.” The news was first reported by the Hawaii Tribune Herald daily newspaper, which said he was vacationing with priest friends in Hawaii at the time of the incident. Cardinal Levada, in retirement, lives in Menlo Park, Calif., near San Francisco.

Diocese of St. Augustine prepares for 450th anniversary ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — The Diocese of St. Augustine will join the city of St. Augustine in celebrating the 450th anniversary of the first permanent settlement of European origin in what became the continental United States.

Bishop Felipe Estevez of the St. Augustine called the founding of the city providential.

“The founding of St. Augustine is all about

evangelization, the sharing of Christianity with the Native Americans,” he said. Conversion of the native people of Florida was an important motivation for Pedro Menendez de Aviles of Spain, who established the community in 1565.

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Teachers ratify contract underscoring high schools’ Catholic mission SAN FRANCISCO — A new labor agreement between the Archdiocese of San Francisco and the union representing teachers at the four archdiocesan high schools states that Catholic teachings must remain paramount in the classroom and that teachers are accountable for personal conduct that could negatively affect their ability to serve the Catholic mission.

Marin Catholic High School president Tim Navone said the agreement, which follows months of contention that made national headlines, brings the focus back on teaching.

One court OKs stay for Little Sisters; another says no to religious agencies WASHINGTON, D.C. — Two federal appeals courts acted Aug. 21 in cases related to the contraceptive mandate for employee health insurance. One court said the Little Sisters of the Poor and fellow plaintiffs need not comply with its July ruling against them while the sisters appeal to the Supreme Court. The second court ruled against Michigan and Tennessee Catholic Charities agencies, Aquinas College and other Church-run institutions, saying that their religious rights are not substantially burdened by a process created by the federal government for opting out of providing contraceptive coverage as mandated by the Affordable Care Act due to religious objections.

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Discovering God Anew: Women in Dialogue with God September 18-19, 2015 (part 1 of a 4 part series) Sr. Susan Schorsten, HM & Sr. Gay Rowzie, HM This 4- part program is designed for women who are seeking a deeper relationship with God and are desiring spiritual growth & personal formation. The program focuses on a personal journey with others to develop a sense of community.

It is hoped that all who participate will commit to attending all four sessions.

The weekends consist of a Friday evening and all day Saturday, with liturgy and lunch included. Space is limited, so early registration is recommended.

Cost: $200 for all 4 sessions / $40 per Friday night accommodations (includes breakfast)

An Overview of the Old Testament Thursday, September 24 or Saturday, September 26, 2015 9:30am – 4:00pm Sr. Mary Hugh Mauldin, RSM

Bishop Begley Conference on Appalachia

Connecting Elders to Resources in Western North Carolina Saturday, September 19, from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM (doors open at 9 AM) Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Brevard, NC Please come to the Seventh Bishop Begley Conference on Appalachia to learn, celebrate, and pray, as Catholic Charities and Sacred Heart Catholic Church highlight the treasure of elders in society and offer helpful workshops on a variety of topics, including elder health care choices, safety tips and risk prevention, avoiding scams and fraud, and community resources.

Go to ccdoc.org/fwnc for event schedule and registration/payment procedures (lunch is provided).

Questions? Call 704-370-3225 or email jtpurello@charlottediocese.org.

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The first program in our scripture series will study the Old Testament as a collection of inspired writings which speak of an ancient peoples’ awareness of and response to God. Resources will be available for purchase. Prayer, noon Eucharist and lunch are included.

Cost: $40

Women on Whose Shoulders We Stand October 2-3, 2015 (part 1 of a 4 part series) Sr. Susan Schorsten, HM & Sr. Gay Rowzie, HM This 4- part program is devoted to increasing the awareness of the significant contributions of women, named and unnamed in the Scriptures and to identify ways in which they serve as role models for women today.

It is hoped that all who participate will commit to attending all four sessions.

The weekends consist of a Friday evening and all day Saturday, with liturgy and lunch included. Space is limited, so early registration is recommended.

Cost: $200 for all 4 sessions / $40 per Friday night accommodations (includes breakfast)

Our world 20

catholicnewsherald.com | August 28, 2015 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Pope urges visitors to really get to know Jesus by reading Gospels Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis asked thousands of people gathered in St. Peter’s Square to be quiet for a moment and ponder the question, “Who is Jesus to you?”

After the moment of silence Aug. 23, the pope introduced the midday Angelus prayer by asking Mary to help Christians purify their faith, removing “worldly incrustations and fears.”

Commenting on the day’s Gospel reading from St. John, the pope said people were scandalized when Jesus told them He was the “bread of life” and “clearly alluded” to the fact that He would sacrifice His life for them.

The people were upset, he said, because such talk did not fit in with their idea of the Messiah. They thought “He should speak and act in a way that His mission would have success immediately.”

“They understood Jesus’ words so well that they did not want to listen to Him because they were words that put their mentality in crisis,” he said.

The words of Jesus challenge people’s ideas today, as well, he said.

In the Gospel passage, when people started to abandon Jesus, He asked the

disciples if they, too, wanted to leave.

Peter responded, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

Pope Francis told the crowd in St. Peter’s Square that like the disciples, Christians must realize that “everything we have in this world will not satisfy our hunger for the infinite. We need Jesus.

We need to stay with Him, to nourish ourselves at His table and with His words that are eternal life.”

The disciples made their statement of faith, he said, and Christians today should ask themselves: “Who is Jesus for me? Is He a name, an idea, just a historic figure? Or is He truly a person who loves me, who gave His life for me and who walks with me?”

Recognizing Jesus as the “bread of life” is only one step, the pope said. “Do you try to know Him through His word? Do you read the Gospel, a passage each day to get to know Jesus?”

“The more we are with Jesus, the greater our desire to stay with Him,” Pope Francis told the crowd, which included a group of U.S. men dressed in black – seminarians about to begin their studies at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. They received a special greeting from the pope after the Angelus prayer.

WAKING UP TO THIS DAY A Day of Reflection with Paula D’Arcy Saturday, October 3, 2015 9:30am to 3pm Saint Therese Catholic Church

217 Brawley School Road, Mooresville, NC 28117

During this day of reflection we will explore guideposts that summon us to live in the present moment and open our eyes to the Perfection of Divine love moving in our lives.

Paula D’Arcy, a writer, retreat leader, and conference and seminar speaker, travels widely in the United States, Canada, and abroad. She serves as adjunct faculty at Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, TX and Seton Cove Spirituality Center in Austin, TX. For more information and to register, please visit our website: http://www.sainttherese.net/waking-up-to-this-day Cost: $35 per person (lunch included) Please bring a journal.

For additional information, please contact Carmen San Juan at 704-664-7762

Balanced life includes time for family, work, prayer, pope says Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — Work is an important expression of human dignity and of caring for one’s family, but today there is a “dangerous tendency” to consider a worker’s family obligations as an obstacle to productivity and profit, Pope Francis said.

“But let’s ask ourselves: What productivity? And for whom?” he said Aug. 19 at his weekly general audience as he continued a long series of audience talks about the family and family life.

“Work, in its thousand forms, beginning with housework, is about caring for the common good,” providing for one’s family and cooperating with God in creating goods and services that are useful to others, the pope said.

To say someone is a “hard worker,” he said, is a compliment, just as saying someone “lives off” of another is a put down. St. Paul, in 2 Thessalonians, tells Christians that if they do not work, they should not eat. “It’s a great recipe for losing weight, eh?” the pope said.

“Work – and I repeat, in all its forms – is human. It expresses the dignity of being created in the image of God, which is why it can be said that work is sacred,” Pope Francis said.

Work is so important for individual identity, for the ability it gives people to support their families and for its contribution to the community that creating and organizing employment is a huge “human and social responsibility, which cannot be left in the hands of a few or pushed off onto a divinized market,” the pope said.

“To cause the loss of jobs is to cause great social damage,” he said.

“It makes me sad when I see there are no jobs, when there are people without work who cannot find a job and who do not have the dignity of being able to bring bread home. And I rejoice when I see governments making great efforts to promote employment, to find jobs and to try to make sure everyone has work.”

Work is part of the normal rhythm of life for individuals and for families, he

‘When the organization of work takes the family hostage or blocks its progress, then we can be certain society has begun working against itself.’ said. It must alternate with times of rest or celebration and, especially, time for prayer.

Balance is important, Pope Francis said, for protecting individuals, their families, society and the environment.

Attitudes toward work that consider the family an obstacle to productivity, he said, also tend to see the workforce as something “to assemble, use or dispose of” only according to how much money it makes.

The family is “the proving ground” of labor policies, he said. “When the organization of work takes the family hostage or blocks its progress, then we can be certain society has begun working against itself.”

Christian families, the pope said, have a mission to remind the world of the fundamental principles of God’s creation and God’s plan: “the identity and bond between man and woman; the generation of children; work that tames and makes the world habitable.”

“The loss of these fundamentals is a very serious matter and in our common home there are already too many cracks,” he said.

“The beauty of the earth and the dignity of work were made to go together,” he said.

But when the family, the earth or labor are “hostage to the logic of profit,” then everything is poisoned and the poorest families suffer most.

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In Brief Through the Holy Door: Vatican to have reservation system VATICAN CITY — Drawing on the experience of the recent public exposition of the Shroud of Turin, Vatican officials are adopting a reservation system for pilgrims who want to cross the threshold of the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica during the Year of Mercy. The free, online registration will not be activated until October, but the Vatican has published a brief explanation of the plan on www.im.va, which is the website for the Year of Mercy that begins Dec. 8.

Pope marks Ukraine’s independence calling for peace VATICAN CITY — Marking the 24th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence, Pope Francis sent a letter to the nation’s president and asked Catholics to join him in prayers for peace. After reciting the Angelus prayer Aug. 23 with visitors in St. Peter’s Square, the pope told the crowds, “With deep concern I am following the conflict in eastern Ukraine, which has accelerated once again in the past few weeks. “I renew my appeal that the commitments made for achieving peace would be respected and that, with the help of organizations and people of goodwill, there would be a response to the humanitarian emergency in the country,” the pope said.

The Organization for Security and

Cooperation in Europe, monitoring the situation in Eastern Ukraine where Russian-backed separatists are fighting national troops, has reported increasing violations of a cease-fire agreement signed in February.

The United Nations estimates fighting since April 2014 has claimed at least 6,800 lives; more than 1.4 million Ukrainians are displaced within the country and another 925,000 have sought refugee outside Ukraine.

International Courage conference draws participants from 78 dioceses PLYMOUTH, Mich. — Almost everyone knows someone who experiences same-sex attraction, and faithful Catholics are often at a loss for how to engage a friend or loved one who declares he or she is gay, said speakers at a three-day international conference at the Inn at St. John’s in Plymouth. Nearly 400 people attended the Aug. 10-12 conference, “Love One Another as I Have Loved You: Accompanying Our Brothers and Sisters with Same-Sex Attraction,” designed for clergy, pastoral staff and others who minister or teach on the topic of same-sex attraction.

“We want to do the right thing. We want to speak the truth in love,” said Janet Smith, professor of moral theology at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit and the conference’s chief organizer. “We want to be loving, and we want to be truthful. How do we do that?”

Talks seeking to answer that question were given by a wide range of experts, from Catholic moral theologians to psychologists, doctors and pastors. Courage International, an apostolate that supports those with same-sex attraction in living a lifestyle of chastity, was co-host of the conference with the Archdiocese of Detroit and Our Sunday Visitor.

— Catholic News Service

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21st Annual Fundraising Banquet

“Witness for Life” Featured Speaker ~ Austin Ruse

Since 1997, Austin Ruse has taken the defense of life and family into the international arena through his work as president of C-Fam, Center for Family & Human Rights.

Dedicated to reestablishing a proper understanding of international law, protecting national sovereignty, and the dignity of the human person, Mr. Ruse and his staff regularly meet with diplomats, policymakers, academics, activists, and office holders from around the world and have participated in every major UN social policy debate since the organization’s founding.

In addition to his work with C-Fam, Mr. Ruse is a well-known speaker, and contributor to publications such as Crisis Magazine, Legatus Magazine, the Washington Times, and National Review Online. As an ardent defender of life, Mr. Ruse stated, “the abortion culture tells young women they are free to make their own choice and what they find is they are almost totally alone. The institutions that used to protect them in their time of need — family, church, school, friends — are often those that have deserted them. Up steps MiraVia, dedicated to serving these young women in their hour of greatest need. It is heroic work that receives little attention but deserves great adulation and our full support”.

Success in School Starts Here Hundreds of refugees arrive in North Carolina each year. Children living in refugee camps and war-torn countries have limited access to education and often arrive years behind educational standards.

Charlotte Convention Center  Crown Ballroom Thursday, October 22, 2015 Registration/Reception, 5:30 pm – Seating for Dinner, 6:15 pm

Catholic Charities provides homework assistance, enrichment, mentoring, and additional learning experiences to ensure students have the skills they need to excel in school and achieve educational goals.

Reservations are free but REQUIRED

To donate school supplies to help refugee youth and other children in need as a new school year begins, visit ccdoc.org or call 800-227-7261 to schedule a drop off at a local office.

To make a reservation or to host a table of (8-10) go to http://miraviabanquet21.eventbrite.com OR contact Banquet Reservations at (704) 525-4673, ext. 10

by October 10, 2015 MiraVia, Inc. is a Catholic non-profit maternity and after-care program serving women and their children in the Charlotte, N.C. region. All material support and services are offered free of charge to clients. Please visit our website, www.mira-via.org, for more information.

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catholicnewsherald.com | August 28, 2015 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Dr. Kamila Valenta

Cuba, other post-Communist countries need evangelization

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hanks to the hard work of diplomats, politicians, and the Catholic Church, the relationship between the United States and Cuba has recently warmed up and the two countries established diplomatic relations for the first time in 54 years. After the long decades of Communist rule, Cuba may now be on the path to democratization and the relationship between the Church and state in this country is already showing signs of détente with the first new Catholic church being built since 1959 and a papal visit being scheduled for next month. However, we know from historical experience that the renewal of Catholic faith in post-Communist societies does not come automatically with democratization and that it is usually much easier to repair destroyed buildings than to rebuild people’s faith and trust in the Church.

The experience of post-Communist Eastern Europe shows this painfully well.

Although in some countries previously ruled by a Communist government (such as Poland and Croatia) the Catholic Church is doing extremely well, these countries are the exception, not the rule.

Most countries affected by Communism rank among the most atheistic societies in the world. Among the world’s 10 least religious countries with even just occasional church attendance below 15 percent (according to Gallup research), more than half are in post-Communist Europe, including Estonia, Latvia, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovenia.

Estonia and the Czech Republic rank as the world’s most atheistic countries, where the percentages of people, who report they believe in God, is only 18 and 16 percent respectively (Eurobarometer Poll, 2010).

These statistics hold even after two decades of Church renewal efforts and multiple papal visits in many of these countries. Communism can destroy faith and penetrate society like no other totalitarian regime. Gradually religious symbols, holidays and celebrations are replaced with Communist ones, the school system is completely run by the government, and children are indoctrinated in atheism. History is reinterpreted and rewritten in such a way that the Catholic Church is portrayed as villainous, and any kind of spirituality is seen in a negative light.

By the time one or more generations have passed, people not only get disconnected from their spiritual heritage, but they also lack the most basic religious education.

Most countries in Eastern Europe have been free from Communism and under

some form of democratic government for more than 20 years. There are no longer police agents inside and at the entrance of church buildings to check the IDs of anyone who would dare to kneel down in prayer in defiance of the official ideology.

Bibles, religious articles and prayer cards are no longer banned from print and distribution. Public playing of Christian songs as well as celebrations of Easter and Christmas are no longer suppressed by the state, and priests are allowed to talk to children and young people without the threat of being permanently removed from ministry. However, the path towards Christianity is hard to find for societies that have experienced decades of Communist and atheist propaganda – where many people, especially the young, are not aware of the basic tenets of the Gospel, and where churches have been transformed into museums. People in this situation need active help to find their way back to Christianity. There is a great need for missionaries who would, through good works and example, help restore the faith of the peoples who once used to be the pillars of Christian Europe.

The case of Cuba shares many similar characteristics. A country that used to be more than 90 percent Catholic has been systematically de-christianized since the Communist revolution of 1959. Initially, Christian believers were not admitted into the Communist party, necessary for any career advancement. In the early 1990s the government relaxed that rule, admitting some Christians into the party and adjusting its constitution to prohibit religious discrimination, but the practice of one’s faith remained discouraged.

Despite the fact that the country was already visited by St. John Paul II in 1998 and Pope Benedict XVI in 2012, Cuba today remains the least religious country in all of Latin America, with the lowest number of priests as a percentage of the population. Even though this country enjoys more religious freedom than other Communist countries, such as Vietnam or China, less than 6 percent of Cubans attend Mass regularly (according to the Church’s own statistics).

Most of post-Communist Europe is still in great need of evangelization.

Moreover, with the easing of the relations between the U.S. and Cuba, there is a now opening a new opportunity to help out a country, which was also devastated by this repressive regime, and which is the closest to our shores.

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.

The Poor Clares

Reflections on the Year for Consecrated Life:

Ora et labora: Active, contemplative vocations

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f you search a list of Catholic religious orders, institutes and congregations, you will likely be amazed at the number of charisms present in consecrated life. That is a reflection of the multifaceted beauty of our Church and the inexhaustible treasury of God’s grace, but for someone engaged in the discernment process, this large number of options may be overwhelming.

One first step in identifying one’s particular vocation is usually consideration of either the active or the contemplative life.

This is a familiar distinction, yet one that is often a bit too distinct. To think in terms such as work being the focus of the vocation to the active life and prayer being the aim of contemplative life is an over-simplification, and an erroneous one at that – akin to the concept that the only “working mothers” are those who have a career outside the home.

It’s important to remember that the foundation of all religious vocations is a total dedication of the person to God and a commitment to live as Christ did. The consecrated person spends his or her life focused on worshipping and serving God – freed from the duties, burdens and distractions of the world and the vocation of marriage and family life. Religious profession makes one a “holocaust” or whole burnt offering, so that every part of the consecrated person belongs completely to God. Church law tells us, “The first and foremost duty of all religious is to be the contemplation of divine things and assiduous union with God in prayer.”

This is a potent reminder that all those called to a consecrated life commit themselves to the pursuit of holiness in a radical way and give public witness to the primacy of God and the reality of the heavenly Kingdom. Religious give example to the whole Church of a life of selfsacrifice, and they also help the Church directly through works of charity.

The concept of engaging in works of charity applies to all religious, too. An apostolate of some kind is therefore an essential element of every order.

The contemplative life in a particular way reflects Christ’s continual union with the Father, exemplified in His times of drawing apart to immerse Himself in prayer in solitude. The contemplative withdraws from the world to seek an intense union with the Lord. This is a tremendous gift to the Church, because it is a living reminder that we are all made to adore and contemplate God for all eternity in the beatific vision.

Contemplative life is a powerful witness that even in this life, God – and the pursuit of constant union with Him in prayer– is enough for us. The contemplative vocation is also a hidden fire that fuels the work of the members of the Church Militant.

The active vocation engages directly in the realities of this world. This life is also embraced in imitation of Christ, who spent

Himself in ministering directly to others as we see throughout the pages of the Gospels.

Consecrated men and women who live the active life are called to follow in His footsteps by taking up apostolates which seek to meet the physical and spiritual needs of others.

Here again, we see an act of worship.

The various ministries embraced by active orders are a pattern for self-giving love. Those in the active vocation give themselves in service to their brothers and sisters as Christ did, and for His sake. They are His hands and feet in the world today.

The greatest gift that consecrated men and women bring to their ministry is, precisely, their consecration. Other faith-filled people may be great teachers, nurses or social workers, but those in a consecrated vocation act from their total self-gift to God. Their loving contemplation of Him is the impetus for bringing souls closer to our Savior.

It is from meditation on God’s Word, participation at Mass, faithful recitation of the Liturgy of the Hours, and a deep, personal prayer life that the strength comes for these works of charity and for the sacrificial offerings that each religious makes through the dedication of their entire lives to Christ.

We can see how the phrase “ora et labora,” or “to pray and to work,” a motto of St. Benedict, applies to all forms of consecrated life. A prayer life, and specifically a Eucharist-centered life, is vital for the fruitfulness of every religious’ mission. Apostolates of charity, or the simplicity of working at manual labor to earn one’s living (as often done in monastic communities) are also an essential element in every kind of religious order. Even the earliest Desert Fathers, who set out as solitary hermits to pray in the wilderness, took up some task, such as weaving baskets, to keep from idleness. For even the most contemplative of callings does not permit its members to spend their entire existence on their knees in the chapel.

It is also good to remember that the question of whether contemplative life or active life is the superior calling within the Church is not the point. In the words of St. Bernard of Clairvaux, “Nothing is lacking where everything is given.” The “best” vocation for an individual is the one they have been called to by God for His glory.

During this Year for Consecrated Life, let us give thanks to God for the many ways consecrated souls bear witness to His Love, and pray that many young hearts be moved to offer themselves in total self-gift, as instruments for furthering the Kingdom.

Sister Marie Thérèse of the Divine Child Jesus is professed with the Poor Clare Nuns of Perpetual Adoration St. Joseph Monastery in Charlotte. This is the latest in a series of commentaries on the Year for Consecrated Life, which is being celebrated by the universal Church until Feb. 2, 2016. Learn more about the Poor Clares at www. stjosephmonastery.com.

August 28, 2015 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

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Letters to the editor

Homilies should be interesting, funny and short I want to compliment the fine column

by Deacon James Toner in the Aug. 14 Catholic News Herald, “Happy homilies.”

I don’t think I have seen a better one than that in years.

Bland homilies are truly moral failures in that poor parishioners come for this one-hour devotion and then have to hear a listless sermon that wouldn’t make the most devout nun listen. Young people coming to hear the Word of God need desperately to be inspired and not end up brainless in the pew because the homilist gave a redundant rehash of the Gospel they just heard spoken with all the fervor of a mouse.

While the Eucharist is the most important part of the Mass, the homily is terribly important, too. Perhaps no one in this country is better than 76-year-old Wisconsin native Father Dale Grubba.

His homilies are priceless and scarcely ever go over seven minutes, and people remember what he says. He is the pastor of two churches, plus finds time to serve as a priest to the racing community, write books, and be one of the finest awardwinning auto racing photographers in America. He accompanied Kurt Busch during his run in the Indianapolis 500 and then his turning around and coming back to run the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte.

If we could do interesting sermons with a twist of humor and storytelling every

week, no more than 10-11 minutes in length, we could revolutionize the Church.

Why can’t we? We can, by making it a major endeavor.

Strong emphasis must be placed in the seminaries toward public speaking and, in particular, storytelling. Isn’t that exactly what Our Lord did?

All homilists would do well with a yearly two-day course in public speaking run by professional instructors such as Ty Boyd, a Charlotte Catholic. He has instructed many CEOs and public figures on how to give interesting, captivating speeches.

We are all bombarded via TV, movies, etc., with the finest entertainment in the world featuring people who talk about interesting things. How much better can you get than Charlie Rose, Pope Francis, Dianne Sawyer, and other high-profile people we see and hear on the world stage?

So, when a homilist gets up he has to be able to keep people’s attention. At Mass we have been taught to at least look at the homilist and act like we are paying attention, so that might give him a sense of complacency.

So my challenge is: Speak well, make people smile and speak short.

Howard A. Wheeler Jr., who lives in Huntersville, is a professional speaker, college lecturer, and the former president and general manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway.

The Fatima Secret: Persecution of the Church Recently we have all been stunned by the increasing persecutions of the Church throughout the world: thousands of Christians either killed or made homeless, the legalistic attacks on Judeo-Christian beliefs including marriage, and the appalling revelations about Planned Parenthood.

There were three great Secrets from the visitation of Our Blessed Mother at Fatima, and many have forgotten the Second Secret: that God the Father was going to punish the world for its crimes and that Russia will “...spread her errors throughout the world, causing wars and persecutions against the Church. The good will be martyred, the Holy Father will have much to suffer, various nations will be annihilated. To prevent this, I shall come to ask for the consecration of Russia to My Immaculate Heart, and the Communion of Reparation on the First Saturdays.”

St. John Paul II fulfilled the first part with the consecration of Russia to Mary’s Immaculate Heart in 1984. But with the fall of the Soviet Union the rest of the message was forgotten.

So why the turmoil we see today? The answer is in the second half of Our Lady’s request: “I shall come to ask for...the Communion of Reparation on the First Saturdays.” On Dec. 10, 1925, Our Lady, holding the child Jesus, returned to Lucia, the oldest of the three Fatima seers, and said: “Look, my daughter, at my Heart, surrounded with thorns with which ungrateful men pierce me at every moment by their blasphemies and ingratitude. You, at least, try to console me, and announce in my name that I promise to assist at the hour of death, with all graces necessary for salvation, all those who, on the first Saturdays of five consecutive months, confess, receive Holy Communion, recite the rosary and keep me company for 15 minutes meditating on the 15 mysteries of the rosary with the intention of making reparation to me.”

At one time many of us have made the first five Saturdays. But how long ago, and did we with the intention of making

reparation? It really was not supposed to be a one-time deal, it should be something we all do on a regular basis. As stated by the Blue Army of Our Lady of Fatima: “The promise associated with the practice of the devotion on five consecutive First Saturdays has been mistakenly construed by many to mean that, once one has completed a series of five in succession, they have accomplished the practice of the devotion – that they are finished. This was not Our Lady’s intention in making the promise...

This is one reason why wars, famines and persecutions of the Church and of the Holy Father have increased rather than abated.”

The answer to the reason for the world’s turmoil is that we have not satisfied Our Lord or Our Lady in making reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. It is a very simple request. For many of us, it is simply setting aside the time on the First Saturday of each month with the intention of making reparation for offenses committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary: go to confession, receive Holy Communion worthily, pray five decades of the rosary, and keep Our Lady company for 15 minutes while meditating on the mysteries of the rosary. For details, download a free copy of a devotional guide at the Blue Army website, www.wafusa.org/first-saturday-devotion.

We sometimes feel helpless before secular powers that seem to have everything on their side. We are troubled as we see the norms of society tuned upside down. We see the plight of the persecuted and the martyred. We wonder what we, as Christians, should do in response. It seems Our Lady has already told us. Our Lady, Help of Christians, helped the Christian world defeat the Muslim invaders at the Battle of Lepanto. Today, perhaps no fleet of ships are needed, just a simple act of reparation.

George K. Cobb is director of planning and research for the Diocese of Charlotte and director of the Oblates at Belmont Abbey. This commentary was originally published at www.oblatesosbbelmont.org.

Most-read stories on the web

‘Christians must realize that ‘everything we have in this world will not satisfy our hunger for the infinite. We need Jesus.’

Pope Francis

From online story: ‘Pope urges visitors to really get to know Jesus by reading Gospels’ Through press time on Aug. 26, 8,426 visitors to www.catholicnewsherald.com have viewed a total of 16,901 pages. The top 10 headlines in August have been: n Belmont Abbey College library renovation recaptures Gothic architecture.......................... 807 n Anti-abortion rally outside Charlotte Planned Parenthood draws hundreds......................... 438 n View the current print edition of the Catholic News Herald.........................................................353 n Mount Airy church burned in suspected arson.................................................................................331 n Catholic schools in diocese see facility improvements over the summer.............................. 250 n Mother Teresa Villa, a ‘dwelling place of love,’ opens......................................................................212 n St. Ann Church celebrates 60 years....................................................................................................202 n Candidates, deacons commit to serving God’s people at Mass.................................................... 175 n St. Monica, mother of St. Augustine, feast day Aug. 27.................................................................150 n 2015 priest assignments announced for Diocese of Charlotte....................................................136

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“I Am The Way and The Truth and The Life” (John 14:6)

11th Eucharistic Congress

September 11 – 12, 2015, Charlotte Convention Center Singing and Praying Hymns of Praise in Honor of the Holy Eucharist, Byzantine-Rite Vespers Bible Study of the Gospel of St. John with Fr. Patrick Winslow Procession of the Eucharist to St. Peter’s Church and Nocturnal Adoration, College Night Vendors of Sacred Art Vocation and Catholic Education information Holy Mass

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For more information please visit: GoEucharist.com

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Teresa Tomeo “Fortifying Faith, Family and Culture”

Rev. Tadeusz Pacholczyk “Bioethics: A Moral Compass for the Family” Concert of Sacred Music Choir Members from Parishes of the Diocese

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Father Daniel L. Mode “Father Vincent Capodanno, The Grunt Padre”

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Holy Hour Homilist: His Eminence, Timothy Cardinal Dolan “The Holy Eucharist: The Way and The Truth and The Life of the Intentional Catholic”

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English and Spanish Tracks for Adults K-12 Education Tracks for Students Sean Forrest, Adam Truffant and Katie Dunn Religious displays

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Eucharistic Procession - Uptown Charlotte Holy Hour Confession

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2015 Eucharistic Congress Diocese Of Charlotte

September 11 & 12