March 3, 2017 by Catholic News Herald

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

M arch 3 , 2 0 1 7

St. Patrick principal named assistant superintendent for diocesan schools 12

CRS speaker from Ghana helps kick off Rice Bowl in the diocese 8

INDEX

Contact us.......................... 4 Español..................................11 Events calendar................. 4 Our Faith............................. 2 Our Parishes................. 3-10 Schools......................... 12-13 Scripture readings............ 2 TV & Movies.......................14 U.S. news...........................16 Viewpoints................... 18-19 World news....................... 17

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LENT

POPE FRANCIS: Lent is time to relive exodus from slavery to freedom, time to heed God’s Word and view people as gifts

St. Pius X Church celebrates opening of Simmons Parish Center 3

VIEWPOINTS: This Lent, don’t give up something – Do something instead

INSIDE

MOVING FORWARD Mission trips to California, Haiti teach pilgrims about following the Lord, helping others

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Our faith

catholicnewsherald.com | March 3, 2017 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Pope Francis

Lent is time to relive exodus from slavery to freedom

ike the people of Israel freed from the bondage of slavery, Christians are called to experience the path toward hope and new life during the Lenten season, Pope Francis said. Through His passion, death and resurrection, Jesus “has opened up for us a way that leads to a full, eternal and blessed life,” the pope said at his weekly general audience March 1, Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent for Latin-rite Catholics. “Lent lives within this dynamic: Christ precedes us with His exodus and we cross the desert, thanks to Him and behind Him,” he said. The pope said that while Lent is a time PAGE 17 Read of “penance and more about the pope’s message even mortification,” it is also “a time of for Lent hope” for Christians awaiting Christ’s resurrection to “renew our baptismal identity.” The story of the Israelites’ journey toward the Promised Land and God’s faithfulness during times of trial and suffering helps Christians “better understand” the Lenten experience. “This whole path is fulfilled in hope, the hope of reaching the (Promised) Land and precisely in this sense it is an ‘exodus,’ a way out from slavery to freedom,” he said. “Every step, every effort, every trial, every fall and every renewal has meaning only within the saving plan of God, who wants for His people life and not death, joy and not sorrow.” To open this path toward the freedom of eternal life, he continued, Jesus gave up the trappings of His glory, choosing humility and obedience. However, the pope said that Christ’s sacrifice on the cross doesn’t mean “He has done everything” and “we go to heaven in a carriage.” “It isn’t like that. Our salvation is surely His gift, but because it is a love story, it requires our ‘yes’ and our participation, as shown to us by our mother Mary and after her, all the saints,” he said. Lent, he added, is lived through the dynamic that “Christ precedes us through His exodus,” and that through His victory Christians are called to “nourish this small flame that was entrusted to us on the day of our baptism.” “It is certainly a challenging path as it should be, because love is challenging, but it is a path full of hope.”

More inside

Sts. Perpetua and Felicity Feast day: March 7 Sts. Perpetua and Felicity were martyrs who died for the faith around the year 203, just after the death of Pope St. Victor I. St. Perpetua was a young, well-educated noblewoman and mother living in the city of Carthage in North Africa. Her mother was a Christian and her father was a pagan. In terms of her faith, Perpetua followed the example of her mother. Despite the pleas of her father to deny her faith, Perpetua did the very opposite, and fearlessly proclaimed it. At the age of 22, she was imprisoned for her faith. While in prison, she continued to care for her infant child and put up with the tortures designed to make her renounce her faith. Perpetua remained steadfast until the end. She was sacrificed at the games as a public spectacle for not renouncing her faith. St. Felicity was a pregnant slave girl who was imprisoned

with St. Perpetua. Little is known about the life of St. Felicity because, unlike Perpetua, she did not keep a diary of her life. After imprisonment and torture, Felicity was also condemned to die at the games. Only a few days before her execution, Felicity gave birth to a daughter, who was secretly taken away to be cared for by some of the faithful. The feast of these saints is March 7, and their names are forever mentioned together in the Roman Canon of the Mass. — Catholic News Agency

More online At www.catholicnewsherald.com: Learn more about other African and African-American Catholic saints, popes and holy men and women

Your daily Scripture readings MARCH 5-11

Sunday (First Sunday of Lent): Genesis 2:7-9, 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-19, Matthew 4:1-11; Monday: Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18, Matthew 25:3146; Tuesday (Sts. Perpetua and Felicity): Isaiah 55:10-11, Matthew 6:7-15; Wednesday (St. John of God): Jonah 3:1-10, Luke 11:2932; Thursday (St. Frances of Rome): Esther C:12, 14-16, 23-25, Matthew 7:7-12; Friday: Ezekiel 18:21-28, Matthew 5:20-26; Saturday: Deuteronomy 26:16-19, Matthew 5:43-48

MARCH 12-18

Sunday: Genesis 12:1-4, 2 Timothy 1:8-10, Matthew 17:1-9; Monday: Daniel 9:4-10, Luke 6:36-38; Tuesday: Isaiah 1:10, 16-20, Matthew 23:1-12; Wednesday: Jeremiah 18:18-20, Matthew 20:17-28; Thursday: Jeremiah 17:5-10, Luke 16:19-31; Friday (St. Patrick): Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13, 17-28, Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46; Saturday (St. Cyril of Jerusalem): Micah 7:1415, 18-20, Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

MARCH 19-25

Sunday: Exodus 17:3-7, Romans 5:1-2, 5-8, John 4:5-42; Monday (St. Joseph): 2 Samuel 7:4-5, 12-14, 16, Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22, Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24; Tuesday: Daniel 3:25, 34-43, Matthew 18:21-35; Wednesday: Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9, Matthew 5:17-19; Thursday (St. Turibius of Mogrovejo): Jeremiah 7:23-28, Luke 11:14-23; Friday: Hosea 14:2-10, Mark 12:28-34; Saturday (The Annunciation of the Lord): Isaiah 7:10-14, 8:10, Hebrews 10:4-10, Luke 1:26-38

Our parishes

March 3, 2017 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

St. Pius X Church celebrates opening of parish hall Simmons Parish Center dedicated Feb. 19 Georgianna Penn Correspondent

GREENSBORO — Parishioners, clergy, staff, benefactors and a Knights of Columbus honor guard all joined Bishop Peter J. Jugis for a special Mass, dedication and blessing of the new Simmons Parish Center Feb. 19 at St. Pius X Church. The Simmons Parish Center is now home for the Greensboro parish’s growing ministries and consolidates parish operations on its North Elm Street campus. The 23,477-square-foot, $5 million parish center houses a large banquet hall, stateof-the-art commercial kitchen, meeting rooms, nursery and library, as well as parish offices. “This is by far the best space the parish staff of St. Pius X has ever been afforded for workflow, etc.,” said staff member and parishioner Liz Pendergrass. The building project caps the parish’s successful “Making a Place to Gather and Grow” campaign which was combined under the auspices of the Diocese of Charlotte’s “Forward in Faith, Hope, and Love” campaign. The $8.6 million parish campaign also helped to build the 22,885-square-foot DeJoy Primary Education Center at St. Pius X School next door. “Blessed are the parishioners of St. Pius X Catholic Church on the day of the blessing and dedication of the new Simmons Parish Center,” Bishop Jugis said during his homily at the Feb. 19 Mass, calling the occasion “a great day to be blessed by the Lord.” “Be perfect just as your Heavenly Father is perfect,” Bishop Jugis then encouraged everyone gathered, referring to the Gospel reading for the day. “Jesus is telling us we must mirror God’s goodness, and God’s love, and God’s holiness in our lives. “The message is easy to remember. What

(Jesus) is saying is be like God in your conduct, in your behavior, in your attitude. Since you are a member of the Kingdom of God, then, be like God who has begotten you as His dearly beloved children through the waters of baptism.” The Greensboro parish has been building up the Kingdom of God and responding to unprecedented growth, especially over the past decade. The parish now has more than 1,800 registered families. “This church has not only grown in numbers, but our ministries which serve those in need have grown tremendously,” noted Tita Wofford, parish council member and parishioner for more than 30 years. From CROP Walk to Mobile Meals, Potter’s House to Room at the Inn, the Sunshine Club, We Care Committee, Dining for Friends and BackPack Beginnings, St. Pius X Church cares for others through more than 80 ministries. “We have a long history of helping our neighbor,” said Krisan Walker, longtime parishioner and chair of the parish’s Community Life ministry. “That’s the best thing about St. Pius – we walk the walk. That’s 100 percent why I go there.” “Our new parish center will serve our St. Pius X community as well as serve our neighbors in need through our outreach ministries,” said Carolyn Painley, parishioner and Community Life pastoral associate. “The Simmons Parish Center is truly a place for our parishioners to ‘gather and grow’ in the mission of Jesus Christ.” The effort to build the Simmons Parish Center and the DeJoy Primary Education Center came on the heels of another successful building campaign for the parish. A 2007 capital campaign, “Making a Place at the Table,” funded construction of the current 1,100-seat church, which replaced a much smaller church that had been built in 1981. The new church was dedicated by

Photos by Georgianna Penn | Catholic News Herald

Bishop Peter Jugis and Monsignor Anthony Marcaccio are pictured with members of the Simmons family, who helped fund the new Simmons Parish Center at St. Pius X Church in Greensboro: Trula Simmons, Carlos Simmons, Bridget Simmons, Jack Simmons, Tammy Simmons and Rob Simmons. (Left) The 23,477-square-foot, $5 million Simmons Parish Center consolidates operations on the parish’s North Elm Street campus.

Bishop Jugis in 2010. The International Catholic Stewardship Council recognized “Making a Place at the Table” as the best overall campaign in 2007. In 2009, the same organization recognized the parish with the Archbishop Thomas J. Murphy Award

for best stewardship parish internationally. That first building campaign was barely over before parish leaders and PARISH HALL, SEE page 15

Youth invited to Bishop’s Lenten Youth Pilgrimage April 1 BELMONT — 2017 is the “Year of Mary” in the Diocese of Charlotte. Bishop Peter Jugis declared this special theme for the new year at Mass Jan. 1 at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte. His annual youth event, the Bishop’s Lenten Youth Pilgrimage – a component of the annual Eucharistic Congress – will share the congress theme which is based on the words of the Blessed Virgin Mary spoken in the Gospel of Luke 1:46: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord.” All middle school and high school youth of the diocese are invited to attend the annual Bishop’s Lenten Youth Pilgrimage held this year on Saturday, April 1, at Belmont Abbey College. This year marks the 13th year for the youth pilgrimage. During the day-long event which will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., diocesan youth will enjoy live music, a vocations fair and motivational speakers, as well as Eucharistic Adoration and a Eucharistic Procession on the historic

Belmont Abbey College campus. There will be separate program tracks for middle and high school youths, and the sacrament of confession will also be available from priests of the diocese. Jimmy Mitchell, a Catholic speaker, composer and musician, will serve as emcee and speaker for the high school men’s track. Musician and songwriter Kevin Heider will provide the musical entertainment. Mass will be celebrated starting at 9:40 a.m., and Bishop Jugis will share an inspirational message with the youth during Eucharistic Adoration in the afternoon. Registration for the Lenten Youth Pilgrimage is $15. The fee includes a pizza lunch, a soft drink and a specially-designed pilgrimage T-shirt if you register by Friday, March 10. For details, go online to www. goeucharist.com. — SueAnn Howell, senior reporter

Bishop’s Lenten Youth Pilgrimage 2017 REGISTER BY: March 10 COST: $15 per person – youth and adults (includes T-shirt, lunch and drink. Bring your own snacks and drinks for the day.) Please send registration fees for your group ($15 per participant) to: Eucharist Congress Office Attn: Father Roger Arnsparger 1123 S. Church St. Charlotte, NC 28203-4003 Make checks payable to “Eucharistic Congress.” The Bishop’s Lenten Youth Pilgrimage is funded by contributions to the annual Diocesan Support Appeal. Learn more about the DSA and donate online at www.charlottediocese.org/dsa.

UPcoming events 4

catholicnewsherald.com | March 3, 2017 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Bishop Peter J. Jugis will participate in the following upcoming events: March 4

March 11 – 2:00 p.m. Rite of Election St. Eugene Church, Asheville

March 23 – 7 p.m. Legion of Mary Acies St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte

March 5 – 5 p.m. Rite of Election Holy Cross Church, Kernersville

March 18 – 12 p.m. Rite of Election St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Charlotte

March 25 – 11 a.m. Sacrament of Confirmation Holy Angels Church, Mt. Airy

March 7 – 11 a.m. Presbyteral Council Meeting Pastoral Center, Charlotte

March 21 – 10:30 a.m. Mass for St. Benedict Day Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, Belmont

March 27 – 10 a.m. St. Matthew School, Charlotte

March 20-22, at St. John Neumann Church, 8451 Idlewild Road, Charlotte. Presented by Father Kenneth P. Paul, a Franciscan priest of the Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and professor of education at Siena College, Loudonville, N.Y. For details, call the parish at 704-5366520.

blessed miraculous medals for all attendees. For details, call the parish at 704-527-8671, ext. 221.

Catholic Men’s Conference St. Mark Church, Huntersville

Diocesan calendar of events March 3, 2017

ENTERTAINMENT

Volume 26 • Number 11

Catholic Charities partnerS in Hope Dinner: March 9 at the Benton Convention Center, Winston-Salem. Dominican Sister Donna Markham, president and CEO of Catholic Charities USA, will be the keynote speaker. For details, call 336-714-3227 or go to www.ccdoc.org/ partnersinhope. (Editor’s note: See page 5.)

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

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

STAFF EDITOR: Patricia L. Guilfoyle 704-370-3334, plguilfoyle@charlottediocese.org ADVERTISING MANAGER: Kevin Eagan 704-370-3332, keeagan@charlottediocese.org SENIOR REPORTER: SueAnn Howell 704-370-3354, sahowell@charlottediocese.org Online reporter: Kimberly Bender 704-808-7341, kdbender@charlottediocese.org Hispanic communications reporter: Rico De Silva, 704-370-3375, rdesilva@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. POSTMASTER: Periodicals class postage (USPC 007-393) paid at Charlotte, N.C. Send address corrections to the Catholic News Herald, 1123 S. Church St., Charlotte, N.C. 28203.

LENTEN Missions & Services Lent for Ukrainian (Byzantine Rite) Catholics: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 1, and continuing every Wednesday during Lent at St. Basil Ukrainian Greek Catholic Mission (meets at St. Thomas Aquinas Church’s chapel, located at 1400 Suther Road in Charlotte). The very ancient Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts will be celebrated. Everyone is welcome to come and experience the various ancient liturgies of the Byzantine Rite. For details, visit www.stbasil.weebly.com. LENTEN VESPERS: 6 p.m. Sunday, March 5, and continuing every Sunday during Lent through April 9 at St. Patrick Cathedral, 1621 Dilworth Road East, Charlotte. Vespers will be followed by a reflection on the seven last words of Christ from the cross. For details, go to www. stpatricks.org. Lenten Parish Mission, ‘Why be Catholic? The Wounds of Christ’: 7 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday, March 5-8, at St. Ann Church, 3635 Park Road, Charlotte. Presented by Franciscan Father Joseph Tuscan. For details, call the parish office at 704-523-4641. Evening Parish mission, ‘Better things are coming’: 6:30 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday, March 5-8, at Holy Family Church, 4820 Kinnamon Road, WinstonSalem. Presented by Father Peter Schavitz of St. Louis. All are welcome. For details, call the parish office at 336-778-0600. ‘Come, Live In The Light’ Parish Lenten Mission: 6:30 p.m. March 12-16, at Holy Cross Church, 6161 South Cherry St., Kernersville. Guest preacher: Redemptorist Father Peter Schavitz, a Chicago native. Father Schavitz travels the country preaching missions and is nearing 300 preached missions. The topics for each night are: The Bible and Salvation-God’s plan of salvation and our response; The Crucifix-Who is Jesus to us?; Ashes-Sin, reconciliation and healing; Bread-Jesus as nourishment for the journey of faith; The Altar-Our mission to share in the work of Jesus and the Church. A social following each presentation. Child care provided for children younger than 6. Everyone welcome for all or any evening of the mission. For details, call 336-996-5109. Charlotte Catholic Women’s Group Lenten reflection: Saturday, March 18, at Sacred Heart Church, 375 Lumen Christi Lane, Salisbury. Come, listen and enjoy the Lenten talk by retreat director Father Lucas Rossi. Mass will be celebrated at 8 a.m. followed by refreshments, announcements and the reflection at 9 a.m. To register, go to www. charlottecatholicwomensgroup.org. Lenten Parish Mission, ‘The Desert of Lent 2017 – Not La La Land’: 6:30 p.m. Monday-Wednesday,

NATURAL Family Planning NFP Introduction and Full Course: 1-5 p.m. Saturday, April 8, 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: 11 a.m. Saturday, March 4, at 801 North Elm St. and Sunset Dr., High Point. Come and help us pray for the end of abortion, and feel free to invite anyone who would be morally supportive of this important cause. Parking is available on site in the bank parking lot. For details, call Jim Hoyng at 336-882-9593 or Paul Klosterman at 336-848-6835. Fatima pilgrim statue Tour comes to the Diocese of Charlotte: Saturday, March 11, at St. John the Evangelist Church, 234 Church St., Waynesville. Sunday, March 12, in Charlotte for a procession from the bishop’s residence, 1521 Dilworth Road East, to St. Patrick Cathedral, 1621 Dilworth Road East, followed by veneration through Monday, March 13. Tuesday, March 14, at Our Lady of Mercy Church, 1730 Link Road, WinstonSalem. For details and times, contact the parishes. (Editor’s note: See page 5.) World day of prayer, ‘Am I being unfair to you?’: 1 p.m. Saturday, March 11, at St. Aloysius Church, 921 Second St. N.E., Hickory. WDP is a worldwide ecumenical movement of Christian women who come together to observe a day of prayer each year. Guest speaker, Carmen Gaston. Attendees are asked to bring an item of new or gently-used clothing to be given to the Children’s Advocacy and Protection Center for rape victims. Childcare provided. For details, call the parish office at 828-327-2341. Taize Prayer Service: 5 p.m. Saturday, March 11, at St. Pius X Church, 2210 N. Elm St., Greensboro. Taize Prayer includes song, silence and Scripture in an atmosphere of quiet reflection. The music is simple, with brief refrains repeated in the manner of the mantra of the Eastern Church or the rosary of the Western Church. Allow the prayerful repetitions to permeate your spirit as you enter into the song and the silence. A light meal will be served before the service. To register, call 336-272-4681. St. Teresa of Calcutta Exhibit: Saturday, March 11-Friday, March 17, at St. Ann Church, 3635 Park Road, Charlotte. This 72-panel exhibit will be set up in the cafe behind the divider. Relics will be available for veneration. The Missionaries of Charity will provide prayer cards and

Feast of St. Gregory the Great: 12:30 p.m. Sunday, March 12, at St. Ann Church, 3635 Park Road, Charlotte. This is the patronal feast day for the Charlotte Latin Mass Community, and for the schola/Cantate Domino Latin Choir. All are welcome to this modest musical-themed celebration and veneration of the relics of St. Gregory the Great after Mass. Cantate Domino Latin Choir will sing beautiful chants in honor of St. Gregory. For details, call the parish office at 704-523-4641. St. Peregrine Healing Prayer Service: 7:30 p.m.. Thursday, March 23, at St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy., Charlotte. St. Peregrine is the patron saint of cancer and grave diseases. The healing prayer service will be offered for all those suffering with cancer or other diseases. For details, contact the parish at 704-543-7677. 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 a.m. Saturday, March 18, at St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy. HUNTERSVILLE: 10 a.m. Saturday, March 4, at St. Mark Church, 14740 Stumptown Road RETREATS & Lectures CHARLOTTE CATHOLIC WOMEN’S GROUP EVENING Reflection: 7:15 p.m. Friday, March 3, at St. Mark Church, 14740 Stumptown Road, Huntersville. All women in the Diocese of Charlotte are invited to this free event. Guest speakers: Father Robert Rogers and Father Bill Casey. To RSVP, go to www. charlottecatholicwomensgroup.org. Seventh annual Catholic Men’s Conference: Saturday, March 4, at St. Mark Church, 14740 Stumptown Road, Huntersville. Guest speakers include: Robert Rogers, Father Bill Casey, frequent EWTN guest, and Steve Beuerlein, former Carolina Panthers quarterback. For details, go to www.catholicmenofthecarolinas.org. YOUNG ADULTS ASHEVILLE THEOLOGY ON TAP: For Catholics in their 20s and 30s in the Asheville region. For details, check them out on Facebook, Twitter or MeetUp.

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

March 3, 2017 | catholicnewsherald.com

Historic Fatima pilgrim statue coming to diocese March 11-14 CHARLOTTE — The world-famous International Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Fatima will make three stops in the Diocese of Charlotte on its historic centennial U.S. Tour for Peace this year, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima to three shepherd children in Portugal. Three churches – St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte, St. John the Evangelist Church in Waynesville and Our Lady of Mercy Church in Winston-Salem – will welcome the statue during its tour through western North Carolina March 12-14. The International Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Fatima was sculpted in 1947 by renowned sculptor José Thedim. The image reflects the precise instructions of Sister Lucia dos Santos, the longestsurviving seer at Fatima whose cause for canonization is underway in the Church. Her desire was that the pilgrim image represent Our Lady’s countenance when revealed as the Immaculate Heart to her and her cousins, Francisco and Jacinta Marto, in 1917. The statue was blessed by the bishop of Fatima on Oct. 13, 1947, in the presence of hundreds of thousands of pilgrims at Fatima. It was the second “twin” statue commissioned as the Pilgrim Virgin that would carry the blessings of Fatima to the West, including the Americas, while the first statue, commissioned on May 13, 1947, would travel to the East. On Oct. 24, 1952, Pope Pius XII blessed the statue and imparted a special blessing on the work of the Fatima Pilgrim Tours. The statue will arrive in the Diocese of Charlotte on Saturday, March 11, at St. John the Evangelist Church in Waynesville. That evening, Father Christopher Riehl, pastor, will lead a rosary in Spanish. The church will then remain open for an all-night vigil. During Sunday School, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., the

children of the parish will listen to a presentation about Our Lady of Fatima and will have time for prayer. After the 11 a.m. Mass there will be a procession, with rosary, then more time for private prayers until the statue departs for Charlotte. On Sunday, March 12, the statue will arrive in Charlotte for a procession that will start at 7 p.m. from the bishop’s residence, located at 1521 Dilworth Road East, to St. Patrick Cathedral, located at 1621 Dilworth Road East. The cathedral will host an overnight vigil and veneration from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. Veneration will continue through Monday, March 13, and the statue will be on display during the 12:10 p.m. daily Mass at the cathedral. Veneration will conclude with compline and hymns to Our Lady at 8 p.m. The statue will then go to Our Lady of Mercy Church in Winston-Salem for veneration on Tuesday, March 14. The statue will be enthroned in the church in the morning, after which time the church will remain open. Children at Our Lady of Mercy School will have a special presentation about Our Lady of Fatima at 2 p.m. Afterwards, the church will remain open for public veneration. A procession and rosary from the soccer field to the church will take place at 7 p.m. Evening prayer and a presentation about the apparitions of Fatima will follow in the church. The Pilgrim Virgin Statue tours aim to bring the graces of Fatima and Our Lady’s message of hope, peace and salvation to the millions of people who may never have an opportunity to make a pilgrimage to Fatima itself. The custody and mission of the statue is under the auspice of the World Apostolate of Fatima USA – Our Lady’s Blue Army – which continues her journeys throughout the world. The statue has visited more than 100 countries, including Russia and China, bringing “the peace plan from heaven” to countless millions of people. Father Christopher Roux, rector and pastor of St. Patrick Cathedral, is helping to organize the statue’s visit to the Diocese of Charlotte. He also serves as co-spiritual director on the annual Te Deum Foundation pilgrimage to Fatima each July. FATIMA, SEE page 15

Stewardship conference coming up March 25 HICKORY — The Development Office of Diocese of Charlotte will host a Diocesan Stewardship Conference Saturday, March 25, at St. Aloysius Church in Hickory. Anyone interested in embracing stewardship as a way of life will benefit from attending the conference, which aims to provide inspiration, information and motivation for promoting stewardship in all areas of parish life. The conference will feature two tracks: one for beginners and another for those who have been practicing stewardship in their parishes for a number of years. Each track will offer workshops, presentations and discussions around stewardship, and innovative parish programs. Father Patrick Sheedy, pastor of Blessed Trinity Church in Ocala, Fla., will be the keynote speaker. Blessed

Trinity has been a “total stewardship” parish since 1992. Under Father Sheedy’s leadership, the parish has grown spiritually, has experienced a significant increase in parishioner involvement and giving, maintained Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, and has become involved in numerous outreach projects locally, nationally and internationally. Pre-registration is $16, on-site registration is $20, and includes conference materials, lunch and snack. For details and registration information, go to www.charlottediocese. org/development. Questions about the conference can be directed to Kerry Ann Tornesello, associate development director, at 704-370-3302 or katornesello@ charlottediocese.org. — Catholic News Herald

OUR PARISHESI

‘Forming Disciples After the Heart of Mary’

Diocese to host inaugural catechetical conference March 25 SueAnn Howell Senior reporter

GREENSBORO — Anyone who teaches the faith to others – including parents, catechists, other teachers and parish staff, and clergy – is invited to a Marianthemed catechetical conference coming up Saturday, March 25. The one-day conference at the Grandover Resort and Conference Center, entitled “Forming Disciples After the Heart of Mary: Catechesis for Discipleship and Evangelization,” is being organized by the Education Vicariate of the Diocese of Charlotte. It will feature speakers from both the diocese and the Denver-based Augustine Institute, which aims to teach the faith and equip Catholics for the New Evangelization. Conference-goers can participate in any of four program tracks: adult faith formation, catechists and educators, parish evangelization, and a Spanish-language track. The Adult Faith Formation track will include topics such as “The Baptismal Catechumenate as the Model for Adult Faith Formation” and “Effective Pastoral Leadership for Adult Faith Formation.” The Catechists and Educators track will include topics such as “Our Hearts were Burning Within Us: A Biblical Paradigm for Evangelization and Catechesis,” “Key Catechetical Methods for the New Evangelization” and “Being Imitators of Christ: The Spirituality of the Catechist.” The Parish Evangelization track will include topics such as “Becoming a Church of Missionary Disciples,” “Building & Sustaining a Parish Evangelization Team,” “How to Effectively Lead Small Discipleship Groups” and “Parish

Evangelization/Outreach Strategies.” In the Spanish-language track, topics include: “Ser imitadores de Cristo: la espiritualidad del catequista,” “Proclamando las escrituras: haciendo eco a la palabra de Dios,” “Integrando las tradiciones culturales en la catequesis” and “Convirtiéndonos en una iglesia de discípulos misioneros.” The conference will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mass will be celebrated by Monsignor Mauricio West, vicar general and chancellor of the Diocese of Charlotte, at 9 a.m. The keynote address for the conference, entitled “The New Evangelization – The Extraordinary Mission of Our Time,” will be given by Lucas Pollice of the Augustine Institute. Pollice is the director of program development and associate professor of theology and catechetics at the Augustine Institute. Other speakers include: Michelle Nilsson, associate director of evangelization and catechesis with the Diocese of Madison, Wis.; Scott Sollom, professor of theology at Franciscan University and coordinator of Campus RCIA; and Martha Toon, director of faith formation in Olathe, Kan., and a catechist with the School Of Faith Institute; Father Fidel Melo, Vicar of Hispanic Ministry for the Charlotte diocese; and Deacon Mark Mejias from Our Lady of Grace Church in Greensboro. The registration fee is $25 per person and includes lunch and coffee breaks. Vendors and other amenities will be available throughout the conference. For more information or to register, go to www.charlottediocese.org/ev/dcc. Questions? Call the Education Vicariate office at 704-370-3244.

Catholic Charities USA president to speak in Winston-Salem March 9 WINSTON-SALEM — Dominican Sister Donna Markham, president and CEO of Catholic Charities USA, will be the keynote speaker at the upcoming Partners in Hope Gala, a fundraiser to benefit the most poor and vulnerable in the Triad region. The 14th annual gala, hosted by Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte, will be held Thursday, March 9, starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Benton Convention Center. Catholic Charities USA is the national office for 160-plus Catholic Charities agencies across the nation. Together, these agencies help more than 9 million people Markham from all backgrounds each year. The former president of the Behavioral Health Institute for Mercy Health, Sister Donna Markham is a trained clinical psychologist with a background in nonprofit leadership and a deep commitment to helping the poor. She was elected to lead Catholic Charities USA in 2015, succeeding Father Larry Snyder. She is the first woman to hold this position

since Catholic Charities was founded in 1910. “I am both honored and humbled to engage in this enormously important ministry,” Sister Donna said when she was elected. “There can be no greater call than to serve and advocate on behalf of persons who struggle to get by in a world where they are all too frequently relegated to the margins of society and where they long for dignity, hope and compassion.” The annual Partners in Hope Gala is the largest fundraiser for Catholic Charities of the Greater Piedmont Triad Region. Proceeds help fund critical services to strengthen families, build local communities and reduce poverty in western North Carolina. Also during the event, the 2017 Bishop William G. Curlin Partners in Hope Award Recipient will be awarded to David Harold, victim assistance coordinator for the diocese. The fundraising goal for the 2017 event is $250,000. Sponsorships are still available. To register, get more information or become a sponsor, go online to www.ccdoc. org/partnersinhope or call 336-727-0705. — SueAnn Howell, senior reporter

catholicnewsherald.com | March 3, 2017 OUR PARISHES

Pictured are (from left) San Diego, the first mission of 1769; San Carlos in Carmel; and San Junípero’s grave in the sanctuary of San Carlos, Carmel. The saint died in the Mission of San Carlos in 1784.

Photos provided by Father Mark Lawlor

MOVING FORWARD

Mission pilgrimage along El Camino Real inspires us to ‘keep moving’ with the Lord

ome years before I was ordained, during a visit to my grandmother in Washington, D.C., I went over to the U.S. Capitol and just roamed around. I recall seeing the statue of a man wearing Franciscan robes holding a church in one hand and a cross in the other. The base was engraved with the name “Serra.” At the time, I didn’t know anything about the man the statue portrayed. I have since learned that it represented Father Junípero Serra, a Franciscan priest from Spain who is considered the builder of the state of California and one of four Catholic priests honored in the U.S. Statuary Hall. Ever since then, I have been interested in the missions of California.

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Father Mark Lawlor I recently returned from a pilgrimage to the 21 old missions of California that were founded by the Franciscans from 1769 to 1823. It was a spiritual journey along El Camino Real (“the Royal Highway”), and I learned a lot of history while being inspired by the missionary zeal of the Franciscans. Our Lord gave His apostles the commission to: “Go forth and make disciples of all nations!” (see Mt 28:19) With the colonization of the New World, missionaries sought to bring the joy of

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the Gospel to the natives living on this continent. Father Serra was one of these missionaries, arriving in Mexico from Spain and then being sent to California where he established the first mission of San Diego. He would go on to establish eight more mission before his death in 1784. At Father Serra’s beatification ceremony in 1988, St. John Paul II said that the priest was “a shining example of Christian virtue and the missionary spirit.” Father Serra learned the languages of seven different tribes and prepared a catechism for each. He also worked with the natives and helped them to develop farming techniques and basket making skills, as well as the manufacture of leather products (such as saddles) and other items that could be used in trade. The Franciscans planted the first grapes and oranges in California and also opened the first school. The major cities of California had humble beginnings as Franciscan missions. For example, the mission of San Gabriel provided the seed for the modern city of Los Angeles, which is today the second largest city in the nation. There were times when the good padres stood between the natives and the Spanish soldiers stationed in the area to protect the missions but who did not always practice the virtues. The Franciscans did not believe in forced conversions but always sought to live in accord with Gospel values to teach the faith. There were thousands of baptisms during the mission period. Today, there are some 10 million Catholics in California, and their faith is rooted in these early missions. The missions began under the jurisdiction of Spain, but after Mexico gained independence from the Spanish crown in 1721, they fell under Mexican rule. The Franciscans were dismissed by the authorities of Mexico in 1734 during a time of secularization. During the war between the U.S. and Mexico in the 1840s, some of the missions were actually occupied by U.S. forces. Some missions fell into disrepair or suffered from earthquakes or fires. After California became a state in 1850, most of the missions were returned to the Catholic Church by U.S. presidents,

including Abraham Lincoln shortly before his assassination. Today, 19 of the original missions are still connected with or are serving as parishes. Two are part of the California State Park system. Several have Catholics schools connected with them and the old Mission of Santa Clara sits in the middle of the campus of Santa Clara University. The missions still serve the Church, as this pilgrim can attest. At the Mission of San Raphael, for example, Mass is celebrated in five languages every Sunday: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese and Haitian! I returned to Charlotte from my pilgrimage inspired by the early missionaries. I am reminded that our faith is built on those who blazed the mission trail before us. At the canonization of Blessed Junípero during his pastoral visit to the United States in 2015, Pope Francis said the following: “Father Junípero Serra was the embodiment of ‘a Church which goes forth.’ He was excited about blazing trails, going forth to meet many people, learning and valuing their particular customs and ways of life. He learned how to bring to birth and nurture God’s life in the faces of everyone he met; he made them his brothers and sisters. Junípero sought to defend the dignity of the native community, to protect it from those who had mistreated and abused it. Father Serra had a motto which inspired his life and work, a saying he lived his life by: ‘¡siempre adelante!’ (‘Keep moving forward!’) For him, this was the way to continue experiencing the joy of the Gospel. ... He kept moving forward, because the Lord was waiting. He kept going, because his brothers and sisters were waiting. He kept going forward to the end of his life. Today, like him, may we be able to say: Forward! Let’s keep moving forward!” Father Mark S. Lawlor is the pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Church in Charlotte.

More online At www.catholicnewsherald.com: Hear more from Father Lawlor about his pilgrimage to California

March 3, 2017 | catholicnewsherald.com

OUR PARISHESI

Emma O’Sullivan (left) and Reagan Bitter (center) play with children in December 2016, at the Missionaries of the Poor St. Joseph Center in Haiti. The best friends went on a week-long mission with Reagan’s father, Deacon Daren Bitter, to serve the poor after Hurricane Matthew caused significant damage on the island last October. Photos provided by Deacon Daren Bitter

‘They showed me what it looks like to live life following Jesus’

St. Matthew youth travel to Haiti on mission CNH: What were you most worried about encountering there before you went on the trip?

SueAnn Howell Senior reporter

CHARLOTTE — Hurricane Matthew blew through the Caribbean and up the east coast of the U.S. in early October, causing thousands of deaths, billions of dollars in property damage and leaving millions of people without electricity in its wake. Two teens from St. Matthew Church had been scheduled to fly to Haiti just before the hurricane hit. Reagan Bitter, a junior at Charlotte Catholic High School, and her friend Emma O’Sullivan, a junior at Ardrey Kell High School, were forced to postpone their mission trip due to the storm that ironically bore their parish’s name. Fortunately for them, their one-week trip to assist the Missionaries of the Poor was quickly rescheduled, and they departed for Haiti Dec. 3. St. Matthew’s Deacon Daren Bitter, Reagan’s father, accompanied them. Deacon Bitter had traveled to Haiti for the first time in October 2015, and Reagan had asked him to take her to see firsthand the lives of the Haitian people and the work of the MOP brothers. They were among the latest people from the Charlotte diocese who have assisted the MOP. For decades parishioners have been serving the poor and needy by working alongside the brothers both here in the diocese and in their international outreach centers, especially in Haiti and Jamaica. The Catholic News Herald asked the two Charlotte teens about their experiences on their mission to Haiti. CNH: Why did you want to go on a mission trip to Haiti? BITTER: I wanted to go to Haiti to get a firsthand experience of a Third World country and to be involved in

BITTER: I was most worried about not being able to help enough and not knowing what to do in order to best help the MOP brothers. It was difficult to know what to expect since I had never been to a Third World country, but staying inside the MOP compound made me feel very safe and at home. O’SULLIVAN: Getting attached to the kids and having a hard time leaving. CNH: What did you think when you got there? Was it like you imagined?

helping those living there. I also wanted to see all of the effects of St. Matthew’s hard work in helping the Haitians. O’SULLIVAN: I knew it would be an amazing experience and something I would never forget, and I was with my best friend so it would make it easier to be away from home. CNH: Were you scared to travel there, knowing how poor the people are and how difficult their lives are there? BITTER: I was anxious to be exposed to such extreme poverty, knowing that I wouldn’t be able to improve their lives much. Since this was my first mission trip, I felt unprepared as to what I would see, but all the people there are very kind and welcoming so it was an easy adjustment. O’SULLIVAN: Somewhat, but I knew that they all had good hearts.

BITTER: I had seen pictures that my dad took on his trip last year so I had some idea of what we would be seeing, but taking everything in for the first time and meeting all of the residents is an experience that is different for every person. The neighborhoods we saw were all severely impoverished, but it was more emotional to see the people in person than in pictures or in the media. O’SULLIVAN: I thought I would be happy when we landed but it was actually really hard to see the people and how they lived, and I was not mentally prepared for it at all. CNH: What did you do to help people while you were in Haiti? BITTER: Inside the MOP compound, we did everything from playing with the children, dressing them, feeding them, cleaning the rooms and mopping the floors, and any other things that the brothers needed help with. We also went to one of the schools that St. Matthew’s works with HAITI, SEE page 15

catholicnewsherald.com | March 3, 2017 OUR PARISHES

Catholic Relief Services’ Thomas Awiapo speaks at St. Lawrence Basilica in Asheville as part of the diocese’s launch of the 2017 Lenten CRS Rice Bowl campaign, titled “Encounter Lent 2017 – CRS Rice Bowl.” Photos provided by Joseph Purello

CRS speaker from Ghana helps kick off Rice Bowl in the Asheville Vicariate Joseph Purello Special to the Catholic News Herald

ASHEVILLE — Parishioners and students from Immaculate Conception Church and Immaculata School in Hendersonville, and from St. Lawrence Basilica and Asheville Catholic School in Asheville recently had the good fortune to hear Catholic Relief Services speaker Thomas Awiapo tell his inspiring journey from extreme poverty and hunger, to a life of empowerment, joyful inspiration, and educational ministry. These events sponsored by Catholic Charities and CRS, and titled “Encounter Lent 2017 – CRS Rice Bowl,” helped to launch the 2017 Lenten CRS Rice Bowl Program in these parishes and schools. Awiapo’s story to attendees began when he was a child. Orphaned with his brothers at a young age, they scrounged for shelter and sustenance. He watched as his two younger brothers died from hunger, and then saw his older brother just walk away to seek something better. He relied on the kindness of others for shelter and his day-to-day needs. When Awiapo was about 12 years old, a CRS education and nutrition program began several miles from his village. He went to go to school for the first time and also received food from the school. Today, Awiapo continues on his journey of empowerment by taking his story of suffering, rescue, hope and gratitude to Catholics in the United States. He says that his yearly eight weeks of travel to dioceses and archdioceses in the U.S., which he has been doing

now for more than 10 years, are a necessity. He just wants to tell as many people as he can “thank you” for their support of the Lenten CRS Rice Bowl Program. Through funds raised by CRS Rice Bowl, charitable and educational programs, such as the one that rescued him from poverty and hunger, are made possible in many countries around the world. For Awiapo, saying thank you to CRS and those who support CRS through their donations, is “easy to do, for CRS saved my life and provided me with a future.” “Today,” he says, “I have a wonderful wife and four children, a master’s education, and a job that enables me to help others. I am truly fortunate and grateful.” CRS has worked in Ghana since 1958. It is just one of 100-plus countries in which CRS operates, affecting the lives of more than 100 million people through education, agriculture, health, water and sanitation, and nutrition programs. CRS Rice Bowl, which has been a Lenten “faith-in-action” program in the USA for 42 years, is implemented in more than 13,000 Catholic schools and parishes throughout the U.S. Joseph Purello is the director of Social Concerns and Advocacy for Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte and also serves as the diocesan director for Catholic Relief Services.

Learn more At www.crsricebowl.org: It’s not too late to start your own Rice Bowl collection for Lent. Download the app, join in prayer and get more information at the official CRS Rice Bowl website.

Awiapo, pictured with Capuchin Franciscan Father Martin Schratz, also spoke at Immaculate Conception Church and Immaculata School in Hendersonville.

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March 3, 2017 | catholicnewsherald.com

Photo provided by the Pontifical North American College

Carlson receives ministry of acolyte ROME — Seminarian Michael J. Carlson was conferred the ministry of acolyte Feb. 26 during Mass in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception at the Pontifical North American College. Bishop David Kagan of Bismarck, N.D., an alumnus of the Pontifical North American College, celebrated the Mass. During his homily, he reminded Carlson and the 62 other second-year seminarians that their new responsibility of serving at the altar, their second-to-last step before being ordained priests, is one to be shouldered with a spirit of humility. “Remember that your service is never to be about you ... for the people of God whom you will serve look to you to model fidelity, devotion and humble joy in your service to Almighty God, and what a privilege you have in this vocation,” he said. As part of the rite, the bishop placed the paten, which contains the hosts for the celebration of Mass, in the hands of each candidate and said, “Take this vessel with bread for the celebration of the Eucharist. Make your life worthy of your service at the table of the Lord and of His Church.” The seminarians will have two more years of theological studies and spiritual formation before being considered for ordination to the priesthood. The Pontifical North American College serves as the American seminary in Rome. Founded in 1859 by Blessed Pius IX, the college has formed more than 5,000 priests near the heart of the Church for service in dioceses around the United States, Canada and Australia.

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In Brief Priest joins St. Peter Church CHARLOTTE — Bishop Peter J. Jugis announces the appointment of Jesuit Father James M. Bowler as in residence at St. Peter Church, effective Feb. 1. Father Bowler will serve as a pastoral minister for all the sacraments and adult education programs, especially in Ignatian spirituality. He previously served as facilitator for Catholic and Jesuit identity at Fairfield University in Connecticut as well as director of the Bowler university’s Center for Ignatian Spirituality. This followed more than 20 years of ministry in the area of spiritual direction as director of the Campion Renewal Center in Weston, Mass.; executive director of the National Jesuit Retreat and Renewal Ministries; and staff member at Loyola House, the Guelph Center for Spirituality in Guelph, Ontario, where he was responsible for training and supervising spiritual directors in the Ignatian tradition. He has spent many years integrating Ignatian spirituality with the psychology of Carl Jung. — Catholic News Herald

Deacon appointed for High Point parish HIGH POINT — Deacon Jose Vargas has been granted faculties as a permanent deacon in the Diocese of Charlotte by Bishop Peter J. Jugis, effective Jan. 25. When in residence in the diocese, he will serve at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in High Point. Deacon Vargas and his wife Maria are seasonal residents of High Point. They visit

children and grandchildren on a regular basis and when in town he will be available to help with parish activities and assist with ministering to the Spanish-speaking community. He was ordained on May 18, 2012, for the Diocese of Arecibo, Puerto Rico, and Vargas brings with him more than four years of experience as a permanent deacon in parish assignments. — Deacon John Martino

High school Lenten retreat coming soon CHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte’s High School Lenten Retreat will be held March 17-19 at Camp Valley Haven in Hickory. “Behold Your Mother,” taken from John 19:27, is the theme for this year’s weekend retreat being organized by the diocesan Youth Ministry office. Through prayer, games, confession, talks and more, participants will take the time to reflect and learn more about the Blessed Virgin Mary and her role as Mother of the Church. For details and registration information, go online to www.charlottediocese.org/ev/youth/ events/high-school-retreat.

Experience Lent from a different perspective CHARLOTTE — Everyone is invited to participate in several ancient liturgies during this Lenten season at St. Basil Ukrainian Catholic Mission. Lent for Ukrainian (Byzantine Rite) Catholics, called “Great Lent,” includes several liturgies designed to help the faithful enter into this holy season of fasting, prayer and almsgiving. Starting Wednesday, March 1, and continuing every Wednesday during Lent, the very ancient Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts will be celebrated at St. Basil Mission at 6:30 p.m. briefs, SEE page 10

OUR PARISHESI

Music Director St. Luke Catholic Church in Mint Hill is seeking qualified applicants for a full-time Music Director. Our Parish offers a vibrant, engaging music program. We currently have seven choirs including children, teen and adult. We are looking for an enthusiastic, energetic and talented organist/pianist who is familiar with the Catholic Mass and music used in Liturgy and can provide choral direction, harmonizing and vocal instruction. This position requires a Bachelor’s Degree in Music. Experience is preferred (and will be given consideration in salary and benefits), but we will also consider applicants with a strong desire and willingness to bring joy and praise through music to our Worship services.

Please submit your resume to jobs@stlukechurch.net for consideration.

catholicnewsherald.com | March 3, 2017 OUR PARISHES

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BRIEFS FROM PAGE 9

During this unique liturgy, Vespers is sung and Holy Communion consecrated on the previous Sunday is distributed to the faithful. On the Sundays of Great Lent, the Divine Liturgy (Mass) of St. Basil the Great will be celebrated starting at 11 a.m. St. Basil Mission is an Eastern rite Catholic Church in full communion with the pope. All liturgies are celebrated in English in the chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas Church, located at 1400 Suther Road in Charlotte. Everyone is welcome to come and experience the various ancient liturgies of the Byzantine Rite. For more information, go to www.stbasil.weebly.com. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Catholic News Herald

St. Teresa exhibit coming to Charlotte

Taize prayer service to be held at St. Pius X Church GREENSBORO â&#x20AC;&#x201D; A Taize prayer service will be held Saturday, March 11, following the 5 p.m. Mass at St. Pius X Church. Led by Felician Sister Judith M. Kubricki, Ph.D, the prayer service will feature song, silence and Scripture in an atmosphere of quiet reflection. The music is simple, with brief refrains repeated in the manner of Kubricki the mantra of the Eastern Church or the rosary of the Western Church. A light meal will be served beforehand. The event is free, but people are encouraged to register by calling the parish office at 336-272-4681. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Carolyn Painley

in Brevard (pictured) and at St. Eugene Church in Asheville. Founded in Baltimore in 1987, the choir began with 14 boys and a mission to create an organization offering boys from all backgrounds a foundation in music with the belief that this can shape a personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s character. Since then, membership has increased dramatically, with the most advanced students selected to participate in the Tour Choir. The Tour Choir, which travels twice a year, has been to 30 states and 12 countries. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Dorice Narins, correspondent

CHARLOTTE â&#x20AC;&#x201D; St. Ann Church will host the St. Teresa of Calcutta Exhibit March 11-17 in the Monsignor Allen Center. This 72-panel exhibit will be set up in the cafe behind the divider. Relics will be available for veneration. The Missionaries of Charity will provide prayer cards and blessed miraculous medals for all attendees. Questions? Contact the parish office at 704527-8671, ext. 221.

Seminarians tour Nunciature in Washington, D.C. WASHINGTON, D.C. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Deacon Brian Becker, Deacon Chris Bond, Deacon Christian Cook and Deacon Matthew Bean recently toured the office of the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, Archbishop Christophe Pierre, in Washington, D.C. Archbishop Pierre, who also serves as chancellor of the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio, where the four seminarians are studying, hosted them during their visit to the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capital. The tour is a long-standing tradition for each ordination class, and includes Mass, a formal brunch and a guided tour of the Nunciature.

CCDOC.ORG

Help and Hope For Youth & Their Families The Piedmont Triad OfďŹ ce of Catholic Charities offers professional youth and family counseling services free of charge, in English and Spanish. Individual and family counseling can help school-age young people who may be dealing with behavioral issues, trauma, changing family dynamics, school issues, depression and anxiety, and life transitions. Licensed, Masters level counselors at Catholic Charities strive to help people in crisis cope with daily challenges and reduce stress, fear, and uncertainty. Parenting Education classes are also available free of charge. All families qualify for services regardless of income.

To request services or make referrals, contact Becky DuBois at 336-714-3203/bjdubois@charlottediocese.org. Free services provided at the Catholic Charities office in Winston-Salem only. 627 West Second Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27120

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Carolyn Dinovo and Eddie Arrossi Photography

Maryland State Boychoir sings at two local parishes

Order of Malta members serve up breakfast to families in need WINSTON-SALEM â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Central North Carolina Order of Malta members recently provided a home-cooked breakfast to families of patients undergoing cancer treatment in local hospitals. Fifty guests were welcomed to â&#x20AC;&#x153;Breakfast at Dinnerâ&#x20AC;? Feb. 7 at the Family House in WinstonSalem, where they enjoyed pancakes, sausage, eggs, hash browns, plenty of homemade breads, fruit and muffins. The guests, who come to Winston-Salem from a 500-mile radius, are families of people undergoing weeks of cancer treatment at local hospitals. At the Family House, a 48-bed home built in 2013, these families have a place to stay each night for little to no cost, instead of sleeping in the hospital. Volunteers like the Order of Malta members provide meals for the guests â&#x20AC;&#x201C; their way of helping those in need with food, comfort and love. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Deanne and Jim Lentz

BREVARD â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The Maryland State Boychoir recently sang at Masses at Sacred Heart Church

SPX Knights donate L.A.M.B. funds in Greensboro area GREENSBORO â&#x20AC;&#x201D; More than $7,000 was recently distributed to six local organizations from money raised by the St. Pius X Knights of Columbus Council 11101 as part of its participation with L.A.M.B. (Least Among My Brethren), a foundation dedicated to helping persons with intellectual disabilities. Pictured are Melaina Seegers of Mendenhall Middle Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life skills program; Buck Corcoran of Peacehaven Farm; Greg Rachal, Grand Knight of St. Pius X Council 11101; Monsignor Anthony Marcaccio, pastor of St. Pius X Church in Greensboro; Sheran Bailey of Reedy Fork Elementary Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life skills program; John Ball of Sunshine Club; Jessica Knowles of Max and Friends; and Emily Mann of Horsepower Theraputic. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; John Russell

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March 3, 2017 | catholicnewsherald.com

Father Mark Lawlor

Mi peregrinaje por el Camino Real de las Misiones de California

un periodo de secularización en México, misionero.” San Junípero aprendió el ace algunos años atrás antes de que los Franciscanos fueron expulsados de dialecto de siete tribus de esa área, y fuera ordenado como sacerdote, las Misiones por el gobierno mexicano. preparó un catecismo para cada una durante una visita que hice a mi Durante la guerra de los Estados Unidos de ellas en su propio dialecto. El Padre abuela en la ciudad de Washington, D.C., con México fui al edificio del en la década “U.S. Capitol” de 1840, en esa ciudad. algunas de Durante mi las misiones visita al ‘Capitol,’ fueron recuerdo haber ocupadas por visto una estatua el ejército de de un hombre los Estados con hábito Unidos. franciscano Algunas sosteniendo misiones una iglesia en sufrieron una mano, y en daños la otra mano irreparables agarrando una o fueron cruz. En la base afectadas de la estatua Fotos PROPORCIONADAS POR EL PADRE Mark Lawlor por fuegos o estaba escrito (Arriba) La tumba de San Junípero Sierra en el Santuario de San Carlos en Carmel. San Junípero murió en la terremotos. el nombre Misión de San Carlos en 1784. La primera Misión de San Diego fundada en 1769. California “Serra.” En se convirtió esos tiempos, yo en un estado de los Estados Unidos Serra también trabajó con los nativos no tenía idea del hombre que estaba en 1850. La mayoría de las Misiones del área y los ayudó a que desarrollaran representado en la estatua. Pero desde le fueron regresadas a la Iglesia técnicas de agricultura, y también ese entonces, he aprendido que esa es católica en los Estados Unidos por como confeccionar canastas, productos la estatua de San Junípero Serra, un algunos presidentes norteamericanos, de cuero (como sillas de caballo), y sacerdote franciscano español, el cual es incluyendo al presidente Abraham otros tipos de artículos para que ellos considerado como el que formó el estado Lincoln, poco antes de su asesinato. Hoy pudieran usar como intercambio de California. San Junípero es uno de día, 19 de las Misiones de California mercantil. Los Franciscanos plantaron solo cuatro sacerdotes católicos que están conectadas o sirven como las primeras uvas y naranjas en han sido honrados con una estatua en parroquias. Dos de las Misiones son California, y también construyeron la el Salón de las Estatuas de los Estados parte del Departamento de Parques primera escuela ahí. Unidos. Desde el momento que supe la Estatales de California. Varias de ellas Hubo momentos en que los buenos identidad de ese sacerdote franciscano, también tienen escuelas católicas sacerdotes franciscanos se pusieron me han interesado las Misiones de conectadas a ellas, y la antigua Misión en medio de los nativos y los soldados California. de Santa Clara está situada en medio españoles para proteger a los nativos. Acabo de regresar el mes pasado de un del campus de la Universidad de Santa Los soldados españoles vivían en las peregrinaje que hice a las 21 Misiones Clara. Las Misiones todavía sirven a áreas de las misiones para protegerlas antiguas de California, las cuales fueron la Iglesia. En la Misión de San Rafael, a estas. Desafortunadamente, fundadas por los Frailes Franciscanos por ejemplo, se celebra la Santa Misa algunos de estos soldados no siempre durante el periodo de 1769 a 1823. El en cinco diferentes idiomas todos los practicaban las virtudes cristianas. Los viaje fue un peregrinaje espiritual para domingos: inglés, español, portugués, Frailes Franciscanos no creían en las mí, y aprendí muchísima historia, y al vietnamés y en el dialecto haitiano! conversiones forzadas, sino que siempre mismo tiempo el celo misionero de los Regresé a Charlotte inspirado por buscaron la forma de vivir de acuerdo a Franciscanos me inspiró mucho. estos primeros misioneros de California. los valores del Evangelio para propagar y Nuestro Señor Jesucristo le dio a Este peregrinaje me hizo recordar que enseñar la fe católica. Durante el periodo sus Apóstoles la gran misión de: “Por nuestra fe está fundada sobre el legado de las misiones hubo miles de bautizos. tanto, vayan y hagan discípulos de todas de aquellos que se aventuraron a tomar Hoy día existen 10 millones de católicos las naciones!” (Ver Mateo, 28: 19). Con el camino misionero antes que nosotros. en el Estado de California. La fe de ellos la colonización del Nuevo Mundo, los Durante la Misa de Canonización del misioneros buscaron la manera de llevar hoy tiene sus raíces en estas primeras Beato Junípero Serra que el Papa misiones. Las ciudades más grandes de la alegría del Evangelio a los nativos Francisco celebró durante su visita a los California tienen su humilde principio que vivían en este continente. El Padre Estados Unidos en el 2015, el Papa dijo Junípero Serra llegó a México de España en las Misiones Franciscanas. Por lo siguiente: “El Padre Junípero Serra ejemplo, la Misión de San Gabriel plantó como misionero. De ahí entonces fue es el prototipo de una Iglesia que sigue la semilla a la cuidad que hoy llamamos enviado a California, donde estableció la Los Ángeles, la cual hoy día es la segunda adelante…El Padre Serra tenía un lema primera Misión de San Diego. El santo que fue la inspiración de su vida y su más grande de los Estados Unidos. después estableció ocho misiones más labor misionera, ‘¡siempre adelante!’” Las Misiones de California fueron antes de su muerte en el año 1784. fundadas bajo la jurisdicción de España. Durante su ceremonia de beatificación El Padre Mark Lawlor es el Párroco de la Iglesia Después que México se independizo en 1988, el Papa San Juan Pablo II de San Vicente de Paul en Charlotte., y ofrece Misa en de España en 1721, estas estaban bajo dijo que el Padre Serra fue “un gran español todos los domingos a las 2 p.m. autoridad mexicana. En 1734, durante ejemplo de virtud cristiana y de espíritu

La Diócesis será anfitriona de la primera conferencia de catequesis Marzo 25 SueAnn Howell Senior reporter

GREENSBORO — Todas aquellas personas que enseñan la fe católica a los demás --incluyendo a los padres de familia, catequistas, personal parroquial y clero – están invitados a participar en una conferencia de catequesis con tema Mariano que tendrá lugar el sábado, 25 de Marzo. La conferencia titulada “Formando Discípulos con el corazón de Maria: Catequesis para hacer Discípulos y Evangelización” tendrá lugar en el Grandover Resort y Centro de Conferencias. El evento ha sido organizado por el Vicariato de Educación de la Diócesis de Charlotte. La conferencia contará con presentadores tanto de la diócesis, y también el Instituto Agustino de la Diócesis de Denver, Colorado. El objetivo del Instituto Agustino es el de enseñar a los católicos para la Nueva Evangelización. Participantes de la conferencia tendrán la oportunidad de participar en cualquiera de los cuatro programas de charlas: Formación de fe para adultos, catequesis y los educadores, evangelización parroquial y conferencias en español. Las conferencias de formación de fe para adultos incluirán temas como, “El Catecumenado del Bautismo como modelo para la formación de fe para adultos,” y “Liderazgo Pastoral efectivo para la formación de fe para adultos.” Las conferencias para catequesis y los educadores incluirán temas “Puntos de Vistas Bíblicos para la Evangelización y Catequesis,” y “Ser imitadores de Cristo: La espiritualidad del Catequista.” Las conferencias de evangelización parroquial ofrecerán temas como “Estrategias para la Evangelización Parroquial,” y “Como Formar una Iglesia de Discípulos Misioneros.” Las conferencias en español ofrecerán las siguientes charlas: “Ser imitadores de Cristo: la espiritualidad del catequista,” “Proclamando las escrituras: haciendo eco a la palabra de Dios,” “Integrando las tradiciones culturales en la catequesis” y “Convirtiéndonos en una iglesia de discípulos misioneros.” La conferencia tendrá lugar de las 8 a.m. a 4 p.m. Monseñor Mauricio West, Canciller de la Diócesis de Charlotte celebrará la Santa Misa a las 9 a.m. Lucas Pollis del Instituto Agustino dará la charla principal de la conferencia, “La Nueva Evangelización, la Misión extraordinaria de nuestros tiempos.” Pollis es el Director de Desarrollo del Instituto Agustino y profesor asociado de teología y catequesis del mismo. Conferencistas en español incluirán al Padre Fidel Melo, Vicario Diocesano del Ministerio Hispano, y el Diacono Mark Mejias de Our Lady of Grace Church en Greensboro. El costo de la conferencia es $25/persona e incluye almuerzo y meriendas. Para mayor información o para registrarse vaya a www.charlottediocese.org/ev/dcc. Si tiene preguntas al respecto puede también llamar a la oficina del Vicariato de Educación al 704-370-3244. — Traducido al español por Rico De Silva, Hispanic Communications Reporter

Our schools 12

catholicnewsherald.com | March 3, 2017 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

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In Brief Petrangeli named contest winner HIGH POINT — Michelle Petrangeli, eighth-grader at Immaculate Heart of Mary School, won the American History Essay Contest sponsored by the local Alexander Martin Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The contest was established to encourage young people to think creatively about our nation’s history and learn about history in a new light. She is pictured with Kathy Niebauer and Maryann Leonard. — Carrie Vest

Charlotte Catholic junior wins DAR Award CHARLOTTE — Charlotte Catholic High School junior Carmen Adamson was recently awarded the Daughters of the American Revolution Outstanding Cadet Medal for 2016. Cadet Chief Master Sergeant Adamson is a member of the 111th Search and Rescue Squadron, Civil Air Patrol, North Carolina Wing. Adamson was chosen for the award because she demonstrates academic excellence, dependability, good character, adherence to military discipline, leadership, and a fundamental and patriotic understanding of the importance of cadet training. The DAR is a lineage-based membership service organization for women who are directly descended from a person involved in the United States’ independence. Members of the DAR are dedicated to promoting historic preservation, education and patriotism, and honoring the patriots of the Revolutionary War. The Civil Air Patrol is the volunteer, non-profit auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. Its three missions are to develop its cadets, educate Americans on the importance of aviation and space, and perform life-saving humanitarian missions. The 111th Search and Rescue Squadron, located near the CharlotteDouglas International Airport, is an organization for students aged 12 to 17 who are interested in aviation, search and rescue, leadership opportunities, and military drill and ceremonies. — Carolyn Kramer Tillman IN BRIEF, SEE page 13

St. Patrick principal named assistant superintendent for diocesan school system Rico De Silva Hispanic Communications Reporter

CHARLOTTE — Debbie Mixer, principal of St. Patrick School in Charlotte, has been named the new assistant superintendent for Catholic schools in the Diocese of Charlotte. Mixer succeeds Kathleen Miller, who left the position in December to serve as principal at Our Lady of Grace School in Greensboro. Mixer’s experience in Catholic education in the diocese spans nearly 15 years. She started her career with the diocesan school system in 2003, when she served as assistant principal at St. Matthew School in south Charlotte until 2005. Mixer then worked as a learning support teacher at St. Mark School in Huntersville during the 2005-’06 academic year. She has served as the principal at St. Patrick School since 2006. In making the announcement

Dr. Janice Ritter, diocesan schools superintendent, said, “I am confident that Mrs. Mixer’s background and skills will be of benefit to all 19 schools in our diocese. I look forward to having Mrs. Mixer join our team and having her enhance the work we do at the Catholic Schools Office for the Diocese of Mixer Charlotte.” Mixer expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work in leadership for the diocesan school system. “My Catholic faith and the work that I do in Catholic education are very important to me. To be able to do it on a larger scale, across the western half of North Carolina, in the Diocese of Charlotte, is quite an honor, and I’m looking forward to it,” she said. Mixer’s background is primarily in

special education, and she said she sees her new assignment as an opportunity to reach out to a more diverse population of students. “I’ve worked with children in the special needs population, both in the school level and in the district office level previously. So, it’s that ability to now do that, not just at St. Patrick, but at all the schools in the diocese – to be able to work with that population of students, who also want and deserve a Catholic education,” she said. Mixer will finish the current school year as principal at St. Patrick School as she gradually transitions into her new role as assistant superintendent by this summer. Mixer said she feels her future career path has been an answer to prayer: “When I applied, I lifted it up to God to show me, ‘At this point in my life and in my career, what do You want me to do?’ And I felt like He did.”

CTK racks up state swimming titles, records Michael Smith Special to the Catholic News Herald

HUNTERSVILLE — Christ the King High School has claimed its second state championship title in swimming. The girls team placed first in a decisive victory over its closest competitors of Carolina Day School and The O’Neal School. The boys team, last year’s state champions in their division, placed second this year in a very close competition with Grace Christian School of Raleigh. Jane Donahue, who has signed to swim next year at Penn State, broke her own state records in the 200-yard individual medley and the 100-yard breaststroke, which gave her a High School AllAmerican time. Donahue said, “I am so proud to be a part of this team, and I am thrilled that we have finished off our high school careers with a state championship victory.” Other top finishes included:

n Alex Adams: State champion in the 100-yard butterfly and second-place finisher in the 100-yard backstroke n Amanda Hoffman: State champion in the 100-yard butterfly and second-place finisher in the 500-yard freestyle n Ben Duckworth: State champion in the 100-yard breaststroke n Alex Adams, Keenan Burgess, Ben Duckworth and Alex Koenigsberger: State champions in the 200-yard medley relay, with a state record-breaking time n Annie Donahue, Jane Donahue, Amanda Hoffman and Jordan Lamoreux: State champions in the 200-yard medley relay, with a state record-breaking time n Annie Donahue: Third-place finisher in the 100-yard butterfly and Third-place finisher in the 100-yard backstroke n Jordan Lamoreux: Second-place finisher in the 100-yard backstroke n Alex Koenigsberger: Third-place finisher in the 100-yard freestyle n Keenan Burgess: Second-place finisher in the 500-yard freestyle

n Amanda Hoffman, Jordan Lamoreux, Annie Donahue and Jane Donahue: State champions in the 400-yard freestyle relay, in which they broke the state record n Alex Adams, Ben Duckworth, Keenan Burgess and Alex Koenigsberger: State champions in the 400-yard freestyle relay, in which they broke the state record Athletic Director Phil Harrington said, “The energy that surrounds the swim program here at Christ the King is unbelievable. From the parents, to the coaches, to every single swimmer, these families and athletes commit so much time and energy to the program. I was so happy to see so many students and fans make the trip up to Greensboro to support the team, and for the girls to win the championship, and the boys to finish second, it was amazing to watch.” Michael Smith is the interim principal at Christ the King High School.

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IN BRIEF FROM PAGE 12

Knights essay winners announced GREENSBORO — Three students from St. Pius X School recently received awards for their essays on “The Importance of Religious Freedom,” an essay contest sponsored by St. Pius X Knights of Columbus Council 11101. First-place winner was Briggs Edwards, secondplace winner was Jack Nemeth, and third-place winner was Caroline Wyrick. They are pictured with St. Pius X Principal Ann Flynt; Assistant Principal Chris Kloesz; St. Pius X Church’s pastor Monsignor Anthony Marcaccio; and Knights of Columbus District Deputy John Joyce and Grand Knight Greg Rachal.

Hall scores high on national German exam

Koenigsberger named National Merit Finalist

CHARLOTTE — Lauren Hall, a sophomore at Charlotte Catholic High School, has been honored for her outstanding performance on the 2017 National German Exam for High School Students. Hall has been awarded the Gold Medal and special recognition on the Presidential Honor Roll by the American Association of Teachers of German, which sponsors the exam. She scored in the 94th percentile on the Level 2 2017 exam, which was taken by more than 26,000 Hall students this year. She has the opportunity to win an all-expenses-paid trip to Germany this summer. The National German Exam, now in its 57th year, rewards students through an extensive prize program and provides a means for comparing students in all regions of the United States. The AATG, founded in 1926, represents German teachers at all levels of instruction and is dedicated to the advancement and improvement of the teaching of the language, literature and culture of German-speaking countries.

HUNTERSVILLE — Alexander Koenigsberger, a senior at Christ the King High School, has advanced to finalist standing in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Koenigsberger is also a National Hispanic Scholar, captain of the varsity swim team, an advisor on the service Koenigsberger committee, historian of the National Honor Society, an AP Scholar with Honor, and a two-time winner of the Christ the King Pope John Paul II Award for Critical Thinking. He is the son of Ian and Lucia Koenigsberger of Huntersville.

Let’s keep talking.

— Carolyn Kramer Tillman

Tew named St. Michael spelling bee winner GASTONIA — Sixth-grader Merrily Tew won overall and fourth-grader Jean Claude Younan was the runner-up in St. Michael School’s spelling bee held Jan. 11. Students in grades 4-8 participated. Pictured are all of the class winners: Jean Claude Younan, fourth-grader; Austin Rios, fifth-grader; Merrily Tew, sixthgrader; Nancy Rhodes, seventh-grader; and Philip Tolbert, eighth-grader.

— Laura Henry We welcome your school’s news! Please email news items and photos to catholicnews@charlottediocese.org.

— Tammy Eason

CCDOC.ORG

— John Russell

Seeking Catholic School Principal for 2017-2018 school year St. Thomas More Catholic School in Chapel Hill, NC, seeks a visionary and creative principal to lead our school community. The principal will further us in our quest to become a community of intentional disciples by helping to strengthen our students, faculty, staff and parents in developing their relationship with Jesus Christ who stands at the heart of our school.

Qualifications: • Experienced school leader, committed to advancing the school’s mission. • Practicing Catholic with demonstrated successful experience in spiritual leadership, school finances, stewardship and institutional advancement. • Master’s Degree in Education/School Leadership, with a minimum of three years of experience. • Superior communication and interpersonal skills knowledgeable in current areas of learning, teaching, differentiation and professional development. • Knowledge of the Spanish language a plus. Please send a cover letter and resume, and a statement of educational philosophy, along with salary requirements and three references by mail to: Very Rev. Scott E. McCue, V.F., Pastor The Catholic Community of St. Thomas More 940 Carmichael Street Chapel Hill, NC 27514 or by email to: STMprincipalsearch@stmchapelhill.org Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. School Website: www.stmcsnc.org

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 by taking a free, one-day class? • Effectiveness of modern NFP methods. • Health, relational, and spiritual beneﬁts. • Health risks of popular contraceptives. • Church teachings on responsible parenting. • How to use Natural Family Planning. March 18th— Holy Family Catholic Church, Clemmons, One Day Class April 8th— St. Matthew Catholic Church, Charlotte, One Day Class April 22nd— Catholic Conference Center, Hickory, One Day Class For more information visit our website or contact Batrice Adcock, MSN at 704.370.3230 or bnadcock@charlottediocese.org.

Mix

catholicnewsherald.com | March 3, 2017 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

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In theaters

interesting but thoroughly implausible action adventure from director Zhang Yimou. Drawn by the wealth they could gain by introducing gunpowder into the West, two medieval European mercenaries (Matt Damon and Pedro Pascal) arrive in China, after an arduous journey, only to find their unwilling hosts preoccupied with battling vicious alien monsters. It was to defend against these marauding creatures, so the script claims, that the titular structure was built. As Damon’s character becomes committed to this struggle, not least because he’s attracted to the fetching commander (Jing Tian) of one division of the local forces, his companion remains focused on the original scheme, abetted in it by another traveler (Willem Dafoe) who came to the Middle Kingdom years before for exactly the same purpose, and has been held prisoner ever since. Epic in scale, the film is shallow in emotion and characterization, though the central romance is completely chaste and the dialogue mostly free of cursing. Probably acceptable for older teens. Action violence with little gore, a mild oath, at least one crude and a couple of crass terms. CNS: A-III (adults); MPAA: PG-13

‘Fist Fight’

‘The Great Wall’ Those seeking nothing more from a movie than sheer spectacle may be satisfied with this visually

Misbegotten comedy that attempts to wring laughs out of its bitter sneering at various forms of human degradation. Director Richie Keen and screenwriters Van Robichaux and Evan Susser have constructed this unpleasant mess as a series of dirty jokes. On the last day of the academic year at a crumbling Atlanta public high school, a teacher (Ice Cube) who has just lost his job challenges the colleague (Charlie Day) who encouraged their principal (Dean Norris) to fire him to a brawl in the school parking lot. The students, meanwhile, carry on a tradition of tasteless pranks. Strong sexual content, including pornographic images and masturbation, drug use, pervasive rough and crude language. CNS: 0 (morally offensive); MPAA: R

On TV n Friday, March 3, 8 p.m. (EWTN) “Christians in Turkey.” Experience the Church’s history in Turkey, where saints such as the Apostles John and Paul lived, the first ecumenical councils that provided essential definitions to the Catholic faith and the place where Jesus’ followers were first called “Christians.” n Monday, March 6, 5 p.m. (EWTN) “The Inquisition: A History of Heresies.” Beginning with Lucifer’s rebellion against God, Church historians explore the history of heresies and their dangers, while noting how the medieval Inquisition saved lives. Part 1 of 4. n Friday, March 10, 8 p.m. (EWTN) “Gladsome Light.” An introspective look at the monastic work and prayer life of the monks of Holy Transfiguration Skete as they go about their day-to-day duties. n Saturday, March 11, 8 p.m. (EWTN) “Dominic: Light of the Church.” A dramatic portrayal of St. Dominic, a renowned preacher who was a tireless defender of the faith and famous for his profound learning, heroic sanctity and apostolic zeal. n Monday, March 13, 4 p.m. (EWTN) “The Inquisition: The Spanish Inquisition.” A detailed look at the history of the Spanish Inquisition and how European powers propagated it as the “Black Legend” for social and

political gain. Part 2 of 4. n Monday, March 13, 5:30 p.m. (EWTN) “The Newman Miracle Story.” The life and miraculous intercession of Blessed John Henry Newman, and the Newman conference, where Deacon Jack Sullivan gave his testimony of healing through Newman’s intercession. n Tuesday, March 14, 5:30 p.m. (EWTN) “Shrine of the Holy Family: Provence, France.” A documentary about the Shrine of the Holy Family in Cotignac, Provence. Where the shrine is built, the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph appeared to a French couple in the 17th century. n Wednesday, March 15, 5:30 p.m. (EWTN) “A Tiny Piece of Heaven.” Explore the lives and faith of a community of believers in the small coastal town of Magadan, Siberia, which at one time was a slave labor camp. n Wednesday, March 15, 9 p.m. (EWTN) “Discovering Patrick: Saint of Ireland.” Father Nathan Cromly, CSJ, and a group of Catholic pilgrims travel to Ireland to walk in the footsteps of St. Patrick, while learning about his life, missionary zeal and legacy that continues to inspire people today. n Thursday, March 16, 5:30 p.m. (EWTN) “Trial at Tara.” The story of St. Patrick of Ireland on trial as he in defense explains to the Druids the tenets of the Catholic faith.

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FATIMA FROM PAGE 5

“When I was in high school, this pilgrim image of Our Lady of Fatima visited my diocese and it was my first exposure to Fatima, the scapular and even the importance of the rosary,” Father Roux said. “Little did I know that the grace

of processing through the streets of my capital city with Our Lady’s statue would one day lead me to being so closely connected to Fatima and her having such a profound connection to my priesthood.” The tour, which began last March, runs through Dec. 20, 2017, and will travel to all 50 states. For more information about the pilgrim statue and its tour across the U.S., go to www.fatimatourforpeace.com. — World Apostolate of Fatima USA contributed.

photo provided by deacon daren bitter

St. Matthew parishioners Reagan Bitter, Deacon Daren Bitter and Emma O’Sullivan traveled to Haiti last December for a week-long mission trip to serve alongside the Missionaries of the Poor.

HAITI FROM PAGE 7

and played with all the children there. O’SULLIVAN: I showed them my love, I played with the kids, and I think they helped me more than I helped them. They changed my life and changed my perspective towards life. CNH: What did you enjoy most about your mission trip? BITTER: The thing I enjoyed most was seeing how happy the Haitians were every day, even though they have so little. It was a very humbling experience and made me very grateful for all the blessings and luxuries I have in my life, even air conditioning and hot water. O’SULLIVAN: The people and how they smile – no matter what. CNH: How did taking this mission trip affect your faith? BITTER: During our week in Haiti, we attended morning Mass and rosary and also attended a Haitian Mass on Sunday. I also journaled every night, which strengthened my faith by being able to talk

to God about the difficult things I saw and did each day. O’SULLIVAN: God is so good, and even though these people have it so bad in life they are still enriched in love and faith. They showed me what it looks like to live life following Jesus. CNH: What would you say to a young person who may be considering going on a mission trip? BITTER: I would definitely recommend going on a mission trip to any young people, or anyone of any age. It was extremely eye-opening, and I think everyone should have to witness the hardships of poverty in order to fully appreciate what we have in our own lives every day. O’SULLIVAN: It might be scary, and not at all what you would expect. You will get homesick and want your everyday life back, but do it. You will leave Haiti a changed person. Your heart will be so full, and it is so fulfilling.

Learn more At www.missionariesofthepoor.org: Get more information about the Missionaries of the Poor and their nine missions around the world, including their community in Monroe

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

(803) 327-2097

Center for Spirituality rockhilloratory.org

oratorycenter@gmail.com

Women Through the Centuries April 7-8, 2017 June 2-3, 2017

Participants may attend one or both of the weekends.

PARISH HALL FROM PAGE 3

Monsignor Anthony Marcaccio, pastor, were already planning how to make room for the parish’s growing ministries and community outreach work. Rob Simmons, parishioner and major benefactor for the Simmons Parish Center, said he was inspired by what the parish had accomplished with that campaign and he wanted to contribute to that legacy. “When we joined St. Pius, we got to experience the foundation that others before us had laid, sit in the beautiful church that others had built,” Simmons said. “In my heart, I feel it is my duty to keep it moving forward, helping to put in place what the parish needs so that those who come after can use and enjoy. I knew if we built it, they would come.” “It’s a field of dreams,” Monsignor Marcaccio said in his remarks at the end of Mass. “I think it was over 10 years ago we

had a vision to do something special on the corner of Cornwallis and Elm... It has been a dream of ours for a long time.” Monsignor Marcaccio thanked the Simmons family and the many others who made it possible for the parish to “gather and grow.” Then he noted, “The parish center we dedicate today is much more than a new office building or parish hall. I am very happy to say that the first things that happened there, even before the office was opened, were a marriage preparation class in the evening and a Bible study the following morning. Marriage prep and a Bible study – think of it in terms of Word and Sacrament. That’s why this building was built.” “The new Simmons Parish Center, the Father Connolly Athletic Center, the DeJoy Primary Education Center – all of these ‘centers’ point to this and flow from this,” he emphasized, pointing to the tabernacle, “our true center – the source and summit of our spiritual life – the Eucharist and Jesus Christ, who is the center of all that we do at St. Pius X.”

Sister Susan Schorsten, HM & Sister Gay Rowzie, HM Who have been some of the women on whose shoulders we stand? We will come to know some of these women – women who have been saints and sinners, prophets and visionaries, women like us who have made a difference in their families and neighborhoods. We will become acquainted with some of these women who have gone before us, from the first to the twenty-first century. The weekends will consist of a Friday evening and all day Saturday, with liturgy and lunch included. Space is limited, so early registration is suggested. Sister Susan Schorsten & Sister Gay Rowzie are Humility of Mary Sisters. Both were active in the Diocese of Charleston for many years before moving on to other ministries and now have returned to this area.

$50 each session

$40 additional each weekend for Friday night lodging (includes room, Friday dinner and Saturday breakfast)

Our nation 16

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In Brief Bishops applaud transgender directive decision WASHINGTON, D.C. — Chairmen of two U.S. bishops’ committees Feb. 24 praised President Donald Trump’s repeal of the Obama administration’s directive on transgender access to bathrooms. The guidance, issued last May by the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Education, “indicated that public pre-K through 12 schools, as well as all colleges and universities, should treat ‘a student’s gender identity as the student’s sex,’” said the statement. The document “sought to impose a one-size-fits-all approach to dealing with sensitive issues involving individual students,” said Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Philadelphia, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth, and Bishop George V. Murry of Youngstown, Ohio, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Catholic Education. “Such issues are best handled with care and compassion at the local level, respecting the privacy and safety concerns of all students,” they said. In rescinding the directive, the Trump administration said that addressing of transgender access to bathrooms is best left to the states and local school districts, not the federal government.

Veto on defunding PP called ‘deeply offensive’ RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe has again “demonstrated his unwavering commitment to the nation’s largest abortion provider” by vetoing a bill that would have defunded Planned Parenthood, said the state’s Catholic conference. They said his action comes at the “expense of comprehensive health care for women” because the defunding measure would have redirected state dollars to community health centers that provide primary care to women and their families. The comments came in a statement issued Feb. 21 by the Virginia Catholic Conference, the public policy arm of the state’s bishops. Earlier that day when McAuliffe vetoed the bill, known as H.B. 2264, Planned Parenthood and its supporters held a veto ceremony on the steps of the governor’s mansion in Richmond.

Supreme Court weighs in on border shooting WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Supreme Court took on a U.S-Mexico border issue Feb. 21 when it examined if the parents of a Mexican teenager can sue the U.S. border agent who shot and killed their son. During the oral arguments, the justices seemed divided over who was responsible for the action. Some of the justices stressed that it was a U.S. concern since the teen was shot by a U.S. agent; other justices said that since the 15-year-old died on the Mexican side of the border, the case should stay out of the U.S. courts. The case involves the 2010 shooting Sergio Adrian Hernandez Guereca in the concrete culvert of the dry riverbed of the Rio Grande River separating El Paso, Texas, from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.

Men work to right toppled Jewish headstones Feb. 21 after a vandalism attack on Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery in University City, Mo. The incident at the cemetery near St. Louis was repeated in suburban Philadelphia Feb. 26 when gravestones were destroyed at a Jewish cemetery there.

Court blocks Texas inmate’s execution, cites racial bias WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Supreme Court’s Feb. 22 decision to block the execution of an African-American inmate on death row in Texas over racially biased testimony in his sentencing hearing is “another stride toward greater justice in our legal system,” said a Catholic anti-death penalty leader. “This decision reflects the extent to which the death penalty is racially biased and a broken policy,” said Karen Clifton, executive director of the Catholic Mobilizing Network to End the Death Penalty. In a 6-2 ruling, the court agreed that Texas inmate Duane Buck had been unfairly represented by an expert defense witness who told jurors that Buck was more likely to commit violent crimes in the future because he is black.

Trump administration announces immigration guidelines WASHINGTON, D.C. — In two memos published Feb. 20, the Department of Homeland Security outlined guidelines that White House officials said would enhance enforcement of immigration laws inside the country as well as prevent further unauthorized immigration into the U.S. In a Feb. 21 news briefing, White House press secretary Sean Spicer said the guidelines include hiring more border agents, construction of a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border, and hiring more personnel to “repatriate illegal immigrants swiftly.” The memos by Department of Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly also called for state and local agencies to “assist in the enforcement of federal immigration law” and for hiring “additional border patrol agents, as well as “500 Air and Marine Agents/Officers.” — Catholic News Service

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Vandalism at Jewish cemeteries decried, called hateful actions Matthew Gambino Catholic News Service

PHILADELPHIA — Responding to the destruction of some 100 gravestones at a Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia, Archbishop Charles J. Chaput Feb. 27 deplored the “senseless acts of mass vandalism.” The gravestones were discovered toppled over from their bases the previous morning at Mount Carmel Cemetery in Northeast Philadelphia. The archbishop issued a statement in which he called on the clergy, religious and laypeople of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia “to join in prayerful solidarity with the families of those whose final resting places have been disturbed. Violence and hate against anyone, simply because of who they are, is inexcusable.” The incident at Mount Carmel Cemetery mirrors gravestones destroyed at another Jewish cemetery near St. Louis about a week before. In a statement Feb. 24, the chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, expressed solidarity and support for the Jewish community and also called for the rejection of such hateful actions. “I want to express our deep sympathy, solidarity, and support to our Jewish brothers and sisters who have experienced once again a surge of anti-Semitic actions in the United States,” said Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski of Springfield, Mass., speaking on behalf of all the bishops and U.S. Catholics. “I wish to offer our deepest concern, as well as our unequivocal rejection of these hateful actions. The Catholic Church stands in love with the Jewish community in the current face of anti-Semitism.” In his statement, Archbishop Chaput said that “for Catholics, anti-Semitism is more than a human rights concern. It’s viewed as a form of sacrilege and blasphemy against God’s chosen people. In recent

weeks, our country has seen a new wave of anti-Semitism on the rise. It’s wrong and it should deeply concern not only Jews and Catholics, but all people.” Even as the archbishop issued his statement, a new wave of fear spread for Jewish people in the United States as about a dozen Jewish community centers across the country received anonymous threats of violence. Several centers in the Philadelphia region had been evacuated the morning of Feb. 27 because of bomb threats, local media reported. By the afternoon, they along with others in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware had reopened. Scores of other such threats have been received by Jewish community centers in recent weeks across the country. In St. Louis, an interfaith cleanup effort of the vandalized cemetery took place Feb. 22 followed by an interfaith prayer service. Vandals toppled more than two-dozen gravestones and damaged an estimated 200 more at the historic Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery, which dates to 1893. Represented by seminarians, priests, deacons, students and laity, Catholic St. Louisans stood with Jewish brethren at the cemetery in University City. They were among about 1,000 people who helped with cleanup, including Vice President Mike Pence and Missouri Gov. Eric Greitans. “There is no place in America for hatred, prejudice, or acts of violence or antiSemitism,” Pence said. “I must tell you that the people of Missouri are inspiring the nation by your love and care for this place and the Jewish community. I want to thank you for that inspiration. For showing the world what America is all about.” The desecration sparked outrage from numerous ecumenical groups – Jewish, Catholic, Christian, Muslims and more – and dignitaries across the country, including President Donald J. Trump, who sent messages of thanks through Pence and Greitens. — Dave Luecking in St. Louis contributed.

Our world

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Money, pride make people ignore God’s Word, neglect others, pope says Carol Glatz Catholic News Service

Love of money, St. Paul warned, “is the root of all evils,” and the pope said, it is also “the main cause of corruption and a source of envy, strife and suspicion.” “Instead of being an instrument at our service for doing good and showing solidarity toward others, money can chain us and the entire world to a selfish logic that leaves no room for love and hinders peace,” he added. The rich man’s eyes are finally opened after he and Lazarus are dead; Lazarus finds comfort in heaven and the rich man finds torment in “the netherworld,” because, as Abraham explains, “a kind of

VATICAN CITY — Without making room for God’s word in their heart, people will never be able to welcome and love all human life, Pope Francis said. “Each life that we encounter is a gift deserving acceptance, respect and love,” the pope said in his message for Lent, which began March 1 for Latin-rite Catholics. “The word of God helps us to open our eyes to welcome and love life, especially when it is weak and vulnerable,” he wrote. The text of the pope’s Lenten message – titled “The Word is a gift. Other persons are a gift.” – focused on the parable of the rich man and Lazarus in the Gospel of St. Luke (16:19-31). The parable calls for sincere conversion, the pope said, and it “provides a key to understanding what we need to do in order to attain true happiness and eternal life.” In the Gospel CNS | Felipe Trueba, EPA account, Lazarus A man examines coins displayed at the World Money Fair in Berlin Feb. 3. and his suffering are Pope Francis wrote in his Feb. 7 Lenten message that money can chain described in great people to a selfish logic that leaves no room for love and hinders peace. detail. While he is “practically invisible fairness is restored” in the afterlife and to the rich man,” the Gospel gives him “life’s evils are balanced by good,” the a name and a face, upholding him as pope said. worthy, as “a gift, a priceless treasure, a The rich man then asks for an human being whom God loves and cares extraordinary sign – Lazarus coming back for, despite his concrete condition as an from the dead – to be given to his family outcast,” the pope wrote. members so they will repent and not The parable shows that “a right make the same mistake. relationship with people consists in But, Abraham said the people have plenty gratefully recognizing their value,” he of teachings with “Moses and the prophets. said. “A poor person at the door of the Let them listen to them,” the pope said. rich is not a nuisance, but a summons to This explains what the real problem conversion and to change.” is for the rich man’s and those like him: But to understand how to open one’s “At the root of all his ills was the failure heart and see the other as a gift, a person to heed God’s Word. As a result, he no must see how the word of God operates. longer loved God and grew to despise his One way to do that, he said, is to be neighbor,” the pope said. aware of the temptations and traps the The pope asked that Lent be a time “for rich man fell victim to, derailing his renewing our encounter with Christ, search for true happiness. living in His Word, in the sacraments and The nameless “rich man” lives an in our neighbor.” opulent, ostentatious life, the pope wrote, “May the Holy Spirit lead us on a true and his love of money leads to vanity and journey of conversion, so that we can pride – “the lowest rung of this moral rediscover the gift of God’s Word, be degradation.” purified of the sin that blinds us and serve “The rich man dresses like a king Christ present in our brothers and sisters and acts like a god, forgetting that he in need,” he said, especially by taking is merely mortal,” he said. “For those corrupted by love of riches, nothing exists part in the various Lenten campaigns sponsored by local churches. beyond their own ego. Those around them do not come into their line of sight. The result of attachment to money is a sort of More online blindness. The rich man does not see the At www.catholicnewsherald.com: Read the poor man who is starving, hurting, lying full text of Pope Francis’ Lenten message at his door.”

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In Brief Pope furthers sainthood causes of eight men, women VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis advanced the sainthood cause of two medical doctors and six religious – many of whom died just a generation ago. The pope approved the decrees during an audience Feb. 27 with Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes. The pope recognized the martyrdom of Salesian Father Titus Zeman, who secretly shuttled Salesians to Italy out of communist-controlled Czechoslovakia when religious orders were banned in the 1950s and members were sent to concentration camps. The pope also recognized the heroic virtues of five other men and two women.

Pope: Defend marriage ministering to those in irregular unions VATICAN CITY — Reaching out to and guiding couples in cohabitation with tenderness and compassion is essential to promoting and defending the sanctity of marriage, Pope Francis said. Couples who have chosen to live together without getting married in the Church “are, in spiritual and moral terms, among the poor and the least, toward whom the Church, in the footsteps of her teacher and Lord, wants to be a mother who doesn’t abandon, but who draws near and cares for,” he said in an audience with parish priests Feb. 25. Look upon such couples with “tenderness and compassion,” he said, urging them to remember that ministry to the least and the neediest “is an essential part of your work in promoting and defending the sacrament of marriage.” The pope spoke to parish priests who were in Rome attending a course on marriage preparation and the new rules to reform the process for verifying the validity of a marriage.

Pope: Ecumenism is a common journey, not a lab experiment ROME — The path toward Christian unity can’t be found isolated in a laboratory hashing out theological differences, but rather by walking together on a common journey, Pope Francis said. While theological dialogue is necessary, Catholics and Anglicans can continue to “help each other in our needs, in our lives and help each other spiritually,” the pope said Feb. 26 while answering questions from parishioners of All Saints’ Anglican Church in Rome. “This cannot be done in a laboratory; it must be done walking together along the way. We are on a journey and while we walk, we can have these (theological) discussions,” he said. The pope made history as the first pontiff to visit the Anglican parish, which was celebrating the 200th anniversary of its establishment in Rome.

Promote life by protecting, sharing clean water, pope says VATICAN CITY — Access to clean drinking water is a basic human right and a key component in protecting human life, Pope Francis said. “The right to water is essential for the survival of persons and decisive for the future of humanity,” the pope said Feb. 24 during a meeting with 90 international experts participating in a “Dialogue on Water” at the

Pontifical Academy of Sciences. Looking at all the conflicts around the globe, Pope Francis said, “I ask myself if we are not moving toward a great world war over water.” Access to water is a basic and urgent matter, he said.

Pope appeals for aid as famine grips South Sudan VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis appealed for humanitarian assistance to South Sudan where famine threatens the lives of millions of people already suffering due to a three-year civil war. In the “martyred South Sudan,” he said, “a fratricidal conflict is compounded by a serious food crisis, which has struck the Horn of Africa and condemns millions of people to starve to death, among them many children,” the pope said. At the end of his weekly general audience at the Vatican Feb. 22, the pope said a solid commitment from the international community to assist South Sudan is crucial “now more than ever.”

Abuse survivor quits papal body, citing Vatican resistance VATICAN CITY — One of the founding members and the last remaining abuse survivor on the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors has quit over what she described as resistance coming from Vatican offices against implementing recommendations. Marie Collins, who joined the commission when it was established in 2014, said: “The reluctance of some in the Vatican Curia to implement recommendations or cooperate with the work of a commission when the purpose is to improve the safety of children and vulnerable adults around the world is unacceptable.” “It is devastating in 2017 to see that these men still can put other concerns before the safety of children and vulnerable adults,” she said in an editorial published online March 1 by the National Catholic Reporter. Pope Francis created the commission to be an independent body of experts, including survivors of clerical sexual abuse, to advise him with recommendations on best practices for protecting minors and vulnerable adults in the church. The commission is also charged with promoting responsibility in local churches by “uniting their efforts to those of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, for the protection of all children and vulnerable adults,” according to the commission’s statutes. “However, despite the Holy Father approving all the recommendations made to him by the commission, there have been constant setbacks,” Collins said in a statement published on her website, mariecollins.net. — Catholic News Service

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40 days in books and words Fred Gallagher

Also online At www.catholicnewsherald. com: See photos from Ash Wednesday services across the diocese, as well as read about Bishop Peter Jugis’ homily from Ash Wednesday Mass at St. Patrick Cathedral On the Catholic News Herald’s Pinterest page: Check out our collection of meatless recipes for Lent

Tell us On the Catholic News Herald’s Facebook page: What are you giving up or doing extra for Lent?

n old friend of mine used to say he gave up the same thing every year for Lent: antelope meat! “Somebody has to do it,” he said. I now do the same but I’ve added heresy to that formula. Yes, Lent is here and, of course, I am thinking of realistic things I need to give up – things that truly would be penance, like Breyer’s ice cream, Hershey bars, vacuous television, mindlessness on my smartphone and social media. And I will certainly let go of something, most likely decided upon late Fat Tuesday night. But as the years go on, I have begun to think more about what I need to add to my life rather than what I need to subtract from it. I need more time at prayer, for instance, more time at exercise, more time actively doing for others. And each year now I give some thought to what is referred to as Lectio Divina. Now, when I think of Lectio Divina I think of cloistered monks at their meals who, instead of chatting with confreres, are listening to someone read from a work appropriate to their spiritual development. My own selfdesigned programs (in starts and fits, of course) over the years have consisted of excerpts from St. Augustine’s “Confessions,” “The Imitation of Christ” by Thomas à Kempis, various volumes of biblical exegesis from my dear friend Father Al McBride, G.K. Chesterton’s biographies of St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Francis of Assisi, Thomas Merton’s autobiographical “The Seven Storey Mountain,” the Psalms, etc. I’ve been pretty undisciplined about it, but I do keep trying. This year I’ve also been thinking more about fiction because I’ve been writing more

of it myself and have just finished a novel. Besides that, I have the old standbys which should always be at my bedside: William Shakespeare (yes, a Catholic!), Dante Alighieri, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Miguel de Cervantes, etc. There also seems to be a modern (that is, over the past hundred years or so) brood of poets, novelists and short story writers who write with a Catholic sensibility but whose writing may not look at all Catholic or necessarily be about Catholics. There are modern storytellers who bring to their tales a worldview that recognizes the importance of the transcendent in our lives; that understands that nuance can still have

the questions that lie hidden in our hearts are given their just due. We think, if we are Christians, that this is what it is to live fully in the presence of grace. We glimpse, if only through a glass darkly, the present and stillto-come kingdom of God.” So my program, having been devised at least a few days before Fat Tuesday, includes short stories by Flannery O’Connor and Andre Dubus, poems by Gerard Manley Hopkins, Dana Gioia and Allen Tate, novels by Hansen himself as well as Evelyn Waugh, Walker Percy, and of course, the fellow whose relationship to the Church was ever ambiguous but whose writing was utterly, deeply Catholic, the author whose novel “The Power and the Glory” I reread every year, Graham Greene. These writers teach me in the most creative ways that Catholicism is absolutely unafraid to encounter the world, in all its grit and grime and darkness and mystery. They teach me that faith (at least my faith) does not fall from heaven but is discovered, unearthed, dredged up, mined from the rugged soil of suffering, found among humans reaching out to each other, and in so doing, to God. So when great writers turn out well-wrought poems, powerful and revealing short stories, gripping and satisfying novels, they can in their better moments speak to the questions that lie hidden in my heart. Hansen, in quoting Jesuit theologian Father Karl Rahner, calls it “that blessed peril that consists in encountering God.” So here goes 40 days with little or no ice cream, less Facebook and television, more prayer and exercise, and more and more reaching out. And here’s to 40 days in books and words: each verse, scene or chapter showing me something only Catholics truly understand: the stunning, heart-wrenching beauty of the crucifix, which I will venerate the best I can.

‘As the years go on, I have begun to think more about what I need to add to my life rather than what I need to subtract from it.’ meaning; that relishes the fact that a moment, any moment, can be sacramental. This kind of accomplished storytelling is not homiletics; it does not sermonize or, at least superficially, evangelize. It lets the art itself do the heavy lifting. In his outstanding volume, “A Stay Against Confusion – Essays on Faith and Fiction,” the novelist Ron Hansen says, “In the finest of our fictions, whether it be Willa Cather’s ‘Death Comes for the Archbishop’ or Walker Percy’s ‘The Moviegoer,’ we have a sense of humanity functioning as it generally does, but at a higher and inspired level where harmonies are revealed, order is discovered,

Fred Gallagher is an author and editor-in-chief with Gastonia-based Good Will Publishers Inc.

This Lent, don’t give up something – Do something instead

Barbara Case Speers

y now, you have probably pondered what to give up for Lent. So what’s your game plan? Will it be similar to what you did last year for Lent? Most of us like to stay in our comfort zones and do not extend our energies to something new, sometimes because we fear the unknown or we lack the imagination. But let’s be honest: sometimes we don’t want to change simply because we’re lazy. Our usual Lenten penance then becomes giving up candy, soda, gum, coffee, radio or TV, or anything else we can give up without really changing our lifestyles. But consider not giving up anything – forget

about it! For Lent, I think we should indulge ourselves by going the extra mile for our faith. Here is my list of 20 decadent ideas: 1. Recite a rosary a day to keep the devil away. 2. Shower the souls in purgatory with prayers. 3. Pray a novena. 4. Turn off the television, Facebook, Twitter, radio or games, and pray nonstop for 30 minutes. 5. Pray for your enemies. 6. Pray for your priests and deacons. 7. Pray for those who are not coming to Mass. 8. Give more money in the offering plate for the Diocesan Support Appeal and support your parish. 9. Give a donation to a family in need at your parish. 10. Give a donation to a family member who needs a financial lift. 11. Spend more time with your family doing things that they like to do. 12. Spend more time with your family in

religious study. 13. Spend more time with your family in prayer. 14. Take time to study the Bible. 15. Take time to study with other Catholics in a small group. 16. Take time to lead a study group at your parish. 17. Take time and read a good Catholic book. 18. Take time to learn your faith. 19. Visit the sick. 20. Go to confession. The most important life-changer you could add to this list would be going to Perpetual Adoration each week. Sitting in front of the Blessed Sacrament offers great spiritual rewards. To me, 60 minutes in Perpetual Adoration is one hour of power. This is a short list, and I am sure you have more ideas that you could add. So, instead of giving up something this Lent, do something that shakes you out of your routine, and then do it with your whole heart. Barbara Case Speers is a writer who lives in Hickory.

March 3, 2017 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

Letter to the editor

Intrinsically evil actions trump other issues In the Feb. 17 edition of the Catholic News Herald, a letter to the editor decried President Donald Trump’s “anti-people actions” concerning immigration and criticized other Catholics thusly: “Catholics strongly supported President Donald Trump on the single issue of abortion, but apparently didn’t listen to the other threats being made over a lengthy presidential campaign.” We voters almost always have to consider a slate of candidates who do not all consistently adhere to the principles of our Catholic faith. So we must either abstain from the political process or make imperfect choices in voting. Choosing a candidate requires us to establish priorities among the issues. This is difficult, but the Church gives us help: “There are some things we must never do, as individuals or as a society... These are called ‘intrinsically evil’ actions. They

must always be rejected and opposed and must never be supported or condoned. A prime example is the intentional taking of innocent human life, as in abortion and euthanasia” (“Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,” by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops). Therefore, I considered the American slaughter of approximately one million unborn children to be the preeminent issue in my decision to vote against Secretary Hilary Clinton, an avid supporter of abortion. In my opinion, every disagreeable action Mr. Trump has taken pales in comparison to the fundamentally “anti-people” act of abortion which his opponent absolutely would have championed. Charles R. Splawn is a member of Our Lady of Grace Church in Greensboro.

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Most-read stories on the web

‘Giving something to someone in need is always right, and it should be done with respect and compassion because tossing money and not looking in (their) eyes is not a Christian way of behaving.’ Pope Francis

From online story “Don’t worry how it’s spent, always give homeless a handout, pope says” Through press time on March 1, 8,940 visitors to www.catholicnewsherald.com have viewed a total of 18,451 pages. The top 10 headlines in February were: Photo provided by Cathy Chiappetta and Joan Guthrie

Confirmation students learn about social justice CHARLOTTE — The confirmation class at St. Peter Church recently spent a “Social Justice Day” at the Mecklenburg County Courthouse organized and led by catechist and parishioner Spencer Merriweather (pictured at far right), who is an assistant district attorney assigned to the district attorney’s Homicide Team. During the annual “Social Justice Day at the Court,” confirmation students also met and learned from Walter Dennis, a jail chaplain with Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office; Heather Taraska, a prosecutor, assistant district attorney, supervisor of the district attorney’s Juvenile Team and St. Peter parishioner; Missy Owen, a criminal defense attorney and St. Peter parishioner; District Court Judge Donnie Hoover; and Pamela Escobar, the community outreach administrator for the court system. Each of these court professionals discussed their unique perspectives on how they practice their Catholic faith within the criminal justice system. The youth also participated in exercises using the Scriptures to facilitate discussions about what Jesus teaches about justice and mercy. To watch the court in action, the confirmation candidates even sat in on a few trials.

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