Oct. 13, 2017

October 13, 2017

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

Diocese found compliant with child protection audit 3 St. Gabriel Church celebrates 60th anniversary

Signs of life Respect Life Sunday draws hundreds out to pray for sanctity of all human life

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INDEX

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

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A bunch of ‘Misfits’ remodel Albemarle church 16

Fatima statues to visit Hendersonville, Huntersville 2

Catholic Charities staff lend a hand in Houston 5

Our faith 2

catholicnewsherald.com | October 13, 2017 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Fatima statues to visit Hendersonville, Huntersville Pope Francis

Nothing is in vain, nothing is resistant to love

C

hristians are never pessimistic, resigned or weak, thinking life is an unstoppable train careening out of control, Pope Francis said.

Throughout history, every day is seen as a gift from God and “every morning is a blank page that Christians start writing on” with their good works and charity, he said Oct. 11 during his weekly general audience.

Continuing his series of audience talks on Christian hope, the pope reflected on a reading from the Gospel of St. Luke, in which the disciples are asked to be like faithful and vigilant servants, who stand ready for their master’s return – the day Jesus will come again.

Jesus wants His followers to never let down their guard and to be on their toes, ready to welcome “with gratitude and amazement each new day God gives us,” the pope said.

Even though “we have already been saved by Jesus’ redemption,” he said, the people of God are still awaiting His second coming in glory when He will be “all in all.” Nothing in life is more certain than that – that He will come again, the pope said. This time of expectant waiting, however, is no time for boredom, but rather for patience. Christians must be perseverant and life-giving, like wellsprings to irrigate a desert.

For that reason, “nothing happens in vain” and no situation is “completely resistant to love. No night is so long that the joy of dawn is forgotten,” he said. In fact, the darker the night, the sooner the light will come, he added.

By staying united with Christ, nothing can stop the faithful, even “the coldness of difficult moments do not paralyze us.” And no matter how much the world preaches against hope and predicts “only dark clouds,” Christians know everything will be saved and “Christ will drive away the temptation to think that this life is wrong.”

“We do not lose ourselves in the flow of events to pessimism, as if history were a train out of control. Resignation is not a Christian virtue. Just like it is not Christian to shrug your shoulders or lower your head before a seemingly unavoidable destiny.”

Having hope means never being submissive or passive, but being a builder of hope, which demands courage, taking risks and personal sacrifice, he said.

“Submissive people are not peacebuilders, but they are lazy, they want to be comfortable,” he said.

At the end of the general audience, the pope reminded people that October was World Mission Month and the month of the rosary. As celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the end of the apparitions of Mary at Fatima were to wrap up Oct. 13, the pope invited everyone to pray the rosary, asking for peace in the world.

Friday, Oct. 13, marks the 100th anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima’s sixth appearance to three shepherd children and the “miracle of the sun” in Fatima, Portugal – the day when tens of thousands of people witnessed the sun appear to dance in the sky at the Cova da Iria.

Our Lady’s message to people throughout her appearances in Fatima was to remind people to grow in faith, hope and love by praying the rosary every day, praying for sinners, praying for the pope, and performing sacrifices in reparation for their sins.

Pope Francis has granted a plenary indulgence opportunity for the 100th anniversary of Fatima apparitions to the faithful who visit with devotion a statue of Our Lady of Fatima, pray the Our Father, recite the Creed and invoke Our Lady of Fatima. The faithful must also fulfill the ordinary conditions: go to confession and Holy Communion, be interiorly detached from sin, and pray for the intentions of the pope.

Pilgrim statues of Our Lady of Fatima have already visited parishes in the Diocese of Charlotte several times during this centennial year, and this Friday, there are at least two more opportunities to take part in the devotion to Our Lady of Fatima: in Hendersonville and Huntersville.

FATIMA PROCESSIONS n St. Thomas Aquinas Church (located at 1400 Suther Road in Charlotte) will host its monthly Fatima Procession starting at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13. The rosary will also be prayed. The parish’s annual World Feast celebration will kick off following the Fatima Procession. For details, go to the parish’s website: www. stacharlotte.com. n Sacred Heart Church (located at 375 Lumen Christi Lane in Salisbury) will host a candlelight Fatima Procession starting at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13. The rosary will also be prayed. For details, go to the parish’s website: www. salisburycatholic.org.

HENDERSONVILLE

In Hendersonville, a statue of Our Lady of Fatima will be at Immaculate Conception Church on Friday, Oct. 13, after the 8:30 a.m. and 12:10 p.m. Masses. The rosary will also be prayed after each Mass.

Immaculate Conception Church is located at 208 7th Ave. West in the downtown area of Hendersonville.

For details, contact Suzanne at ourladyuk2016@gmail.com or call 828-7075380.

HUNTERSVILLE

One of the six International Centennial Pilgrim Images of Our Lady of Fatima blessed by Pope Francis will be at St. Mark Church on Friday, Oct. 13. The activities will be offered in the morning and repeated in the evening for people’s convenience: 8:30 a.m. Children’s Rosary Procession 8:50 a.m. Imposition of the Scapular, Rosary, Re-coronation of Our Lady, and St. John Paul II consecration prayer 9 a.m. Mass, and family consecration to the Two Hearts of Jesus and Mary 10 a.m. Talk on the importance of Consecration and the Brown Scapular, followed by Investiture of the Brown Scapular 6:45 p.m. Imposition of the Scapular, Rosary, Re-coronation of Our Lady, and St.

JOE THORNTON | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

THOMASVILLE — On Oct. 4, Our Lady of the Highways Parish was privileged to host one of six statues blessed by Pope Francis as the International Centennial Pilgrim Image of Our Lady of Fatima. The statues have been dispatched to six continents where their pilgrimage is being hosted at select locations, including the Diocese of Charlotte this week.

Missionaries accompany the statue on her journey. After a welcome procession into Our Lady of the Highways Church, the ceremony continued with the imposition of the brown scapular and rosary onto the hands of Our Lady, a re-coronation of Our Lady, recitation of the St. John Paul II consecration prayer followed by praying the holy rosary and a floral offering given by parishioners and guests. Father Jim Turner, pastor, offered Mass. One of the missionaries in attendance presented a moving talk on the importance of consecration and the brown scapular and family consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The evening concluded with investiture of the brown scapular to those in attendance. Many remained after to kneel and pray before the statue of Our Lady of Fatima.

John Paul II consecration prayer 7 p.m. Mass (English/Spanish), followed by a Talk on the importance of Consecration and the Brown Scapular, Family Consecration to the Two Hearts and Investiture of the Brown Scapular 8:30 p.m. Candlelight Rosary Procession (English/Spanish) All materials (consecration prayer cards,

n St. Dorothy Church (located at 148 St. Dorothy Lane in Lincolnton) will have Eucharistic Adoration, Mass and rosary procession, followed by a screening of “The 13th Day.” For details, go to the parish’s website: www. stdorothys.com.

For more information At www. catholicnewsherald. com: Go online for all news related to the centennial anniversary of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s apparitions in Fatima, Portugal

brown scapulars, candles, etc.) will be provided. All activities will begin and end in the church.

The statue will also remain in the church throughout the day for parishioners to come and pray.

For details, go to the parish’s website: www.stmarknc.org.

— Catholic News Herald

Your daily Scripture readings OCT. 15-21

Sunday: Isaiah 25:6-10, Philippians 4:12-14, 1920, Matthew 22:1-14; Monday (St. Hedwig, St. Margaret Mary Alocoque): Romans 1:1-7, Luke 11:29-32; Tuesday (St. Ignatius of Antioch): Romans 1:16-25, Luke 11:37-41; Wednesday (St. Luke): 2 Timothy 4:10-17, Luke 10:1-9; Thursday (Sts. John de Brebeuf and Isaac Jogues and Companions): Romans 3:21-30, Luke 11:47-54; Friday (St. Paul of the Cross): Romans 4:1-8, Luke 12:1-7; Saturday: Romans 4:13, 16-18, Luke 12:8-12

OCT. 22-28

Sunday: Isaiah 45:1, 4-6, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5, Matthew 22:15-21; Monday (St. John of Capistrano): Romans 4:20-25, Luke 1:69-75, Luke 12:13-21; Tuesday (St. Anthony Mary Claret): Romans 5:12, 15, 17-21, Luke 12:35-38; Wednesday: Romans 6:12-18, Luke 12:39-48; Thursday: Romans 6:19-23, Luke 12:49-53; Friday: Romans 7:18-25, Luke 12:54-59; Saturday (Sts. Simon and Jude): Ephesians 2:19-22, Luke 6:12-16

OCT. 29 - NOV. 4

Sunday: Exodus 22:20-26, 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10, Matthew 22:34-40; Monday: Romans 8:12-17, Luke 13:10-17; Tuesday: Romans 8:1825, Luke 13:18-21; Wednesday (All Saints): Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14, 1 John 3:1-3, Matthew 5:1-12; Thursday (All Souls’ Day): Wisdom 3:1-9, Romans 5:5-11, John 6:37-40; Friday (St. Martin de Porres): Romans 9:1-5, Luke 14:1-6; Saturday (St. Charles Borromeo): Romans 11:1-2, 11-12, 25-29, Luke 14:1, 7-11

Our parishes

October 13, 2017 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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Diocese found compliant with child protection audit CHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte has again passed an annual independent audit of its child protection procedures.

The yearly audit conducted in August by Stonebridge Business Partners of Rochester, N.Y., monitors U.S. dioceses’ compliance with the U.S. bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, which addresses the Church’s commitment to respond effectively, appropriately and compassionately to cases of abuse of minors by clergy or other Church personnel.

The diocese’s efforts to ensure the protection of children include criminal background checks and educational awareness programs on recognizing and preventing abuse. Auditors have found the Charlotte diocese in compliance with the Charter every year since its inception.

In the previous fiscal year (July 1, 2016, to June 30, 2017), the diocese conducted 4,068 background checks, which are required for all clergy, religious, employees and volunteers.

Since 2002, more than 48,900 adults have also received training in the safe environment awareness program entitled “Protecting God’s Children.”

Last fiscal year, the diocese held 167 “Protecting God’s Children” workshops for 3,517 participants.

“Protecting God’s Children” helps adults learn to recognize the warning signs of abuse and the many ways that sexual abuse harms victims, families, parishes and communities. It teaches them appropriate ways to respond to suspicious behaviors and how they can help to prevent abuse.

The diocese has invested about $1.2 million over the past 13 fiscal years in the training program to prevent abuse.

The cost of these various child protection measures and the compliance review totaled $112,774 during the previous fiscal year.

The diocese provided financial assistance to, or on behalf of victims, totaling $9,540, all of which was for counseling and medical services. The diocese also incurred costs in connection with sexual misconduct lawsuits totaling $34,801.

Diocesan insurance funds and the diocesan general fund were used for payment. As in the past, none of these funds came from the Diocesan Support Appeal or from parish savings.

— Catholic News Herald

(Left) Deacon Michael Goad holds the Book of the Gospels during Mass Sept.

23 to celebrate St. Gabriel Church’s 60th anniversary.

(Above) more scenes from the Mass and the picnic festivities afterwards.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY JOHN ACKERMAN, ANNA EYL AND DARBY MCCLATCHY

St. Gabriel Church celebrates 60th anniversary DARBY MCCLATCHY SPECIAL TO THE CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

CHARLOTTE — In a humble brick building 60 years ago, 175 families gathered to celebrate the first Mass at St. Gabriel Church. The property had been purchased for just $100 and was a mile outside of Charlotte’s 1957 city limits. Consecrated to the service of God and named after the Archangel Gabriel, the parish has seen remarkable growth and changes in its six decades.

Within just 20 years, the parish population swelled to 1,400 families and was the largest in North Carolina. A church expansion, and later a significantly bigger church and other campus buildings, accommodated the growth. Today, more than 3,330 families call St. Gabriel home, with seven Sunday Masses, more than 80 ministries, and 1,050 children in its faith formation program.

On a beautiful evening last month, the parish celebrated its 60th anniversary with a special Mass and food truck picnic. The Sept.

23 liturgy featured all five of St. Gabriel’s choirs, including its adult and youth choirs, New Spirit Ensemble, Alegria Hispanic choir and handbell choir. Joyous hymns in English and Spanish reflected the diversity of the parish and underscored that St. Gabriel Parish belongs to all.

Homilist Deacon Michael Goad noted, “How far we have come and yet as a church how much there is for us yet to do in our Father’s

vineyard.

To whom much is given, much is required.

Whether you’ve just joined St. Gabriel or whether you’re a founding member, this is your church, this house of God is These archive photos show Mass being your home. celebrated in the 1960s, and students May the at St. Gabriel School in 1964.

Holy Spirit continue to lead and guide us. May we be worthy of our calling as a people of God and of God’s continued blessings upon us. And may Almighty God complete the work He has begun in each one of us and in those we seek to serve.”

After Mass, parishioners young and old enjoyed a food truck picnic in the church’s courtyard with many staying well past sunset. Father Gabriel Carvajal-Salazar, parochial vicar, and Alegria choir leader Manuel Esquivel entertained with accordion and guitar, and “selfies with the Archangel

Gabriel” were popular for all ages.

“A truly glorious celebration” and “We should do this again!” were sentiments echoed by many.

In reflecting on the parish’s 60th anniversary, Father Frank O’Rourke, pastor, shared, “How blessed we are to join as a community of faith in celebrating our parish’s 60th anniversary. Under the patronage of the Archangel Gabriel, we – and those who came before us – are invited to be messengers of the Good News of Jesus Christ.

“With gratitude, we reflect on our humble beginnings in a small brick building, where a cafeteria table served as the altar for the 175 families who gathered for Mass. Today, we are a vibrant parish of 3,335 families with numerous ministries that connect us and help us to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.

“What a legacy we share! I know you join me in giving thanks to the Lord for the generosity of Spirit evident in all who worship, serve and seek to grow in faith in our parish of St. Gabriel. Truly, the Holy Spirit continues to gather the faithful here!

“May we keep the flame of faith alive in our hearts as we answer the call to ‘go out to all the world to tell the Good News’ (Mark 16:15).

We count ourselves blessed in the legacy that is ours. May we, too, ‘proclaim the greatness of the Lord’ (Luke 1:46) in this, our time.”

DARBY MCCLATCHY is the communications coordinator at St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte.

UPcoming events 4

catholicnewsherald.com | October 13, 2017 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Bishop Peter J. Jugis will participate in the following upcoming events: OCT. 13 – 10 A.M. Diocesan Finance Council Meeting Pastoral Center, Charlotte

OCT. 17 – 6 P.M. Sacrament of Confirmation St. Barnabas Church, Arden

OCT. 22 – 2:30 P.M. Holy Mass for Wedding Anniversary Couples and Families St. John Neumann Church, Charlotte

OCT. 14 – 6 P.M. Seminarian Education Campaign Bishop’s Residence, Charlotte

OCT. 19 – 6:30 P.M. MiraVia Banquet Charlotte Convention Center, Charlotte

OCT. 24 – 2 P.M. Diocesan Building Commission Meeting Pastoral Center, Charlotte

OCT. 15 – 2:30 P.M. Holy Mass for Catholic Heritage Society St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte

OCT. 20 – 6 P.M. Sacrament of Confirmation St. Joan of Arc Church, Candler

OCT. 26 – 6 P.M. Sacrament of Confirmation Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Monroe

25TH & 50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY MASS: 2:15 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22, at St. John Neumann Church, 8451 Idlewild Road, Charlotte. If you were married during 1967 or 1992, you and your family are invited to the annual diocesan anniversary Mass. Reception to follow. To receive an invitation, you must call your parish office to register.

p.m. For details go to www.alanames.org.

Diocesan calendar of events October 13, 2017

ESPAÑOL

Volume 27 • NUMBER 1

Carrera Antorcha Guadalupana: 6 p.m. Jueves, Noviembre 16 en la Iglesia de St. James, 139 Manor Ave., Concord. Ven con nosotros para recibir la Morena de Tepeyac y San Juan Diego junto a la “luz de la esperanza” que viene directamente desde la Basílica de Guadalupe en la Ciudad de México. Para más información, llamar a 704-965-1290.

1123 S. CHURCH ST. CHARLOTTE, N.C. 28203-4003 catholicnews@charlottediocese.org

704-370-3333

INFORMATIONAL PROGRAMS 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

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.

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CAREGIVER WORKSHOPS IN YOUR NEIGHBOR, ‘CARE FOR THE CAREGIVER’: Tuesday, October 17, 2 - 3:30 p.m. Holy Family Catholic Church, 4820 Kinnamon Road, Winston-Salem and 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 17, St. Leo the Great Church, 335 Springdale Avenue, WinstonSalem. Care for the Caregiver is an opportunity to find out about services available to caregivers and about Project C.A.R.E. (Caregiver Alternatives to Running on Empty). The presenters for the workshop will be Teresa Jackson, Piedmont Triad Regional Council Area Agency on Aging – Family Caregiver Program Support Specialist and Karen Phoenix, Western Piedmont Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging - Project C.A.R.E. Family Consultant. For details and registration, contact Sandra Breakfield at 704-370-3220 or email sabreakfield@charlottediocese.org.

‘PRICELESS, SHE’S WORTH FIGHTING FOR’: 6:30-9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, at St. Gabriel Church, 3016 Providence Road, Charlotte. Learn more about human trafficking in the community and enjoy a free movie to build awareness. To RSVP or get more information, email Tammy at Tammy.RedeemingJoy@gmail.com. Donations will be accepted to benefit survivors of trafficking.

NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING NFP INTRODUCTION AND FULL COURSE: 1-5 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 21, at St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy., Charlotte. 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 704-3703230.

PRAYER SERVICES & GROUPS PRO-LIFE ROSARY: 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, at 901 North Main St. and Sunset Drive, High Point. Come and help us pray for the end of abortion, and invite anyone else who would support this important cause. Anyone who would have difficulty standing for 15-20 minutes is welcome to bring a folding chair. Outdoors, rain or shine. For details, call Jim Hoyng at 336-882-9593 or Paul Klosterman at 336-848-6835.

CATECHETICAL TALK AND LITURGY FOR THE UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC MISSION OF CANTON: 3:30 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 14, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Mission, 42 Newfound St., Canton. Topics include: “Foundations of the Spiritual Life” and “The Spirituality of the Heart,” based on material in the Ukrainian Catholic Catechism, Christ Our Pascha. 5 p.m., Vespers and Typica with Holy Communion. For details, go to www. ukrainiancatholicmissionofcantonnc.weebly.com.

PONTIFICAL LATIN MASS: 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, St. Ann Church, 3635 Park Road, Charlotte. A Pontifical Mass in the Extraordinary Form, which is offered by a bishop or a cardinal, will be offered by Bishop Athanasius Schneider, ORC, the Auxiliary Bishop of Astana, Kazakhstan. He will preach on the doctrine of the Kingship of Christ. It will be the first Pontifical Latin Mass offered in the diocese since 1985. All are welcome to attend. A reception will follow in the parish’s Allen Center. Hosted by the Charlotte Latin Mass Community and St. Ann Parish. For details, email Mike FitzGerald at info@charlottelatinmass.org or visit www. charlottelatinmass.org/bishopschneider.

ST. PEREGRINE HEALING PRAYER SERVICE: 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 26, at St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy., Charlotte. St. Peregrine is the patron saint of cancer and grave diseases. The healing prayer service will be offered for all those suffering with cancer or other diseases. For details, call the parish office at 704-543-7677.

CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF FATIMA: 7:30 p.m. the 13th of each month from May to October, at St. Michael the Archangel Church, 708 St. Michael’s Lane, Gastonia. All are invited to the recitation of the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary, outdoor candlelight procession and small reception.

For details, call the church office at 704-867-6212.

SEMINARS & RETREATS RACHEL’S VINEYARD WEEKEND RETREAT: Oct. 20-22 in the Greensboro area. Rachel’s Vineyard can help men and women who have experienced abortion begin their healing journey. It creates a healing environment of prayer and forgiveness. The retreat works to reconnect people to themselves, their friends and family after having an abortion. For details, email Jackie Childers jackie.childers1@gmail.com.

SAFE ENVIRONMENT TRAINING “Protecting God’s Children” workshops are intended to educate parish volunteers to recognize and prevent sexual abuse. For details, contact your parish office. To register and confirm workshop times, go to www.virtus. org. Upcoming workshops are: CHARLOTTE: 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18, St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy.

LIFE IN THE SPIRIT SEMINAR: Oct. 27-29. 8 p.m. Mass, Friday, Oct. 27, at Our Lady of Mercy Church, 1730 Link Road, Winston-Salem; 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, and 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29, at Holy Family Church, 4820 Kinnamon Road, Winston-Salem. The Life in the Spirit Seminar is an evangelization tool for a renewed life that will help us to have a deeper personal relationship with the Lord and fuller experience of the Spirit in our lives. For details, call Aimee Pena at 336893-9534 or Lith Golamco at 732-453-4279.

HENDERSONVILLE: 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, Immaculate Conception Church, 208 Seventh Ave. West

MEN’S EVENING OF REFLECTION, ‘BEER, BRATS & BELIEF’: 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27 at St. Paul the Apostle Church, 2715 Horse Pen Creek Rd., Greensboro. Evening includes Mass, reflection by visiting Legionary of Christ priest and complimentary dinner. Hosted by Triad Men’s Regnum Christi Team. To register, visit www. mensreflection.eventbrite.com.

MINT HILL: 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, and 9 a.m.

Saturday, Oct. 28, St. Luke Church, 13700 Lawyers Road

WOMEN’S MORNING OF REFLECTION, ‘BREAKFAST & BELIEF’: 8:45 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 28 at St. Paul the Apostle Church, 2715 Horse Pen Creek Road, Greensboro.

Morning includes Mass, reflection by visiting Legionary of Christ priest and complimentary breakfast. Hosted

by Triad Women’s Regnum Christi Team. For details, visit www.womensreflection.eventbrite.com.

HEALING PRAYER SERVICES WITH ALAN AMES: Monday-Wednesday, Nov. 6-8. International speaker and Catholic author Alan Ames will visit three parishes in the Charlotte metro area over three consecutive evenings. Mass each evening, followed by a talk by Ames and a healing prayer service. On Nov. 6 he will be at St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy., Charlotte. Mass is at 7 p.m. On Nov. 7 he will be at St. John Neumann Church, 8451 Idlewild Road, Charlotte.

Mass is at 6:30 p.m. On Nov. 8 he will be at St. Mark Church, 14740 Stumptown Road, Huntersville. Mass is at 7

KERNERSVILLE: 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, Holy Cross Church, 616 South Cherry St. LENOIR: 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, St. Francis of Assisi Church, 328-B Woodsway Lane N.W. LEXINGTON: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, and 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 24, Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 619 South Main St.

Correction A student’s name was misspelled in the Sept. 29 article “Charlotte Catholic announces President’s Volunteer Service Award winners.”

We regret the error.

Taylor Wooton was among more than 50 Charlotte Catholic High School students who recently received the President’s Volunteer Service Gold Award. The award recognizes individuals, families and groups who have achieved a certain standard, which is measured by the number of hours of service over a 12-month period, or cumulative hours earned over the course of a lifetime. The Gold Award is presented to those who are aged 16-18 and have performed more than 250 service hours. It is also presented to those who are aged 14-15 and have volunteered more than 100 hours.

— Catholic News Herald

October 13, 2017 | catholicnewsherald.com

OUR PARISHESI

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World Mission Sunday collection set for Oct. 21-22

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY CATHOLIC CHARITIES DIOCESE OF CHARLOTTE

Catholic Charities staff lend a hand in Houston HOUSTON — Leaders from Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte took time out while attending the annual gathering of Catholic Charities USA in Houston Sept. 28-30 to aid victims of Hurricane Harvey in the region.

They were part of a team of more than 50 Catholic Charities colleagues from around the United States who helped at a Houston warehouse sorting, boxing and loading donations of food, cleaning supplies and hygiene products to distribute to people affected by the hurricane in the Houston and Beaumont, Texas, areas.

They also joined CCUSA’s Mobile Disaster Response Unit at a north Houston neighborhood that was hit particularly hard by Hurricane Harvey, which cut a swath through Texas and Louisiana in late August. The Category 4 storm dumped more than 40 inches of rain in four days, which caused unprecedented flooding that damaged hundreds of thousands of homes, killed more than 80 people and displaced more than 30,000 people. The neighborhood where Catholic Charities staff spent time had been flooded, and residents’ drinking water was contaminated. Volunteers canvassed the area distributing food, water, diapers, cleaning supplies and personal care items.

“I am humbled and blessed to be a part of the body of Catholic Charities USA as we’re all going to work for Houston. It’s a very humbling experience to be here to support and to reach out to our brothers and sisters, and to do just what we can, to help to ease a bit of the challenges that they’re facing. We want the folks of Houston to know that we support you, we stand with you, and we’re just happy to be here,” said Sharon Davis, social work/program assurance director for Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte, while out in the north Houston neighborhood.

Dr. Gerard Carter, executive director of

Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte, said after their return from Houston: “Two images still stand out in my mind as I surveyed the destruction left in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. One was seeing children’s toys spread out on the ground beside a trailer just waiting to be carried off to the dump. The other was seeing people’s clothing simply littering the roadway, being run over by cars

as part of the debris that was everywhere. I know that many people lost even more, but in that yard and on that street the human component of this hurricane was just so clear and so sad. At the same time, I was very proud to be part of the national Catholic Charities response because our agency staff were, in a very small way, able to offer comfort and hope to those in need.”

CHARLOTTE — In his message for World Mission Sunday on Oct. 22, Pope Francis reminds the faithful that mission is at the heart of the Christian faith.

“World Mission Day, promoted by the Society of the Propagation of the Faith, is a good opportunity for enabling the missionary heart of Christian communities to join in prayer, testimony of life and communion of goods, in responding to the vast and pressing needs of evangelization,” he said.

Promoted by the Pontifical Mission Societies, World Mission Sunday is the annual worldwide Eucharistic celebration for the Missions and missionaries of the world.

The special second collection taken up during Masses Oct. 21-22 is a global effort for the entire Church to provide for the building up of more than 1,000 local churches in Asia, Africa, the Pacific Islands and parts of Latin America and Europe.

Through the work of these churches and their witness to Christ, the poor receive practical help and experience God’s love and mercy, His hope and peace.

“The Pontifical Mission Societies are a precious means of awakening in every Christian community a desire to reach beyond its own confines and security in order to proclaim the Gospel to all,” Pope Francis explained.

“In them, thanks to a profound missionary spirituality, nurtured daily, and a constant commitment to raising missionary awareness and enthusiasm, young people, adults, families, priests, bishops and men and women religious work to develop a missionary heart in everyone.”

The Holy Father added, “World Mission Day, promoted by the Society of the Propagation of the Faith, is a good opportunity for enabling the missionary heart of Christian communities to join in prayer, testimony of life and communion of goods, in responding to the vast and pressing needs of evangelization.”

For more information about the Pontifical Missions Societies, go to www.propfaith.net/ onefamilyinmission/default.aspx.

— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter.

Pontifical Mission Societies contributed.

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catholicnewsherald.com | October 13, 2017 OUR PARISHES

Respect Life Sunday draws hundreds out to pray for sanctity of all human life Hundreds of Catholics across the Diocese of Charlotte took to the streets after Mass Oct. 1 to publicly stand up for life.

Respect Life Sunday, which marks the start of the U.S. bishops’ observance of Respect Life Month in October,

brought people out to busy thoroughfares in the big cities as well as small towns to form “Life Chains” as a public witness for the dignity of all human life, from conception to natural death.

Pictured are parishioners and clergy from Brevard,

Charlotte, Forest City, Greensboro, Hickory, Huntersville, Kernersville and Mint Hill.

PHOTOS BY SUEANN HOWELL, AMY BURGER, PAUL DOIZE, DAVID FOPPE, LISA GERACI, DORICE NARINS, GIULIANA RILEY, BOBBY SPEERS AND DEBBIE DIXON

October 13, 2017 | catholicnewsherald.com

OUR PARISHESI

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Asheville, Concord communities mourn youths’ deaths Asheville community rallies to support family KIMBERLY BENDER ONLINE REPORTER

ASHEVILLE — The Catholic community in Asheville has bonded together to bring love, support and help after a tragic crash Sept. 26 took the lives of two Arden brothers.

Asheville Catholic School student William Gibbs, 10, and his brother who also had attended the school, O’Brien Gibbs, 13, died when the car they were riding in veered off Mills Gap Road and struck a tree. Their older brother and their mother, Jo Gibbs Landreth, were injured.

In the days following the crash, a Go Fund Me campaign set up by Asheville Catholic School has raised $150,000 to help the family, but that’s not all the community has done, said Principal Michael Miller.

“The Asheville Catholic School broader community has been extremely supportive of certainly the family involved, and also of the school,” Miller said.

“The community’s response has been more than anyone could have asked for or expected.

It’s very inspiring and comforting on many levels.”

He said it was tough on all of the staff and students to hear the news, especially the boys’ classmates. Diocese of Charlotte Schools Superintendent Dr. Janice Ritter “mobilized” counselors from other schools, and the morning after the tragedy they were on hand at Asheville Catholic School to talk to students and staff, Miller said.

In the days that followed, families of students dropped in to offer encouragement

and brought treats to brighten everyone’s day, he added. “A million little things by one and all to help us all get through the loss.”

From counseling to financial planning, members of the community have also offered their individual expertise to the family affected. A family with an extra vehicle has even given Landreth a car to use until she is able to get a replacement vehicle, Miller said.

Asheville Middle School, where Landreth works, has coordinated a meal train with Asheville Catholic School and with assistance from their fellow parishioners at St. Barnabas Church in Arden, who are making desserts for the family.

“All three of the boys were altar servers – the oldest still is,” said Father Adrian Porras, pastor of St. Barnabas Church. “It’s a big loss for our community, and it’s felt when we celebrate Mass.”

Parishioners have reached out in many ways to Landreth, who is also active in the parish, he said. When things settle down, the parish will be there to continue providing support, he said.

As the Asheville Catholic School community moves forward, Miller said, students are already making plans to remember their classmate, William.

The robotics team, as part of this year’s competition, has plans to construct a rain garden in his honor, Miller said.

There has also been a donation set up for a drama scholarship at the school in his name.

Through the outcry of love and support, Miller said what is needed now most is prayer.

He asks that everyone continue to pray for healing.

Concord community grieves loss of two teenagers CONCORD — St. James the Greater Parish has been in mourning after a hit-and-run accident claimed the lives of Concord High School students Jessie Marroquin Avelino, 14, and Ricardo Solano, 15.

Concord police have charged driver Francisco Daniel Marin-Gonzalez, 21, with several counts including felony hit-and-run and felony death by motor vehicle, according to local news reports.

Police said Gonzalez fled the scene after hitting and killing the teenagers the night of Sept. 30 as they crossed Concord Parkway North near Liske Avenue. He remains in the Cabarrus County jail under a $1 million secured bond.

Church members grieved for the youths’ deaths during a funeral held Oct. 5 at St. James Church.

In his homily, Redemptorist Father Fabio de Jesus Maron Morales, said, “Ricardo and Jessie: those sons, those brothers, those friends are now in the hands of God. In those hands that have created them and also created us, in those hands in which one day when our pilgrimage on this earth is over, we will also be. There, we will all together be able to enjoy the presence of God. “These young boys are now with God. So now we have to accompany them with our prayers and remembrance, united with Jesus Christ who died and rose again for us. This departure, aside from the hurt that it causes to the broken heart, will make us think of the

joy in finding the presence of our Lord.”

He read from Wisdom 3:1-9: “The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace...”

In the wake of the sudden tragedy, counselors and crisis response team members were on hand at Concord High School when students returned to school Oct. 2. Students wore white to honor their classmates, WBTV reported Oct. 2.

“I was speechless,” Leslie Moreno told WBTV. “I didn’t know what to do or say.”

Moreno, who was friends with Avelino, said she will miss him. “He was just so caring and kind,” she said.

The victims’ friend and recent Concord High graduate Yara Quezada started a fundraising campaign on YouCaring to collect funds to cover the families’ funeral costs. Earlier this week the campaign exceeded its goal of $6,000, raising a total of $6,766.

“The families are grieving and the last thing they should worry about is money. I hope that we will be able to come together in the midst of this tragedy to help out two young Spiders who were taken from us too young,” Quezada wrote.

— Catholic News Herald

Local youth promote a ‘civilization of love’ SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

HUNTERSVILLE — A 14-year-old with “the voice of an angel” and a choir of youth aged 9 to 14 are softening hearts with their pro-life message one song at a time.

They are the face of the D3 Foundation’s efforts to share Christian art and music focused on God’s love for all, especially the most vulnerable among us such as the preborn, the sick, the poor and the elderly.

The youth are lending their talents to pro-life songs and videos, hoping to change hearts and minds about abortion.

Their first song, “Let Me Live,” was recorded last summer and includes a video. Their latest song, “We Stand,” is also now available.

The D3 Foundation was created six months ago, a labor of love of Doug Abell Sr. He is a retired psychiatric nurse and a parishioner of St. Mark Church. Since retiring and moving to North Carolina, he and his wife joined the parish’s Respect Life Ministry and have regularly prayed outside local abortion facilities.

Abell named the non-profit outreach D3 in honor of the three generations of his family – himself, his son and his grandson, all named Doug – volunteering to spread the Gospel message of life through the work of the foundation.

“What we are trying to do is promote Christian ideas… mostly by our youth,” Abell explains. “When people see these (songs and videos) we want them to feel something.

We want them to think and we want them to change their minds.

“We basically want to change hearts and minds on what abortion is…We’re not condemning anyone. We just want to change hearts and minds.”

Abell and the foundation seek students interested in using their God-given gifts to write, sing, draw and perform in Christian art and music productions to be shared with the community. Projects are funded through donations of time, talent and treasure of individual and community sponsors.

All proceeds received by the D3 Foundation from these projects are reinvested in its three-fold mission to support

PHOTO PROVIDED BY DOUG ABELL SR.

Youth from St. Mark Church volunteering their vocal talents for the D3 Foundation take a break from recording pro-life music last summer. the production of Christian art and music projects; support teachers at Catholic schools in need of financial assistance for personal or professional development; and offer tuition assistance for students and their families who desire a Catholic education.

Abell says the idea to express ways to convert hearts on abortion came from promptings of the Holy Spirit. “I kept seeing children I thought were aborted children. I wrote a book of poetry on that called “The House Behind the Trees, Poems for the Aborted Child.”

He believes his poems sound like songs, so he thought it would be good to have children sing them. He wrote the lyrics and one day when he was at Mass at St. Mark Church thinking about who could sing the songs, he heard Rebekah Martinez cantoring at Mass. He asked his wife who she was.

“It was almost like on cue, Rebekah started singing. She

has a great voice and it’s only getting better,” he says. “At that moment at Mass I thought, ‘You were sent from heaven!’”

Martinez, 14, is happy to volunteer to be part of the prolife efforts of the foundation.

“It’s a really great thing we are doing,” she says. “It’s amazing that so many people want to do this for the same reason. We all want to save babies, to save their lives. We all want this to end. We want to do this together.”

Sisters Bella and Bree Spaedy, 13 and 11, are lending their voices on the recordings. Bella says she is part of this outreach to “use my voice to spread awareness about the terrible evil of abortion.” And Bree says she also wants “to do my part in helping to stop abortion.”

Other backup singers include Elizabeth and Mollie Obermiller, 14 and 12.

Elizabeth says, “I wanted to be a part of this because it’s important that I speak out against abortion. It’s sad and wrong that people who never got the chance to live could have contributed to the world in amazing and beautiful ways.

Mollie explains that she wanted to be part of D3 Foundation’s projects because people need to hear the prolife message in this beautiful way.

“I hope when people hear us sing these songs, they are encouraged to pray to end abortion. One small organization like D3 Foundation can make a difference.”

Fifteen young people from the parish are currently signed up to volunteer their talents for upcoming projects to bring about a “civilization of love,” as promoted by St. John Paul II. “We’re looking for kids who are artists too. We are looking for good pro-life art,” he explains.

D3 Foundation’s initial single, “Let Me Live,” launched on iTunes and Amazon. The “Let Me Live” video is on YouTube and the D3 Foundation website. A second single, “We Stand,” is now available.

Martinez, lead vocalist on the songs, says she hopes that when people hear it, they get the good out of it.

“I want people to listen and see the video and I want them to think and know that it can change someone’s life.

It can save someone’s life.”

For more information, to donate or to listen to the prolife songs, go to www.d3foundationnc.org.

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catholicnewsherald.com | October 13, 2017 OUR PARISHES

Welcoming autumn, Vietnamese style!

PHOTOS BY JOHN COSMAS | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

CHARLOTTE — Parishioners at St. Joseph Vietnamese Church celebrated the start of the season with their Fall Festival Sept. 29-Oct. 1. The three-day festival included traditional Vietnamese food, music, carnival-style

games, prizes, fireworks, and, of course, the amazing Hidden Dragon Lion Dance team.

October 13, 2017 | catholicnewsherald.com

OUR PARISHESI

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JOE THORNTON | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Festivals enliven parish life THOMASVILLE — The annual celebration of Our Lady of the Highways Day was held Sept. 24. Our Lady of the Highways Day started in 1989 from a suggestion made by the administrator of Pennybyrn at Maryfield, Sister Lucy Hennessy, who felt that the parish’s children were missing out by not having a parish celebration in honor of their patron saint, Mary.

Over the years that have followed, Our Lady of the Highways Day has become a yearly tradition for parish members and friends. A combined bilingual Mass was celebrated outside on the church grounds, where under clear skies a rainbow encircled the sun over the church. Everyone enjoyed the food and fellowship.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY JOSEPH PURELLO

(Above) Keynote presenter Dixie Shaw addresses attendees during the recent Bishop Begley Conference on Appalachia. (Below) Workshop presenter Patricia Tuscany of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Franklin speaks about the parish food pantry she helped to start and coordinated for 16 years.

Conference highlights food insecurity in western North Carolina JOSEPH PURELLO SPECIAL TO THE CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

PHOTO PROVIDED BY LISA CASH

MOORESVILLE — Hundreds of parishioners turned out at St. Thérèse Church recently to enjoy a Feast Day Festival that was full of fun, food and fellowship.

Parish ministries sponsored games and activities, including a “Wheel of Faith” of fun facts about the parish’s priests, a pie eating contest (which new parochial vicar Father Henry Tutuwan won), corn hole and more.

WINSTON-SALEM — Parishioners at Our Lady of Mercy Church recently enjoyed a “Fiesta-val” on the church grounds. The Sept. 24 event commemorating the parish’s patronal feast day included great food, games, entertainment and fellowship.

Pictured are Hermann Garcia and Rosa Crisostomo.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY OUR LADY OF MERCY CHURCH

CRAIG ALLEN | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

MURPHY ­— St. William Church recently held its fourth annual Cajun Fest serving authentic Cajun food, including crawfish étouffée, shrimp, jambalaya and fish. The annual fundraiser draws hundreds of people from the entire community to sample the food prepared by the St. William Men’s Club. Live music was also provided. This year, parishioners especially welcomed Florida residents temporarily displaced by Hurricane Irma.

HAYESVILLE — Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte’s eighth Bishop Begley Conference on Appalachia (BBCA) was recently held at Hayesville First United Methodist Church.

The conference brought together an ecumenical audience of more than 40 people to address food insecurity in far western North Carolina through learning, prayer and the distribution of small grants. The keynote presenter was Dixie Shaw, program director of Hunger and Relief Services of Catholic Charities Maine. Shaw spoke about numerous creative ways she has marshalled resources to fight food insecurity in northern Maine’s Aroostook County, and the web of partnerships she has developed to ally with Catholic Charities in this work. For example, through the Catholic Charities Maine “Farm for Me” program, the agency provides 24 food pantries in Aroostook County with fresh vegetables thanks to food grown on the program’s six acres, partnerships with local farmers, and a partnership with a local micro-processing company which flash-freezes the harvest surplus for distribution during winter months.

Other sessions at the Bishop Begley Conference on Appalachia provided a reflection on the parish-based food pantry at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Franklin which has assisted those in need in Macon County for 17 years; looked more in depth at the extent of food insecurity in the 16 counties of far western North Carolina through data provided by Asheville-based Manna Food Bank; and offered advocacy tips to address food insecurity through the shaping of public policy.

Manna Food Bank is a non-profit that works with 229 community-based agencies and food assistance programs in 16 western North Carolina counties, including the food pantries operated by Catholic Charities in Asheville and St. Francis of Assisi Church in Franklin.

Sobering information was shared at the conference, such as: 13,000 people each week seek food assistance in western North Carolina, and just over 42 percent of these people are children or seniors; an estimated four out of five households assisted by Manna partnering agencies live on less than $20,000 a year; and nationally, North Carolina ranks 11th in the nation in childhood food insecurity with 26.7 percent of children struggling to have access to three meals a day (2014 Map the Meal Gap Study).

Also at the conference, Catholic Charities Far West Growing Opportunities Grants totaling $16,000 were distributed to seven non-profit organizations and ministries combating food insecurity in the four counties of Cherokee, Clay, Graham and Swain.

Funded projects included three food pantries, three community gardens, and a non-profit assisting people facing both low income and diabetes to receive health appropriate food assistance.

Go to www.ccdoc.org/fwnc to find more information about this conference, resources on food insecurity, and the Catholic Charities Far West Growing Opportunities Grant Program and this year’s grant recipients.

JOSEPH PURELLO is the director of Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte’s Office of Social Concerns and Advocacy.

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catholicnewsherald.com | October 13, 2017 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief Pontifical Latin Mass to be offered CHARLOTTE — The Charlotte Latin Mass Community and St. Ann Parish in Charlotte will host Bishop Athanasius Schneider, ORC, for a special Pontifical Latin Mass (Mass in the Extraordinary Form) at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26. Bishop Schneider is the auxiliary bishop of Astana, Kazakhstan, and one of the foremost defenders of the faith in the Church today. He will preach on the doctrine of the Kingship of Christ. A Pontifical Mass in the Extraordinary Form is one offered by a bishop or a cardinal, and will be the first Pontifical Latin Mass offered in the Diocese of Charlotte since 1985. All are welcome to attend this historic event.

A reception will follow in the parish’s Allen Center. St. Ann Church is located at 3635 Park Road in Charlotte. For details, email Mike FitzGerald at info@charlottelatinmass. org or visit www.charlottelatinmass.org/ bishopschneider.

Alan Ames coming for prayer, healing services Nov. 6-8 CHARLOTTE — Alan Ames, a layman who travels the world sharing his powerful

conversion story and his gift of healing, will visit three parishes in the Charlotte area Nov. 6-8.

Each evening will begin with Mass and will be followed by a talk by Ames and then a time of prayer and a healing service.

Ames, who lives in Australia, last visited the diocese in November 2015.

He was born in London in 1953. In his youth, he was a member of a motorcycle gang, on a path full of violence and alcohol. After he was married, Ames moved to Australia with his family. The turning point of his life happened in 1993 when Alan saw his past life displayed before him and experienced how his sins and wrong ways had hurt God. He saw how Jesus offered him forgiveness from the cross. After some struggles, Ames accepted the forgiveness offered by Jesus. The Lord helped him to come back to the sacraments and to the Church and changed his hatred and pain into love. Later, God called him to be one of His witnesses, sent to carry God’s love into the world. He has brought hope and blessing to hundreds of thousands of people worldwide – the hope and blessing which he himself draws from his sacramental relationship of love with the Trinitarian God. On Monday, Nov. 6, Ames will be at St. Matthew Church, located at 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy. in Charlotte. Mass will begin at 7 p.m.

On Tuesday, Nov. 7, he will be at St. John Neumann Church, located at 8451 Idlewild Road in Charlotte. Mass will begin at 6:30 p.m.

On Wednesday, Nov. 8, he will be at St. Mark Church, located at 14740 Stumptown Road in Huntersville. Mass will begin at 6:30 p.m.

THE ORATORY

Center for Spirituality

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

(803) 327-2097

rockhilloratory.net

oratorycenter@gmail.com

A talk and healing service by Ames will be held immediately after Mass each evening.

For more information about Ames and his healing ministry, go to www.alanames.org.

— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter; www.alanames. org contributed.

Couple marks 65th anniversary REIDSVILLE — Steve and Joan Zdanski of Reidsville recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.

They were married on Aug. 30, 1952, at Sacred Heart Church in Neffs, Ohio. They are blessed with seven children, five grandchildren and a great-grandson. A Mass was celebrated at Holy Infant Church in Reidsville, where they are members, followed by a reception and dinner at the Elks Club hosted by their children.

Rice Bowl Mini-Grant applications now available CHARLOTTE — The Fall 2017 round of CRS Rice Bowl Mini-Grants, sponsored by Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte, is now open.

Does your parish help run a food pantry, operate a thrift store, or sponsor an emergency services program? If so, consider applying for a CRS Rice Bowl Mini-Grant for up to $1,000.

Grants will be accepted through the postmark deadline of Monday, Oct. 16.

Information about these grants (including application, guidelines and eligibility) is available at www.ccdoc.org/cchdcrs.

Last year, 11 CRS Rice Bowl Mini-Grants were awarded to Catholic entities to support local poverty and hunger relief efforts in the cities of Albemarle, Andrews, Charlotte, Clemmons,

Gastonia, Greensboro, Mocksville, Morganton, Murphy and Spruce Pine.

Questions? Email jtpurello@charlottediocese. org.

Holy Angels staff member earns national recognition BELMONT — Holy Angels staff member Nick Breaux has been selected for Pi Kappa Phi’s Thirty Under 30 honor – recognizing the national fraternity’s most promising young alumni for their achievements following their undergraduate careers. Breaux received his award from Pi Kappa Phi at the recent Journey of Hope visit.

Breaux has been employed at Holy Angels since May 2016, starting as a program instructor at Belhaven, an ICF-IIDD group home.

Earlier this year, he was promoted and now serves as one of the four campus managers, providing the leadership and supervision for the direct support professional staff. They ensure that each home and area have adequate staff to work with the residents.

“Nick brings a lot of heart and passion for the mission of Holy Angels and the residents who live here,” said Regina Moody, Holy Angels’ president and CEO. Before working at Holy Angels, Breaux worked with the Ability Experience for five years, working with the Pi Kappa Phi chapters to improve philanthropy programming. The Ability Experience is the national philanthropy for Pi Kappa Phi (both national headquarters are located in Charlotte). Their purpose is not only instilling lifelong service, but also enhancing the lives of people with intellectual developmental disabilities.

Breaux graduated from Northwestern State University and later earned a Master of Arts in Christian leadership and organization leadership from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Charlotte.

— Sister Nancy Nance

The Prophets of the Old Testament Thursday, November 9 or Saturday, November 11 9:30am – 4:00pm

Sr. Mary Hugh Mauldin, RSM

Who / what is a prophet? Are there prophets today? The prophetic works of the Old Testament are our source for understanding prophecy. We will look at the literary genre that is prophecy and several of the 16 prophetic books of the Bible. Prayer, noon Eucharist and lunch are included in the schedule.

The same program is offered both days. $40 (includes lunch)

Take some time for YOU! A retreat for caregivers.

Thursday, November 16 or Saturday, November 18 9:30am – 4:30pm

Sr. Susan Schorsten, HM & Sr. Gay Rowzie, HM

This retreat is an invitation for individuals who care for others, professionally or for family members or friends. The day will provide some brief input regarding how and why it is important to care for oneself while caring for others. In addition there will be time to “just be” and spend time with God – the strength and sustainer of us all.

The same program is offered both days. $40 (includes lunch)

PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Invested in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem CHARLOTTE — Deacon Daren Bitter, who serves at St. Matthew Church in Charlotte, was welcomed Oct. 8 into the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem during a Mass offered by Bishop Peter Jugis at St. Patrick Cathedral.

Deacon Bitter is the first ordained deacon of the Diocese of Charlotte to be invested in the ancient Catholic order for lay men and women. Father John Putnam, pastor of St. Mark Church in Huntersville and chaplain of the order’s Charlotte chapter, concelebrated the Mass. The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem was started by the pope during the Crusades when the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem was under attack. Today, they still defend the Catholic identity of the Holy Land through their financial contributions. There are now 33,000 members of the order in 40 nations worldwide. Members are required to travel regularly on pilgrimage to the Holy Land, providing aid to Christians living in the Latin Patriarchate, which consists of 68 parishes, 44 schools and 90,000 faithful in Jordan, Palestine, Israel and Cyprus. The global amount of aid annually sent to the Holy Land is more than $10 million. Knights and ladies wear capes featuring a thick red “Jerusalem cross” that has four miniature crosses in each corner of the main cross. Each of the five crosses represents the five wounds of Christ. Learn more about their work at www.holysepulchre.net.

FACEBOOK.COM/ CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD ESPAÑOL

October 13, 2017 | catholicnewsherald.com

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PHOTOS PROVIDED BY JULIA FREDRICA FOY MICHAELS

Fun, fellowship and food in Lexington

PHOTO PROVIDED BY TOM MAYER OF MOUNTAIN TIMES PUBLICATIONS

Food, fellowship and fundraising JEFFERSON — St. Francis of Assisi Church’s Hispanic community hosted a Mexican fiesta fundraiser on church grounds in Jefferson Sept. 17 in support of reducing the church’s building debt. From homemade enchiladas and other Mexican fare to music and games for children, the event was a success – raising more than $6,000 before expenses.

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Now I want to be a lawyer.”

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Office hours: Monday – Thursday 8:30 am -5:00 pm and Friday 8:30 am – 2:00 pm Call 336.734.7949 or email: along@forsythtech.edu.

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LEXINGTON — Sept. 17 turned out to be a beautiful day for the Hispanic Festival held at Our Lady of the Rosary Church. Both young and the young at heart enjoyed traditional music, dances, delicious food and games galore. This was all part of an effort to raise funds to make much-needed repairs and renovations to the church. Pictured: The heat of the day didn’t limit the energy of beautiful young ladies from Our Lady of Mercy Church in Winston-Salem who performed at the festival; a talented young dart thrower shows off his prized winnings; and Donaciano Corona and Paul Lundrigan, both members of the parish’s music program, take part in the fun and fellowship.

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Encounter With Extreme Thirst Gives Reporter Insight Into the Trials of Poor Families Overseas A travel log by Tony Mator, staff writer for Cross Catholic Outreach Though my thirst had become a perpetual and maddening itch, it felt wrong to reach for my water bottle.

Throughout the week, we’d been traveling from one remote village to the next — each a nearly identical sprawl of thatched-roof houses, dirt paths and sunscorched farmland. We’d come to meet families in urgent need of clean water, but my dry mouth and cracked lips had begun to distract me with my own desperate need for a drink — a drink I dared not take.

No, the filtered water I’d purchased at a grocery store in town would remain in my backpack as long as those aching eyes watched me — the longing gaze of barefoot children and impoverished mothers, most of whom had been out before sunrise to fetch discolored, parasite-infested water from a ditch for their family’s survival. I could think of no worse insult than to indulge my thirst for clean water in front of families who were fighting monthly bouts of diarrhea and risking cholera infections on account of their contaminated water supply.

In Christ, rich and poor are supposed to interact as brothers and sisters, but there are times when it’s hard to escape a tension when the two worlds meet.

There is a palpable sense that something is askew. To what do we attribute the gap between their lifestyles and ours?

Is it chance? Providence? Personal consequence? Social injustice? Some combination of them all?

While we may not have all the answers, we do have the Gospel as a guide, and God’s response to poverty is always and

forever the same: restore hope.

In most developing countries, restoring hope begins by providing water for the thirsty. Thanks to the help of our generous donors, Cross Catholic Outreach has been able to respond to that specific need. We have been able to bring safe, clean water to the poor and, in the process, express Christ’s love to them as well.

We have already made tremendous strides in Haiti, Central America and parts of Africa, and we’re now actively fundraising to launch new water projects in other villages with severe water needs.

The Catholic priests and nuns serving the poor in those communities are eager to see these improvements made. In many cases, they have even organized a volunteer labor force to work on the project. But they still require outside financial resources to hire well-drilling rigs, purchase pumps, and obtain the water lines and other hardware needed to accomplish the job. That’s where Cross Catholic Outreach comes in. With help from American Catholic donors, we supply the funding needed to cover these costs.

And in the end, this cooperative effort by Cross Catholic Outreach, local parishes and American Catholics has a profound impact — in many cases, literally saving lives.

This is what makes even my most difficult travel experiences a blessing and source of great satisfaction. I know that what we are doing together is life changing!

Many of Cross Catholic Outreach’s American benefactors may never be able to travel to these remote areas to experience this blessing. But I hope they can get some sense of the tremendous

good they are doing from the follow-up reporting we do for them after a project is completed. I hope those stories and photos do justice to the amazing impact their gifts of mercy have in these areas of desperate need.

Readers interested in supporting Cross Catholic Outreach can use the brochure inserted in this issue or send tax-deductible gifts to: Cross Catholic Outreach, Dept. AC01346, PO Box 97168, Washington DC 20090-7168.

Cross Catholic Outreach Endorsed by More Than 100 Bishops, Archbishops Cross Catholic Outreach’s range of relief work to help the poor overseas continues to be recognized by a growing number of Catholic leaders in the U.S. and abroad.

“We’ve received more than 100 endorsements from Bishops and Archbishops,” explained Jim Cavnar, president of Cross Catholic Outreach (CCO). “They’re moved by the fact that we’ve launched outreaches in almost 40 countries and have undertaken a variety of projects — everything from feeding the hungry and housing the homeless to supplying

safe water and supporting educational opportunities for the poorest of the poor. The bishops have also been impressed by Cross Catholic Outreach’s direct and meaningful response to emergency situations, most recently by providing food, medicines and other resources to partners in Haiti, El Salvador and areas of Belize impacted by natural disasters.”

Archbishop Thomas Rodi of Mobile, Alabama, supported this mission in a recent endorsement, writing: “It is a privilege for me to support Cross Catholic Outreach. This organization funds

ministries to our neighbors in need in Africa, Asia, Central and South America, and the Pacific. Through the generosity of so many, the love of God is made visible to many who are coping with the most difficult of daily living conditions.”

In addition to praising CCO’s accomplishments, many of the Bishops and Archbishops are encouraged that Pontifical canonical status was conferred on the charity in September 2015, granting it approval as an official Catholic organization. This allows Cross Catholic Outreach to participate in the mission of the Church and to give a

concrete witness to Gospel Charity, in collaboration with the Holy Father.

Archbishop Dennis Schnurr of Cincinnati, Ohio, highlighted this unique connection. “Cross Catholic Outreach’s close collaboration with the Pontifical Council Cor Unum/ Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development is a source of encouragement,” the Archbishop said.

“The Holy See has unique knowledge of local situations throughout the world through its papal representatives in nearly 200 countries and through its communications with Bishops.”

NEWS HERALD

October 13, 2017 | catholicnewsherald.comiii RIGHT PAGE

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

American Catholics Have Exciting Opportunities to Help Impoverished Areas With the Blessing of Safe Water “Roughly 10 percent of the world’s population lives without ready access to clean water. As a result, about 700,000 children die every year from diarrhea caused by unsafe water and poor sanitation — that’s almost 2,000 children a day. And about 90 percent of the deaths caused by diarrheal diseases are among boys and girls under 5 years old.

“No one would deny the importance of water to sustain life, but few of us realize just how critical the need for this blessed resource has become in some parts of the developing world. It’s literally a matter of life and death.”

With his recent statement, Cross Catholic Outreach president Jim Cavnar put the stark statistics of UNICEF and the World Health Organization into terms every American Catholic can easily understand. A serious water crisis threatens the world’s poorest countries, and it should be a major concern to those of us who value the sanctity of life.

Thankfully, the Catholic Church is aware of this problem and has stepped forward to act on behalf of the poor, according to Cavnar.

“Priests and nuns serving in developing countries are identifying the areas of greatest need and are creating plans to help solve the problems,” he said. “All they lack is funding. If we can empower them with grants of aid and with other resources, amazing things can be accomplished.”

Cavnar’s own ministry, Cross Catholic Outreach, was launched in 2001 with this specific goal in mind. It rallies American Catholics to fund specific projects overseas, and many safe water initiatives have been successfully implemented as a result.

In one case, tapping a spring in Haiti allowed Cross Catholic Outreach to reduce infant mortality in a poor, remote part of the country.

“Catholic leaders in the village of Cerca reported children were dying at an alarming rate. If you visited, you could see the funeral processions carrying the tiny coffins. They discovered contaminated water was the problem, and they asked us to help find a solution. Working together, we were able to tap a spring and provide clean, safe water,” Cavnar explained.

Because every area’s water problem is different, Cross Catholic Outreach needs to be flexible. Over the years, its projects have included everything from digging wells to channeling water from springs to installing filtration systems to providing large holding tanks for purchased water.

They also work worldwide and have done water projects in Africa, South and Central American countries, the Caribbean and elsewhere.

ABOVE: Women in the Santa Rosa de Lima Diocese currently come to a trickling water source and spend hours filling their buckets before taking the long walk home. Catholic benefactors supporting Cross Catholic Outreach’s water project can provide safe, abundant water to this impoverished community. BELOW: In many areas of the developing world, the poor depend on contaminated water sources like this for their drinking water.

“This year, some of our biggest water projects are planned for Ethiopia, the Dominican Republic and Guatemala,” Cavnar said. “Of course, our ability to take on that work will depend on getting contributions here in the U.S.” Cavnar is clearly grateful to American Catholics who choose to support Cross Catholic Outreach’s work with their prayers and gifts, and he emphasizes their role often, describing them as the real heroes in every success story.

“Take the water project needed in the Santa Rosa de Lima Diocese, for example.

It’s an ambitious plan that includes well drilling, building a water distribution system and installing a water tank reservoir. The Catholic priest in the area desperately needs it and its impact will be profound — but it takes outside funding to turn that dream into a reality. So, when our Catholic benefactors support a project like this, they are literally an answer to prayer.”

The same has been true in other important outreaches too. Over the years, Cross Catholic Outreach donors have built homes, schools and clinics — and have further blessed those outreaches with gifts to fund medicines, school supplies, teacher salaries and more.

“It is possible to bless people, save lives and transform communities,” Cavnar said.

“It just takes concerned Catholics working together to achieve those goals.”

How to Help To fund Cross Catholic Outreach’s effort to help the poor worldwide, use the postage-paid brochure inserted in this newspaper or mail your gift to Cross Catholic Outreach, Dept. AC01346, PO Box 97168, Washington DC 20090-7168.

If you identify a specific aid project with your gift, 100% of the proceeds will be restricted to be used for that specific project. However, if more is raised for the project than needed, funds will be redirected to other urgent needs in the ministry.

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Our schools 14

catholicnewsherald.com | October 13, 2017 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

CCHS Alumni Association honors Hall of Fame inductees CAROLYN KRAMER TILLMAN SPECIAL TO THE CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

CHARLOTTE — Charlotte Catholic High School welcomed two new members to its Hall of Fame – one of the best football players ever to take Jim Oddo Field, and a distinguished alumnus who has made a name for himself on Broadway.

The CCHS Alumni Association honored Mario Acitelli (Class of ’06) and Matt Olin (Class of ’91) during a pregame reception, and presented them with the Hall of Fame Award at halftime of the Sept. 22 football game at Keffer Stadium. Alumni Association President Nikki Doulé Warren and Principal Kurt Telford presented the awards.

Mario Acitelli graduated from Charlotte Catholic in 2006. In his football career at Catholic, he was a three-year, two-way starter. He led the Cougars to 32 straight wins and back-to-back state championships in 2004 and 2005. He was voted the school’s first-ever All-American and first All-State selection player in 28 years (since Frank Lampke). In football, he was a two-time All-State and three-time All-Conference player, and a Prep Nation All-American. He lettered all four years in football, and was nominated for the Wendy’s High School Heisman, all while maintaining a 4.1 gradepoint average. He was also a three-year starter in lacrosse. He was selected for the

Queen City Top 50, the North Carolina Great 38 and the North Carolina High School Lacrosse Association All-State team. He helped lead the school’s lacrosse team to a state championship during his junior year.

As a four-year starter and team captain for the Appalachian State Mountaineers, Acitelli was a member of the 2006 and 2007 National Championship teams.

Additionally, he won the 2009 Jacobs Blocking Trophy, which is awarded to the Southern Conference’s top offensive lineman. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in business administration from Appalachian State University.

After his playing career, he spent a season as a student assistant coach for Appalachian, and three years at the University of Texas as a graduate assistant coach, working with the offensive line and the offensive coordinator. He earned a master’s degree in advertising while at the University of Texas.

He was joined on the field by his wife, the former Sara Cline, and their daughter, Leona Erin. They live in Williamsburg, Va,, where he is the tight ends and fullbacks coach and the special teams coordinator for the College of William and Mary.

Matt Olin graduated from Charlotte Catholic in 1991. Hee was involved in the drama department and participated in the productions of “Grease,” “Ten

Little Indians,” “Godspell” and “Bye Bye Birdie.” He credits longtime teacher Dottie Tippett with providing him with both the opportunities and the creative confidence in high school that led to his career on Broadway and beyond.

He spent 20 years creating and producing theater in Charlotte and New York, winning honors such as 14 Tony Awards, 50 Tony nominations, Obie Awards, Drama Desk Awards and more. Notably, he conceived and developed “The Other Place,” a new play which had a criticallyacclaimed off-Broadway world premiere, and garnered many award nominations and wins. The play earned an Outer Critics Circle Award nomination for “Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play,” was named

by Playbill as one of the “Unforgettable Experiences of 2011,” moved on to an extended, Tony-nominated Broadway run in 2013, and to date has been performed in more than 70 cities.

Olin is the owner of Matt Olin Creative, specializing in copywriting and creativity consulting. He also is the producer and host of CreativeMornings/Charlotte, a monthly breakfast lecture series for the local creative community. He also is the co-creator of “Queen City Quiz Show,” the winner of a 2016 Knight Cities Challenge Grant. He’s been a guest lecturer at SUNY/ Borough of Manhattan Community College, UNC-Chapel Hill, UNC-Charlotte,

Davidson College, Clemson University and the University of Alabama.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts from UNC-Chapel Hill and a Master of Fine Arts from Columbia University. He and his wife Sarah have a daughter, Mirabelle. He was not able to attend the reception and game, but friend Tim Miner ’92 accepted the Distinguished Alumnus Award in his place.

When he was told that he had been selected as a member of the Hall of Fame, Olin said, “I can easily connect the dots between any of my professional creative accomplishments and the joyful experiences I had in the CCHS theater and music programs. It’s an honor to be inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame, but it’s really me who should be acknowledging you – Dottie Tippett and all my fellow Cougars – for the opportunities and confidence you provided. What a gift.”

The CCHS Alumni Association Hall of Fame honors outstanding alumni and other dedicated individuals who have demonstrated commitment to the ideals of Charlotte Catholic. Members are selected for outstanding accomplishments in athletics, for distinguishing themselves since graduation, or for selflessly serving the Catholic community.

CAROLYN KRAMER TILLMAN is the assistant director, Advancement and Communications, at Charlotte Catholic High School.

October 13, 2017 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief MACS open houses coming up CHARLOTTE — Have you considered Catholic education for your children? The nine schools comprising Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools will have an open house for prospective parents from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 24. Stop by to visit at St. Ann, St. Mark, St. Matthew, St. Patrick, Our Lady of the Assumption and St. Gabriel elementary schools, Holy Trinity Middle School, or Charlotte Catholic and Christ the King high schools.

Later, open houses at each school will be: n St. Matthew, St. Patrick, Holy Trinity Middle: 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Jan. 30 n St. Ann, St. Mark, Christ the King High: 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Jan. 31 n Our Lady of the Assumption, St. Gabriel, Charlotte Catholic High: 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Feb. 1, For details, go to www.discovermacs.org.

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BMHS students support Next Steps Ministries KERNERSVILLE — The Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School Roses Club invited guest speaker Monique Ferrelle from Next Step Ministries in Kernersville to their club day meeting Oct. 2. Ferrelle spoke to the students on the issue of domestic violence on both local and a national levels.

She thanked the Roses Club for their diligent work at the Next Step Ministries Thrift Store and described how the Roses Club time and talent greatly benefit those affected by domestic violence in Kernersville. The Roses Club inspired by St. Therese and led by moderator, Dr. Danita Ostasiewski, are a group of BMHS students who focus on random acts of kindness. Members are planning on working at Next Step Ministries on designated club days for the remainder of the school year.

High Point University’s Campus Ministry students, families gather for Mass

— Kimberly Knox

CCDOC.ORG

HIGH POINT — High Point University’s Catholic Campus Ministry had Family Weekend Mass Sept. 24 to conclude Family Weekend festivities. The weekend before, students heard the unfortunate news that Oblates of St. Francis de Sales Father Vincent Smith, campus minister and pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in High Point, was being transferred to Maryland. Father Marcel Amadi (campus minister for Bennett College, North Carolina A&T, Salem College and Wake Forest University) was gracious enough to come to the campus to celebrate Mass for the students and their visiting families and friends. The Mass was well attended as the university chapel was filled to capacity. In his homily, Father Amadi encouraged the faithful not to look down on anyone or think they are better than others, and instead to show gratitude to God for His blessings and to dedicate at least 15 minutes of each day to praying or talking with God. — Kim Bemiller

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

What will you learn?

• • • • •

Effectiveness of modern NFP methods.

Health, relational, and spiritual benefits.

Health risks of popular contraceptives.

Church teaching on marital sexuality.

How to use Natural Family Planning.

October 21st - St. Matthew Catholic Church, Charlotte One Day Class, 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm November 4th - St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Charlotte Spanish One Day Class, 5 pm to 8 pm November 11th - St. Barnabas Catholic Church, Arden Three Class Series , 1:30 pm For more information, go to ccdoc.org/nfp, and view the NFP Calendar or contact Batrice Adcock, MSN at 704-370-3230 or bnadock@charlottediocese.org

Mix 16

catholicnewsherald.com | October 13, 2017 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

On TV n Saturday, Oct. 14, 4 p.m.

(EWTN) “Fatima.”An EWTN original docu-drama on the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima and the meaning of each message she gave to the three shepherd children. n Saturday, Oct. 14, 8 p.m.

(EWTN) “Karol: A Man Who Became Pope.” Follow the young future pope’s life journey as we see him transition from a worker, poet, teacher and to his true calling, the priesthood of Christ.

PHOTOS BY LISA GERACI | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Some of Our Lady of the Annunciation Church’s “Misfits” are (back row) David Alcala, Bob Miles, Adam Schumacher and Rob Ostrander, and (front row) Lori Storms, Abigail Storms, Breanne Storm and Bill Park. (Above) Misfits are hard at work every week at the Albemarle parish.

n Sunday, Oct. 15, 11:30 a.m. (EWTN) “Canonization Mass.” Pope Francis canonizes holy men and women who have led exemplary lives of virtue. n Tuesday, Oct. 17, 6:30 p.m. (EWTN) “Parenting the Media.” Sister Helena Burns connects Catholics and their families to new ways they can responsibly engage and even evangelize in the fastpaced world of digital media and entertainment. n Friday, Oct. 20, 5:30 p.m.

(EWTN) “From the Visible to the Invisible: The Holy Mass.” An explanation of the Holy Mass, step by step.

Presented by HM Television and the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments. n Saturday, Oct. 21, 11 p.m. (EWTN) “The Father Effect.” John Finch takes a deeper look at the profound effect fathers have on the lives of their children, and how children with absent fathers can find healing and forgiveness. n Sunday, Oct. 22, 10 p.m.

(EWTN) “The Mystery of John Paul II.” A documentary on the spiritual lives of Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski and St. John Paul II, and how their efforts inspired the Polish people and contributed to the fall of Communism. n Monday, Oct. 23, 6:30 p.m.

(EWTN) “Pakistan: City of Fear.” Two families in Saint Philip’s Parish in Karachi, Pakistan, share what life is like in the sometimes hostile city of 18 million people. n Tuesday, Oct. 24, 6:30 p.m. (EWTN) “Macedonia: Encountering the Resurrection.” A look at today’s Church in Macedonia, now composed of both Latin and Byzantine rites, and its struggle against the materialism and spiritual relativism that have taken hold in the wake of the old Communist regime.

A bunch of ‘Misfits’ remodel Albemarle church LISA GERACI CORRESPONDENT

ALBEMARLE — Misfits are on the loose at the Our Lady of the Annunciation Church in Albemarle, but instead of causing havoc and destruction, they are causing décor and construction. For the past 10 years, “The Misfits” have remodeled, redesigned and reinvented the entire parish rectory, dining hall, offices and chapel. The group of eight to 20 parishioners has worked tirelessly on everything from small projects, like repairing a leaking toilet, to huge undertakings such as remodeling the entire dining hall.

“We have done a lot of repairs and have saved thousands of dollars in labor cost. We have brought four buildings up to snuff. We do anything and everything that Father Fitz (Father Peter Fitzgibbons) needs us to do,” declares “head Misfit” Bob Miles.

“The whole thing started because I opened my big mouth!” Miles explains. “Father Fitz had some woodwork done behind the altar and my critical eye caught a couple of mistakes, and of course I had to say something. Well, adjustments were made and Father was clued in that I knew how to work on stuff.”

It was not long after that Miles’ services were in immediate need.

Church secretary Lori Storms recalls, “Mold was found in the rectory kitchen. Something needed to be done and fast. Father Fitz called Bob and asked if he could come and look. Bob started clearing out the mold – and then bats started invading.”

“It was one thing after the other – one thing got fixed and the next thing would fall apart.

First, it was just me and Tom, then more followed, but the rectory was our first of many projects,” Miles says.

The group started meeting every week, and they soon became fast friends.

“Us guys were all hanging out and joking around, complaining about our aches and pains. My wife just looked us up and down,

pointed at each of our ailments, saying, ‘Goodness! You got back problems, a bad knee, headaches, no legs, constant fatigue ... you all are just a bunch of misfits!’ The name stuck and caught on quick. The next week Father Fitz announced during Mass, ‘The Misfits have been formed.’”

The Misfits meet every Thursday. They start by attending Mass offered by Father Fitzgibbons and then, over coffee, they plan

– the Misfits. Even the pews, which Storms claims “are stuck together by nails, glue and God’s mercy,” are kept up by the Misfits.

“We had to actually cut the communion rail because during a funeral people were not even able to walk around the casket,” recalls a fellow Misfit.

“The upper windows were about to fall out (of the dining hall) but nope, we got some ladders and put some metal reinforcements up there. It

‘If Father Fitz can help save our souls, we can help save God’s house.’

Bob Miles

Our Lady of the Annunciation parishioner and “Misfit”

out the day by discussing projects with Father Fitzgibbons in the “Misfit Office” they designed.

“Father Fitz may not physically help but he helps mentally,” Miles says. “He is the commander-in-chief, along with Lori.”

The group works until about 5 o’clock while curious wives, kids and fellow parishioners stop by with food, drinks and conversation.

The Misfits now even have their own T-shirts – the men in gray shirts and the women in pink, blue or gray.

The Misfits’ handiwork can be seen everywhere. The communal kneelers, bought from Sacred Heart Church, were refurbished and installed by the Misfits. The church’s lanterns, which had to have the LED bulbs changed and the stained glass replaced, were fixed up by the Misfits. (“Older people do not have to use their reading glasses anymore; it is finally nice and bright,” jokes Misfit Tim Schumacher.)

The 2,000-pound baptismal font moved from the front of the church all the way to the back

could have really been a disaster,” Miles adds.

Other calling cards have the Misfits’ signature such as the brightly decorated rooms, intricate tile formations and areas adorned with handmade paintings from parishioners and even Miles himself.

“I have been an artist by trade for the last 30 years, so we can’t help but add an artistic flare. I wanted to paint the dining hall yellow, but ‘Stump’ said turquoise is hot right now.

The others agreed, and now we are looking at turquoise.”

In the renovated rectory kitchen Storms opens a small makeshift shelf. “This is a spice rack, but inside it is really covering up an electric box. The Misfits are inventive like that,” she smiles.

In the freshly “burnt amber” painted living room, a large abstract painting hangs over the fireplace. “That’s the work of Bob. He donates a lot of his abstract work as well. He is an MISFITS, SEE PAGE 17

October 13, 2017 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

For the latest movie reviews: catholicnewsherald.com

In theaters

Catholic radio network regroups after sixmonth test in Salisbury KIMBERLY BENDER ONLINE REPORTER

‘American Made’ Wild fact-based story of a TWA pilot (Tom Cruise) recruited by a CIA operative (Domhnall Gleeson) in the early 1980s to fly guns to the U.S.-backed contra forces fighting the Sandinista government in Nicaragua. Diverted from this mission by the chance to smuggle cocaine for the leaders of the nascent Medellin drug cartel (Alejandro Edda and Mauricio Mejia), he develops an elaborate scheme to supply the weapons to the gangsters and the narcotics to the guerrillas who, it turns out, would rather get rich than fight. Several uses of profanity, pervasive rough and much crude language.

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

‘Battle of the Sexes’ The early 1970s in all its revanchist sexism, double-knit-fabric garishness and choking cigarette smoke is the setting of the coming-of-age story for women’s tennis, as Billie Jean King (Emma Stone) takes on Bobby Riggs (Steve Carell) in the famed 1973 exhibition match in Houston’s Astrodome. This lightly fictionalized version of history is ultimately more about King than the past-his-prime Riggs, but the script by Simon Beaufoy, as directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, takes pains to show each character’s harsh isolation and crippling doubts. Several uses of profanity, pervasive rough language.

CNS: L (limited adult audience); MPAA: PG-13

‘The Mountain Between Us’ The proverbial call of the wild sounds more like a roar in this trapped-in-thewilderness survival drama, based on Charles Martin’s 2011 novel and directed

by Hany Abu-Assad. Two strangers meet at an Idaho airport, anxious after their respective flights are canceled.

A photojournalist (Kate Winslet) persuades a dashing surgeon (Idris Elba) to charter a plane to Denver, where a flight connection awaits. The bumbling pilot (Beau Bridges) has a stroke and the plane crashes on a remote snowy mountaintop. The passengers, along with the pilot’s dog, struggle to survive against incredible odds as predicable romantic sparks fly. A scary airplane crash, moments of peril.

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

Other movies: ‘Blade Runner 2049’: CNS: A-III (adults); MPAA: R

BELMONT — While the first full-power commercial Catholic radio station in the new Carolina Catholic Radio Network has gone dark, the network has a plan to lease three full-power AM radio stations that will provide local Catholic radio from Gaffney, S.C., to Greensboro on a continuous basis.

The Salisbury station that broadcast along the I-85 corridor from Concord to Lexington and carried Catholic talk radio programming on 1490 AM WSTP was on the air for nearly six months, said David Papandrea, who serves as a “media missionary” for EWTN in the area.

The network considered that station a “test site,” and it started on the air as a trial as a result of a gift from the station’s owners. It carried EWTN and some local programming.

Because of the location of the station, a lot of the burden of underwriting the station would fall on Sacred Heart Church in Salisbury, Papandrea said.

“We learned a lot from that station,” he said.

“We used it as a beta site, and in the end we couldn’t keep it on right now. That’s not to say it won’t be in the future.”

Papandrea explained CCRN could get more return on investment from the other three stations they are looking to lease along the I-85/485 corridor from the North and South Carolina state line to Greensboro. Those stations would provide free Catholic radio to 80 percent of the Charlotte-designated media market and 50 percent of the Triad (I-40 South).

Currently, the network has one station on the air: Belmont Abbey College’s WBACLPFM 101.5. The college launched its FM station in February.

To lease those stations, Papandrea said they’ll need $10,000 a month for rents and another $10,000 a month for sales, marketing, programming and technical expenses in addition to $25,000 in one-time capital for the network studios at Belmont Abbey College.

While they work to raise the money, representatives from the network are meeting with the diocese’s vicariates to talk about specific programming. They are looking for local parish programs that showcase the ministries to complement EWTN’s free shows.

The station is also searching for volunteers to work these positions: Financial Controller, Corporate Fundraiser, Operations Director, Marketing Director, Hispanic Ministry Director, Spiritual Advisor and Clergy Advisory Board.

The hope is to possibly use this network to also broadcast major diocese events, such as the Eucharistic Congress, as well as sporting events from the schools.

“We’re looking for help and programming, so when we hit these numbers, we want to be able to flip a switch and put these three stations on the air,” Papandrea said.

How you can help fund a new Catholic radio network Donations can be made online at www.

CarolinaCatholicRadio.org or by mail to Carolina Catholic Radio Network, P.O. Box 1148, Clemmons, NC 27012-1148.

For more information or sponsorship opportunities, contact David Papandrea at 704-880-0260 or David.Papandrea@ CarolinaCatholicRadio.org.

MISFITS FROM PAGE 16

incredible artist,” she notes.

Other projects include a grotto, landscaping on “The Hill,” a repaired roof, newly painted offices, replacement windows, LED lights, repaired bathrooms, and new lighted exit signs.

Parishioners love to point out and admire the Misfits’ work around the church.

“See that table over there,” says one parishioner, pointing to the table where Misfits and Father Fitzgibbons are gathered. “They redid the whole church.

The whole thing, even that old rectory!”

“The big thing is the support of the parishioners. If it wasn’t for their generosity, this wouldn’t be possible.

I count them as Misfits because even though they are not physically working here, they’re helping with their checkbooks,” Miles explains.

At this parish of less than 300 families, it is incredible how much money members are willing to give, he said.

“For example, we had 35-year-old folding chairs in this hall, they were just falling apart. A parishioner replaced them all. Now the hall has up-to-date chairs.

We also had a lady ask if we needed anything. We said a pizza oven. She ended up buying a pizza oven for our dining

17

hall. It’s unbelievable.”

Schumacher has been a Misfit for two years, David Alzala, two, and “Stump” for about three. On a recent day, their mission is to tile the dining hall kitchen, but they stop for a brief break to explain what it means to them to be a Misfit.

The Misfits “keep stuff light,” “learn from one another,” and “never know what is going to come next,” they agree.

“I do this mostly for the pay,” jokes Schumacher. (There is no pay.)

“Why do I do this? I don’t even know anymore – maybe out of habit, maybe because I like the adventure,” another Misfit half-jokingly contemplates.

“I do it for the experience. I just re-tiled my floor at home and actually knew what I was doing because of this place. I learn so much from these guys,” responds Alzala.

“I wouldn’t do this for no office or laundromat. I do this because it is God’s house and I figure if Father Fitz can help save our souls, we can help save God’s house,” adds Miles.

Whatever the motivation, these Misfits are not going anywhere except to work on Thursdays at Our Lady of the Annunciation Church. “Except if Father Fitz retires, we will stay around as long as he does,” jokes Miles.

In the meantime, parishioners and Father Fitzgibbons are very proud of their Misfits and are excited to see what these remodeling miracle-workers will tackle next.

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Our nation 18

catholicnewsherald.com | October 13, 2017 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Trump administration expands exemptions on contraceptive mandate CAROL ZIMMERMANN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Trump administration Oct. 6 issued interim rules expanding the exemption to the contraceptive mandate for religious employers, such as the Little Sisters of the Poor, who object on moral grounds to covering contraceptive and abortioninducing drugs and devices in their employee health insurance.

Leaders of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops praised the action as “a return to common sense, longstanding federal practice and peaceful coexistence between church and state.”

The contraceptive mandate was put in place by the Department of Health and Human Services under the Affordable Care Act. While providing an exemption for religious employers, the new rules maintain the existing federal contraceptive mandate for most employers.

President Donald Trump had pledged to lift the mandate burden placed on religious employers during a White House signing ceremony May 4 for an executive order promoting free speech and religious liberty, but Catholic leaders and the heads of a number of Catholic entities had criticized the administration for a lack of action on that pledge in the months that followed.

From the outset, churches were exempt from the mandate, but not religious employers. The Obama administration had put in place a religious accommodation for nonprofit religious entities such as church-run colleges and social service agencies morally opposed to contraceptive coverage that required them to file a form or notify HHS that they will not provide it.

Many Catholic employers still objected to having to fill out the form.

The HHS mandate has undergone numerous legal challenges from religious organizations, including the Little Sisters of the Poor and Priests for Life.

A combined lawsuit, Zubik v. Burwell, made its way to the U.S. Supreme Court, where the justices in May 2016 unanimously returned the case to the lower courts with instructions to determine if contraceptive insurance coverage could be obtained by employees through their insurance companies without directly involving religious employers who object to paying for such coverage.

Senior Health and Human Services officials who spoke to reporters Oct. 5 on the HHS rule on the condition of anonymity said that the exemption to the contraceptive mandate would apply to all the groups that had sued against it. Groups suing the mandate all the way to the Supreme Court include the Little Sisters of the Poor, the Archdiocese of Washington, the Diocese of Pittsburgh, Eternal Word Television Network and some Catholic and other Christian universities.

In reaction immediately after the 150-page interim ruling was issued, religious groups that had opposed the mandate were pleased with the administration’s action.

An Oct. 6 statement by Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, USCCB president, and Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, chairman of the USCCB’s Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty, said the new rule “corrects an anomalous failure by federal regulators that should never have occurred and should never be repeated.”

Cardinal DiNardo and Archbishop Lori said the decision was “good news for all Americans,” noting that a “government mandate that coerces people to make an impossible choice between obeying their consciences and obeying the call to serve the poor is harmful not only to Catholics but to the common good.”

Mark Rienzi, senior counsel at Becket, told reporters in a telephone news conference an hour after the rule was released that it is a “common sense and balanced rule and a great step forward for religious liberty.”

CNS | LUCY NICHOLSON, REUTERS

Women weep during a candlelight vigil Oct. 3 in memory of the victims of a mass shooting along the Las Vegas Strip. A gunman, identified as Stephen Craig Paddock, 64, was perched in a room on the 32nd floor of a hotel and unleashed a shower of bullets on concertgoers below late Oct. 1. He killed at least 59 people and wounded more than 500, making it the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.

Do not let hate, violence ‘have the last word,’ says Las Vegas bishop CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

LAS VEGAS — At an emotional interfaith prayer service at Guardian Angel Cathedral, Las Vegas Bishop Joseph A. Pepe told those filling the pews Oct. 2 that “in the face of tragedy we need each other.”

“And in the face of violence, we stand together because we cannot let hate and violence have the last word,” he said in his remarks at the evening service.

“We gather from all faiths and walks of life. We pray and sing and listen to the word of God to remind ourselves that amidst this tragedy, God is with us,” Bishop Pepe said.

“God cries with our tears.”

He quoted the evening Scripture passage from Chapter 29 of the Book of Jeremiah: “’For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for well-being, and not for calamity, in order to give you a future and a hope.”

“We come together in unity across our religious traditions, across race, across gender to stand with each other as living signs of that hope,” Bishop Pepe said.

The service at the cathedral brought people together as they were still trying to fathom what had occurred barely 24 hours earlier: A crazed gunman, later identified by law enforcement officials as Stephen Craig Paddock, 64, showered a crowd of about 22,000 attending a country music festival in a venue on the Las Vegas Strip the evening of Oct. 1.

From his perch in a room high on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay casino resort hotel, he fired off hundreds of rounds of bullets down on the crowd below, ultimately leaving at least 59 people dead and more than 500 injured.

It is the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history.

Once police had located the shooter, SWAT team members burst into the room to find Paddock dead from self-inflicted gun wounds.

“I am struck by the signs of goodness even in the face of violence. I think about the first responders who risked their own lives to save the lives of others,” Bishop Pepe said in his remarks at the cathedral. “I think of the emergency medical personnel and hospital staff members who answered the call for well-being and a future by using their skills to save lives. And, I am reminded that the many individuals, who rendered aid, gave rides and helped each other.

“They are living reminders of the good Samaritan and God who calls us all from fear to care,” he added.

He said the prayers that evening “for healing and unity

in our community of Las Vegas,” reminded him of all the places in the world where people suffer violence every day.

“We must find ways to work together to bring about healing in our world so that none of God’s children have to suffer what we have suffered,” the bishop said.

“We stand together tonight to witness that all humans are made in the image and likeness of God, and as God’s children, they have their fundamental human dignity,” Bishop Pepe continued. “In all that we do, we need to remember that as our starting place.”

He urged people to be “a countersign” in an “increasingly polarized” world. “Where there is hatred and violence we must be the sign of love and of peace,” he said.

“Where there is division and uncivil speech, we must stand together as a sign of unity. And where we stand in a world of despair, we must stand together as a sign of hope.”

Scripture provides the summary for a religious life, he said: “Love the Lord your God with your whole heart, your whole mind and your whole soul and love your neighbor as yourself.”

“How will we do that?” Bishop Pepe asked. “It begins by gathering together in unity, prayer and love. And it continues in the actions of our everyday lives, not allowing ourselves to remain silent in the face of hate, not consenting by our apathy to the persecution of others, but working to know one another, to care for each other, and to show by our actions that we love each other.”

A Catholic church right next to the concert venue, the Shrine of the Most Holy Redeemer, was used “as a staging area and an initial place of refuge,” Father Bob Stoeckig, vicar general of the Diocese of Las Vegas, told Catholic News Service in an email Oct. 1. He added that “there were bullets near the doors” of the shrine, which is a popular place for tourists to attend Mass. There were no reports of damage to the shrine.

In Washington, President Donald Trump said Oct. 1 called the massacre in Las Vegas an “act of pure evil.” He mourned the victims and prayed for them and their family members, saying of those who lost loved ones, “We cannot fathom their pain, we cannot imagine their loss.”

“In times such as these, I know we are searching for some kind of meaning in the chaos, some kind of light in the darkness,” said the president, who visited Las Vegas Oct. 4. “The answers do not come easy. But we can take solace knowing that even the darkest space can be brightened by a single light, and even the most terrible despair can be illuminated by a single ray of hope.”

October 13, 2017 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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In Brief Justice Department issues memo on religious liberty to federal agencies WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Justice issued guidance Oct. 6 to all administrative agencies and executive departments regarding religious liberty protections in federal law. “To the greatest extent practicable and permitted by law ... religious observance and practice should be reasonably accommodated in all government activity, including employment, contracting and programming,” the Justice Department said in the 26-page memo to federal agencies.

“The depth and breadth of constitutional and statutory protections for religious observance and practice in America confirm the enduring importance of religious freedom to the United State,” the memo said. “They also provide clear guidance for all those charged with enforcing federal law: The free exercise of religion is not limited to a right to hold personal religious beliefs or even to worship in a sacred place. It encompasses all aspects of religious observance and practice.” Department of Justice officials who spoke with reporters by phone Oct. 6 prior to the department’s release of its guidelines on religious liberty, stressed that the guidance memo does not “create or authorize new protections” but instead summarizes the law and “makes clear that religious liberty is not just a right to personal belief” but accompanies all parts of life.

Catholics voice concern about EPA efforts to dismantle Clean Power Plan WASHINGTON, D.C. — An Environmental Protection Agency decision to roll back an Obama-era regulation to curb carbon dioxide emissions from power plants met with disapproval and pledges to work to keep key components of the plan in place from Catholic organizations. Advocates said that rescinding the Clean Power Plan, President Barack Obama’s signature policy to meet U.S. commitments under the Paris climate accord to limit global warming, would adversely affect the health of people around the country, especially in low-income communities, and would harm the environment. The concern is that if greenhouse gas emissions are not limited, thousands of people will become sickened or even die from increased air pollution in communities located near coal-fired power plants. Faith-based environmental advocates also expressed apprehension that not cutting power plant emissions would hasten climate change and negatively impact the planet. Coal-fired power plants are the nation’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. “This continues to be the way that the Trump administration has decided to tackle climate change, which is to pull back on just about everything the previous administration has done,” said Dan Misleh, executive director of the Catholic Climate Covenant. “It’s unfortunate. It’s wrong. If they do try to replace it with something, I hope it’s as robust as the Clean Power Plan, but I think that’s unlikely.”

U.S. House passes bill to ban abortion after 20 weeks of gestation WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. House Oct. 3 passed the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which bans abortions after 20

weeks of gestation, about the time doctors have determined that an unborn child can feel pain. Introduced by Rep. Trent Franks, R-Ariz., it would punish doctors who perform an abortion after 20 weeks, except in cases of rape, incest or if the life of the mother is threatened. Physicians could face up to five years in prison. Women seeking abortions would not be penalized under the bill. In a statement Oct. 2, the Trump administration said it strongly supported the bill, H.R. 36, and “applauded the House of Representatives for continuing its efforts to secure critical pro-life protections.”

President Donald Trump said he would sign the measure if it reached his desk. The Senate still must schedule consideration of the bill but that seemed unlikely. Senate Whip John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, told reporters, “That’s not a near-term priority.” In a Sept. 29 letter to House members, Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, urged passage of the bill, calling it “common-sense reform.”

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Forty Catholic institutions plan to divest from fossil fuels WASHINGTON, D.C. — Forty Catholic institutions, including the Belgian bishops’ conference and a leading church social welfare agency in South Africa, have decided to divest from fossil fuel companies. The organizations cited the call of Pope Francis in his 2015 encyclical, “Laudato Si’, on Care for Our Common Home,” to take steps to protect the environment as well as the importance of making investments that lead to a carbonneutral economy in an effort to address climate change. Up to 97 percent of climate scientists have attributed climate change to human activity, at least in part. The Oct. 3 announcement came as the monthlong “Season of Creation” ended and the church prepared to observe the feast of St. Francis of Assisi the next day. In most cases, divestment is expected to take several years to accomplish. “What is clear is that momentum in fossil fuel divestment is growing a lot. This is a very concrete sign of the voice of the Catholic community,” said Tomas Insua, executive director of the Global Catholic Climate Movement, which organized the effort following a divestment conference in Rome earlier this year.

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Faith groups ask government to reconsider historically low refugee cap WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Catholic bishops and other faith groups are objecting to reports that the Trump administration will limit the number of refugees the United States accepts to 45,000 for the upcoming fiscal year. It would be the lowest admission level for persons fleeing persecution that the U.S. has accepted since the executive branch was allowed to set the caps in 1980 under the Refugee Act, signed into law by President Jimmy Carter. “We are disturbed and deeply disappointed by the proposed presidential determination number of 45,000,” said Bishop Joe S. Vasquez of Austin, Texas, who is chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration. “While the Catholic bishops, Catholic Charities, and Catholic communities across the country join in welcoming all of those refugees to American communities with joy and open arms, we are gravely concerned for the tens of thousands of extremely vulnerable refugees left behind by this decision,” he said in a Sept. 29 statement.

When the Refugee Act of 1980 went into effect, the U.S. set the cap at over 231,000 refugees.

Though it has declined steadily since then, the country has accepted between 70,000 to 80,000 displaced persons each year for almost two decades.

— Catholic News Service

Lives Celebrated Forever

By naming our parish in our will, we celebrate and affirm how important our parish family has been during our lives. As new members of the Catholic Heritage Society, we invite you to join us with a simple bequest in your will to benefit your parish, school or other Catholic agency.

For information about how to leave a legacy at your parish, please contact Ray-Eric Correia, Director of Planned Giving at 704-370-3364 or recorreia@charlottediocese.org.

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Our world 20

catholicnewsherald.com | October 13, 2017 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Politicians must help people overcome fear of migrants, pope says CINDY WOODEN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY— Politics as service to the common good and the need to create spaces where citizens and migrants can meet and overcome fear were topics Pope Francis repeatedly returned to Sept. 30 and Oct. 1.

Arriving in Bologna mid-morning Oct. 1, Pope Francis went directly to the “Regional Hub,” a government-run processing center for migrants, refugees and asylum seekers.

He was given, and wore, a yellow ID bracelet with his name and a number, just like the migrants and refugees there wear.

Just four days after he kicked off Caritas Internationalis’ “Share the Journey” campaign to encourage Catholics to meet a migrant or refugee and listen to his or her story, Pope Francis told the 1,000 people at the hub, “Many people don’t know you and they’re afraid.”

The fear “makes them feel they have the right to judge and to do so harshly and coldly, thinking they see clearly,” the pope said. “But it’s not true. One sees well only up close, which gives mercy.”

“From far away, we can say and think anything, like easily happens when they write terrible phrases and insults on the internet,” the pope said.

But, he told them, “if we look at our neighbor without mercy, we run the risk of God looking at us without mercy.”

Pope Francis, after shaking hands with each of the migrants and refugees, said he saw “only a great desire for friendship and assistance.”

The integration of newcomers begins with knowing one another, he said. “Contact with the other leads to discovering the ‘secret’ that each person carries and also the gift that he or she represents.”

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Pope Francis greets people at the “Regional Hub,” a government-run processing center for migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, in Bologna, Italy, Oct. 1.

“Each of you has your own story,” he said, and “this story is something sacred.

We must respect it, accept it and welcome it, and help you move forward.”

“Do you know what you are?” the pope asked them. “You are fighters for hope!”

Too many of their peers never made it to Europe’s shores because they died in the desert or in the sea, he said. “People don’t remember them, but God knows their names and welcomes them to Him. Let’s all take a moment of silence, remembering them and praying for them.”

Pope Francis had begun his Sunday early, arriving shortly after 8 a.m. in Cesena to mark the 300th anniversary of the birth of Pope Pius VI. Meeting the public in the main square of the city of 97,000 people, Pope Francis focused on the obligations of both citizens and politicians in working together for the common good.

Cities and nations need “good politics,” which is a form of governance not enslaved to “individual ambitions or the highhandedness of factions,” he said.

Authentic politics promotes collaboration and requires a balance of courage and prudence.

It “increases people’s involvement, their progressive inclusion,” he said, and it “does not leave any category at the margins” nor does it “sack and pollute natural resources – these, in fact, are not a bottomless well but a gift given by God for us to use with respect and intelligence.”

The social teaching of the Church sees politics, when motivated by concern for the common good, to be “a noble form of charity,” he said.

Being a good politician means carrying a cross, he said, “because many times he or she must set aside personal ideas and take up the initiatives of others, harmonizing and combining them so that it really will be the common good that is promoted.”

A good politician, he said, must be morally upright, patient and strong enough to live with the fact that very little will be perfect.

“And when the politician errs,” he said, he or she should be strong enough to say, “’I made a mistake, forgive me.’ And go forward. This is noble.”

The pope had spoken about politics and immigration the previous day as well, meeting at the Vatican with mayors and other members of Italy’s national association of municipalities.

Pope Francis urged them to oppose “oneway streets of exasperated individualism” and “the dead ends of corruption,” as well as cities that move at two speeds: the express lanes of the rich and privileged and the barely passable alleys of “the poor and unemployed, large families, immigrants and those who have no one to count on.”

Cities should not be raising walls or towers, he said, but enlarging public squares, giving each person space and helping them “open to communion with others.”

“I understand the discomfort many of your citizens feel with the massive arrival of migrants and refugees,” the pope told the mayors, many of whom lead cities and towns that have welcomed hundreds of people.

The fear, he said, “finds its explanation in an innate fear of the ‘stranger,’ a fear aggravated by the wounds of the economic crisis,” but also by a lack of careful preparation for welcoming so many people throughout the country.

“This discomfort,” the pope said, “can be overcome by offering spaces for personal encounter and mutual knowledge. So welcome all those initiatives that promote the culture of encounter, the exchange of artistic and cultural riches and knowledge about the homes and communities of origin of the new arrivals.”

October 13, 2017 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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In Brief Nuncio: Poverty, violence hinder progress for many women, girls UNITED NATIONS — Conditions in many parts of the world force women and girls to bear the burden of carrying out everyday chores for their families and communities, keeping many of them from getting even a basic education, the Vatican’s U.N. nuncio said Oct. 6. Females are often the victims of sexual and other violence, which prevents them from improving life for themselves and their families, said Archbishop Bernardito Auza, the Vatican’s permanent observer to the United Nations. Migrant women and girls are particularly vulnerable to these situations, he added. He addressed the issue of women’s advancement during a session at the United Nations of the Third Committee, which focuses on social, humanitarian and cultural issues. “Young women in rural areas are disproportionately involved in unpaid domestic work and especially bear the greatest burden when access to clean water and sanitation is not readily available,” Archbishop Auza said.

“They are forced to spend considerable time and effort collecting water for the community, and in doing so, their access to basic education is often thwarted, not to mention that, in many isolated places, they are also exposed to risks of violence.” Failure to achieve “that basic human right” of universal access to safe drinkable water “can undermine other human rights, as it is a prerequisite for their realization,” he said.

Canon law must serve Vatican II vision of the Church, pope says VATICAN CITY — The Catholic Church’s Code of Canon Law is an instrument that must serve the church’s pastoral mission of bringing God’s mercy to all and leading them to salvation, Pope Francis said. Just as the first full codification of Catholic Church law was carried out 100 years ago “entirely dominated by pastoral concern,” so today its amendments and application must provide for a well-ordered care of the Christian people, the pope said in a message Oct. 6 to a canon law conference in Rome. Leading canonists, as well as professors and students from all the canon law faculties in Rome, were meeting Oct. 4-7 to mark the 100th anniversary of the first systematic Code of Canon Law, promulgated by Pope Benedict XV in 1917. Work on the code began under the pontificate of St. Pius X and was a response not only to the need to examine, systematize and reconcile often conflicting Church norms, Pope Francis said.

After the Vatican lost its temporal power, he said, St. Pius knew it was time to move from “a canon law contaminated by elements of temporality to a canon law more conforming to the spiritual mission of the Church.”

Pope pledges Church commitment to fight child abuse online, offline VATICAN CITY — Acknowledging how often the Church failed to protect children from sexual abuse, Pope Francis pledged “to work strenuously and with foresight for the protection of minors and their dignity,” including online. “As all of us know, in recent years the Church has come to acknowledge her own failures in providing for the protection of children: extremely grave facts have come to light, for which we have to accept our responsibility before God, before the victims and before public opinion,” the pope said Oct. 6. The pope welcomed to the Vatican participants from an international congress on protecting children in a digital world.

Hosted by the Pontifical Gregorian University’s Center for Child Protection in partnership with WePROTECT Global Alliance, the congress Oct. 3-6 was designed to get faith communities, police, software and social media industries, mass media, nonprofits and governments working together to better protect minors.

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VATICAN CITY — While societies must find a way to overcome the subjugation of women, pretending there are no differences between men and women or even using technology to change a person’s sex is not the answer, Pope Francis said. Using science “to radically eliminate any difference between the sexes, and, as a result, the covenant between man and woman, is not right,” the pope said Oct. 5, opening the Pontifical Academy for Life’s general assembly. “The biological and psychological manipulation of sexual difference, which biomedical technology now presents as a simple matter of personal choice – which it is not – risks eliminating the source of energy that nourishes the covenant between man and woman and makes it creative and fruitful,” the pope said. Pope Francis offered several reflections for the academy’s consideration of humanity’s relationship with technology, particularly in a culture he described as egocentric and “obsessively centered on the sovereignty of man – as a species and as individuals – in relation to all of reality.”

Prefect: Couples may be better at marriage prep than priests BELFAST, Northern Ireland — Marriage ministry needs to be done by married couples because priests have “no credibility in this area,” Cardinal Kevin Farrell, prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, told a church gathering.

Delivering the keynote address to 500 delegates from the Diocese of Down and Connor at the Faith and Life convention in Belfast Sept. 30, Cardinal Farrell discussed Pope Francis’ 2016 apostolic exhortation “Amoris Laetitia” (“The Joy of Love”) and appealed to parishes to establish study groups on the document and to train couples to teach, prepare, guide and accompany married couples. On the role of priests in marriage accompaniment and preparation, he said they had “no credibility when it comes to living the reality of marriage” even though they may know the principles, the philosophy and the theology. The Dublin-born former bishop of Dallas said parishes would have to be prepared to train laypeople for such a role, which he saw as a new model of accompaniment in line with the pope’s vision for the Church. “You can’t have laypeople just talk about marriage unless they are trained to do it,” he said.

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Immigration, health care also pro-life issues, archbishop says VATICAN CITY — Pro-life issues cannot be restricted solely to bioethical concerns but must encompass a broader definition that defends life in every aspect, said Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Pontifical Academy for Life.

Speaking to journalists at the Vatican press office Oct. 2, Archbishop Paglia said that to be pro-life, Christians must “rethink the semantic value of the word, ‘life’ and not just in a reduced way. If we must be pro-life, we must always, however and wherever, be pro-life,” Archbishop Paglia said. He presented the theme of the academy’s Oct. 5-7 general assembly, which will reflect on “accompanying life: new responsibilities in the technological era.” The assembly, he said, would offer a time of reflection on life today that considers the strides made through technology while acknowledging that technology also risks becoming “a new religion where all other values are sacrificed.”

— Catholic News Service

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Special Pontifical Latin Mass Thursday October 26, 2017 – St. Ann Parish, Charlotte Celebrant: His Excellency Bishop Athanasius Schneider Join us for a special Pontifical Mass in the Extraordinary Form (Latin) to commemorate Blessed Karl of Austria.

Offered by: His Excellency, Bishop Athanasius Schneider, O.R.C., Auxiliary Bishop of Astana, Kazakhstan.   

Thursday October 26, 7pm, St. Ann parish (3635 Park Road, Charlotte) Sermon: The Kingship of Our Lord Jesus Christ Reception to follow in the St. Ann Allen Center

For more information please contact Mike FitzGerald, Charlotte Latin Mass Community at info@charlottelatinmass.org or visit www.charlottelatinmass.org/bishopschneider/

ViewPoints 22

catholicnewsherald.com | October 13, 2017 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Letters to the editor

Latin Mass commentary prompts reactions Editor’s note: The commentary “Why we should not attend the traditional Latin Mass” by Deacon James Toner in the Sept. 29 edition of the Catholic News Herald sparked a lot of comments on social media and several letters to the editor. Here is some of what readers had to say:

Respect worship in either form Deacon Toner’s comments are an excellent response toward Catholics who would not consider celebrating the traditional Latin Mass. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops references in an article “The Extraordinary Form of the Mass” stating that St. John Paul II in 1984 granted the ability to restore the celebration of the Latin Mass. In addition, Pope Benedict XVI issued another directive in 2007 which also supported the celebration of the Latin Mass for all those parishioners who request it. His directive exhorted the whole Church to ”generously open our hearts and make room for everything that the faith allows.” The USCCB’s article concluded in stating, “the Church hopes that the two forms (Extraordinary and Ordinary) of the one Roman Rite may provide a mutual spiritual enrichment for the faithful and promote the Communion of the whole Church as an expression of unity in diversity.” Hopefully, we can respectfully worship in either form and not be influenced to foster a “church within church” conflict over which form of Mass should be offered. There are enough outside influences in the world trying to undermine the Church.

JIM HEALY lives in Charlotte.

Mass should be a simple celebration I respect Deacon Toner’s experience of the Latin Mass.

The push for this has become more than obvious to me.

My understanding of the Mass is a celebration. At the first Mass, Jesus gathered with His friends for a final meal before His death. It was, as related, a simple meal with no missalettes, no silence, no Gregorian chant, no white gloves and torches – just bread and wine and conversation among friends. He took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them to eat – no ceremony, bells or ritual. He took the cup and gave it to them to drink – a cup, not a gold chalice.

They spoke Aramaic, not Latin. How have we wandered so far from the beautiful simplicity of this “celebration”? I pray that those who enjoy celebrating in Latin, or French or Spanish, continue to join in their language of choice. As for me, I hope to celebrate with Jesus in English.

JANE FRANCISCO lives in Charlotte.

Latin Mass should not be the norm Deacon Toner’s column was very thought provoking. I believe his answers to the questions why we should not attend the traditional Latin Mass were right on the money, if you support the traditional Latin Mass.

I was an altar boy for more than 10 years in the 1950s and early 1960s, before the reforms of the Second Vatican Council. I served at Sunday, daily, funeral and wedding Masses – all in Latin. To be honest, even though I knew the memorized lines (“Ad Deum qui laetificat juventutem meam,” “I will go in to the altar of God; to God, the joy of my youth” – part of the prayers at the foot of the altar) how many people in the congregation did? Probably not many.

In my opinion, the main change of Vatican II that affects most Catholics was putting the Mass in the vernacular.

Sure, we can and should spend time preparing for Mass – in fact, since I am a lector at this evening’s Mass I will do just that (of course, in the Latin Mass I would not have the opportunity to read the word of God in English, or at all).

Many Catholics around the world are simple people who love and worship God based on what they are taught by missionaries, religious, etc., in their native language.

Going to Mass in their native language reinforces that.

Celebrating Mass in Latin everywhere would make the

liturgy more “universal” but I believe it would leave behind those who do not have the opportunity or means to delve into a “foreign” language.

I for one would welcome the opportunity to attend a Latin Mass maybe once a year, but I do not want it to be the norm.

While the Latin Mass is “incurably and eternally Catholic,” as Deacon Toner describes, so is Vatican II, thanks be to God. ANTHONY CICHETTI lives in Mount Holly.

Ignorance of Vatican II Deacon Toner’s commentary about the traditional Latin Mass demonstrates a complete ignorance of Vatican II or, worse, a full rejection of its teachings. He appears to want to go back to a Church that Pope John XXIII instead wanted to open to the modern world.

H. MANFRED SCHELLPFEFFER lives in Charlotte.

Church encourages modernization of liturgy Deacon Toner’s column serves as an advertisement for the Tridentine Mass, encouraging Catholics to attend.

The Liturgy of the Eucharist was first celebrated in the Greek of the first century, since that was the common language for the Roman Empire. It is also the original language of the New Testament. Along with Aramaic, Greek would have been the language spoken by Jesus and His disciples.

As the empire spread and became more inclusive in terms of nationalities, common Latin gradually became the usual language for Mass in Europe, and certainly the language of the clergy and the Roman hierarchy. The “script” for the Mass, including the canon, has undergone many changes throughout the centuries, in order to make it more meaningful to the faithful. Along the way, some practices were added and some went out of favor, including the posture for worship, musical choices, Eucharistic bread and wine, and so on. In the early Church there were no altars, people didn’t kneel, bells didn’t ring. Christians gathered around tables for a sacred meal.

One could go on about the history of the liturgy, but the important point is that over the centuries, the Church has encouraged the modernization of the liturgy to meet the needs of the times. Pope Pius XII encouraged and oversaw a complete revision of the Holy Week Rites. He also encouraged more variety in the use of Scripture. At the time of Vatican II, common or “vernacular” languages were allowed and encouraged, in order to bring the faithful a more understandable experience. By the mid 1970s all of the sacramental rites were revised for this purpose. Pope John XXIII and Pope Paul VI encouraged and oversaw these changes.

So what reason, other than nostalgia, is behind the proliferation of dioceses in the United States that not only allow regular celebration in Latin, but encourage it?

Surely, they cannot believe that the sacraments are better participated in when the language is obscure. Many say they prefer to worship in a quieter atmosphere, but that is for personal prayer, not for community celebration.

Deacon Toner tells us that “effort and experience” will soon make participants comfortable with Latin. The fact is that most clerics and seminarians struggle for some time. It’s easy to memorize words in any language, but understanding takes time.

Observing the religious atmosphere that comes along with this desire to resurrect Latin in the liturgy leads one to acknowledge that motivations like a desire for a more conservative interpretation of doctrine and theology, a feeling for the need for separation of clergy and laity, and a movement away from ecumenism are also driving forces in this movement. Unfortunately, many reactionary forces in the Church have chosen the celebration of the Eucharist as their battleground.

DAVID GALUSHA lives in Waxhaw.

There is room for all of us I agree that the traditional Latin Mass should be offered in the Diocese of Charlotte, and I do not understand why both forms of the Mass cannot exist and why the form of the Mass has become a divisive factor among us. We are a Vatican II Church, and Mass in the vernacular is part of that. I have attended many moving ceremonies in languages I do not understand, or understand minimally, but it is not from those that I receive my “daily bread.”

These are some points in Deacon Toner’s commentary that I would like to address: Quiet ought to be a part of Mass, surely, but complete silence by the congregation throughout the Mass makes spectators of the people, who are the Church.

Other-worldly worship is good. It takes us out of the mundane and into ourselves, where God rests. However, we must be spiritually fed in this world as well.

Rite and ritual are fine. The absence of spontaneity can be comforting.

Gregorian chant is lovely, lending to that “other worldly” atmosphere. However, it is not the only music that praises God, which, to me, is the purpose.

I prefer more Scripture readings. As an adult, I feel I can discern “higher things” just about any place I pick up the Bible. What speaks to me may not speak to another. I am grateful for the additional Scripture in the Mass and that it has been chosen to show the connections between the Old and New Testaments. I do not believe it is a merely a method to “get through the Bible,” but to demonstrate that God has spoken to humanity throughout time.

I think it is plain wrong not to have “extraordinary ministers” and dismiss the roles of the congregation as somehow “less than” that of the clergy.

I, too, am glad we have a Catholic tradition. However, while I am neither a theologian nor a Church historian, I believe the reason St. Jerome translated the Bible was to make the Word of God more accessible to the people. Latin no longer serves that purpose.

I believe the Church is truly “catholic” and there is room for all of us. We can be faithful in both traditions of the Mass. Whether we choose to attend a Mass in Latin should not be an issue to divide us.

JUDI SIELAFF lives in Charlotte.

Comments from our Facebook audience Richard B. Reiling: Deacon Toner, while I appreciate your apologetics, I remember days of the Latin Mass where very few were paying attention. I remember older women praying the rosary during the Mass. I believe the current status is so much better and despite that you can get used to the Latin, few really will ever be able to translate it in real time – I still have trouble and I had a seminary background in the ’50s. Occasionally resorting to the Latin Mass is OK but should not become the routine.

Pat Jackson: Sorry Deacon Toner ... with much respect, it’s the wrong question. The bigger question and issue is how do we stop the waves of Catholics leaving the Church? If we think about that challenging question then we realize that nowhere in that debate is “we need more folks to attend the Tridentine Mass” as an answer. Sure they will be folks who will enjoy it and attend and that’s great. Let’s make Masses available for them, but let’s not in any way delude ourselves to thinking is “all we need to get back to our past and everything will be better.”

Justin Evangelisto: Thank you so much for this well-written article! The traditional Latin Mass has had a profound effect on my spiritual growth in the Catholic faith. My first Latin Mass taught me the virtue of humility that I needed.

May God bless you!

Brian Williams: A thoughtful article, presented respectfully, and by a man, an ordained deacon, who is extremely familiar with both forms of the Roman Rite. The reasons given by Deacon Toner are exactly what is attracting so many to the traditional Mass despite vast driving distances and (often) less than ideal times.

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