May 11, 2018
catholicnewsherald.com charlottediocese.org S E RV I N G C H R I ST A N D C O N N EC T I N G C AT H O L I C S I N W E ST E R N N O R T H C A R O L I N A
Catholic Conference Center in Hickory gets new director 6
Catholic Charities responds in wake of tornado Agency joins with Greensboro parish to help people affected by the storm
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Honoring St. Joseph
FUNDED BY THE PARISHIONERS OF THE DIOCESE OF CHARLOTTE THANK YOU!
Vietnamese Church in Charlotte celebrates anniversary
Four Asheville students to compete in National History Bee Most ever to qualify from Asheville Catholic School
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Una madre en todo el sentido de la palabra 14
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OLC’s Rosary Society celebrates 40th anniversary of annual chicken dinner 7
Our faith
catholicnewsherald.com | May 11, 2018 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
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St. Matthias, apostle Feast day: May 14
Pope Francis
Reborn in baptism, Christians are called to live like Christ
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he baptismal font is a tomb in which a person dies to sin, and it is a womb through which a person is born to new life in Christ, Pope Francis said. “Just as our parents generated us to earthly life, the Church has regenerated us to eternal life through baptism,” the pope said May 9 at his weekly general audience. Continuing a series of audience talks about baptism, Pope Francis said that from the time a person is baptized, God’s voice repeats what God said at Jesus’ baptism, “You are my beloved son. You are my beloved daughter.” “God loves us so much,” the pope told the crowd in St. Peter’s Square. “Reborn as children of God, that is what we’ll be forever,” he said. “Baptism, in fact, is never repeated because it imposes an indelible spiritual seal. No sin can erase this mark, even if sin prevents baptism from bearing the fruits of salvation. This baptismal mark will never disappear.” Pope Francis said he could imagine someone objecting, “But, Father, if someone becomes a criminal – one of those infamous ones who kills people, who commits injustices – won’t the mark be gone?” “No,” the pope responded. Although a person has sinned and turned from God, “God never disowns His children. Do you understand? God never disowns His children.” Baptism is a sacrament that purifies, sanctifies and justifies people, giving them the grace to conform themselves to Christ, he said. “Here lies the Christian vocation: to live united to Christ in His Holy Church,” sharing its mission. Consecrated to Christ in baptism, the pope said, Christians are called “to make themselves an offering pleasing to God, giving witness to Him through a life of faith and charity, putting oneself at the service of others following the example of the Lord Jesus.”
Matthias, whose name means “gift of God,” was the disciple chosen to replace Judas as one of the 12 Apostles. The Acts of the Apostles states that he was also one of the 72 disciples that the Lord Jesus sent out to preach the Good News. Matthias had followed Jesus since His baptism and was a witness to His Resurrection and His Ascension, according to St. Peter in Acts. According to Acts 1:15-26, during the days after the Ascension, St. Peter stood up in the midst of the brothers – about 120 of Jesus’ followers. Now that Judas had betrayed his ministry, it was necessary, St. Peter said, to fulfill the scriptural recommendation that another should take his office. But all of the apostles had been chosen by Jesus Himself, so the group of His followers needed to determine how to choose among them. St. Peter then proposed the way to make the choice. He had one criterion: that, like Andrew, James, John and himself, the new apostle be someone who had been a disciple from the very beginning, from His baptism by John until the Ascension. The reason for this was simple – the new apostle must become a witness to Jesus’ resurrection. He must have followed Jesus before anyone knew Him, stayed with Him when He made enemies, and believed in Him when He spoke of the cross and of eating His Body – teachings that had made others melt away. “Therefore, it is necessary that one of the men who accompanied us the whole time the Lord Jesus came and went among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day on which He was taken up from us, become with us a witness to His resurrection” (Acts 1:21-22). The group of Jesus’ followers then nominated two men who fit this description: Joseph Barsabbas and Matthias. They prayed and then drew lots. The choice fell upon Matthias, who was added to the Eleven. Matthias is not mentioned by name anywhere else in the New Testament. According to various traditions, he preached in Cappadocia, Jerusalem, the shores of the Caspian Sea (in modern-day Georgia) and Ethiopia. He is said to have met his death by crucifixion in Colchis or by stoning in Jerusalem. There is evidence cited in some of the early Church fathers that there was a Gospel according to Matthias in circulation, but it has since been lost, and
“St. Matthias,” by Peter Paul Rubens (c. 1611), on display in the Museo del Prado
was declared apocryphal by Pope Gelasius. He is invoked for assistance against alcoholism, and for support by recovered
alcoholics. — Catholic News Agency, Franciscan Media, Catholic Online
Your daily Scripture readings MAY 13-19
Sunday: Acts 1:15-17, 20-26, 1 John 4:11-16, John 7:11-19; Monday (St. Matthias): Acts 1:1517, 20-26, John 15:9-17; Tuesday (St. Isidore): Acts 20:17-27, John 17:1-11; Wednesday: Acts 20:28-38, John 17:11-19; Thursday: Acts 22:30, 23:6-11, John 17:20-26; Friday (St. John I): Acts 25:13-21, John 21:15-19; Saturday: Acts 28:16-20, 30-31, John 21:20-25
MAY 20-26
Sunday (Pentecost): Acts 2:1-11, Galatians 5:16-25, John 15:26-27; Monday (St. Christopher Magallanes and Companions): James 3:13-18, Mark 9:14-29; Tuesday (St. Rita of Cascia): James 4:1-10, Mark 9:30-37; Wednesday: James 4:13-17, Mark 9:38-40; Thursday: James 5:1-6, Mark 9:41-50; Friday (St. Bede the Venerable, St. Gregory VII, St. Mary Magdalene de’Pazzi): James 5:9-12, Mark 10:1-12; Saturday (St. Philip Neri): James 5:13-20, Mark 10:13-16
MAY 27-JUNE 2
Sunday (The Most Trinity): Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 39-40, Romans 8:14-17, Matthew 28:16-20; Monday: 1 Peter 1:3-9, Mark 10:1727; Tuesday: 1 Peter 1:10-16, Mark 10:28-31; Wednesday: 1 Peter 1:18-25, Mark 10:32-45; Thursday (The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary): Zephaniah 3:14-18, Isaiah 12:2-6, Luke 1:39-56; Friday (St. Justin): 1 Peter 4:713, Mark 11:11-26; Saturday (Sts. Marcellinus and Peter): Jude 17, 20-25, Mark 11:27-33
Our parishes
May 11, 2018 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI
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PHOTO PROVIDED BY JOE PURELLO
Sharon Davis of Catholic Charities, Father Charles Strollo, pastor of St. Mary Church and Dr. Gerard Carter of Catholic Charities help deliver household and personal care items collected by Catholic Charities to help those affected by the recent tornado in the Greensboro area.
Catholic Charities responds in wake of Greensboro tornado Partnering with St. Mary Parish to help people affected by the damage
Bishop Peter Jugis presided over the celebration of the feast of St. Joseph, patron saint of the Vietnamese parish in Charlotte, May 6. Father Tri Truong, pastor, and the newly ordained Deacon Quang Nguyen, besides hundreds of faithful, accompanied him in a procession, Mass and lunch organized in memory of the 14th anniversary of the church’s dedication. PHOTOS BY JOHN COSMAS | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
KIMBERLY BENDER ONLINE REPORTER
GREENSBORO — In the wake of a tornado that struck the Greensboro area last month, Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte is working in partnership with St. Mary Church to provide assistance. Catholic Charities has been able to help more than 300 people affected by the storm so far, and relief efforts continue. The EF2 tornado with 135-mph winds touched down April 15 east and northeast of Greensboro, damaging more than 1,000 homes and businesses and leaving nearly 200 destroyed. One person died and two others were injured in Greensboro when a tree landed on top of a vehicle. No other injuries were reported in the storm. President Donald Trump declared a “major disaster” May 8 and federal funds and assistance will be given to those affected by the storms. Catholic Charities staff met with Father Charles Strollo, pastor of St. Mary Church, on April 20 to assess the damage and plan how best to respond, said Joe Purello, director of Catholic Charities’ Office of Social Concerns and Advocacy. St. Mary Church is located less than one mile away from a neighborhood seriously affected by the tornado. The church has held two special collections to help those affected. “We’re a Vincentian parish,” Father Strollo said. “Offering assistance and working hand in hand with Catholic Charities flows from the charism of charity for which our founder, St. Vincent de Paul, is well known. When Catholic Charities contacted me with a request that we partner in this response, the answer was very easy: yes! Working with Catholic Charities was the most effective way to help the victims of this tornado, parishioners and non-parishioners alike. Fortunately for this effort, our parish has an active social ministry committee who have been eager to assist with Catholic Charities.” The church has served as a base for Catholic Charities staff and volunteers to work with the parish to offer disaster response assistance. Help has been provided in English and Spanish. “For the last few weeks, we’ve been giving out water, snacks, emergency supplies, cleaning supplies, toiletries and gift cards to help people replace food and other items lost,” said Becky DuBois, regional director of the Piedmont Triad office in Winston-Salem. “We’re slowing down on emergency assistance and transitioning to case management.” They’ve helped 340 families so far, DuBois said. Some TORNADO, SEE PAGE 21
St. Joseph Vietnamese Church celebrates anniversary CÉSAR HURTADO HISPANIC REPORTER
CHARLOTTE — “On Tuesday, May 1, of this past week, the Church around the world celebrated the feast of St. Joseph the Worker, which gives us the opportunity to come together to celebrate our patron saint. But did you realize that this past week there was another date which is significant for St. Joseph Parish? This past Wednesday, May 2, was the 14th anniversary of the dedication of this parish church.” Bishop Peter Jugis thus began his homily during a special Mass May 6 at St. Joseph Vietnamese Church in Charlotte, commemorating the church’s dedication in 2004 – one of the first Bishop Jugis presided over after being installed as the Bishop of Charlotte. Addressing more than a thousand faithful who filled the pews and overflowed into the narthex, Bishop Jugis said he remembered very well that important date, “a beautiful day,” when the church was solemnly dedicated to God under the patronage of St. Joseph. “It was a wonderful day of celebration for the whole parish. Many of you were probably here for that Mass of Dedication. Here we are, together again, in the Easter season, to celebrate our Catholic faith and to honor the great St. Joseph,” Bishop Jugis said. “Every week we come together to this altar to celebrate Jesus’ great love for us in the sacrifice of the Eucharist,” the bishop continued, emphasizing the day’s Gospel reading in which Jesus gives His disciples the commandment to love one another, a command He gave at the Last Supper. “The Eucharist is the gift of His great love,” he said. “The Eucharist helps us grow continually in our love for God and our love for others. Jesus in the Eucharist
unites all of us in love; we become one in Him.” Recalling the prayers of the dedication Mass, the bishop said that the parish’s prayers are being answered and its members are now witnessing the fruits of God’s blessings, because “we are growing together in love.” He prayed, “At this celebration today, let us ask St. Joseph to continue to bless this parish with His protection, His love and His prayers. And let us also ask the Blessed Mother to bless us with her powerful prayers. May all of you continue to grow together in God’s love. May you fulfill Jesus’ command to love one another as He loved us, and thus build up this parish’s family in love.” Father Tri Truong, pastor, credited the commitment, love and personal connection Bishop Jugis has had with the Vietnamese parish. “When Bishop Jugis became bishop, this was the second church he dedicated as bishop in 2004,” Father Truong noted. “And then in 2007, Bishop Jugis elevated this community to a parish. Also, it was Bishop Jugis who blessed the Stations of the Cross outside. And it was Bishop Jugis who blessed the statue of St. Joseph for us, too. So basically, what we have here is because of our beloved bishop – so thank you, Bishop. Thank you very much,” he said. The anniversary celebration included an outdoor procession before Mass, when hundreds of faithful and delegations of the parish’s ministries processed around the church carrying a statue of their patron St. Joseph. After Mass, parishioners enjoyed a generous feast of traditional Vietnamese food. Jeremy Icard, parishioner and parish council member ANNIVERSARY, SEE PAGE 21
UPcoming events 4
catholicnewsherald.com | May 11, 2018 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD MAY 12 – 10 A.M. Sacrament of Confirmation St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte MAY 13 - 3 P.M. Baccalaureate Mass for St. Joseph College Seminary St. Ann Church, Charlotte MAY 14 – 9 A.M. Holy Mass for Charlotte Catholic Women’s Group St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte
MAY 15 – 6 P.M. Sacrament of Confirmation Sacred Heart Church, Salisbury
MAY 22 – 6 P.M. Sacrament of Confirmation Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Lexington
MAY 17 – 6 P.M. Sacrament of Confirmation Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, High Point
MAY 24 – 7:30 P.M. Baccalaureate Mass for Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School St. Pius X Church, Greensboro
MAY 19 – 11 A.M. Sacrament of Confirmation St. Margaret Mary Church, Swannanoa
MAY 26 – 11 A.M. Sacrament of Confirmation St. Dorothy Church, Lincolnton
MAY 28 – 11 A.M. Holy Mass honoring Military Personnel St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte
Diocesan calendar of events May 11, 2018
BLOOD DRIVE
Volume 27 • NUMBER 16
CHARLOTTE-AREA BLOOD DRIVE: 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, May 20,, St. John Neumann Church, 8451 Idlewild Road, Charlotte. Hosted by the Knights of Columbus. Sign-ups available online at the Red Cross or call Dennis Schoen at 704-847-3335 for an appointment. Walk-in donors always welcome.
1123 S. CHURCH ST. CHARLOTTE, N.C. 28203-4003 catholicnews@charlottediocese.org
704-370-3333 PUBLISHER: The Most Reverend Peter J. Jugis, Bishop of Charlotte
STAFF EDITOR: Patricia L. Guilfoyle 704-370-3334, plguilfoyle@charlottediocese.org ADVERTISING MANAGER: Kevin Eagan 704-370-3332, keeagan@charlottediocese.org SENIOR REPORTER: SueAnn Howell 704-370-3354, sahowell@charlottediocese.org ONLINE REPORTER: Kimberly Bender 704-808-7341, kdbender@charlottediocese.org HISPANIC COMMUNICATIONS REPORTER: Cesar Hurtado, 704-370-3375, rchurtado@charlottediocese.org GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Tim Faragher 704-370-3331, tpfaragher@charlottediocese.org COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT/CIRCULATION: Erika Robinson, 704-370-3333, catholicnews@ charlottediocese.org
THE CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD is published by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte 26 times a year. NEWS: The Catholic News Herald welcomes your news and photos. Please e-mail information, attaching photos in JPG format with a recommended resolution of 150 dpi or higher, to catholicnews@charlottediocese.org. All submitted items become the property of the Catholic News Herald and are subject to reuse, in whole or in part, in print, electronic formats and archives. ADVERTISING: Reach 165,000 Catholics across western North Carolina! For advertising rates and information, contact Advertising Manager Kevin Eagan at 704-370-3332 or keeagan@charlottediocese.org. The Catholic News Herald reserves the right to reject or cancel advertising for any reason, and does not recommend or guarantee any product, service or benefit claimed by our advertisers. SUBSCRIPTIONS: $15 per year for all registered parishioners of the Diocese of Charlotte and $23 per year for all others. POSTMASTER: Periodicals class postage (USPC 007-393) paid at Charlotte, N.C. Send address corrections to the Catholic News Herald, 1123 S. Church St., Charlotte, N.C. 28203.
LECTURES & WORKSHOPS THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY PORTRAYED IN SCRIPTURE: 7 p.m. every Monday in May, in the Assembly Room at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 6828 Old Reid Road, Charlotte. Bring your Bible, questions and a friend to this free four-week course and explore the beauty of Mary shining so brilliantly in the Scriptures we venerate. Father Santiago Mariani will host the workshop. For details, call the parish office at 704-554-7088. ‘WORDS FOR A WOUNDED WORLD, COME HOLY SPIRIT, COME & ENERGIZE US’: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, May 19, Our Lady of Consolation Church’s Parish Life Center, 2301 Statesville Ave., Charlotte. Spiritual Day of Reflection led by Father Maurice Emelu, founder and chair of Gratia Vobis Ministries, Inc., and a priest of the Diocese of Orlu in southeast Nigeria. He is a renowned Catholic speaker and retreat preacher. Register online before May 12 at www.ourladyofconsolation.org/day-of-reflection or email Chanele Jackson at olcladiesguild@gmail.com. FREE ESTATE PLANNING SEMINAR: 2-3:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 6, at the Diocesan Pastoral Center, 1123 South Church St., Charlotte. Attorney Christian Cherry with Grier Furr & Crisp, an estate planning attorney with a concentration including wills, estates, trusts and probate, will speak. His presentation will include a Q&A session, as well as information on planned giving, wills and trusts, power of attorney, probate, bequests and Catholic teaching on end-of-life issues. Parking is free and light refreshments will be served. For details and registration, contact Judy Smith at jmsmith@ charlottediocese.org or 704-370-3320. NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING NFP INTRODUCTION AND FULL COURSE: 1:30-5 p.m. Saturday, May 19, St. Vincent de Paul Church, 6828 Old Reid Road, Charlotte. Topics include: effectiveness of modern NFP, health risks of popular contraceptives and what the Church teaches about responsible parenting. Sponsored by Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte. RSVP to Batrice Adcock, MSN, RN, at 704-370-3230. PRAYER SERVICES & GROUPS MASS FOR IRELAND’S UNBORN: 12:30 p.m. Saturday, May 12, at St. Patrick Cathedral, 1621 Dilworth Road East, Charlotte. Celebrant: Father Christopher Roux, rector. The Mass is hosted by the Ancient Order of Hibernians and C-PLAN. For details, contact the cathedral parish office at 704-334-2283.
UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC DIVINE LITURGY AND UPCOMING TALK: 11 a.m. Sunday, May 13, at Immaculate Conception Mission in Canton, 42 Newfound St., Canton, offered by Father Mark Shuey. The mission will also have its usual talk, Vespers and Typica with Holy Communion on Saturday, May 19. The talk, “A Patristic View of Mary, the Mother of God,” will be at 3:30 p.m. Vespers and Typica with Holy Communion will be celebrated at 5 p.m. For details, go to www. ukrainiancatholicmissionofcantonnc.weebly.com.
RACHEL’S VINEYARD RETREATS: Rachel’s Vineyard can help men and women who have experienced abortion begin their healing journey. It creates a healing environment of prayer and forgiveness. The retreat works to reconnect people to themselves, their friends and family after having an abortion. For details, email Jackie Childers at jackie.childers1@gmail.com.
MEMORIAL DAY MASS TO HONOR MILITARY PERSONNEL: 10:30 a.m. rosary, 11 a.m. Mass on Monday, May 28, at St. Patrick Cathedral, 1621 Dilworth Road East, Charlotte. Offered for all military personnel who have died, retired and for those who are now serving. All military personnel are invited and encouraged to come in uniform.
‘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:
PRO-LIFE ROSARY: 10 a.m. Saturday, June 2, at 901 North Main St., and Sunset Drive, High Point. Come and help us pray for the end of abortion. For details, call Jim Hoyng 336-882-9593 or Paul Klosterman 336-848-6835. SPECIAL MASS FOR CORPUS CHRISTI: 10:30 a.m. Sunday, June 3, in the Maryfield Chapel, at Pennybyrn at Maryfield, 1315 Greensboro Road, High Point. All First Communicants are invited, in their First Communion attire, to join in the procession honoring Jesus in the Most Holy Eucharist and also help commemorate the 24th anniversary of Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration at Maryfield. Father James Solari will be the principal celebrant. Refreshments will be served in Norcross Square following Mass. VIGIL OF THE TWO HEARTS: June 1-2, with Mass celebrated by Father David McCanless, parochial vicar, at St. Patrick Cathedral, 1621 Dilworth Road East, Charlotte. 8 a.m. First Friday Mass, followed by 9 p.m.-1 a.m. nocturnal Adoration, concluding with 7 a.m. First Saturday Mass. Sign up for Adoration times at www. prolifecharlotte.org/two-hearts. For details, contact info@prolifecharlotte.org. HEALING MISSION: 8 a.m. Saturday, June 2, 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 6, at St. Margaret of Scotland Church, 37 Murphy Dr., Maggie Valley. Father Albert MacPherson O.S.A., of the Augustinian Healing Ministry located at Our Mother of Consolation Friary, Lawrence, Mass., will conduct the mission. Father MacPherson has given healing missions throughout the world. Thousands have been helped spiritually, psychologically and physically by God through his healing ministry. For details, contact Janet Zander at 828-734-0039 or the church office at 828-926-0106. SUPPORT GROUPS & RETREATS CHRONIC PAIN SUPPORT GROUP: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. third Tuesday of each month at St. Barnabas Church, 109 Crescent Hill Dr., Arden. To make an appointment, call the Council on Aging of Buncombe County at 828-277-8288. Sponsored by Arthritis Services in conjunction with Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte’s Elder Ministry. For details, call Sandra Breakfield at 704-370-3220.
SAFE ENVIRONMENT TRAINING
BELMONT: 6 p.m. Monday, May 21, Queen of the Apostles Church, 503 North Main St. HENDERSONVILLE: 9 a.m. Saturday, May 12, Immaculate Conception Church, 208 Seventh Ave., West MOORESVILLE: 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 15, St. Therese Church, 217 Brawley School Road YOUNG ADULTS 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: Meet up on “Charlotte Catholic 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 Facebook “St Peter CC Charlotte YAM” ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CHURCH: online at “Aquinas’ Finest,” www.stacharlotte.com/finest ST. MARK CHURCH IN HUNTERSVILLE: online at www. meetup.com/St-Mark-Catholic-Church-Youth-AdultMinistry/ HOLY SPIRIT CHURCH IN DENVER: call Nicole Lehman, 704-607-5207 ST. LEO THE GREAT CHURCH IN WINSTON-SALEM: online at “Winston Salem Frassati, “www.wsfrassati.com
IS YOUR PARISH OR SCHOOL hosting a free event open to the public? Deadline for all submissions is 10 days prior to desired publication date. Submit in writing to catholicnews@charlottediocese.org.
May 11, 2018 | catholicnewsherald.com
OUR PARISHESI
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Youth attend Diocesan Youth Conference ‘Imago Dei’ CHARLOTTE — The Diocesan Office of Youth Ministry held the 41st Annual Diocesan Youth Conference “Imago Dei” (“The Image of God”) April 27-29 at the Ridgecrest Conference Center in Black Mountain. More than 350 high school students attended. The annual Diocesan Youth Conference, offered in collaboration with the Eparchy of St. Josaphat, was a weekend-long event for high school youth from across the Diocese of Charlotte. It featured keynote speakers, entertainment, Mass, Eucharistic Adoration and the opportunity for the sacrament of confession – all designed to enable participants to grow in their Catholic faith. Workshops addressed a variety of issues: moral decision-making, Theology of the Body, virtues education, prayer, maintaining one’s faith in college – and other pertinent topics for today’s young people. During the conference, awards were also given to youth for their exemplary leadership. The Bishop Michael J. Begley Award was given to Grace Rybak of Immaculate Conception Church in Forest City. The award recognizes, from the diocesan level, outstanding teens who exemplify Christian service, Catholic leadership and good moral standards. In recognition of their outstanding youth discipleship, St. Timothy Award recipients were: Michael Lugo of Immaculate Conception Church in Forest City, Lisa Scarduzio of Sacred Heart Church in Brevard, Matilda Silvestri of St. John Neumann Church in Charlotte,
“Imago Dei” (Image of God), a major component of the event was the celebration of the Divine Liturgy in the Byzantine rite. Most of the youth had never experienced Byzantine liturgy before, but they nevertheless quickly learned to sing the responses, especially the Paschal Troparion “Christ is Risen,” according to a Facebook post from St. Basil Parish. Father Joseph also led a break-out session entitled “West Meets East,” which introduced participants of the conference to the Eastern Catholic Churches. — Catholic News Herald
Jackson Schuler of Holy Cross Church in Kernersville, and Anna Human of Holy Family Church in Clemmons. Father Joseph Matlak, pastor of St. Basil the Great Eastern Catholic Parish in Charlotte, joined the young people for a youth conference. Along with the theme,
The Diocesan Youth Conference is primarily funded by the Diocesan Support Appeal. Learn more about how you can support the DSA online at www.charlottediocese.org/ development/diocesan-support-appeal.
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catholicnewsherald.com | May 11, 2018 OUR PARISHES
Deacon Gilfillan named Catholic Conference Center director
Thomas Hunley receives the Fruit of the Vine Award at Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte’s Vineyard of Hope event. Also pictured are Tammy Greyshock (left), Catholic Charities’ volunteer coordinator, and Kailey Otten, program director.
SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER
HICKORY — The Diocese of Charlotte has hired a new director for the Catholic Conference Center. Deacon Scott Gilfillan succeeds Paul Cronin, who recently retired after overseeing a major renovation of the conference center. Deacon Gilfillan most recently served as a general manager of a local steel company. He also serves as the diocese’s director of formation for the permanent diaconate. Deacon Gilfillan and his wife Kimberly are members of St. Joseph Church in Newton. For the past couple of years, Deacon Gilfillan said, he knew it was time for him to leave his former job and venture into something new that would use all of his gifts – both as a deacon in the Church and as a businessman. “For most of this time, I prayed fervently Gilfillan for God to reveal to me what that ‘something new’ was, but God was mostly silent,” Deacon Gilfillan said. “Looking back, I see reasons for the silence – God was preparing me for the perfect assignment. Though the conference center was never on my list of ‘what’s next,’ I see now how neatly the position at the conference center beautifully combines both my passions and expertise.” Deacon Gilfillan acknowledged the great job that Cronin did in updating and rebranding the conference center. “Paul Cronin, the previous director, has done an excellent job guiding the center through the renovations that came from the ‘Forward in Faith, Hope, and Love’ campaign,” he said. “He upgraded the facilities so they are fresh and welcoming. The dividends of this investment are beginning to pay off. Revenues for the last three months have been the best three months in the history of the center. Paul also set up a great cadre of vendors, and has left me with a stellar staff keenly focused on the satisfaction and well-being of guests. He has started the work of developing a new generation of conference center guests.” Deacon Gilfillan said his goal is to build upon the foundation set by Cronin and continue to improve the conference center’s operations, particularly with expanding the number and diversity of the guests who frequent the center for retreats, meetings and conferences. “We’ve got a wonderful place for rest and renewal for a wide variety of diverse groups,” he noted. “The people who visit have a great experience and come back again and again. I realized this when I reviewed the list of past customers. I was amazed at how many groups return. I thought I would see a lot of folks that had come once and had not returned. I actually found very few. “What I found, instead, is a vast majority of groups that have visited over the last few years have returned. They value the unique features of the conference center, have a great experience at the center, and want to come again.” Deacon Gilfillan is himself one of those former guests. Ordained to the permanent diaconate in 2001 by the late Bishop William G. Curlin, he spent time at the conference center throughout his formation experience. “I received great enjoyment meeting and interacting with the other groups that were also using the facilities at the same time I was attending classes. I am thrilled that now I get to meet new people each day,” he said. Through a variety of marketing tools, including improving the center’s online presence, Deacon Gilfillan said he hopes to greatly expand this pool of frequent, repeat visitors. “The greatest appeal for me in this position as the new director is the contact and impact it has with the people who visit. By offering a beautiful setting with sacred spaces, almost everyone leaves physically refreshed and spiritually renewed,” he said. “In essence, the Catholic Conference Center is a unique means through which our diocese can evangelize the hundreds of people who visit each year. Jesus told His disciples, ‘Come with me to a secluded place and rest awhile.’ (Mk 6:31) I think the conference center is that place.” For more information about the Catholic Conference Center or to schedule a retreat, contact Deacon Scott Gilfillan at 828327-7441 or email sdgilfillan@catholicconference.org.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY KATHLEEN DURKIN
Annual Vineyard of Hope gala celebrates Catholic Charities’ efforts in Charlotte area Hunley honored for refugee mentoring work LISA GERACI CORRESPONDENT
CHARLOTTE — Hundreds of friends and supporters gathered April 26 for Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte’s 15th annual Vineyard of Hope dinner and fundraising event. The gala raised approximately $117,000 for Catholic Charities’ efforts to strengthen families, build communities and reduce poverty in the Charlotte region. Sponsorships and donations exceeded previous years’ events, organizers noted with gratitude. Catholic Charities’ leaders summarized accomplishments of their Charlotte-area initiatives over the past year – including highlighting the Burial Assistance Program, which helped 86 families with a dignified burial for their loved ones in Mecklenburg County last year, and the Refugee Resettlement Program, which welcomed 343 refugees from 19 countries last year. In his remarks thanking the staff, volunteers and supporters for their efforts over the past year, Catholic Charities’ executive director, Dr. Gerard Carter, noted, “I see every day the incredible work carried out by our deeply dedicated staff and volunteers. The lives of so many people living on the peripheries are positively impacted through the work of so many people of goodwill. As I often reflect, one of the most rewarding components of my work with Catholic Charities is being in a position to thank so many donors and benefactors who make the work of this ministry possible.” “Catholic Charities can only carry out this ministry because of the efforts of so many,” Carter said. One of those honored during the event was volunteer Thomas Hunley, who received Catholic Charities’ Fruit of the Vine Award for his leadership in mentoring a refugee family of 11 from Somalia. “We have a mentorship program that serves almost every volunteer interest and refugee need. What we didn’t have was a mentor program designed to serve an 11-person Somali family,” noted Tammy Greyshock, Catholic Charities’ volunteer coordinator, before presenting Hunley with the award. “Enter Tom Hunley, a recently retired bank executive who had relocated with wife to Charlotte. Tom arrived in my office with a simple request of wanting to serve wherever needed. And, as the Holy Spirit often works, we had a need,” Greyshock said. The Noor family, who had arrived in late 2016, needed someone to help them navigate life in the United States. Hunley and his mentor team of eight were with them
every step of the way. “Tom and his co-mentors responded to countless needs with a grace, compassion and steadfast resilience that are unmatched,” Greyshock said. “They saw and learned first-hand what living on the margins in America looks like. How extending a helping hand can warm the soul, cross cultural boundaries, create new friendships, provide hope in the most unlikely circumstances and impact a family for generations to come.” Hunley credited all of the volunteers in the refugee resettlement program for their teamwork in assisting the Noor family and others who have escaped war, poverty and persecution to build new lives in this country. Hunley quoted from Ralph Waldo Emerson: “...to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded!” Then he added, “With that measure, everyone here, has succeeded.” It is important to give thanks for the agency’s many blessings during the previous year, speaker Dennis Marstall of St. Matthew Church in Charlotte reminded everyone gathered at the event, but he added that there is more work to be done. “Charlotte is the 17th largest city in the U.S. Nearly 60 people move here every day. It is a city with wealth, low unemployment, rising incomes, and rising home values. Beyond the gleaming Charlotte skyline, tree lined roads and well-manicured lawns is a population struggling every day just to make ends meet,” Marshall said. “In Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, the poverty rate is 15.8 percent, or roughly 150,000 people living below the federally-defined poverty level, making less than $25,100 for a family of four. Additionally, the working poor, hundreds of thousands of people, struggle to provide basic needs for the family each and every day.” “Catholic Charities opens its doors to help those in need, to help rebuild lives and compassionately provide basic support. They even go a step further to open doors – and borders – to refugees and others facing persecution, strife and hardships that we cannot fathom.” “Charlotte would not be the vibrant community it is without such a great organization and the willingness of so many in our community to lend a hand, volunteer or provide financial support to help their fellow neighbors and citizens,” he said.
More online At www.ccdoc.org: Learn how you can support Catholic Charities’ work across the Diocese of Charlotte
May 11, 2018 | catholicnewsherald.com
St. Matthew Church develops 2019-’21 pastoral plan SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER
CHARLOTTE — The largest Catholic church in the United States is set to unveil a new pastoral plan to its 36,250-plus registered parishioners. Established in 1986 with 600 parishioners, the parish is now spread across two locations, one in southeast Charlotte and one further south in Waxhaw. Its four priests offer 27 Masses every week: 23 Masses between the 1,400-seat main church and daily chapel, one Sunday Mass in the adjacent gymnasium, and three Masses at St. Matthew South in Waxhaw. Its faith formation program has an enrollment of 3,200 students, and the number of parish programs, ministries and small groups now exceeds 100. As the parish’s current pastoral plan is expiring, the parish council has developed a new pastoral plan to lead the parish through 2021. The 2019-’21 St. Matthew Pastoral Plan is set to take effect in eight months. Details will be shared with parishioners in the coming weeks. In preparation for the new pastoral plan, the parish council reviewed the findings of the most recent Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) and Gallup parishioner surveys. “The planning process has been very thorough,” said Bob Bowles, parish council chairperson. “We directly solicited feedback from our parishioners and members of our parish council, and conducted interviews with our parish staff members and our ministry members as well.” Father Pat Hoare, who came to St. Matthew Church as pastor last summer, has played an active role in shaping the new pastoral plan. His experience as a longtime parishioner and former youth minister at the parish gives him special insight into the needs of his faith community. “The process of preparing a pastoral plan has been an invaluable way for me to really get to know St. Matthew as I begin my service here,” Father Hoare said. “Understanding both the parish’s gifts and challenges helps me as pastor to focus on the critical items for our ongoing mission to evangelize and to make disciples.” “Based on our findings, when we went through the information, our pastoral plan goals became very clear,” Bowles said. “We are going to focus on the spiritual growth of our parishioners as our first goal. The second goal is to work to increase the engagement of our youth, young adults and young families.” In order to accomplish these two goals, Bowles said, the pastoral plan will include two pillars: facilities and communications. The objectives and action plans of these two pillars will support these two goals, he said. “We have many objectives set to feed our parishioners spiritually. The staff will be enacting our plan. They have been actively involved. It has been a very collaborative process,” he noted. He explained that outside the walls, within the parish’s geographic boundaries in southeast Charlotte, they plan “to feed the multitudes and reach out to our parishioners in other ways as well.” Increasing youth and young adult engagement is something the pastoral council and staff are excited about, Bowles also noted. “One of our strategies will be to provide events and activities that mentor, teach and develop our youth, young adults and young families. Another strategy is to help them live a life of grace that overflows into the lives of others, through witnessing of service,” he said. “We are going to encounter them through providing social and fellowship opportunities, to provide a welcoming environment to create a real sense of inclusion.” “It is a very engaged parish,” Bowles said. “There are over 100 ministries. People are involved in the faith. Increasing the faith and engagement of youth and young adults is one of Father Pat’s priorities. We need to continually feed (our parishioners) as Jesus did when He walked the earth. We can always do better.”
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OLC’s Rosary Society celebrates 40th anniversary of annual chicken dinner fundraiser LISA GERACI CORRESPONDENT
CHARLOTTE — For four decades, the members of the Rosary Society at Our Lady of Consolation Church have been welcoming guests with smiles and delicious food at their annual chicken dinner – all part of an effort to beautify the historic parish and give glory to God. A crowd of more than 300 filled the parish hall again April 29 for the Rosary Society’s 40th annual dinner, a now legendary event in the community. Local residents, Johnson C. Smith University students living near the church, and parishioners arrived with an appetite – some for the very first time, some the 40th. Rosary PHOTOS BY LISA GERACI | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD Society members warmly greeted their Members of Our Lady of Consolation Church’s Rosary Society held another successful chicken guests with smiles as they collected dinner – their 40th such fundraiser for the Charlotte parish – drawing 300 people to the event the $10-a-plate tickets. The aroma of April 29. tenderly spiced chicken and scratchmade, secret-recipe delicacies wafted out the double doors as parishioners came in after the 11 a.m. Mass. Shirley Fowler, chairperson of the Rosary Society, cheerfully directed her team in the kitchen, making sure each piece of chicken, whether it be baked or fried, dark meat or white, was perfectly placed next to a generous portion of potato salad and a thick slice of cornbread. Fowler said preparations for the annual fundraising dinner are detailed and extensive – deftly handled by the experienced members of the Rosary Society. They start promoting the annual event in the parish and at nearby parishes well in advance, and they post flyers around the community, she said – encouraging as many people to attend as possible. were luxuries that could not easily be afforded at a small “We start buying for the dinner the prior Monday,” she parish. explained. “We get our orders in, and we start preparing the “The Altar and Rosary Society – the older ladies who meal on Thursday. Thursday to Friday, up until Saturday are now gone, most of them – would supply the wine and night, we are preparing because everything is cooked from flowers,” Fowler explained. “Then when the church got on scratch – from the cornbread to the potato salad – and, of its feet, they took the word ‘altar’ from the name, leaving course, seasoning the chicken, making sure it is right.” Rosary Society.” Parishioners contribute desserts to round out the feast, She continued, “There were small things that the church she noted. needed, so we would look around and say: ‘Hmm, if we These annual chicken dinners, and the Rosary Society could take on this project that would be less for the church itself, have deep ties to the parish. Rosary Society members to spend.’ For example, we needed new doors. So, we put don matching blue aprons for the event, but more than that those doors up on the church. We put cushions on the pews, and cooking unifies them. Passion for the Blessed Virgin carpet on the floor, new kneelers, new furniture on the Mary, historical ties to Our Lady of Consolation Parish, a Catholic faith that spans generations, and a heart for giving altar. We did little things like that to prepare for those to come, to receive the Word of God here.” have kept this group strongly connected. This year’s annual dinner raised enough for the Rosary “My granddaughter, who is now 21, joined when she was Society to donate funds to cover a brick sign for the front 12. She used to be sitting up in the meeting with me. My son of the church. Fowler and other group members presented was unable to be here today, but he has come every year their gift at the 11 a.m. Mass May 6. The group, clothed just to cook,” Fowler said. all in white and blue in honor of Mary, gathered for a Harry Scott lost his mother back in December. On this reception immediately after the Mass to celebrate 40 years 40th annual dinner, he wore her Rosary Society blue apron, of chicken dinners, their close-knit relationships and their standing in for his mother. Scott reminisced, “My mom was love for God and their parish. a part of the Rosary Society for years and years and years Fowler happily told fellow members, “You look at the before she passed. I just inherited the apron from her, but solid oak doors, chicken. The baby grand piano, chicken. the work she did and the willingness to give up her time The kneelers, chicken. Now, this new sign, chicken. kind of leaned on me. She is looking down on me right now Chicken, chicken, chicken!” and she is proud of me.” All the hard work, all the chicken, all the donations – it “I’ve been at this church for, like, 44 to 46 years, but you is all to honor Jesus Christ and His Blessed Mother, she know, I am only 30,” joked parishioner Willie Thompson, continued. chicken dinner plate in hand. “But I always support the “The Blessed Mother, think of who she is! She gave birth Rosary Society and everything they ask me to do. They to who? Jesus. That’s a special lady,” she said. “She is have very good food – home cooked, everything from our Mother, because Jesus is our Brother, and God is our scratch. It is a great way to raise funds for the church. I am Father.” always going to support Her as long as I am standing.” Now that the 40th annual dinner is past them, Rosary The Rosary Society is truly foundational at Our Lady of Society members do not plan to slow down. On the Consolation Parish. Since the parish was founded in the contrary, they meet every first Sunday of the month to pray 1940s, the Rosary Society has helped to raise funds for the the rosary and pray for fellow parishioners in need. They beautification of the church. also pray the rosary with people who request a home visit, The group was initially known as the Altar and Rosary Fowler noted. Society, because back then sacramental wine and flowers
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catholicnewsherald.com | May 11, 2018 OUR PARISHES
Celebrating first Holy Communion
PHOTOS BY JOHN COSMAS | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
CHARLOTTE — Children at St. Thomas Aquinas Church received their first Holy Communion May 5 during Mass offered by Father Patrick Winslow, pastor, and Father Matthew Bean, parochial vicar.
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY CATHY CHIAPPETTA AND JOAN GUTHRIE
CHARLOTTE — Thirty-five children received their first Holy Communion during two Masses celebrated at St. Peter Church by Jesuit Father James Shea, pastor.
HUNTERSVILLE — Children at St. Mark Church received their first Holy Communion during two Masses April 28, celebrated by Father John Putnam, pastor, and Father Brian Becker, parochial vicar. After Mass, all of the children were enrolled in the Brown Scapular. PHOTOS PROVIDED BY AMY BURGER
May 11, 2018 | catholicnewsherald.com
OUR PARISHESI
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PHOTOS PROVIDED BY CONNIE RIES
STATESVILLE — On May 6, 52 children received their first Holy Communion at St. Philip the Apostle Church: 16 at the 10:30 a.m. English-language Mass and 36 at the 12:30 p.m. Spanish-language Mass. Father Thomas Kessler, pastor, celebrated both liturgies.
BOONE — St. Elizabeth Church welcomed several young people to the Lord’s Table at the vigil Mass on April 28. The Mass was celebrated by Father Matthew Codd, pastor. PHOTO VIA FACEBOOK
ASHEVILLE — A large group of children received their first Holy Communion during a recent Mass at St. Eugene Church, celebrated by Father Patrick Cahill, pastor.
AMBER MELLON | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
Sealed with the Holy Spirit
PHOTO PROVIDED BY PEGGY SCHUMACHER
CLEMMONS — Eighty-seven young people received the sacrament of confirmation at Holy Family Church during a May 4 Mass celebrated by Monsignor Mauricio West, vicar general and chancellor of the Diocese of Charlotte.
PAUL WOJCIK | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
HENDERSONVILLE — A large group of youths received the sacrament of confirmation May 2 at Immaculate Conception Church, during Mass celebrated by Bishop Peter Jugis and Capuchin Franciscan Father Martin Schratz, pastor.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY ROCÍO PULIDO-ROSALES AND ALFONSO ALVAREZ-NAVARRETE
MARION — Sixteen young people received the sacrament of confirmation at Our Lady of the Angels Mission, during Mass celebrated by Bishop Peter Jugis and Father Carl Kaltreider, parochial administrator.
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catholicnewsherald.com | May 11, 2018 OUR PARISHES
Honoring Mary during May
JEFFERSON — A statue of Mary was crowned at St. Francis of Assisi Church. PATRICK HESSION | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
PHOTOS BY GIULIANA POLINARI RILEY | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
TRYON — First Holy Communion and Crowning of Mary were held at St. John the Baptist Church during the 11 a.m. Mass May 6, offered by Father Roger K. Arnsparger, pastor. First Communicants were Ellanor Biance, Filiberto SanchezGutierrez and Kate Smith. After they received first Holy Communion, the three communicants were enrolled in the Brown Scapular.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY LISA CASH
MOORESVILLE — Little Way Preschool at St. Therese Church celebrated a May Crowning May 1 with Father Mark Lawlor, pastor.
HUNTERSVILLE — St. Mark preschoolers brought flowers for their annual May Crowning Celebration May 4. One by one, the children gave their flowers to an image of the Blessed Mother in the parish’s Mary’s Garden, located outside the Adoration Chapel. This was the 17th annual preschool May Crowning. Traditionally, the oldest girl in the class is selected to place a floral wreath upon Mary’s head. This year, it was Cassandra Berg. The oldest boy, Leo Denton, also accompanied her to carry the wreath. After the coronation of Mary, Father John Putnam, pastor, opened the program with prayer, the children sang several Marian songs and then the festivities continued in the classrooms to treat the mothers and grandmothers to muffins. St. Mark School and Parish are also celebrating May Crownings this month. PHOTOS PROVIDED BY AMY BURGER
May 11, 2018 | catholicnewsherald.com
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AOH organizes charity raffle
In Brief C-PLAN marks milestone with ninth Vigil of the Two Hearts CHARLOTTE — The Catholic Pro-Life Action Network of Charlotte (C-PLAN) hosted the May Vigil of the Two Hearts on Friday-Saturday, May 4-5, at St. Patrick Cathedral with Father Matthew Bean, parochial vicar at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Charlotte, offering First Friday Mass. After Mass, St. Thomas Aquinas Parish Deacon Martin Ricart led a Holy Hour of Reparation which was followed by nocturnal Adoration. The vigil, which is organized by C-PLAN, marked an important spiritual milestone as it was the ninth consecutive First Friday Mass and Holy Hour of Reparation offered which honors the Sacred Heart of Jesus. According to tradition, in the 17th century the Blessed Lord visited St. Margaret Mary Alacoque and promised special graces when Holy Communion is received for nine consecutive First Fridays and when the Communions are made in reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. For more information about the Vigil of the Two Hearts, go online to www.prolifecharlotte. org/two-hearts or e-mail Tammy Harris at info@ prolifecharlotte.org.
OUR PARISHESI
Knights support local food pantry on the principles of a person-centered thinking and uses each individual’s skills to promote greater independence. Pictured are (from left): Cyndi Beacham, Peter Crandall and Suzan Mason. — Ann Crandall
SAPPHIRE — St. Jude Mission’s Knights of Columbus St. Francis Xavier Council 16442 donated $500 April 26 to the Fishes & Loaves Food Pantry in Cashiers. The donation came from proceeds of the Knights’ Fish Fry during Lent. Pictured are Bob Martin (Grand Knight), Larry Moss and Father Francis X. Arockiasamy. — Dawn Swilling
GREENSBORO — The 2018 Patrick J. Rooney Hibernian Fund Raffle for a Trip for Four to Ireland recently concluded with the Brunch and Raffle Drawing at St. Pius X Church in Greensboro. This annual charity raffle, which raised a total of $15,000, is organized by the Na Cara division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in Guilford County. Once again, all 150 tickets were sold. AOH President Bob Jackson presided over the event, and the winning ticket was drawn by Father Bill Lesak. The winner of the trip to Ireland was Sallie Kelton of Greensboro. In addition, the Na Cara division gave the Hibernian of the Year award to Deacon Larry Lisk in recognition of his role as division chaplain and for his ongoing service at St. Paul the Apostle Church and in ministering to prisoners. BRIEF, SEE PAGE 12
— Mike FitzGerald, correspondent
Eagle Scout projects completed CHARLOTTE — James Johnson of Boy Scout Troop 172 with Our Lady of Consolation Church recently completed his Eagle Scout project: a Marian Garden on the parish grounds. Johnson said he wanted his Eagle Scout project to benefit his parish, and he came up with the idea for a Marian Garden after noticing that there were no places to sit and pray outside the church. The parish’s former outdoor prayer garden had been removed years ago, he discovered. “That’s when I decided we needed one,” he said, “because the church is locked throughout the week, and if someone wanted to pray while being on church property and holy ground they could have that space.” Johnson recruited help from his fellow Scouts and parishioners, as well as the parish’s Men’s Group and Knights of Columbus Council 770 – all of whom he thanks for their support, equipment donations and financial assistance. The Marian Garden features a landscaped area with benches, flowers, outdoor lights and a statue of Mary.
SPX Knights donate to charities GREENSBORO — At an April 12 ceremony in the Simmons Center, the St. Pius X Knights of Columbus Council 11101 awarded checks to four local agencies on behalf of the L.A.M.B. (Least Among My Brethren) Foundation, which concentrates its efforts to aid adults and children with intellectual disabilities. The funds were raised by SPX Knights soliciting donations from St. Pius X parishioners and in the Greensboro community, whose generosity has been outstanding. This year’s recipients shared more than $5,000. Special thanks to SPX Council LAMB Director John Kosco. Pictured are (from left): Jessica Knowles (Max and Friends), Carter Davenport (Peacehaven Farm), Grand Knight Jim Duffy, Glen Spivey (standing in for Reedy Fork Life Skills), and Krisan Walker (Sunshine Club).
PHOTOS VIA FACEBOOK
— John Russell
Knights Council 9492 supports Charles Lea Center TRYON — The Knights of Columbus Council 9492, St. John the Baptist Parish in Tryon, recently presented $1,000 to the Charles Lea Center of Landrum, S.C., from money the Knights raised locally as part of the L.A.M.B. Foundation. The center uses these funds to give the residents a Christmas party each year. The L.A.M.B. (Least Among My Brethren) Foundation is a state wide non-profit run by the Knights of Columbus, to aid adults and children with intellectual disabilities. The Charles Lea Center provides innovative services coupled with the latest in technology to help people with intellectual disabilities or chronic medical conditions. Services are based
KERNERSVILLE — Landon Privette, a member of Boy Scout Troop 944 at Holy Cross Church, recently completed his Eagle Scout project at the office of Forsyth Pediatrics. With the help of Bill Ricketts, PA, at Forsyth Pediatrics, fellow Scouts and friends, Privette installed two children’s benches and two outdoor book lending boxes. Pictured with Privette are Ricketts, Samantha Walker, David Privette and Caleb Howell. JOHN BUNYEA | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
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catholicnewsherald.com | May 11, 2018 OUR PARISHES
BRIEF
Celebrating St. Peter Martyr CHARLOTTE — The Charlotte Latin Mass Community and St. Ann Parish celebrated the feast of St. Peter of Verona with the annual blessing of St. Peter palms on his feast day April 29. St. Peter of Verona (also called St. Peter Martyr) was a 13th century Dominican priest and inquisitor who successfully combated the Manichean heresy which plagued Italy at the time. After many years of preaching and converting Manicheans back to the faith, he was martyred in 1252. St. Peter’s murderer, Blessed Carino of Balsamo, later repented of his sin, became a Dominican brother and was eventually beatified by the Church for his life of sanctity. The St. Peter palms, which were blessed by St. Ann’s pastor Father Timothy Reid prior to Mass, are to be buried in the four corners of one’s property (or apartment) and tradition holds these palms protect against natural disasters. For more information about the Charlotte Latin Mass Community, contact Chris Lauer at info@charlottelatinmass.org or visit www. charlottelatinmass.org.
FROM PAGE 11
Since the annual charity raffle began in 2005, the AOH has raised and distributed more than $100,000 to a number of worthy causes, including the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Victory Junction Gang Camp, Project St. Patrick, Heal Our Heroes, and Room at the Inn, as well as the local Catholic schools and parishes. — John Pierce
AOH hosts program on Irish Catholics BELMONT — Ancient Order of Hibernian (AOH) members and Belmont Abbey College students spent a spring evening April 12 learning about Ireland’s Catholic history under persecution at Belmont Abbey College. Vincentian Father James H. Murphy, director of Irish Studies and the Center for Irish Programs at Boston College, was invited to speak on Ireland’s Catholic history under persecution from the 16th through the 19th centuries and reviewed the contributions of notable Catholics including St. Oliver Plunkett, Cardinal Paul Cullen, Blessed John Henry Newman, and Venerable Mother Catherine McAuley, the foundress of the Sisters of Mercy. Pictured are members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians along with Belmont Abbey College faculty, Dr. Farrell O’Gorman, chair and professor of English, and Dr. Patrick Wadden, assistant professor of history with Father Murphy (back row) after his talk. The event was sponsored by the local AOH and the college’s St. Gregory the Great minor in Christianity and Culture. The AOH is a Catholic-Irish fraternal organization whose goals are to promote friendship, unity, and Christian charity; foster and perpetuate Irish history, culture and traditions and to protect and defend all life. For details, go to www.aohmeck2.org.
PHOTOS BY MARKUS KUNCORO AND MIKE FITZGERALD
— Mike FitzGerald, correspondent
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May 11, 2018 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI
Where are you going? QUO VADIS DAYS 2018
June 11-15, 2018 * Belmont Abbey College Retreat is open to young men 15 thru 19 years old A camp for Catholic men to learn more about the priesthood, deepen their faith, and help discern God’s call in their lives.
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catholicnewsherald.com | May 11, 2018 14
Deacon Enedino Aquino
María Madre de todos
(Izquierda) Austin Lozano es el nombre del primer nieto de la periodista. Su hijo Jorge Lozano, quien reside también en Charlotte, le dio este regalo hace casi tres años.
D
urante siglos la Iglesia Católica ha dedicado todo el mes de mayo a honrar a la Virgen María, la Madre de
Dios. ¡Qué mes tan propicio! En el mes de las flores y la primavera celebramos también el día de las madres. Tomando como referencia muchas fiesta paganas como la fiesta de Artemisa, en Grecia, o también la diosa Flora en Roma, nosotros los católicos celebramos a la Santísima Virgen María Madre de Dios, un alma dedicada que ofreció su vida al cuidado y servicio de nuestro Señor Jesucristo. Teniendo esto en cuenta se me viene a la mente una señora de mi pueblo, ella era la sacristana de nuestra parroquia, se llamaba Lupita. Ese era su nombre, pero la llamaban de otras maneras, citando sus virtudes, como la que tenía mucha fe, la servidora, la jefa, la consejera. Fui monaguillo por 6 años y todo esto lo escuchaba de la gente, principalmente de mi abuela, quien me aconsejaba que le hiciera mucho caso porque ella era una persona de confiar, una persona que podría orientarme a conocer mejor a Jesús. Claro que tenía que hacerle caso, ¡ella era la encargada de los monaguillos! Pensando en ella y en la Madre Dios, la Santísima Virgen María, creo que esto es lo mismo lo que la Virgen quiere para nosotros: que nos dejemos orientar por ella, que sigamos sus consejos, que la escuchemos en nuestro corazón. María nos cuida siempre y nos ayuda en todo lo que necesitemos. Ella nos ayuda a vencer la tentación, conservar el estado de gracia y la amistad con Dios para poder llegar al Cielo. María es la Madre de la Iglesia, y hoy más que nunca debemos meditar sobre sus cuatro dogmas: su Inmaculada Concepción, su maternidad divina, su perpetua virginidad y su asunción a los cielos. Así como recuerdo las virtudes de Lupita, la sacristana, deberíamos de ver más profundamente las virtudes de María. Yo siento que era una mujer de profunda vida de oración que vivía siempre cerca de Dios. Era una mujer humilde, es decir, sencilla. Era generosa, se olvidaba de sí misma para darse a los demás, tenía gran caridad, amaba y ayudaba a todos por igual, era servicial, atendía a José y a Jesús con amor, vivía con alegría, era paciente con su familia y sabía aceptar la voluntad de Dios en su vida. EL DIÁCONO ENEDINO AQUINO es el coordinador del Ministerio Hispano del Vicariato de Greensboro.
CORTESÍA JULIÁN POSSE
(Abajo) Aura María Gavilán Posse comparte la conducción del programa radial ‘La Voz Latina’, que se emite de lunes a viernes de 6 a 10 a.m. por las ondas de Latina 102.3 FM de Charlotte. CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
Una madre en todo el sentido de la palabra CÉSAR HURTADO PERIODISTA HISPANO
CHARLOTTE — Periodista, empresaria, escritora, activista, pero ante todo hija, esposa, madre y abuela, Aura María Gavilán Posse tiene una hermosa historia que contar en la que no falta el drama ni el dolor, pero sobresalen la alegría, las ganas de vivir, el optimismo, el valor y, como ella lo reconoce, “la necesidad de amar y de dar amor”. En este mes de mayo, en el que se unen la fiesta de la Virgen María con el Día de la Madre, queremos resaltar la figura de una madre latina que, al igual que muchas otras que permanecen ocultas en el anonimato de sus vidas diarias, es modelo de esfuerzo y lucha permanente, de entrega desinteresada y total por sus hijos, familia y comunidad.
Aura María Gavilán es una de las voces del espacio radial matutino ‘La Voz Latina’ que emite de lunes a viernes, desde las seis de la mañana, la estación Latina 102.3 FM de Charlotte, y que repiten otras frecuencias en la zona de Greensboro, Carolina del Norte, y Jacksonville, Florida. Quienes tienen ya algunos años residiendo en el área conocen la labor de la periodista de origen colombiano. Aura María Gavilán llegó en 1990 a una base militar en Louisiana. “Llegué por una historia de amor, fíjese”, nos dice. El enamorado de sus años de secundaria en Colombia, con el quien había perdido contacto, se había convertido en oficial del ejército norteamericano. Después de 25 años restablecieron contacto y la invitó a unirse con él. Con un hijo, con una relación que había concluído y una
intensa carrera profesional, la joven Aura María pensó que era una posibilidad que podría generar una vida interesante. “Vine y me quedé. Nos casamos. Por unos años tuvimos una vida muy bonita y próspera”, relata. Sin embargo, al salir del MADRE, PASA A LA PÁGINA 21
May 11, 2018 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI
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El expositor, Dr. Juan José Rodríguez (centro), conversa con la hermana Eri Rodríguez, de Apóstoles de la Palabra, y Benito Contreras, de la Pastoral Juvenil de Asheville. CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
Taller resolvió inquietudes sobre psicología del adolescente CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO HISPANO
CHARLOTTE — Para conocer la psicología del adolescente y aplicar el conocimiento a sus ministerios y vida personal, cerca de un centenar de personas asistieron a un taller sobre este tema que fue ofrecido en el Centro Pastoral de la Diócesis de Charlotte el pasado sábado cinco de mayo. El taller, de nivel básico, fue dictado por el Dr. Juan José Rodríguez, director de la Pastoral Juvenil del Instituto Pastoral del Sureste, con sede en Miami, quien fue invitado por el Ministerio Hispano del Vicariato de Charlotte. Abarcando una extensa agenda que incluyó información estadística, conceptos de roles de género, sexo, etnicidad, implicaciones psicológicas y sociales de la pubertad, desarrollo de la adolescencia, relación con la familia, figuras de autoridad e independencia emocional, entre otros, la exposición desarrolló una conversación interesante que generó una gran participación de los asistentes. Algunos padres de familia mostraron una gran inquietud respecto al tema del sexo e identificación de género en relación con la educación sexual que se brinda en las escuelas públicas. También la discusión se centró en la influencia de las amistades y el virtual abandono de los hijos debido a las condiciones sociales y laborales de los padres. “Muchas veces, con la intención de ofrecer lo mejor a nuestros hijos, casi como los tenemos abandonados porque trabajamos intensamente”, dijo un participante. “Ahí viene la parte espiritual que debemos ofrecerles a nuestros hijos”, respondió una madre de familia. “Lo importante es que, gracias a estos talleres, podemos darnos cuenta y empezar a trabajar en respuestas apropiadas para asistir a nuestros adolescentes”, resaltó el expositor, Después de definir las características de los adolescentes, Rodríguez estableció las características de los adultos, no solo biológicas y psicológicas sino también sociológicas, sociales y, “en los Estados Unidos, por ejemplo, hasta legales”. Sobre el propósito de la conferencia, Rodríguez dijo que se trata de dar una visión general de lo que es la adolescencia “desde el punto de vista psicológico y el impacto que eso puede tener en la vida de los agentes pastorales y padres a la hora de guiarlos (a los jóvenes), en ese período de transición tan importante de sus vidas para que se conviertan en adultos responsables, serios y con una fe cristiana clara”. Al comentar que un alto número de jóvenes presentan desequilibrios mentales durante esta fase de desarrollo, el expositor señaló que varios factores impactan esa realidad. “A veces los padres, no porque no quieran sino porque no tienen la posibilidad, desatienden a sus hijos. Y por otra parte, el ambiente social. Vivimos en un mundo donde, desgraciadamente, no son los valores los que nosotros quisiéramos que fueran los que verdaderamente la sociedad promueve”, por lo que hay que ser muy cuidadosos en señalar a los jóvenes los valores que, a la larga, van a influenciarlos y dirigirlos hacia algo mejor. En relación a la crítica de los adolescentes hacia sus padres y personas mayores, Rodríguez restó importancia al hecho y señaló que, en esta etapa de crecimiento, los jóvenes se encuentran en una búsqueda “de autodefinirse” y para ello, en ocasiones, lo hacen por oposición a la figura de sus padres. “Afortunadamente ese es un período transicional y los padres deben estar preparados para cuando ese momento llegue. Pero si los padres hicieron un buen trabajo desde que eran niños, ese período se supera. Y, a la larga, los estudios señalan que RESOLVIÓ, PASA A LA PÁGINA 21
FOTO ARCHIVO
Los delegados de la Diócesis de Charlotte que asistieron al encuentro regional realizado en Miami se encuentran en pleno proceso de revisión de las propuestas que presentaron.
V Encuentro no se detiene CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO HISPANO
CHARLOTTE — Después de haberse realizado en febrero pasado el Encuentro de la Región 14, que agrupa a las diócesis de los estados de Florida, Georgia, Carolina del Sur y Carolina del Norte, los delegados de la Diócesis de Charlotte afinan sus documentos de trabajo regional en sesiones de grupos pequeños a cargo de los delegados de las parroquias involucradas. En una reunión convocada a fines de abril pasado, cerca de una treintena de delegados se dieron cita en el Centro Pastoral de Charlotte bajo la dirección de la hermana Joan Pearson, Coordinadora del Ministerio Hispano del Vicariato de Salisbury, para reportar sus avances, resolver interrogantes y asegurar la entrega de sus conclusiones de cara al encuentro nacional que se celebrará del 20 al 23 de septiembre en Grapevine, Texas. Según los organizadores nacionales, un total de 143 diócesis han celebrado su Encuentro Diocesano y más de 330 mil personas han sido alcanzadas en el proceso de misión y consulta. Un total de 45 mil líderes han participado en los Encuentros diocesanos y regionales, y de ellos más de 26 mil han sido formados como discípulos y discípulas misioneros. El Encuentro Nacional estima convocar alrededor de 3 mil delegados y un centenar de obispos. Se espera que la Santa Sede y diócesis de América Latina envíen sus observadores a este gran evento. Las conversaciones llamadas de ‘entre medio’, como paso previo al Encuentro Nacional, tienen por objetivo determinar faltas o malentendidos en el proceso de comunicación en las parroquias, además de establecer los desafíos que se encuentran en la búsqueda de contacto con otros fieles de diferente cultura e idioma, así como los prejuicios que son indispensable vencer. Walkyria Soriam Figueroa, representante de la Iglesia San Eugenio del Vicariato de Asheville, dijo que durante el encuentro de la región 14 se pudieron condensar las iniciativas que presentaron las
diócesis presentes y toda la experiencia adquirida ha retornado, con sus delegados, a las parroquias desde donde salieron para ser contrastadas con la ponencia original. Para la delegada, el V Encuentro tiene la importante misión de “encontrar soluciones a una pastoral que sea funcional, cumpla y llene los requisitos que nuestras comunidades tienen en nuestro país. Hemos detectado necesidades, desde eclesiásticas y de formación hasta de servicios médicos y legales, sobretodo en lo que se refiere a migración”. Desde este análisis, han formado “un esqueleto”, como lo llama la hermana Joan Pearson, o ‘un retrato’ de lo que vive la comunidad para, desde ese punto de partida, dirigir los esfuerzos para resolver las necesidades concretas. Soriam sostiene que “el V Encuentro es ‘una avenida’ que se va a transitar en múltiples vías” para adecuar a la Iglesia a la creciente participación de la comunidad hispana. Eduardo Bernal, coordinador del Ministerio Hispano del Vicariato de Charlotte, comentó que, según cifras no oficiales, del aproximadamente cerca de un millón de católicos en Carolina del Norte, se estima que más de 400 mil son de orígen latino o hablan español. “Somos, creo yo, ya una mayoría, la que será más y más representativa en unos pocos años. Por ello, nuestra Iglesia está abriendo un camino para incorporarnos y permitirnos posiciones de liderazgo que debemos ocupar para estar correctamente representados”, señaló. El texto de una carta dirigida por los Obispos de San Antonio y Rockville Centre, Monseñor Gustavo García-Siller y Monseñor Nelson Pérez, afirma que “el V Encuentro es una iniciativa de los Obispos de los Estados Unidos que llama a escuchar con profunda atención las necesidades, retos y aspiraciones que la creciente población hispana enfrenta en su vida cotidiana. Sobre todo, nos prepara como Iglesia para mejor reconocer, abrazar y promover los muchos dones y talentos que el pueblo hispano comparte en la vida y en la misión de la Iglesia y la sociedad estadounidense”.
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catholicnewsherald.com | May 11, 2018 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
Jornada buscará “romper ataduras” de antepasados CESAR HURTADO REPORTERO HISPANO
CHARLOTTE — Con la misión de demostrar que es posible romper las ataduras de nuestros antepasados, cerrar heridas “mas viejas que nosotros” y dejar que el Espíritu Santo sane nuestras vidas, el padre Claudio Olsznaski ofrecerá dos jornadas de ‘Misa y oración de liberación intergeneracional’ en la iglesia San Gabriel el 22 y 23 de mayo, a las seis de la tarde. P. Claudio, quien tuvo la gentileza de conceder una entrevista a Catholic News Herald, aclaró que las dos sesiones tendrán una temática diferente y complementaria, por lo que es importante darse el tiempo y poder asistir los dos días. Consultado sobre el significado de la liberación intergeneracional, P. Claudio dijo que se trata de poder desprendernos de aflicciones que hemos recibido de nuestros antepasados. “A veces uno ha crecido y, en la educación nuestra, le hablaban mal de los negros, de los blancos, de los del otro lado del río, de los del otro lado de la montaña, de los del otro pueblo. Y entonces nosotros salimos a la vida con heridas más viejas que nosotros. Lo que las generaciones pasadas no resolvieron, esas heridas pasan a nosotros”, apuntó, citando como ejemplo que “otras cadenas”, tales como “mis abuelos se separaron (maritalmente), mis padres se separaron”, entonces “seguramente yo también me voy a separar o es muy probable que las cosas me vayan mal”, es posible que condicionen la vida de las personas. Precisando el punto, explicó que “así como un hijo hereda tu casa, recibe una herencia; si tu tienes ojos claros y tu esposa ojos claros seguramente tus hijos tendrán ojos claros; si tu eres A positivo (tipo de sangre) y tu esposa A positivo seguramente tu hijo será A positivo; también hay talentos que pasan, familias que son artistas, familias que son cantantes o familias que son cocineros, todo eso
es herencia. Y también se heredan las bendiciones y las maldiciones. Todo se hereda”. Pese a lo malo que puede significar heredar una maldición, el Padre Claudio nos da una esperanza, pues “debería ser parte de toda vida cristiana poder romper con esas cadenas y ataduras”, lo que no es difícil si dejamos “que el Espíritu Santo obre libremente en nosotros”.
¿QUIÉN ES PADRE CLAUDIO?
Padre Claudio Daniel Olszanski nació en Argentina y fue ordenado sacerdote el 15 de diciembre de 1990 por Monseñor Jorge Novak en la casa de encuentros ‘Cura Brochero’. Es profesor de ‘Teología y Ciencias de la Religión’. Se desempeñó como profesor titular en las Escuelas de Ministerios de las diócesis de Quilmes y Viedma. De familia católica, asistía a Misa con sus padres y desde adolescente se reunió en grupos juveniles, aunque según confiesa “nunca se imaginó que terminaría siendo sacerdote”, ya que hasta recibió entrenamiento militar debido a que se veía venir un conflicto con Chile en el Canal de Beagle, el que gracias a la mediación del Papa Juan Pablo II no llegó a derramar sangre entre hermanos. A los 23 años recibió el llamado del Señor para servirlo. En los primeros meses del seminario diocesano, en 1984, algunos hermanos lo invitaron a un grupo de oración de la Renovación Carismática, una experiencia que lo impactó y cambió desde el instante en que pisó la sala de reuniones. El Espíritu Santo tomó la vida del seminarista, a quien le encargaron una parroquia tras ser ordenado sacerdote. Sin embargo, le esperaba una prueba muy grande. La enfermedad y muerte de su padre lo sumió en una depresión que, aunque no melló su fe, lo afectó profundamente y alejó del servicio. “Fue un tiempo difícil”, dijo, en el que -además de sus responsablilidades de pastor – se encargó de cuidar varios meses a su padre,
FOTO CORTESÍA PADRE CLAUDIO OLSZANSKI
Dos jornadas de ‘Misa y oración de liberación intergeneracional’ ofrecerá el Padre Claudio Olsznaski en la iglesia San Gabriel los días martes 22 y miércoles 23 de mayo, a las seis de la tarde.
luego enterrarlo y finalmente llorarlo. Cuando vivía esos momentos, probablemente los peores de su vida, los padres jesuitas de Chile lo acogieron en su casa, donde se reencontró con el llamado de servicio al Señor practicando y viviendo la experiencia de los ejercicios ignacianos. De ahí en adelante, después de un breve período como párroco entre el pueblo Mapuche, se convirtió en misionero itinerante, viajando a numerosas ciudades de Chile, Ecuador, Perú, México, Estados Unidos, Canadá, Centroamérica, el Caribe e Italia. Con dones que ya se habían puesto de manifiesto en su acercamiento a la Renovación Carismática, P. Claudio aplica este modelo para asistir a cientos de miles de fieles en su liberación de ataduras.
‘ADOREMOS AL QUE VIVE’
Conociendo la experiencia de “la miseria humana cuando uno toca fondo”, y habiendo experimentado en carne propia que cualquier persona, “incluso los consagrados tocan estos pozos”, P. Claudio comenzó a trabajar en la ayuda de personas y consagrados y fundó la comunidad de Alianza ‘Adoremos al que vive’, con casas en varios paises, entre ellos Perú y Estados Unidos de Norteamérica. Por ello, la misión de P. Claudio, que implica estar viajando constantemente,
no le genera una sensación de soledad y desarraigo. “Para nada, para mí viajar es pasar solo de una casa a otra, compartiendo siempre en familia, en comunidad”. Según datos proporcionados por sus seguidores, en estos últimos años lleva recorridos casi un millón de millas predicando y ha ofrecido ejercicios espirituales a más de cien mil personas de más de 40 países. P. Claudio reconoce que la Renovación Carismática Católica fue una bendición para su vida, en la que profundizó su experiencia del poder de Dios sobre nuestras vidas. Por ello se vale de su experiencia carismática, de los carismas del Espíritu Santo, para ayudar a las personas a liberarse de sus ataduras. El punto de partida de la comunidad de Alianza es que “la Adoración es la primera actitud del hombre que se reconoce creatura ante su creador” y que “la adoración de Dios Tres veces Santo nos llena de humildad y da seguridad a nuestras súplicas”. (CIC 2628) Por ello, proclama a los cuatro vientos que ”la Adoración es el primer acto de virtud” y anuncia un estilo de vida en el cual “la primera palabra del Padrenuestro sea primero una Adoración antes que una súplica”. (CIC2781) Afirma que con María, Madre del Señor y Madre nuestra, desea estar en activa contemplación a lo largo de nuestra vida ya que: “Adorar a Dios es exaltarle y humillarse a sí mismo, como hace María en el Magnificat”. (CIC 2097) Finalmente proclama que “El Nombre del Señor es Santo” y que el hombre debe guardarlo en un silencio de Adoración amorosa. No debe emplearlo sino para bendecidlo, alabarlo y glorificarlo (cfr. CIC 2143). Jesús mismo nos enseña que al decir “Santificado sea tu Nombre” debemos desearlo como un proyecto en el que se comprometen Dios y el Hombre a la vez” (cfr. CIC 2807). La visita del padre Claudio es un esfuerzo del Ministerio de Sanación y Liberación de la iglesia San Gabriel. “El ministerio se formó el año pasado ante una iniciativa del P. Gabriel Carvajal. Después de un periodo de capacitación iniciamos las actividades hace poco tiempo”, dijo Enrique García, uno de los coordinadores del ministerio.
Deberías asistir MISA Y ORACIÓN de liberación intergeneracional, Iglesia San Gabriel, 22 y 23 de mayo, 6 p.m., 3016 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC 28211
Please pray for the following priests who died during the month of May: Rev. Ramon Berg Rev. Henri Blanc Rev. Edmund Kirsch Rev. Francis J. McCourt Rev. William McShea Rev. James J. Noonan Rev. Msgr. Michael O’Keefe Rev. Edward C. Smith Rev. James A. Stubler
2003 1972 2001 1982 1973 1992 1994 1983 1985
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May 11, 2018 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI
“I Am The Living Bread”
John 6:51
Mark your calendar for the 14th Eucharistic Congress September 7 & 8, 2018 Charlotte Convention Center For information, to volunteer or K-12 track registration: www.goeucharist.com
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catholicnewsherald.com | May 11, 2018 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
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In Brief
Four Asheville Catholic School students have qualified for the National History Bee in June. Pictured are (from left) fifth-grader Dalton Etheridge, eighth-grader Liz Vaughan, eighth-grader Emma Brown and seventhgrader Tyler Gordon.
OLA supports Camp Care CHARLOTTE — For the first time, Our Lady of the Assumption School participated in a fundraiser to support Camp Care, a non-profit organization whose goal is to send children who are suffering from cancer to a free summer camp. Students made donations to be entered into a drawing to get an opportunity to cut a teacher’s hair. The hair was then donated to make wigs for children with cancer. Camp Care (Cancer Ain’t Really the End) provides a weeklong summer camp and year-round activities to children (and their families) in the greater Charlotte area who have or had cancer. The summer camp and activities throughout the year are for kids in all stages of the treatment journey: on or off treatment; in remission or fighting relapse; those showing no symptoms or side effects; and those with physical or mental challenges. The week-long summer camp provides a normal camp experience for children with cancer and their siblings aged 6-16. All activities, including summer camp, are free to all families. Camp expenses are more than $500 per child. Each year, the camp serves more than 200 campers and their families. In addition to their fundraising efforts, local organizations provide treatment to the children, such as the Carolinas HealthCare System’s Levine Children’s Hospital, and Novant Health Hemby Children’s Hospital. Inspired by her personal experience with the disease, kindergarten teacher Christina Stevens spearheaded this activity. In 2014, Stevens was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. During her treatment, she was approached by some of the medical staff where she was being treated to consider becoming a Camp Care counselor. After having an incredible experience as a counselor, she became an advocate of the program. She is often heard sharing her Camp Care stories and experiences in hopes that they will inspire and educate others about this opportunity. Stevens, Ann Kiefriter (music teacher), Whitney Hannah (first-grade teacher), and Francesca Stevens (Stevens’ sister) volunteered to donate their hair to the cause. Stevens’ mother, Maria Stevens, supervised and guided the students who won the opportunity to perform the big “chops.” The school’s fundraising goal was $600, enough to send one child to camp. OLA raised $1,800 in its inaugural effort, and hopes to continue its support in coming years. — Allana Ramkissoon and Stephanie Brooks IN BRIEF, SEE PAGE 21
PHOTO PROVIDED BY MARGARET BEALE
Four Asheville students to compete in National History Bee Most ever to qualify from Asheville Catholic School KIMBERLY BENDER ONLINE REPORTER
ASHEVILLE — Four Asheville Catholic School students are headed to the National History Bee this summer, and it’s the most the school has had qualified at one time. Eighth-grade students Emma Brown and Liz Vaughan, seventh-grader Tyler Gordon and fifth-grader Dalton Etheridge advanced to the national competition after thriving in the regional competition held in Charlotte in March. “I like to learn about history,” Brown said. “Going back in time has a certain allure to me. I like to look at patterns throughout history and predict what will happen in the future. “Competing at the regional competition was nerve-wracking. I got really nervous about it; I didn’t expect to continue on. It’s a big honor to advance to a national level.” The National History Bee will be held June 1-2 in Atlanta. Like the regional competition, it consists of exam questions and buzzer-style rounds. “I really enjoy the buzzer rounds,” Brown said. “I’m not amazing in stressful situations. It was actually easier than the tests for me. I had a lot of fun with it. It was one of those things you don’t expect to do well, but that was probably my strength.” Etheridge agrees that the competition was stressful, except for the buzzer rounds. Etheridge and the other students are working to prepare for the next level, even staying after school once a week to study together. “We quiz each other. We look up terms. We make notes and challenge each other,” he said. Gordon said he knows how difficult it is to compete at the national level, and said he wasn’t as prepared as he could have been before. ‘It’s hard. The competition is tough,” he said. The highlight of regionals for Vaughan was when they announced that she qualified for nationals. “With that many people competing, that was really nice,” she said. Learning how historical events shaped our lives has been
fascinating for Vaughan. “I like learning about the ways history has affected me, how something led to this event and led to a development I use every day,” she said. Having a student qualify for the national competition isn’t new, said Margaret Beale, who teaches history at Asheville Catholic School, but this year it’s the most the school has had qualify. This is the third time Gordon has qualified for the national competition. A recent graduate, Spencer Arndt, will be competing in the world competition in Berlin, Germany, this summer, she added. It’s rewarding to see the students compete and watch them surprise themselves at how well they did, Beale said. “I want to give them every advantage possible, not just knowledge,” she said. “It was very thrilling to see them all shine. They all did so wonderful. I’m really proud of these kids.” All four students’ achievements in the subject of history demonstrate their innate curiosity and love of learning – not just about history, but about other subjects. Brown said her interest in history is connected to her interest in politics. “I like to keep up with current politics, and I’ve learned a lot about politics in ancient times. I look at the foundations of political ideas and philosophies and see how they grown into modern times,” she said. Brown also said she likes to go back as far as she can in history and look at the different civilizations and their differences. “They had irrigation and plumbing in medieval times and so much went away. It’s cool to think about how we could be different today if so much of it hadn’t been lost,” she said. Gordon said he’s interested in World War II, especially the development of modern weapons. Etheridge said he likes learning about the Revolutionary War and architecture, specifically how ancient buildings were constructed. Vaughan also likes learning about ancient history. “Life was so much different back then,” she said. “It’s impacted us in modern history.”
May 11, 2018 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI
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Facebook group connects Catholic families in the Triad KELLY HENSON CORRESPONDENT
GREENSBORO — One of the most challenging things about moving to a new place is finding community. My mom would always say, “Go to church,” and that’s excellent advice. But as a young mom of four kids 8 and younger, sometimes hanging around after Mass looking for a friendly face to befriend is exhausting. And many ministries at church happen during hours that don’t work for our family. This is not the fault of our local parishes; they do so much to provide opportunities for engagement. But increasingly, young families are looking for a deep, faith community who may communicate differently than the church friends our mothers found. Alternative Catholic communities that transcend parish boundaries have been in the news more frequently. “Ecclesial movements” are often urban and have members who live in the world but come together regularly for prayer, formation, social time and service. They follow a particular charism or spirituality. St. John Paul II recognized the growing importance and maturity of these communities when he called them for a month-long World Congress of Ecclesial Movements and New Communities in 1998. Related to ecclesial movements but different in structure are “intentional communities,” often identified as following the “Benedict Option” – a term popularized recently by journalist Rod Dreher to refer to communities taking a step back from the pressures of modern culture and toward a more intentional mode of community life. Often this looks like a highly involved and vibrant Catholic group of families centered around a monastery or Catholic school. They follow the promptings of St. Benedict to live in a community that serves each other’s needs, prioritizes reverence and hospitality, and integrates prayer and faith with daily life and work. In a less formal way, a new online community of families in the Triad area of Greensboro is creating new roads to friendship, formation, service and deeper parish involvement. TACKS stands for “Triad Area Catholics w/ Kids.” This Facebook group page was a five-minute solution to a need I saw in our parish, and God has allowed it to flourish through the investment of strangers made friends. After serving as a youth minister at Our Lady of Grace Parish for a year and participating in two local co-ops for my pre-schooler, I noticed a lack of connection between young Catholic families in the Greensboro area. The families I met at one parish or event frequently felt that there were only a couple other families like them at their church. However, this was far from the truth. There were many similar families – but they were split up across parishes, ministries, schooling environments and Mass times, so they didn’t have a consistent way to meet new people and form friendships. I had only lived in the area for just over a year. It struck me as strange that I was often introducing families to each other who had both lived in Greensboro much longer than me. As a missionary to college students after college and later as a mom in a rapidly growing Catholic community in Wake Forest, I had seen the power of efficient, online forums for creating community. In a digital age with two-income families, few neighborhood schools and an ethos of stranger danger, online familiarity with a group can sometimes be a helpful prompt to off-line interaction.
The Well Read Mom group gathers women from across different parishes who enjoy literature and Catholic fellowship. December’s meeting at Anne Braden’s home sparked lively discussions about the great Catholic writer Flannery O’Connor. The Triad’s local chapter of WRM organizes its meetings through the TACKS Facebook group.
PHOTO PROVIDED
So, in the summer of 2015, I created the TACKS Facebook group in all of five minutes. It is a sort of digital bulletin board where people can let others know about events at their parishes, plan to meet up at a playground, ask for prayers, or line up help with meals for a new mother. I invited every young family I was connected to on Facebook and called it a day. I was pretty maxed out with work and family, and I knew that if God wanted this to thrive, He would have to provide other hands to help lead. A friend I had met recently, Rosa Braden, was also new to the area and eager to connect with Catholic community. She had experienced vibrant, faith-filled friendships and ministries in the past and hoped to foster those types of relationships in Greensboro as well. Before I knew it, she had initiated monthly rosary play groups and a Well Read Mom’s chapter. As various mothers got engaged, the husbands looked for opportunities to connect as well. L.T. Terrell began a chapter of the Chesterton Society. Every month, the men grab some craft beers and discuss the writings of a 20th century Catholic essayist and its relevance to family life and modern culture. Two and a half years later, TACKS is blessed with 120 members, and about 30 of those families connect with each other at least monthly if not weekly at an event or social engagement. We have monthly rosary play dates, moms’ nights out, Chesterton Society, family potlucks, and Well Read Mom’s meetings that are all primarily TACKS-based gatherings. Members have also used TACKS to draw new participants to existing ministries such as Regnum Christi retreats, Walking with Purpose and Kingdom Kids at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, youth retreats, Respect Life events, the Room at the Inn gala, Our Lady of Grace School and homeschool co-ops, and Family Honor weekends. People use it to find handymen, veterinarians and pickyour-own farms. There is almost always a calendar activity for bringing meals to a new mom or someone recovering from illness or surgery. And this fall, when I posted on TACKS about a non-Catholic mom and her two sons who had just left an abusive situation and needed home goods, my car and my neighbor’s trailer were filled in a matter of days with furniture, kitchen items, food and gift cards for them. The beautiful thing about Christian community is that it overflows and creates a source of life and support for others.
When asked how the TACKS online community has benefited them, members were quick to affirm its value. Tracie McGinniss received a part-time, work-from-home job through the network. Kristen Fulton said, “I have been so glad to find this group. Before we knew no other Catholic mothers or families, it felt like. Now we go to coop and play dates. I’ve really enjoyed the rosary play dates as well as the mother’s retreats and MNO (Mom’s Night Out). They’ve been amazing to me and really helped me start to embrace my faith more!” Last June, Katie Holder joined with me and Rosa Braden to plan our first TACKS mother’s morning retreat called Cherish. Holder shared, “This site has been very helpful. I appreciate that it’s a safe place to brainstorm and plan fun activities for moms and our families that are also faithfriendly. It helps me as a mom stay in the loop of local activities we can participate in without having to search high and low.” While TACKS members communicate online about where they are going and send invitations, the time spent together in person circles back and boosts the community life of the local parishes. Liturgical events, consignment sales, study groups, and Eucharistic Adoration hours are all drawing participants from more than one parish. And parishioners who participate in TACKS are eager to get their new friends to join their favorite ministries, afterMass potlucks and fundraisers. St. John Paul II encouraged families to live out their faith in community with others. “In our world, often dominated by a secularized culture which encourages and promotes models of life without God, the faith of many is sorely tested, and is frequently stifled and dies. Thus we see an urgent need for powerful proclamation and solid, indepth Christian formation.... There is great need for living Christian communities!” Perhaps TACKS is just one step toward meeting that need.
Learn more On Facebook at “TACKS: Triad Area Catholics w/ Kids”: If your family lives in the Greensboro area and would like to be considered for admittance to this closed Facebook group, send a private message to the group for more information, telling them how you are connected to the community.
Charlotte Catholic students honor Mary CHARLOTTE — Charlotte Catholic High School held its annual May Crowning May 1 in the school chapel. In the Church’s tradition, the Blessed Virgin Mary is honored as “the Queen of May,” and a statue of Mary is ceremonially crowned each year to signify her as Queen of Heaven and the Mother of God. Ten freshmen were selected by their theology teachers to be a part of the 2018 Mary’s Court: Reagan Faries, JP Gauthier, Elizabeth Kelly, Ryan Ma, Luke Morgan, Carissa Pallander, Anthony Pham, Julianne Ruiz, Andrew Templeton and Franny Tocco. PHOTO PROVIDED BY CAROLYN KRAMER TILLMAN
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catholicnewsherald.com | May 11, 2018 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
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away his days on a luxury yacht, awash in booze and surrounded by lovelies. He clashes with a cashstrapped single mother of three (Anna Faris) when she comes to clean the vessel’s carpets. When he subsequently falls overboard and awakens with amnesia, she sees press coverage of the situation and, with the encouragement of her boss, decides to take advantage of it by posing as his wife and taking him home. Occasional crude language. CNS: A-III (adults); MPAA: PG-13
In theaters
‘Tully’ Though it winds up strongly affirming marriage and family life, this comedy takes a path to that positive outcome that most viewers may not wish to follow. As a baby present to mark the arrival of her third child, an overworked mother (Charlize Theron) is offered the free services of a night nanny by her brother. Though she hesitates to accept the gift at first, once she relents, she finds that the relief provided by the remarkably gifted, free-spirited young caregiver revitalizes her relationship with her loving husband and with their two older kids. Some misguided values, numerous rough and crude terms. CNS: L (limited adult audience); MPAA: R
‘Overboard’
Other movies:
Surprisingly buoyant remake of the 1987 romantic comedy offers a fresh take on the original’s zany forgotten-identity plot. The spoiled scion (Eugenio Derbez) of one of Mexico’s richest families whiles
n ‘Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: The Flash’: CNS: A-I (general patronage); MPAA: PG n ‘Traffik’: CNS: L (limited adult audience); MPAA: R
On TV n Friday, May 11, 8 p.m. (EWTN) “Our Lady of the Rosary at Pompeii.” A look at the founding of the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary at Pompeii, Italy, by Blessed Bartolo Longo, along with the history of the Battle of Lepanto in 1571, in which victory over the invaders was won by the faithful praying the rosary. n Saturday, May 12, 6:30 p.m. (EWTN) “The Message of Fatima: The First Apparition of Our Lady 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. n Saturday, May 12, 8 p.m. (EWTN) “Fatima.” This feature film recounts the events of Fatima through the eyes of a Catholic peasant singer whose boyfriend converts from atheism by the supernatural grace of the apparitions. n Monday, May 14, 5:30 p.m. (EWTN) “Pakistan: City of Fear.” Two families in St. Philip’s Parish in Karachi, Pakistan, share what life is like in the sometimes hostile city of 18 million people. n Tuesday, May 15, 5:30 p.m. (EWTN) “Macedonia: Encountering the Resurrection.” A look at today’s
Church in Macedonia, now composed of both Latin and Byzantine rites, and its struggle against the materialism and spiritual relativism that have taken hold in the wake of the former Communist regime. n Friday. May 18, 8 p.m. (EWTN) “The Little Shepherds of Fatima.” An inspiring hour of the three visionaries of Fatima: footage from St. John Paul II’s beatification of Francisco and Jacinta Marto; and St. John Paul II’s touching meeting with Sister Lucia. n Saturday, May 19, 8 p.m. (EWTN) “Saint Philip Neri.”A two-part film on St. Philip Neri’s mission to catechize the poor and abandoned youth of Rome, and how they helped him grow in the virtues that eventually made him a saint. n Sunday, May 20, 12 p.m. (EWTN) “Solemn Mass of Pentecost from Rome.” Pope Francis celebrates the Solemn Mass of Pentecost, live from St. Peter’s Basilica, followed by the Regina Caeli. n Tuesday, May 22, 5 a.m. (EWTN) “St. Rita.” The Life of Rita of Cascia. Part 1. n Tuesday, May 22, 3 p.m. (EWTN) “St. Rita.” The Life of Rita of Cascia. Part 2.
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IN BRIEF FROM PAGE 18
Wright wins Camp Care race CHARLOTTE — Givonne Wright from Our Lady of the Assumption School placed first in her age group (12 and younger) at the Camp Care 5K April 21, with a time of 31:14. Camp CARE (Cancer Ain’t Really the End) provides a weeklong summer camp and year-round activities to children who have or have had cancer and their families in the Charlotte area. Its largest fundraiser each year is the annual PJ St. Martin & Zack Dobbin Camp CARE 5K.
led by the eighth-grade class and assisted by students from Bishop McGuinness High School. The eighth-graders guided lower school students through science activities. Pre-K through fifth-grade students prepared group projects, while the sixth- through eighth-grade students prepared individual experiments and reports. Bishop McGuinness High School Honors Physics students and their teacher, Patrick Preudhomme, helped with judging the students’ projects. — Carrie Vest
— Allana Ramkissoon
HIGH POINT — Students at Immaculate Heart of Mary School recently enjoyed Science Day,
MADRE VIENE DE PÁGINA 14
ejército, por diversas razones, su pareja cambió totalmente. “Nos vinimos para Charlotte y él comenzó a ser agresivo, su comportamiento se convirtió en un abuso verbal, casi físico, del que yo no estaba acostumbrada”. Tras un largo tiempo, después de un proceso legal bajo el amparo de la ley VAWA (Acta de violencia contra la mujer) que asiste a las víctimas de abuso doméstico, la periodista pudo permanecer legalmente en territorio norteamericano y peticionar a su hijo. Pese a contar con un título profesional obtenido en su país, los problemas con el idioma y la imposibilidad de lograr una equivalencia de sus estudios la llevaron a trabajar en diversas ocupaciones ajenas a su especialidad. “Trabajé en fábricas, en limpieza, dicté clases de español. Y entonces me di cuenta que el trabajo con los inmigrantes era necesario y decidí encaminarme hacia la comunicación”.
COMUNICADORA Y ACTIVISTA
Vuelta a casar, ahora con Julián Posse, una persona que con la que “tenía los mismos ideales, tal vez las mismas costumbres”, inician las transmisiones de una radio en español, Radio Líder, con el objetivo de informar sobre servicios y derechos a los inmigrantes. “Como que los intereses se juntaron y había una comunidad para ayudar y ofrecerle servicios”, apuntó.
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people lost their homes or aren’t able to return to them, and some people had items just damaged. Catholic Charities is interviewing the families and determining what assistance can be provided next for their long-term recovery, DuBois said. Catholic Charities has been working with volunteers from additional parishes located in the Piedmont-Triad region and staff are collaborating with non-profit community partners such as the Red Cross and Team Rubicon. DuBois said Catholic Charities will continue meeting with families who need help through May. “Parishes know best what the needs are in their communities, so it is natural that Catholic Charities engages with parishes that are closest to where the disaster happened,” Purello said. “The model of working with a parish as a
ANNIVERSARY
Homeschool graduates
Science Day at IHM
TORNADO
FROM PAGE 3
CHARLOTTE — St. Ann’s Homeschool is proud to announce its Class of 2018 high school graduates: Maria Faustina Torres, Mother of Divine Grace School; William Robert Nobers, Mother of Divine Grace School; Emiliann Grace Williams, Sacred Heart Catholic Academy; Simon Aaron Ohlhaut, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary School; and Andrew Hal Jones, Mother of Divine Grace School. — Lucy Torres
Al no haber una organización “grande” que se ocupara de las minorías migrantes, Radio Líder ofreció entonces, a inicios de la década de los 90, conexiones con la Policía, el Departamento de Bomberos, notarios, abogados. “Fue como ir abriendo camino como para que la comunidad recibiera algo de reciprocidad en cuanto al trabajo que estaba entregando a la sociedad”. En 2008, cuando el crecimiento de Charlotte se podía palpar en lo social, económico y hasta deportivo, la compañía de que les rentaba las frecuencias de operación decide ofrecerles en venta la estación a precios sobrevalorados en relación al mercado. Lamentablemente, sin posibilidades de responder al requerimiento, Radio Líder cerró sus transmisiones. Atrás quedaron las jornadas de movimientos de protesta a favor de los inmigrantes, los espacios noticiosos y de servicio a la comunidad. Atrás quedaron también los eventos comunitarios del Día del Niño, Las Posadas y celebraciones navideñas organizadas por la Fundación Lider que llevaban alegría y regalos a grandes y chicos. Aprovechando el tiempo libre, Aura María se dedica a escribir y viajar, uno de sus pasatiempos favoritos. Entonces publica ‘La Caja del Agua’, un relato donde recopila la historia de su familia como un legado para sus generaciones posteriores. “Era mi compromiso con ellos hacerles saber quién era su familia y, no solo eso, sino proporcionar un momento de esparcimiento para toda la comunidad que ha podido leer esta obra”.
of St. Joseph Church, said he was happy to participate in the life of the parish and see how it has grown over the years. Married to a woman of Vietnamese origin, Icard said he learned the language and, with his wife and children, has become fully integrated into parish life at St. Joseph Church. “We live in Concord,” he said, but his family makes the long drive to the southwest Charlotte parish every week so that they can celebrate their Catholic faith, keep alive their Vietnamese heritage
Después de un largo retiro obligado, Aura María retornó a la radio, propiedad de la compañía que fue competencia de Radio Líder, en la que hasta el día de hoy se mantiene como coanimadora del show matutino estelar. Además, es columnista del periódico HOLA NEWS que publica la misma empresa de comunicaciones.
MIRANDO HACIA ADELANTE
Impulsada por el servicio a las mujeres que sufren de abuso doméstico, la periodista trabaja en la publicación de un libro sobre el tema y espera convertirse en conferencista para dar a conocer esta triste realidad social. Como dijimos, hija, madre, abuela y esposa, Aura María nos confiesa que disfruta cada una de las facetas que le ha tocado vivir. “Creo que Dios nos da un camino y tenemos la libre decisión de ver lo que hacemos con él”, asegura, y “a veces en el camino uno se equivoca”, pero, explica, “eso es uno, y la esencia de uno es lo que la vida le ha dado”. Convencida de que nuestro destino es el de ser felices, afirma que “Dios nos trajo al mundo para ser felices. Entonces seamos felices. Eso es todo”. Particularmente anhela ver crecer a sus nietos pero advierte que “siempre hay algo por vivir, siempre hay algo por hacer, siempre hay algo que sentir. Lo que pasa es que es diferente. Ya la vida no es agitada, el tiempo es más lento ahora y uno puede sentarse en el jardín y escuchar a los pájaros y hasta jugar con los conejos. Hoy el silencio de las cosas es más sabio que el ruido que tenía antes por lo agitado de la vida”.
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Catholic Charities disaster response base of operations works very well. Parishes often have excellent facilities and resources that are brought to the table to respond to disasters. The pastor, staff and parishioners of St. Mary Church have been so hospitable and generous.”
Want to help? DONATE ONLINE: Click on the blue “Donate” tab at the top of Catholic Charities’ website homepage, www.ccdoc.org. DONATE BY MAIL: Make a check payable to Catholic Charities and send it to Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte, 1123 South Church St., Charlotte, NC 28203. Please write “Disaster Response” in the memo section. DONATE BY PHONE: Call 704-370-3281 to make a donation by credit card. INTERESTED IN HELPING OUT? Contact your local Catholic Charities office to see learn where you may be needed.
and language, and build relationships with others in their parish family. Paul Tran, also a member of the parish council, said this date is a milestone for the entire parish community. “We came to this property 20 years ago,” Tran said. “This was a long but a very blessed journey. We built a new church, we built a family center, and we are growing.” The parish also honored Father Truong’s 10th anniversary of priesthood ordination, which is coming up next month.
More online At www.catholicnewsherald.com: See more photos and video highlights from St. Joseph Vietnamese Church’s anniversary celebration
RESOLVIÓ VIENE DE PÁGINA 15
generalmente los adolescentes, ya cuando se hacen jóvenes, tienen gustos diferentes a los de sus padres pero en valores se parecen mucho”. Benito Contreras, de la pastoral juvenil de Asheville, comentó que el contenido de la charla lo ayudará mucho en su relación con los jóvenes y sus hijos. Resaltó que le resultó particularmente útil el reconocimiento de los cambios que ocurren en los niños en el paso hacia la juventud. “Yo se que ellos están hambrientos de amor. A veces nosotros como padres de familia por el exceso de trabajo los tenemos abandonados y no les damos el amor que ellos necesitan. Yo lo viví con uno de mis hijos”, dijo. María Magaña, integrante del grupo juvenil de su parroquia, señaló que tras recibir esta charla siente que la ayuda muchísimo y le permite “ayudar a otros jóvenes también”, por lo que pidió una “actualización de la Iglesia” para encontrar nuevos medios que permitan que el mensaje de Dios “nos llegue a los jóvenes”. Eduardo Bernal, coordinador del Ministerio Hispano del Vicariato de Charlotte, anunció que la segunda parte de este entrenamiento básico en psicología del adolescente se ofrecerá el 4 de agosto en la sede de la Diócesis de Charlotte. “Este segundo curso estará dirigido a todos aquellos que tomaron el primer taller y nos brindará mayor y más profunda información sobre cómo ayudar a nuestros jóvenes”, apuntó.
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catholicnewsherald.com | May 11, 2018 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
Listening is key to bishops’ committee against racism, says new chair CAROL ZIMMERMANN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Bishop Shelton J. Fabre of Houma-Thibodaux, La., the newly appointed chair of the Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said he looks forward to serving the bishops in this role as Church leaders continue to respond to the “sin” of racism. The bishop was appointed to the position by Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, USCCB president, following the resignation of Bishop George V. Murry of Youngstown, Ohio, from this role after his recent diagnosis with a form of acute leukemia. “Our most heartfelt prayers are with Bishop Murry and his loved ones,” the cardinal said in a May 4 statement. “We ask all people of faith to join us in praying for his full recovery.” Bishop Fabre, an African-American
bishop, who is also chairman of the Subcommittee on African-American Affairs for the U.S. bishops, said the work of the Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism will continue to build on the direction set by Bishop Murry Fabre with a primary focus on continuing regional listening sessions. He said Bishop Murry “insisted we need to act but also to listen to those affected by racism and those working to overcome it.” In a talk he gave earlier this year at St. Peter Church in Charlotte, Bishop Murry described the committee’s listening sessions – taking place in parishes, schools, seminaries, Catholic Charities organizations, Catholic health associations and social service agencies across the country – as part of a “national
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conversation on race.” “The goal will be to allow people to listen to each other, to exchange ideas, to become educated and change hearts,” he said, emphasizing that these sessions would involve listening closely to people who have experienced prejudice firsthand: AfricanAmericans, Latinos, immigrants, Jews and others. The bishops’ Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism was formed in August 2017 not only to address racism in the Church and the wider community but also to be part of the solution in eliminating it. Bishop Fabre said the committee is currently working on completing a pastoral letter on racism that is scheduled for consideration at the bishops’ annual fall assembly in Baltimore. It is also developing programs for Catholic schools and religious education programs and meeting with scholars to deepen its analysis of racism and come up with the “best ways to move forward.” The 54-year-old bishop stressed that racism goes far beyond the Church and will take “many voices, many encounters ... to effectively address and eradicate it,” but he also has hope that this can happen saying he believes in the goodness of people and in God’s power. “Racism is a sin with a long legacy and deep roots,” he said. “It requires the grace of God to overcome it.” He will serve as chair of the committee for the remainder of Bishop Murry’s term. Bishop Murry is undergoing chemotherapy throughout the month of May, the Youngstown Diocese announced April 30. Bishop Fabre said he is praying for Bishop Murry’s full recovery. “My prayers and hopes are with him,” he said.
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In Brief Catholic Charities USA leader: Accompanying migrants is the Gospel way PORTLAND, Ore. — The head of Catholic Charities USA is saddened that many Catholics have “become acclimated” to national resentment over migrants. Dominican Sister Donna Markham, the agency’s president and CEO, told an audience during the Msgr. Thomas Tobin Lecture on Catholic social teaching May 4 that some Catholics have sidestepped the lessons of Jesus, who said, “What you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.” Portland Archbishop Alexander K. Sample supported Sister Markham’s point, reporting that he receives angry letters after speaking up for immigrants. “We live in an age that treats migrants as if they were a disease,” he said, calling it “deplorable” that the country would turn its back on refugees and immigrants who are fleeing violence and poverty. “These are real people with real lives.” While Catholic Charities nationwide aid about 600,000 refugees and migrants overall, agency officials expect the number of people being resettled to continue to decline.
Catholics decry end to Temporary Protected Status for Hondurans WASHINGTON, D.C. — Catholic leaders were angered and disappointed by the Trump administration’s May 4 decision to end Temporary Protected Status, popularly known as TPS, to more than 57,000 Hondurans living in the United States. Hondurans who arrived in the United States after their country was devastated by Hurricane Mitch in 1998 now have until Jan. 5, 2020, to return home. “Anyone who has been to Honduras in recent months knows we are sending innocent people back to one of the most chaotic and dangerous places in the world,” said Bishop Mark J. Seitz of El Paso, Texas, via Twitter May 5. “We have clearly lost our moral compass.” The U.S. Department of State has a travel advisory for Honduras on its website, saying “violent crime, such as homicide and armed robbery, is common. Violent gang activity, such as extortion, violent street crime, rape, and narcotics and human trafficking, is widespread. Local police and emergency services lack the resources to respond effectively to serious crime.”
Pope appoints U.S. stem-cell biologist to science academy VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis named a pioneering U.S. scientist specializing in stemcell research to the Pontifical Academy for Sciences. Elaine Fuchs, professor and head of the laboratory of mammalian cell biology and development at The Rockefeller University in New York, was appointed to the papal think tank, according to a Vatican press release published May 5, her birthday. Fuchs, 68, has done groundbreaking research on the biology of skin stem cells, studying how these cells make and repair tissues, how they “communicate” with other neighboring cells, and how the communication malfunctions in cancer and aging, according to the press release. The research is aimed at developing therapies that enhance wound repair and impact the stem cells of tumors, it said. Born in Hinsdale, Illinois, she earned a degree in chemistry from the University of Illinois and got her Ph.D. in biochemistry from Princeton University. She was the first woman hired in the biochemistry department at the University of Chicago in 1980.
Speaker Paul Ryan gives House chaplain his job back WASHINGTON, D.C. — Jesuit Father Patrick Conroy, chaplain for the U.S. House of Representatives who said he had been forced to resign, was reinstated to his post by House Speaker Paul Ryan May 3. The priest was reinstated after a letter he wrote to Ryan, R-Wisconsin, became public. In the letter, Father Conroy said he wished to retract his resignation letter and continue working during this Congress “and beyond. I have never been disciplined, nor reprimanded, nor have I ever heard a complaint about my ministry during my time as House Chaplain,” his letter said. He also mentioned displeasure that Ryan hadn’t spoken to him directly but had his chief of staff ask for his resignation. In a statement, Ryan said his original decision was made with what he thought was in the best interest of the House, but he now decided that “a protracted fight over such an important post” would not be good for the body and so he accepted the priest’s letter and decided he could remain in his position. Ryan, who is Catholic, is expected to meet with Father Conroy May 8 when the House is back in session.
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Trump signs order to give faith groups stronger voice in government
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WASHINGTON, D.C. — In front of a small crowd of cabinet members and religious leaders at the White House Rose Garden May 3, President Donald Trump announced, and then signed, an executive order giving faith-based groups a stronger voice in the federal government. “It’s a great day,” he said after signing the order and passing out pens to religious leaders who surrounded him outside on the spring morning for the National Day of Prayer event. No details about the order were given at the ceremony, but religious leaders were reminded of the work they do in caring for those in need and were assured by the president that their religious freedom would continue to be protected by the federal government. A White House document posted online after the order was signed said its purpose was to ensure that faith-based and community organizations “have strong advocates” in the White House and the federal government.
States file lawsuits to end DACA WASHINGTON, D.C. — Continuing the legal drama against a program that protects some 800,000 young adults brought into the country without legal documentation as minors, seven states have filed a lawsuit attempting once more to end it. Joined by Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, South Carolina and West Virginia, the state of Texas is leading the charge in a lawsuit filed May 1 that says then-President Barack Obama and his administration unlawfully and unilaterally granted what amounts to “citizenship” to “otherwise unlawfully present aliens” when it approved in 2012 the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Popularly known as DACA, the program grants a renewable work permit and other temporary documentation to the young adults if they meet certain conditions. Saying it was unlawful, President Donald Trump announced the program’s end in September and asked Congress to hash out a legislative solution by March, but lawmakers have not done so. Since Trump’s announcement, DACA has been on a legal roller coaster. Most recently, a federal district judge from the District of Columbia ruled on April 24 that the Trump administration did not explain why DACA was “unlawful” when it announced it was going to rescind it. Until it can do so – the administration was given 90 days to justify its action – the Department of Homeland Security, which administers the program, must continue to accept new applications and renew documents for those already enrolled, the judge said. — Catholic News Service
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catholicnewsherald.com | May 11, 2018 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
Faith groups care for refugees in ways governments can’t, group tells U.N. BETH GRIFFIN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
UNITED NATIONS — Faith-based organizations are uniquely able to care for migrants and refugees because they employ a holistic, person-centered approach that respects the human dignity of each individual, and they have established networks throughout the world, according to panelists at a May 3 United Nations event. Archbishop Bernardito Auza, permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, said faith-based organizations provide “much of the infrastructure for immediate and long-term hospitality and accommodation, defend the rights and dignity of refugees and migrants independent of legal status, ensure through education, professional and social inclusion that they are able to achieve their potential as human beings, and enrich them and the societies that embrace them through the exchange of talents and culture.” They are unique in their reach and presence at all points of the migratory journey, often filling gaps in services to migrants that governments and other civil society groups are incapable or unwilling to fill on their own, he said. Archbishop Auza said six of the nine agencies that assist the U.S. State Department in resettling refugees in
190 communities throughout the U.S. are faith-based organizations. They are motivated by faith but granted resettlement responsibilities by the government because of their proven effectiveness, he said. Speakers at the interreligious event described shared religious and ethical beliefs that inspire faith-based organizations to champion the rights of migrants and encourage good behavior by displaced people and the communities that host them. They pointed to the experiences of Abraham, Moses, Jesus and the prophet Muhammad as examples of forced migration. “Migration is about human persons,” said Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Archbishop of Manila and president of Caritas Internationalis. “I have observed that some people who are afraid of migrants or refugees have had very little personal encounter with them. They do not even know the people they fear. By meeting them, touching their wounds, listening to their stories and dreams, we might see ourselves in them. They are not strangers. They could be me, my parents, my brothers and sisters, my friend,” he said. Cardinal Tagle described his Chinese grandfather’s migration to the Philippines as a child. “I have migrant DNA. I am sure you do too,” he said. Pope Francis has called “for a culture of personal encounter with migrants, refugees and people excluded by
contemporary society,” Cardinal Tagle said. They should be offered safety, welcome, protection, promotion of their integral human development, and integration into society, according to Pope Francis’ guiding principles, he said. Rabbi David Rosen, director of the American Jewish Committee, said the Bible specifically commands people “to love and empathize with others who seek to dwell within our community.” Although societies have a duty to protect their own citizens, they must also enable safe and secure passage for those on the move and ensure a decent living and social conditions for refugees and migrants, he said. People do not leave their homes for pleasure. They do so because they are forced by circumstances, according to Mohammed Abu Zaid, senior judge of the Sunni Family Court of Saida, Lebanon. In the Islamic tradition, the migrant is required to respect and cooperate with the host community and not challenge it, he said. The hosts, even if poor, are bound to share with migrants. Gijun Sugitani said global networks connect religious leaders in countries of origin and countries of destination. They should be used for the protection of refugees and the promotion of interfaith dialogue to ease frictions caused by cultural and religious differences between refugees’ homelands and their new homes. Sugitani is supreme advisor to the Tendai
Buddhism sect and chairman of Religions for Peace Japan. Faith-based organizations can foster better inclusion of migrants through language courses, local contacts, and mediation, said Metropolitan Emmanuel Adamakis of France. “We cannot separate our concern for human dignity, human rights or social justice from our concern for peace and sustainability,” Metropolitan Emmanuel said. “The great religious traditions all emphasize the dignity of each person and the unity and common destiny of the entire human race in our common home. Accordingly, each faith calls upon individuals and communities to welcome, assist, and protect the refugees, migrants, and the displaced in our midst.” Reverend Rachel Carnegie, co-executive director of the Anglican Alliance, said the current United Nations discussion about a global compact on safe, orderly and regular migration “is less about subtle negotiations or words and phrases, and more fully about real people’s lives and embracing with great vision this once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape cooperative action ... in response to the mass movements of peoples.” The event, “Sharing the Journey of Migrants and Refugees: An Interfaith Perspective on the Global Compacts” was co-sponsored by the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See and Caritas Internationalis.
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Visions in Faith
Monday, June 11 – Wednesday, June 13 7pm – 9pm
Maureen Sullivan, O.P.
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The Vision and Reality of Vatican II: F ashioning a Church for the 21st Century The Second Vatican Council (1962-65) was called by Pope John XXIII in the hope it would serve as a new Pentecost for the Church. It has been called the most significant Church event in modern Church history, providing a charter for the Church of the 20th century and beyond. It is now a little over 50 years since the Council ended and a time to reflect on why it was called, what it achieved and what remains to be done. This event is offered for laity and religious, with an evening schedule suitable for commuters. Cost: $30 per evening or $75 for all sessions
Maureen Sullivan, O.P. is a Dominican Sister of Hope from New York. She has a Ph.D. from Fordham University and has taught at St. Anselm College in New Hampshire. She has written two books on the Second Vatican Council: 101 Questions and Answers on Vatican II and The Road to Vatican II: Key Changes in Theology.
Refugee Employment Each year nearly 400 new refugees are resettled in the Charlotte area. A dedicated team of professionals at Catholic Charities works closely with these refugees to prepare them for the local workforce. If you are a small business owner or hiring manager we would like to invite you to learn about potential employment opportunities. With a strong work ethic and determination to succeed, refugees can help your business grow.
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In Brief Pope calls dicastery to promote reflection on role of women VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has updated the statutes of the Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life, adding among other things a specific reference to the office’s responsibility for promoting a deeper reflection on the role of women in the Church and society. “The dicastery works to deepen the reflection on the relationship between men and women in their respective specificity, reciprocity, complementarity and equal dignity,” the new statutes said. “Valuing the feminine ‘genius,’ it offers a contribution to ecclesial reflection on the identity and mission of women in the Church and in society, promoting their participation.” The new statutes, approved by the pope on an experimental basis, were released by the Vatican May 8 and were to go into force May 13. They replace statutes issued in June 2016, just before the new office began functioning under the leadership of U.S. Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell. While most of the articles in the statutes were unchanged, the new set eliminated a requirement that the office have three separate sections -- for laity, for family and for life -- each presided over by an undersecretary. However, the new statutes said the office will have “at least two lay undersecretaries.”
Bishops’ conferences join efforts to help Venezuelan refugees VATICAN CITY — With the help of the Migrant and Refugee Section of the Vatican Dicastery for the Promotion of Integral Human Development, eight bishops’ conferences in Latin America have joined efforts to assist Venezuelans in transit through or settling in their home countries. Called “Bridges of Solidarity,” the two-year pastoral program seeks to “find common solutions to the challenges posed by the massive flow of Venezuelans, who have decided to move to another South American country in recent years,” the Vatican office said in a press release May 7. After a period of study and discussion, the bishops’ conferences of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay and Peru forged a coordinated action plan to offer needed services to Venezuelans, other vulnerable migrants and the local communities that host them, the office said. The initiative was a response to Pope Francis’ call to “welcome, protect, promote and integrate migrants and refugees” and reflects many of
recommendations made in the guide put out by the Migrant and Refugee Section: “Responding to Refugees and Migrants: Twenty Action Points.”
Central African cardinal warns against revenge after Church attack
Pope offers Neocatechumenal Way lessons for respectful evangelization
BANGUI, Central African Republic — A cardinal in the Central African Republic warned against revenge after a priest and at least 24 lay Catholics were killed during a gun and grenade attack on a Mass in the country’s capital. “For decades now, what have we done with our country: coups d’etat, mutinies, repeated rebellions?” said Cardinal Dieudonne Nzapalainga, president of the bishops’ conference. “We see the result in deaths, scenes of pillage and acts of destruction. But behind these events, I ask myself if there’s also manipulation and instrumentalization, a wish to divide the country and a hidden agenda.” Cardinal Nzapalainga spoke May 2, the day after an attack on Our Lady of Fatima Church, close to Bangui’s mostly Muslim PK5 neighborhood. After the attack, a mosque was burned. The cardinal appealed to the government and U.N. peacekeeping forces to “throw light” on the atrocity and ensure justice was done, but added that local Catholics should also resist the urge to retaliate.
ROME — Sharing the Gospel means being a witness to love, responding to questions and patiently walking alongside people, not dictating how and when they take the next step, Pope Francis told members of the Neocatechumenal Way. Some 100,000 members from more than 130 countries gathered in a field on the edge of Rome May 5 to welcome Pope Francis and celebrate the 50th anniversary of the movement, which guides Catholics in an itinerary of exploring the meaning of their baptism and learning to live according to its promises. Kiko Arguello, one of the Spanish co-founders of the movement, introduced the members to the pope -- calling out one by one the nations represented and introducing the bishops and cardinals who accompanied many of the groups. Before sending 34 teams of Neocatechumenal Way members off on new missions, including to poorer parishes on the “peripheries” of Rome, Pope Francis reminded all the members about the obligation of every Christian to evangelize, and he gave notes on how it should be done.
Pope to German bishops: Try for unanimity on Communion question VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis asked the bishops of Germany to continue working together to find broader consensus on guidelines for allowing a Protestant married to a Catholic to receive the Eucharist. “Pope Francis appreciates the ecumenical commitment of the German bishops and asks them to find, in a spirit of ecclesial communion, a result as unanimously as possible,” the German bishops were told, according to a Vatican statement. The pope had invited six German bishops and the general secretary of the bishops’ conference to Rome for a May 3 meeting with top officials from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts. In February, the Vatican statement said, “more than three-quarters of the members” of the German bishops’ conference approved a “pastoral handbook titled, ‘Walking with Christ -- In the Footsteps of Unity: Mixed Marriages and Common Participation in the Eucharist.’” However, the Vatican said, “a not insignificant number” of bishops, including seven who head dioceses, could not give their assent to the document. “These seven turned to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts.”
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Nigerian religious leaders condemn attack that kills 19 during Mass LAGOS, Nigeria — Nigerian religious leaders condemned the killing of about 19 people during a morning Mass in Benue state. Two priests -- Fathers Joseph Gor and Felix Tyolaha -- and about 17 parishioners of St. Ignatius Catholic Church, Ayar Mbalom were killed April 24 in the church. Attackers also burned about 50 houses, nearly destroying the small community. Father Aondover Moses Iorapuu, communications director for the Diocese of Makurdi, called the killings shocking and barbaric and said one would not think they could occur in the 21st century. Benue Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni said an investigation led police to believe about 30 Fulani herdsmen, a mainly nomadic group, carried out the attack. The state has had nearly 50 attacks in three years linked to grazing rights and dwindling fertile land.
Philippine cardinal: Daily bell tolling to call attention to murders MANILA, Philippines — Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle called for church bells in the archdiocese to toll at 8 p.m. each day to protest the continuing spate of killings in the country. He said the tolling of the bells will “haunt the perpetrators of violence and killing to remember their victims, never to forget them,” reported ucanews. com. “The bells beckon us to remember the dead ... and to ask God to remember them,” said a statement from the cardinal. Ucanews. com reported a Catholic priest and a broadcast
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journalist were the most recent victims of assassinations. Father Mark Ventura was shot to death after celebrating Mass in Cagayan province April 29. Cardinal Tagle invited the faithful “to pause, remember and pray” for Father Ventura, the second priest to be killed in four months. In December, Father Marcelito Paez was shot dead in the province of Nueva Ecija. “It’s sad that a priest was killed ... and even if he’s not a priest, a person. Isn’t he a gift from God? Is it that easy nowadays to just kill and throw someone away?” asked Cardinal Tagle.
Date set for final approval of canonization of Paul VI, Romero VATICAN CITY — The Vatican announced that final approval would be given May 19 for the canonizations of Blesseds Paul VI, Archbishop Oscar Romero and four others. Pope Francis already cleared the way for their canonizations earlier this year with the publication of decrees recognizing a miracle attributed to the intercession of each one of the blesseds. The Vatican said May 3 that an “ordinary public consistory” -- a meeting of the pope with cardinals resident in Rome and invited bishops and other dignitaries -- would be held May 19 to finalize the approval of six canonizations. This meeting of cardinals and promoters of the sainthood causes formally ends the process of approving a new saint. The dates and locations for the canonization ceremonies are expected to be announced shortly after the consistory. Meanwhile, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, has said that Blessed Paul’s canonization will take place at the end of the Synod of Bishops on youth and discernment, scheduled for Oct. 3-28.
Cardinal Pell ordered to stand trial on abuse charges MELBOURNE, Australia — After a monthlong pre-trial hearing, an Australian judge ordered Cardinal George Pell to stand trial on multiple charges of sexual abuse of minors, charges the cardinal consistently has denied. While dropping some of the charges, including what Cardinal Pell’s lawyer described as the most “vile,” Magistrate Belinda Wallington announced May 1 that she believed there was enough evidence presented in connection with about half the original charges to warrant a full trial. The Melbourne court did not publish a complete list of the allegations, but news reports indicated they involved alleged sexual offenses committed in the 1970s at a pool in Ballarat, where then-Father Pell was a priest, and at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne in the 1990s when he was Archbishop of Melbourne. The 76-year-old Cardinal Pell, head of the Vatican Secretariat for the Economy, took a leave of absence from his position in the summer of 2017 to face the charges. — Catholic News Service
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Steven Richardson
The first prayer of the rosary: The Apostles’ Creed Editor’s note: When she appeared at Fatima, Our Lady asked us not only to pray the rosary, but also to meditate on its mysteries. In a five-part series beginning in this week’s edition, writer Steven Richardson will explore how the mysteries of the rosary are reflected in the rosary prayers themselves.
T
he Apostles’ Creed illuminates the first mystery from each of the joyful, sorrowful, glorious and luminous mysteries of the rosary. “I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, Our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary…” After making the sign of the cross, every rosary begins with these words. The first prayer that we say is the profession and description of our faith, the ancient creed. And what more fitting start could we have for the Annunciation, the first joyful mystery, than to repeat this belief that Mary held so close to her heart. Jesus Christ, His only Son, was born into the world because Mary believed so strongly in God. Full of grace, Mary had been preparing for the Annunciation from the moment of her Immaculate Conception. But she didn’t know exactly what was going to happen.
Before it did, and after it did as well, she drew upon her incredible faith in God to understand and believe and even rejoice. All mankind, living and dead, waited for the answer of a 14-year-old girl. The creator of heaven and earth came to dwell within her. The first event recited in the Creed is the Annunciation, the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Because of this, He was born of the Virgin Mary. “…suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell…” In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus can see the future unfolding through the tears of blood that ran from His eyes and down His cheeks. He already knows what is going to occur, who is going to betray Him, who will abandon Him. He knows the suffering He will endure. This is the first sorrowful mystery, the Agony in the Garden. This is the mystery that prepares us for the way of the cross. But it is striking to note that the list of descriptions here moves directly from Jesus’ birth to His passion. They are not only the two most important parts of His life, they are the most connected. From the time that Jesus was born of Mary and laid in the manger, He lived under the shadow of the cross. Even the wood that supported His infant head was a foreshadowing of the wood to which He would be nailed. Without
Protecting God’s Children We proclaim Christ to the world around us by our efforts to provide a safe environment for all people, especially the young and the vulnerable.
In 2002, the bishops of the United States issued the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. The charter addresses the Church’s commitment to respond effectively, appropriately and compassionately to cases of abuse of minors by priests, deacons or other church personnel. DIOCESAN REQUIREMENTS FOR REPORTING MINISTRY-RELATED SEXUAL ABUSE OF A MINOR 1. Any individual having actual knowledge of or reasonable cause to suspect an incident of ministry-related sexual abuse is to immediately report the incident to the Chancery. 2. The Chancery will then report the incident to the proper civil authorities. The individual reporting the incident to the Chancery will be notified of the particulars regarding the Chancery’s filing of the incident with civil authorities. 3. This reporting requirement is not intended to supersede the right of an individual to make a report to civil authorities, but is to ensure proper, complete and timely reporting. Should an individual choose to make a report to civil authorities, a report is still to be made to the Chancery. The charter can be found on the diocesan website, Charlottediocese.org, click on the tab, “Safe Environment.”
the cross, we have nothing. “…on the third day, He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead…” After descending, Jesus rises from the dead in glory. This is indeed the first glorious mystery, the Resurrection. What great hope we have, with a risen Savior! What a glorious home awaits us, with Jesus sitting at the right hand of God. There is so much both joyful and glorious in these words that it must compel us to delight in the majesty and splendor of the plan that God ordained from the beginning of the ages. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world.” (Ephesians 1:3-4) As the Resurrection leads to the Ascension, and the Ascension leads to Christ sitting at God’s right hand, it is the basis for all that we believe in the life to come. Because Christ rose from the dead, we have a living faith, one that is guided by the belief that we do have every spiritual blessing waiting for us in heaven. “We are an Easter people,” St. John Paul II said in his Angelus message on Nov. 30, 1986, “and Alleluia is our song.” St. Paul concludes this verse by explaining how we should behave in light of this truth: “That we should be holy and blameless before him.” (Ephesians 1:4) And this is our response to the majestic promise. We are born into the Resurrection when we are born from above (also see John 3:3), but we have to respond to this birth by striving to be found acceptable when Christ comes to judge. This is how we respect and adore the mystery of the risen Christ. “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2:12) Now that Christ has been resurrected and sits at the Father’s right hand to judge, we work out our own salvation, not in His absence, but with His Presence in a different form. “I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.” What great and wondrous echoes of the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River we have in this rhythmic poem that concludes the Creed. And that is the first luminous mystery, the Baptism of Our Lord. Of course, in the longer Nicene Creed, the corresponding section refers specifically to baptism (“I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins”), reinforcing the natural correspondence. The path of rebirth through the Holy Spirit was unveiled at the moment that John baptized Jesus. The Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, descends upon Our Lord at the time of His baptism. Later, Jesus referred
‘From the time that Jesus was born of Mary and laid in the manger, He lived under the shadow of the cross. Even the wood that supported His infant head was a foreshadowing of the wood to which He would be nailed. Without the cross, we have nothing.’ to this in His conversation with Nicodemus: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5) However, there is far more to be seen in this epiphany. Jesus is anointed as the Messiah with this baptism, and that transfers the promise from the Old Covenant to the New. When the multitudes witnessed this pivotal occurrence, they could begin to see how Jesus would establish the new Church, founded on the authority of Almighty God, who spoke from the cloud with the mission of His Son. And with the honor that Jesus bestows on John, which was foreshadowed from the moment that they met in their mothers’ wombs, He enrolls the Baptist into the communion of saints – the first of the New Testament. Through baptism we rise with Jesus into life everlasting, provided that at the end of our journey we can say, with St. Paul, that “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7) St. Paul promises the crown of righteousness not for himself only, but for all who have loved Jesus’ appearing (also see 2 Timothy 4:8). The crowds that delighted in this “appearing” began to gather there at the Jordan, at Jesus’ baptism. STEVEN RICHARDSON is a Lay Dominican and a member of St. Ann Parish in Charlotte with his wife Mary and his three children, Maria, Rita and Joseph. In the second installment of this series, to be published May 25, Richardson will explore the mysteries of the rosary in the context of the Lord’s Prayer.
May 11, 2018 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI
‘What we do and say at any given moment during the course of our day will determine if our life is truly given to God or consumed by ourselves.’
Parish spotlight
Celebrating spring THOMASVILLE — Members of Our Lady of the Highways gathered May 6 for a bilingual Mass celebrated by Oblate Father Jim Turner, pastor, and assisted by Deacon Wayne Adams and newly ordained Deacon Marty Sheehan. Mass was then followed by a Parish Spring Festival celebration. All in attendance were treated with plenty of food that was enjoyed by both young and old. Musical entertainment was provided by several singers in the parish. Father Turner joined in with the line dancers, while the children enjoyed a bouncy house and dunking booth.
Bobby Speers
Evangelism is not the job of a few
H
ow do you spell evangelism? Most people believe it begins with “e,” but I say it begins with you and me! Right off the bat, one out of every four readers will probably stop reading this. Why? Because the thought of evangelizing is passé, or we think it is the job of the pope, the bishops, the priests or the deacons – after all, they received holy orders, right? But we read in Matthew 28:18-20 that Jesus gave all of us His “holy order”: “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” Known as the Great Commission, Jesus’ words are not meant just for the small group of disciples He addressed before His Ascension to heaven. We are all called to the effort of building the Church. Sometimes we make evangelism more difficult than what it needs to be. Yes, there are Christians from whom God will expect more, because – as we read in the Parable of the Talents – when more is given, more is expected. But overall, the act of real evangelization is misunderstood. When asked to evangelize, people (me included) say: I can’t knock on doors and talk to strangers about Jesus. Don’t ask me to witness to someone about my faith or teach a class. I’m more into praying privately than participating in public events. We can excuse our way out of evangelizing, but will these excuses hold up come Judgment Day? We are not all equipped with the gift of public speaking or writing, but we all have one thing in common: we’re living among others. What we do and say at any given moment during the course of our day will determine if our life is truly given to
God or consumed by ourselves. When our daily lives feature serving others, loving everyone equally, forgiving our brothers and sisters, giving and not looking to receive in return, and looking out for the benefit of others, we become true evangelizers. When we are merciful, compassionate, chaste, honorable, hospitable, empathizing, sympathizing, humble and gracious, we become true evangelizers. Simply put, evangelism is a way of life, not a job or a duty. It is our Christian purpose, to live for God! This takes daily habit – a daily conversion of heart, mind, body and soul. Pope Francis said it best at his April 4 general audience: “However, we are well aware that although the Mass comes to an end, the task of Christian witness begins. Christians do not go to Mass to fulfill a weekly duty and then it is forgotten, no. Christians go to Mass in order to participate in the Lord’s Passion and Resurrection and then to live more as Christians: the task of Christian witness begins. We leave the church by ‘going in peace’ to carry God’s blessing in our daily activities, in our homes, in our workplaces, among the occupations of the earthly city, ‘glorifying the Lord with our life.’ But if we exit the church gossiping and saying ‘look at this one, look at that one...’, with ‘tongues wagging,’ the Mass has not entered my heart. Why? Because I am not capable of living the Christian witness. Every time I leave Mass, I must exit better than how I entered, with more life, with more strength, with more willingness to bear Christian witness. Through the Eucharist, the Lord Jesus enters us, into our heart and our flesh, so that we may ‘hold fast in our lives to the Sacrament we have received in faith.’” Amen! BOBBY SPEERS is a writer who lives in Hickory and serves as chairperson of St. Aloysius Church’s evangelization commission.
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‘The devil is the great liar, the father of lies, and we fools believe him.’ Pope Francis
From online story: “The devil is a big loser, but he still manages to trick people, pope says” Through press time on May 9, 2,903 visitors to www.catholicnewsherald.com have viewed a total of 5,025 pages. The top 10 headlines in May so far are: n North Carolina bishops speak on immigration issues...................................................................................................179 n ‘Phishing’ scam targets Charlotte-area pastors, parishioners....................................................................................151 n Dominican rite Mass offered................................................................................................................................................108 n View the current print edition of the Catholic News Herald.........................................................................................97 n WCU altar dedicated.................................................................................................................................................................92 n Padre Pio’s relics and spirit visit St. Pius X Church....................................................................................................... 88 n Pittsburgh Diocese plan will see number of parishes drop from 188 to 57.............................................................67 n Improvements at Mary Queen of Peace Monastery........................................................................................................61 n Diocesan School Board meets students, faculty and staff during site visits......................................................... 54 n St. Matthew students take action against poverty..........................................................................................................51
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“Do not be afraid. Do not be satisfied with mediocrity. Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” — St. John Paul II
DUC IN ALTUM June 25 - 29, 2018 * Belmont Abbey College
Retreat open to young women 15 thru 19 years old Register by June 16, 2018 www.charlottevocations.org