Aug. 18, 2017

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

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Diocese of Charlotte Foundation tops 250 endowments 3

OUR LADY OF FATIMA

‘She will triumph’

INSIDE: BACK TO SCHOOL

GUIDE

INDEX Contact us.......................... 4 Español....................18-19, 21 Events calendar................. 4 Our Faith............................. 2 Our Parishes................. 3-15 Our Schools.........................16 Scripture readings............ 2 TV & Movies...................... 20 U.S. news..................... 22-23 Viewpoints.................. 26-27 World news.................. 24-25

Bishop Jugis closes Marian Rosary Congress with words of hope

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6 Our Lady of Fatima statue visits Asheville

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Pilgrims from the Diocese of Charlotte experience the ‘Fatima Peace Pilgrimage’

THANK YOU!

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Feeling spiritually thirsty? Drink from the ‘Well of Mercy’

‘Servants of the Eucharist’

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15 men take next step towards ordination as permanent deacons

‘Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus’ St. Joseph College Seminary men arrive, begin journey of discernment

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Our faith 2

catholicnewsherald.com | August 18, 2017 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Pope Francis

Pope says he’s saddened by ‘perfect’ Catholics who despise others

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od did not choose perfect people to form His Church, but rather sinners who have experienced His love and forgiveness, Pope Francis said.

The Gospel of Luke’s account of Jesus forgiving the sinful woman shows how His actions went against the general mentality of His time, a way of thinking that saw a “clear separation” between the pure and impure, the pope said Aug. 9 during his weekly general audience.

“There were some scribes, those who believed they were perfect,” the pope said. “And I think about so many Catholics who think they are perfect and scorn others. This is sad.”

Continuing his series of audience talks about Christian hope, the pope reflected on Jesus’ “scandalous gesture” of forgiving the sinful woman.

The woman, he said, was one of many poor women who were visited secretly even by those who denounced them as sinful.

Although Jesus’ love toward the sick and the marginalized “baffles His contemporaries,” it reveals God’s heart as the place where suffering men and women can find love, compassion and healing, Pope Francis said.

“How many people continue today in a wayward life because they find no one willing to look at them in a different way, with the eyes – or better yet – with the heart of God, meaning with hope,” he said. But “Jesus sees the possibility of a resurrection even in those who have made so many wrong choices.”

Oftentimes, the pope continued, Christians become accustomed to having their sins forgiven and receiving God’s unconditional love while forgetting the heavy price Jesus paid by dying on the cross.

By forgiving sinners, Jesus doesn’t seek to free them from a guilty conscience, but rather offers “people who have made mistakes the hope of a new life, a life marked by love,” the pope said.

The Church is a people formed “of sinners who have experienced the mercy and forgiveness of God,” Pope Francis said. Christians are “all poor sinners” who need God’s mercy, “which strengthens us and gives us hope.”

St. Rose of Lima: First saint of the New World Feast day: Thursday, Aug. 23 St. Rose, whose feast we celebrate on Aug. 23, is the first saint of the New World. She was born in Lima, Peru, on April 20, 1586, the daughter of a Puerto Rican father and a Peruvian mother.

Her given name was Isabel (Elizabeth), but she was such a beautiful baby that she was nicknamed Rose, and that name remained. In 1597 she formally took the name Rose when she was confirmed by the Archbishop of Lima, Turibius de Mongrovejo, who was also to be declared a saint.

As she grew older, Rose became more and more beautiful. One day her mother put a wreath of flowers on her head to show off her loveliness to friends. But Rose had no desire to be admired, for she had already decided to consecrate her life to God. So she put a long pin into the wreath, and it pierced her so deeply that she had a hard time getting the wreath off afterward. Another time, she cut off her hair when someone admired it. She also became afraid that her beauty might be a temptation to someone, since people could not take their eyes off her, so she rubbed her face with pepper until it was all red and blistered.

Despite the censure of her parents, she spent many hours contemplating the Blessed Sacrament, which she received daily.

She was determined to take a vow of virginity, in opposition to her parents, who wished her to marry. Finally, out of frustration, her father gave her a room to herself in the family home.

She practiced very intense prayer and penance daily, sometimes depriving herself of food and sleep, in emulation of St. Catherine of Siena. She began to fast three times a week and performed severe penances in secret. Her days were filled with acts of charity and industry. Otherwise, she lived as a recluse, leaving her room only to go to church.

Rose worked hard to support her poor parents and she humbly obeyed them, except when they tried to get her to marry.

The fame of her holiness became so widespread among the people of Lima that she attracted the attention of the friars of the Dominican Order. She wanted to become a nun, but her father refused. Out of obedience to him, Rose entered the Third Order of St. Dominic instead, remaining in her parents’ home. At 20 she donned the habit of tertiary and took the vow of perpetual virginity.

Rose had many temptations from the devil, and there were also many times when she had to suffer a feeling of terrible loneliness and sadness, for God seemed far away. Yet she cheerfully offered all these troubles to Him. In fact, in her last long, painful sickness, this heroic young woman used to pray: “Lord, increase my sufferings, and with them increase Your love in my heart.”

She was ill for the last three years of her life, and was cared for by a government official and his wife. She died, aged 31, on Aug. 24, 1617. Her funeral was held in the cathedral in Lima, attended by all the public authorities of the city, and the archbishop himself gave her eulogy.

Many miracles followed her death. She was beatified by Pope Clement IX in 1667 and canonized in 1671 by Pope Clement X – the first American to be so honored.

Her shrine, alongside those of her friends, St. Martin de Porres and St. John Macias, is located inside the convent of St. Dominic in Lima.

St. Rose is the patroness of Latin America and the Philippines.

St. Rose of Lima, by Claudio Coello (1642-1693), on display at the Museo del Prado in Madrid She is also the patroness of native Indian people of the Americas and their beneficence, of gardeners, of florists, of Lima, of Peru, of the New World, and of Sittard, the Netherlands, of India, of people misunderstood for their piety and of the resolution of family quarrels.

She is represented wearing a crown of roses.

— Sources: www.catholic.com, Catholic News Agency, Wikipedia

Your daily Scripture readings AUG. 20-26

Sunday: Isaiah 56:1, 6-7, Romans 11:13-15, 29-32, Matthew 15:21-28; Monday (St. Pius X): Judges 2:11-19, Matthew 19:16-22; Tuesday (The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary): Judges 6:11-24, Matthew 19:23-30; Wednesday (St. Rosa of Lima): Judges 9:6-15, Matthew 20:1-16; Thursday (St. Bartholomew): Revelation 21:9-14,, John 1:45-51; Friday (St. Louis and St. Joseph Calasanz): Ruth 1:1, 3-6, 14-16, 22, Matthew 22:34-40; Saturday: Ruth 2:1-3, 8-11, 4:13-17, Matthew 23:1-12

AUG. 27-SEPT. 2

Sunday: Isaiah 22:19-23, Romans 11:33-36, Matthew 16:13-20; Monday (St. Augustine): 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5, 8-10, Matthew 23:1322; Tuesday (The Passion of St. John the Baptist): 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Mark 6:17-29; Wednesday: 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13, Matthew 23:27-32; Thursday: 1 Thessalonians 3:7-13, Matthew 24:42-51; Friday: 1 Thessalonians 4:18, Matthew 25:1-13; Saturday: 1 Thessalonians 4:9-11, Matthew 25:14-30

SEPT. 3-9

Sunday: Jeremiah 20:7-9, Romans 12:1-2, Matthew 16:21-27; Monday: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Luke 4:16-30; Tuesday (St. Teresa of Calcutta): 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6, 9-11, Luke 4:3137; Wednesday: Colossians 1:1-8, Luke 4:38-44; Thursday: Colossians 1:9-14, Luke 5:1-11; Friday (The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary): Micah 5:1-4, Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23; Saturday (St. Peter Claver): Colossians 1:21-23, Luke 6:1-5

Our parishes

August 18, 2017 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

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‘Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus’ St. Joseph College Seminary men arrive, begin journey of discernment SueAnn Howell Senior reporter

CHARLOTTE — It is back to school for the men of St. Joseph College Seminary, who began last week with movein day and this week with “Cassock Day” and Mass with Bishop Peter Jugis.

The Diocese of Charlotte’s college seminary, now in its second year, is for undergraduate men discerning a possible religious vocation, before taking the step of enrolling in a major seminary for specific formation to the priesthood. Students work toward a bachelor’s degree in philosophy at Belmont Abbey College while experiencing a Benedictine-style communal life on their path of discernment.

Sixteen men are enrolled in the college seminary this year: seven second-year students and nine new students.

The increased enrollment exceeds the space available at the college seminary’s temporary residence next to St. Ann Church, prompting the diocese to purchase a second house adjacent to the church campus to temporarily house the new men.

Diocesan leaders will soon close on 86 acres in Mount Holly, near Belmont Abbey College, to build a permanent college seminary that will eventually house up to 40 young men.

On Aug. 6 Father Matthew Kauth, rector of the college seminary, celebrated Mass at St. Ann Church to welcome the nine new men and their families. After Mass the men enjoyed a reception in the Allen Center, then proceeded to unload their belongings and settle into the second residence on Hillside Avenue.

“I address you, the Bravo Class … the second class of St. Joseph College Seminary. I do so by first quoting a famous philosopher, Bilbo Baggins,” Father Kauth joked during

FOUNDATION TOTAL INVESTMENTS

Bishop Peter Jugis (center) visited St. Joseph College Seminary Aug. 13 to celebrate Mass for the 16 college seminarians and bless college cassocks for the nine new men.

SueAnn Howell | Catholic News Herald

his homily, eliciting laughter from the congregation. “He said it’s a very dangerous thing to step outside of your door, because the road that leads up to your front door is connected with every other road in the world. And if you are not careful and don’t keep your feet, there is no telling where it is going to take you.

$45.3 MILLION

252 48% PARISHES

8% CLERGY AND VOCATIONS

ENDOWMENT FUNDS FOR THE BENEFIT OF

26%

9%

CATHOLIC EDUCATION

CATHOLIC CHARITIES AND OUTREACH

6%

3%

DIOCESAN

OTHER

“You walked outside of your parents’ home this morning and in front of your home was a road that somehow got you here and you will never go back to that home the same way. It is the beginning of an adventure you could not SEMINARY, SEE page 10

Diocesan foundation tops 250 endowments SueAnn Howell Senior reporter

CHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte Foundation recently surpassed the milestone of 250 endowments, representing a total of more than $45 million in assets.

The foundation, established in 1994, provides a means for people and organizations to provide long-term financial stability for the diocese and its more than 181 churches, schools, agencies and organizations.

An endowment is a permanent fund, the principal of which is never touched, but the income from which can be used in accordance with the wishes of the donor organization or individual. Endowments provide a way to generate income and help sustain the long-term strength and viability of the diocese and its parishes, schools, agencies and ministries.

One such endowment is the Asheville Catholic School Endowment Fund, established in 1997, with cumulative contributions totaling $560,000. Since that time, the school has received distributions of $561,000 while the principal amount in the endowment itself has grown to $600,000. The endowment will continue to provide distributions every quarter, depending on how financial markets grow or decline.

“The good news is that the endowment principal will continue to grow over the long haul and at the same time it will generate a continuing rise in income (for the school),” said Jim Kelley, diocesan development director.

“The endowment has already provided income

equal to the amount of the initial contributions.

Not only has the school recouped the initial investment, but it will also continue to receive income that, over time, will grow into the millions of dollars to benefit Asheville Catholic School,” Kelley said.

The foundation sends reports to all endowment holders every quarter stating where their endowment stands and how much is available to distribute.

As a rule, the foundation makes available annually 5 percent of a rolling 12-quarter average value of the endowments’ total assets, which is a common practice.

Since 1994, the foundation has distributed more than $7 million to the diocese and its parishes, schools and ministries.

“Those funds have helped change the lives of thousands of people throughout the diocese,” Kelley said.

Learn more Individuals can establish an endowment in the diocesan foundation by leaving a bequest in their will, a beneficiary designation from a retirement plan, a gift of real estate, a gift of life insurance, cash or securities sufficient to set up an endowment, or a life income arrangement such as a trust or annuity.

For information about setting up an endowment to benefit the Church in western North Carolina, contact RayEric Correia, diocesan director of planned giving, at 704-3703364 or email recorreia@charlottediocese.org.

UPcoming events 4

catholicnewsherald.com | August 18, 2017 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Bishop Peter J. Jugis will participate in the following upcoming events: Aug. 19 – 5 p.m.

Installation of Father Joshua Voitus as Pastor St. Vincent de Paul Church, Charlotte

Aug. 23 – 6 p.m.

Sacrament of Confirmation St. Francis of Assisi Church, Lenoir

Aug. 31 – 10 a.m.

Diocesan Foundation Board Meeting Catholic Conference Center, Hickory

Aug. 21 – 6 p.m.

Sacrament of Confirmation St. Joseph Church, Asheboro

Aug. 26 – 5 p.m.

Installation of Father John Starczewski as Pastor and Confirmation St. John Neumann Church, Charlotte

Aug. 31 – 6 p.m.

Installation of Father Mark Lawlor as Pastor St. Thérèse Church, Mooresville

Aug. 22 – 11:45 A.M. MACS Awards Luncheon St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte

Aug. 29 Installation of Bishop Luis Zarama as Bishop of Raleigh Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral, Raleigh

Sept. 1 – 12:10 p.m.

Holy Mass for Charlotte Area Home Schoolers St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte

Diocesan calendar of events August 18, 2017

Español

Volume 26 • Number 23

Clases de inglés: 6-9 p.m. todos los martes y jueves en el Community Life Center, en la Iglesia de St. Mary, 205 W. Farris Ave., High Point. Inscripción e inicio de clases el 5 y 7 de septiembre. Para más información y para registrarse, llamar al 336-848-6970.

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

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

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

NATURAL Family Planning Respect Life & NFp info session & networking Event: 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, at St. Elizabeth Church, 259 Pilgrims Way, Boone. Come learn how you can build a culture of life in your parish and community.

Topics include information on Respect Life Resources Manual, an upcoming Respect Life Conference in the Asheville area, and Church teachings on sexuality as related to family planning. Join Jessica Grabowski and Batrice Adcock for an engaging discussion. For details, email jrgrabowski@charlottediocese.org or bnadcock@ charlottediocese.org. RSVP by Wednesday, Aug. 23.

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

Saturday, Sept. 16, at St. Aloysius Church, 921 2nd St. N.E., Hickory. Topics include: effectiveness of modern NFP, health risks of popular contraceptives and what the Church teaches about responsible parenting. Sponsored

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

PRAYER SERVICES & Groups

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.

Anointing of the sick Mass: 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, at St. Luke Church, 13700 Lawyers Road, Mint Hill.

Anointing is typically presented to those who need healing from physical, mental illness or someone who will be undergoing surgery. For details, call Mary Adams at 704-545-1224.

St. Peregrine Healing Prayer Service: 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 24, St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy. St. Peregrine is the patron saint of cancer and grave diseases. The healing prayer service will be offered for all those suffering with cancer or other diseases. For details, call the church office at 704-543-7677.

6th Annual Polish Mass: 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27, at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 1400 Suther Road, Charlotte.

Venerate first-class relics of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska and St. John Paul II. Polish Father Matt Nycz will be celebrant and Deacon James Witulski will assist. The Mass will be said in Polish, but the homily will be in both English and Polish. Confessions in Polish and English will be heard beginning at 1 p.m. A Polish choir will provide music. Anyone owning traditional native Polish attire is encouraged to wear it to the Mass. Reception after Mass.

For details, call Mary at 704-290-6012.

Pro-Life Rosary: 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 2, at 901 North Main St. and Sunset Drive, High Point. Come and help us pray for the end of abortion, and invite anyone else who would support this important cause. Anyone who would have difficulty standing for 15-20 minutes is welcome to bring a folding chair. Outdoors, rain or shine. For details,

contact Jim Hoyng at 336-882-9593 or Paul Klosterman at 336-848-6835.

Divine Mercy Day of Healing: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, at St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy. For details and registration, go to www. stmatthewcatholic.org/divinemercy.

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:

VIGIL OF THE TWO HEARTS: Join Catholics across Charlotte for Mass and overnight Eucharistic Adoration every first Friday-Saturday at St. Patrick Cathedral to pray for the strengthening and healing of marriages and families, the conversion of our nation, and to offer reparation for the sins of mankind through prayer and penance. The vigil will begin with Mass at 8 p.m. each first Friday, followed by Adoration and scheduled prayer, and conclude with 8 a.m. Mass each first Saturday, beginning Sept. 1-2. For details and to sign up for Adoration times, go to www.prolifecharlotte.org.

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

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

CHARLOTTE Maronite Mission: Masses are offered every Sunday at 12:30 p.m. at St. Matthew Church’s Waxhaw Campus, 4116 Waxhaw-Marvin Road, Waxhaw. The Maronite Mission of Charlotte is an Eastern rite Catholic Church in full communion with the pope.

Healing Mass and Anointing of the Sick: 2 p.m. every third Sunday of the month, St. Margaret of Scotland Church, 37 Murphy Dr., Maggie Valley. Individual prayers over people after Mass by Charismatic Prayer Group members.

For details, call the church office at 828-926-0106.

Evening Novenas: Every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Christ the King Church, 1505 East Kivett Dr., High Point. All are invited to pray the Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Join them in praying for the needs of your families and for our hurting world. For details, call the church office at 336-883-0244.

Retreats Rachel’s vineyard weekend retreat: Oct. 20-22 in the Greensboro area. Rachel’s Vineyard can help men and women who have experienced abortion begin their healing journey. It creates a healing environment of prayer and forgiveness. The retreat works to reconnect people to themselves, their friends and family after having an abortion. For details, contact Jackie Childers at Jack-ie.childers1@gmail.com.

East Meets West Retreat – ‘The Medicine of Words,’ St. John Chrysostom’s ‘On the Providence of God’: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday-Friday, Aug. 17-18, Immaculate Conception Mission, 42 New Found St., Canton.

Everyone welcome to join for talks that will provide insight into St. John’s treatise and how it may help us endure in the faith and evangelize others during our own perilous times.

For details, call the church office at 828-456-6707.

Charlotte: 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, St. John Neumann Church, 8451 Idlewild Road; 9:30 a.m.

Thursday, Aug. 31, St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy.

Greensboro: 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, and 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 22, St. Paul the Apostle Church, 2715 Horse Pen Creek Road HIGH POINT: 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 4145 Johnson St.

SUPPORT GROUPS Shining Stars Adult day respite: Meets on Mondays and Wednesdays at St. Gabriel Church, 3016 Providence Road, Charlotte. Shining Stars is a nonprofit adult day respite program for members of the community with early to moderate Alzheimer’s disease.

For details, call Suzanne Bach at 704-335-0253.

Alzheimer’s Caregiver and Family Support Group: Meets the first Monday of the month, 6:30-8 p.m., in Family Center Room 203 at St. Mark Church, Huntersville. Organized with the Alzheimer’s Association, the monthly meetings are for the caregivers and family members of people with Alzheimer’s. For details, email Janet Urban at jgraceart@yahoo.com.

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. CHARLOTTE AREA: Groups for Catholics in their 20s and 30s, single or married, are active on MeetUp at www. meetup.com/charlottecatholicyoungadultministry, and at: Our Lady of Consolation Church: contact Denise Duliepre, 917-575-0871 St. Gabriel Church: on Facebook at “St. Gabriel Young Adult Ministry” St. John Neumann Church: call Meg VanGoethem, 815-545-2587.

St. Matthew Church: on Facebook at “Young Adult Life: A St. Matthew Ministry” St. Patrick Cathedral: on Facebook at “The Cathedral of St. Patrick - Young Adult Ministry” St. Peter Church: look them up on MeetUp at www. meetup.com/St-Peters-Catholic-Young-Adult-MinistryCharlotte-NC St. Thomas Aquinas Church: online at “Aquinas’ Finest,” www.stacharlotte.com/finest

August 18, 2017 | catholicnewsherald.com

‘The Lord has given me great peace in coming here’ SueAnn Howell Senior reporter

CHARLOTTE — St. Matthew Church has a new pastor: former parishioner, catechist and high school youth minister, Father Pat Hoare.

Father Hoare volunteered at the south Charlotte parish in the 1990s before a job transfer took him to Baltimore, Md., and before he discerned a call to the priesthood. He returned to the church for his ordination to the priesthood on June 2, 2007, by Bishop Peter Jugis. So what is it like coming back to his old parish as its new pastor?

“I will say that the Lord has given me great peace in coming here,” Father Hoare said. “I am a high-energy person. That’s also fed by my high anxiety. Those kind of things work together usually for good.”

The south Charlotte parish that Father Hoare now shepherds has flourished since it was established in 1986, growing exponentially as the area around it has developed. The parish now comprises more than 11,000 families – by all accounts, making it the largest parish in the United States. There are eight Masses offered every weekend on the main campus, and “St. Matthew South” in Waxhaw offers three more Masses every weekend. The parish counts 7,000 volunteers in its 100-plus ministries.

Said Father Hoare, “What has been amazing is that there is so much going on, so many moving parts, so many people that I need to talk to. All of those things are happening. I really have not felt any anxiety about it, which is amazing. That certainly is a grace.

“Adding to that grace is that the staff is wonderful.

The people I have met, the parishioners, have been so welcoming. They naturally miss their pastor of 18 years.

There’s that ‘I wonder what this is going to be like’ kind of undercurrent.

“All I can do right now is to be present, to say hello to people and try to communicate to people as best I can that I am here to try to lead them, to love them, to pastor them as best as I can.”

“As Pope Francis says, we should have the smell of the sheep. I already smell like them (as a former parishioner), I don’t have to acquire that. I already know I smell like them!” he joked.

He said it has been a joy for him to encounter parishioners he knew years ago when he lived and worked in Charlotte and volunteered at the parish as a catechist.

“There are people here who have come up to me and asked if I remember them or their children (he taught).

I do remember them. That’s kind of neat, too, to have that grounding in the parish. It’s not like I’m a complete outsider.”

Father Hoare noted that his new assignment is going well. “It’s only been three weeks, but it’s been a great three weeks so far.

“What I am trying to discern now is, ‘OK, Lord, you put me here, so You must have some plans in mind for me and for the parish, and there must be a reason I am a part of that.’ I am just trying to discern that.”

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Fifteen deacon candidates were installed as acolytes during an Aug. 10 Mass at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte. It is one of the final steps toward their formation as permanent deacons for the Diocese of Charlotte.

SueAnn Howell | Catholic News Herald

New pastor of largest Catholic flock in U.S. settles in

OUR PARISHESI

Patricia L. Guilfoyle | Catholic News Herald

‘Servants of the Eucharist’ 15 men take next step towards ordination as permanent deacons Patricia L. Guilfoyle Editor

CHARLOTTE — Families and friends filled St. Patrick Cathedral Aug. 10 to watch as 15 men were instituted as acolytes – one of the final steps toward their formation as permanent deacons for the Diocese of Charlotte.

Paul Bruck, Ralph D’Agostino Jr., David Faunce, Steffen Fohn, Frank Moyer, Timothy Mueller, Matthew Newsome, Quang Nguyen, David Ramsey III, Martin Sheehan Jr., Francis Skinner, Paul Sparrow, Peter Tonon, Donald Waugh Jr. and Jack Yarbrough are candidates for the diaconate, expected to be ordained next year.

As acolytes, the men are now entrusted with the duties of attending to the altar, assisting the deacon and priest at Mass, and distributing Holy Communion as extraordinary ministers.

Bishop Peter Jugis celebrated the Mass on the feast of St. Lawrence, deacon and martyr, during which the diocese’s permanent deacons – as well as their wives – also renewed their commitment to serving the Church.

During the institution rite, the 15 deacon candidates, clothed in white albs, approached the altar one by one and knelt before the bishop. He placed a ciborium 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.” To which they replied, “Amen.”

In his homily, Bishop Jugis urged the deacon candidates to draw closer to the Eucharist in their daily lives, just as they are now drawing nearer to the altar with this step towards the diaconate.

“Because you are specially called to this ministry, you should strive to live more fully by the Lord’s sacrifice and to be molded more perfectly in His likeness,” he said.

“The Eucharist forms us and shapes us,” he said, referring to St. John Paul II’s 2003 encyclical “Ecclesia de Eucharistia” and Pope Benedict’s 2007 apostolic exhortation “Sacramentum Caritatis,” which describe the “Eucharistic form” of the Christian life.

“It is not the Eucharistic food that is changed into us, but rather we who are mysteriously transformed by it. Christ nourishes us by uniting us to Himself,” Pope Benedict wrote in “Sacramentum Caritatis.”

As “servants of the Eucharist, men of the Eucharist,” Bishop Jugis told the candidates, they must “allow the Body and Blood of Christ at Mass and at Eucharistic Adoration to form a Eucharistic shape to your life, constantly being renewed by the love of Christ which we celebrate at the Eucharist.”

The Eucharist “is bound to have an effect on our lives,”

he noted. “That affects everything. It affects our thinking, it affects our affections; it has an effect on our behavior, on our attitude, on our words, on our actions.

“In fact, if it doesn’t affect our lives – if we’re not constantly being renewed by Christ’s love – Pope Benedict said, there is a fracture that has taken place, some breakdown has occurred between what we celebrate and what we do.”

Drawing closer to Jesus through the Eucharist should lead the candidates closer to others, Bishop Jugis said, so that building communion with Christ builds communion with their brothers and sisters in Christ.

This personal communion is particularly needed today, when contemporary society has turned away from God and glorifies individualism above all else, Bishop Jugis said. People end up marginalized, excluded or feeling like they don’t belong, he said.

As “servants of the Eucharist” and future deacons of the Church, he said, the men have a special responsibility to help the Church build communion – a relationship – with God and with each other.

“It’s the gift that Jesus wants to give to the world through the Church,” he said.

As the deacon candidates and the entire congregation bowed their heads, Bishop Jugis prayed, “Grant that they may be faithful in the service of Your altar and in giving to others the Bread of life. May they grow always in faith and love and so build up Your Church.”

After Mass several of the deacon candidates said they were touched by Bishop Jugis’ words calling them “men of the Eucharist,” feeling excited and a little nervous about taking on the ministry of acolyte, yet gladly abandoning themselves to whatever God wills for them.

“This makes it real,” said Matthew Newsome, a deacon candidate from Sylva who also serves as campus minister at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee.

He and the other 14 candidates have been through years of preparation, study and discernment, and they have been given the ministries of lector and now acolyte.

As ordination day approaches, Newsome said, “I feel like we’re drawing closer to Christ. As a lector, you are called to be especially devoted to Him in the Word, His Scripture.

Now as an acolyte, we’re called to be especially devoted to the altar and to the Eucharist.

“We’re just being drawn further and further into the mystery of Christ.”

Deacon candidate Paul Sparrow also said he felt uplifted by the bishop’s homily. “I definitely want to continue to grow” closer to Christ through the Eucharist, he said, especially by spending more time in Eucharistic Adoration in the months leading up to ordination day.

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catholicnewsherald.com | August 18, 2017 OUR PARISHES

Photos by Mike FitzGerald and Jose Sanchez | Catholic News Herald

‘She will triumph’ Bishop Jugis closes Marian Rosary Congress with words of hope Mike FitzGerald Correspondent

CHARLOTTE — Urging attendees to remain close to the Blessed Virgin Mary and imitate her example, Bishop Peter Jugis offered the closing Mass of the seventh annual diocesan Marian Rosary Congress Aug. 12.

The congress drew more than 300 people to St. Gabriel Church for a day-long program focusing on Mary in honor of the 100th anniversary of her apparitions in Fatima, Portugal. The program included talks by Father John Eckert, pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Salisbury, and Father Robin Antonio Mora Casanova. Along with St. Gabriel’s pastor Father Frank O’Rourke, they concelebrated the closing Mass with the bishop.

In his homily, Bishop Jugis reflected on the centennial anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima’s messages to the three shepherd children, and the opportunity for the faithful in the Diocese of Charlotte to dedicate this year to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

As she told the three children in Fatima, he reminded congress-goers, “In the end my Immaculate Heart will triumph.”

“It’s a good promise … of ultimate victory, ultimate triumph, ultimate winning the battle – for all of us, her children. She will triumph,” Bishop Jugis said.

He also encouraged congress attendees to take courage and be strong by following in Mary’s footsteps in striving for holiness. Just as mothers instill virtues and values in their children, Our Lady seeks to do the same by instilling her virtues in her children, each one of us, he said.

“She is the best model. She is the greatest of all the saints, who most perfectly, without hesitation, always follows Jesus,” he said. “Follow the lead of the Immaculate Heart and her example; stay close to Jesus. That’s where victory lies.”

More online At www.catholicnewsherald.com: See more photos and video from the closing Mass of the diocesan Marian Rosary Congress

August 18, 2017 | catholicnewsherald.com

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Members of St. Eugene Parish welcomed the United Nations International Our Lady of Fatima Statue July 16. Mass was celebrated by Father Julio Dominguez, and a procession was held around the church.

Father Dominguez touches flowers to the statue of Our Lady of Fatima, then presents them to the children in attendance.

Photos by Phil and Gail Webb | Catholic News Herald

Our Lady of Fatima statue visits Asheville area Jim Venglarik Special to the Catholic News Herald

ASHEVILLE — St. Eugene Church was blessed with the arrival, exposition and procession of the United Nations International Our Lady of Fatima Statue July 16.

Hundreds of people attended each of the Masses for the special occasion, in honor of the 100th anniversary of her appearances to the children in Fatima, Portugal.

The statue is cared for and carried around the world by Judy Studer, who provided information about the statue at each Mass, and testified about miracles attributed to the Blessed Mother by people who encountered the statue – including Studer’s own cure from cancer.

At the 8:30 a.m. Mass, two members of Knights of Columbus St. Lawrence Assembly 781 and St. Eugene parishioners, Sir Knights Tom Kotz and John Matchulat, dressed in the Knights of Columbus Regalia, led the procession into the church followed by Our Lady, carried

by Sir Knight Dave Hetrick. Father Christian Cook, a newly-ordained priest from the parish, Deacon Mike

Zboyovski and altar servers followed as Our Lady was placed in the front of the altar on a table for all to see throughout the day.

Father Pat Cahill, pastor, invited all to join in praying the rosary after each Mass. Knights Dave Hetrick and Bob Charette introduced Studer as Our Lady’s custodian, and after she spoke they led the congregations in reciting the rosary.

Father Julio Dominguez, Hispanic Ministry coordinator for the Smoky Mountain Vicariate, was the celebrant for the 1:30 p.m. Spanish Mass. Following the Prayer after Communion, Father Dominguez knelt in front of the statue and the entire congregation prayed the rosary. Parishioner Lilliana Duarte directed some of the older youth to lead each decade of the rosary. As each prayer was recited, the younger children placed a rose in front of the altar to form a rosary of roses – red for each Hail Mary and white for each Glory Be and Our Father.

At the conclusion of the rosary the procession began as Knight of Columbus Tom Kotz led, followed by seminarian Jose A. Palma Torres carrying the cross, followed by three

altar servers who alternated carrying the statue, then followed by Father Dominguez and the Latino community of more than a hundred.

The procession went out the rear exit of the church, through the church’s parking lot to the church’s columbarium where it turned around to return to the church. Along the way, the procession stopped so the statue could be transferred to different men. Wearing white gloves to hold Our Lady – each was given an opportunity to carry this special statue. Father Dominguez led the congregation in praying, and then everyone sang “Ave Maria.”

Throughout the day at the church, people went up to Our Lady and knelt in front of her, asking for help, thanking her for her intercession and leaving special petitions in a basket for Studer to take with her.

A special prayer event and appearance of the United Nations International Our Lady of Fatima Statue was also held July 15 at the Haywood County Fairgrounds.

Jim Venglarik is a member of St. Eugene Church in Asheville.

Let’s keep talking.

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catholicnewsherald.com | August 18, 2017 OUR PARISHES

Annual priests’ convocation focuses on cultural diversity in parishes SueAnn Howell Senior reporter

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CHARLOTTE — Priests of the Diocese of Charlotte attended the annual Priests’ Convocation Aug. 16-18 at the Crowne Plaza-Charlotte Executive Park. The three-day event featured a presentation by Father Stephen Dudek of the Diocese of Grand Rapids, Mich., entitled, “Missionary Discipleship: The Art and Spirituality of Pastoring in a Culturally Diverse Diocese.”

Father Dudek has Dudek served as a pastor in culturally diverse parishes for more than 30 years. Over the years he has ministered to English-, Spanish- and Vietnamesespeaking parishioners.

Father Dudek completed his theological training in Denver, Colo., earned his licentiate degree in Mexico City and did his doctorate work in Chicago, Ill. He earned his doctoral reflection on the topic he discussed.

Father Dudek is pastor of Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Wyoming, Colo., and director of the Grand Rapids diocese’s Society for the Propagation of the Faith office, the largest Catholic organization for promoting awareness and generating and distributing funds for the Church’s missions around the world.

At the convocation, Father Dudek covered topics such as: how to develop intercultural competency; the joys and challenges of pastoring a diverse parish; ministry in a diverse Catholic Church;

understanding culture; understanding the different cultural groups that make up the U.S.; development stages that culturally diverse parishes go through; what it means to be interculturally sensitive; what it means to respond to the call to be missionary disciples in the culturally diverse U.S.; and what it means to be missionaries as diocesan priests.

Father Pat Hoare, the new pastor of St. Matthew Church in south Charlotte, helps to organize the annual priests’ convocation.

“The convocation serves a two-fold purpose,” Father Hoare said. “Our priests are given the opportunity to learn about, and discuss together, a topic or an issue that is important to our priestly ministry.

Simply, it helps us to be better priests for all those we serve.

“Secondly, it is a time that we gather from our many parishes to share a time of fraternity, which is rare due to our busy calendars and the geographic expanse of our diocese. And this year, we have the added joy of using our time together to celebrate our priests celebrating special anniversaries or retirement, together with the bishop.”

Bishop Jugis celebrated Mass Aug. 17 at St. Patrick Cathedral for this year’s priest jubilarians and recently retired priests.

Said Father Dudek, “I want to support them on their spiritual journey in ministry and learn from them as well. We have a lot to learn from each other when it comes to this important ministry of ours. They’ll bring the richness of their own experience as pastors and as priests in the context of ministry.

“The goal is to learn from each other and to grow spiritually as we pastor God’s holy people.”

Latin conference held at Belmont Abbey College BELMONT — Father Jason Barone, vocations promoter for the Diocese of Charlotte and chaplain at Charlotte Catholic High School, served as facilitator of the fifth annual “Veterum Sapientia” Latin Conference, hosted by Belmont Abbey College July 31-Aug. 4.

The five-day conference was conducted completely in Latin, which gave the 25 participants the opportunity to speak the language and delve into the rich history of

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the Church’s use of Latin.

Goals for the Latin-immersion conference included: activating one’s passive use of Latin through games, and writing and performing plays in Latin; and exploring all the different areas of Church Latin – through the Church Fathers, scholastic, liturgical and canon Law – as well as the Vatican’s use of Latin or curial Latin.

Latin professor Dr. Nancy Llewellyn served as one of the presenters during the conference. Llewellyn is the new Latin instructor for the men at St. Joseph College Seminary in Charlotte. The second-year seminarians attended the conference.

Seminarian Jose Palma was one of those at the conference.

“I enjoyed it,” Palma said. “They were teaching us classes in Latin. It was a great experience.”

Father Barone explained that the conference is in response in part to St. John XXIII’s 1962 encyclical “Veterum Sapientia,” “which was written to defend and promote Latin in the Church.”

“Vatican II says seminarians should be fluent in Latin. Before, during and after Vatican II, our most authoritative documents say we need to be fluent in Latin,” he said.

Learn more about the Veterum Sapientia program online at www.veterumsapientia. com.

— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter

August 18, 2017 | catholicnewsherald.com

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief Children’s track registration for Eucharistic Congress closes Aug. 30 CHARLOTTE — Online registration for the children’s track (grades K-5) and middle school track (grades 6-8) of the Diocese of Charlotte’s 2017 Eucharistic Congress closes Wednesday, Aug. 30. The Eucharistic Congress will be held Sept. 8-9 at the Charlotte Convention Center.

Pre-registration is required for K-8 students.

High school students (grades 9-12) are also encouraged to pre-register. Walk-up registration is permitted for high school students only.

The children’s track will feature women religious from the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia in Nashville, Tenn., speaking on the topic “Fatima: Our Lady, a Miraculous Sun, and Mercy.” The middle school track will feature Dominican Sister Thomas More Stepnowski speaking on the topic “To Jesus Through Mary.”

Both tracks, which will run from 12:15 to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, will also include time for Eucharistic Adoration.

For details and to register, go to www. goeucharist.com.

Polish Mass to be offered Aug. 27 CHARLOTTE — All are welcome to attend the sixth annual diocesan Polish Mass in honor of Our Lady of Czestochowa, St. John Paul II and St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, to be offered at 2 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 27, at St. Thomas Aquinas Church.

Polish Father Matt Nycz will be the celebrant and Deacon James Witulski will assist. The Mass will be in Polish with the homily given in both English and Polish, and it will fulfill the Sunday obligation. Confessions in Polish and English will be heard beginning at 1 p.m. A Polish choir will provide music.

After the Mass, the faithful will have the opportunity to venerate a first-class relic of St. John Paul II: a drop of his blood on a fragment of his cassock from the day he was shot in 1981.

Also, for the first time, there will be a first-class relic of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska.

Anyone owning traditional native Polish attire is encouraged to wear it to the Mass.

A reception with light refreshments will be held after Mass. Donations for the reception are appreciated and can be dropped off before Mass at Aquinas Hall, across the courtyard from the church.

St. Thomas Aquinas Church is located at 1400 Suther Road in Charlotte. For details, call Mary Witulski at 704-290-6012.

Respect Life and NFP info session planned in Boone BOONE — All are welcome to join Catholic Charities program directors Jessica Grabowski (Respect Life) and Batrice Adcock (Natural Family Planning) for discussion and networking 1-3:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, at St. Elizabeth Church. Come learn how you can build a culture of life in your parish and community. Topics include Respect Life information resources, an upcoming Respect Life Conference in the Asheville area (Sept. 16), and Church teaching on sexuality as it relates to family planning.

Refreshments provided. RSVP by Wednesday, Aug. 23, to jrgrabowski@charlottediocese.org or bnadcock@charlottediocese.org.

Respect Life Conference to feature USCCB advisor ARDEN — Respect Life parish coordinators and other advocates are welcome to attend

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the Diocese of Charlotte’s annual Respect Life Conference, this year being held Saturday, Sept. 16, at St. Barnabas Church in Arden. The conference will include a variety of workshops and speakers, including keynote speaker Dr. John S. Grabowski, associate professor of moral theology at the Catholic University of America and theological advisor to the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family and Youth. Grabowski has written extensively on the areas of moral theology, marriage, sexuality and bioethics, and he wrote the foreword to the 1997 English edition of St. John Paul II’s “Theology of the Body.” He will speak on “Humanae Vitae 50 Years Later: Prophecy and Prescription for our Culture.” Go to www.ccdoc.org/respectlife for details or email Jessica Grabowski at jrgrabowski@charlottediocese.org.

Charlotte-area Catholics called to participate in ‘Vigil of the Two Hearts’ CHARLOTTE — Join Catholics across Charlotte for Mass and overnight Eucharistic Adoration every first Friday-Saturday at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte to pray for the strengthening and healing of marriages and families, the conversion of our nation, and to offer reparation for the sins of mankind through prayer and penance. Tying in the First Friday and Saturday devotions of the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts together with Mass and Adoration, the vigil will begin with Mass at 8 p.m. each first Friday, followed by Adoration and scheduled prayer, and conclude with 8 a.m.

Mass each first Saturday, beginning Sept. 1-2 and Oct. 6-7.

The city-wide prayer effort is being organized by the Catholic Pro-Life Action Network (C-PLAN) and local parish Respect Life ministries. For details and to sign up for Adoration times, go to www.prolifecharlotte.org.

Photo provided by Amy Burger

St. Mark celebrates faith at VBS HUNTERSVILLE — Approximately 180 young people at St. Mark Church came together with adults and clergy recently for Vacation Bible School to deepen their knowledge of the Catholic faith. The Vacation Bible School saw plenty of praying, dancing, singing, snacking and fun, but there was also an element of service. Two hundred fleece blankets were made and donated to Levine Children’s Hospital and MiraVia. During the closing ceremonies, Father Noah Carter blessed the blankets in front of a packed gymnasium of children and their parents.

prayer, and entertainment was provided by Cody Killian, IHM’s music director, and singers Cameron LeJuene, Carli Rose LeJuene, Dolores Libby and Missy Kirkland. Finger sandwiches, an array of sweets, and assorted teas were served by members of the St. William Men’s Club.

— Karen M. Francis, correspondent

Rice Bowl Mini-Grant applications now available

Ladies high tea a huge success St. Joseph kids enjoy Totus Tuus NEWTON — Youth at St. Joseph Church recently had fun with Totus Tuus, a summer Catholic youth program dedicated to sharing the Gospel and promoting the Catholic faith through evangelization, catechesis, Christian witness and Eucharistic worship.

— Kara Thorpe, correspondent

Parishes aid Kenyan education effort BREVARD — “Don’t worry about numbers.

Help one person at a time.” Two parishes, Sacred Heart Church in Brevard and St. Leo the Great Church in Winston-Salem, recently put this quote from St. Teresa of Calcutta into action by collecting approximately $6,000 to support the college education of two women in Kenya. The program, University Initiative-Kenya, is administered by the Missionary Sisters of Mary Immaculate. Founded in Kenya, this order helps the poorest men and women in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania get vocational training or university-level educational opportunities.

Without the help provided by these churches, college and a way out of poverty would remain only a dream for them.

— Dorice Narins, correspondent

HAYESVILLE — More than 130 ladies including Pat Dashner, Mirtha Cobb and Pat Craige from St. William Church (pictured) – wearing hats of all sizes and colors, adorned with feathers, straws, birds, monkeys and more – attended a high tea fundraiser June 17 hosted by St. William Church and Immaculate Heart of Mary Mission to benefit various charities in Cherokee and Clay counties.

The guest speaker at the tea, held at IHM in Hayesville, was Judith Alvarado, executive director of R.E.A.C.H., who stressed the importance of increasing community awareness of domestic violence and sexual assault.

R.E.A.C.H. provides hope and help to assault victims through counseling and daily living assistance. Many of the ladies in attendance donated business attire and accessories for R.E.A.C.H.’s job interview program. They also donated food and cleaning products that will benefit the Cherokee and Clay County Food Banks.

Among the numerous donated raffle items were paintings, a Girl Scout cookie basket, plants, flower arrangements, a cheese and wine basket, a scented soaps spa basket, local business gift certificates, and a llama teddy with blanket.

Proceeds from the admission charge and raffle sales were donated to various charitable organizations throughout both counties.

Deacon Carl Hubbell offered the opening

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

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

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

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

Last year, 11 CRS Rice Bowl Mini-Grants were awarded to Catholic entities to support local poverty and hunger relief efforts in the cities of Albemarle, Andrews, Charlotte, Clemmons, Gastonia, Greensboro, Mocksville, Morganton, Murphy and Spruce Pine. Questions? Please email jtpurello@charlottediocese.org.

Divine Mercy Day of Healing planned CHARLOTTE — St. Matthew Church will hold its eighth annual Divine Mercy Day of Healing from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16. St. Matthew Church is located at 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy. in Charlotte.

For more information and to register, visit www.stmatthewcatholic.org/divinemercy.

We welcome your parish’s news! Please email news items to Editor Patricia L. Guilfoyle at catholicnews@ charlottediocese.org.

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catholicnewsherald.com | August 18, 2017 OUR PARISHES

Deacon Drummer dies, aged 63 LAKELAND, Fla. — Deacon Kenneth Lee Drummer died unexpectedly on Aug. 2, 2017, in Lakeland, Fla., at the age of 63.

A funeral Mass was celebrated Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 210 W. Lemon St. in Lakeland.

He was born on Sept. 1, 1953, in Knoxville, Tenn. He graduated from the University of Kentucky, where he met Drummer and married his wife of 40 years, Suzanne. He continued to further his education and attended The Banking School of the South and the Pontifical College Josephinum and was ordained a deacon in the Roman Catholic Church.

He was ordained for the Diocese of Columbus, Ohio, on Feb. 3, 2001, by Bishop James Griffin. From Ohio his work took him to Florida, where he served the Diocese of Orlando in many areas such as faith formation, RCIA, pre-Cana, and the Boy Scouts.

In 2011 his work brought him and his wife Suzanne to North Carolina, where he served five years as a deacon for the Diocese of Charlotte. From 2011 to 2016, he attended and served St. James the Greater Church in Concord.

Even though it was for only a short time, his service to St. James Parish will always have a lasting effect. He was recognized by his pastor as a terrific person, spiritual guide and preacher. His participation in the marriage preparation and RCIA programs and his thought-provoking homilies will be missed but not forgotten.

Deacon Drummer is survived by his parents, Richard and Jeanette Drummer of Lexington, Ky.; his wife Suzanne Shaw Drummer of Lakeland; daughter Sarah Drummer Ramey of Orange Park, Fla.; siblings Richard Drummer and Kimberly Kindred of Lexington; and grandchildren, Zachary Marquis and Tucker Ramey.

His daughter and grandchildren will always remember him for the love and devotion he had for them. The kindness and compassion he showed to people of all walks of life is something that all who knew him will cherish.

Donations may be made to St. Joseph’s Academy at 310 Frank Lloyd Wright Way, Lakeland, FL 33803.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www. heathfuneralchapel.com.

Heath Funeral Chapel of Lakeland was in charge of the arrangements.

— Catholic News Herald

Family Honor program: ‘I liked ... figuring out the parenting thing together’ Brenda Cerkez Special to the Catholic News Herald

SALISBURY — For 16 parents in the Salisbury area, talking with their young children about “the birds and the bees” just got a lot easier.

That’s because these parents attended the recent “Leading & Loving” program held last month at Sacred Heart Church in Salisbury.

In “Leading & Loving,” presenters from Family Honor, an organization that provides a family-centered Catholic approach to chastity education, led group discussions for parents on topics designed to help them raise their children in a challenging culture.

According to Vincent Weaver, Family Honor’s director of programs and training, “Leading & Loving” was created for parents who have children ranging in age from infancy through age 10 or 11, although no child comes to the program. He said some of the program topics include: Sex, What It Really Means; The Language of Love – How Do I Speak It; The Birds and The Bees – Answering My Child’s Questions; Dealing with Tough Issues; and more.

Regarding the program at Sacred Heart Church specifically, Weaver noted, “There were very lively and insightful discussions where parents got the chance to talk through what they would do in addressing the ‘birds and the bees’ in various situations in a way that helps their kids appreciate God’s plan for how they are uniquely and wonderfully made. Lots of good sharing of ideas between parents throughout the program!”

Comments from parents after the program indicated that they felt their time was well spent. One parent remarked that it was “tough subject matter with strangers, but so helpful.” Another enjoyed the fellowship with other parents that the program provided, saying: “I liked getting others’ opinion and figuring out the parenting thing together.”

A very frank admission came from someone else, who said the program “… really helps address where I have failed as a parent and where to improve.”

During the “Leading & Loving” program, parents view short videos, listen to input from Family Honor presenters, and then typically break out into small groups for discussion. Workbooks, along with

additional resources, are provided for parent participants to work out a plan for their child or children and how they will approach various topics with them.

David Foppe, one of the Family Honor North Carolina presenters, said that more “Leading & Loving” programs are planned throughout the Diocese of Charlotte.

“We are in discussion with parishes in Greensboro and there is a possibility of having it at a parish in Charlotte. One mom who was at ‘Leading & Loving’ in Salisbury was on fire about the program, and wants to bring it to her parish. Family Honor would also like to see families in the Asheville area served through our programs. Parents consistently tell us that our programs make a difference for their family.”

For anyone interested in booking a Family Honor program, contact either David Foppe at dlfoppe7@gmail.com or Vincent Weaver, with the national office in South Carolina, at 864-275-2871.

Brenda Cerkez is the executive director of Family Honor Inc.

SEMINARY FROM PAGE 3

possibly fathom.”

“Twenty-four years ago I was sitting where you are sitting – not in this church because Father Reid hadn’t built it yet,” he quipped.

“I had no idea what was going to happen.

But I left my own door and went down that road for one very simple reason that I do trust and am fairly certain is the reason you did as well: that you want to be with Our Lord; that in some point in your life, having looked at all the things around you, you had an encounter with the Son of God. “And something burns inside of you that says, ‘I don’t want to be without Him. I don’t want to lose sight of Him.’” On Aug. 13 the nine new men received their college seminary cassocks, which Bishop Jugis blessed before Mass. The men were all smiles as they received their new black cassocks with burgundy piping and a green fascia.

Once the men were in their official college cassocks, they happily donned surplices and crowded into the college seminary’s little chapel for Mass with the bishop.

During his homily, Bishop Jugis touched on the topic of keeping the Lord in sight, echoing what Father Kauth had advised the men a week earlier.

“There are several lessons that we might take from today’s Scripture readings, which are certainly very applicable for you young men who are seminarians,” Bishop Jugis said, referring to the day’s readings in 1 Kings and the Gospel of Matthew (Mt 14:2233). “Starting with the Gospel today, a line which comes from the letter to the Hebrews,

‘The Lord Jesus is calling you, beckoning you to come follow Him.’

SueAnn Howell | Catholic News Herald

Bishop Peter Jugis delivers his homily at Mass Aug. 13 in the St. Joseph College Seminary chapel. The 16 college seminarians squeezed into the chapel for Mass after the nine new men received their college cassocks.

‘Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus.’

“It is the lesson that St. Peter here had to learn as he was invited by Jesus to walk across the water. When Peter suddenly took his attention or his focus off of Jesus as he was walking on the water, he began to sink.

If only he had kept his attention on Jesus the whole time or his focus on Him the whole time, who knows what might have been possible?”

“It was a good lesson for him to learn in humility and faithfulness to Jesus,” Bishop Jugis explained.

He then reminded the young men that they are beginning an important journey.

“The Lord Jesus is calling you, beckoning you to come follow Him. It is important to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus – not to be distracted or become discouraged if you feel some obstacles have suddenly arisen along the way – but to work through the obstacles and to continue to listen to Him call you with that simple word, ‘Come.’

“Only with God’s grace (is it possible) because it is God who calls. It is God who equips you and trains you and forms you for

that vocation. And with Jesus, it is possible!”

He continued, “It is a beautiful vocation – service to Christ and service to the Church.

Taking on those awesome responsibilities of the priesthood is not possible by human effort alone, just gritting your teeth … no, it is Jesus.”

Bishop Jugis reminded the men that the college seminary will give them an opportunity to escape the noise of the world in order to listen to God, just as He whispered to Elijah on Mount Horeb, and in listening to God, they might discern whether He is calling them to the priesthood.

“Prayer and study requires quiet time – of reflection, contemplation, review and opening your heart to the Lord,” he said. “Seek quiet time with the Lord. Do not be afraid. The Lord who loves you and has called you this far is there waiting for you.”

More online At www.catholicnewsherald.com: See more photos and video highlights from the first week at st. Joseph College Seminary

August 18, 2017 | catholicnewsherald.com

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St. Gabriel students’ art showcased at Catholic Charities office CHARLOTTE — Artwork painted by fourth- and fifth-grade students at St. Gabriel School was recently put on display at the Charlotte office of Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte. The students, members of the Charlotte school’s Junior Disciples Club, created the works of art during their spring semester.

The Junior Disciples Club is a group of philanthropic students from St. Gabriel School whose purpose is “Children Helping Children.” From this mission statement, club members take part in a variety of activities to aid children locally, nationally and internationally. Activities range from fundraising and participating in Charlotte’s CROP Walk to donation drives for Samaritan’s Feet’s efforts to support Syrian refugees.

The artwork serves to inspire everyone who works at Catholic Charities’ Charlotte office, one of five locations for the diocesan agency that has been serving people in need across western North Carolina since 1949. Learn more about Catholic Charities and how you can help at www.ccdoc.org.

Photos provided by Tammy S. Greyshock and Gina Bonfiglio

Part I: Worship Main Church 9:00 am Mass, Exposition, Singing of Chaplet, Anointing of Sick, Blessing with St. Faustina’s Relic

Part II: Symposium ($35) Banquet Room Spiritual Care for the Sick and Dying Resource tables are open during meals and breaks.

10:15 am

Registration/Continental Breakfast

10:45 am

Welcome and Hymn

11:00 am

Spiritual Care for the Sick and Dying Rev. Jeffrey Kirby, STD

11:45 am

Box Lunch/Resource Tables

12:15 pm

St. Faustina’s Spirituality in Dealing with Illness, Death, Scorn, Fear Rev. Seraphim Michalenko, MIC

1:00 pm

15 Minute Break/Resource Tables

9 am to 3 pm

1:15 pm

St. Matthew Pastoral Care Ministry Deacon Gary Schrieber

September 16, 2017

2:00 pm

Keynote Address: Healthcare Professionals Bringing Divine Mercy to Spiritual Care Dr. Bryan Thatcher

2:45 pm

Resource Tables

3:00 pm

Closing

Spiritual Care of the Sick and Dying St. Matthew Catholic Church

8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy Charlotte, NC 28277 (704) 543—7677

Cry of the Poor

God Bless America

Register at www.stmatthewcatholic.org/divinemercy

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catholicnewsherald.com | August 18, 2017 OUR PARISHES

Fatima Peace

Pilgrims visit Fatima shrine during centennial anniversary SueAnn Howell Senior reporter

FATIMA, Portugal — Sixty-four pilgrims from the Diocese of Charlotte and other dioceses around the country traveled to Portugal on the annual Te Deum Foundation Peace Pilgrimage. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima to the three shepherd children.

Two of the children, Jacinta and Francisco Marto, were canonized May 13 by Pope Francis during the centennial year celebrations. Their cousin Lucía became a Carmelite nun and lived to be 97. She died in 2005.

The Te Deum Foundation brought 17 seminarians on the pilgrimage this year. The nonprofit organization supports seminarians in their spiritual and temporal needs, and brings seminarians to the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima every summer so the men can develop or deepen their devotion to Mary as part of their preparation for the priesthood.

The seminarians and six priests participated in the liturgical events at the shrine during the pilgrimage July 19-Aug. 1. They processed in the evening rosary processions and the Eucharistic processions as well.

The priests on the pilgrimage had the opportunity to concelebrate Mass at the Chapel of the Apparitions at the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, as well as both Sunday Masses celebrated in the square in front of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary.

Pilgrims toured the little village of Aljustrel where the shepherd children lived. They also traveled by motorcoach to the cities of Coimbra, Balasar, Braga, Porto, Tomar, Santarem and Lisbon.

Newly ordained Father Christian Cook, parochial vicar of Our Lady of Grace Church in Greensboro, was the main celebrant at the Church of the Clergy in Porto. He said that this brought home the fact that clergy, he and all priests, are under the Blessed Virgin Mary’s protection.

“When a priest tries to grow in holiness, the devil intensifies his attacks,” Father Cook said. “So to be celebrating Mass in the Chapel of the Clergy, to let that idea of her protection of me as a priest come into focus during that Mass, it gives me confidence that I am wrapped in her mantle as a priest, as an ‘alter Christus.’”

He remarked that he observed many people walking into the church while Mass was going on, taking pictures and looking around as if they were touring a museum.

“I glanced up a few times and I would see in the faces of the visitors confusion, curiosity … and that brought into focus that so much of the world has lost sight of Mass and of the Eucharist. It was almost to where they were looking at us as part of the museum exhibition.

“That reminded me of how important my brand new priesthood is, that men are still coming to the priesthood, because the world needs that example more than it ever has.”

More online At www.fatimapeacepilgrimage.tumblr.com: See lots more photos and video highlights from the 2017 Te Deum Fatima Peace Pilgrimage

Photos by SueAnn Howell | Catholic News Herald

Te Deum Foundation Peace Pilgrimage participants gather around the grave of Sts. Jacinta and Francisco Marto July 20 in Aljustrel, Portugal.

(Left) A seminarian on pilgrimage with the Te Deum Foundation prays during the Hungarian Way of the Cross July 23 in Fatima, Portugal.

Patrick Martin, a parishioner of St. Mark Church in Huntersville, carries the American flag during the evening procession July 22 at the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima.

August 18, 2017 | catholicnewsherald.com

OUR PARISHESI

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Pilgrimage

(Top, from left) Billie Mobley, Te Deum Foundation president, and Gloria, the Te Deum Foundation’s tour guide while in Portugal, pose for a photo in Porto; Pilgrim Smiljan Majic leads a portion of the rosary July 24; Te Deum Foundation pilgrims light candles at the Lisbon Cathedral of St. Mary Major; Pilgrims pray during Mass July 20 at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary at the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima. (Above) Father Casey Coleman holds the Precious Blood aloft during Mass July 22 at the Carmelite Monastery in Coimbra where Sister Lucía lived for more than 50 years before her death in 2005.

Priests on the Fatima Peace Pilgrimage concelebrate Mass July 25 at the Church of the Clergy in Porto.

Father Christopher Roux, rector and pastor of St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte, is pictured elevating the Eucharistic Lord.

Father Roux and his mother Gail pose for a photo July 28 with one of his long-time Portuguese friends who came dressed in traditional clothing and performed dances for the pilgrims.

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catholicnewsherald.com | August 18, 2017 OUR PARISHES

Parishioner teaches classes across dioceses

R E AT N E S

MONROE — Six young people and five chaperones from St. Francis of Assisi Church in Jefferson attended a two-day confirmation retreat at Guardian Angel Monastery in Monroe, a first for the parish.

In addition to joining the Missionaries of the Poor in their prayer times, the whole crew pulled five wheelbarrows of weeds from the garden and sorted and stocked food donated

by St. Francis Parish and other contributors at the monastery’s warehouse. The young people also took turns cooking the meals during the retreat. The retreat experience offered them an opportunity to put in practice the spiritual and corporal works of mercy, learning the true joy there is in giving.

— Patrick Hession, correspondent

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DIOCESE OF CHARLOTTE

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Jefferson youth go on unique retreat

SO

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In Brief

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Eucharistic Congress September 8 & 9, 2017

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Holy Land and Petra Jordan Tour with daily Mass

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To Coyle, teaching the faith is a powerful way to evangelize.

“Catholicism is so rich,” he says. “All Catholics are called to be fully invested, engaged missionary disciples, personally connected to Christ Jesus, and alive in the Holy Spirit. I am so grateful for the Second Vatican Council, since it was all about renewing the interior life and the outreach of Catholics. The New Evangelization means that Catholics are called to be explicit in sharing the marvelous gift of their faith.”

Most recently he taught the 10-week “Catholicism” class at All Saints Church in Lake Wylie, S.C., in the Diocese of Charleston after being asked by the pastor, following his offering of studies on the Sunday Mass readings to Catholic campus ministry students at Winthrop University, at the Oratory in Rock Hill.

His reputation as a knowledgeable and enjoyable theology teacher has spread so much that members of different parishes in the Diocese of Charlotte and beyond can be found sitting in his classroom.

A recent student was Dominican Sister

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CHARLOTTE — Regular Mass-goers get to know the faces of their fellow parishioners, often sitting in the same pew at the same Mass time. But too often we do not really know the people we see each week at Mass. A face becoming more wellknown to local Catholics with each class he teaches is Michael Coyle.

Coyle grew up in Belmont and has been a member of various Charlotte parishes since moving back to the area. After attending and working at Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he earned a theology degree, Coyle obtained an information systems job at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte in 1991. Since 2011, he has been employed at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C., as a programmer/analyst and he attends St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte.

Despite being in the software profession, Coyle had a calling as a teacher and has been teaching religious education for 36 years. He has led classes at both St. John Neumann and St. Thomas Aquinas churches in Charlotte, including those for confirmation preparation and RCIA. He has taught classes on the “Living the Good News Focus” series on each of the four Gospels, Church history, the “Doors of Mercy: Exploring God’s Covenant With You” series, and the “Catholicism” video series by Bishop Robert Barron.

Coyle began teaching faith formation classes in Greensboro, during his freshman year in college, when he was asked to replace a sixth-grade teacher for the remainder of the school year.

Zeny Mofada. “I attended Michael’s adult religious education class using the insightful and moving ‘Doors of Mercy: Exploring God’s Covenant With You’ video series,” said Sister Zeny. “I chose to join the weekly discussion as part of my reflective journey during the Year of Mercy. Indeed, it was a splendid one.”

Asked if she would recommend the class, she said, “I highly recommend attendance in Michael Coyle’s classes. I find Michael a fervent adult religious educator. He maximizes time and teaches altruistically, enriching the discussions with relevant input.”

Another class participant said Coyle has a great ability to capsulate information.

Still others said that he is full of lots of great facts, is very organized and teaches with conviction and enthusiasm.

Coyle is also a regular lector at St. Thomas Aquinas and can be seen around town at various Catholic events such as the yearly Eucharistic Congress. He also structures the format of the annual weekend retreat of the parish men’s group, the Men of Veritas.

Coyle served as one of the key organizers of two large Catholic evangelistic regional events known as FIRE Rallies. The first was at Belmont Abbey in 1999 and the second in Fort Mill, S.C., in 2004, where both the bishop of Charlotte and the bishop of Charleston presided.

Coyle’s next class will focus on the book “Understanding the Mystery of the Mass”

by Father Matthew Buettner, pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Church in Gastonia.

It will be held on Thursdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 7-Oct. 12 at St. Thomas Aquinas Church. Registration is required; contact the church office at 704-549-1607.

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Diana Patulak Ross Correspondent

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

CHARLOTTE CONVENTION CENTER

YOUR FIRST COMMUNICANTS ARE INVITED TO PROCESS WITH US! His Excellency, The Most Reverend Peter J. Jugis, Bishop of Charlotte

Invites all 2017 First Communicants to honor Our Lord by participating in the Eucharistic Congress Procession.

Holy Land and Petra Jordan Tour with daily Mass November 3 thru November 15, 2017 $3,995 per person, double occupancy / singles add $900 $500 deposit due at time of registration Tour includes: round trip air, admission to all sites, Catholic tour guide, lodging in 4 & 5 star hotels, breakfast and dinner daily, visas, transfers to hotels and airport, gratuities for guide, bus driver, hotel porters and staff. Tour is escorted by the staff of Phoenix Travel Group.

Local Information Contact: Tom Trueman | 828-264-8769 | truemant@yahoo.com Tour Registration Contact: Dean McWilliams, President – Phoenix Travel Group | 623-544-1818 | deanmcw@cox.net | 14827 W. Arzon Way, Sun City, AZ 85375

Where: First Communicants should

assemble near the intersection of South Tryon and Martin Luther King Blvd at 8:30 am.

The street will be closed off to allow the procession to assemble.

When: Saturday, September 9 • Please have all children wear their First Communion attire for the procession.

• Parents can register their children for the Procession at www.goeucharist.com.

• Parents must remain with their children during the procession.

August 18, 2017

A S P E C I A L edition of T H E C A T H O L I C N E W S H E R A L D

WELCOME

GROWING

New principals named for Christ the King High School, St. Patrick School

$11M expansion project under way at Christ the King High School

TUITION HELP

ALSO INSIDE

$4M fund established for Catholic school scholarships

Upcoming open houses, Campus Ministry locations and more

catholicnewsherald.com | August 18, 2017 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD: Back to School

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Campus Ministry buildings get face-lift with FFHL funds SueAnn Howell Senior reporter

Dr. Janice Ritter

Excitement as a new school year begins

A

s the first day of school approaches, the excitement of a new school year is already evident in so many ways!

The 19 diocesan principals held their first meeting this week. This year we added some new faces to this distinguished group. We are pleased to welcome two new principals: Dr. Carl Semmler at Christ the King High School in Huntersville and Amy Tobergte at St. Patrick School in Charlotte. We also welcome back Tyler Kulp at Sacred Heart School in Salisbury, who began his tenure as principal at the end of the previous school year.

The diocesan Schools Office has already held its in-service training for our new group of teacher-mentors.

This group of experienced educators will be of tremendous support to new teachers throughout this coming year. It is truly a testimony to their dedication to education and their commitment to their colleagues that they would volunteer to take on this important task. We have also met with those beginning teachers, and we are pleased that they have chosen to begin their teaching career in the Diocese of Charlotte Catholic Schools.

Our mission in Catholic education is to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel and to provide a religious and academic program that allows each student to develop spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, physically and socially, so that each is prepared to live and serve in a changing society as a self-respecting citizen. Our school communities are places where young people can grow in faith and knowledge in a safe and caring environment. We always welcome new families and students to be part of this mission.

On behalf of the administration, faculty and staff throughout all 19 diocesan Catholic schools, I extend our prayers and good wishes for an academically and spiritually fulfilling and successful school year.

Dr. Janice Ritter is superintendent of the Diocese of Charlotte Catholic Schools system.

Photo via facebook

Christ the King High School in Huntersville is undergoing a year-long expansion project to add 27,000 square feet of additional space for the school. A new access road and 50 more parking spots are also being added.

$11M, year-long expansion project at Christ the King High School under way SueAnn Howell Senior reporter

HUNTERSVILLE — A campus-wide expansion project at Christ the King High School has begun. Extensive site work is under way to prepare for a two-story classroom expansion and a second access point to the school campus.

The high school’s expansion project, which is expected to take a year to complete, will entail approximately 27,000 square feet of new construction. The expansion includes a new cafeteria, large rooms for drama and band, a fabrication shop, three science classrooms and eight general-purpose classrooms. Administrative offices will also be created as part of the expansion project, which will more than double the size of the school.

The estimated $11 million project is being funded by the Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools capital fee.

The Boudreaux Group of Columbia, S.C., is the architect, and Edifice Construction is serving as general contractor. The civil engineer is Little Diversified Architects.

The original high school building consisted of a 22,000-square-foot, energy-efficient structure built to accommodate future growth. The school opened in 2013 with 12 classrooms configured in clusters (with four to be finished at a later date), physics and chemistry labs, an art classroom with a kiln, a temporary cafeteria space with a patio, a chapel and two conference rooms.

A small gymnasium was also constructed with the help of a $1 million donation from an anonymous donor.

Over the next 12 months, crews will develop the site and begin work on the expanded section of the building. They expect to erect the steel infrastructure within the next two months.

A parking lot expansion that will add 50 new spaces will be complete for the start of school. A new loop road will connect Crusader Lane to Shiloh Church Road for a new secondary entrance to the campus. This new road was recently made possible by the purchase of an additional four acres adjacent to the school campus.

The diocese’s third high school, Christ the King High School was founded in 2011 to meet the needs of the growing Catholic population north of Charlotte, and it moved to the current 100-acre campus in 2013.

Enrollment for the 2017-’18 year is approximately 300 students.

CULLOWHEE — Catholic college students attending Western Carolina University will be welcomed into a completely remodeled facility this fall. The old Campus Ministry building has seen a $125,000 remodel of the chapel, kitchen and bathrooms, as well as other general improvements to the 2,400-square-foot meeting space.

“The primary mission of campus ministry is evangelization and catechesis,” said WCU campus minister Matthew Newsome. “Evangelization to bring the Gospel to those who have not yet received the faith, and catechesis to help make disciples of those who have.

“Having a beautiful chapel for the students to worship in, and an attractive and comfortable student center for them to spend time in, is a great tool in evangelization and catechesis. Beauty is a great evangelizer... Our faith is beautiful. We show that by creating a beautiful environment for worship and fellowship.”

Extensive renovation projects at four Campus Ministry locations over the past two years have been funded by the diocesan-wide “Forward in Faith, Hope, and Love” campaign. Besides WCU, these projects include: n At Appalachian State University in Boone, interior and exterior repairs and maintenance were performed on the Campus Ministry building. The building was painted, new appliances were installed in the kitchen, and air conditioning units were added. n At A&T University in Greensboro, similar interior and exterior repairs and maintenance were done. In addition, the facility needed new paint, decking boards at the entrance were replaced to improve safety, and kitchen upgrades were done. n At the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, a building on the St. Thomas Aquinas Church campus adjacent to the university was renovated to allow for offices, a kitchen, dining area, gathering area and restrooms for Campus Ministry staff and students.

Approximately $480,000 from the FFHL campaign has been used to pay for these improvements at the four university Campus Ministry locations.

Campus Ministry Off to college? Want to meet new lifetime friends? Look for Catholic Campus Ministry on your campus. They may have tables outside church and at club/organization fairs. Or they may be helping first-year students settle in their rooms or participating in the Week of Welcome (WOW) on your campus. Wherever they are, you are welcome to join them, whether you are a first-year student or a senior. Go to www.catholiconcampus.com and click on “Directory” to find and contact the Campus Minister at your college or university.

Campus Ministry in the Diocese of Charlotte serves college students throughout western North Carolina, enabling them to continue their faith journey as young adults. Campus Ministry encourages young adult Catholics to develop a closer relationship with God; continue forming their conscience within the teachings of our faith; build faith communities on campus; develop as future leaders and stewards for the Catholic community; and to engage in social justice-oriented learning and activities.

All Catholic students attending university or college in the diocese are welcome in the Catholic Campus Ministry community for support and opportunities to grow in their faith and put it into action.

Campuses served: n Appalachian State University (with outreach to Lenoir-Rhyne University) n Bennett College and North Carolina A&T (Thea House) n Davidson College n UNC-Asheville (with outreach to Warren Wilson College and Mars Hill College) n UNC-Charlotte (with outreach to Queens University, Johnson C. Smith University, Wingate University, and Central Piedmont Community College) n UNC-Greensboro (with outreach to Greensboro College, Guilford College, and High Point University) n Wake Forest University (with outreach to Salem College and North Carolina School of the Arts) n Western Carolina University

More online At www.catholiconcampus.com: Get more information about Catholic Campus Ministry in the Diocese of Charlotte

August 18, 2017 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news herald: Back to SchoolI

MACS welcomes two new principals this fall

Our principals Michele Snoke St. Gabriel School Deborah Butler St. Mark School Meredith Canning Immaculata School Tyler Kulp Sacred Heart School Dr. Carl Semmler Christ the King High School Ann Flynt St. Pius X School Sheila Levesque St. Michael School Kathy McKinney St. Ann School Michael Miller Asheville Catholic School Amy Tobergte St. Patrick School Kevin O’Herron St. Matthew School Kathleen Miller Our Lady of Grace School Kevin Parks Holy Trinity Middle School Allana-Rae Ramkissoon Our Lady of the Assumption School Tracy A. Shaw Bishop McGuinness High School Greg Roberts Immaculate Heart of Mary School Sister Geri Rogers, S.S.J. Our Lady of Mercy School Joanne Brown St. Leo School Kurt Telford Charlotte Catholic High School

SueAnn Howell Senior reporter

CHARLOTTE — Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools welcomes two new principals for the 2017-’18 school year: Dr. Carl Semmler has been hired as principal of Christ the King High School in Huntersville, and Amy Tobergte as principal of St. Patrick School in Charlotte.

DR. CARL A. SEMMLER, CHRIST THE KING HIGH SCHOOL Semmler joins the Christ the King High School community after serving in Catholic education for more than 20 years, most recently as the principal of Bishop McGann-Mercy Diocesan High School in the Diocese of Rockville Centre, N.Y. Prior to this, Semmler was an associate superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Brooklyn, N.Y. His Semmler duties included strategic planning, principal professional development, leadership training and supervision of the Catholic grammar schools in Brooklyn West.

Semmler served in various roles at Archbishop Molloy High School in Queens, N.Y., where he taught theology and directed campus ministry. He has most recently completed a doctorate in education in administrative and instructional leadership at St. John’s University. His dissertation focused on analyzing the strategic plans of Catholic dioceses undergoing similar demographic changes.

Semmler is excited to move to North Carolina, where his wife Christine grew up and where her family still lives.

They have three children: Sophia, Thomas and Timothy.

“I am thrilled to be part of the community at Christ the King Catholic High School,” Semmler said. “It is such a joy to be part of a growing, enthusiastic, intelligent and spiritual Catholic school. The students that I have met are so impressive in their welcoming spirit and their love for their school.

Academic Excellence and Spiritual Enrichment since 1955

We come to learn.

We leave to serve.

Prospective Parent Open House Dates Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and 1st Grade 9:30 AM-11:00 AM

Wednesday, January 31, 2018 Kindergarten through 8th Grade 9:30 AM-11:00 AM

2200 North Elm Street • Greensboro, NC 27455 • 336-273-9865 • www.spxschool.com

“My aim is to continue our school’s trajectory of excellence, while still keeping the family feeling within the school.”

AMY TOBERGTE, ST. PATRICK SCHOOL Tobergte grew up northwest of Chicago and is a graduate of Western Illinois University. She began her teaching career at a Catholic school in the Archdiocese of Chicago. After moving to Charlotte in 2005, she taught in the public schools and was promoted to district-level positions.

In 2010 Tobergte obtained her N.C. School Administrator Principal’s license Tobergte and became an assistant principal at Quail Hollow Middle School, where she served for two years before becoming principal of Piney Grove Elementary School in March 2013.

Tobergte traveled to Japan for two weeks this summer.

She was one of 12 U.S. educators selected by Fulbright Japan to collaborate with 12 Japanese educators on helping students explore and solve issues related to Education for Sustainable Development. She spent two weeks learning about the Japanese culture, including an overnight stay with a family, and also learned about the country’s efforts to protect their environment and natural resources through ESD. “It was truly a trip of a lifetime, and I am eager to build upon my learning and experiences with the staff and students of St. Patrick,” Tobergte said.

“Throughout all of my opportunities in public education, I found it important to live my Catholic faith through acts of service, charity and embodying our Catholic social teachings and faith in my actions and decisions,” she said.

“Having the opportunity to now join St. Patrick is a true gift, and I am looking forward to leading our school as a community of worship. St. Patrick has a history of academic excellence and a strong sense of community, and it also has a commitment to developing the spiritual health and life of our children – which I believe is critical to preserve.”

Did you know?

The Diocese of Charlotte Schools welcome students of all backgrounds, even as most of their students are Catholic and the school system strives to inculcate the beliefs and values of the Catholic Church.

Catholic: 90.8% Non-Catholic: 9.2% Boys: 50.9% Girls: 49.1% Asian: 4.3% Black: 2.9% Caucasian: 88.9% Hawaiian-Pacific Islander: 0.5% Multi-race: 2% Native American: 1.1% Unknown: 0.3%

By the numbers 99% of graduates of Bishop McGuinness, Charlotte Catholic and Christ the King high schools continue on to higher education.

Scholarships awarded last year: Bishop McGuinness: $5,408,559 Charlotte Catholic: $21,231,383 Christ the King: $5.2 million

CCDOC.ORG

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

The Catholic Charities after school program, Refugee School Impact Program, provides homework assistance, enrichment, mentoring, and additional learning experiences to ensure students have the skills they need to excel in school and achieve educational goals.

To learn more about the program or find out about volunteer opportunities available visit our website or call Susan Jassan 704-370-3258.

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iiiAugust 18, 2017 | catholicnewsherald.com

CATHOLIC NEWS HER

Our Cathol

The Diocese of Charlotte School System is comprise Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools (MACS), diocesan pa

Diocese of Charlotte Catholic Schools Mission Statement The Mission of the Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Charlotte is to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel and to provide a religious and academic program that allows each student to develop spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, physically and socially, so that each is prepared to live and serve in a changing society as a self-respecting and responsible citizen.

Our Lady of Mercy Catholic School 1730 Link Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27103; 336-722-7204 www.ourladyofmercyschool.org Sister Geri Rogers, SSJ, principal Grades: PK-8 Enrollment: 185 Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 for PK, 15:1 for K-8 Upcoming open house: 9 a.m.-noon Tuesday, Nov. 14

St. Leo Catholic School 333 Springdale Ave., Winston-Salem, NC 27104; 336-748-8252 www.stleocatholic.com Joanne Brown, principal Grades: PS-8 Enrollment: 257 Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Upcoming open house: 11 a.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 20

St. Pius X Cathol

2200 North Elm St., G 27408; 336-273-986 www.spxschool.com Ann Flynt, principal Grades: PK-8 Enrollment: 455 Student-teacher ratio Upcoming open house Wednesday, Nov. 8; W 31

Diocesan Parish-based Schools This includes 9 schools serving kindergarten through eighth grade and, in some instances, preschool. While each school is part of the Diocese of Charlotte Catholic Schools, they are directly tied to, and administered by, a corresponding parish. For admissions details, contact the individual school.

Sacred H

385 Lumen 704-633-2 www.salisb Tyler Kulp, Grades: PK Enrollment Student-te Upcoming

5 essential marks of a Catholic school 1. Inspired by a supernatural vision 2. Founded on Christian anthropology 3. Animated by communion and community 4. Imbued with a Catholic worldview throughout its curriculum

Asheville Catholic School 12 Culvern St., Asheville, NC 28804; 828-252-7896 www.ashevillecatholic.org Michael Miller, principal Grades: PK-8 Enrollment: 168 Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Upcoming open house: 9 a.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 25

5. Sustained by Gospel witness — From: “The Holy See’s Teaching On Catholic Schools,” Archbishop J. Michael Miller, C.S.B.

Immaculata Catholic School 711 N. Buncombe St., Hendersonville, NC 28791; 828-693-3277 www.immac.org Meredith Canning, principal Grades: PK (ages 3-4), K-8 Enrollment: 150 Upcoming open houses: 1-3 p.m. Aug. 22; 9-11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17

Note: Enrollment numbers are for the prior academic year or as reported by the school. Sources include the Education Vicariate’s website at www.charlottediocese.org, diocesan schools staff, and the individual school websites. Student-teacher ratios are averages as reported by each school.

Photos provided

St. Michael Catholic School 704 St. Michael’s Lane, Gastonia, NC 28052; 704-865-4382 www.stmichaelcs.com Sheila Levesque, principal Grades: PK-8 Enrollment: 150 Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 for K-5, 18:1 for 6-8

RALD: Back to School

August 18, 2017 | catholicnewsherald.comiii

lic Schools

Leadership

ed of 19 schools operating in three separate formats: arish-based schools and a diocesan-based high school.

lic School

Greensboro, NC 65

o: 15:1 es: 9:30-11 a.m.

Wednesday, Jan.

Diocesan High School

Our Lady of Grace Catholic School 201 South Chapman St., Greensboro, NC 27403; 336-275-1522 www.olgsch.org Kathleen Miller, principal Grades: PK3-8 Enrollment: 240 Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 for PK, 15:1 for K-8

Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School in Kernersville serves the Triad area of North Carolina.

Bishop McGuinness High School

Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School 4145 Johnson St., High Point, NC 27265; 336-887-2613 www.ihm-school.com Greg Roberts, principal Grades: PK-8 Enrollment: 211 Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 for PK, 15:1 for K-8 Upcoming open houses: PK: Tuesday, Oct. 24; All grades: Tuesday, Jan. 23, and April 24

Heart Catholic School

n Christi Lane, Salisbury, NC 28147; 2841 burycatholic.org/school principal K (ages 3-4), K-8 t: 213 eacher ratio: 8:1 open house: 9 a.m.-noon Jan. 13

1725 N.C. Hwy. 66 South, Kernersville, NC 27284; 336-564-1010 www.bmhs.us Tracy A. Shaw, principal Grades: 9-12 Enrollment: 446 Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Upcoming open house: 7 p.m. Nov. 9

A centralized, regional system of schools in the Charlotte area that includes 9 schools (2 high schools, a middle school, 6 elementary schools, some with PK and TK, and 2 K-8 schools). Tuition for participating Catholics ranges from $3,875 for half-day PK to $10,645 for high school. For admissions info, call 704-370-3273.

Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic School

2011 Crusader Way, Huntersville, NC 28078; 704-799-4400 www.ctkchs.org Dr. Carl Semmler, principal Grades: 9-12 Enrollment: 295 Student-teacher ratio: 11:1

4225 Shamrock Dr., Charlotte, NC 28215; 704-531-0067 www.olacatholic.org Allana-Rae Ramkissoon, principal Grades: PK-8 Enrollment: 155 Student-teacher ratio: 10:1

Charlotte Catholic High School

St. Ann Catholic School

7702 Pineville-Matthews Road, Charlotte, NC 28226; 704-543-1127 www.gocchs.com Kurt Telford, principal Grades: 9-12 Enrollment: 1,240 Student-teacher ratio: 15:1

600 Hillside Ave., Charlotte, NC 28209; 704-525-4938 www.stanncatholic.org Kathy McKinney, principal Grades: PK, TK and K-5 Enrollment: 186 Student-teacher ratio: 18:1

Holy Trinity Catholic Middle School

St. Gabriel Catholic School

3100 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28209; 704-527-7822 www.htcms.org Kevin Parks, principal Grades: 6-8 Enrollment: 864 Student-teacher ratio: 14:1

3028 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC 28211; 704-366-2409 www.stgabrielcatholicschool.org Michele Snoke, principal Grades: K-5 Enrollment: 573 Student-teacher ratio: 16:1

St. Mark Catholic School 14750 Stumptown Road, Huntersville, NC 28078; 704-766-­5000 www.stmarkcatholicschool.net Deborah Butler, principal Grades: K-8 Enrollment: 717 Student-teacher ratio: 18:1

St. Matthew Catholic School 11525 Elm Lane, Charlotte, NC 28277; 704-544-2070 www.stmattwildcats.com Kevin O’Herron, principal Grades: TK-5 Enrollment: 559 Student-teacher ratio: 17:1

St. Patrick Catholic School 1125 Buchanan St., Charlotte, NC 28203; 704-333-3174 www.saintpatrickschool.org Amy Tobergte, principal Grades: K-5 Enrollment: 246 Student-teacher ratio: 12:1

Open houses MACS will hold an open house at all schools for prospective parents from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24.

Additional open houses will be: n St. Matthew, St. Patrick, Holy Trinity Middle: 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Jan. 30

Accreditation All of the diocese’s 19 schools are fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools-Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS-CASI), a division of AdvancEd. AdvancEd is the world’s largest education community, serving more than 30,000 public and private schools and districts across the United States and in more than 70 countries that educate more than 16 million students.

Admissions, tuition

Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools (MACS) Christ the King Catholic High School

The diocesan school system is overseen by Vicar of Education Father Roger K. Arnsparger and led

by Dr. Janice Ritter, superintendent of schools. Debbie Mixer is assistant superintendent of schools, and Jacqueline Durrett is director of educational technology and special projects.

Lay leadership is provided by an appointed diocesan school board comprised of parents, teachers and principals. MACS also has its own appointed school board.

n St. Ann, St. Mark, Christ the King High: 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Jan. 31 n Our Lady of the Assumption, St. Gabriel, Charlotte Catholic High: 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Feb. 1

The admissions process begins with early admissions in January and general admissions in March, continuing as space is available.

Tuition rates and fees vary by school and by grade, with diocesan parishbased schools setting their own tuition rates and MACS schools having a uniform set of rates. MACS tuition rates for the 2017-’18 year are posted online at www.discovermacs.org/tuition.

All of the schools offer some sort of tuition discount or subsidy for registered participating Catholic families, up to 30 percent in some cases. Generally speaking, tuition amounts range from $3,875 to $10,645 for registered Catholics, with non-participating Catholics and non-Catholics paying higher amounts.

Multiple child discounts are available.

For MACS schools, go to the diocesan schools’ webpage, www.discovermacs. org, to learn more and download application information, or call 704370-3273. Admission information for each diocesan parish-based school and at Bishop McGuinness High School can be found on their websites.

Prospective parents are encouraged to attend open houses at the school or schools they are eyeing.

Tuition assistance Have you ever considered Catholic education for your children but wondered if it was within your reach?

A Catholic education may be more accessible than you realize, with needsbased tuition assistance available to qualified Catholics. For details about the MACS tuition assistance program, call 704-370-3273 or go online to www. discovermacs.org/financialaid.

The diocesan parish-based schools and Bishop McGuinness High School offer similar need-based tuition assistance to qualified students. Details can be found on each school’s website.

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catholicnewsherald.com | August 18, 2017 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD: Back to School

$4M fund established for Catholic school scholarships Money will be used to provide free Catholic education to students throughout diocese SueAnn Howell Senior reporter

CHARLOTTE — An estate gift from a credit card executive who went on to create a nationally-recognized personal finance curriculum to help young people manage debt will soon help pay for children in the Diocese of Charlotte to go to Catholic school for free.

Before his death earlier this year, C. Philip Johnston set up the “C. Philip Johnston – Aline W. Kaneer Scholarship Johnston Fund” with $4 million from his estate.

All 19 Catholic schools in the diocese will be able to request money annually from the fund, which is expected to generate approximately $200,000 in

scholarships each year. The money will be used to pay the full tuition cost for students who qualify for aid.

Johnston, a Catholic convert, was born in Charlotte but lived all over the country before retiring in the Southeast.

He attended Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Md., which is where he made the decision to enter the Church, according to his nephew Greg Johnston.

He earned a master’s degree from the University of North CarolinaChapel Hill in 1958. He worked in the entertainment OTHER Tuition industry, but assistance is when acting work available for qualified became scarce, he families who apply. took a “temporary See page 5 for details. job” working for Conrad Hilton in a new credit card venture called Carte Blanche.

He rose to success in the emerging credit card industry and, after reaching the position of senior vice president at a large regional bank in St. Louis, he left the banking side of the credit card industry to lead a non-profit organization specializing in consumer credit counseling.

Johnston had recognized the need to teach people how to manage personal debt, so he partnered with a national group of educators and economists to create a curriculum in personal finance for children in kindergarten through 12th grade.

He passed away in April at the age of 88.

“We have known since 1989 that Mr. Johnston was going to do something in

For more

the way of an estate gift,” said Jim Kelley, diocesan development director.

“We are so grateful for this transformative gift.”

Those like Johnston who make a planned gift to the diocese or any of its parishes, schools, ministries or agencies become members of the Catholic Heritage Society.

The society is the diocese’s way of honoring the Christian generosity of Catholic friends who are providing for the future of the Church in western North Carolina.

The Catholic Heritage Society is comprised of more than 900 people in the diocese, many of whom are leaving gifts to the Diocese of Charlotte Foundation in their wills.

Since 1994, the foundation has distributed more than $7 million to the diocese and its parishes, schools and ministries.

Johnston’s gift is the second gift of at least $4 million to the diocese in the past year.

The other gift was an endowment bequeathed to St. Barnabas Church received through the generosity of Dennis and Mary Kushler, who quietly left the parish a $4.1 million endowment after their deaths. It is the single largest estate gift in the history of the Church in North Carolina.

The Kushlers’ endowment will provide the parish with an estimated $205,000 annual income initially, and it will grow over time. It is a general purpose endowment, so the money can be used to help in whatever way the parish decides.

Kelley noted, “More and more people across the diocese are remembering the Church in their estate plans – gifts from thousands of dollars to millions – and we are thankful for their generosity.”

They Grow Up So Fast...

Triad Schools Foundation funds needs at 6 schools The TRIAD Catholic Schools Foundation’s mission is to enrich and expand Catholic education by raising funds for quality programs at the six schools in the Triad region. Thanks to contributions from 2016-’17 Annual Giving Campaign supporters, these schools were able to:

Bishop McGuinness High School Grow the endowment Provide tuition assistance

Immaculate Heart of Mary School Provide new structural and playground equipment Provide tuition assistance Purchase materials for Middle School STEM projects and science lab

Our Lady of Grace School Provide teaching resources and curriculum materials to learn more effective teaching methods and professional development Provide tuition assistance

Our Lady of Mercy School Provide tuition assistance Grow the endowment

St. Leo Parish School Assist families in developing the best financial plan to provide a quality Catholic education for their children Crow the endowment in an effort to reach its $1 million goal

St. Pius X School Enhance instructional technology to improve the quality of classroom instruction in K-8 Provide tuition assistance In addition, contributions to the 2017-’18 campaign will support:

Bishop McGuinness High School Grow the endowment Provide tuition assistance Provide instructional technology resources to engage students and create active learners

Immaculate Heart of Mary School Provide tuition assistance Begin work on playground field and the installation of Phase 1 middle school playground equipment

Our Lady of Grace School Provide technological resources for classrooms and professional development for teachers Provide tuition assistance

Our Lady of Mercy School Provide tuition assistance Grow the endowment Provide technology upgrades in classrooms Integrate virtual lesson plans and internet resources into the curriculum

St. Leo Parish School Assist families in developing the best financial plan to provide a quality Catholic education for their children

Visit us and find out about the excellent educational opportunities we offer!

St. Pius X School Provide students with innovative and challenging tools for learning Provide tuition assistance

385 Lumen Christi Lane, Salisbury 28147 | 704-633-2841 | www.salisburycatholic.org/school

286461

Excellence Is Taught Here. Faith. Academics. Service. Since 1882.

To donate, visit www. charlottediocese.thankyou4caring.org/ TRIADEducationFoundationDonations or mail checks to Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, 1123 S. Church St., Charlotte, NC 28203. For details, call Ralph Perez at 704-370-3303.

August 18, 2017 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news herald: Back to SchoolI

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Grants for Education Excellence recipients named CHARLOTTE — The MACS Education Annual Fund recently announced its Grants for Educational Excellence recipients for the 2017-’18 school year. The grants, totaling $103,849, were awarded to teachers with innovative ideas to enhance the classroom experience.

Grants for Educational Excellence are offered to teachers to recognize and support their creative initiative in providing students with new and different avenues in which to learn. Financial support of up to $2,500 is offered per project, or two or more teachers may combine projects for up to $6,000. Grants are funded based on innovation, creativity and the overall impact on the classroom experience.

Grant recipients are: Beth Acitelli, Lori Hoyle, Leo Maganares: zyBooks for Technology and Engineering, Technology and Engineering Jaimee Adams: Totally Advent and Totally Lent, Religion Crystal Androsky: Future Ready Library, Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math Bernadine Armstrong, Mary Strauss, Patricia Frantz, Lynn Polian: Hands On Religion, Literacy and Religion Dawn Bonen-Clark: Google Read and Write, Literacy and Learning Enrichment Michelle Boyle: Brains Body & Books, Literacy Leslie Burg, Mandy Daigle, Leona Dedrick, Jessica DeMartine: No Bones About It, Science Maureen Cherry: Move to Stay Seated, MAP / Special Needs Mary Kay Connery, Linda Gimeli, Lynn Ruff: Makers Empire 3D Learning System, STEM, Science, and Technology Sister Agnes Cousins: Maps for Theology Classroom, Theology Josef Cruz: World Drumming, Music Melissa Davis, Ellen Deem, Katherine Austin: The ReSearch is On, Social Studies and Science Stacey Desormeaux: Teaching Through Truthful Tales, Literacy Patti Dickson: Phonics, Literacy Rebekah DiGavero, Carol Huss: Classroom Response System, Math and English SAT Prep William Fountain: Aeronautical Science, Science Meghan Hader: Let’s “Break Out” of the Box!, Math

Photo provided

St. Ann first-grade teacher Katie Buckley received a 2016-’17 Educational Excellence Grant for “Building Marvelous Mathematicians.” The math program focused on teaching math concepts in depth, using hands-on games and model-building to make learning fun.

Amy Harrold: Drums Alive!, Music and Health Jennifer Heekin, Catherine McIndoe: Battle of the Books, Literacy Kelly Henderson, Patty Croghan, LouAnn Brady, Patti Dickson: Raz-Kids Science A-Z, Literacy Lisa Horton: Osmo in the Classroom, Technology Brian Joyce: Smart Music Interactive, Music Tara Kane: Connecting to the World Around Us, Social Studies Darlene Konopasek: Architecture is Elementary, Arts Celene Little: Learning Ally, Literacy Debra Ludde: STEM Learning Program and Robots, Technology Stanley Michalski, Tracy Shoff, Timothy Cook, Brian Joyce: Artist in Residence, Music Lisa Michalski-Gilkey, Charlotte Bruno: Character and Leadership Development, Leadership Enrichment Tracey Noonan: Bringing Back the Classics, Literacy

Peggy Palasick, Shannon Ranaletta, Ann Miles: Let’s Talk!, Social Skills and Technology Lynn Polian, Mary Strauss, Patricia Frantz: LEGO Education, STEM Science, Math, Technology, Literacy, and Social Studies Jessica Rivas, Ashley Samuelson: Google Cardboard-Virtual Reality, Technology Jessica Rivas: Sphero Spark for Education, Technology Alethea Sproul, Linda Nagel, Miriam Olynick: Learning Support Lab, Learning Enrichment Carole Watson, Anne Loftin, Crystal Carney: Learning Ally, Literacy Patricia Wendover, Patricia Frantz, Mary Strauss: Laying the Foundation in Elementary School, Math, Science, Literacy, and Religion Tricia Wendover, Haley Crosby, Crystal Koury: Kinesthetic Learners Meet Success, Learning Enrichment Lydia Wenning: Everyday Fiction/Non-Fiction Read-Along Literacy Center, Literacy Rachel Wilken: Ceramic Arts Program, Arts Elizabeth Wise, Ashley Samuelson, Melissa Saunders: Battle of the Books, Literacy

MACS Education Annual Fund supports teachers, students The MACS Education Annual Fund serves more than 5,000 students, teachers and principals in the nine Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools. Financial support from donors has enabled it to provide essential funds to equip principals and encourage teachers so they can educate students for a life based on Catholic values and academic success. Since it was established in 1993, the MACS Education Annual Fund has raised approximately $8 million for Catholic education.

Learn more At www.macsedfund.org: Learn more about the mission of the MACS Education Annual Fund, or call Director of Development Ralph Perez at 704-370-3303.

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catholicnewsherald.com | August 18, 2017 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD: Back to School

Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools discovermacs.org | 704.370.3273

discovermacs

Open Houses - All 9 Schools Tuesday, October 24th | 9:30am-1pm Faith & Service | 100% Graduation Rate | AP & Honors | STEM & Technology Award-Winning Fine Arts | Championship-Winning Athletics

Start With Us. Stay With Us.

Charlotte Catholic High School | Christ the King Catholic High School Holy Trinity Catholic Middle School | St. Mark Catholic School Our Lady of Assumption Catholic School | St. Ann Catholic School St. Gabriel Catholic School | St. Matthew Catholic School | St. Patrick Catholic School

August 18, 2017 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

Given the gift of the Holy Spirit

Photo provided by Claudia Graham

SWANNANOA — Nine young people at St. Margaret Mary Church received the sacrament of confirmation from Bishop Peter Jugis during Mass July 15. Also pictured are Father Matthew Leonard, pastor; Deacon Dan Hoffert; and Bea Madden, faith formation coordinator.

SYLVA — Parishioners of St. Mary, Mother of God Church rejoiced July 11 when 22 people received the sacrament of confirmation – the largest class ever at the Sylva parish. Pictured with Bishop Peter Jugis and new pastor Father Casey Coleman are: Aaron Guadarrama, Eduardo Vidal Lara, Peter Dodge, Juan Carlos Yanez, John Dodge, Marissa Rodriguez, Erica Reynosa, Julian Arrellano, Gerardo Rodriguez, Angelica Ambrocio, Edgar Patino, Margaret Dodge, Kasey Espinoza, Loretta Ensley, Stacey Gonzalez, Mary Dodge, Jennifer Hernandez, Luis Munoz, Juan Guerrero, Isaac Moorman, Avery Moorman and Leesbeth Trejo.

Della Sue Bryson | Catholic News Herald

FRANKLIN — Eight young people at St. Francis of Assisi Church received the sacrament of confirmation from Bishop Peter Jugis during Mass July 12. Also pictured is Father Tien Duong, pastor.

Della Sue Bryson | Catholic News Herald THE CAROLINA CATHOLIC RADIO NETWORK (CCRN) is looking for Catholic School/Home School Partners to develop compelling local programs that broadcast what’s happening with our Catholic Faith, our Parish Ministries and our Catholic Schools/Home Schools. We have radio stations available all across the diocese waiting for you to get involved! All network programming is provided by EWTN as a gift from Mother Angelica. The rest is up to us.

Find out what you can do to help underwrite a Radio Station in your community.

Contact us today at

CarolinaCatholicRadio.org

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Our schools 16

catholicnewsherald.com | August 18, 2017 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

CCHS grad emphasizes volunteer service over the summer Kimberly Bender Online reporter

The Buddy Bench Asheville Catholic student sets up playground feature The world can be a lonely place. Even on the school playground, one can find himself or herself surrounded by their peers, but feeling alone. In many ways, the playground is a microcosm of the community.

We often get so caught up in what we are doing, and who we are with, that we fail to notice those around us who might not have anyone to be with. As adults, this manifests itself during rides on public transit when we fail to notice someone sitting alone, and offer them a greeting. It shows when we sit in airport terminals and fail to notice lone travelers because we are engrossed in our devices.

It shows in the workplace when we fail to notice the coworker eating lunch alone.

When we think of it that way, it’s easy to see how children could become so focused on their game of tag or soccer that they fail to notice the lone child standing on the side and watching all of the action go on without them.

Maura Tyler, a second-grade student at Asheville Catholic School, is one student who took notice. Not only did she notice, but she decided to do something about it.

Maura noticed that some of her fellow students sometimes had no one to play with during recess. For one reason or another, they did not get into the game of capture the flag, the swingset was full, and the basketball game had two even teams.

Maura noticed that no one else seemed to be aware that some of their peers were without a playmate as they continued on

with their games. Her heart went out to these fellow students, and she began to formulate a solution.

“At first I thought about creating a club called ‘The Friendship Club’ to help other students make friends. When I talked to my parents about it, we thought of having a ‘buddy bench’ on the playground,” she says.

The buddy bench is a special bench where students can go when they have no one to play with. Other students who see someone on the buddy bench are encouraged to go over and offer to play with any student sitting there. Maura sold rocks to her family and friends to raise the $78 she needed to purchase the buddy bench. She recently brought the bench to Asheville Catholic School to place on the playground.

Principal Mike Miller praised Maura for her ability to see a problem and then do something about it. “It’s rare these days to come across people who identify a problem, and then work to do something about it. Maura sacrificed her own time and energy to help others make friends and have fun on the playground. Too many people want to complain and place blame. You just don’t see as much of that self-sacrificial mindset anymore.”

Maura says she wants everyone to know that the buddy bench is a place where anyone can find a friend. That’s something we need a lot more of nowadays.

— Contributed by Mike Miller

CHARLOTTE — Jack Deering doesn’t know which career he’ll choose, but he knows he wants to make an impact on the world around him.

The recent Charlotte Catholic High School graduate has spent the summer volunteering as a Bank of America Student Leader at the YWCA. He will be attending the University of North Carolina-Charlotte this fall.

The Bank of America Student Leader program connects students to employment, skills development and service. They’re awarded paid summer internships with local non-profits. Deering was recognized as a student leader because of his numerous community and volunteer activities.

“My volunteer work is who I am. I know no matter where I go in life, I always need to be making a positive impact on the people around me,” Deering says. “That’s my driving force. Wherever I go in my career, it needs to make a positive impact on the world around me. It’s a rewarding experience for me.”

He’s considering majoring in pre-med with a biology concentration, or economics and a business school major, he says.

“Faith plays a big role in my drive to volunteer,” adds Deering, a parishioner of St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte. “A big part of emphasis during our education at CCHS was service. Through our religion classes, it’s been instilled in us that we need to give back.”

The goal of the Student Leaders Program is to connect community-minded kids to each other and then invest in them so they keep bettering the community in the future, Deering says.

As a student leader at the YWCA, Deering spends some of his days on “intern tasks” like cleaning out filing cabinets or working on marketing materials. Other days, he’s helping at the YWCA’s learning centers, which run after school and all day during the summer, on literacy-based learning programs for kids in grades K-5.

“It’s great to help give these children the one-on-one reading time and academic help that they need,” Deering says. “It’s super important to help these kids get up to their reading level, and it’s great to see improvement.”

During his last day at one of the centers, the children gave Deering thank you cards – the highlight of his summer, he says.

“They said things like, ‘Mr. Jack, thank you so much for helping us to read’; ‘You are brave to show up here’; ‘Thank you for helping me when I didn’t know how to swim’; ‘Thank you so much for coming out here. Thank you for working for the YWCA, we love you,’” he read.

“Not even being there that long, it’s great to see the impact you can have on the children. It doesn’t take a lot to help the kids in a tremendous way. Some just hit a roadblock when they’re reading on their own and won’t understand the book. It’s good to be there to help them.”

Before spending this summer at the YWCA, Deering has been an instructor and team captain for Carolinas Healthcare System’s Adaptive Sports and Adventures Program, an intern at the Charlotte

Photo provided by Jack Deering

Jack Deering, fourth from left, poses in Washington, D.C., during the Student Leaders’ summit with other members of the program, including Anum Imran. Imran attended Hickory Ridge High School in Harrisburg. Both are attending UNC-Charlotte this fall.

Mecklenburg Main Library, and served on the superintendent’s Student Advisory Board.

Carolinas Healthcare System’s ASAP provides sports opportunities for physically disabled athletes and facilitates practices.

Deering says he was inspired to get involved after he watched his brother play a match against a young man who competes in a wheelchair. Additionally, he has led a team of 10 able-bodied players to participate in the annual Strokes for Spokes Tennis Tournament, where his team raised more than $8,000 to help buy more wheelchairs.

Deering is very much in tune with the issue of economic mobility after serving on the North Tryon Cultural Collaborative.

He helped to analyze the challenges that contribute to communities having a lack of access to resources.

There, he and the other interns learned about the problems affecting Charlotte residents and studied how people move out of poverty, he says. Their team made recommendations on how to expand access to services in North Tryon, including a discount app and a free community fair.

Part of the Bank of America Student Leader program includes a week-long summit in Washington, D.C., with more than 200 student leaders from across the country.

After meeting his peers, some of whom have started non-profits and helped write legislation, Deering says he was inspired to want to do more. He also realized he needs to learn more about current issues, going beyond the headlines, he says.

“I’m doing well, but there’s more I can do,” he says. “I need to know more about what’s going on in my community. I need to engage more with local elected officials because that’s where we can have the most impact.”

August 18, 2017 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

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facebook.com/ catholic news HERALD ESPAÑOL

catholicnewsherald.com | August 18, 2017 18

César Hurtado

Talla de Mujer

H

ace unos días, con ocasión del incendio que redujo a cenizas las viviendas y propiedad personal de decenas de familias hispanas en Charlotte, me acerqué al refugio instalado por la Cruz Roja en la escuela media Albemarle Road.

Mi propósito era solo cubrir la historia, entrevistar a los afectados y dar a conocer a la comunidad el sufrimiento que atravesaban los damnificados. Nada más. Trabajo de rutina, solo ir, conversar, regresar, escribir y publicar.

Al llegar e ingresar al gran salón donde habían pasado la noche cerca de 80 personas, me dió la impresión de estar en un lugar de desastre, de aquellos a los que solo nos acercan las imágenes de la televisión y que, al verlos, nos parecen hechos lejanos y, en verdad, casi imposible que nos pueda suceder a nosotros.

Voluntarios de la Cruz Roja, la mayoría de ellos anglos, se multiplicaban y trabajaban como hormigas para atender en la más mínima necesidad de los refugiados.

No pude tomar fotos del interior, pero la primera imagen que vi ha quedado grabada, espero para siempre, en mi mente.

Después de platicar con algunas personas y enterarme del verdadero ‘infierno’ que vivieron y el drama que todavía los afecta, comprendí, o creí haber entendido completamente lo sucedido.

Ya tenía mi historia. Media tarea completa.

Ahora solo faltaba escribirla.

Eso era lo que en el momento pensaba.

Pero luego me señalaron a una mujer. Ella, me contaron, había alertado a muchos vecinos del incendio y, en verdad, varios residentes reconocieron que le debían la vida.

María García, una señora mexicana de baja estatura, aceptó mi solicitud de conversar con ella. Sus recuerdos estaban muy frescos y pudo contarme cómo despertó sintiendo el olor a quemado y pudo ver las llamas para después alertar a su hija y avisar a sus vecinos, que sin saber del fuego, dormían plácidamente.

María pudo elegir entre retornar a su casa, sacar su dinero, cartera, teléfono y objetos de valor, pero decidió salvar vidas, no cosas. ¡Qué talla de mujer!, ¡qué personalidad!, ¡qué entrega por otros! María lo contó sencillamente, con palabras que salían de su corazón, no de su mente.

Cuando le pregunté si se arrepentía de algo de inmediato me respondió que no. “Si no lo hubiera hecho, no me perdonaría jamás el haber visto la muerte de uno de mis vecinos.

Ellos son como mi familia, nuestros hijos han crecido juntos, nos queremos”, dijo.

Mi historia contó lo sucedido, pero no pudo reflejar el rostro ni el alma de María.

Cada día me convenzo más que el secreto de la sabiduría no se encuentra entre los más poderosos sino en los más humildes.

César Hurtado, productor audiovisual graduado en la Universidad de Lima, es miembro de la Iglesia San Gabriel en Charlotte y periodista para HOLA Noticias en Charlotte.

Gail y Phil Webb | Catholic News Herald

El Padre Julio Domínguez toca una flor a la estatua de Nuestra Señora de Fátima y luego ​​ presenta una a cada niño asistente.

Los católicos de Asheville dan la bienvenida a la estatua de Nuestra Señora de Fátima PADRE Julio Dominguez Especial para el Catholic News Herald

ASHEVILLE — Con gran alegría y regocijo, mucho entusiasmo y sobretodo fe, recibieron los feligreses de las vicarias de Smoky Mountains y Asheville, la imagen peregrina de nuestra Señora de Fátima.

Cientos de peregrinos de diferentes parroquias, llegaron a los pies de mamá María para rendirle honor y pasar una jornada espiritual muy hermosa.

Desde el momento de la llegada de la imagen, la gente no daba la impresión de recibir solamente una “estatua de María” sino la presencia misma de María Santísima entre nosotros.

La visita de María Santísima a Santa Isabel y la visita de María a las Vicarias de las montañas es analógicamente el punto que me gustaría poner de manifiesto en este artículo, pues así como María partió presurosa a ver a su prima Santa Isabel para ayudarle con el embarazo y llegando allá mostró que el Mesías iba en su vientre, saltando de alegría y gozo en su seno, así mismo vino ella presurosa a las montañas para ayudarnos con la nueva Evangelización y dar ánimos a todos los hijos de esta hermosa diócesis que vivimos en las montañas para impulsar el entusiasmo en el trabajo pastoral y al mismo

tiempo para reafirmarnos que ella sigue trayendo el mensaje de Jesucristo a cada familia, reafirmándoles que hay esperanza, que ella protegerá siempre a toda familia que con humildad y fe le invoquen.

Fue significativo para todos nosotros, que en el 100 Aniversario de las apariciones de Fátima se nos concediera la gracia de su visita. Sobre todo en nuestra actualidad que está habiendo tantos ataques contra la familia, contra los principios morales y contra la sana doctrina de la Iglesia. Era necesario tener este respiro espiritual en el que nuestra Madre viniera con el mismo mensaje que le dio a San Juan Diego: No tengas miedo, ¿no estoy yo aquí que soy tu Madre? O como lo hizo en Fátima anunciando que al final su Corazón Inmaculado triunfaría.

Para nosotros como comunidad Latina, María Santísima ha sido siempre y seguirá siendo la que viene a darnos esperanza en medio de los grandes problemas. Nos lo dio en la aparición de Guadalupe hace varios siglos, cuando los indios Aztecas no sabían ya que hacer pues veían que su mundo espiritual estaba siendo destruido y no entendían el Cristianismo. El mensaje de María vino a dar una luz de esperanza y una apertura a la nueva Evangelización. En los días de las apariciones de Fátima

había mucha confusión política y moral y es María quien viene a darnos el sentido de la fe y lo que tenemos que hacer de acuerdo al plan de Dios. Así mismo, en esta visita que hemos tenido, María Santísima marca una nueva fase en nuestra historia, con su mensaje que es de ayer, hoy y siempre: No se cansen de orar, de pedir, de hacer sacrificios, de rezar, de inclinar rodilla ante mi Hijo pues al final mi corazón Inmaculado reinará y el establecimiento del Reino de mi Hijo florecerá.

Con ella caminamos en peregrinación, con ella ofrecimos flores de cada parroquia y nuestros hijos pudieron darle la flor de su inocencia y devoción, con María rezamos la coronilla de la misericordia implorando perdón por el mundo entero, con Ella meditamos los misterios del Rosario y ella nos precedió en el momento culminante de la Santa Misa como una vez lo hizo con los discípulos. No nos queda más que agradecerle a nuestra Madre por tan maravillosa visita que ha dejado en nuestros corazones la fe, la esperanza y la caridad.

El Padre Julio Domínguez, del Vicariato de la Smoky Mountains, contribuyó decisivamente a coordinar la visita de la Estatua Internacional de las Naciones Unidas Nuestra Señora de Fátima del 15 al 16 de julio en Asheville.

August 18, 2017 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

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PHOTOS BY Giuliana Polinari Riley | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

‘Semana de la Familia’ FOREST CITY — More than 150 parishioners of Immaculate Conception Church enjoyed “Semana de la Familia,” a week-long celebration of faith and family, July 24-30. The program consisted of two hours of evening prayers, singing, dancing, lectures and presentations on spiritual and family values. A cultural presentation Friday evening featured representatives of five different Spanish-speaking countries wearing their traditional costumes. They shared information about their homeland, flag, food, traditions and devotions. A special T-shirt designed for Semana de la Familia featured an image of

the Holy Family on the front and family prayer by St. Teresa of Calcutta on the back. The celebration ended Sunday with Mass offered by Father José Antonio Juya, followed by food, games, singing and dancing at a local park. Children enjoyed face painting and playing on the playground. Pictured: Adrian Roman enjoys a dance on the shoulder of his grandfather Guillermo Ruiz; Dancers display intertwined scarves at the conclusion of a folk dance; and children enjoy the park playground during the Sunday picnic.

‘El demonio existe’ Aseguró el Padre Osornio Martínez en charla realizada en la iglesia de Charlotte César Hurtado y Sergio Lopez Corresponsales

CHARLOTTE — Cerca de quinientas personas asistieron a la charla “La Presencia del Demonio en las Escrituras” organizada por la iglesia San Gabriel y que contó con la exposición del sacerdote mexicano, el Padre Isaac Osornio Martínez.

Padre Osornio, licenciado en Teología Bíblica, actualmente se desempeña como coordinador Pastoral de Sanación y Liberación de la Diócesis de Querétaro, donde según el diario “El Sol” de esa localidad, entre 1999 y 2004 se documentaron al menos 400 casos de posesión diabólica.

El Padre Osornio dijo que la negación de la existencia del demonio es algo dañino para nuestra sociedad.

“Al demonio le conviene que no se hable de él y así puede actuar con mayor libertad. No podemos negar su existencia pues en las Escrituras hay muchos textos donde se hace referencia a él. Por otra parte, inclusive dentro de la misma Iglesia Católica, cuando las personas sufren alguna opresión del demonio, alguna influencia suya ... muchas veces hablan de cuestiones psicológicas e incluso psiquiátricas, cayendo solo en el plano de las enfermedades mentales.”

El hecho, resalta el sacerdote, es

que existen registrados al menos siete exorcismos realizados por Jesús. Y después de cada uno de ellos la gente se asombraba, quedaba maravillada al grado de decir “¡que poder tiene su palabra que manda a los espíritus inmundos y éstos le obedecen!”.

Para Padre Osornio, podemos notar la presencia del demonio, “el padre de la mentira”, pues nuestras ciudades cada día están más llenas de curanderos, hechiceros, brujos, psíquicos, tiendas esotéricas “donde a mucha gente se le engaña con amuletos y fetiches, haciéndoles creer que gracias a ellos sus vidas van a cambiar de un momento a otro.

Y eso es pura ilusión, es engaño”.

El padre aclaró que en muchas ocasiones los brujos incluso se valen de imágenes de la Virgen de Guadalupe para atraer a los católicos mexicanos, pero esto es una mentira, al igual que el culto llamado “Santa Muerte”.

Acudir a este tipo de personas, ir a limpiezas, lecturas de carta, del tarot, de la mano, del café, la participación en juegos satánicos como “la güija”, “charlie, charlie”, o directamente el culto a satanás, son, según indica el sacerdote, formas de abrir las puertas al ingreso del demonio en personas y casas.

En el libro “Bendición y Liberación de Casas Infestadas” escrito por Padre

Osornio, señala al menos 33 fenómenos que son signos de infestación del maligno en las casas. “Por citar algunos”, señala, “se prende y apaga la luz sola sin cortes de electricidad, caen al piso objetos bien colocados, se escucha que suben o bajan escaleras, se escuchan llaves de agua abiertas, se ven sombras blancas o negras cruzar, juguetes sin pilas se mueven y hablan” y muchas otras cosas más que “de ordinario son ilógicas, no normales en el interior Fotos por CÉsar Hurtado | Catholic News Herald de una habitación”.

El Padre Isaac Osornio Martínez dijo que el demonio es un ángel caído, “pero Si usted tiene algún hasta el ángel de más baja categoría celestial es mucho más”. tipo de problema con los demás”, es la exhortación de Padre relacionado con el tema, la recomendación Osornio para no dar espacio a la entrada es que se acerque a su sacerdote y le del demonio en su persona u hogar. comente sobre lo que le sucede.

“El demonio es una creatura, es una Pero el consejo para evitar cualquier creación de Dios, no es Dios. No le demos problema es acercarse a Dios. “Confiésate, lee la Palabra de Dios, aliméntate de ella, ve culto como si fuera Dios. El culto por excelencia es a Dios”, puntualizó Padre a la Eucaristía, entra a algún grupo donde crezcas en la formación y vive en la caridad Osornio.

Exorcista también habla en la parroquia de Boonville BOONVILLE — Por estos días en la Diócesis de Charlotte tendremos la visita de un sacerdote que viene de la Diócesis de Querétaro, él ha estado visitando a la comunidad del Divino Redentor aquí en Boonville, ya antes había estado de visita, en algunas de esas ocasiones le toco misionar con nuestro muy querido Padre José Waters en las misiones de la ruta “601.” Padre Isaac Osornio Martínez lleva una muy buena amistad con nuestro

director de Ministerio Hispano el Padre Fidel Melo así como de nuestro Párroco Padre Enrique González Gaytán y curiosamente los tres son del estado de Querétaro.

Durante esta visita, se me encomendó la tarea de ser su transportista para llevarlo a la pasada conferencia que se dio lugar en la Iglesia San Gabriel el día viernes 21 de julio en Charlotte, en dicha conferencia hubo una gran cantidad de personas, que

escucharon atentos el tema que Padre Osornio compartió, la conferencia se titulaba: “El Demonio en las Escrituras”.

Padre Osornio estará dando la misma conferencia aquí en nuestra Parroquia el jueves 27 de julio.

Durante mi compartimiento con Padre Osornio nos concedió una pequeña entrevista: CNH: Padre Isaac, cuéntenos un poco de

usted.

Padre: Buenas Tardes, Soy originario de Escanelilla Municipio de Pinal de amoles en la Sierra Queretana, actualmente estoy de párroco en la parroquia San José obrero en la ciudad de San Juan del Rio Querétaro.

CNH: Padre, comenzamos con esta pequeña entrevista, ¿El demonio existe?

DEMONIO, SEE page 21

Mix 20

catholicnewsherald.com | August 18, 2017 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

For the latest movie reviews: catholicnewsherald.com

On TV n Friday, Aug. 18, 8 p.m. (EWTN) “Fatima and the Popes.” A historical look behind the connection between the apparitions of the Blessed Mother at Fatima and the Popes, beginning with Pope Benedict XV through Benedict XVI.

In theaters

n Saturday, Aug. 19, 3 p.m.

(EWTN) “The Message of Fatima.” A docu-drama series on the prophecies, messages and warnings given to the three shepherd children by Our Lady of Fatima in 1917. Episode five. n Saturday, Aug. 19, 8 p.m.

(EWTN) “Polycarp.” When the Roman proconsul demands all citizens to worship Caesar, Polycarp and other Christians must find the courage to stand up for their faith against the growing threat of persecution.

‘The Dark Tower’ Dull sci-fi fantasy in which a psychic teen (Tom Taylor) first dreams about, then travels to a distant world where he gets caught up in the cosmic battle between a villainous wizard (Matthew McConaughey) and the lone remaining member (Idris Elba) of a group of Old West-style gunmen still resisting him. Their struggle concerns the supernatural structure of the title which somehow keeps the evil lurking at the edges of the universe at bay. Awash in such high-flown hooey, which extends rather than adapts a series of novels by Stephen King, is inappropriate for the impressionable. As for grown viewers, should they slog through all the exposition of non-scriptural ideas, they may be touched by the bond that eventually develops between the fatherless lad and his mentor. Occult themes, much gunplay and other violence, including torture, but with little gore, a few uses of profanity.

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

‘Kidnap’ This compact thriller is less a story about a mother’s (Halle Berry) enduring love and sacrifice for her abducted young son (Sage Correa) than a long drive in an amazingly durable minivan. Director Luis Prieto and screenwriter Knate Lee have no interest in character development and motivation. Berry merely reverts to primeval maternal-warrior instinct, and the race is on to catch up with the cretinous kidnappers (Chris McGinn and Lew Temple). Gun and physical violence, considerable vehicular mayhem, rough language.

CNS: A-III (adults); MPAA: R

‘Detroit’ A dark chapter of the Motor City’s history is revisited in this searing period drama about the so-called “12th Street Riot” during the summer of 1967. Director Kathryn Bigelow focuses on the notorious police raid of the Algiers Motel which resulted in the death of three unarmed black men and the brutal beating of several others. There, a trigger-happy cop (Will Poulter) unleashes a ruthless, demeaning interrogation of hotel patrons, including a decorated Vietnam vet (Anthony Mackie), two musicians (Algee Smith, Jacob Latimore), and a pair of prostitutes (Kaitlyn Dever, Hannah Murray). A security guard (John Boyega) is a key witness to the unfolding horror.

Although not for the squeamish, the graphic portrayal of police brutality is never gratuitous.

Coupled with the subsequent miscarriage of justice, the harrowing events on screen offer a powerful reminder for mature viewers of a sad but significant incident in America’s past. Intense bloody violence and torture.

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

Lisa Geraci | Catholic News Herald

This statue graces the grotto at Well of Mercy, a place for quiet, individual spiritual retreats that is located north of Statesville. The retreat location also has hiking trails, a labyrinth and a chapel to encourage prayer and self-reflection.

Feeling spiritually thirsty?

Drink from the ‘Well of Mercy’ Lisa Geraci Correspondent

HAMPTONVILLE — The spiritual retreat known as Well of Mercy is difficult to find on a map even using the latest navigation app. Located on more than 100 rolling, green acres between Statesville and Winston-Salem, it is not advertised and its population is intentionally low at just 20 people.

“Some guests have heard of Well of Mercy countless times and never paid much attention, but in their time of need, they find themselves coming here,” says its spiritual director, Peg Cartner.

Well of Mercy, founded in 1997 by Mercy Sister Brigid McCarthy and Mercy Sister Donna Vaillancourt, is a place for the brokenhearted and spiritually poor. These Sisters of Mercy have designed Well of Mercy as a sacred place dedicated to the individual and to silence – a place they felt called to establish after receiving numerous requests, particularly from women, looking for a peaceful location to pray and draw closer to God. Sister Brigid explains, “Women today have anxiety from their families, their jobs, and are expected fill so many different roles. Well of Mercy is a place for women that need respite from the everyday goings-on of their lives. This is a safe place where she does not have to do anything. No expectations, no programs, no schedules. Our guests are able to experience individual spiritual peace and healing.”

Cartner notes, “This is not intended to be a group retreat center. No groups are allowed to rent this area. This is not some kind of conference center.”

The goal is for quiet to be preserved as much as possible. Each of the retreat’s four guest houses is intended for individual use.

Visitors are encouraged to journey alone amid the safe environment and find their

own spiritual path. There are hiking trails, a labyrinth, a chapel and a grotto to encourage prayer and self-reflection.

Upon check-in, Cartner gives guests a map, some brochures, and a guideline paper on the importance of silence. At the bottom of the “Silence” brochure is Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God.” Guests can even go a little further by making the retreat experience a silent journey, she adds. “They can wear a tag which reads ‘Please respect my silence.’ They can also sit at the ‘silent table’ during meals.”

“We want to support people for what they need in order to get them time with God and for tranquility and healing to occur,” Sister Brigid emphasizes. “We have healing spaces; there are 13 of them on the property. Some guests sit for hours in the same spot just reflecting, and that is OK.” She adds, “My favorite spot is the bridge over the creek. It is a great place to sit. There are two benches opposite one another. We encourage people to say a prayer when the water is flowing down, casting out troubles in their own time of quiet. Emptying doubt, fear and regret spiritually. Then they should go to the other bench, where the water is flowing towards them. Here they should pray about what they would like to fill themselves with and receive it.”

Long-term guest and board member Michael Smiley says, “This place is a gift.

Sister gives you exactly what you need when you need it.”

Indeed, all six employees are determined to nourish and protect guests at Well of Mercy.

Says Cartner, “My job description is to do whatever it takes for people to feel nurtured and cared for.”

For more information about Well of Mercy or to make a reservation, call 704-539-5449 or go online to www.wellofmercy.org.

n Tuesday, Aug. 22, 6:30 p.m.

(EWTN) “The Philosopher’s Bench: Suffering.” Sit down with Catholic philosophers Dr. Peter Kreeft and Father Ron Tacelli as they discuss the ways in which the secular world has affected society, from moral relativism to the New Atheism. n Wednesday, Aug. 23, 4:30 p.m.

(EWTN) “Odyssey: A Journey Back Home.” A variety of animated children’s programs that provide a valuable resource for children learning the faith. n Friday, Aug. 25, 5 p.m. (EWTN) “In the Name of Miracles.” The story of the miraculous cure of Maureen Digan and her son at the tomb of Sister Faustina, which Rome later used for her canonization. n Saturday, Aug. 26, 8 p.m. (EWTN) “My Name is Bernadette.” After experiencing an extraordinary vision at a grotto, 15-year-old Bernadette Soubirous must cope with the distrust and disbelief of her fellow countrymen as she keeps the promise she made to the beautiful lady she envisioned. n Wednesday, Aug. 30, 4:30 p.m.

(EWTN) “The Chimes.” Charles Dickens’ story of a poor 19th century porter who is magically transported to the future from the sounds of chiming bells, and his hope is restored. Narrated by Derek Jacobi. n Wednesday, Aug. 30, 10 p.m. (EWTN) “Called by Mary.”

Pilgrims and their families recount their journeys of healing to the grotto in Lourdes where Mary appeared before St. Bernadette. n Thursday, Aug. 31, 12 p.m.

(EWTN) “Unseen.” Despite being legally blind, Deacon Jamie Dennis continues to work towards fulfilling his vocation to the priesthood.

August 18, 2017 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

DEMONIO FROM PAGE 19

Padre: Si, el demonio es un ser personal, ya lo expondré de una manera más amplia.

En el antiguo testamento en nuestra biblia aparece este personaje y de una manera muy peculiar en los evangelios, el mismo Jesús apenas iniciando su ministerio fue tentado por el demonio; y Él, concretamente hizo 7 exorcismos, liberando a personas que estaban poseídas por él (el demonio) el demonio es un espíritu. Sabemos que antes era un ángel bueno que se revelo contra Dios, se separó, está condenado eternamente y siempre quiere causar daño a quienes creen en Él (Dios), apartándonos de su misericordia obstaculizar la salvación que Él nos ha ofrecido en Cristo.

CNH: ¿Qué es una posesión demoniaca, y como saber diferenciarla?

Padre: Las personas pueden estar poseídas culpablemente o sin culpa alguna y en general hay 4 formas para saber si una persona esta poseída. De ordinaria es una fuerza extraordinaria, hay quienes apenas entre 6 o 7 personas podemos sostenerla.

Otra señal inequívoca es hablar idiomas que ni siquiera conocen como por ejemplo: Hebreo, Griego, Latín, el Inglés para quien no lo conoce y otra es una aversión a todo lo que es sagrado: las imágenes, los sacramentos, la eucaristía, etc. Y finalmente es saber cosas que realmente ellos no saben o que solo nosotros sabemos y te lo pueden decir con toda claridad.

Desde luego en la actualidad tenemos a veces enfermedades psicológicas y todavía más fuertes las enfermedades psiquiátricas

que son cuestiones mentales, y claro para saber si una persona esta poseída hay que hacer un discernimiento. En el campo de la medicina naturalmente el psicólogo, el psiquiatra son los especialistas para decirnos si esta persona en realidad tiene una enfermedad psicológica o psiquiátrica, y en el campo de la posesión pues es el especialista en estos campos que puede decidir pero también puede escuchar la opinión de los expertos en la medicina, pero finalmente es el especialista que define si una persona está o no está poseída.

CNH: ¿En caso de una posesión, que debemos hacer?

Padre: Bien, seria canalizarlo a nuestra Iglesia Católica, yo creo que entre todas las iglesias es la que más experiencia tiene en este campo, desde luego si hay un caso de posesión hay que ejercer el rito del exorcismo. Se le llama Exorcismo Mayor, es la oración oficial de la iglesia está contenido en un libro litúrgico y se entiende que el sacerdote que lo aplica al proceso debe tener la autorización del Obispo, o el que realmente ha sido nombrado como exorcista por parte del Obispo, él tiene la facultad para hacer el exorcismo para liberar a una persona que esta poseída.

CNH: ¿En su experiencia, que nos aconseja para evitar un problema como este?

Padre: Bien, yo creo que de manera especial es el acercarnos a Dios el practicar realmente nuestra vida Cristiana, eso implica acercarnos a los sacramentos de manera peculiar la confesión, la eucaristía y desde luego también no dejar la oración, la lectura de la Sagrada Biblia, formar parte de algún grupo donde podamos crecer en el conocimiento de Dios atreves de la evangelización, el ejercicio de la

Invites You

23rd Annual Fundraising Banquet

“Love Begins At Home”

caridad entre nosotros y por qué no decirlo también el rezo del Santo Rosario es una arma eficaz contra el maligno.

Y por otra parte seria evitar ponernos en riesgo o abriéndole puertas al demonio en nuestra vida, hoy está muy de moda ir con el brujo, con el curandero, el hechicero, el médium, el psíquico, a veces participar en lo que es lectura de la mano, del cigarro, del café o del tarot, hay incluso juegos satánicos donde ya en realidad es jugar con el demonio, por decir está el Charlie, Charlie. Está la misma Güija, y creo que hay un juego actual: La Ballena azul o algo así. Desde luego pues hay gente que ya abiertamente practica algún culto satánico al demonio entonces eso ya es abiertamente relacionarse con él.

Entonces todo eso habría que evitarlo.

Por ahí hay música satánica donde atraves o de mensajes subliminales van dirigidas a la mente ideas que nos vallan abriendo a la presencia del demonio en nuestra vida, y por otra parte decía que a veces no somos culpables pero hay gente que através de la brujería, de la hechicería, del espiritismo, del fetichismo, de los maleficios, pueden dañar a las personas por que se invoca al demonio para hacer estas cosas.

CNH: ¿Qué relación hay entre la Llamada: “Santa Muerte” y las posesiones demoniacas?

Padre: El culto a la muerte es culto al demonio al menos yo los exorcismos más fuertes que he hecho y más difíciles es de personas que le daban culto a la muerte, desde luego la muerte de manera natural es el término de la vida para los seres animados pero aquí es el culto a la muerte. Desde luego hay mucha gente que lo da muchas veces presumiendo que les responde inmediatamente, sin embargo es un engaño del maligno, la gente muchas veces queda poseída de una manera muy fuerte y la muerte (satanás) te puede dar

ciertos bienes pero siempre se la va a cobrar, no hace nada de gratis y siempre es para alejar a las personas de Dios pensando que en otro lugar pueden encontrar lo que no encuentran en Él, y eso es un engaño, el demonio de por si es el padre de la mentira, es el engañador.

CNH: ¿Hay algún libro que nos recomiende para conocer más sobre estos temas?

Padre: Mira, estos libros creo que no están tanto al público y no por miedo a que los lean, si no es un tema que en general a los laicos, a las personas les da miedo.

Existe la asociación internacional de exorcistas. Actualmente el Padre Francisco Amonte es el responsable y frecuentemente o cada año, antes se hacía cada 2 años, había reuniones en Italia donde uno se puede informar, formar y también es donde se produce de alguna manera información hacia el público.

Actualmente también los Legionarios de Cristo en la ciudad de Roma, hacen un curso cada año, para exorcistas o para auxiliares de exorcistas. Hay un padre Español Demonologo el Padre Antonio Fortea que tiene algunos libros: “La Suma Demoniaca.”

Desde luego ya falleció quien fuera responsable de esta asociación internacional de exorcistas el Padre Giancarlo Gramolazzo, y uno de los grandes exorcistas de Roma es el Padre Gabriel Amord que también ya falleció el tiene un libro que se llama: “Narraciones de un Exorcista” y muchos otros libros.

Yo en este momento no recuerdo todos los títulos pero si hay muchas bibliografías, donde se nos puede informar y prevenir sobre los peligros de abrirle las puertas al demonio o de qué forma podríamos nosotros reconocer su presencia en nuestras vidas.

I invite you to make space in your heart for this emergency of respecting the Godgiven rights of everyone to have access to adequate food. We share what we have in Christian charity with those who face numerous obstacles to satisfy such a basic need. At the same time we promote an authentic cooperation with the poor so that through the fruits of their and our work they can live a dignified life.

(Pope Francis, 12/10/13)

Thursday, October 19, 2017 Check-in: 5:30 p.m. ~ Dinner: 6:30 p.m.

Charlotte Convention Center ~ Crown Ballroom

Featured Speaker ~ Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle, a Catholic wife, mother and grandmother, is an award-winning and best-selling journalist and author of over two dozen books. She enjoyed a decade-long friendship with St. Teresa of Calcutta and her spiritual director was John A. Hardon, S.J. She also is a television host on EWTN and creator of Everyday Blessings for Catholic Moms, Catholic Mom’s Café, and Feeding Your Family’s Soul. She participated in an international congress for women at the Vatican, received a special blessing from St. Pope John Paul II for her work on St. Teresa of Calcutta and appears on national television and radio. Her memoir is entitled The Kiss of Jesus.

The 8th Bishop Begley Conference on Appalachia Saturday, Sept. 23 from 9:30 to 3:30 PM, Hayesville, NC

Food Insecurity in Far Western North Carolina Please come and learn more about how food insecurity manifests itself in rural areas in general, and in particular, in far western NC. Issues addressed include causes of food insecurity and its effects on vulnerable populations, and efforts being made to address this social concern.

A $15 fee covers lunch and refreshments. Registration requested by September 8. Go to ccdoc.org/fwnc for event location, directions,

Reservations are free but REQUIRED. Deadline to register is October 9, 2017.

schedule, and registration form. -Questions? Call 704-370-3225

To make your reservation or host a table of 8-10 people, register online: https://miraviabanquet23.eventbrite.com OR meganwhiteside@mira-via.org, 704-525-4673 ext. 13.

or email ccdocsca@charlottediocese.org

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

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Our nation 22

catholicnewsherald.com | August 18, 2017 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Conference offers a journey of hope to divorced Catholics Catholic News Service

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Standing among a crowd of other divorced and separated people, one woman struggled to speak over still-painful emotions.

Clearing her throat and taking a breath, she explained that it had been 20 years since her divorce, but the pain still had the power to bubble to the surface.

It was a sentiment clearly understood by other participants at the Journey of Hope Conference for Divorced Recovery held Aug. 4-6 in partnership with the Diocese of Charleston.

Another man told the group it was the first time he had been able to talk about his divorce without being overcome by anger at his ex-wife.

“The wound is not to be taken lightly,” said Kathy Schmugge, director of the diocesan Office of Family Life.

The office sponsored the program in conjunction with Lisa Duffy, creator of the Journey of Hope conferences.

Schmugge was one of the speakers at the event, which drew more than 70 people from around the United States.

She saw a lot of teary eyes over the weekend, and heard a lot about the loneliness and isolation that divorced and separated people feel every day.

“Divorced Catholics often feel disconnected from their parish communities and many often assume they are not welcome at church,” Duffy explained. “The goal of the conference is to gather them together to offer them a community experience where they can find healing, accurate answers to the questions they have about the issues they face, and compassion. The need for outreach to the Catholic divorced community is immense.”

Duffy knows what she’s talking about. Having gone through divorce herself, she said she used her own experience to create the conferences in 2010 as an opportunity for connection.

“The goal is to first let them know they are not alone in their suffering, that they are still an important part of the Catholic community, and to offer compassionate opportunities to find healing through their faith,” she said.

Schmugge refers to Duffy and other leaders in divorce ministry as wounded healers – people who use their painful experiences to provide accompaniment to others and let them know they’re not alone.

During her talk at the conference, Duffy spoke on “The Six Keys to Healing.” Primary among those keys is forgiveness, she said, noting that although it can seem difficult and unbearable, forgiveness is possible.

The conferences are held all over the country and provide the setting for people to experience hope, healing and mercy with others who are going through the same journey. Duffy noted that past attendees consistently say that being around people who understand the depth of their pain is one of the most important aspects of the event. Participants said they feel free to share their experience with others in a safe environment.

Overall, there were 10 speakers at the conference, including authors, deacons, theologians, financial analysts, professors and priests. A welcoming event provided information and encouragement to parish leaders to reach out to divorced people in their communities. Participants also shared meals, an hour of Eucharistic Adoration, and praise and worship.

The keynote address, “Broken, Healed and Sent: The Role of the Divorced Person in the Church Today,” was given by Father Jeffrey Kirby, a Charleston diocesan priest.

Using the story of the woman of Samaria, Father Kirby shed new light on how wounds can be transformed into motivation for sharing the Gospel.

He said that when Christ discovered the unnamed woman at the well and the internal wounds she carried, He healed her. Her interaction with Jesus resulted in evangelism among her neighbors. Father Kirby explained that past wounds do not define believers.

“If we want to know who we are, we have to go to the One who created us. We have to go to the One who has the answer,” he said, adding that good can come from pain by the grace of God. “Oftentimes, it is the sinfulness, the brokenness, the hurt, the wound, that God uses to create a beautiful tapestry of our lives.”

CNS | Joshua Roberts, Reuters

White nationalists are met by counter-protesters in Charlottesville, Va., Aug. 12 during a demonstration over a plan to remove the statue of a Confederate general from a city park. Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, condemned the violence and hatred and offered prayers for the family and loved ones of the person who was killed, and for all those who were injured.

Bishops ask for peace after white nationalist rally turns deadly Rhina Guidos Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In the aftermath of a chaosand hate-filled weekend in Virginia, Catholic bishops and groups throughout the nation called for peace after three people died and several others were injured following clashes between pacifists, protesters and white supremacists in Charlottesville, Va., Aug. 11-12.

A 32-year-old paralegal, Heather D. Heyer, was killed when a car plowed into a group in Charlottesville Aug. 12. The driver was identified as James Alex Fields, who allegedly told his mother he was attending a rally for President Donald Trump. Reports say the car allegedly driven by Fields plowed into a crowd during a white nationalist rally and a counter-rally Aug. 12.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions said early Aug. 14 the “evil attack” meets the legal definition of domestic terrorism and suggested pending federal charges for Fields, who was arrested and was being held without bail. Fields was formally charged Aug. 14 by a Charlottesville judge with second-degree murder, three counts of malicious wounding and failure to stop in an accident that resulted in death.

Outside the Charlottesville courthouse where Judge Robert Downer handed down the charges and Fields appeared via video link from jail, white supremacists and counter-protesters clashed, but there were no arrests. The same day, anti-racism rallies were held in several cities.

The bishop of the Diocese of Richmond, Va., was one of the first to call for peace following the violence in Charlottesville late Aug. 11, which only became worse the following day.

On the evening of Aug. 11, the Associated Press and other news outlets reported a rally of hundreds of men and women, identified as white nationalists, carrying lit torches on the campus of the University of Virginia.

Counter-protesters also were present during the rally and clashes were reported.

The following day, at least 20 were injured and the mayor of Charlottesville confirmed Heyer’s death later that afternoon via Twitter after the car allegedly driven by Fields rammed

into the crowd of marchers. Two Virginia State Police troopers also died when a helicopter they were in crashed while trying to help with the violent events on the ground.

CNN reported that 19 others were injured and remained hospitalized Aug. 14 but were listed in good condition.

“In the last 24 hours, hatred and violence have been on display in the city of Charlottesville,” said Richmond Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo in a statement on the afternoon of Aug. 12. “I earnestly pray for peace.”

Charlottesville is in Bishop DiLorenzo’s diocese.

Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, called the events “abhorrent acts of hatred” in an Aug. 12 statement. He said they were an “attack on the unity of our nation.”

Virginia’s governor declared a state of emergency Aug. 12 when violence erupted during the “Unite the Right” white nationalist protest against the removal of a statue of a Confederate general, Gen. Robert E. Lee. But the trouble already had started the night before with the lit torches and chants of anti-Semitic slogans on the grounds of the University of Virginia.

“Racism is evil,” President Trump said in an Aug. 14 statement. “And those who cause violence in its name are criminals and thugs, including the KKK, neo-Nazis, white supremacists, and other hate groups that are repugnant to everything we hold dear as Americans. ... As I said on Saturday (Aug. 12), we condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence. It has no place in America.”

Trump was excoriated by many across the country for his Aug. 12 statement, because he condemned hatred, bigotry and violence “on many sides” in Charlottesville and did not specifically target white supremacists then, his critics said.

Other groups, including many faith groups, seeking to counter the white nationalist events showed up during both events. Authorities reported clashes at both instances.

“Only the light of Christ can quench the torches of hatred and violence. Let us pray for peace,” said Bishop DiLorenzo in his statement. “I pray that those men and women on both sides can talk and seek solutions to their differences respectfully.”

August 18, 2017 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

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In Brief Women religious advised to stop focusing on dwindling numbers ORLANDO, Fla. — Sister Mary Pellegrino, outgoing president of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, urged participants at the group’s annual assembly in Orlando not to focus on dwindling numbers of women religious but instead on the communion they have with each other. She said the danger of focusing too much on decreasing numbers is that it diminishes every vocation, the Church and even God. “It’s rooted in a corporate God who ascribes to human notions of progress and growth, rather than rhythmic patterns of fruitfulness,” Sister Pellegrino, a Sister of St. Joseph, said in an Aug. 10 talk, adding that concern about smaller numbers also “reflects our fears and our uneasy and unresolved relationship with death.” She said a new emphasis on deepening communion could be liberating but also challenging.

Sister Pellegrino gave the keynote address during the Aug. 8-11 assembly for the association of the leaders of congregations of Catholic women religious in the United States.

LCWR has about 1,350 members, who represent nearly 80 percent of the approximately 48,500 women religious in the United States.

Looking back, she said the “golden age” of religious life happened around World War II and after the Second Vatican Council and its call for renewal of religious life in the 1960s, it was all downhill, according to prevailing accounts that say women religious left teaching in the schools to take secular jobs, swapped habits for street clothes and became feminists.

Ethical questions surface as gene-editing work advances WASHINGTON, D.C. — Catholic observers and others are raising ethical questions about the work of an international team of scientists who report that they were able to edit the DNA in human embryos to correct a health disorder. The questions focus on two concerns: the creation of human embryos for scientific experimentation and then destruction, and the still-unknown effect that changing DNA will have on future generations because the changes could become a permanent part of a family’s genetic line. The success reported by the scientists in work funded by the Oregon Health and Science University worries observers, who said that it could lead to the development of “designer babies” with traits that make them seem superior.

“Now we’re specifically manufacturing human embryos solely for the purpose of doing lethal experiments on them. I think the public needs to be well aware of that and hopefully horrified by that reality,” said Gregory Schleppenbach, associate director of the Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington, D.C. “Certainly there should be concerns about genetically modifying human beings in a way that we don’t really know what effect that will have to subsequent generations.”

A Lifeline for Marriage September 22 – 24, 2017 in Raleigh, NC

The Retrouvaille Program consists of a weekend experience combined with a series of 6 post-weekend sessions. It provides the tools to help put your marriage in order again. The main emphasis of the program is on communication in marriage between husband and wife. It will give you the opportunity to rediscover each other and examine your lives together in a new and positive way.

For confidential info or to register: (434) 793-0242 or retrouvaillenc@msn.com. Visit our Web site: www.retrouvaille.org.

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PHOENIX — The Knights of Columbus, long associated with swords, capes and chapeaus, will be going through a significant uniform change.

The traditional regalia worn by fourth-degree Knights will be replaced with a blue blazer, an official Knights of Columbus tie and a beret, all with the fourth-degree emblem on them, along with a white shirt and dark gray slacks.

— Catholic News Service

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Experiencing difficulties in your marriage?

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Women – Voices of Hope: A Retreat for Women

Saturday, September 30, 2017 9:00am – 4:30pm Sr. Susan Schorsten, HM & Sr. Gay Rowzie, HM During these times of uncertainty, this retreat will focus on how can women be “voices of hope” for one another, their families, their church and society. What is hope? Is it a forgotten virtue? How can hope be witnessed and manifested today? In addition to short presentations, there will be time for personal reflection and prayer.

While the retreat itself will be on Saturday, women are invited to come and stay Friday night for a time of quiet preparation. Space is limited, so early registration is suggested.

Sr. Susan Schorsten, HM & Sr. Gay Rowzie, HM are Humility of Mary Sisters. Both were active in the Diocese of Charleston before moving on to other ministries and have now returned to this area. $90 – Friday overnight (includes room and Saturday breakfast) $50 – commuter (Saturday lunch included)

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Respect Life Conference September 16, 2017

St. Barnabas Catholic Church, Arden, NC The Respect Life Program of Catholic Charities invites all Respect Life Parish Coordinators and Advocates in the diocese to attend the annual diocesan Respect Life Conference.

The conference will begin at 9:30 AM. Doors open with registration and morning refreshments at 8:30 AM. Lunch will be included. Please note that there is a Saturday Vigil Mass at St. Barnabas at 5:30 PM. Our speaker topics include pregnancy support, Be Not Afraid, end of life ethics, human trafficking, legislation and advocacy, Rachel’s Vineyard, regional pro-life programming, USCCB Pro-Life Secretariat updates, diocesan resources and more. We will also have a few groups tabling at lunchtime with wonderful resources to share from around the diocese.

To register please rsvp by email to Jessica Grabowski at jrgrabowski@ charlottediocese.org confirming your attendance and indicating any dietary restrictions – Thank you.

Do not hesitate to contact Jessica with any questions at 704-370-3229 or 910-585-2460. Visit ccdoc.org/respectlife for more information.

Our world 24

catholicnewsherald.com | August 18, 2017 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Pope entrusts to Mary victims of disasters, conflict, social tension Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — In a week in which natural disasters, war and racial conflicts dominated the headlines, Pope Francis prayed that Mary would bring peace to a divided world.

After reciting the Angelus prayer on the feast of the Assumption, the pope asked Mary to obtain “for everyone consolation and a future of serenity and harmony.”

“To Mary, Queen of Peace – who we contemplate today in the glory of paradise – I entrust once again the anxieties and sorrows of the people who suffer in many parts of the world due to natural disasters, social tensions or conflicts,” the pope told thousands of pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square Aug. 15.

Pope Francis did not name any specific location, but as he spoke, the search for survivors continued in Sierra Leone after a devastating mudslide engulfed the outskirts of the capital, Freetown, killing more than 300 people.

Flooding and landslides also struck southern Nepal, killing at least 70 people.

In Charlottesville, Va., clashes between white nationalists and protesters resulted in the death of three people, including a 32-year-old paralegal, Heather D. Heyer, who was killed Aug. 12 when a car plowed into a group protesting the white nationalist rally.

In his main Angelus talk, the pope reflected on the day’s Gospel reading, which recalled Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth.

The joy felt by Elizabeth and the child in her womb reflects the interior joy Christians feel in Christ’s presence, the pope said. “When Mary arrives, joy overflows and bursts from their hearts because the invisible yet real presence of Jesus fills everything with meaning: life, family, the salvation of the people. Everything!”

In response, Mary proclaims the Magnificat, her hymn of praise to God for His great works. Pope Francis said

it is the hymn of “humble people, unknown to the world, like Mary, like her husband Joseph as well as the town where they live, Nazareth.”

God accomplishes “great things with humble people,” the pope said, inviting people in St. Peter’s Square to reflect on the state of their own humility.

“Humility is like an empty space that leaves room for God. A humble person is powerful because He is humble, not because He is strong. This is the greatness of humility,” he said.

The joy Mary brings because she brings Jesus to the world gives all Christians “a CNS | Lukas Barth-Tuttas, EPA new ability to pass Women in traditional dress are seen during a feast of the Assumption celebration in Kochel, Germany, Aug. 15. through the most painful and difficult “We ask her to protect and sustain us that we may have a moments with faith” as well as the “ability to be merciful, faith that is strong, joyful and merciful. May she help us to to forgive, understand and support each other.” become saints, to meet her one day in paradise.”

“Mary is a model of virtue and faith,” Pope Francis said.

Archbishop says Blessed Romero could be canonized next year Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — The archbishop officially promoting Blessed Oscar Romero’s cause for sainthood said he hopes the process will conclude within a year and Catholics around the world will honor St. Oscar Romero, martyr.

“Keeping alive the memory of Romero is a noble task, and my great hope is that Pope Francis will soon canonize him a saint,” Italian Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, the postulator of the Salvadoran archbishop’s cause, said in a homily Aug. 12 in London.

In an interview with Vatican Radio’s English program, Archbishop Paglia was more specific: “We could hope that in the next year perhaps it is possible” that the Congregation for Saints’ Causes will have completed its review of an alleged miracle attributed to Blessed Romero’s intervention and present its findings to the pope.

Recognition of the miracle would clear the way for canonization.

Archbishop Paglia, in addition to promoting Blessed Romero’s sainthood cause, is president of the Pontifical Academy for Life and chancellor of Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies

on Marriage and Family.

The biggest hurdle in the sainthood cause was obtaining recognition that Blessed Romero, who was shot in 1980 while celebrating Mass, was a martyr, Archbishop Paglia said in London.

Some church leaders, Romero including some who worked in the Roman Curia, had insisted Blessed Romero was assassinated because of his political position.

But, Archbishop Paglia said, “The essence

of his holiness was his following the Lord by giving himself completely for his people.”

Still, he told the congregation in London celebrating the 100th anniversary of Blessed Romero’s birth, “Romero was not a Superman. He was afraid of dying, and he confessed that to his friends on a number of occasions. But he loved Jesus and his flock more than he loved life. This is the meaning of martyrdom.”

“Love for Jesus and the poor is greater than love for oneself: This is the power of Romero’s message,” Archbishop Paglia said. “A simple believer, if overwhelmed by love, becomes strong, unbeatable.”

Papal envoy calls Blessed Romero ‘martyr of hope’ Catholic News Service

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador — Blessed Oscar Romero, the murdered archbishop of San Salvador, is a martyr of hope, said Chilean Cardinal Ricardo Ezzati, Pope Francis’ envoy to the celebration of the centennial of the archbishop’s birth.

Blessed Romero “is a true martyr of hope ... a great martyr of hope,” said the Santiago cardinal. “He is so for the continent’s poor, he is so for the people of El Salvador, he is so for the hope of our beloved church, for all who struggle for justice, reconciliation, peace and affectionately call him ‘St. Romero of America.’”

Cardinal Ezzati gave the homily Aug. 15 at the Salvadoran cathedral, where people gathered for a special Mass. He said

Blessed Romero’s “closeness to the poor ... led him to see, with his eyes, the injustice the peasants were suffering.”

Repeatedly interrupted by applause, the cardinal quoted a letter from Pope Francis to the Salvadoran bishops on Blessed Romero’s beatification in 2015: “Those who have Archbishop Romero as a friend in faith ... those who admire him, find in him the strength and encouragement to build the people of God, to commit to a more balanced and dignified social order.”

“Those words by Pope Francis confirm our intuition that Blessed Romero is a saint of hope,” the cardinal added.

Shortly before he was assassinated in 1980, Blessed Romero promised that if God accepted his martyrdom, he would forgive

those who would take his life, the Santiago cardinal said in his homily Aug. 15 at the cathedral in San Salvador.

He also quoted Blessed Romero’s words shortly before he was murdered: “Martyrdom is a grace from God which I do not believe I deserve. But should God accept the sacrifice of my life, that my blood be the seed of freedom, it is a signal that hope will soon be a reality. Should they kill me, I forgive and bless them.”

Cardinal Ezzati arrived Aug. 12 in San Salvador to take part in different activities to mark the centennial of Blessed Romero’s birth, which included a pilgrimage,”Caminando hacia la cuna del Profeta” (“Walking Toward the Prophet’s Birthplace”), from San Salvador to Ciudad

Barrios, the eastern city where the martyr was born Aug. 15, 1917.

Ordained April 4, 1942, in Rome, the Salvadoran religious leader was appointed archbishop of San Salvador Feb. 23, 1977, and was gunned down during Mass in a hospital chapel March 24, 1980, a day after a sermon in which he called on Salvadoran soldiers to obey what he described as God’s order and stop carrying on actions of repression.

The archbishop’s March 30 funeral at the cathedral, attended by more than 200,000 mourners, was interrupted by gunfire that left 30-50 people dead. It is widely believed direct perpetrators of the unpunished crime were members of a paramilitary squad.

August 18, 2017 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

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In Brief Genocide of Christians continues in Middle East, says new U.S. report WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Trump administration renews its commitment to the protection of religious minority groups threatened by the Islamic State in the Middle East, according to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in the preface of the annual State Department report on international religious freedom, released Aug. 15. “ISIS is clearly responsible for genocide against Yezidis, Christians and Shia Muslims in areas it controlled,” Tillerson said in a statement Aug. 15. “ISIS is also responsible for crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing directed at these same groups, and in some cases against Sunni Muslims, Kurds and other minorities.” Since the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act, the State Department documents the state of religious freedom in nearly 200 countries around the world, reporting to Congress the “violations and abuses committed by governments, terrorist groups, and individuals.”

Ambassador Michael Kozak of the State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, which produces the report, spoke about it in a news conference Aug. 15, saying the report is used to create a fact base for U.S. government decision-making. Kozak reported that while conditions for many do remain critical, there are signs of hope for the future.

Syriac Catholic patriarch says West has ‘betrayed’ Christian minorities EL CAJON, Calif. — The Syriac Catholic patriarch doesn’t mince words about the ongoing violence and unrest in the Middle East.

Nor does he shy away from calling out the West for not doing enough to protect Christian minorities. “I can tell you, we’ve been not only abandoned by the Western countries, but even we have been betrayed,” Syriac Catholic Patriarch Ignace Joseph III Younan told The Southern Cross, newspaper of the Diocese of San Diego. He made the comments in a recent interview at Our Mother of Perpetual Help Syriac Catholic Parish in El Cajon. While the Christian minority in Syria and Iraq is composed of “peaceful people” who have been “working honestly for the well-being of their countries,”

he said, these Christians are neither oil-rich nor do they represent a terrorist threat to the West.

Therefore, he said, they have been essentially ignored by the West and “abandoned to our destiny.” The Syriac Catholic Church is an Eastern Catholic Church in communion with the pope. Among the Catholic hierarchy, a patriarch is outranked only by the pope.

Mexico City Archdiocese clarifies number of abuse cases reported MEXICO CITY — The Archdiocese of Mexico City said it reported six cases of priests accused of sexually abusing minors to prosecutors between 2010 and 2017, following a change in Mexico’s Religious Associations Law requiring such crimes to be brought to the authorities’ attention. “Cardinal Norberto Rivera left it clear that, starting with the implementation of (the law in 2010) – which requires religious leaders and their representatives to inform the corresponding authority about the probable committing of crimes – he had knowledge of the probable commission of six acts, presumably criminal, after being told by his vicars,” the archdiocesan publication Desde la Fe said in an Aug. 10 article. “He instructed (the vicars) to report them immediately to the corresponding authorities.” The article followed news that Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera was interviewed by an investigator from the federal attorney general’s office over criminal complaints of covering up 15 cases of abuse.

Cardinal Rivera’s lawyer, Armando Martinez Gomez, said the complaints were filed by a pair of former priests. Father Hugo Valdemar Romero, spokesman for the Archdiocese of Mexico City, said the accusations were brought to “create a scandal of such a level that the pope would accept (the cardinal’s) resignation” more quickly. Cardinal Rivera turned 75 June 6 and, in accordance with Church law, submitted his resignation to Pope Francis.

others wounded as they attempted to flee the carnage in Ozubulu. While no suspects have been caught, authorities believe the target was a young businessman involved in a drug deal gone wrong. The situation in the Central African Republic is more widespread, with violent clashes between the mostly Muslim Seleka rebels and the mostly Christian anti-Balaka militia. In a series of email messages sent to his brother and shown to Catholic News Service Aug. 8, Spanish-born Bishop Juan-Jose Aguirre Munoz of Bangassou, Central African Republic, detailed the horrors that occurred at the Gambo mission, located about 45 miles away.

“There are 50 dead in Gambo. The mission has been ransacked.” The Spanish bishop, who has welcomed 2,000 Muslims at the cathedral in Bangassou to defend them from attacks by anti-Balaka militants, asked his brother to pray for the country.

Vatican official hints at unofficial agreement with China on bishops HONG KONG — A senior Vatican official has hinted there is an unofficial agreement between the Holy See and Beijing on the appointment of bishops, even as negotiations to formalize arrangements continue to hit roadblocks, reported ucanews.com. Argentine Bishop Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo, who attended a conference on the sensitive topic of organ donation and transplants in the southern Chinese city of Kunming, offered the hint during an interview with state-run Global Times Aug. 4. “We need to make a distinction between a formal agreement and the real things (that are happening among the public). The real thing is that at this moment China and (the) pope have a very good relation,” said Bishop Sorondo.

Observers have been increasingly confident that a process has been put in place as the

two sides work toward a formal agreement, especially after the appointment of five new bishops in 2015 and 2016 that were recognized by both sides. But ucanews.com reported a formal agreement appears to be stuck on three bishops appointed by Beijing who are not recognized by the Vatican. Two of them are understood to have family relationships inconsistent with the priesthood, and another has a cloud over him regarding possible criminal offenses.

Pope tells Belgian Brothers of Charity no more euthanasia for patients MANCHESTER, England — Pope Francis has given a Belgian religious order until the end of August to stop offering euthanasia to psychiatric patients. Brother Rene Stockman, superior general of the order, told Catholic News Service the pope gave his personal approval to a Vatican demand that the Brothers of Charity, which runs 15 centers for psychiatric patients across Belgium, must reverse its policy by the end of August. Brothers who serve on the board of the Brothers of Charity Group, the organization that runs the centers, also must each sign a joint letter to their superior general declaring that they “fully support the vision of the magisterium of the Catholic Church, which has always confirmed that human life must be respected and protected in absolute terms, from the moment of conception ’til its natural end.”

Brothers who refuse to sign will face sanctions under canon law, while the group can expect to face legal action and even expulsion from the Church if it fails to change its policy. The group, he added, must no longer consider euthanasia as a solution to human suffering under any circumstances.

Pope prays for Christian victims of violent attacks in Africa

— Catholic News Service

CCDOC.ORG

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis called for an end to violence against Christians following deadly attacks in two African countries. The pope led pilgrims in praying a Hail Mary for the victims of a deadly shooting Aug. 6 at St. Philip’s Catholic Church in Ozubulu, located in Nigeria’s southern state of Anambra. He also prayed for Christians killed following an attack at a mission in Gambo, Central African Republic. “I hope that all forms of hatred and violence cease and that such shameful crimes are no longer committed in places of worship where the faithful gather to pray,” the pope told pilgrims Aug. 9 before concluding his weekly general audience. The BBC and other news outlets reported Aug. 7 that at least 11 people were killed and as many as 18

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If you were married during 1967 or 1992, you and your family are invited to attend the annual Diocesan Anniversary Mass at St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Charlotte on Sunday, October 22, 2017.

Mass begins at 2:15 p.m. and will be followed by a reception.

Please call your church office to register if you wish to receive an invitation.

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ViewPoints 26

catholicnewsherald.com | August 18, 2017 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Sr. Constance Carolyn Veit

Fred Gallagher

Out of the body politic P

olitically, I tend more and more to adhere to the famous statement of one-time Speaker of the House, Tip O’Neil, who said, “All politics is local politics.”

I turn on the left-wing CNN and I may hear for the umpteenth time the near exact phrases about, for instance, former FBI Director Jim Comey’s recent testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee that I heard the preceding day and the day before that. I turn on the right-wing Fox News and I hear the exact same thing over and over, except with a different emphasis and viewpoint. Interrupted sound bites of people talking past each other are actually referred to as “debates.” Every several days there is a slightly different story and then that story is beaten to death for the next several days.

I listen to the radio on the way to work and hear someone’s take on a recent current event. I listen to the radio on the way home from work and I hear the same story almost verbatim and it is called “breaking news!” I hear little to nothing about what is happening in France or Palestine or any of the African countries or even Great Britain.

I hear nothing at all about any interesting news from any of the individual states of our United States.

To further pervert and undermine our one-time respect for high political office, recently a “personality” in a photographic stunt held up a model of the severed head of the President of the United States, a stunt which went way beyond distasteful and for which she provided a disingenuous apology, followed a few days later by a statement indicating herself as a victim of some sort of harassment.

Just recently news came out about a performance of Shakespeare in the Park in New York City. It was the play “Julius Ceasar,” wherein Ceasar is assassinated. The role of Ceasar was played by an actor made up to look like President Trump.

And recently a famous pop singer at a rally shouted to thousands who cheered her on, “And yes, I have thought about blowing up the White House!”

I am taken aback by the vitriol of these open and public cruelties. Something is horribly askew here.

The recent shooting at a Republican congressional baseball practice actually did fit the bill as “breaking” news. But it was interesting to see how even that horrid act was spun differently by different news outlets. Maybe, just maybe the congressional charity game itself did force a tentative unity, a much-needed bipartisan moment for our country.

But of course, it didn’t last.

But then again, politics itself is not politics anymore. A wonderful Catholic scholar, Anthony

Esolen, recently wrote, “Politics, in our age of allintrusive media, is not the science of governing the polis (the city-state). There’s little left that resembles what Aristotle would have recognized as a polis at all: a smallish self-governing city-state wherein pretty much everybody knew everybody else by sight or by reputation or by family. Current politics is not even a way, though incomplete, of looking at the world. It is instead a way of not looking at the world, of refusing to credit what is right in front of your eyes.”

Indeed, listening to national media outlets has become a way of “not looking at the world.”

So why would I resort to local politics? Because of the famed and very Catholic principle of “subsidiarity” wherein those in governing positions attempt to handle matters of state at the lowest, least centralized level rather than at the largest – that is, the federal government. This is not to say the federal government does not have a proper role, for instance, in various projects of our infrastructure, in our national defense, in the breaking up of big business monopolies, etc.

But, as much as we possibly can, looking to local government is preferred.

Because I’m not very fond of the inner workings of any of our political worlds, I tend to reduce subsidiarity to the most local unit in my life: my family. That is where I concentrate my energy, political or otherwise. And, when possible, I try to contribute a measure of time and talent to certain other communities with which I also have great affinities. One of those communities is my work.

And as I think about that relationship, I note that my work is all about Aristotle’s body politic, the politic that concerns itself with individuals in their closest and most genuine communities: families and towns and churches and workplaces.

It is not always easy to do! But when we try to boil it down, simplify it and give it perspective, what I come out with is the commitment to loving myself as a child of God, my family as the finest fruit of God’s grace in my life, my work as a God-given foundation for the structuring of my family in the world, various local communities as the outlets and opportunities for my own fulfillment as a human being, and my faith as a path to heaven. These are the parameters of my personal body politic. And here’s hoping, with God’s grace, it remains an honest and ongoing campaign, where the only thing lobbied is truth.

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

Let’s encourage the elders in our church

I

recently participated in the Convocation of Catholic Leaders in Orlando, Fla. The purpose of this large, unprecedented encounter between U.S. bishops and laity was to study what Pope Francis has termed the “new peripheries” and to form missionary disciples.

I was invited to the convocation to speak about the elderly. The 90-minute session would be the only moment when the unique needs and aspirations of seniors would be discussed.

I prayed that our panel would effectively represent the elderly as both agents and recipients of the Church’s charitable and evangelizing mission, but as I heard more and more discussion about the “peripheries” – Pope Francis’ term for those on the margins of society – the Holy Spirit inspired me with a new and unexpected conviction.

Numerous speakers referred to immigrants and young adults as the future of the Church in the United States. As I reviewed the statistics I planned to present on the exponential aging of Western societies, I had a sudden realization. The most significant and rapidly growing demographic in the Church is not Hispanics, Asians or young adults; it is older persons!

Already senior citizens disproportionately fill the pews of our Catholic churches and serve in large numbers in every imaginable ministry. According to Catholic journalist John L. Allen Jr., by 2030 6.8 million additional U.S. Catholics will enter their retirement years, the stage of life when people are most likely to pray and go to church, and by 2050 elderly Americans will outnumber youth by more than 16 million. Older people are not a periphery but the mainstay, the bulwark, of our Church!

During the panel, my co-presenters and I shared our practical expertise and our convictions about the dignity of every human life and the irreplaceable role of elders as wisdom figures with many gifts to offer. I was inspired by the commitment and compassion of those who participated in our session, but what really amazed me was how God led me to numerous encounters with inspiring older people during the rest of the convocation.

I met a retired college professor who was there to assist her daughter, a vibrant young disabled woman who had been selected to attend the convocation. A group of widows from Florida invited me to dine with them and enthusiastically shared how their lives had been transformed through the Cursillo movement. One older couple described their experiences training generations of altar servers in their parish, and another detailed their ministry preparing engaged couples for the sacrament of marriage.

I met with several women from the Long Island-based group Catholics for Freedom of Religion, an initiative launched in 2012 in response to the HHS contraceptive mandate. The purpose of CFFOR is “preserving America’s First Amendment Freedom of Religion for our times and for ages and millions yet unborn.” The nonpartisan group establishes parish groups to educate and advocate for religious liberty according to the original intent of the U.S. Constitution. CFFOR sponsors diocesan events during the annual Fortnight for Freedom, gives presentations in parishes and schools, and develops and distributes educational resources about religious freedom to school children. With the support of their local bishop, CFFOR has already spread to five states.

As I engaged with the women of CFFOR, I recalled a homily by Pope Francis when he compared the elderly to “fine vintage wine and good bread” and of a very recent homily in which he told cardinals in Rome that they are “grandfathers” called to share their wisdom and experience and to pass on their dreams to today’s youth.

With such great numbers and so much to share, the elderly can hardly be considered a periphery in the Church. They will only become a periphery if younger generations push them aside and refuse to accept the gifts they have to offer. So let us welcome the new embrace between young and old that Pope Francis so ardently desires!

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

August 18, 2017 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

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Spotlight on the diocese

Dr. Kamila Valenta

Foreign aid saves lives, builds peace Three months ago, the United States Congress quashed a presidential proposal to cut the amount of foreign aid America gives to developing countries by more than 30 percent. This “skinny budget” was widely opposed by many congressmen, Christian leaders, political scientists and military leaders, but it was not at the forefront of political discourse among the wider public. Many people are unaware of the potential political, international and human costs that such drastic budget cuts would entail.

Many Americans overestimate what the U.S. government spends to alleviate poverty, fight hunger and provide basic medical care to the most vulnerable people around the world. According to a 2016 Kaiser Family Foundation report,

‘Sharing a fraction of our resources with the much poorer world is ... vital for our national interest and security.’ the average American estimates U.S. foreign aid to be around 26 percent of our country’s spending budget, yet according to official records, only 1 percent of government spending goes to help less fortunate countries. This equals only 0.18 percent of our gross national product, which means that for every $100 the U.S. economy produces, only 18 cents are spent to help poor countries. In addition, although we contribute the largest sum of money in absolute terms, when adjusting for the size of our economy as a percentage of our GNP, we rank 20th in the world. According to statistics from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the U.S. lags behind many countries that give more than five times greater shares of their GNPs. Sharing a fraction of our resources with the much poorer world is not only a basic human obligation, it is also vital for our national interest and security.

The link between poverty and the risk of war has been well documented by political scientists, and empirical research confirms that poorer countries are consistently at a greater risk of war, civil unrest and rise of extremist ideologies. This trend is most notable in sub-Saharan Africa – this most impoverished region of the world also has the highest frequency of ethnic conflict, state collapse and genocide. In the Americas, the Shining Path insurgency in Peru was a direct result of economic hardship experienced immediately after the effects of the Latin American debt crisis in the 1980s, and the Mexican unrest in Chiapas in 1994 was linked to the negative economic effects of the North American Free Trade Agreement on the native population. The Israeli-Palestinian

conflict also tends to grow more acute when living conditions in the Palestinian territories worsen.

The relationship between poverty and war is familiar not only to academics, but also to professionals on the battlefield. As soon as the president’s proposal to slash foreign aid was announced, 15 experienced Army generals and admirals drafted a testimony warning of the consequences to U.S. security. They argued that military power alone cannot protect our interests abroad or ensure the long-term safety of our country.

Foreign aid is critical to America’s national security, because it ensures U.S. diplomatic influence abroad, promotes democratization and political stability, and builds alliances. According to our military officers, it is the only way to conduct proactive conflict prevention and foster peace in unstable regions, and it is far less expensive than deploying the military after conflict has erupted.

In addition, impoverished regions are more vulnerable to corruption, provide fertile grounds for radicalization by terrorist organizations such as Al Qaida, Hezbollah, Boko Haram and ISIS. Apart from being crucial to world peace, foreign aid also helps to prevent health crises and the spread of contagious diseases. Under the president’s proposed cuts, the amount of funding the U.S. gives to organizations that focus on the treatment and prevention of contagious diseases, such as HIV, Ebola, tuberculosis and more would be reduced by one-third, which would inevitably lead to acute shortages in medications, vaccines and medical equipment in the most affected areas. We could lose our ability to quell outbreaks and health crises before they spread across the globe.

Particularly hard hit would be struggling countries such as Uganda, where (according to World Bank statistics) the percentage of people living in extreme poverty dropped from 53 percent to 34 percent between 2006 and 2013, thanks in great part to U.S. relief efforts. Still, one of the leading causes of death in some regions of this country, especially among young children, is malaria, which is mostly curable with medication that can be obtained for less than $5 a dose.

The administration’s disregard for all of these negative consequences motivated a coalition of Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox clergy to protest the foreign aid budget cuts in front of the U.S. Capitol earlier this year. Thanks to opposition from Christian and humanitarian organizations, churches, the military, political scientists and many congressmen, the proposed budget cuts will not move forward – for now.

However, it is inevitable that proposals to cut foreign aid will come up again.

Therefore, it is crucial that we continue to advocate for sharing a fraction of our riches with the much poorer world to save lives and to promote peace.

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

Photo provided by Pamela Olson

Pennybyrn marks 23rd anniversary of Eucharistic Adoration HIGH POINT — Pennybyrn at Maryfield, sponsored by the Sisters of the Poor Servants of the Mother of God, celebrated its 23rd anniversary of Eucharistic Adoration June 18. Father Paul Bergeron celebrated Mass with fullcapacity attendance in Maryfield Chapel. Mass was followed by a Eucharistic procession around the rose garden, concluding with Benediction in the Maryfield Chapel. A reception of refreshments immediately followed in the Norcross Town Square.

“As we celebrate the 23rd anniversary of Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, we rejoice that in our chapel there is continuous prayer to the Lord day and night. This special celebration of our anniversary is one of many that reminds us that Christ is truly the center of our community,” said Sister Lucy Hennessy, SMG, Pennybyrn at Maryfield’s mission leader and chairman of the board. “The constant flow of traffic to and from our chapel demonstrates that more and more people have been drawn to visit the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament and that Perpetual Adoration has drawn people to a greater prayer life.”

Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is located in the Maryfield Chapel at Pennybyrn at Maryfield Retirement Community, located at 1315 Greensboro Road.

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Eucharistic Congress

Procession Route Change!

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Procession Line-Up 8:30 am - Procession Begins

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the 13th Eucharistic Congress September 8 & 9, 2017 Charlotte Convention Center www.GoEucharist.com