Sept. 11, 2015

September 11, 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

Scouting leaders affirm Catholic teaching, 3

Former CCHS principal pleads guilty to mishandling funds, 3

INDEX Contact us.......................... 4 Events calendar................. 4 Our Faith............................. 2 Our Parishes................. 3-11 Scripture readings............ 2 TV & Movies.......................12 U.S. news...................... 14-15 Viewpoints................... 18-19 World news.................. 16-17

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Millions await Pope Francis’ U.S. trip INSIDE:

Details about the pope’s historic apostolic visit, 18 Local families embark on pilgrimage to Philadelphia, 3

‘Unexpected ministry’ St. Joseph Vietnamese’s pastor becomes international TV sensation,

12

New endowment memorializes late seminarian Michael Kitson, 5

Our faith 2

catholicnewsherald.com | September 11, 2015 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Pope Francis

Parishes must be like a welcoming family, not private club

A

Church that lives according to the Gospel must always have its doors open and be a welcoming community, not “an exclusive, closed sect,” Pope Francis said. “Churches, parishes, institutions with closed doors must not call themselves a church; they must call themselves museums,” he said during his general audience Sept. 9.

As part of a series of talks about the family, the pope focused on the close bond that should exist between the family and the Christian community.

The son of God chose to be born and immersed in the everyday life and routine of a simple family in a poor village, the pope said.

In fact, the family is where the “irreplaceable, indelible” start of one’s life story begins, which is “why the family is so important.”

When Jesus began His public ministry, He formed around Him a community with a shared vocation, “that is, a convocation of people. This is the meaning of the word ‘church,’” the pope said.

The group Jesus gathers around Him has the features of “a hospitable family, not an exclusive, closed sect.”

“We find Peter and John, but also the hungry, the thirsty, the foreigner, the persecuted, the sinner, the tax collector, the Pharisees and the multitudes.

And Jesus never stops welcoming and speaking with everyone, even with those who no longer expect to encounter God in their life.”

Jesus’ example is a valuable lesson for the Church today, he said. It is “indispensable and urgent” for the bond between the family and the Christian community to be renewed and strengthened. “The family and the parish are the two places in which this communion of love, whose ultimate source is God Himself, is realized.”

Families and parishes must share this bond and be “centers of love” that are an alternative to the prevailing “centers of ideological, financial and political power” in the world.

A generous spirit is required to find the courage and intelligence to reach out to families, the pope said, because sometimes they “pull away, saying they do not measure up” to expectations or are too “messed up” with too many problems or not enough strength to pull through.

“But nobody is worthy, nobody measures up, nobody has the strength.

Without the grace of God, we can’t do anything,” he said. Only when people put themselves in God’s hands can miracles happen, even just “everyday miracles when the Lord is there in that family.”

St. Robert Bellarmine: ‘The most educated man in the Church’ Feast day: Sept. 17 Benjamin Mann Catholic News Agency

On Sept. 17, the Church celebrates the Italian cardinal and theologian St. Robert Bellarmine, one of the most important figures of the Counter-Reformation. One of the great saints of the Jesuit order, St. Robert has also been declared a Doctor of the Church and the patron of catechists.

Robert Bellarmine was born on Oct. 4, 1542, in the Tuscan town of Montepulciano.

His uncle was a cardinal who later became Pope Marcellus II. As a young man, Robert received his education from the Jesuit order, which had received written papal approval only two years before his birth.

In September of 1560, Robert entered the Jesuit order himself. He studied philosophy for three years in Rome, then taught humanities until 1567, when he began a study of theology that lasted until 1569.

The final stage of his training emphasized the refutation of Protestant errors.

Robert received ordination to the priesthood in Belgium, where his

sermons drew crowds of both Catholics and Protestants. In 1576, he returned to Italy and took up an academic position addressing theological controversies. The resulting work, his “Disputations,” became a classic of Catholic apologetics.

Near the end of the 1580s, the esteemed theologian became “Spiritual Father” to the Roman College. He served as a guide to St. Aloysius Gonzaga near the end of the young Jesuit’s life, and helped produce the authoritative Latin text of the Bible called for by the recent Council of Trent.

Around the century’s end, Robert became an advisor to Pope Clement VIII. The pope named him a cardinal in 1599, declaring him to be the most educated man in the Church. Robert played a part in a debate between Dominicans and Jesuits regarding grace. The pope later decided to appoint and consecrate him as the Archbishop of Capua.

The cardinal archbishop’s three years in Capua stood out as an example of fidelity to the reforming spirit and decrees of the Council of Trent. He was considered as a

possible pope in two successive elections, but the thought of becoming pope disturbed him and in the end he was never chosen.

In the early years of the 17th century, the cardinal took a public stand for the Church’s freedom when it came under attack in Venice and England. He also attempted, though not successfully, to negotiate peace between the Vatican and his personal friend Galileo Galilei, over the scientist’s insistence that not only the earth, but the entire universe, revolved around the sun.

He retired due to health problems in the summer of 1621. Two years before, he had set out his thoughts on the end of earthly life in a book titled “The Art of Dying Well.” In that work, he explained that preparing for death was life’s most important business, since the state of one’s soul at death would determine a person’s eternal destiny.

St. Robert Bellarmine died on Sept. 17, 1621. He was 78. Pope Pius XI canonized him in 1931, and declared him to be a Doctor of the Church.

(Right) The tomb of St. Robert Bellarmine is at the Church of Ignatius Loyola in Rome. His remains, in a cardinal’s red robes, are displayed behind glass under a side altar in the church, next to the body of his student, St. Aloysius Gonzaga, as he himself had wished.

Your daily Scripture readings 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

SEPT. 20-26

Sunday: Wisdom 2:12, 17-20, James 3:164:3, Mark 9:30-37; Monday (St. Matthew): Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13, Matthew 9:9-13; Tuesday: Ezra 6:7-8, 12, 14-20, Luke 8:19-21; Wednesday (St. Pius of Pietrelcina): Ezra 9:5-9, Tobit 13:2-4, 7-8, Luke 9:1-6; Thursday: Haggai 1:1-8, Luke 9:7-9; Friday: Haggai 2:1-9, Luke 9:1822; Saturday (Sts. Cosmas and Damian): Zechariah 2:5-9, 14-15, Jeremiah 31:10-13, Luke 9:43-45

SEPT. 27-OCT. 3

Sunday: Numbers 11:25-29, James 5:1-6, Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48; Monday (St. Wenceslaus, St. Lawrence Ruiz and Companions): Zechariah 8:1-8, Luke 9:46-50; Tuesday (Sts. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael): Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14, John 1:47-51; Wednesday (St. Jerome): Nehemiah 2:1-18, Luke 9:57-62; Thursday (St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus): Nehemiah 8:1-12, Luke 10:1-12; Friday (The Holy Guardian Angels): Baruch 1:15-22, Matthew 18:1-15, 10; Saturday: Baruch 4:5-12, 27-29, Luke 10:17-24

Our parishes

September 11, 2015 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

Former Charlotte Catholic principal pleads guilty to mishandling funds Patricia L. Guilfoyle Editor

CHARLOTTE — The former principal of Charlotte Catholic High School has pleaded guilty to one felony count of misappropriating more than $160,000 from accounts associated with the school.

Gerald Healy appeared Sept. 4 before U.S. District Magistrate Judge David Cayer. During a hearing at the federal courthouse in Charlotte that lasted less than 20 minutes, Healy admitted to mishandling $161,399 from the non-profit Charlotte Catholic High School Foundation, using checks drawn out of a Bank of America account from April 2007 to February 2014 to pay for personal expenses.

According to the U.S. attorney’s charges, Healy “misappropriated both the School’s and the Foundation’s money for his personal use ... by writing or having his assistant write checks to him. On at least four occasions, Healy forged the name of his assistant on Foundation checks made payable to himself.”

Healy resigned as principal on May 20, 2014, following a separate audit of school finances by the Diocese of Charlotte that Healy uncovered unspecified “questionable disbursements” from high school accounts.

Specifics were not disclosed at the time, but a June 17, 2014, letter from the Charlotte Catholic High School Foundation, an independent fundraising organization that provides scholarships and supplies for the high school, said Healy had been “making personal use of funds held by the foundation.”

Healy’s attorneys had insisted that the foundation had no written procedures for use of the funds in the account, and that the money had been used to help members of the Charlotte Catholic High School community.

In the Sept. 4 plea hearing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Zolot said Healy “has been completely cooperative” throughout the federal investigation that followed the audit of the funds.

Zolot said he is recommending probation, but a specific sentence has yet to be determined. Healy could have faced up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted. He

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Local Scouting leaders affirm Catholic teaching

remains free on a $25,000 unsecured bond until his sentencing hearing.

Outside the courtroom before the hearing, Healy hugged a small group of supporters and wiped away tears as he signed documents. In the courtroom he gave no statement, but Healy’s attorneys issued the following written statement after the hearing: “Jerry Healy is deeply sorry for his actions and the hurt and disappointment he caused. His mishandling of funds resulted in the end of a remarkable 44 years in the Charlotte Catholic school system, during which time he transformed the lives of countless students and families with his guidance, generosity, and compassion. He expresses his deep gratitude for the love and support provided by so many within the ... Charlotte Catholic High School family.”

In a statement issued Sept. 4, diocesan officials said the case “is an unfortunate incident that will not impact the instruction, tuition or fees of Charlotte Catholic High School students or any Mecklenburg Area Catholic School.”

The Charlotte Catholic High School Foundation is an independent organization which is not managed, administered or controlled by the diocese, the statement said. The investigation of the foundation’s finances had no impact on the school’s education program or tuition accounts, noted David Hains, diocesan director of communication.

“As we approach the Year of Mercy, as designated by Pope Francis, we as Catholics ask for prayers for all who were hurt by this unfortunate situation,” the diocese’s statement also said.

The investigation began in 2013 after the foundation lost its 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status after failing to report its finances to the Internal Revenue Service in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

The IRS notice led the foundation to investigate its internal financial practices, a review which it said found “a significant number of irregular and unauthorized transactions” by Healy and another former school employee who also worked with the foundation, according to the June 17, 2014, letter to donors.

“Those transactions included disbursement of Foundation funds to each other and to family members,” the letter stated, as well as “payments of expenses unrelated to the Foundation” that included “personal travel abroad, monies re-directed from Foundation accounts to a personal checking account,

CHARLOTTE — Local scouting leaders are reiterating Catholic teaching following the Boy Scouts of America’s recent decision to allow gay adult leaders.

The Boy Scouts of America announced July 27 that adults will not be denied leadership positions as employees or “non-unit serving The Charlotte volunteers” based on Diocese Catholic sexual orientation. The Committee on announcement follows Scouting will have a a 2013 decision opening membership to samebooth at the Eucharistic sex attracted youth.

Congress Sept. 12 at the The BSA’s decision Charlotte Convention does not affect Center. All are welcome leadership choices to stop by and learn made by individual more about local Catholic Scout units, and Scouting. it underscores religiously chartered units’ authority to choose leaders consistent with their faith.

Catholic scouting officials in the Diocese of Charlotte say they will support their chartered units and encourage them to continue to select leaders who uphold Catholic teaching.

Scouting officials with the Charlotte Diocese Catholic Committee on Scouting met with Bishop Peter Jugis Aug. 27 to discuss the BSA’s decision and its implications in the diocese.

In what they described as a “very good meeting,” committee leaders received approval

Principal, SEE page 13

SCOUTS, SEE page 9

Patricia L. Guilfoyle Editor

Learn more

Families embark on pilgrimage to Philadelphia, hope to see Pope Francis Stephen and Patricia Guilfoyle Catholic News Herald

CHARLOTTE — More than 60 pilgrims from across the Diocese of Charlotte and beyond are looking forward to blessings from their upcoming pilgrimage to the World Meeting of Families and Mass with Pope Francis in Philadelphia.

The five-day diocesan pilgrimage will include stops at Philadelphia-area shrines as well as the papal Mass on Sept. 27, expected to attract more than 1.5 million Catholics.

Philadelphia is one of three stops for Pope Francis on his first visit to the United States, and the local pilgrimage is being documented online by the Catholic News Herald.

Pilgrims include parishioners from Asheville, Charlotte, Greensboro, Franklin, Salisbury, Hendersonville, Concord, Mooresville, Denver, Linville, Sparta and more.

Morganton resident Joseph Rybak, his wife Dianne and four of their children are among those making this unique pilgrimage being organized by Father Michael Kottar, pastor of St. Mary Help of Christians Church in Shelby.

Patricia Guilfoyle “Our goal is to appreciate the richness of the larger Catholic community that is vibrant in the world today,” Rybak said.

He and his wife Dianne have gone on smaller pilgrimages before, once to Lourdes four years ago with their son Nathan, who is 16 and suffers from a rare developmental disability, and to Medjugorje three years ago. Rybak, who attends Immaculate Conception Church in Forest City, has also taken the family to big cities across the United States and visited major churches, like the first cathedral in San Antonio.

“It helps us appreciate the Catholic Church as a growing mission in the United States,” he said.

Stephen Guilfoyle

“Of course, we always take advantage of the Eucharistic Congress,” he added. But the family has always traveled on its own.

This is the first time they will join with other families for such a trip.

Rybak’s 14-year-old daughter Grace said she hopes her family will grow closer together during the pilgrimage and that they will “come closer to Jesus Christ.”

She loves Pope Francis, though he is really the first pope she has been aware of in her young life, she said. “He is with us and with the people. He is very sincere and humble.”

She said she hopes to get close to the pope during the pilgrimage.

Another person hoping to get close to Pope Francis is Izabella Jablonski, a parishioner at St. Mary Help of Christians Church. Jablonski is going with her husband Krzystztof.

It won’t be their first time seeing a pope.

Thirty years ago, the Polish natives saw St. John Paul II on a trip to Germany.

She has been on other pilgrimages, too, including Lourdes and Fatima. Her advice to first-time pilgrims is to “just go with the flow.”

She praises Pope Francis for “his thinking, his vision,” and she hopes he will tell World Meeting of Families attendees and Church leaders “to be more spiritual and have more talk about families.”

Follow along with the pilgrims At phillyandfrancis.tumblr.com: Join the diocesan pilgrimage to Philadelphia Sept. 23-27 virtually through a travel blog by husband-andwife journalists Patricia and Steve Guilfoyle.

Share in the personal experiences of local families on this unique journey of faith, and see photos and videos from the trip. Your prayer intentions are also welcome!

UPcoming events 4

catholicnewsherald.com | September 11, 2015 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Bishop Peter J. Jugis will participate in the following upcoming events: Sept. 11-12 11th Eucharistic Congress Charlotte Convention Center, Charlotte

Sept. 20 – 9 a.m.

Sacrament of Confirmation Immaculate Heart of Mary Mission, Hayesville

SEPT. 27 – 11 a.m.

Sacrament of Confirmation St. Elizabeth Church, Boone

Sept. 16 – 6:30 p.m.

Sacrament of Confirmation St. Frances of Rome Mission, Sparta

Sept. 21-24 Papal Visit Washington, D.C.

SEPT. 30 – 7 p.m.

Sacrament of Confirmation Sacred Heart Church, Brevard

Diocesan calendar of events September 11, 2015

LECTURES & REFLECTIONS

Volume 23 • Number 25

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.

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

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.

‘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.

ALzheimer’s awareness presentation: 6:30-8 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 20 in the Parish Hall at St. Mark Church, 14740 Stumptown Road, Huntersville. Topics will include: Alzheimer’s what it is, what it is not; Ten warning signs of Alzheimer’s; Communication Tips; Caregiver Strategies; and Q&A session after presentation. Huntersville CARE’s members will provide the resources and education needed to help those affected by Alzheimer’s. For details, contact Janet Urban at 704-948-3558.

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.

OTHER 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.

Blood Drive: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13, at St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy., Charlotte.

To register visit www.redcrossblood.org.

Blood Drive: 37:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21, in the Parish Center at St. Michael the Archangel Church, 708 St. Michael’s

Lane, Gastonia. For details and to register, contact Greg Davidowitz at Gkdavidowitz@stmichaelsgastonia.org.

International Dinner: 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, in the Gym at St. Michael the Archangel Church, 708 St. Michael’s Lane, Gastonia. For the first time the Hispanic Community will be participating. There will food, beverages and lots of entertainment. Plan to represent your heritage by helping decorate your country’s table and by bringing your favorite dish. For details, contact Margaret Vogt mvogtcmkbd@gmail. com.

Miravia Annual fundraiser: 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22 at the Charlotte Convention Center. MiraVia provides material and emotional assistance to pregnant mothers and children in need. Guest speaker, Austin Ruse, president of C-Fam (Center for Family & Human Rights). To reserve your seat, contact Banquet reservations at 704-525-4673 ext. 10.

PRAYER SERVICES & GROUPS Pro-Life Rosary: 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, 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.

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.

Living Rosary to Stop Abortion: 10:15 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, in the Cloister Area of St. Pius X Church, 2210 N. Elm St., Greensboro. We are asking all would-be mothers, especially if you’re having doubts, to come and let us pray with you.

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.

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.

ReTREats Rachel’s vineyard retreat: Sept. 18-20 in the Asheville area. Rachel’s Vineyard is a weekend retreat for women and men to begin their healing journey after an abortion. For details, call Shelley Glanton at 828-2304940 or visit rachelsvineyard.org.

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.

BISCOE: 8:45 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, Our Lady of the Americas Church, 298 Farmers Market Road CHARLOTTE: 12 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22, St. Patrick Cathedral, 1621 Dilworth Road East; 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept.

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

GASTONIA: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, St. Michael Church, 708 St. Michael’s Lane GREENSBORO: 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, St. Paul the Apostle Church, 2715 Horse Pen Creek Road MINT HILL: 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, St. Luke Church, 13700 Lawyers Road SUPPORT GROUPS Seasons of hope: 2-4 p.m. Sept. 20-25 at St. Pius X Church, 2210 North Elm St., Greensboro. All parishioners mourning the loss of a loved one are encouraged to attend. To register, call the parish office at 336-272-4681.

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.

YOUNG ADULTS Asheville Theology on Tap: Catholics in their 20s and 30s in the Asheville area are invited to the following upcoming talk: “Unlocking the Mystery of Faith, One Hail Mary at a Time” with Father John Eckert of Salisbury at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, at MoJo Kitchen, 55 College St. in downtown Asheville. For details, check them out on Facebook, Twitter or MeetUp.

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.

September 11, 2015 | catholicnewsherald.com

OUR PARISHESI

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New endowment fund memorializes late seminarian Michael Kitson SueAnn Howell Senior reporter

CHARLOTTE — The Kitson family suffered a terrible loss when their son Michael died on April 27, 2014, at the age of 20. Kitson was a seminarian for the Diocese of Charlotte, and his unexpected death on Divine Mercy Sunday shocked fellow seminarians, parishioners at St. Ann Church and everyone else who knew the outgoing young man.

His parents, Michael Sr. and Nancy, and his sisters Kelly and Kitson Courtney lost their beloved son and brother. The diocese lost a seminarian for the first time in its history.

Now, the Seminarian Michael G. Kitson Memorial Endowment Fund is being established to benefit other college-aged seminarians in the diocese.

The endowment will be used to fund seminarians’ education.

On average, it costs $30,000 to house and educate each seminarian annually.

This year, the diocese has 16 seminarians studying for the priesthood.

“To have that title (for the endowment) ties in to what and who Michael was,” said his father.

Kitson had been studying for the priesthood at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio, and

priests who mentored him said after his death that Kitson “had a priestly heart” after only two years of formation.

His death on Divine Mercy Sunday was “providential,” his family and friends say, as he had a devotion to the Divine Mercy even before he entered seminary. His gravesite at Belmont Abbey’s cemetery features an image of the Divine Mercy, and a Divine Mercy statue was also recently dedicated at his home parish of St. Ann. As the Church prepares for Pope Francis’ call for a Jubilee Year of Mercy starting on Dec. 8, mother Nancy Kitson noted the beautiful connection of her son’s life and death to the Divine Mercy – a “local thread in the tapestry” of God’s plan, she called it.

“Michael also brought back to the forefront the devotion to the Divine Mercy Chaplet and Our Lord’s promises of His Divine Mercy. He brought it to the forefront during a time of great need given today’s reality,” she said. “People had forgotten, I think. We just need reminders sometimes that God’s mercy is always present and there is no sin or anything we can do that is bigger than His mercy.”

She added, “To have somebody like that in your midst – who could play and enjoy all sports, play tuba and piano, watch TV, have a good time and yet study hard and pray harder and die on this special day – God’s fingerprints are all over this. I think the guys (at the seminary) are all witnesses to that.”

As a community, the seminarians at the Pontifical College Josephinum are now praying the Chaplet together, and Kitson’s

Priests’ retirement collection set for Sept. 19-20 CHARLOTTE — Our priests, our “spiritual fathers,” give their lives in service to the people of God and His Church. Now, as His people, we have the opportunity to respond with gratitude for all they have done for us by donating generously to the Priests Retirement and Benefits Collection, being taken up in all parishes in the Diocese of Charlotte the weekend of Sept. 19-20.

The annual collection goes to support the Diocese of Charlotte’s 21 retired diocesan priests and 135 priests actively serving the faithful of western North Carolina. Fortyfour of those in active service are religious order priests from nine religious orders for whom retirement contributions will be made.

In his letter announcing the special collection, Bishop Peter J. Jugis noted, “Even through the years of their retirement, these men continue to serve the people of our diocese.”

“They visit the sick in nursing homes and hospitals. They go to our prisons, where they counsel the inmates.

“These men pray daily for the people of the diocese, offer Mass for the intentions

of parishioners, and give of their time and talent to help with weekend Masses and confessions in parishes throughout western North Carolina. They give years of faithful service, and it is now our turn to respond with gratitude.”

The collection goal for the Priests’ Retirement and Benefits Plans for 2015-‘16 is $1,715,000. The funds will be allocated as follows: $1,185,000 will go towards the pension contribution; $495,000 will go towards priests’ retirement benefits expenses and their health plan; and $35,000 will cover the campaign costs.

To reach the collection goal, each parish in the diocese is assessed 3.5 percent of its annual offertory collection to raise the funds needed to support the plans. In most parishes, the assessment amounts to slightly less than two times the regular Sunday offertory.

Bishop Jugis asks the faithful to give “prayerful consideration as to how you can show your gratitude to the many priests who serve the people of our diocese so faithfully.”

— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter

influence is credited. An assistant dean at the seminary told Kitson’s parents, “There have been changes in the student body itself, in the young men. The changes that I have seen in the young men in the spiritual direction I am giving to them, it is not human. It is divine.”

The Pontifical College Josephinum has also installed a seven-foot image of the Divine Mercy in the stairwell leading to the pub dedicated in Kitson’s name. Another image of the Divine Mercy was added to the Pope Pius X Chapel there.

Father Timothy Reid, pastor of St. Ann Church, knew Kitson since early childhood and served as one of his mentors.

“I am so pleased that an endowment for our seminarians has been established under Michael’s name,” Father Reid said.

“Michael loved being a seminarian for our diocese, and he embodied so many of the qualities we want our future priests to have. Having an endowment named for Michael Kitson is a wonderful and fitting way for us to remember him.”

Jim Kelley, director of development for the Diocese of Charlotte, is thankful that the endowment fund has been established.

“Having this endowment fund will accomplish two things: Michael will be remembered in a special way for many generations, and the distributions from the endowment over time will literally impact dozens of future seminarians by helping to pay for their education. Those future priests will impact thousands of our parishioners.”

Michael Sr. recalled, “Father (Matthew)

Kauth, in his eulogy at Michael’s wake, called him ‘the complete package,’ saying, ‘That’s the kind of young man we need.’”

Learn more For details about the Seminarian Michael G. Kitson Memorial Endowment Fund and to make a tax-deductible donation, contact Judy Smith, diocesan director of gift planning, at 704-370-3320 or jmsmith@charlottediocese.org.

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Administrative Assistant The Diocese of Charlotte is currently accepting applications for the position of “Administrative Assistant” within the Diocesan Properties & Risk Management Department. This administrative assistant will perform a wide range of administrative and office support activities for the Diocesan Properties & Risk Management department in an effort to facilitate the productive and efficient operation of the department.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE: • Associates degree or greater in associated field • Five years minimum related experience • Computer skills and knowledge of relevant software including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Adobe Acrobat Pro, PowerPoint, and Publisher • Knowledge of building and construction materials, and methods • Knowledge of accounting principles, practices, and the reporting of financial data.

• Strong planning and organizational skills • Ability to work both independently and as part of a larger team • Strong written, verbal and inter-personal skills • Ability to speak Spanish is a plus Please send resume and salary history by September 25th 2015 to: Anthony J. Morlando Director of Diocesan Properties & Risk Management Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte 1123 South Church Street Charlotte, NC 28203 Or email to ajmorlando@charlottediocese.org.

The Diocese of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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catholicnewsherald.com | September 11, 2015 OUR PARISHES

Men’s prayer group meets monthly at Charlotte Catholic High’s chapel to pray, share Rico De Silva Hispanic Communications Reporter

CHARLOTTE — A handful of Catholic men gathered at the Charlotte Catholic High School Chapel Aug. 19 for their monthly “Men At Prayer” meeting to pray together, share their spiritual journey and adore the Blessed Sacrament.

“Men At Prayer,” or MAP, is one of the fruits of the fifth annual Catholic Men’s Conference, “Being Catholic Men, Being Catholic Leaders,” held in April at St. Matthew Church in Charlotte. The initiative was organized by Don Phipps, one of the conference’s core team members.

“MAP is something we came up, the core team of the men’s conference. We wanted to have something for the men to stay charged throughout the year.”

Since May, the men’s group has gathered one Wednesday evening a month at the high school chapel. They begin with a member of the clergy, either a deacon or a priest, giving a short reflection on the Gospel or the spiritual life, followed by a period of Eucharistic Adoration, silent prayer and Benediction. They end each gathering with a personal testimony from

one of the participants.

At the Aug. 19 meeting, Deacon Joe Diaz of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte talked about converting to Catholicism from Lutheranism in 2003 and his eventual ordination as a permanent deacon for the Diocese of Charlotte a year ago.

Deacon Diaz described his desire to become a pastor since he was in the third grade. He even told his future wife-to-be Carol, when they met their junior year in college.

“Carol was a cradle Catholic, and she knew more about the Lutheran faith than I knew,” he recalled with a smile. When Deacon Diaz proposed, he asked her, “How would you like to be the wife of a Lutheran pastor? And she said, ‘Fine, as long as I don’t have to convert.’”

After they married, the Diazes agreed that he would continue going to his Lutheran church and Carol would attend Mass.

Eventually, Deacon Diaz started going to Sunday Mass with his wife after attending his Lutheran services. He liked the uniformity of the Catholic liturgy, he recalled. “Every time I went to Mass, it was always the same.”

Then when he was diagnosed with colon cancer, Deacon Diaz reevaluated his faith.

“Cancer was the best thing that ever

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happened to me,” he said. “It made me decide I had to do something. This going to Lutheran service and then going to Catholic Mass wasn’t working.”

His conversion led to his teaching RCIA classes at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, and then his childhood desire to serve God as a minister resurfaced. His spiritual journey continued through diaconate formation and he was ordained in 2014, but it wasn’t an easy road, he added.

“There were times that I would tell my wife, ‘There’s no way I’m going to be able to do this.’” Then, during a diaconate candidacy meeting, someone made the reassuring comment, “God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies those He calls.”

Following Deacon Diaz’s talk and further prayer, Brian Pusateri, a member of Immaculate Conception Church in Hendersonville, shared his testimony.

Pusateri had been sexually abused by his pastor after serving his first Mass at the age of 12.

“That messes you up bad!” he said. “So you know what I was: blessed, broken and scared.”

He told no one of the abuse for the next four decades.

“For the next 47 years I had some deep internal brokenness. On the outside, maybe like all of you, I looked pretty good, parish council president, involved in my church forever, serving in all kinds of capacities,” he recalled.

Then, in the fall of 2011, during a silent retreat, God spoke clearly to Pusateri’s heart and told him to be silent no more. “‘Brian, If you are ever going to get well, you’re going to have to tell somebody you are broken.’ And a huge transformation began to take place.”

Recalling the events of the Last Supper when Jesus instituted the Eucharist, Pusateri asked, “What did Jesus do at the Last Supper? He blessed the bread, broke it and shared it.”

Pusateri encouraged the men present to imitate Christ in order to attract others to the saving truth of Christianity.

“We men are very good with the blessed part and we can all agree that we are all broken people. However, we are not very good with the sharing part,” he said. “God calls broken people to fix a broken world…

Jesus’ method of changing the world was radical! In the process of dying, He saved the world. It was in His brokenness that Jesus saved the world.”

In his brokenness, Pusateri said, he began writing a blog called the “4th Day Letters.” Initially intended to be just a one-time inspirational Christian message to some of the members of his home parish at Immaculate Conception, he said, “Two weeks ago, it was the 200th edition. It’s now being read on every continent in the world by every mainstream Christian denomination.”

Always strive to imitate Jesus, Pusateri emphasized to all the men gathered.

“If you are broken, how many people know what your brokenness is? Let’s be blessed, broken and shared. Let’s be Eucharist to a starving world.”

Join the MAP All Catholic men in the Charlotte area are welcome to the “Men At Prayer” gatherings, held every third Wednesday of the month at Charlotte Catholic High School Chapel, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Next meeting will be held Sept. 23.

MACS Accounting Manager Position 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.

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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: employment@charlottediocese.org

September 11, 2015 | catholicnewsherald.com

OUR PARISHESI

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Pregnancy Resource Center hosts ‘Celebrate Life’ benefit Oct. 8 Outreach saved 1,045 babies from abortion last year SueAnn Howell Senior reporter

CHARLOTTE — The Pregnancy Resource Center in Charlotte will host its annual “Celebrate Life” benefit dinner on Thursday, Oct. 8, at the Charlotte Convention Center. This year’s keynote speaker is pro-life advocate Ryan Bomberger of the Radiance Foundation.

Musical guest will be award-winning Christian recording artist Steven Curtis Chapman.

The mission of the Pregnancy Resource Center is to offer pregnant, abortionminded women a wide range of free services to help them choose life for their unborn children. Through its website, in its center located on Fourth Street and with the help of volunteers who serve alongside the mobile ultrasound units and also pray and provide sidewalk counseling near two of Charlotte’s abortion facilities, the PRC reaches out to women in crisis pregnancies with compassion.

Ron Coleman, advancement director at the PRC, said its mission is “saving lives, healing hearts and ministering compassion.”

“Our goal is to see the end of abortion in Charlotte,” he explained. “We keep a low profile. We’re not a political organization.

Our goal is to save babies and to shut down the abortion business.”

Last year the PRC fielded 43 calls a day from abortion-minded women. It served 3,547 new clients and performed 891 free ultrasounds. A total of 1,045 babies of women who were considering abortion were saved through the PRC’s efforts.

The PRC now has two distinctly painted mobile ultrasound units it deploys to the area near two Charlotte-area abortion facilities: A Preferred Women’s Health Center on Latrobe Drive, Charlotte’s busiest abortion mill, and Family Reproductive Health on Hebron Road.

Each unit is staffed with trained, compassionate volunteers who help the women feel at ease and cared for as they explore their options.

Should a woman choose to keep her unborn baby, the PRC will help her connect with crisis maternity centers and social services if needed, provide parenting

classes to the mothers and fathers – and even provide much-needed baby items.

These “bundles of love” are given as baskets to the expecting parents.

“We have local people who even knit baby blankets to go in the baskets,” Coleman said.

Patricia Hennessy, a parishioner of St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte, has volunteered with the PRC as a client advocate for the past six years.

“I love meeting and interacting with all of our wonderful clients who come to us with various needs and concerns. I meet with a client, hear her story, listen for possible community resources she may need, give her a proof of pregnancy form for Medicaid insurance and always offer to pray with her at the end of our meeting.”

PRC clients, she said, are “loved with the love of Christ and they know that we care about both their babies and about them. The PRC is a special, grace-filled place where lives are touched with God’s bountiful mercy. I am very blessed to be a volunteer there.”

Jerry Schmitt, a parishioner at St. Gabriel Church and former PRC board member, said more than anything else, abortion-minded women are provided comfort and encouragement.

“Many young women, and sometimes young girls, come to the PRC scared to death about being pregnant,” Schmitt said.

“They see a ruined life. Most of us know that having a child will not be a ruination, but a rewarding and joyful experience.

That is not to say there won’t be tough times, but a child is so much about love that the tough times can be overcome.

“The Center really cares about the mother and the child equally – both are children of God. They are both treated with great respect and love. The mother is encouraged and prayed about to take the path that is right for her child and that she won’t regret.”

More than 900 people have already registered for the Oct. 8 fundraiser, which begins at 6 p.m. at the Charlotte Convention Center.

For details and to register, go online to www.friendsofprc.org. For inquiries, contact Allison at 704-372-5981 or email allison@prccharlotte.com.

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catholicnewsherald.com | September 11, 2015 OUR PARISHES

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Rice Bowl Mini-Grants help many in need Application deadline coming Oct. 15 Joseph Purello Special to the Catholic News Herald

On Care for Our Common Home (Laudato Si’)

is Pope Francis’ appeal to “every person living on this planet” for an inclusive dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet. Pope Francis calls the Church and the world to acknowledge the urgency of our environmental challenges and to join him in embarking on a new path (quoted from the U.S. Bishops’ website USCCB.ORG) Inspired by the Holy Father’s encyclical Laudato Si,’ and his appeal that we address the current ecological crisis, Catholic Charities is pleased to offer the following five events in September and October:

Following Pope Francis on the Path to be Good Stewards of God’s Creation Wednesday, Sept. 16, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM, New Life Center, St. Matthew Catholic Church, Charlotte Presentation by Dan Misleh, Founding Director of the Catholic Climate Covenant

Being Good Stewards of God’s Creation – Pope Francis’ Call to Global Solidarity Sunday, October 4, 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM, Fellowship Hall, St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, Candler Presentation by Matthew Burkhart of Catholic Relief Services, and Nicholas Haskell of Catholic Charities (This event will be simultaneously translated into Spanish through the use of headsets)

From Stewardship of Our Local Catawba River to a Justice Vision of Global Fresh Water Usage Monday, Oct. 5, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM, Biss Hall, St. Peter Catholic Church, Charlotte Presentation by Matthew Burkhart of Catholic Relief Services, and Sam Perkins of Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation

Being Good Stewards of God’s Creation – Pope Francis’ Call to Global Solidarity Tuesday, October 6, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM, Parish Hall, Good Shepherd Catholic Church, King Presentation by Matthew Burkhart of Catholic Relief Services, and Joseph Purello of Catholic Charities

CHARLOTTE — From Murphy to Greensboro, from North Wilkesboro to Belmont, Catholic Relief Services’ Rice Bowl program helps those in need throughout the Diocese of Charlotte.

The long-standing Lenten campaign which emphasizes prayer, education, fasting and almsgiving may be several months away yet, but applications are being accepted now for Rice Bowl MiniGrants to fund local projects that assist the poor in our area.

Applications for the Fall 2015 round of CRS Rice Bowl Mini-Grants are due by Oct. 15. Grant applications and guidelines are available at www.ccdoc.org/cchdcrs.

CRS’ Rice Bowl Mini-Grants fund many diocesan charitable initiatives, including food pantries, thrift stores, food assistance for children during summer months, meals for those who are homeless, and community gardens.

Sixty-six diocesan parishes and schools participated in the 2015 CRS Lenten Rice Bowl campaign. Through the campaign, Rice Bowl participants raised their awareness of global concerns and helped CRS provide assistance, as the official international humanitarian agency of the U.S. Catholic community, to people in 101 countries.

Seventy-five percent of the money distributed from the Rice Bowl program goes to CRS’s global fight against disease, hunger and poverty. The other 25 percent assists charitable projects of diocesan Catholic entities through the Mini-Grant program.

Last fall, 10 $1,000 CRS Rice Bowl MiniGrants were awarded, and last spring another seven $1,000 grants were awarded.

One such project, The Lord’s Bounty of Sacred Heart Church in Salisbury, was highlighted in the Aug. 14 edition of Catholic News Herald.

St. Lawrence Basilica in Asheville used its Spring 2015 Rice Bowl Mini-Grant for its Shelter and Street Meals Project, a ministry with an approximate $15,000 annual budget that provides food to: senior citizen residents of the city’s low-income subsidized housing facilities; meals for veterans living in a local transitional shelter who are unable to live independently; and meals to those who are homeless.

Rita Livezey, the project coordinator and social justice commissioner at St. Lawrence Basilica, stated that every Wednesday volunteers meet to pack 70-plus lunches.

She highlighted the leadership role that parish volunteer Madeleine Pflambaum plays in this ministry.

“Madeleine has been engaged in street ministry for over 20 years, with a large part of this ministry being simply listening,” Livezey said, adding that through these many years of service, “Madeleine has earned the trust and protection of those living on the edge.”

“The lunches are distributed every Wednesday, year ’round, unless the team who packs them cannot make it due to extreme weather. We didn’t miss one week last winter!” she added.

“The generosity of parishioners and students shown annually through participation in the CRS Rice Bowl Program supports the needs of those less fortunate, both overseas and here in our diocese,” said Deacon Ed Konarski of St. Charles Borromeo Church in Morganton, who chairs the diocesan CRS advisory committee overseeing the annual grant selection process and provides guidance on the Rice Bowl program. “Wonderful works of mercy and charity are made possible, done in the name of Jesus Christ.”

Joseph Purello is the director of Catholic Charities’ Office of Social Concerns and Advocacy, and the CRS diocesan director. The Lenten CRS Rice Bowl Program and the CRS Mini-Grant Program are coordinated by Catholic Charities.

A New Encyclical! Now What to Do? Ideas and Resources for Engaging Your Parish “in Praise” of Creation Saturday, Oct. 24, 10 AM - 3:30 PM, Curtain Hall, Sisters of Mercy, Belmont Presentation by Fr. Francis Cancro, Pastor, Queen of Apostles Church, with workshop led by Sr. Rose Marie Tresp, RSM, Sisters of Mercy Director of Justice (A simple lunch will be offered at this event at no charge)

Events are free - Registration is requested so as to plan for event refreshments.

Please call 704-370-3225 or email jtpurello@charlottediocese.org For the event in Candler on October 4, please call 828-424-1992 or email nphaskell@charlottediocese.org.

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September 11, 2015 | catholicnewsherald.com

SCOUTS: FROM PAGE 3

from the bishop to continue Catholic scouting and to affirm existing policies governing Catholic scouting in the diocese.

Scouting has been active in western North Carolina for more than 50 years.

Approximately 39 parishes charter a Scout unit – either a Cub Scout pack, Boy Scout troop or Venturing crew – encompassing more than 1,200 youth and 500 adults.

Parish-chartered units and units chartered by Knights of Columbus councils are supported by the diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting and a chaplain appointed by the bishop. They organize the annual Catholic Camporee and Mass, select youth for the national St. George Trek, and coordinate the awarding of Catholic religious emblems.

Because scouting is part of a parish’s youth ministry, the pastor of each chartering parish is responsible for approving adult leaders. That authority under Church law does not change as a result of the BSA’s decision, noted Bishop Robert E. Guglielmone of Charleston, S.C., who serves as the scouting liaison to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, in a July 28 statement.

“The resolution also affirms a chartered organization’s right to select its unit leaders based on its religious principles, rejects any interference with that right, and provides that local Scout councils will not interfere with chartered organizations’ rights in this regard,” Bishop Guglielmone said. “As chartering organizations, individual parishes, institutions and Catholic schools have always had this right.”

Local scouting officials also emphasize that all adult leaders are expected to abide by the diocese’s Code of Ethics. It mandates that all Church personnel – clergy, ministry leaders and employees, as well as volunteers in parishes, agencies, schools and organizations – must “conduct themselves at all times in a manner that is consistent with the teachings and precepts of the Roman Catholic Church.”

The Code of Ethics was established in 2004 by Bishop Jugis and updated in 2009.

The diocese’s recently revised “Protocols for Ministry to and with Minors” also governs all Scout activities, scouting officials noted. All Scout leaders must also pass BSA and diocesan criminal background checks and go through BSA and diocesan training on youth protection policies.

Scouting officials said they will be

sending out a letter through the bishop’s office to all pastors and youth ministry leaders reminding them of the diocese’s Code of Ethics and these other existing policies. A similar letter will be sent to all Catholic-chartered Scout leaders, they said.

“The language of the Code of Ethics should guide selection of adult scouting leaders in the same way it guides selection for other Church ministries,” they noted in a statement this week.

The goal, they said, is to uphold Catholic teaching on same-sex attraction and marriage but also ensure that youths, parents and adult leaders feel welcome to participate in scouting.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church affirms the dignity of every person as a child of God, and it teaches that sexual activity outside of heterosexual marriage is always immoral (CCC 2358, 2396).

Catholic scouting in the diocese, they said, will continue to uphold these teachings.

In a July 27 statement Edward Martin, national chairman of the National Catholic Committee on Scouting, and Father Michael Hanifin, national chaplain, said, “It is not entirely clear how these rights will be squared with previous policy changes the Boy Scouts have made, or how they will work in practice, but it appears that the resolution respects the needs of Catholic-chartered organizations in the right to choose leaders whose character and conduct are consistent with those of Catholic teaching.”

They added that they “recognize the vital importance of providing a Catholic emphasis to Catholic Scouts and Scouters seeking ways to live out their ‘duty to God,’” but they have “strong concern about the practical implications of this resolution, especially for our young people in Scouting, and whether the term ‘sexual orientation’ will be correctly understood and applied only in reference to sexual inclination and not to sexual conduct or behavior.”

But, they noted, “We also recognize the increasing need for the Catholic Church to offer Scouting as a program of youth ministry. Chartering Scout units will ensure that youth within their faith communities are led by faith-filled role models who share the same interests in Scouting.”

About 70 percent of the more than 100,000 Boy Scout troops worldwide are run by faith-based groups. The Catholic Church has just over 8,000 chartered units.

Bishop David Kagan of Bismarck, N.D., has been the only bishop to date who has pulled his diocese from participation in the Boy Scouts as a result of the policy change.

— Catholic News Service contributed.

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OUR PARISHESI

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Employment Opportunities

IT Department Diocese of Charlotte Network Administrator - Responsibilities: design, implementation and support of all networking electronics in multiple locations in the diocese. Must have recent experience and knowledge of layer 3 switching/routing, VLAN, DNS, DHCP, etc.

Ability to support Microsoft domains, Active Directory, and VMware is beneficial.

Works as part of a team under the supervision of the IT Director.

Helpdesk Administrator – Responsibilities: Level I and level II support of desktop and laptop computers, printers, etc. at multiple locations in the diocese. Must have experience using Auto Task or other helpdesk ticketing system, supporting Microsoft Windows 7 and above versions, Microsoft Office 2013, Apple OSx and iOS devices. Candidate will be capable of working independently but also works as part of a team under the supervision of the IT Director.

Both positions require candidates to possess a valid driver’s license. Benefits include health, dental, vision and disability insurance, 403B, mileage reimbursement, and more.

catholicnewsherald.com

Send resume and cover to itdirector@charlottediocese.org

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catholicnewsherald.com | September 11, 2015 OUR PARISHES

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief Deacon assigned to Tryon parish TRYON — Deacon John Joseph Riehl has been granted faculties and an assignment to St. John the Baptist Church in Tryon

by Bishop Peter J. Jugis Riehl effective Sept. 1.

Deacon Riehl was ordained for the Diocese of Knoxville, Tenn., on May 18, 2007, and now lives with his wife Shirley Ann in Hendersonville.

They are the parents of Father Christopher Riehl, pastor of St. John the Evangelist Church in Waynesville.

— Catholic News Herald

Conference focusing on the elderly coming Sept. 19 BREVARD — “Connecting Elders to Resources in Western North Carolina,” the seventh Bishop Begley Conference on Appalachia, will be held from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at Sacred Heart Church in Brevard. Everyone is invited to come to learn, celebrate and pray as Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte and Sacred Heart 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,

The event was inspired by St. Ann Church of Charlotte, which hosted its own Mass of Reparation July 4.

The new Catholic Pro-Life Action Network (C-PLAN) of Charlotte is encouraging other Charlotte parishes to adopt a month to offer a similar Mass and Holy of Reparation. To find out about future pro-life activities in the Charlotte area, go to www.prolifecharlotte.org.

— Mike FitzGerald

avoiding scams and fraud, and community resources. Go to www.ccdoc.org/fwnc for event schedule and registration details. Questions?

E-mail jtpurello@charlottediocese.org or call 704-370-3225.

Resources available on Pope Francis’ encyclical ‘Laudato Si’ “Laudato Si” is the new appeal from Pope Francis addressed to “every person living on this planet” for an inclusive dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet.

On Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte’s website, www.ccdoc.org, find a resource page with web links to a range of resources on “Laudato Si” as well as a link to the full text of the encyclical.

A series of public events in the Charlotte area offer opportunities to learn more about this encyclical and Church teaching on the environment: n 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, St. Matthew Church: Presentation by Dan Misleh, director of Catholic Climate Covenant, Washington, D.C. n 7-9 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5, St. Peter Church: Presentations by Michael Burkhart of Catholic Relief Services, and Sam Perkins of the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation n 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 Planning is also underway for events about “Laudato Si” in October in western North Carolina and in the Piedmont Triad region.

Details about all of these events will be published in upcoming editions of the Catholic News Herald.

— Catholic News Herald

Youth invited to D.C. March for Life CHARLOTTE — It’s not too early to start planning for the 2016 March for Life in Washington, D.C., set for Jan. 22, 2016. All groups from the diocese are encouraged to take part in the Mass celebrated by North Carolina’s two bishops, Bishop Peter Jugis and Bishop Michael Burbidge. For those who wish to take part in the youth rally sponsored by the Archdiocese of Washington, tickets must be requested through the diocesan Youth Ministry office before Oct. 1. For details, contact the diocesan Youth Ministry office at 704-370-3211 or email Director Paul Kotlowski at pjkotlowski@ charlottediocese.org.

Mass of reparation offered at St. Mark Church HUNTERSVILLE — St. Mark Church’s Respect Life Ministry and the St. Brendan Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Irish Catholic fraternal society, co-sponsored a Mass and Holy Hour of Reparation Aug. 26 for the sins of abortion, contraception, euthanasia and same-sex unions committed by the United States, Ireland and Mexico – the two latter being countries with strong ancestral ties to St. Mark parishioners. A Mass of Reparation is the Church’s way to atone for the collective sins of men which offends God and to beg His forgiveness.

Father Casey Coleman, parochial vicar at St. Vincent De Paul Church in Charlotte, offered the Mass in English and Spanish. Deacon Tom McGahey of St. Mark Church led the faithful in the Holy Hour of Reparation afterwards.

OLG School to host open house GREENSBORO — Our Lady of Grace School will host an open house for interested parents of children aged 3 through the eighth grade at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15. The short presentation will be followed by a tour of the school at 201 S. Chapman St. in Greensboro. For more information, go to www.olgsch.org — Lori Eanes We welcome your parish’s news! Please email news items to Editor Patricia L. Guilfoyle at catholicnews@ charlottediocese.org.

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Employment Opportunities Director of Training • Basic job description/responsibilities: Administer, organize and conduct company training programs for all staff; write material for new training programs; review, evaluate and modify existing and proposed programs; ongoing assessment of training needs; train new employees and manage the renewal training for all staff; administer and evaluate training program qualification tests; create and present creative and interactive audiovisual presentations.

• Basic schedule: 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.; evenings and weekends as needed.

• Required job skills/experience, certificates and education: BA/BS degree in Education, Adult Training or related fields; minimum 2 years’ experience in teaching/ training; engaging public speaker; excellent communication skills; minimum 21 years of age.

• Preferred job skills/experience: 5 years of teaching or training experience; CPLP Certification (Certified Professional in Learning Performance).

Drug Free & Smoke Free Workplace. Pre-Employment Drug Testing. EEO

Director of Employee Health & Safety photo by deacon ruben tamayo

Carmelite promises made CHARLOTTE — The Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Discalced Secular Carmelite Group celebrated three members making their promises Sept. 5 during Mass at St. Ann Church in Charlotte. Father Timothy Reid, pastor and spiritual director of the group, accepted the temporary promise of Nancy Vander Kaay, and the definitive promise of SueAnn Howell and Ana Rivera. Pictured are (from left): Nancy Vander Kaay, SueAnn Howell, Ana Rivera, Father Timothy Reid, Celeste Richards (director of formation) and Aida Tamayo (spokesperson for the group).

2015 South Carolina Catholic Charismatic Conference October 23 - 24

Celebrating “Unity With Diversity” “That all may be one”

John 17:21

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“Spirit Filled” Worship And Praise With TERRY MACALMON Friday, October 23, 2015 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm Saturday, October 24, 2015 9:00 am – 10:00 pm

• Basic job description/responsibilities: Management of employee health program: physical screenings; PPD and vaccine admin; conduct & manage First Aid and CPR; drug screening program; training in BBP, Haz Com, Safety; manage nursing students rotations.

Manage safety team and program; maintain OSHA compliance & SHARP certification; employee accident and incidents through Worker’s Comp, Light Duty, FMLA; manage medical files. Develop and manage the employee wellness program with the coordination of wellness initiatives providing education and motivation for a healthy workforce.

• Basic schedule: 8:30am-5:30pm; evenings and weekends as needed.

• Required job skills/experience, certificates and education: valid RN license for NC; excellent organizational, verbal & written communication skills; proficiency with Microsoft Office and database programs; minimum 21 years of age.

• Preferred job skills/experience: 3-5 years’ experience in Employee Health.

Drug Free & Smoke Free Workplace. Pre-Employment Drug Testing. EEO

Director of Volunteer Services • Basic job description/responsibilities: Management of the recruitment, application processing, training, placement, and evaluation of qualified adult and teenage volunteers; identification of volunteer needs within company departments; coordinate volunteer appreciation and recognition year round; manage the volunteer database; coordination of volunteer groups and service projects.

• Basic schedule: 8:30am-5:30pm; evenings and weekends as needed.

• Required job skills/experience, certificates and education: four-year degree; excellent verbal & written communication skills; proficiency with Microsoft Office and database programming; minimum 21 years of age.

• Preferred job skills/experience: three years of experience in the coordination of volunteer service programs; proficiency with Raiser’s Edge.

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Development Associate/Database Administrator • Basic job description/responsibilities: The primary duty of the Development Associate, Database Administrator in this positon is the management and administration of the Development Database (Raiser’s Edge) with the creation of analytical and periodic reports; specific assignments in managing additional appeals and tracking the members of giving societies. This position will include the research and writing of grants, will support the Chief Development Officer and development staff with special events and work collaboratively with Community Relations for social and print media. The Development Associate assures that the Code of Ethics of the Association of Fundraising Professionals is adhered to at all times.

• Basic schedule: 8:30am-5:30pm; evenings and weekends as needed.

• Required job skills/experience, certificates and education: four-year degree; excellent verbal & written communication skills; proficiency with Microsoft Office & Raisers Edge fundraising software and database programming; minimum 21 years of age.

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Call (803) 788-4480 if you would like to receive a conference registration form by mail.

Apply at: Holy Angels 6600 Wilkinson Blvd. Belmont, NC 28012 or online at www.HolyAngelsNC.org

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catholicnewsherald.com | September 11, 2015 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

For the latest movie reviews: catholicnewsherald.com

On TV

In theaters

‘War Room’ Prayer becomes the ultimate weapon for a young family in crisis in this Christianthemed drama. The film’s battleground is a McMansion in suburban North Carolina where an overtaxed wife and mother (Priscilla Shirer) finds the demands of her job as a real estate agent leave her little time to focus on raising her daughter (Alena Pitts). As directed and co-written by Alex Kendrick, this proselytizing message movie is heavy-handed at times.

But Kendrick’s intentions are obviously sincere and worthy, while their emphasis on piety, forgiveness and redemption, although cast in evangelical terms, is nonetheless fully compatible with Catholic teaching. Mild domestic discord, some mature themes.

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

‘A Walk in the Woods’ Seeking a remedy for his writer’s block, an aging travel author (Robert Redford) decides to defy his physical limitations by hiking the 2,200-mile-long Appalachian Trail. Yielding to his concerned wife’s (Emma Thompson) insistence that he include a companion on the trip, he reluctantly accepts the company of the only volunteer he can find, a friend from his past (Nick Nolte). Defective values, including an ambivalent attitude toward adultery, a glimpse of partial rear nudity, much off-color humor, numerous uses of profanity and crude language.

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

Other movies n ‘We Are Your Friends’: CNS: L (limited adult audience); MPAA: R n ‘No Escape;: CNS: L; MPAA: R

sueann howell | catholic news herald

Father Tri Truong, pastor of St. Joseph Vietnamese Church in Charlotte, has become an international sensation for his thoughtful homilies in his native Vietnamese language. Even non-Catholics enjoy his homilies, which are shared on Saigon Broadcasting Television Network (SBTN) and on YouTube.

‘Unexpected ministry’ St. Joseph Vietnamese’s pastor becomes international TV sensation SueAnn Howell Senior reporter

CHARLOTTE — Move over, Bishop Robert Barron: The words of another priest and preacher have captured the attention of hundreds of thousands of people across the world.

Father Tri Truong, pastor of St. Joseph Vietnamese Church, is drawing an audience across the United States, Canada and Australia each week through broadcasts of his weekly homilies in Vietnamese on the Saigon Broadcasting Television Network (SBTN).

If you had asked Father Tri four years ago – before he became pastor of the 950-family parish in southwest Charlotte – if he would someday be broadcasting worldwide homilies in his native tongue, he would have thought you were crazy. He had absolutely no experience in front of a camera, he says.

But God had a plan for Father Tri – what this humble priest calls an “unexpected ministry.”

“It is really unexpected,” he says. “Never once in my life did I ever think I would be on TV!” It all began back in 2011, not long after Bishop Peter Jugis appointed him pastor of St. Joseph Church, the diocese’s largest Vietnamese congregation.

“I took over in May. I was busy getting settled in and then in November I was approached at the parish by one of the reporters for Saigon Television Network.

He told me the SBTN manager on the East Coast (in Washington, D.C.), who is not a Catholic, would like to offer me some time on TV because he had heard and had liked my homily.

“He told the reporter that I was a good preacher. I felt very flattered, but I did not expect that offer.

“I said, ‘Oh my, I haven’t even settled down in the parish yet,’ so I told him I needed some time. It was so unexpected! After some time of praying about it and speaking with my spiritual director, I came to understand that this was a rare opportunity to bring the Gospel to those who did not have an opportunity to hear it in their own native language.”

After more time of prayer and discernment, Father Tri thought he would give it a try.

At first he didn’t enjoy standing in front of the camera, he said. But now after four years’ experience, he is much more comfortable being videotaped.

For each week’s taping, 15 parishioners volunteer to be his audience. He prepares his homilies one week in advance of the air MINISTRY, SEE page 13

n Saturday, Sept. 12, 9 a.m. (EWTN) “My Catholic Family: Saint Claire of Assisi.”

Thomas takes a trip to the zoo as an opportunity to share about the life of St. Clare and the meaning of poverty. n Sunday, Sept. 13, 10 p.m. (EWTN) “Conversation with Cardinal Dolan.” n Monday, Sept. 14, 11 p.m.

(EWTN) “The Catholic Church and Homosexuality – The Good News About Chaste Love.” Seven members of Courage share their personal stories about same-sex attraction and how they transformed their lives by understanding and embracing the freedom of chastity. n Thursday, Sept. 17, 1 p.m. (EWTN) “Saint Hildegard of Bingen: Light of God.” Known as “the spiritual and political conscience of her time,” St. Hildegard of Bingen was canonized and made a Doctor of the Church in 2012

by Pope Benedict XVI. n Saturday, Sept. 19, 6 a.m. (EWTN) “Marian Apparitions: Our Lady of La Salette.” Despite its remote location, thousands visit La Salette, France, each year, where Mary appeared to two children in 1846 spreading her message of conversion of all humanity to Christ. n Saturday, Sept. 19, 9 a.m. (EWTN) “Saint Dominic de Guzman.” Father Miguel presents to the class the story of St. Dominic de Guzmán and pictures from his recent trip to Spain. n Saturday, Sept. 19, 3:30 p.m. (EWTN) “Pope Francis in Cuba: Welcoming Ceremony.” n Saturday, Sept. 19, 8 p.m. (EWTN) Padre Pio: Between Heaven and Earth.” Live action movie on the miraculous life of St. Pio, whose spiritual gifts made him a powerful witness for Christ and a profound spiritual director for 21st century society. Part 1 of 2. n Sunday, Sept. 20, 6 a.m. (EWTN) “Road to Rome: Training Priests for the Third Millennium.” An inside look at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome and its method for training the priests of the new millennium, includes interviews with various international seminarians and priests who have attended the institution. n Sunday, Sept. 20, 8 a.m. (EWTN) “Our Lady of Charity: Mother of the Cuban people.” Our Lady of Charity is Cuba’s most profound symbol.

She is their queen and a big part of their history. Despite the Communist government, devotion to her has not declined. This documentary illustrates the 400th anniversary of her statue’s discovery in 1612. n Tuesday, Sept. 22, 12:30 p.m.

(EWTN) “World Meeting of Families in America.” Opening session. n Tuesday, Sept. 22, 3:45 p.m. (EWTN) Pope Francis in America: Arrival in Washington.” Pope Francis arrives in Washington, D.C., beginning his first papal visit to the United States of America. n Wednesday, Sept. 23, 8:45 p.m.

(EWTN) “Pope Francis in America: Visit to the White House.” Pope Francis travels to the White House to meet with President Barack Obama and other political leaders of the United States. Live.

September 11, 2015 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

PRINCIPAL:

MINISTRY:

FROM PAGE 3

FROM PAGE 12

unexplained cash disbursements from Foundation accounts and checks payable to families who did not have students at CCHS.” The foundation reported to the IRS that the amount lost, misappropriated or unauthorized totaled more than $88,000, but it acknowledged that “the ultimate dollar amount is not known at this time.”

The foundation regained its tax-exempt status from the IRS in June 2014.

Foundation officials alerted diocesan leaders in March 2014 to the financial discrepancies. Deloitte & Touche then conducted an independent audit of the high school’s finances, at the request of diocesan officials, in an “abundance of caution,” diocesan officials said at the time.

“In addition to reviewing all CCHS accounts, their work included interviewing personnel and reviewing electronic files,” diocesan schools superintendent Dr. Janice Ritter said in a letter to Charlotte Catholic High School parents following Healy’s resignation. “Key staff at the diocese, along with the hired consultants, took the time to carefully review the information so that we would be certain that follow-up steps taken would be prudent, fair, and fact-based.

“The auditors did uncover instances of questionable disbursements from accounts belonging to CCHS; these transactions are separate and apart from Charlotte Catholic High School Foundation accounts.”

Charlotte Catholic was founded in 1955. The school is continuing its strong tradition of faith and academic excellence under the leadership of new Principal Kurt Telford.

date, and delivers them to the audience, standing at the base of the sanctuary steps in front of the altar.

These weekly broadcasts of his homilies are a way to share the Gospel with a wider audience, he points out, and they have attracted more interest about St. Joseph Church in the local Vietnamese community and beyond.

On any given Sunday, not everyone seated in the pews are parishioners, he says. Many are visitors, and their presence has contributed to a general increase in Mass attendance.

“I’m not sure if it’s because of my homilies, but I have seen an increase in attendance,” he says.

Not long ago a family traveling from Canada came by to meet him.

“They came to see ‘Father Tri’ and I told them, ‘He’s not home.’ They said, ‘Oh no!

We want to see him. We watch him every week on TV. We’d love to see him.’ I said, laughing, ‘Here I am!’”

Even Vietnamese who aren’t Catholic recognize him wherever he goes in public, he says.

“A couple of weeks ago a friend of mine from out of town came to visit and we went out to eat and catch up. When I asked for the bill, the waiter said someone else in the restaurant had already paid the bill.”

Turns out, it was a non-Catholic fan of his homily broadcasts.

Father Tri says he is grateful to SBTN for the opportunity to make the Gospel available to so many more people beyond the walls of St. Joseph Church each week.

“Right now in the U.S., I think we have almost two million Vietnamese living here. In most households they have firstgeneration Vietnamese, like my parents, who do not speak much English so they watch Vietnamese TV.” “If you ask my mother, she loves it,” he adds with a laugh. “She watches the homilies with my nephew every week.”

All in all, the broadcasts and his ability to spread the Gospel in his native tongue are signs of God’s grace, Father Tri emphasizes.

“One thing that I have learned that God’s grace is amazing,” he says. “When God asks you to do something, He gives you the grace to do it. Before I had this program, I never thought I could do it. But when it came, God’s grace helped me do it.

I believe that.”

“Looking back, I figure how this came to be. It happened that at the same time I came here (to St. Joseph Church).

SBTN was training reporters to do documentaries or create news stories.

Where would be the place you would have the most Vietnamese people? Right here at St. Joseph! That is how they got to know me.”

The broadcast ministry is also his way of giving thanks and allowing God to work through him, in his home diocese where he was ordained.

He notes, “The longer I have been in ministry, I have learned that if the opportunity comes when God invites you to do something, take it. You will learn as you go. When I engage in the ministry, doing God’s work, it transforms me from the inside out through the work of God.” Preaching the Gospel is paramount, he says, and that is what impels him in this unexpected on-air ministry.

“I am very low-key. I stay focused on my

ministry. God is the center. I preach Jesus Christ and that is it.”

For that reason, he says, he does not appear on other TV programs. “I would respectfully decline that honor,” he says.

“I stay away from all of that.”

“It’s God’s grace,” he reiterates. “To encounter people who are not Catholic, who come up to me and say, ‘Father, I watch you every week and I understand what you are saying,’ is powerful.

“It’s not about me, it’s about the Lord Jesus.”

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catholicnewsherald.com | September 11, 2015 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Millions await Pope Francis’ U.S. trip Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — More than 1.5 million people are expected for the Mass with Pope Francis in Philadelphia Sept. 27.

The closing liturgy of World Meeting of Families will cap the pope’s historic fiveday apostolic trip the United States, which will also take him to New York City and Washington, D.C. A self-described “homebody,” Pope Francis’ trip to Cuba Sept. 19-22 and to the United States Sept. 23-27 will make the 10th foreign trip of his pontificate and his first to the U.S. The visit of the 78-year-old Argentine pope comes in a year packed with important events for him: the publication in June of “Laudato Si’,” his encyclical on the environment; the world Synod of Bishops on the family in October; and the opening Dec. 8 of a special Year of Mercy.

Over the course of five days in the U.S., Pope Francis will address the World Meeting of Families, the United Nations General Assembly, and be the first pontiff to address a joint meeting of Congress.

He will also meet with President Barack Obama.

The Sept. 22-25 World Meeting of Families, which will feature dozens of speakers on an array of issues affecting family life, is held every three years in a different city. This year’s theme is “Love is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive.” The 2015 World Meeting of Families is the first hosted in the United States.

Besides the papal Mass Sept. 27, which will close the World Meeting of Families, the pope is also expected to be at the Festival of Families Sept. 26. Organizers are expecting about 750,000 people for the festival.

A variety of themes – both theological and practical – will be covered by congress speakers, including talks that will address new technologies, ecology, fertility and dealing with marriage breakups. Some of the speakers listed include Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila, Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley of Boston and Cardinal Robert Sarah, prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments.

Bishop Robert Barron and Scott Hahn, as well as the Rev. Rick Warren and Rabbi Abraham Skorka, are slated among the speakers.

Underlining the ecumenical and interfaith element of the meeting, 30 percent of the speakers are non-Catholic.

One session is planned on families with homosexual members; a man with samesex attraction will speak and so will his mother.

Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Pontifical Council for the Family, linked the World Meeting of Families with the working document of the Synod of Bishops on the family in October. He described the congress as an “expression of the synodal Church that Pope Francis wants.”

He also said the congress was a “precious opportunity to put families at the center of the Church and of the world.”

He told reporters that recent research on the family and its importance for society will be presented at the congress.

At the end of the papal Mass in Philadelphia, Pope Francis is expected to give families, representing big cities on five

A 225-foot mural featuring an image of Pope Francis nears completion in New York City Sept.

1. The artwork was commissioned

by DeSales Media Group, the communications and technology arm of the Diocese of Brooklyn, N.Y. CNS | Gregory A. Shemitz

continents – Havana; Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo; Hanoi, Vietnam; Sydney; and Marseille, France – a copy of the Gospel of Luke. Following the World Meeting of Families, one million copies of this Gospel are expected to be distributed in these cities.

The pope’s U.S. trip will begin in Washington, D.C., where he will address Congress on Sept. 24. Observers suggest that he will hold up politicians’ work as important, but challenge them to see the need to more consistently uphold life in care for the poor, the unborn and the undocumented.

He will also visit a Catholic Charitiessponsored meals program for the homeless in Washington.

The next day in New York, Pope Francis is scheduled to address the U.N. General Assembly. He will also offer a “simple weekday Mass” with 20,000 people at Madison Square Garden that day, and he will use the same chalice Pope Blessed Paul VI used when he celebrated Mass in Yankee Stadium Oct. 4, 1965.

New York City officials also announced recently that Pope Francis’ motorcade will travel through Central Park Sept. 25, allowing tens of thousands of more people to see the pontiff.

On Sept. 25 the pope will also meet with immigrants and others helped by a New York Catholic Charities program, and on Sept. 26, he will speak about religious freedom before a crowd made up primarily of immigrants and immigration advocates at Independence Hall in Philadelphia.

“We’re hoping and expecting that he is

going to speak on issues of migration, and I’m hoping he’ll talk about the dignity of those who are seeking a better life,” said Jeanne Atkinson, executive director of the Catholic Legal Immigration Network. “I’m hoping he’ll speak of compassion toward refugees and asylum seekers.”

Atkinson has been tracking Pope Francis’ remarks. “He made a statement about the U.S.-Mexican border,” she said.

“He’s concerned with Syrian refugees, trafficking, all that. He very much speaks to what CLINIC does.”

As to whether the pope’s visit will move the needle on a long-stymied overhaul of U.S. immigration policy, Atkinson thinks it depends on who’s listening.

“I think people are eager to hear what he has to say, Catholics, of course, but non-Catholics. I think he clearly speaks from a position of moral authority -- but without an agenda, in a sense. His agenda is the Church’s agenda. I think people will listen.”

And should they listen, “I hope it will cause people to re-examine the Church’s position on immigration,” Atkinson said.

“The Church has been a strong force for immigration and immigration reform for decades.”

Opponents of the death penalty also hope the pope will mention their cause. Pope Francis will visit the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility during his visit to Philadelphia.

“We are hopeful he will follow in the footsteps of St. John Paul II and help facilitate the end of the use of the death penalty in this country and point out the

need for reform within our criminal justice system,” said Karen Clifton, executive director of the Catholic Mobilizing Network to End the Use of the Death Penalty, in a Sept. 4 statement.

Clifton recalled St. John Paul’s appeal against capital punishment during his January 1999 visit to St. Louis. The day after his appeal, a death row inmate’s sentence was commuted to life in prison.

“Pope Francis has been very outspoken against the use of the death penalty, stating it is ‘inadmissible, no matter how serious the crime committed. ... It is an offense against the inviolability of life and the dignity of the human person, ... There is no humane way of killing another person,’” Clifton said. “With the current debate on the use of the death penalty in this country, Pope Francis’ strong pastoral words need to be heard.”

Clayton Sinyai, director of the Catholic Employer Project for the Catholic Labor Network, linked Pope Francis with his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI. “The U.S. Congress, which may soon be called upon to consider ratification of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, could greatly benefit from the Holy Father’s counsel on globalization and trade,” Sinyai said.

“In ‘Caritas in Veritate,’ Pope Benedict XVI proved an eloquent critic of globalization driven by a desire for profits, neglecting of the needs of workers and the environment,” he added. “Pope Francis picked up this prophetic call to reject the ‘globalization of indifference’ and choose an international solidarity that protects workers, the poor and our common home.”

September 11, 2015 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief Priests in U.S., Canada can already absolve women who had abortions BALTIMORE — Pope Francis’ Sept. 1 announcement that priests worldwide will be able to absolve women for the sin of abortion will have little effect on pastoral practices in the United States and Canada, where most priests already have such authority in the sacrament of reconciliation.

“It is my understanding that the faculty for the priest to lift the ‘latae sententiae’ excommunication for abortion is almost universally granted in North America,” said Don Clemmer, interim director of media relations for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. “Latae sententiae” is a Latin term in Church law that means excommunication for certain crimes, including involvement in abortion, is automatic.

Clemmer said it is “the fiat of the local bishop” whether to allow the priests in his diocese to absolve those sins and most bishops – including in the Diocese of Charlotte – have granted such permission when giving priests faculties to minister locally.

Five judges write rare dissent over court’s decision not to take appeal DENVER — Five federal judges on the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals wrote a rare

dissent from the majority’s decision not to re-hear an appeal of a July ruling against the Little Sisters of the Poor over the contraceptive mandate in employee health insurance. A three-judge panel of the 10th Circuit had said that the Little Sisters and their fellow plaintiffs against the federal government are not substantially burdened by the process set out by the Department of Health and Human Services by which they can avoid requirements to provide contraceptive coverage to employees as mandated by the Affordable Care Act. The court followed that ruling in August by allowing the plaintiffs to continue to be protected from having to follow the requirement while they appeal to the Supreme Court. The HHS rules allow explicitly religious entities an exemption.

Religious nonprofit organizations such as the Little Sisters, who operate long-term care facilities open to people of all faiths, do not meet the HHS requirements. The exemption is allowed for institutions such as churches and dioceses that are primarily involved in inculcating the faith and primarily serve and employ people of the same faith.

Nuns on the Bus tour seeks to ‘bridge the divides, transform politics’ WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Nuns on the Bus will hit the road Sept. 10 on a two-week route that passes through “deep red and purple states” on the way to the nation’s capital. At a time when Republican presidential candidates compete with one another in their demands for the federal government to spend less on social programs and to rein in illegal immigration, the sisters will carry a significantly different message on their tour. The theme of the fourth annual bus tour is “Bridge the Divides, Transform Politics,” and was to kick off in St. Louis and conclude as Pope Francis visits

Washington, D.C., Sept. 22-24.

In response to the pope’s call to be involved in politics for the common good, the sisters will highlight economic inequality and cuts in health care and education that they say not only disproportionately affect those dependent on government assistance, but also exhibit a disregard for their struggles and exacerbate the growing gap between the rich and poor.

“We can’t have politics of inclusion without economic inclusion for all,” said Sister Simone Campbell, a Sister of Social Service and executive director of Network, a Catholic social

Let’s keep talking.

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“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”.

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

Reservations are free but REQUIRED 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.

A Brighter Future For Teen Parents The teen parenting program at Catholic Charities helps to guide and support teens to life success. With a primary focus on education – graduating high school, pursuing secondary education/training, and teaching life skills to prepare teen parents for future independence – Catholic Charities works to empower teen parents to improve their lives not only for themselves, but also for their children. The program is in need of diapers, baby wipes, children’s books, and gift cards to help teens purchase food and other baby supplies.

Visit the website to learn more about the program or to make a donation.

Our world 16

catholicnewsherald.com | September 11, 2015 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Pope simplifies annulment process, asks that it be free Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — While a juridical process is necessary for making accurate judgments, the Church’s marriage annulment process must be quicker, cheaper and much more of a pastoral ministry, Pope Francis said.

Rewriting a section of the Latin-rite Code of Canon Law and of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, Pope Francis said he was not “promoting the nullity of marriages, but the quickness of the processes, as well as a correct simplicity” of the procedures so that Catholic couples are not “oppressed by the shadow of doubt” for prolonged periods.

The Vatican released Sept. 8 the texts of two papal documents, “Mitis Iudex Dominus Iesus” (“The Lord Jesus, the Gentle Judge”) for the Latin-rite Church and “Mitis et misericors Iesus,” (“The Meek and Merciful Jesus”) for the Eastern Catholic Churches.

The changes, including the option of a brief process without the obligatory automatic appeal, go into effect Dec. 8, the opening day of the Year of Mercy.

In the Diocese of Charlotte, an application for a declaration of nullity can take eight to 10 months to process, according to Judicial Vicar Father John Putnam. The diocesan marriage tribunal handles about 300 annulment cases each year.

Pope Francis said the changes in the annulment process were motivated by “concern for the salvation of souls,” and particularly “charity and mercy” toward those who feel alienated from the Church because of their marriage situations and the perceived complexity of the Church’s annulment process.

The new rules replace canons 1671-1691 of the Code of Canon Law and canons 1357-1377 of the Eastern code. Pope Francis also provided a set of “procedural regulations” outlining how his reforms are to take place, encouraging bishops in small dioceses to train personnel who can handle marriage cases and spelling out specific conditions when a bishop can issue a declaration of nullity after an abbreviated process.

The rules are not retroactive; however, any initial sentence issued Dec. 8 or later would fall under the new rules and not require an automatic appeal if both parties agree.

In the Diocese of Charlotte, the full cost for processing a petition for marriage nullity is approximately $1,200. However, petitioners in the diocese are asked to contribute only $500 of this overall cost.

Moreover, Father Putnam points out that an inability to contribute some or all of this amount is not a barrier to receiving a decision in the process. Fees can be waived in cases of serious financial need and a number of parishes already assist their parishioners with the contribution.

The reformed processes were drafted by a special committee Pope Francis established a year earlier.

Among the criteria he said guided their work, the first he listed was the possibility of there being “only one executive sentence in favor of nullity” when the local bishop or judge delegated by him had the “moral certainty” that the marriage was not valid. Previously an appeal was automatic, and that step is being eliminated through these reforms.

The changes made by Pope Francis, particularly the responsibility and trust placed in local bishops, are the most substantial changes in the Church’s marriage law since the pontificate of Pope Benedict XIV in the mid-1700s.

Near the end of the Holy Father’s statement are the words: “... the Church, in a matter so closely linked to the salvation of souls, demonstrates the gratuitous love of Christ by which we have all been saved.” For Father Putnam, that statement provides the rationale for these changes and the mission that has been entrusted to those in Tribunal ministry.

CNS | Marko Djurica, Reuters

Migrants walk along rail tracks as they arrive to a collection point in the village of Roszke in Hungary after crossing the border from Serbia Sept. 6.

Pope calls on Europe’s parishes, religious houses to take in refugees Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — Given the ongoing crisis of people fleeing from war and poverty, Pope Francis asked every parish and religious community in Europe to take in a family of refugees as a concrete sign of hope and God’s mercy.

“The Gospel calls us, asks us to be near the least and the abandoned. To give them concrete hope, not just say ‘Hang in there, have patience!’” he said in an appeal Sept. 6.

“Christian hope has a fighting spirit with the tenacity of someone who is heading toward a sure goal,” he said, while he encouraged all of his “brother bishops of Europe – true shepherds,” to support his appeal in their dioceses.

“In the face of the tragedy of tens of thousands of refugees, who are fleeing death because of war and hunger” and are seeking a new life, the pope called on “parishes, religious communities, monasteries and sanctuaries all across Europe to give concrete expression of the Gospel and receive a family of refugees.”

A record 107,500 migrants were reported to have crossed the European Union’s borders in July alone.

Catholic aid agencies have also urged Europeans not to turn against migrants seeking refuge from Syria and other countries, in what media reports describe as the continent’s greatest refugee movement since World War II. “The crisis in Syria is now in its fifth year, and the neighboring countries where we’ve been providing assistance are running out of resources,” said Kim Pozniak with Catholic Relief Services, the U.S. bishops’ international relief and development agency. She said countries such as Lebanon and Turkey are sheltering 3.5 million Syrians and “can no longer carry the burden of sheer numbers.”

“People have realized they won’t be going home and turned to the European Union for longer-term solutions.

While they’ve been shown compassion in some countries, this hasn’t been the case everywhere.”

“These people aren’t just migrating to Europe in search of a better life for their children: They’re fleeing to protect them and save their lives, and this is something everyone can relate to,” she said.

European Union foreign ministers met in Brussels to discuss new responses to the crisis Sept. 4, after the government of Hungary attempted to control thousands of migrants camped at a railway station in Budapest.

Pozniak said Sept. 3 that CRS and other Catholic agencies

had been giving migrants food and water, as well as medical and legal help, on the main routes through Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Macedonia and Serbia.

She added that Church-backed organizations would aid all refugees without distinction, after some East European bishops called for priority to be given to Christians.

“The Church doesn’t distinguish between faiths and religions – we assist everyone on the basis of needs, whatever their background,” Pozniak said. “The Church in the Middle East and the Balkans has been responding to this crisis for years, and to the Church no human being is illegal. We’re called to preserve their dignity by not letting them sleep in parks and train stations.”

Antonio Guterres, U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, urged Europe to build facilities to accept the migrants and to admit up to 200,000 refugees, with mandatory participation by all EU member-states.

Caritas Europa said in a statement that migrants, asylum-seekers and refugees were protected by international human rights law, and it called on the European Union to “contribute to such protection.”

In Austria, where Caritas is helping 17,000 refugees and providing housing for 5,000, Vienna Cardinal Christoph Schonborn said Europeans could no longer “look the other way” when confronted with their continent’s “greatest humanitarian challenge” in decades.

The Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, said St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican’s St. Anne Church would sponsored their first refugee families soon as well as seek employment for each head of the household.

The pope asked that two apartments near the Vatican be made available for the two families, said Cardinal Angelo Comastri, archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica.

“The pope wants the apartments to be near where he is, also to guarantee health care” and other services available in Vatican City State and not put a burden on the Italian government, the cardinal said.

Before the Angelus prayer, the pope said Christians must not be closed up inside themselves, as is often the case. “We create so many inaccessible and inhospitable islands,” he said.

He reminded Christians they are called to open themselves up to God and His Word, and to others, sharing the Word with those who “have never heard it or to those who have forgotten it – buried under the brambles of the worries and deceptions of the world.”

talking.

Let’s keep talking.

September 11, 2015 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

VATICAN CITY — Leading prayers for the safeguarding of creation, Pope Francis prayed that people would learn to contemplate God in the beauty of the universe, give thanks and protect all life. During an evening celebration of the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, the pope prayed that God would “enlighten the lords of power and money so they would not fall into indifference, but would love the common good, encourage the weak and care for the world in which we live.”

Pope Francis announced in August that the Catholic Church would join the Orthodox Church in marking the prayer day Sept. 1 each year. In his opening prayer, he asked God to fill people with a desire “to protect every life, to prepare a better future so that Your kingdom of justice, people, love and beauty would come.”

“breathe the air of hope” that relations with the U.S. will improve, said Bishop Wilfredo Pino Estevez of Guantanamo-Baracoa. “It’s not easy to live at odds with your next door neighbor,” Bishop Pino wrote in a Sept. 1 pastoral letter.

“That’s why it’s very important what the pope is coming to do, as the universal pastor of the Church, in the search for reconciliation and peace among all peoples of the earth.”

Pope Francis will celebrate Mass in three Cuban cities during a Sept. 19-22 visit to the Caribbean island before flying to Washington.

He is credited with helping broker a historic thawing of relations between the U.S. and Cuba by sending letters to Presidents Raul Castro and Barack Obama last year and hosting delegates from the two countries at the Vatican. Obama and Castro simultaneously announced a diplomatic rapprochement in December. Since then, the historic adversaries have re-opened embassies in Havana and Washington that had been shuttered for more than five decades and have announced they will launch a new round of diplomatic talks.

During his visit to Havana to reopen the U.S. Embassy Aug. 14, Secretary of State John Kerry thanked Pope Francis for “supporting the state of a new chapter in relations,” while acknowledging that the two countries are far from realizing fully normalized relations – including lifting the economic embargo against Cuba.

Pope: Why do youth turn their backs on Jesus?

Is Church keeping Him hidden?

Family prayer time can start with small, simple gestures, pope says

VATICAN CITY — Why do so many young people leave the Church after confirmation, Pope Francis asked bishops from Portugal.

“There is no doubt that Jesus exists; but where are we hiding Him?” the pope said. What is required is “a personal and pastoral conversion of pastors and faithful so that everyone can say truthfully and joyfully: ‘The Church is our home,’” he said in a written speech Sept. 7. The bishops were making their “ad limina” visits to Rome to report on the state of their dioceses.

Pope Francis asked the bishops not to lose courage before the many challenges facing them and their parishes. One of the challenges the pope highlighted was “the large number of adolescents and young people who abandon practicing the Christian faith after the sacrament of confirmation.” He also noted the lack of specific programs to help young people continue their formation, which could help prevent them from entering into “irregular” relationships later.

VATICAN CITY — Parents 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 audience talk on the family and prayer, Pope Francis 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.”

In Brief Contemplate, give thanks, protect: Pope Francis prays for creation

Doctrine, pastoral realities are not at odds, pope tells theologians VATICAN CITY — The Church is called to embrace its past, present and future and to avoid the temptations to condemn or to legitimize everything just because it is new and different, Pope Francis told a group of theologians. Theology and reflection should not be at odds with pastoral ministry and the lives of real people, he said. In fact, theologians can help by “taking both the ecclesiastical tradition and current reality very seriously, placing them in dialogue with one another.”

The pope’s words were part of a video message to theologians and others taking part in an international congress in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Sept. 1-3 marking the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the faculty of theology at the Catholic University of Argentina and the 50th anniversary of the close of the Second Vatican Council.

Cuban bishop: Pope’s visit comes at time of hope for people SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — Pope Francis’ visit to Cuba is a sign of his closeness to the nation’s people at a time they

With Armenian Catholics, pope remembers persecuted Christians VATICAN CITY — Governments who not only take no action to stop anti-Christian persecution, but remain silent, are accomplices in their deaths, Pope Francis said during an early morning Mass with leaders of the Armenian Catholic Church.

During the Mass Sept. 7 in the chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae, Pope Francis formally celebrated the unity existing between the Roman Catholic and Armenian Catholic churches by sharing Communion with Patriarch Gregoire Pierre XX Ghabroyan of Cilicia, who was elected by his fellow Armenian bishops July 24. With all of the patriarchate’s bishops present, Pope Francis paid tribute to the enduring faith of Armenian Catholics through centuries of persecution.

Today, “perhaps more than in the early days” of Christianity, he said, Christians are “persecuted, killed, chased out, robbed just because they are Christians.” The New Testament reminds Christians that persecution may be their fate, the pope said.

— Catholic News Service

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ViewPoints 18

catholicnewsherald.com | September 11, 2015 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Letters to the editor

Good homilies should inspire us to act

Protecting God’s Children We proclaim Christ to the world around us by our efforts to provide a safe environment for all people, especially the young and the vulnerable.

In 2002, the bishops of the United States issued the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. The charter addresses the Church’s commitment to respond effectively, appropriately and compassionately to cases of abuse of minors by priests, deacons or other church personnel.

DIOCESAN REQUIREMENTS FOR REPORTING MINISTRY-RELATED SEXUAL ABUSE OF A MINOR 1. Any individual having actual knowledge of or reasonable cause to suspect an incident of ministry-related sexual abuse is to immediately report the incident to the Chancery.

2. The Chancery will then report the incident to the proper civil authorities. The individual reporting the incident to the Chancery will be notified of the particulars regarding the Chancery’s filing of the incident with civil authorities.

3. This reporting requirement is not intended to supersede the right of an individual to make a report to civil authorities, but is to ensure proper, complete and timely reporting.

Should an individual choose to make a report to civil authorities, a report is still to be made to the Chancery.

The charter can be found on the diocesan website, Charlottediocese.org, click on the tab, “Safe Environment.”

In response to Deacon Jim Toner’s Aug. 14 commentary “Happy homilies,” I agree with most of what he wrote, but I would like to suggest that the real importance – the real point – of a homily is much more than preaching the “hard sayings.”

In my limited experience as a Catholic, I have observed there are two types of people who go to Mass: those who go out of a sense of obligation, and those who truly understand the Sacrifice of the Mass.

In either case, both types of people are looking for the same thing: that challenge Deacon Toner spoke of. Yet most preachers, even if they preach a joke or preach the hard stuff, miss the most important piece – the piece that gives the people in the pews something to do, something that actually pertains to their lives right then and there.

A preacher could give the best homily in the world about the “hard sayings,” but if he does not instruct people how to change their lives, the people will exit their pews uninspired and unfocused.

A pastor I know once gave a great homily about one of Pope Francis’ teachings to young people, in which the pope challenged them to “make noise.” This pastor continued to emphasize the pope’s teaching, but he failed to tell the people how and what it means to “make noise.”

Some could probably figure it out on their own, but most probably went through the rest of their week with no inclination to “make noise” because they had no idea what that meant. The practical application to their lives was not present; therefore, they had no idea how to implement such a teaching in their daily activities.

Pope Francis said in his apostolic exhortation “Evangelii Gaudium”: “The homily is the touchstone for judging a pastor’s closeness and ability to communicate to his people. We know that the faithful attach great importance to it, and that both they and their ordained ministers suffer because of homilies: the laity from having to listen to them and the clergy from having to preach them!

It is sad that this is the case. The homily can actually be an intense and happy experience of the Spirit, a consoling encounter with God’s word, a constant source of renewal and growth.” When is the last time you thought that about a homily you heard?

George Brunner lives in Greensboro and serves in campus ministry at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Work to build unity, not division People in the Diocese of Charlotte can be very divided – painfully so. Just as each of us Catholic Christians tries to talk to God in public and private prayer, could we not try to talk to each other and listen to each other in pairs and small groups?

“Where two or three are gathered in my name,” says Jesus our Lord, “there I am in their midst.”

Jesus will help us see the truth we have been missing and enable us to choose to serve the common good.

Let us invest in those we do not agree with. Let the world see how we Christians love one another!

I am hurting from seeing the divisions

we create among ourselves, and I know many others are hurting as well. Let us – together – build a unified Christian community, and may God bless us all.

Father John Vianney Hoover lives at New Creation Monastery in Mount Holly.

Cuba will not change unless it is forced I would like to take exception to some comments by Dr. Kamila Valenta in the Aug. 28 edition of the Catholic News Herald (“Cuba, other post-Communist countries need evangelization”).

As a Cuban-born American who lived in Cuba until I was 16 (three of those years under Communist rule), I think it is wrong to assume that because we have established diplomatic relations with Cuba, it is going to turn its back on Communism and become a democracy.

The Cuban people have suffered more than 50 years from tyranny. I suffered three years under that tyranny, and I saw my beloved Church dismantled. My family was broken up because of the Communists.

Thousands of children never got to see their families again.

Nobody – unless they have lived under this type of oppressive regime – can understand that these Communists will not change their ways unless they are forced to do it. I have yet to see anyone, President Barack Obama or Pope Francis, demand any change in Cuba.

Diplomatic relations, the lifting of the U.S. embargo, and open visits to Cuba by Americans will not bring change to Cuba.

Cuba will not become a “post-Communist” country unless other actions are taken.

Just as two other popes did, Pope Francis will soon visit Cuba. Unless the pope has stronger words for the Castro regime, there will be no change for the Cuban people.

The Catholic hierarchy in Cuba must also stand strong against Castro’s regime on the issue of freedom of assembly, and they must aid dissidents who are suffering so much abuse.

Cuba’s regime has given no concessions to change its ideology and will not change until someone stands strong against the Castros and demands that democratic changes be implemented immediately.

Diamela Oakley is a member of St. Elizabeth Church in Boone.

Letters policy The Catholic News Herald welcomes letters from readers. We ask that letters be originals of 250 words or fewer, pertain to recent newspaper content or Catholic issues, and be written from a perspective of Christian charity.

To be considered for publication, each letter must include the name, address and daytime phone number of the writer for purpose of verification. Letters may be condensed due to space limitations and edited for clarity, style and factual accuracy.

E-mail: catholicnews@charlottediocese.org Mail: Letters to the Editor

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September 11, 2015 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

Deacon James H. Toner

What we know that ain’t so:

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

Advice What we think is the right road

D

ynamic leaders do not need advisors.

Imaginative, decisive and resolute people forge ahead, uninterested in the timid consultation of worried counselors.

To solve problems requires action, not conferences; to make progress requires bold new ideas, not the long-winded debate and weak-kneed approval of trembling bureaucrats sitting around a table, waiting for “consensus.”

But it’s the wrong road Well, it’s harder to find a more anti-intellectual, anti-historical, antiphilosophical position.

St. Thomas Aquinas told us, “Whatever is received is received according to the mode of the receiver.” One is thus reminded of this line from Proverbs: “Stupid people have no respect for wisdom and refuse to learn” (1:7b GNB), and “Stupid people always think they are right. Wise people listen to advice” (12:15 GNB). Moreover: “If you listen to advice and are willing to learn, one day you will be wise” (19:20) and “You must make careful plans before you fight a battle, and the more good advice you get, the more likely you are to win” (24:6).

The last quotation has it, I think, exactly right in pointing out that we all need “good advice.”

Good advice, however, requires a ‘Another Sort of good advisor.

Learning,’ by Jesuit Ahitophel and Father James V. Schall.

Hushai are San Francisco: Ignatius, not widely 1988. known names from the Old Testament, but they have much to teach us. Ahitophel was an advisor to Absalom, who was rebelling against King David.

When Absalom asked Ahitophel for his advice about which military strategy to use, Ahitophel gave sound counsel but, by divine intervention, Absalom ignored it and listened instead to the bad advice of Hushai, who was secretly working for David (see 2 Sam 17). Before long, Absalom was dead. As for Ahitophel, he hanged himself. (Some see Ahitophel as a type or figure of Judas.)

The importance of good advisors can hardly be exaggerated, whether we are discussing military science, international diplomacy, business ventures or sports management. Some years ago, I knew a distinguished retired Air Force general who knew what he did not know – that is, he recognized that he needed help in certain areas. He developed a regular panel of trusted, experienced and well-read counselors whom he could consult before he staked out positions on various matters.

Should we Catholics do any less? We know the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord. These gifts “make

Suggested reading

the faithful docile in readily obeying divine inspirations” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1831). There is the key clue to finding good advisors: Such people are above all concerned with doing the right thing, in the right way, at the right time, for the right reason and – more – they are concerned that others will act in the same manner.

“Take the advice of sensible people,” we read in Tobit, “and never treat any useful advice lightly” (4:18). We might remember that what we receive from God is His gift to us; what we do with that gift, how we use it and how we develop it, is our gift to God. We know there are different talents, and some may not use wisely and well the gifts they have received. Physical strength, for example, requires cultivation: we have to work out to develop that strength. The same is true for the spiritual gifts we have received: we must practice the faith and learn it more deeply.

If we have “good advisors” in our preachers, our confessors and our spiritual directors, we are richly blessed. We should seek out, not just “effective,” but also truly holy confessors. St. John Vianney and Padre Pio are no longer available, but there are, thank God, many devout counselors to whom we can turn for direction.

The same Book of Proverbs which bluntly tells us not to be stupid and, therefore, to find good advice and wise counselors, is equally resolute in telling us, “Never rely on what you think you know.” Rather, we are to “trust in the Lord with all your heart” (Prv 3:5; cf. Ps 111:10).

We sensibly seek wise counsel in our medical, legal and financial matters. We often look for help when we have electrical or plumbing or mechanical questions. We look for advice about our golf or chess or cribbage games. Should we not make it a priority to get the best spiritual teaching and preaching, the wisest spiritual direction and counseling, and the most inspirational confessor we can find?

But something is still missing. We need more than a good and holy counselor to grow in holiness. Good advice is wasted on the imprudent person. “Imprudent” means “unwise and lacking in care or foresight.” So to choose good counselors, I must be wise; but to be wise, I must have good counselors!

But we are not alone in this. We are not without moral and intellectual foundation.

Through our baptism, we are brought into the Body of Christ, and, as St. Leo the Great emphatically told us, we should, “Never forget that you have been rescued from the power of darkness and brought into the light of the kingdom of God.” In the Church’s teaching we find the truth – which is perfect advice that when we humbly accept it and devoutly practice it, sets us free (see CCC 890). The Holy Spirit is the “Paraclete” because, as Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch have pointed out, he is our Heavenly intercessor/advocate who “pleads to the Father for believers still struggling on earth.” The Holy Spirit, then, is the first, the best and most powerful advisor.

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

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Fred Gallagher

The family ‘back-to-school list’

B

ack in the day (in this case, several years ago when they were still in middle school and high school) I sent my children back to school with a list known simply as their “back-toschool-list.” And yes, each year they rolled their sweet little eyes at me, but they got the list nevertheless. Over the years of doing this, a few teachers found out and asked for copies. I ran across the latest one the other day and it is from 2010. The following items are more or less the gist of it.

1. Find something you like about each of your teachers.

2. Remember that you are stronger than any social situation you may encounter.

3. Say a prayer, no more than five words long, before each class.

4. Do not bark before lunchtime. (You may growl if absolutely necessary).

5. Keep holy the Lord’s Day. Guess what? They’re are all His! 6. Keep your chin and your GPA up.

7. When speaking with an adult, use the word “like” no more than once per sentence and the phrase “Oh my God” not at all.

8. Eat your cell phone; remember to chew it up good and then swallow it.

9. Laugh at yourself. A lot.

10. Read.

11. Speaking in general terms, most of your teachers under 40 are less knowledgeable than they think they are and most over 40 are more knowledgeable than they think they are. In either case, they are all more knowledgeable than you, so listen up!

12. Never speak in general terms.

13. Don’t set anybody on fire and keep you clothes on. (For many years this was a daily instruction before the children left for school. In later years they began responding rather creatively!)

14. Hold your shoulders back…right now!

15. Find the lonely kid, and do the right thing.

16. Remember that it is a child, not a choice, and if anyone tries to tell you that life does not begin at conception, don’t listen.

17. Respect somebody.

18. Be corny; it’s cooler than you think.

19. Talk more slowly.

20. Read some more.

21. Chase somebody. And when you catch them, tickle them.

22. Remember, it’s a great day for the race. Ha, ha, the human race! (Dad’s tired old joke) 23. Suck up to your principal. It can’t hurt.

24. Don’t listen to music that degrades people.

25. Keep in mind that God is not an experience you are having; you are an experience God is having. (courtesy of Rabbi Heschel) There you have it, succinct and to the point. I’m sure I’ve left out some important things, but I was always painfully aware that you can’t get too serious with kids all at once and that if humor does not play a role they probably won’t listen at all.

It dawns on me now that while one of mine is a college sophomore and two are out of college, they all could perhaps use a “transition-to-the-realworld list.” The problem is, I’m not sure I have transitioned all that well myself, or that my list, if I had one, would correspond well enough to reality.

Items common on many grownup lists just get pushed aside in our attention-deficit household. But some things we do look at. We look carefully at how best to love a young person, in school or not, trying to find their own way when sometimes our best intentions are misinterpreted. We try to keep our eyes on folks we happen to know are living way under the poverty line and how best to give what aid we can – and hoping beyond hope that the same concern for others has rubbed off on our children. We look around at extended family and try to discern a role we may play that will promote family unity, or ease a pain, or urge a thimble of hope here and there.

And we do look at the back-to-school list ourselves and see where one or two things might be a wake-up call for us as well, because one thing the list has taught us is that we’re all forever heading “back to school” and each day is indeed a great day for the race.

Fred Gallagher is an author, book editor and former addictions counselor. He and his wife Kim are members of St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte.

‘There is no doubt that Jesus exists; but where are we hiding Him?’ Pope Francis in ‘Why do youth turn back on Jesus? Is Church keeping Him hidden?’

Through press time on Sept. 9, 2,808 visitors to www.catholicnewsherald.com have viewed a total of 5,370 pages. The top five headlines in September so far are: n Former Charlotte Catholic principal pleads guilty to mishandling funds...............................415 n St. Matthew teen part of social media campaign for Pope Francis’ U.S. visit........................ 119 n Homilies should be interesting, funny and short............................................................................ 141 n Deacon assigned to Tryon parish.........................................................................................................99 n Diocese revises policy to protect minors...........................................................................................83

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catholicnewsherald.com | September 11, 2015 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

© Catholic News Service

A JOURNEY OF

FAMILY, FAITH & MISSION

More than 60 pilgrims from the Diocese of Charlotte will travel to Philadelphia Sept. 23-27 to attend the World Meeting of Families and to witness the historic first visit of Pope Francis to the United States.

Join husband-and-wife journalists Patricia and Stephen Guilfoyle, parishioners of St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte, as they follow the journey of these pilgrims and bring you a first-hand look into the sights and sounds of this faith-filled pilgrimage. Follow their blog on Tumblr, and go online to www.catholicnewsherald.com for the latest news about Pope Francis’ apostolic visit. Prayer requests are welcome!

Phillyandfrancis.tumblr.com